1. Advent Clergy Retreats
2. Art and Writings of Children of New Orleans
3. “Singing Out” with Matthew Small
4. Planned Giving Workshops
5. Curriculum Workshops
6. Church Organ for Sale

1. We have just received a note that Rev. John F. Anderson passed away on October 14, 2007 at his home in Bellingham, WA. John graduated from Bowdoin College and Bangor Theological Seminary in 1951. He was ordained in 1951 and served several churches in Maine before moving to Tennessee and California. John is survived by his wife, June, their six children, twelve grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

1. ADVENT CLERGY RETREAT! Believe it or not, Advent is rapidly approaching. The Commission for Spiritual Life is offering two opportunities for clergy to help them prepare for this important season. The retreat will be held at the First Congregational Church of Ellsworth on November 15 and at Woodford's Congregational Church in Portland on November 27. The retreat is from 10:00 to 2:00. Lunch will be provided by the Commission. For more information, contact Anne Roundy at revaroundy@verizon.net

2. "Mama, I Don't Know How to Draw Sad"-Art & Writings of Children of New Orleans is coming to Colby College for the month of November. There will be a reception Wednesday, Nov. 7th at Colby College at the Diamond Building, Mayflower Hill, Waterville from 5:30-6:50 p.m. with a panel discussion to follow at 7:00. Please extend an invitation to all church members and anyone you think may be interested.

The exhibit is filled with art and writings the children did in the year after Katrina, ranging form their losses to their hopes for the future of New Orleans.

3. Matthew Small (co-producer of Pilgrim Lodge’s Gathered in Song album and former President of State Youth Council) will perform his solo cabaret SINGING OUT on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 7:30pm at his home church, North Windham Union UCC, 723 Roosevelt Trail, Windham, with Dr. Laura Artesani on piano, featuring special guests Laura Toppi and Chelsea Williams from NWUC. The concert, about growing up and living truthfully, will include songs from Patsy Cline, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Cabaret, Cinderella, Les Miserables, Riverdance, My Fair Lady and more. Proceeds will benefit the church and its mission in the community. General Admission $5.

4. Planned Giving Workshops to be offered November 3rd at South Portland and November 17th at Brewer. Two workshops on planned giving will be offered on Saturday mornings 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The Reverend John Heinl will lead the workshop at the South Portland Church on November 3rd. The Reverend Bricker Gibson will lead the workshop at Brewer First. Both workshops will focus on endowment and investment policies, how to develop a planned giving program in your church, and the vehicles available to implement a planned giving program.
We need a minimum registration of five people or three churches in order to hold a workshop. To register contact the Resource Center (1-800-244-0937, or resourcecenter@maineucc.org. The registration fee is five dollars per church, payable at the door. We encourage churches to send teams.

5. Curriculum Workshops to be offered November 3rd at Falmouth and November 17th at Dedham (Note change of location) Two workshops on Church School curriculum will be offered on Saturday mornings from 9;00 to 11:45 a.m. on Saturday mornings. They will be led by the Maine Conference Partners in Education. Both workshops will focus on introducing the new Bible-based "Gather 'Round" curriculum carried by the United Church of Christ, updating folks on the lectionary-based "Seasons of the Spirit" curriculum, and providing information about the workshop rotation model of doing Sunday School. We need a minimum registration of seven people or three churches to hold a workshop, and we encourage churches to send teams. To register contact the Resource Center (1-800-244-0937, resourcecenter@maineucc.org. The registration fee is five dollars per church, payable at the door.

6. For Sale -
Allen digital church organ, model AP-4. 2 manuals and pedals, AGO console specs, 40 stops, 23 digitally sampled voices. Full MIDI compatibility. Includes two large external speakers. 12 years old, has some scratches on left side but otherwise in excellent condition. Suitable for small to medium size church or home studio. $6,000.00. Contact Paul Dickson at (207)288-3280 during the day, or (207)244-4076 evenings, or e-mail at p_dickson@midmaine.com.