Annual Meeting 2003 of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ convened September 26 at Sugarloaf USA, Carrabasset, Maine. Prior to the first Plenary Session, an orientation was held for new delegates. Hearings were held on a Resolution on Seminarian Debt, on a Resolution on Welcoming and Just Communities, on the Proposed 2004 Conference Budget, as well as a dialogue with the Coordinating Council’s recommended candidate for Associate Minister for Small Church Development.
Delegates gathered as music was led by John and Ginger Cunningham.

Plenary 1

The Moderator, Lorain Giles, welcomed the gathering of delegates and visitors and called the meeting to order.

Conference Clerk, Lois Dennett, read the Official Call to Annual Meeting 2003
The 72nd Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ (successor to the Congregational Christian Conference of Maine; it being the 92nd Anniversary of the Congregational Conference and Missionary Society of Maine; the 177th Anniversary of the State Conference, the 194th Anniversary of the Maine Missionary Society, the 174th Anniversary of the Maine Congregational Ministerial Relief Society, and the 36th Anniversary of the Maine Conference as a Conference of the United Church of Christ), will be held at Sugarloaf USA, Carrabasset Valley, Maine and will convene at 2:30p.m. Friday, September 26, 2003. Items to be voted at this year’s meeting will be the:
Proposed 2004 Conference Budget
2004 Compensation Guidelines for Clergy
Recommendation of the Coordinating Council of the Candidate for Associate Minister for Small Church Development
Board, Committee and Commission members
Resolution on Seminary Debt
Resolution on Welcoming and Just Communities
Ratification of the Honduras Partnership Covenant
The Reverends Jean M. Alexander and David Gaewski, Conference Ministers of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ

Moderator, Lorain Giles, led the Meeting in a Constituting Prayer.

VOTED to adopt the Agenda, adding to Plenary 5 “Installation of newly elected officers”.

VOTED to adopt the Rules of Procedure.

VOTED to appoint as Tellers: Rick Small, Chair, Deb Small, Diane Bennekamper, Susan Gilpin, Allie Rimkunas, John Rimkunas. (The Credentials Committee was appointed at the morning meeting of the Coordinating Council: Helen Jackson, Jim Chandler, Marcia Charles.)

VOTED to appoint Daniel Berry as Parliamentarian.

Ron Baard was introduced. Ron is the newly appointed Associate Professor for Mentored Practice at Bangor Theological Seminary and will serve as Theological Reflector for the Meeting.

VOTED to adopt the Minutes of Annual Meeting 2002.

VOTED to receive the Printed Reports of the three Commissions, the two Conference Ministers, the Treasurer, and the actions of the Coordinating Council during the past year.

Speak Out! Coordinator, Bill Inderstrodt, was introduced, and he invited interested people to sign up for a minute at the microphone.

Introductions: Several guests were introduced from the Wider Community. These included John Buck from the Uplands Retirement Village, Daehler Hayes of the Cornerstone Fund, and John Thomas, President and General Minister of the United Church of Christ, a Keynote Speaker for the Meeting. Other guests were Doug Johnson of the Seafarer’s Friend, Gary DeLong, executive director of the Maine Seacoast Mission, Paul Day of the Bible Society of Maine, and Bob Cummings with the Cummings Insurance Agency.
Bill Imes, President of Bangor Theological Seminary and a Keynote Speaker to the Meeting, thanked the Conference and its churches for continued support. Rebecca Wright, Director of the BTS Portland Campus, brought greetings from Andover Newton Theological School as well as from BTS. Barbara Prowse, President of the Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada, extended greetings from that Conference.

The Moderator introduced Ben Haskell, Chair of the Associate Minister for Small Church Development Search Committee. The committee began its work in March of 2003 and considered nine appropriate profiles. Ben then introduced David Ray, UCC minister and the choice of the committee and the Coordinating Council for this position. He introduced the other members of the Search Committee: Ron Ashworth, Iris Burnell, Bruce Burnham, Gini King, Nana Haines, Cathy Woodside, and Jean Alexander and David Gaewski.

Keynote Address One: Ernie Campbell introduced Annual Meeting’s first Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mahmoud El-Begearmi, University of Maine Cooperative Extension and faculty advisor for the university’s Muslim Student Group. Dr. El-Begearmi addressed the subject of “Things you don’t hear in the Media” outlining the theology and geography of Islam and its difficult struggle in communicating its beliefs.

Forums: Small groups gathered as Associations in Forums to discuss Dr. El-Begearmi’s address.

Plenary 2

The Moderator introduced David Ray, candidate for Associate Minister for Small Church Development. David thanked the Search Committee and the Coordinating Council. He introduced his wife, Valerie. Reading from Jeremiah, he described the assembled meeting as the potential to be “a great company”, and noted that with the filling of this staff position, the Maine Conference is pioneering for the whole UCC.

Treasurer’s Report: Marc Precourt, Treasurer of the Conference, presented his report for the 2002 year. He noted that moneys from the Conference reserve had been used to cover a shortfall in income levels. Financial and internal controls remained strong even as benevolence giving and investment values decreased. OCWM giving fell 5.73% short of the 2002 budget, and Fellowship Dues, although increased slightly over 2001, were still 2.9% short of budget. Increases in campers’ registration fees made for an over-budget income for Pilgrim Lodge without significant increase in the number of campers. A combination of fewer bookings and some cancellations of large events made it a difficult year for Rockcraft, but a generous bequest is in process toward the Rockcraft endowment. Implementing methods for increasing income and practicing careful stewardship should allow the Conference to continue and even expand its levels of program and support.

Treasurer, Marc Precourt, Finance Committee Chair, Chuck Ihloff, and Business Manager, Mark Schussler presented the 2004 budget as recommended by the Coordinating Council. Speaking for the Finance Committee, Chuck Ihloff cited their goals in this budget: balanced spending in 2004 while maintaining services; support of an enlarged staff with the addition of an Associate Minister for Small Church Development. That still did not address the need to continue cost-of-living increases to staff, and increases in benefits and regular salary increases.

Both the 2002 Treasurer’s Report and the 2004 Recommended Budget were accompanied by detailed printed reports.

Speak Out! In this first Speak Out! of the meeting attention was called to the Cornerstone Fund, the upcoming Church Leaders’ Convocation, and support for the Coalition for Gays and Lesbians. Building has begun at the First Parish Church in Saco.

Keynote Speaker Address Two: David Gaewski introduced the second Keynote Speaker, the Rev. Dr. John Thomas, General Minister and President of the UCC. Dr. Thomas congratulated the Conference on significant, meaningful work of the churches in Maine. His message stressed the globalization and interconnectedness of today’s world and the temptation of the church (and individuals) to withdraw from that new awareness of extreme problems wherever we turn. “The church is the church only when it exists for others”, is the challenge to the ethical community tempted to back away from meeting needs beyond ourselves.

Following worship, the Meeting recessed until Saturday morning.

Plenary 3

Following Gathering Music, the Meeting was again called to order by the Moderator.
Charles Whiston, Vice Moderator, led an opening prayer.

Guests were introduced: Tom Ewell, Executive Director of the Maine Council of Churches, called attention to areas of the justice system in which the MCC does much of its work: restorative, economic, and environmental justice. Currently much of the work of the MCC has been involved with the issue around a proposal from the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Indian tribes to operate a gambling casino/resort in Maine. In the paper describing the MCC’s stand against that proposal there is also a strong commitment to working more closely with the Native American community in Maine.
Tim White, President of the UCC Insurance Board, of which Jean Alexander is a member, was introduced and will be available all weekend for information and discussion.
Peter Panagore was introduced as the new Minister of the First Radio Parish Church of America, a service of daily devotions since 1954 which now has over 96,000 listeners. Peter is the first UCC minister to lead this service.

Introduction of New Pastors:
Jean Alexander and David Gaewski introduced Six newly ordained pastors: Brad Hirst, ordained by York Association; Martha Hoverson, ordained by Cumberland Association; Carra Bradt , ordained by Carroll-Stafford Association, NH; Doug Dunlap, ordained by Franklin Association; Jeff Gallagher, ordained in Beverly, MA; and Kathi Smith, ordained by Penn Central Conference.

These pastors are new to their churches since Annual Meeting 2002: Martha Hoverson, Stevens Avenue, Portland; Brad Hirst, Second Church, Kittery; Glen Rainsley, Bristol; Doug Dunlap, Wilton; Kathi Smith, Gardiner; Carol Kerr, Blue Point, Scarborough; Pat Butler, Camden; John Potter, Wiscasset; Jeff Gallagher, Kittery Point; Emily Taylor, Ellsworth Falls; Larry Kalajainen, Brunswick; Sally Colegrove, Windham Hill; Janet Leighninger, Christ Church, Kennebunk.

Six Maine pastors retired during the past year. Roger Burkhart, Priscilla Schumm, Margaret Proctor, Hal Tucker, Tom Caton, Michael Stevens.

Several Ordination Anniversaries were announced. 25 years: Michael Ring, Susan Savell, Charles Whiston; 50 years: Norbert Haynes, Philip Shearman, Frederic Pease, Tjaard Hommes, Frederick Robie, Robert Howes, William Inderstrodt; 60 years: Ronald Mosley; 65 years: Irving Howard.

Moderator, Lorain Giles, reviewed briefly the process which has brought the Conference to the point of voting on a candidate for the position of Associate Minister for Small Church Development. From a year ago at Annual Meeting 2002, when the vote was taken to create the position, to the present day, when the Search Committee introduced David Ray to Annual Meeting 2003, there has been deliberate and prayerful work to find and present the best candidate. Delegates were reminded that the outline of a job description was included with the Minutes of the 2002 Annual Meeting. Details of the terms of the contract are being finalized. There were a few questions for Ben Haskell and David Ray from the floor which clarified that this is a “called” position, that it is for work with churches with less than ¾ time pastorates, and that the Associate Minister will do pastoral and developmental work, not conflict work, with those churches.
Charles Whiston, Vice Moderator, presented the Motion from the Coordinating Council: With unanimous enthusiasm the Coordinating Council formally moves that the Reverend David R. Ray be called to the position of Associate Minister for Small Church Development for the Maine Conference United Church of Christ. A time of prayer followed.
VOTED to elect and call David Ray to the position of Associate Minister for Small Church Development for the Maine Conference UCC. There were 2 Abstentions.
David Ray and his wife, Valerie, returned to the podium and David thanked the delegates, assuring them he had “spent the last 30 years preparing himself for this position”. Ben Haskell presented him with a large map of Maine, well marked with pushpins on those locations where he will be working.
VOTED to thank the Search Committee for their good work and dismiss them from their duties.

Charles Whiston, Vice Moderator, introduced Chuck Ihloff, Chair of the Finance Committee, to present the motion on the 2004 Budget. The Motion was made that the Meeting adopt the Budget for 2004 as recommended by the Coordinating Council.
VOTED to adopt the Budget for 2004 as presented. 2 Nay Votes, 2 Abstentions.

Nominating Committee Report: The Report of the Nominating Committee was presented by the Chair, Carl Gunn.

Board of Trustees: Milda Castner, Robert Strong, Jim Singletary; Nominating Committee: Dotty Rae Stillman, Tom Hancock; Commission for Community Life: Jean Pilletere, Cheryl Roberts, Herb Oliver, Carolyn Lambert, Peter Godfrey; Commission for Spiritual Life: Dale Holden, Ann Roundy, Marcia Charles; Commission for Witness Life: Jeanne Davis, Tina Phillips, Ernest Campbell; General Synod Delegates: Robert Grove-Markwood, Penny Hood, Diana Richardson, Joyce Ingrisano, Brad Hirst.
VOTED to have the Clerk cast one ballot for the slate as presented. So done.

Pilgrim Lodge Presentation: Bryan Breault, Director of Outdoor Ministry, described the focus of Pilgrim Lodge as a partnership with Camp Sunshine. That camp ministers (free) to families of children with life-threatening illness. This year $11,000 was raised to help eight families. Bryan particularly recognized Terry Kuzik who has come to every camp event at PL and Peter Godfrey who goes off the Outdoor Ministries Committee after many years of service.

Conference Ministers’ Report, Part I - David Gaewski
David spoke on several issues which have been most significant in the year past. The visit of the Amistad marked a milestone for coming together to celebrate diversity. The search process for the Associate Minister for Small Church Development has highlighted the strong sense of identity of the smaller churches of the Conference. Their expanding horizons toward finding God through missions has made for “very big small churches”. David noted that significant support for the enthusiastic work of these vital smaller congregations needs to be a mission of larger churches as well. There continues to be active participation with the church of Honduras. The Partnership will be strengthened by the new Covenant (to be presented at the Sunday session).

Speak Out! There were several announcements in this Speak Out! section. Three trips will be going to Honduras the end of ’03 and in ’04. Delegates are urged to encourage committee and commission work for the Conference. Jonathan Henning, a visitor from the Bethany Children’s Home, brought greetings from the Home which for 140 years has served children in need because of abuse.

Forums met to reflect on the Keynote Address by John Thomas.

Plenary 4

In a PowerPoint presentation the members of the Conference Staff were introduced: Jean Alexander and David Gaewski, Conference Ministers; Mark Schussler, Business Manager; Annette Mott, Director of Local Church Resources; Cheryl Tibbetts, Administrative Assistant; Cathy Croudis, Conference Registrar; Pat Cleaves, Placement Assistant; Brian Wallace, Bookkeeper; Sandy Dyer, Resource Center Assistant and Librarian; Anne Hodgman, Resource Center Assistant; Bryan Breault, Director of Outdoor Ministries; Jay Hall, Pilgrim Lodge Maintenance Supervisor; Rockcraft Site Manager, David Brown.

Resolution on Welcoming Communities
A Resolution on Welcoming and Just Communities sponsored by the Second Christian Church of Kittery and the York Association was brought to the Meeting through the Coordinating Council. It grew out of concern about the situation in Lewiston where a large number of Somalians have settled. Brad Hirst, pastor of the Kittery church, made the motion to adopt the Resolution.
VOTED to adopt the Resolution In Welcoming and Just Communities. 1 Nay vote.

Resolution on Welcoming and Just Communities
Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ
Sponsored by The Second Christian Congregational Church of Kittery
and The York Association

Whereas, We are deeply troubled by the difficulties faced by
immigrants and refugees in the world today; and
Whereas, Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, teaches us to love our
neighbor as ourselves; and
Whereas, All persons have a right to live in peace and security in communities free from fear and terror; therefore
Resolved, That we will welcome and support those from other countries who seek to live and work in our midst.
Resolved, That we will work to dispel hatred, racism, and bigotry from among us and within us through education, dialog, and encounter.
Resolved, That we will struggle faithfully to be a clear voice for peace and justice in our community and in the world.

Resolution on Seminarian Debt
(Before introducing the Resolution, Mark Pilletere took a time of Personal Privilege to speak about the situation in East Millinocket where he is pastor. An Offering of $22,000 from the Maine Conference helped relieve some of the need brought on by the closing of the mills in that town. There have been some jobs restored but there is still very significant unemployment accompanied by rising domestic violence, alcoholism, and school violence. Mark thanked the churches of the Conference for their support and asked the Meeting to keep the area in its prayers.)
Mark then moved the Resolution on Seminarian Debt which comes to the meeting from the three Commissions and through the Coordinating Council. There was lengthy discussion citing the problems faced by graduates and churches in dealing with the very large debts under which students leave seminary.
VOTED to adopt the Resolution on Seminarian Debt . There were several Nay votes and several Abstentions.

Resolution on Dealing With Seminarian Debt
in the Maine Conference, UCC
(Sponsored by the Commission for Community Life, The Commission for Spiritual Life
and the Commission for Witness Life and voted in concept at their April 12, 2003 meeting)

Whereas, today many seminarians borrow large sums of money (typically, $30,000 to $50,000) to finance their tuition, expenses and living costs, and
Whereas, when ministers complete their education and begin to earn salaries in the profession for which they have trained, their earnings capacity is substantially lower than that of most other professionals with similar educational requirements, and
Whereas, the Maine Conference has historically relied on students and on people beginning their ministries to fill the pulpits of many very small congregations in the Conference, and
Whereas, the salaries offered by many small congregations in the state of Maine preclude recent graduates being able to serve them and still pay off their student loans, and
Whereas, many graduates of seminary, including Bangor Theological Seminary, seek better paying pastorates in other parts of the country, and those graduates who do accept a call to a small church often find the burden of debt impossible to carry along with living costs, and these graduates are unable to remain, either in the small church or in ministry in the Maine Conference;
Be it resolved that the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ undertake a fund-raising campaign, the proceeds of which will assist churches whose pastors are carrying educational debt to provide funds for debt repayment; and that the necessary standards and procedures for the campaign, and for the distribution of the funds, be developed by a committee representing the three Commissions of the Conference, and submitted to the Coordinating Council for approval.
Be it further resolved that the Commissions continue to study “Our Common Calling” a pronouncement and call to action adopted by the General Synod in July,. 2003, and to develop additional proposals for the Coordinating Council which would assist students In Care with their educational expenses through the efforts of local churches, Associations, and the Conference.
Be if further resolved that the Annual meeting call on each local church and Association to study the General Synod Pronouncement and Call to Action “Our Common Calling” and to devise their own responses to the crisis of seminarian debt.

Clergy Compensation Guidelines for 2004
The guidelines were presented by Jeffrey Belcher of the committee and by recommendation of the Coordinating Council. Discussion mainly expressed concerns about the Cost of Living range. Delegates were urged to take these guidelines back to the local churches.
VOTED to adopt the Clergy Compensation Guidelines. 4 Nay votes, 5 Abstentions.

Mission/Vision Statement
The new Mission/Vision Statement was included in materials distributed to all delegates along with suggestions for ways of focusing on it through the coming year in discussion in the local churches. It came as a recommendation of the Coordinating Council, and action on it will be a part of Annual Meeting 2004.

DRAFT MISSION STATEMENT
The Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ is associations and congregations covenanting together to live out God’s unconditional love for humanity and all creation by carrying out the teaching, healing, liberating ministry of Jesus Christ in Maine and the world.
To fulfill this mission under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we endeavor to:

*Key T-ministries of teaching
H- “ healing
L “ liberation

A Suggested Process for Discussion of the Proposed Maine Conference Mission Statement.

Discussion Questions

1. Given your understanding of Jesus Christ, are the aspects of teaching, healing and liberating the essential aspects of his ministry. Is there anything missing in our mission statement related to your understanding of Jesus’ mission?
2. Is there a way for these objectives to be expressed more clearly or are there ones you disagree with?
3. What do you know that the Maine Conference is already doing to fulfill each of the objectives?
4. What is the Conference not doing that you think it should be doing.
5. Which of the ministries listed do we share with the Maine Conference and what are unique to the conference?
6. What are the ways that our church partners with the Maine Conference to fulfill this mission statement? Give examples?
7. Which of the objectives listed do you, as a group, feel are the most important ones for the Conference to fulfill?
8. If our church were to write a mission statement, how would it be like this; how would it be different? (If you already have a mission statement, how is it similar or dissimilar?)

Moderator’s Remarks
Lorain Giles, Conference Moderator, expressed to the Meeting the many ways she saw the Conference “Stepping Out in Faith” throughout the past year. Starting with the vote at the 2002 Meeting to add the Associate Minister for Small Church Development, then the commitments by the churches to support this addition to the Conference Staff. The exciting visit of the Amistad to Maine, just a dream at first, then realized with widespread participation, gave meaning to the history and heritage of the church while celebrating the diversity it avows. A renewed covenantal relationship with the three Conference facilities and preliminary conversations toward targeted fund raising have made faith statements for the work of the Conference. The retreat of the Coordinating Council at China Lake authorized the formation of a Mission/Vision Task Force which created a Mission/Vision Statement to commend to the churches for study and discussion and vote at Annual Meeting ’04. And the vote to donate the Sunday offering of this meeting to Sabeel, a peacemaking voice in Israel and Palestine, is also a witness to the Conference’s faith in the future.

Speak Out! continued: Thanks were expressed for the help and prayers which have surrounded the newly-housed Broadbay Church. Attention was called to the SERVV table, to the need for an advisor for SYC, to the New England Women’s Celebration 2006, to the evangelism video from the Lincolnville Church, and to the table where German speaking BTS students and others are gathering.

Saturday Worship: A particularly lively after dinner worship was led by the Youth Group and proclaimed all of those present to be “God’s M and M’s”, all colors and flavors.

Keynote Address Three: Jean Alexander introduced Dr. William Imes, President of Bangor Theological Seminary, third Keynote Speaker. Dr. Imes’ subject was “When Christians Disagree: How Do We Bear Witness in Midst of Our Differences?” and used as text “Speaking the truth in love”. Recognizing the Church as an imperfect body, we are yet called, in spite of our differences, to be one in Christ, to speak the truth and do it in life.

Plenary 5

Again, Gathering Music preceded the business of the morning.
SERRV Coordinator, Ruby Trouw, announced earnings of over $3000 for the weekend.

Conference Ministers’ Report Part II - Jean Alexander
In Elijah’s time (1 Kings) there was a season of drought which tested the Faith of the People of God. And Jean compared the times during which the Church and the Conference experience seasons of drought with that test of Faith. The current troublesome financial drought is sharpened by the general economic downturn and the increase in needs in all areas. The commitment to the Associate Minister position, while costs such as health care continue to increase, challenges the Conference to face a very tight financial year. Charitable giving, including in churches, in Maine is considerably lower than in most parts of the country, even those with difficult standards of living. The reluctance to ask for greater financial support will draw down programs and mission if it is not addressed. Faithful sharing, also, in the nurturing of present and future church leaders is the responsibility of the local congregations as well as of the Conference. To avoid further drought in the area of potential strong leadership in the churches, programs at the National level are aimed at support and encouragement of the education of future ordained leaders .

Honduras Partnership Covenant
During the summer of 2003 members of the Honduras Partnership Committee met with leaders of the Evangelical and Reformed Church of Honduras. The covenant which renews our relationships for the next seven years has been approved by the Executive Committee and ratified by the Coordinating Council. Some changes distinguish this covenant, especially the seven year commitment.
VOTED to ratify the Honduras Partnership Covenant
Covenant Between
El Sinodo de La Iglesia Evangélica y Reformada de Honduras
And The Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ
I. Nature
This document expresses the mutual willingness of the parties to enter into a voluntary relationship in which each agrees to undertake both general and specific goals, tasks, and obligations in pursuit of the purposes stated below. This is not to be seen as a legal obligation but as an equal partnership with each party acknowledging its accountability and responsibility to the other and to the partnership.
II. Partners
The partners are El Sinodo de La Iglesia Evangélica y Reformada de Honduras and The Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ.
III. Purpose and Goals
The purpose of the partnership set forth in this covenant is to :
· experience the all-inclusive, world-wide nature of the Church;
· engage in service that builds up the Body of Christ;
· support Christians in another land to share and live out their understanding of Christian faithfulness;
· help the partners deepen their understanding of what each is called to be and do in their respective settings within the global family;
· help each to become sensitive to the cultural differences in lifestyle and daily life concerns of the other;
· work together for a just peace locally and in the world at large;
· engage in exchange visits.
Accordingly, the two parties agree to enter into covenant for the seven year period, January 2004, to January 2011. The covenant may be amended or modified by mutual agreement following a joint evaluation and review. It may be renewed by the same process.
IV. Strategies
A. Each partner will appoint or elect a special "Link Committee" that consists of at leat two ordained and two lay members. The Link Committee shall serve for only the following purposes and no others: to implement, coordinate and oversee the strategies and programs developed to meet this agreement’s purposes and goals, monitor their progress, and communicate regularly with the other. Each partner will endeavor to fulfill its duties, obligations and responsibilities in a timely and expedient manner.
B. Each partner agrees that every two years, beginning in 2004, they will participate in a "Mission Council" meeting to be held in Honduras. The Mission Council shall consist of three members of each "Link Committee". At this Mission Council meeting, each partner will discuss their hopes, dreams and goals, as well as all specific projects and action plans, that they hope to accomplish over the next two year period. The Mission Council meeting will result in a two year "Mission Plan" that includes all projects, visits, retreats, and other activities that will be realized during that period. No other activities will be added to the partnership program until the next scheduled Mission Council meeting. The only exceptions to the "Mission Plan" will be in the case of natural disasters. Each partner reserves the right to cancel any or all components of the Mission Plan with notification to the other partner.

C. Each partner agrees that every project, visit, retreat, or other activity will proceed with the following project guidelines:
· All project requests and offers must have a local “Project Committee” as its sponsor. A Project Committee shall consist of both lay persons who are members of the churches involved as well as clergy. Community members who are not members of the church may also be part of the local sponsoring Project Committee.
· All Project Committees shall be co-chaired by an elected church leader and a layperson.
· Once a project has been approved by the Mission Council, all communication shall be between these two Project Committees and their co-chairs.
· The role of the Link Committees will be to provide guidance and to monitor progress by reviewing progress reports that have been submitted by both local Project Committees. Milestones requiring reports can be determined based on the size of the project.
· The sponsoring Project Committee must remain active throughout the entire project.
· The project documentation will explain how the community and how many people will benefit from this project
· No project will be considered that is not community based.
D. Each partner agrees that this covenant is not limited to but calls the partners to:
· support the other through prayer, worship, and service;
· share the joys and sorrows, struggles and triumphs of the other as we seek to be the body of Christ;
· learn about and seek to understand the economic, social political and cultural aspects of the other’s country;
· send and/or receive work teams to assist (in construction, maintenance or repair of) with projects chosen by the Mission Council;
· work together in supporting, promoting, and implementing programs of the Synod through AIEH in areas of public health, educational, theological education, and social action (programs of AIEH);
· send and/or receive visiting delegations [to each other’s annual meetings and assemblies].
V. Resources
Each partner will endeavor to be sensitive to the financial implications for the other of exchange visits and work teams. Prior to exchanges of visitors or the sending of work teams, the coordinating committees will determine the extent to which the host can provide room, board and domestic transportation, and the extent to which the visiting partner will have to cover such costs.
Prior to the arrival of work teams and delegations of visitors , the partners will determine the resources (personnel, time, materials and finances) to be provided by each. The project timetable will also be clearly established and agreed upon.
All financial assistance will be pre-determined by the Mission Council.
VI. Spirit
Each partner will inform its membership of the details of this covenant and encourage its member churches and agencies to both actively participate in the partnership and also abide by its contents. All member churches and associated organizations will be required to plan two-years in advance in order for projects of any sort to be discussed at the biennial Mission Council.
Each partner acknowledges that open dialogue is essential to the successful maintenance of the partnership and commits itself to communicate fully and effectively with the other.

General Synod Report
Delegates to General Synod presented a skit and a video to highlight synod events. Synod theme, “God is Still Speaking”, was particularly significant in the diversity of the 3000 people gathered there. One delegate observed: “On any given Sunday there are 23 different languages being spoken in UCC churches throughout the United States.” Thus, diversity became an important part of the gathering. Work for peace and justice, celebration with the farm workers, and the reaffirmation of “connectedness” were all memorable parts of the Synod experience. A vote was taken to keep the schedule of Synods at two year intervals.

Recognitions and Awards
Missions:
Deer Isle, Sunset Congregational Churches for “Islanders against Domestic Abuse”.
First Congregational, Bridgton, for its Clothes Closet, ongoing for 24 years.
Education:
Bar Harbor Congregational for its many-faceted active Youth Work.
Elm Street Congregational, Bucksport, for its Bicentennial Exhibit of Church History and its Memorial Garden.
Evangelism:
Lovell UCC for their Prayer Shawl Ministry.
Wells Congregational for the Shepherd Program to shut-ins and other needy persons.
Stewardship:
Camden First Congregational for its use of a large bequest to form the Shields Mission Project, extending help in several areas of community need.
Andover First Congregational for tithing a large bequest to OCWM and other mission projects.
Youth Ministry:
Norway Second Congregational High School Class for its House Project, by which they involved the whole church and the community in providing a new home for a needy family.

Annual Meeting Committee, its Chair, Jane Rich, and the Conference Staff were recognized and thanked by everyone present.

Credentials Committee reported Clergy Delegates: 118; Lay Delegates: 227; Youth Delegates: 25; Visitors: 106; Total: 476; Churches represented: 115.

Installation: The Conference Ministers Installed the Newly elected Officers and Commission members.

Theological Reflector, Ron Baard, shared his reflections in the light of I Corinthians 13, noting that he sees the Maine Conference UCC in Faith, Hope and Love. Stepping Out in Faith was particularly visible in the significant, active participation of a large delegation of young people, enthusiastically showing the way in work and worship. He caught the sense of Hope in Dr. El-Begearmi’s identifying the dream of all who hope for peace. He saw and heard the Meeting moving together in Love as business, discussion and worship repeatedly sought to share God’s Love with justice and mercy.

Speak Out! (concluded): Several participants came to the microphone with messages. Some of these were: Ben Haskell noted the formation of a Communications Committee and will meet interested persons; Brother Blue introduced himself and his harmonica, both taking the lead in the closing service of worship; Carl Gunn displayed his “Casinos No” t-shirt. Joyce Ingrisano challenged delegates and visitors to donate $5.00 each to OCWM on the spot. Bill Inderstrodt was thanked for his lively coordination of the Speak Out! presentations.