YouCC & ME
May 2009
How we got to the
June 6, 2009 special meeting
As the Conference budget began to get tighter, the Community Life Commission
suggested to Coordinating Council that it consider its responsibility regarding
conference properties. In 2007, the Council discussed how to be the best stewards
of Pennell Center, Pilgrim Lodge and Rockcraft. Amidon Associates was hired
to appraise all three properties with an eye to existing space, its use and
effectiveness, as well as code, life safety, and maintenance issues. As part
of the overall consideration, it was decided to get feedback from members of
the conference. In the late fall of 2007, a series of 16 town meetings were
held throughout the state, using a common format and led by persons unrelated
to the Conference. A Town Meeting Committee was then charged to summarize the
responses and return to Coordinating Council with their findings. After much
discussion, the Coordinating Council developed the Next Generation proposals.
These proposals went to the 2008 annual meeting in Farmington where small group
meetings were held to get additional members feedback. Sifting through all this
feedback was a time consuming task and generated more questions. After reviewing
the findings, Coordinating Council voted to hire Scott Simons Architects, an
independent architectural firm, to conduct a feasibility study on the Next Generation
Proposals. Using all the information generated from our meetings with Conference
members, as well as their own meetings with stakeholders, the Facilities Committee
and staff, and drawing on their expertise, Scott Simon developed options and
recommendations for the long term use and development of Maine Conference assets
– Pennell Center, Rockcraft Retreat Center, and Pilgrim Lodge. At the
Feb. 13, 2009 meeting of the Coordinating Council, the architects presented
their report. After considerable discussion the Coordinating Council decided
to bring to the conference membership a recommendation to sell the Rockcraft
property during a special meeting on June 6, 2009 in Waterville. Herb Oliver
Conference
Minister’s Moment
There are so many things to love about springtime in Maine. It’s exciting
to see grass turning green, buds forming on the trees with emerging growth of
leaves, and flowers sprouting in the gardens. While everyone may not be a fan
of “spring cleaning,” such activities clear out the cobwebs and
bring fresh air into what might otherwise be stale and dusty places.
Did you know that springtime is also when book publishers advertise their spring
book list? Although you can purchase books year round, it’s exciting to
receive lists detailing all the newly published or catalogued books that are
available. I love to read, although I wish I had more time for it. There are
so many books printed each year that no one can possibly read them all.
Springtime is when I create my reading list, select a number of titles that
I want to read in the coming months, order or make my purchase, and formulate
a plan to get through my newly minted pile of reading material – before
the next book list is published! There are some authors who are a “must
read” no matter what they write. Barbara Brown Taylor is that author for
me.
We are in the midst of uncertainty, where the future of the church does not
seem as certain as it did a few decades ago. I’ve been reading a lot of
books the past few months that speak to these changing times, how congregations
are caught between maintaining traditions of the past and adopting new paradigms
for the future, and ways to renew our churches.
The church could use a good spring cleaning. Diana Butler Bass has said, “Christianity
is a sacred pathway to someplace better, a journey of transforming our selves,
our faith communities, and our world.” Why not pick up a new book to provide
nourishment for the spirit as you travel that journey!
Faithfully yours,
Rev. Darren L. Morgan
Acting Associate Conference Minister
for Small Church Development