1. 2008 Conference Yearbook now on-line
2. Do you operate a pre-school?
3. Call your Legislator
4. Environmental Toxics in Our Neighborhood Workshop
5. Celebrate Seminary Sunday
6. Development Director Opportunity
7. Elder Coordinator Opportunity
8. Spirituality and Stewardship Conference
9. Christian One-Liner

1. The 2008 Conference yearbook is now posted to the website. For the most up-to-date list of Association, Commission and Committee information, and Church information, may be downloaded or printed from the website. Go to www.maineucc.org and click on the link that says Conference Yearbook.

2. Does your church operate a pre-school and/or after-school program open to the community? We at the Congregational Church in Cumberland are considering that possibility and would like to have a conversation with you. Please call Susan Novak at 829-3419 or email susan@cumberlanducc.org. Thanks a lot!

3. Calls to legislators needed this week about taxation on meals at Pilgrim Lodge and other Maine Youth Camps
A bill is currently before the joint taxation committee in Augusta that, if passed, will keep Maine Youth Camps from being taxed on meals. The bill, LD 2005, can be read here: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD200501.asp Please call your legislators and ask them to speak to the members of the taxation committee on this issue. If this bill passes, camps will be exempt from taxes on meals just as hospitals and schools are currently exempt. If it fails camps may well be taxed for meals served.
If your legislator is on the taxation committee it is doubly important that you speak with him or her: you can find out by looking at this list http://janus.state.me.us/house/jt_com/tax.htm
You can locate your local representative or senator at this link: http://janus.state.me.us/house/townlist.htm

Please call before the end of business on Friday.

4. Environmental Toxics in Our Neighborhood: Personal & Public Policy Actions for Change workshop will be held Saturday, February 9, from 10am to Noon at First Parish Church UCC, 9 Cleaveland St., Brunswick. Sponsored by Maine Council of Churches and hosted by First Parish Church UCC.
Workshop Leaders are Anne D. (Andy) Burt, MCC Environmental Justice Program Director, Eric C. Smith, MCC Congregation Outreach Coordinator Steven Taylor,
Environmental Health Strategy Center, Campaign Director, For more information contact Andy Burt at 772-1918 or 882-6848 or adburt@gwi.net.

5. An Invitation to Celebrate Seminary Sunday on February 24, 2008
On behalf of the UCC Seminaries of New England, Bill Imes, President of Bangor Theological Seminary invites you to celebrate Seminary Sunday on February 24th. To read Bill’s invitation which includes an opportunity to order special bulletin inserts for February 24th, please click on the following link: http://www.bts.edu/newsandevents/Seminary%20Sunday%20ltr%20%2008.pdf

6. The Maine Council of Churches seeks a full-time Development Director, whose primary responsibility will be to oversee all aspects of MCC’s Development Plan. The major goal of the 8 year plan is to increase fundraising from all sources from $150,000 in 2007 to $390,000 in 2015, with an emphasis on expanding and increasing individual donations to over $100,000 within five years. Other goals include creating fundraising events and developing new major donor relationships. Please see their website for more information:www.mainecouncilofchurches.org

7. Elder Program Coordinator
Woodfords Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Portland, Maine is seeking a part-time Elder Program Coordinator. This is a part-time position, 16 hours per week, and with a competitive rate of pay, to coordinate programs and services to enhance the health and well-being of our senior members. A Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field with 3 or more years experience is required. Must have valid Maine driver’s license. A job description is available upon request. For more information call Woodfords Church at 774-8243 or email info@woodfordschurch.org

8. Spirituality and Stewardship Conference to be Held April 4th and 5th in Worcester MA
The Northeast Ecumenical Stewardship Council will hold its biennial stewardship event for clergy and lay leaders April 4th and 5th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Worcester MA. This year’s theme is “Pursuing the Disciplines of Stewardship.” Featured speakers include the Reverend A. Roy Medley, Bishop Margaret Payne, Bishop Peter Weaver, Bruce Rockwell, and Ed Hoyt. A host of workshops are also offered. This has always been a high quality event. Registration is limited to three hundred and the registration deadline is March 8th. Follow the link below for a one page flyer, the full registration brochure, and online registration: www.umfne.org

9. Christian One-Liners: Be ye fishers of men. You Catch Them - He’ll Clean Them