ALL CONFERENCE E-MAIL
April 3, 2008

1. Deadline for National Youth Event Applications is April 15
2. Update on Jeff Gallagher’s Family
3. Clarification of Food Tax at Camp
4. Good News: This Saturday’s Border Event is a Definite Go!
5. Christian Education Director Needed
6. 2008 Summer Institute in UCC History, Theology, and Polity June 9-20
7. Register Now for Online Confirmation Workshop on April 13th
8. Organ Repairer Needed
9. Come Explore the Possibilities at Bangor Theological Seminary

1. Now is the time friends, for our applications to come in to the Conference Office.
You can get the form on the Maine Conference Website. We want to receive these by April 15th so that we can turn them around and send them to the University of Tennessee. We also are hoping to see a very full mailbox!!! All applications received by the University of Tennessee by April 30th will avoid the late fee of an extra $20 being added to your cost. Now is the time! Talk to your friends and your youth groups and sign up. If you have any questions, just call the Maine Conference Office and ask for Susie Craig or Heidi Bennett.

2. Rev. Jeff Gallagher (Pastor of the First Congregational church of Kittery Point), his wife, Kristen, and their sons Noah and Jacob would like to sincerely thank the members and friends of the Maine Conference, United Church of Christ, for their tremendous outpouring of love, support, and prayers following Jacob’s birth on March 10th. Jacob has successfully come through one heart surgery and will be facing another in 2-4 months. Jacob is home now with his family, slowly learning how to eat, as he attempts to “bulk up” before his next surgery. His prognosis is good, but with a diagnosis of Down Syndrome, he will be facing some significant challenges in the weeks and months ahead. Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated.

3. We did it! The bill MYCA submitted to clarify that camp meals are not subject to 7% sales tax has passed and was signed into law by Governor Baldacci. It is Public Law 529. The law clarifies: "This bill amends the definition of "prepared food" under the sales tax law to exclude food and drinks served by a youth camp licensed under the Department of Health and Human Services." So our camp will have no further worries about a sales tax on meals.

4. Good News: This Saturday’s Border Event is a Definite Go!
Please note that the schedule for the Border Event this Saturday, April 5th in Florenceville, New Brunswick provided in the event flyer is Atlantic Daylight Saving Time. In terms of Maine time (Eastern DST), it runs 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This event promises to be a wonderful opportunity for Maine Conference and Canadian Maritime Conference churches which live within a reasonable traveling distance of the border to work on common issues and draw strength from one another. The day will include mutual conversation, workshops, and worship. The theme for the day is “Common Border/Common Faith: Small Churches Walking Along Together.” Annette Mott from the Maine Conference and Janice MacLean from the Maritime Conference will serve as co-leaders. The registration fee, which includes lunch, is ten dollars for the first person from a congregation and five dollars for each additional person, payable at the door. Contact the Resource Center (resourcecenter@maineucc.org, 1-800-244-0937) no later than 5:00 p.m. Thursday to register your church team and to receive directions to the church.

5. Christian Education Director, Old South Congregational Church, UCC, in Hallowell. Old South Church seeks a part-time (approximately 15 hours per week, August 15 through June 15) Christian Education Director, to oversee a small, but vibrant, church school community.
The Director works closely with the pastor and the Christian Education Committee. The CE Committee is especially interested in candidates who are eager to introduce new family/youth programming.
Submit resume and cover letter to: CE Director Search, Christian Education Committee, Old South Church, P.O. Box 508, Hallowell, Maine 04347.

6. 2008 Summer Institute in UCC History, Theology, and Polity June 9-20 at Geneva Point Center NH
The 16th annual Summer Institute in United Church of Christ History, Theology, and Polity, which is sponsored by Andover Newton Theological Seminary, Bangor Theological Seminary, and Hartford Seminary, will be offered June 9-13 and June 16-20 at the Geneva point Center in Center Harbor, New Hampshire. The instructor will be the Reverend Daniel Johnson. The non-credit tuition for this two week course is $350. Those wishing to take the course for academic credit need to contact Danielle LaVine at BTS for additional information. To receive a registration brochure about this summer’s Institute , contact the Resource Center at 1-800-244-0937, resourcecenter@maineucc.org .

7. Register Now for Online Confirmation Workshop on April 13th
The Maine Conference Christian Education Team is sponsoring an online “Confirmation Summit” Sunday evening, April 13th from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. This online workshop will present a variety of models, resources, and ideas for confirmation and include a time for online participants to share as well. It doesn’t matter where you live in Maine, you can participate in this sharing among colleagues! Register to participate by contacting the Resource Center (1-800-244-0937, resourcecenter@maineucc.org). You will be sent instructions on how to participate near the date of the workshop. You will need a computer and telephone to participate (if you have a dial up computer connection, you will need a separate phone line or cell phone).

8. Organ Repairer Needed
The Whittier Congregational Church in Island Falls (Aroostook Association) is looking for someone who can repair organs. Pastor Michael Kasevich says they have an old tube organ. If you have information to share, contact Michael at Kasevichm@aol.com .

9. Come Explore the Possibilities at Bangor Theological Seminary Open House: Saturday April 12, 2008 at the BTS Bangor Campus (12:00 - 4:00 pm).
We invite you to explore opportunities for theological education at BTS. Learn about classes, degree programs and financial aid as you speak with faculty, staff, and students. Lunch will be provided.
For more information or to reserve a space at the Open House, call Fae Gilbride, Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid: 800-287-6781 x126, or email fgilbride@bts.edu. You may also sign up online at http://www.bts.edu/prospective/visit.htm
Whether you are thinking of answering a call to ministry or seeking answers to spiritual questions, you’ll find what you need at BTS.