ALL CONFERENCE E-MAIL 
September 15, 2010
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Remember . . .
Your OCWM (Our Church's Wider Mission) contribution to the Maine Conference makes this email newsletter and the
numerous programs described herein available to you and your church.
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- Fall Learning Event, Oct. 22-23
- Middle School Ministries Mission Weekend at HOME
- Falmouth Church Seeking Office Manger
- Pilgrim Lodge Camper and Parent Evaluations
- New in the Resource Center
- Evangelism in the Community E.vent
- BTS Inaugural Lectures
- Social Media Boot Camp at ANTS
- “Ministering to those Effected by War”
- 10% Challenge and Workshops
- Achieving 101%
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Note: There ACE will not published on September 22 or 29, since our editor will be on vacation. The next edition of ACE will be published on Oct. 6. ______________________________________________________________________________
1. Join us at the Fall Learning Event, Oct. 22-23 at Hampden Congregational Church, Hampden
“From Glee-mail to Spacebook”, we'll explore the ever-changing world of communications and how new technology effects ministry, theology and the emerging church. No longer just tools to "use," social media has changed the way Christians impact the world and its conversations.
The Rev. J. Bennett Guess is the UCC's director of publishing, identity and communication. In his role, he has helped position the UCC as a religious leader in online messaging and marketing. He'll discuss how new media trends implore us to rethink how we do ministry, and he'll offer practical advice to relieve techno-anxiety in a world of rapid gadget change. We'll leave with strategies and suggestions for improving how we approach communications in our local churches.
More information and a registration form are available on the Conference website (www.maineucc.org). Private housing in the Hampden area may be available.
2. Middle School Ministries Work Weekend at HOME Coop. Sept 24-25th in Orland, ME
Registration deadline is here, so sign-up to bring your young people in grades 5-9 for an overnight and a day of service. We will begin arriving Friday evening at 5 pm, share supper, and plan our time together. Join us as we spend the night, and then work at the co-op serving the people of the HOME community on Saturday. If an overnight is not possible, we invite you to bring your group for the day on Saturday. We will be preparing meals, working at the farm, bringing in firewood for winter, and finally closing with worship in the H.O.M.E. chapel. We will conclude our day with a light pizza dinner before heading for home no later than 5 pm Saturday evening. This will be a day of serving first those who suffer most, a day of learning anew what it means to love your neighbor. This is a great way to start the year for our young people!
Young people should be accompanied by an adult advisor from their church. More than one adult per group is also welcome, as we want to have good adult supervision for all worksites. If the overnight stay is too much, please come for the day on Saturday.
Any questions, contact Susie Craig (susiecraigacm@aol.com) or call the Conference Office and talk to Sue Stevens 846-5118. Registrations should be sent along with a check for $30 per person to the Conference Office and should be received no later than Monday, September 20th. Driving directions and packing lists will be forwarded to all registrants.
3. Falmouth Congregational Church has an immediate opening for an Office Manager to work in our busy church office, Monday-Thursday, 9:00-3:00 with reduced hours in the summer. The ideal candidate will have excellent organization, communication and interpersonal skills. Position requires attention to detail, excellent computer skills and an ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team. Salary is commensurate with experience. Deadline for applications is Monday September 27, 2010.
Please send resumes and three letters of reference to: fccdesk@maine.rr.com attention; Office Manager Search
4. Please complete your Pilgrim Lodge camper and parent evaluation.
If you or your child attended Pilgrim Lodge this summer, you should have received a link via email to complete an evaluation. There are evaluations for campers and for parents. If you have completed this evaluation, thank you. If not, it is very important that you do so. The Outdoor Ministries Committee worked hard to create this online system that is both easier for parents and campers, but also collates data and makes it much more effective to glean useful information. Sadly, we've had a very low participation from Pilgrim Lodge users. In order for the system to work, and to continue to improve our program, we need to hear from you.
5. New in the Resource Center!
Bold and Brazen: Exploring Biblical Prophets by Barbara J. Essex
This is the latest book in Essex's popular Bible study series. It explores eight prophets of the Hebrew Bible: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Amos, Jonah, Micah, and Habakkuk. Devoted followers of this collection will recognize Essex's straight forward style of Bible study, and new readers will appreciate her accessible writing and well organized study and reflection materials. The book includes preaching and teaching suggestions and a list of resources for further study.
6. Evangelism in the Community E.vent this fall in Detroit, November 3 – 7. This event is being offered to resource the mission and outreach of urban, city, and town churches with a focus on smaller congregations. There will be many dynamic & practical workshops, inspiring worship & preaching, and informative, helpful presentations. Speakers include: Geoffrey Black, Marian Plant, Yvette Flunder, Jorge Morales, DaVita McCallister and Stephen Ray. Teams from congregations are encouraged to attend with a discounted price for 5 or more participants. Go to http://www.ucc.org/evangelism/E.vents/ for more information and for registration by October 13.
7. Everyone is welcome to the following events hosted by BTS and All Souls Church in Bangor and First Parish Church of Brunswick, respectively.
Robert Sherman, Inaugural Lecture of the Richard P. Buck Chair of Christian Theology, Sunday September 19, 3PM, All Souls Church, Bangor. Topic is “The Barbarians are at the Gate! But Wait!—the Barbarians are Us, Too! The Church’s Multi-lingual Mission to Itself and the World in a Fragmented Age” Reception honoring Bob Sherman to follow.
Ron Baard, Inaugural Lecture of the Imes-Lowry Chair of Pastoral Studies, Saturday October 2, 2PM, First Parish Church of Brunswick. Topic is "Cross Cultural Perspectives on Reconciliation and Forgiveness: King, Mandela, and the Emerging Church" Reception honoring Ron Baard and Bill and Judy Imes to follow.
RSVP’s to bwright@bts.edu are encouraged, but not required. We hope to see you there.
8. Social Media Bootcamp for Pastors and Ministry Leaders with Tony Jones
October 28, 2010, 9:00 – 4:00, Andover Newton Theological School
Although entrance into the social media world can seem daunting, it doesn't have to be. In just 90 minutes a week, you can connect with scores of church members and potential visitors to your church in a way. You can communicate church events and announcements, get real-time feedback as you prepare your Sunday message, and keep up with the latest theological and ecclesial trends.
In just one day, social media veteran, pastor, and author Tony Jones will teach you the basics of blogging, Facebook, and Twitter, and introduce you to a powerful free social media Broadcast tool. You'll leave this day feeling confident of your ability to communicate with your church (and the world!) via social media.
Registration Fee: $95, includes lunch.
For more information and to register contact Jeff Jones at jjones@ants.edu or go to: http://www.jopaproductions.com/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=25
9. “Ministering to those Effected by War”, presented by LTC Peter Bauer, shows how Faith Communities can provide vital support to military members and their families as they face difficult adjustments due to deployments. Come and hear how your Faith Community can help by learning about the spiritual maladies and soul wounds of war, as well as learning how to create “Circles of Care.” Objective: Be able to build support for service members and their families, while addressing the spiritual wounds of war.
Locations & Dates
· Thursday, October 14 - University New England, Ludcke Auditorium (old chapel)716 Stevens Rd, Portland
· Friday, October 15 - University College of Bangor, Eastport Bldg, Room 1241 (old Dow AFB) University Dr, Bangor
This event is sponsored by Maine Military Community Network (MMCN). For further information contact: Maine Army National Guard (Augusta) Chaplains Val Vigue or Earl Weigelt at 207.626.7872 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting or 207.626.7872 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or Maine Air National Guard (Bangor) Chaplain Rick Bach at 207.990.7242 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting or 207.990.7242 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
10. The “10% Challenge” is about congregations cutting carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse gases) by 10%...or more. Cutting 10% is an achievable goal, and is in line with what scientists say we need right now. Moreover, big tasks are made easier if broken up into smaller, manageable pieces – and 10% this year is much more tangible and achievable than, say, 80% by 2050.
Beginning on October 10th (10/10/10) Maine Interfaith Power and Light will offer congregations special workshops to provide the necessary tools and information needed to easily and quickly cut carbon emissions by 10% (see below for further information).
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ABOUT THE 10% cHALLENGE
11. What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?
Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?
We have all been in situations where someone wants you to GIVE OVER 100%...
How about ACHIEVING 101%?
What equals 100% in life?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help
answer these questions:
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
And:
K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%
But:
A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E
1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%
THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:
L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%
Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:
While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!