All Conference E-Mail
Diana Butler Bass in Brunswick
Maine Conference Learning Event -
May 6, 2017

An All Conference Workshop event has been planned for May 6, 2017. We are partnering with First Parish Church, UCC in Brunswick to offer this event which will consist of workshops during
 the afternoon followed by an evening presentation by Diana Butler Bass. Read more about Diana here.

Where: First Parish Church, UCC, Brunswick, ME
When: Saturday, May 6, 
2017 - an afternoon and evening event. Registration opens at 12:30pm
Who: You! and Diana Butler Bass

Learn more and register here.

View Event Poster 

Questions: Please contact
Rev. Bill Walsh,
Conference Moderator,
A MESSAGE FROM THE MAINE CONFERENCE MISSION COUNCIL
Greetings to Our Maine Conference Churches!

The Maine Conference Mission Council is working hard on a number of initiatives and issues on behalf of the Conference, including:  budget and finances; strengthening our connections, church to church; highlighting the good work and ministry that is taking place all over the Conference; and implementing the Moving Forward Together Strategic Plan, along with new bylaws
.
In this Easter season, we humbly request your prayers, in support and encouragement of our work and ministry.
We are looking forward to our upcoming Conference gatherings:
 
May 6-- Spring Learning Event with Diana Butler Bass at First Parish in Brunswick
October 21-- Annual Meeting at Husson University (detailed information will be available early in the fall)
PILGRIM LODGE JUMP START WORKDAY IS THIS SATURDAY!  Please come up to camp and help us get ready for the summer.  We have tasks for people of all skill levels.  Lunch is provided. 
Boundary Training


2017 Boundary Awareness Training
Events sponsored by the Maine Conference UCC

3. From Pulpit to Pew...
10AM - 3PM, Thursday, May 4, 2017 at Day's Ferry Congregational UCC, Woolwich. $25.

4. The Oxymoron of Boundaries in Rural Communities
10AM - 3PM, Saturday, October 14, 2017 at First Congregational UCC, Brewer. $25.

5. Clergy Boundary Awareness Training for Laity
10AM - Noon, Saturday, June 10, 2017 at the Maine Conference Center, Augusta. Free.

Trainings 3-4 above meet Maine Conference UCC Association requirements for clergy to maintain their ministerial standing (others should check with your Association Committee on Ministry). Lunch is included with daylong programs. For more information, contact the Maine Conference office at 207-622-3100 or [email protected]
To read more or register for a training,
Scholarship Deadline Coming Soon
Pilgrim Lodge
 Register Here

 There are many ways to help get you to camp!  First, check out your local church's scholarship options.  Many funds are left unused in local churches. Next, apply for a Maine Conference scholarship, applications are due by
 May 15.    
If you are planning to attend Camp Pride,
there are special funds available and an 
online Camp Pride registration form.
There are also discounts: for your children if you are a counselor; if you're bringing a friend who has never been to PL; if you are a youth coming to more than one week long session this summer.  Read all about them on our
scholarship an financial aid page.
Summer is coming!


Women of the Bible
by James A. Harnish                       
Many biblical women play critical roles in the drama of God's salvation. "Women of the Bible" grew out of a desire to discover how some of the women who made a difference in the Bible can make a difference in our lives today. Join Rev. James A. Harnish as he takes a closer look at the stories of the four extraordinary women in Scripture: Deborah, Abigail, Mary Magdalene, and the woman at the well. You'll be drawn into a fresh awareness of what it means for all of us- men and women alike- to be more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

We have one copy of this resource available to borrow.
The 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.

The Resource Center has begun the process of removing the video cassettes (VC) from it's library. If there are titles you would be interested in acquiring please contact Anne Hodgman at the number or email listed above.

You will find Anne in the Resource Center on Thursdays from 9am - 5pm
Fridays from 9 -11am  
 
Resource Center Email is only monitored on those days.  
Events
Services of Installation
You are invited to attend the Service of Installation for Emily Goodnow on Saturday April 29, 2017
at First Congregational UCC in Bridgton beginning at 2:00 pm.
You are invited to attend the Service of Installation for Chad Poland on Sunday May 6, 2017 at
All Souls Congregational UCC in Bangor beginning at 6:30 pm.

Interim Ministry in a Changing Time
Join Massachusetts Associate Conference Minister the Rev. Dom Remick on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 from 10am to 3pm at the Maine UCC Conference Center for this event 
Learn more
Register here
Service of Ordination for Sara Bartlett
 You are invited to join members of the Cumberland Association Churches for a Service of Ordination for Sara Elizabeth Bartlett on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at North Yarmouth Congregational Church at 2:30pm. 
Click to view the official invitation. 

Service of Ordination and Installation for Elizabeth Coffey 
You are invited to join members of the Katahdin Association Churches for a Service of Ordination and Installation for Elizabeth McKee Coffey on Sunday May 21, 2017 at All Souls Congregational UCC in Bangor at 3:00pm.  
Click to view the official invitation.  
Spring Association Meetings
Oxford-Union Association  Saturday April 29, 2017
12:30 - 2:00 pm at First Congregational Bridgton.
Cumberland Association Sunday April 30, 2017
2:30 - 5:30 pm First Parish in Gorham.
York Association Sunday April 30, 2017
3:00 - 6:00 pm at First Congregational North Berwick
Sunrise Association Saturday May 6, 2017
9 am - 1 pm at Trinitarian Congregational Parish Castine.
Midcoast Association Saturday May 20, 2017
10:30 am - 2:00 pm at First Congregational UCC in Camden.
Katahdin Association Sunday May 21, 2017
1:30 - 5:00 pm at All Souls Congregational UCC in Bangor.
Star Island UCC Conferences
Four UCC conferences are offered this summer on Star Island. Located in the Isles of Shoals off Portsmouth, NH, a  ferry from Portsmouth transports you to a special place. For more details, go to www.starisland.org
View a list of the Four UCC Gatherings here.
WindowDressers
Is a Maine non-profit group working to help residents in the area save on winter heating expenses. Volunteers will be building custom-fitted, low-cost insulating window inserts. Need inserts? sign up before April 30th. Want to help build inserts? Click here to help build inserts or sign up to receive inserts, or call Kit Lane at 460-9113.
Honduran Missionaries Coming to Maine  in May 2017
Missionaries = OCWM dollars at work!
May 12-26,have them speak at a small home gathering, an all-church invitational potluck, or on a Sunday morning. 
To reserve a date contact Anne Hodgman
or call 622-3100
Learn more
May 21, 2017
Art Exhibit Opening:
Raphael Gribetz's
"The Search for Truth"
All are cordially invited to the opening of The BTS Center's new art exhibit, which will feature work by Raphael Gribetz (www.raphaelgribetz.com).
Learn More
The Downeast Spiritual Life Conference
"Your Spirit. Your World. Connecting Heart, Earth & Soul"
Friday July 21 to Sunday, July 23, 2017

For more information or to register 
go to http://downeastspiritual.org/ or call 207-374-5200.
 
Pilgrim Hymnals to Donate
First Church Farmington, CT has over 200 copies of the Pilgrim Hymnal to donate. If you are interested or need more information please contact Susan Murtha
203-936-9356.
Help Wanted/Classifieds
Director of Education and Faith Development Programs
Woodfords Congregational Church (Portland) seeks a Christian educator with a passion for supporting Christian fellowship and education by working with our children, families, and elders as Director of Education and Faith Development Programs. The position is 30 hours per week and is eligible for benefits.
Learn more
Seaside United Church of Christ
 Is an Open & Affirming and Just Peace Congregation-seeks a part time Sunday & After School Teacher, 4-6 hours weekly. Demonstrated commitment to progressive Christianity and creative child/youth faith formation. Background check required. Social Media fluency necessary. Please send resume and letters of inquiry to Seaside United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 555, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662, or email us at [email protected].
Wilson Center Seeks New Director
The Wilson Center for Spiritual Exploration and Multifaith Dialogue in Orono, Maine is seeking a Director for the Center. This position is halftime and will begin July 1, 2017. To learn more about this position and the Wilson Center click here 

In This Issue
Quick Links
Beyond Our Borders
The BTS Center is sponsoring -
Bricks and Mortals -
A Facilitated Peer Learning Experience About Innovative Building Use - May 5/6
This is a 9-hour workshop, which will take place at Andover Newton Theological School and be led by the Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper.   
Learn more
UCAN Call to Action
On December 1, World AIDS Day, we issued a Call to Action which was sent out to all Conferences.  Currently there are under 100 churches participating.   It is our goal to have 1,000 churches signed on by General Synod.  There will be a Call to Action Tool Kit available to assist churches fulfill their commitment.   It is our hope to create awareness and help end this epidemic by 2020."
Climate March in Washington, DC
on April 29th is being organized. The UCC Council for Climate Change along with the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries are official co-sponsors for the upcoming march.    RSVP
Sister March webpage:
www.peoplesclimate.org/sister-marches
The 46th Annual
NEAUCE
Conference 
 
  May 2 - 4, 2017
1PM
at
Pilgrim Pines
Conference Center
220 West Shore Road
Swanzey, NH 03446

For more information>>

Full Brochure

Register now>>
National ONA Gathering
June 27-29 Baltimore, MD Learn More
Going to General Synod in Baltimore June 30th to July 4th? Let us know. We would love to have you join us at our next delegate planning meeting May 20th from 10am to 1:30pm at the Maine UCC Conference Center in Augusta.
 
Pre-order your 2017/2018 UCC Desk Calendar
Pre-order here 
Registration is Open!
Registration for the United Church of Christ Musicians Association Event in Boston, MA,
July 9-12, 2017 is now open.
Early Bird Rates end April 15th.
Click here to learn more or register.

Printable Brochure

be the church
August 16-19, 2017
 Montreal
at Concordia University

To learn more>>
Maine Conference UCC | 207-622-3100 | [email protected] | http://www.maineucc.org
Maine Conference United Church of Christ
One Weston Court, STE 104
Augusta, ME 04330