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Maine Conference Newsletter
November 16, 2016
 

 
In the Resource Center!
(Maine UCC Lending Library)
 
That We May All (Finally!) Be One by Mary Susan Gast
With our diverse cultures and histories, with our organizational autonomy and individual freedom of belief, our UCC identity is complex, says the Rev. Mary Susan Gast. Our unity is not always apparent. Who are we as the United Church of Christ? Sometimes the pronoun "we" seems too puny to handle us. The varied voices of the UCC can put a strain on the power of the first person plural pronoun to adequately represent (all of) "us." Who is "we" in the UCC?
In her new book, Gast invites you to learn about-or revisit-the UCC's:
*founding vision of unity and freedom
*arrangements of structure and accountability
*consideration of transformation, identity, and unity with an eye toward our future
Questions for reflection, comment, and conversation are included throughout the book.
 

Conference website and the Library cart are now working, or you can send requests to [email protected] or call 1-800-244-0937 or 207-622-3100. Please be aware that once you enter a search item you will be taken to a page that says "Grace Presbytery" in the upper left hand corner. You are in the right place. This is our catalog web host. The Resource Center is the lending library for the Maine Conference.

  
DESK CALENDARS ARE STILL AVAILABLE



If you have just flipped the page and realized that you are at the end of your 2016 UCC Desk Calendar do not fret. The Resource Center still has 9 copies of the 2016/17 desk calendars available for purchase. The cost is $15 per calendar plus shipping. Contact the Resource Center at 1-800-244-0937 or via email at [email protected].

 

The Maine School of Ministry
Maine Conference,
United Church of Christ

First Fall Retreat, 2016

Saturday, December 10, 9:30 - 3:00
Maine Conference Center, Augusta

... we shall employ UMaine Orono Cooperative Extension Bulletin #6107 "Vision, Mission, Goals & Objectives...Oh My!" (developed by Deborah Killam, Extension educator 
to compose a VMGOAp ("Ap" stands for Action plan) for the Maine School of Ministry. Please come contribute. It is our School, the Conference's School. And it will be fun.

For More Information & Agenda Click Here

Registration to Open Soon!

Getting Our BEARINGS 
 

Bearing Each Other Up: Reflections Upon the 2016 Election
 
 
Today in Bearings:  
A special edition in which several of our contributors reflect upon what Tuesday's election means for the church, for people of faith, and for their communities.


 




We stand with Standing Rock

 

It's a movement of prayer and peace. The United Church of Christ, honoring a sacred commitment to work for a just world for all, is listening to the citizens of America's First Nations, joining the people of many tribes at the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation in North Dakota against the 'black snake' -- an oil pipeline under construction across four states that threatens sacred Native lands and the water supply of millions of Americans.

The UCC seeks to amplify their voices, share their message, be their ally in their campaign for justice.


 




 Sunday, Nov. 20, is Transgender Day of Remembrance. It's an opportunity for your ONA congregation to honor your trans neighbors-------- here and abroad-------- who lost their lives in the past year to violence and suicide. Your congregation can send a clear message to your community: yes, there is a church where trans people are wanted, valued, and safe. Organize a special service of remembrance, and make sure it's publicized widely. Use our worship resources to help, and join observances in your community. Many congregations read the names of the victims while ringing a bell: it's a powerful way to remember.



I know, I know. The presidential election is making you feel something like this:



 


Yes, that's me as the Crying Jordan meme. Yes, that's how I feel about the election too.

If you must endure the political banter until the beginning of November, you might as well know how to utilize it for your church's social media.

Although churches can't explicitly endorse candidates, there are plenty of other ways to turn the election into more likes and shares on your church's social media accounts.

Let's turn that crying Jordan frown upside down, shall we?

Here are three suggestions for using the election to boost your church's social media.
1.    Post articles, memes, and videos related to reoccurring themes or topics in the election.
"Locker room banter."
"A basket of deplorables."
"Nasty woman" and "bad hombres."

You may not be able to endorse candidates, but you can find ways to comment about their campaign rhetoric, especially when it trends. Pay attention to what overarching themes arise because of a specific speech or ad, and use it as an opportunity to blog, tweet, or post about something that promotes your church's viewpoint surrounding the issue.

For example, if a certain debate brings passionate responses about equal pay and your church has advocated for that issue, make it known on social media!

As I've said in other Get Socials, you can't run your pages as if they exist in a vacuum. Find ways to join engaging conversations instead of constantly trying to create the conversation. It makes less work and attracts more followers for you.
2.    Promote faith-centered reasons to vote.
If you aren't comfortable addressing issues raised by the political candidates, share social media posts about faith-inspired reasons to vote. Use quotes from historical or pop culture figures about voting, and turn them into a social media graphics to share. Share voting information for your state and tag local groups that might want to share the graphic. Film a first-time voter from your church and let them share why they are excited to vote.

People won't always agree on policy differences, but most people will share posts encouraging others to vote.
3.    Use hashtags related to the presidential race for punchy posts and copy.
If your church is on Twitter or Instagram, you're missing a huge opportunity if you don't find ways to use the hashtags associated with high profile moments during the presidential election. Your church's accounts can't include hashtags endorsing a candidate (no #ImWithHer or #MakeAmericaGreat), but they can use election hashtags that a wider audience has a chance of seeing. (#Debate, #Election2016, etc.)    
If we're going to be bombarded with election updates and news until the election, we might as well grab some social media followers along the way!

Welp, that's all folks!

(I was thinking there might be an obvious link between this Porky Pig phrase, Porky Pig being in Space Jam, Michael Jordan starring in Space Jam, and the crying Jordan meme from the beginning of this post. But this written explanation probably means it wasn't that obvious...)

Catch me on Twitter or shoot me an email if you have some social media questions you'd like answered in a future newsletter!

Happy "the election is almost over" season,

Marcha�

5 Helpful Links    
4 Big Social Media Lessons We've Already Learned From Election 2016 

Churches, Public Policy, and Elections

 Dos and Don'ts in an election season 

 Guidelines for Congregations on Political Action 

 More and more people get their news via social media. Is that good or bad? 
 
 
Help Wanted/Classifieds
West Parish Congregational United Church of Christ of Bethel
Is Looking to Hire A Christian Education Coordinator
 
Christian Education and Family Life are vital parts of a church community. The West Parish Congregational United Church of Christ of Bethel wishes to hire a Christian Education Coordinator to work with the minister and the Christian Education Committee to coordinate programs for youth and families and outreach into the community. The work is for 40 hours a month with 2 weeks annual vacation. Sunday mornings and some Sunday afternoons are required but other hours are flexible.Starting pay is commensurate with your experience. Activities would include working with students and teachers to help develop and coordinate youth, family and intergenerational programs. Our goal is to nurture positive relationships, enrich the lives of youth and adults, build community and provide for opportunities for social and spiritual development, service and leadership - all framed by God's love. Applicants should work well with people of all ages and have experience with Christian Education programs. The job is available immediately.
 
For more information (including a more detailed job description) please contact Rev. Tim LeConey, at
 
Please send a letter of interest, resume and contact information for 3 references electronically or mailed to: Rev. Tim LeConey, West Parish Congregational United Church of Christ, PO Box 23, Bethel, ME 04217.

.
 
ORGANIST and/or CHOIR DIRECTOR
 

Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell,
tel. 207.622.1220,
http://oldsouthhallowell.org/



 
  • Positions available as soon as suitable candidate is found
  • Number of weeks per month is negotiable
  • Salary based on ability and experience
  • Submit a letter of interest, resume and contact information for 3 references electronically to [email protected] or via USPS to Music Search Committee, PO Box 508, Hallowell, ME 04347.
  • Applications close when a suitable candidate is found
  • Job description available on website
  • Hook and Hastings tracker pipe organ with 13 ranks

 
 
In This Issue


What can I do to stand with American Muslims right now?


We're hearing this question a lot, particularly as physical and verbal attacks on racial and ethnic minorities, Muslims, Sikhs, and many others have spiked in the past week. There are many answers to the question of HOW to stand with Muslims, and there will be many more ways to step up in the days ahead, but we have put together a few suggested places to start...

Read More 
 
 
 Quick Links 


Maine UCC Conference

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Grace Street Ministry 

 

The Alcyon Center

National UCC

The BTS Center  


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Beth Campbell
Maine Conference UCC
207-622-3100