1. Rev. Dana Reed to leave for active duty
2. “Bean Supper” Articles Deadline
3. Yearbook forms are arriving
4. Letter from Rev. John Thomas
5. Condolences
6. Andover Newton Workshop with Diana Butler Bass
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1. Dana Reed, pastor of the North Windham Union Church, will be leaving for active duty next weekend. Dana is a U.S. Navy Reserve chaplain who will spend the next year at Camp Pendelton in California, and Camp Fallujah in Iraq. Let’s all keep Dana and his family in our thoughts and prayers as he serves not only our church but our country as well.

2. Last Call for “Bean Supper” articles for MainStay. All churches are invited to write an article to be printed in the next (Feb/March) issue of the MainStay newspaper. We are looking for interesting, funny, heart-warming articles about suppers at your church. This is the opportunity for every church in the conference to have an article published. Articles should be 100-200 words and sent to the Conference office by the deadline of Jan. 4th . Please submit your article to conference@maineucc.org. Thanks

3. Everyone should have received the national yearbook forms by now. Those are the big, pain-in-the-neck forms that we ask you to fill out every year. Please remember that they are end of the year reports, so there is no need to wait until you annual meeting to fill them out. Forms are due back to the Conference Office by Jan. 31, so that your information can be reported to the national offices. Thanks for your help.

4. We need your help to provide critical shelter, food, clothing and schooling for Iraqi war refugees and their children in 2008. As of today, we have raised an astounding $82,700, just $17,300 short of our goal of $100,000. We need your help now. Our January 6, 2008 deadline is quickly approaching. Will you make a donation today to help us meet our goal?
God Bless You,
The Rev. John H. Thomas
General Minister and President
United Church of Christ

5. Our thoughts and prayers are with Victoria Bovill and her family, on the death of Rev. George Bovill on Dec. 29, 2007. Rev. Bovill served several churches in Maine including Blue Hill, Brooksville, Ellsworth, and Durham finishing his full time ministry after 21 years at Williston-West in Portland, and most recently serving as the Minister of Visitation of First Parish Congregational in Saco. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Jan 3 at 3 pm at First Parish in Saco.

6. The speaker at this year's Woodbury Management Workshop at Andover Newton is Diana Butler Bass, author of the best-selling, "Christianity for the Rest of Us." Diana's studies have provided great insight into renewal in mainline congregations. Her focus for the workshop will be on leadership in renewal. For a downloadable brochure go to www.ants.edu and click on the workshop link. If you would like a printed brochure contact Jen Walker at jwalker@ants.edu.