1. Choir Robes Available.
2. Bible Study Guides Available
3. Exotic Winter Escape for Couples
4. Director Needed for Academy for Congregational Life and Leadership
5. Save the Date – National Youth Event
6. Pilgrim Lodge of West Gardiner, Maine Earns ACA-Accredited Camp Status
7. Job Opportunity – Seafarer’s Friend
8. Condolences

1. First Parish Church UCC of Freeport has 16 gold choir robes and stoles to give away to any church in the conference. Unfortunately we cannot mail them, they would have to be picked up. If you are interested, please contact Patricia Pooters at 865-3215 or by e-mail: papooters@aol.com

2. First Parish Church in Brunswick has eight adult study books from "The Present Word" Bible study series to give to a church who would like them. They were used by their Adult Bible Study group this past fall. If you are interested contact Susan Fitzgerald at sfitzgerald@firstparish.net .

3. Exotic Winter Escape For Couples
First Parish Congregational Church Saco UCC is hosting three special “date nights” this winter, (January 12, February 9 and March 8) to strengthen couple’s relationship. Dr. Ron Baard, Associate Professor of Mentored Practice from Bangor Theological Seminary will be facilitating these relationship seminars to which all varieties of couples are very warmly welcomed to attend. Each evening will include a time of enjoying delicious appetizers, delightful company, live music, and a one hour relationship growth seminar. Couples are then encouraged to dine-out at one of Saco/Biddeford’s many fine dinning establishments. So that couples may differently enjoy the evening, participants are encouraged to register their children for the “pajama party” hosted by the youth group in the lower level of the church from 5:30- 8:30. Cost of the event is $10 per a couple and includes appetizers and childcare. Please see our website www.firstparishsaco.org for more details.

4. Job Opening: The Maine Conference is seeking a Director for its new Academy for Congregational Life and Leadership. We are looking for a qualified person, lay or ordained, to 1) assist the Academy for Congregational Life and Leadership planning team in bringing the Academy into being and 2) provide general administration and oversight of the Academy.
Duties include, but are not limited to: recruiting faculty and students, publicizing and promoting the Academy, coordinating the Academy calendar and site arrangements, being present at Academy sessions and retreats, planning and leading retreats, maintaining communication with students, maintaining Academy and student records, and attending meetings of the Advisory Board.
Job Qualifications: College graduate. Experience in the teaching ministry and/or administration is required. Ideally a candidate for this position should be able to demonstrate skills and experience in both areas.
This is a part-time position requiring an average of ten hours of work per week. The annual stipend is $8,500 and work mileage will be reimbursed.
Contact Annette Mott at the Resource Center (1-800-244-0937, resourcecenter@maineucc.org) for a detailed job description and for more information about the Academy. To apply for this position, please send an e-mail, accompanied by a resume and a list of three references in Word format to Annette Mott at the e-mail address given above. Application deadline is December 27th. The job will start in January 2008.

5. Save the Date. The Maine Conference’s trip to the National Youth Event will be July 23-29, 2008. A contribution toward their trip costs will make a great Christmas gift for those hard-to-buy-for teens. Watch your mail. Additional information will arrive in early January, including costs and fundraising suggestions for youth and their churches.

6. Pilgrim Lodge of West Gardiner, Maine Earns ACA-Accredited Camp Status
Pilgrim Lodge of West Gardiner, Maine, owned and operated by the Maine Conference United Church of Christ, just received the news that they have been accredited by the American Camp Association. What is accreditation? According to Bette Bussel, executive director of ACA New England, “Accreditation is voluntary. Camps agree to follow more than 225 standards that include basic health and safety, staff screening and training, and risk management. In some cases, our standards require camps to go above and beyond state regulations.”
ACA accreditation is a mark of distinction from the only national nonprofit organization accrediting camps. Explains Bussel, “Camps and ACA form a partnership that promotes growth and fun in an environment committed to safety. Camp is such an essential part of the growth and development of our young people. In many ways, camps take over where schools and families leave off. It is ACA New England’s job to promote safe, healthy and nurturing camp environments and to help families find them. With all that is going on in the world today, ACA accredited summer camps are committed to really being there for kids.”
“By being ACA-accredited, Pilgrim Lodge demonstrates that it cares about its campers, understands the importance of maintaining an optimal environment and strives to meet the highest quality standards designed specifically for camps. We are proud to announce that Pilgrim Lodge has attained accredited camp status through our comprehensive and thorough review.”
The American Camp Association, New England is the leading source for camp information in CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, & VT. ACA New England is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and families through quality camp experiences. Located in Lexington, Massachusetts, ACA New England, www.acane-camps.org, oversees more than 350 day and overnight camps in our six state region.

7. Job Opportunity: Seafarer’s Friend, Portland, ME
Seafarer’s Friend is a maritime ministry which has been serving seafarers in New England for 180 years. The Portland Mission is seeking a part-time (20 hours) Assistant to the Mission Director. Tasks and qualifications include; maintaining files/records, donor correspondence, bookkeeping, computer skills, proof reading, staff – including volunteers - support, ability to deal with change, good people skills and a sense of humor.
Resumes should be emailed to Nash Garabedian, Jr., Mission Director nashgarabedian@conversent.net or mailed to: Nash Garabedian, Jr., Seafarer’s Friend – Marine Trade Center, 2 Portland Fish Pier Suite 103, Portland, ME 04101 or call 207 871 7699

8. Condolences to the family on the death of Amy Meek, age 104. Widow of the Rev. Fred Meek, UCC, who served churches in Massachusetts as well as Maine (Biddeford, Second Cong). Daughter Sheila Meek of Kennebunk and son the Rev. Peter Meek (UCC) of Lexington, just retired.