May 9, 2007

1. The Time is Now – Sponsor a Honduran Youth or Adult Advisor
2. General Synod Registration no longer on-line
3. Parent’s Meeting for General Synod – May 20th
4. Pilgrim Lodge is filling up
5. H.O.M.E. burned
6. World Leading Voice on Empowerment of Poor at “Synod in the City”
7. Summer Courses at Bangor Theological Seminary
8. “Director of Youth Ministry” Opportunity

1. The Time is Now - Sponsor a Honduran Youth or Adult Visitor
In just seven weeks 12 young people and 2 adult advisors from the Evangelical and Reformed Church of Honduras will be arriving at the Portland Jetport for a 17 day visit which will include General Synod, Pilgrim Lodge and visits of 4 days duration to 2 local churches per visitor. Won't you consider having your church sponsor one of our partner church members for what will be a life-changing experience for both the Honduran and the hosting church? We have almost enough sponsoring churches to cover the young people. Now we need 3 more churches to sponsor and host adult advisors. Rev. Juan Jose Lopez is a pastor and is still available for the second block of time - July 4 - 8. He would be able to preach on July 8th. Maty Fiallos Gomez is the wife of the Vice President of the E&R Sinod in Honduras. She would be available for either the first time block - June 30 - July 4 or the second block. We also still have 5 young people who need sponsors for half of the time = 4 days = $500. If you are interested in changing a life and would like more information call Sally Colegrove 207-892-9298 or the Conference Office.

2. The online registration for General Synod is unavailable from May 8 until May 15. The hotel portion of online registration is no longer available. You now must contact the hotel directly to reserve a room. The hotels do not need to honor the previous prices offered. Go to http://www.ucc.org/synod/hotels26.htm for a list of hotels and prices.

3. Don’t forget the parent’s meeting at Saco First on May 20th at 2:00! This meeting is necessary to complete the paperwork for your youth to go to General Synod. This is the deadline to get the paperwork in. This will also be the time to find out what will be expected of your youth while in Connecticut, ask questions, and see an updated schedule on the events at General Synod. This meeting is mandatory unless other arrangements are made through Heidi and Bryan. You can contact Heidi at synod@maineucc.org and Bryan at bryan@pilgrimlodge.org. These arrangements will need to be made a.s.a.p. or you will be expected to be in Saco on the 20th.

4. Pilgrim Lodge camps are beginning to reach their capacity. Please send your registration forms into the Conference office soon, before your first choice event is full.

5. On Tuesday May 8, at 4:00 a.m., the main farm house at H.O.M.E. Co-op in Orland, Maine burned to the ground. By the grace of God no one, including none of the pets, were hurt. 10 people are homeless including Lucy Poland, founder of H.O.M.E. In the next few days the Board of Trustees of H.O.M.E. will be forming a fund where people may send money designated just for the rebuilding of a home for Lucy and those to whom she so willingly offers shelter.

6. Maria Otero, considered one of the world's leading voices on making globalization work for the poor, will participate in the UCC's all-day "Synod in the City" in Hartford, Conn., on June 23. Otero is president and CEO of ACCION International, a nonprofit group that gives people the tools they need to work their way out of poverty. By providing "micro" loans and business training to poor women and men who start their own businesses, ACCION and its partner lending organizations help people work their own ways up the economic ladder with dignity and pride.
      One of Otero's goals is helping women empower themselves through work so they can be leaders in their own lives. She says, "Being a woman makes me a better manager... forming a team is very much in line with the way I interact with my sisters or other women."

7. Summer Courses at Bangor Theological Seminary, Bangor and Portland Campuses

The schedule for courses offered on both campuses is available at the following link: http://www.bts.edu/registrar/courses/2007/Smr07schedule.htm

Courses are open to special students and auditors. Registration closes on Friday, May 25.

8. St. John United Church of Christ in St. Charles, Mo. (1,500 membership) is seeking a full-time Director of Youth Ministry for toddler through high school to encourage the spiritual development of youth and to create an environment where youth study and grow in Christ. The successful candidate will have sound Christian character that demonstrates a close relationship with God, strong administrative and leadership skills, experience and training in Christian education and youth ministry. This person will supervise two part time staff. St. John offers a competitive salary with benefits. To see a full job description, go to www.stjohnucc.org. Candidates can send their resume to St. John United Church of Christ, Attn: Director of Youth Ministry position, 405 S Fifth St., Saint Charles, MO 63301 (636.946.0961) or e-mail to friends@stjohnucc.org.

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