As I reflected on this past year what seemed to characterize it was an emphasis on my role as pastor to pastors and congregations. Some of that work was done in one on one conversation with clergy over lunch, on the phone or in the constant e-mail exchanges that seems to characterize our work today. Other parts of it were focused on providing resources to nurture and sustain the life of clergy and congregations. To that end I worked with the Spiritual Life Commission to provide “Clergy Consultation Groups” led by a trained pastoral counselors, John Widdows and Nancy Myers Hopkins. This ecumenical pilot program was sponsored jointly with three other denominations and Bangor Seminary. The groups met in Kennebunk, Portland, Augusta, Norway and Wiscasset this past year and the program has been so successful that it will be expanded this fall with a group meeting in Ellsworth. The cost of the groups is shared by the commission and the participants, making it very affordable. One of the groups is an “After-Pastor” group for those clergy who are in congregations where there has been a case of misconduct by a previous pastor leaving a residue of mistrust for the new minister to deal with. The groups provide a safe place for clergy to deal with difficult issues and get not only support, but also coaching and feedback on how they are doing their ministry.
In addition to these groups, I organized two events with Alice Mann of the Alban Institute. The first was one of our periodic events for those churches that have multiple staffs and have unique needs for staff development. The second was a workshop this past June on strategic planning called “Holy Conversation.” Each of these workshops received positive feedback and was a way of resourcing our congregations. The Spiritual Life Commission and participants jointly funded each.
Other ways we provide pastoral care to congregations and clergy is through periodic meetings through the “Let’s Visit” program with members of the Coordinating Council and a three-year rotation of visits with clergy in the different Associations. In addition David and I have enjoyed doing two day-long retreats for clergy. This past year it was an “epiphany” retreat in early January.

After several years of working with many churches in the search process this past year has finally slowed dramatically. As the summer ends I have only one active search committee with the possibility of another in the fall.
· Saco called a new minister, Doug Neilson, and together we toured the new church, feeling the excitement of this new facility as it rises on the spot of the old church..
· East Millinocket said good-by to Mark Pilletere who came there as a student and has invited another BTS student, Andrew McLoed to take the journey with them. Also in the Aroostook Association, the Ashland Church said goodby to Tom Caton their long-time pastor and welcomed in early winter Patricia (PJ) Ferguson as their student pastor.
· Brunswick installed their Sr. Pastor, Larry Kalajainen, in the fall and this summer issued a call to Mary Baard to be it’s new Associate Pastor.
· Bethel called Virginia Rickeman who began as their minister in May and down the road, Locke Mills and Rumfort Point have called Franklin Haines to be their licensed pastor. Also in the Oxford-Union Association, the Poland Community Church called and installed the Rev. Ray Richards
I find working with clergy and congregations deeply satisfying for the most part and enjoy the good working relationships that I have established in the past seven years.

We have had staff transitions this year. We have added the Rev. David Ray to be our Minister for Small Church Development and a full-time administrative assistant for Pilgrim Lodge, Jeanean Boutin. Brian Wallace our bookkeeper reduced his hours and we added Heidi Bennett to take over the receiving and tracking of funds, while he handles the payables. We were also saddened to received the resignation this summer of our Placement Assistant, Pat Cleaves. We are currently reconfiguring this position and perhaps even relocating it to combine with David’s need for administrative support since his most recent assistant resigned this spring. Administrative work of all kinds is a large part of conference ministry. As the person in the Yarmouth office, there are many little things that cross my desk that are not earth shattering but which need to be attended to for the smooth running of the Conference.

This past year has been busy also with my responsibilities on your behalf with the wider church family. I continue to serve on the United Church Insurance Board and am currently chairing the Risk Management Committee. I have worked with them as we make a transition to a new local agent, Jeff McDonnell. I also continue to serve on the Pension Boards Health Advisory Committee in their battle to keep costs down, improve service, and open the door to more participants. I have learned much serving on each of these and appreciate the chance to pass on that knowledge to the conference.

In addition I have been working with the “ministry issues” group from Parish Life and Leadership which will bring a major pronouncement to General Synod 2005 spelling out alternative routes to ordination. This pronouncement will be controversial in many parts of the church, but provides needed guidance for many Conferences that face clergy shortages and continuing difficulty providing pastoral leadership for our rural, inner city, immigrant and smallest churches wherever they may be.

I also, this past year, became the New England region’s representative to the Office of General Ministries Board and the Executive Council. This has been a difficult assignment as our denomination on the one hand struggles with severe financial issues and on the other hand is leading the way with the “stillspeaking” campaign.

Finally, I continue to serve as a trustee of Bangor Seminary. There have been many things to celebrate there this past year, not the least of which has been accreditation for the Portland Campus so that the Master of Divinity Degree can be offered there. This development should help them attract more students in the coming years.