ANNUAL
MEETING
September
22-24, 2007
Plenary I
Call to order: The moderator called
the meeting to order
Quorum: The clerk read the
preliminary report from the credentialing committee. A quorum was declared.
Official
Call of the 2007 Annual Meeting
The
Churches and Members of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ are
hereby called to gather at the Grand Summit Hotel, Sunday River, Bethel, Maine
at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 28, 2007 for the 76th Annual Meeting of the
Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ (successor to the
Congregational Christian Conference of Maine); it being the 96th Anniversary of
the Congregational Conference and Missionary Society of Maine; the 182nd
Anniversary of the State Conference, the 200th Anniversary of the Maine
Missionary Society, the 178th Anniversary of the Maine Congregational
Ministerial Relief Society, and the 40th Anniversary of the Maine Conference as
a Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Items
to be voted at this year’s meeting will be:
•
Proposed 2008 Conference Budget
•
2008 Compensation Guidelines for Clergy
•
Slate of Officers/Commissions Elect
•
Resolution to Call for an End to the American War in
Welcome: The moderator welcomed
everyone and made general announcements.
Constituting prayer: The Rev. Susan M. Craig
offered the constituting prayer.
Agenda, Rules and
Procedures:
Steven Carnehan moved the adoption of the Agenda, Rules and Procedures. – The
motion carried.
Appointment of
Credentials, Tellers and parliamentarian:
Parliamentarian:
Eric Smith
Tellers:
Anne Roundy, Ernie Campbell, Herb Oliver, George Kimball, Kathy Woodside and
Pam Boroughs.
Credentials
Committee: Connie Insley, David Griffiths and Pat Smith.
Bruce
Burnham moved the acceptance of all of the names and positions presented. The motion carried.
Receipt of printed
reports:
Christine Bartlett moved the receipt of reports. – The motion carried
Renewal of Call for the
Conference Minister, David Gaewski: Anita
White, moved the renewal of David Gaewski’s Call on behalf of the Coordinating
Council:
Let by the Holy Spirit, the Maine Conference of
the United Church of Christ by vote of a called Annual Conference Meeting in
We renew our covenant together in the exercise
of the ministry of the Conference at a time, which is full of expectation, hope
and challenges. We continue to welcome
David’s ministry in our midst. We
welcome him specifically to these responsibilities as defined by the Maine
Conference By-laws, the Coordinating Council and the position description of
Conference Minister. He will be
accountable to the Coordinating Council.
The Maine Conference of the United Church of
Christ assumes responsibility for supporting David in his work with our prayers
and encouragement. We also offer to you
compensation and terms of employment and offered in the Agreement for Ministry
– Conference Minister. – The motion
carried.
Eric
C. Smith replaced the parliamentarian pro-temp, Sally Colegrove
Nominating Committee
Report:
Martha Hoverson presented the following slate of nominations:
Coordinating
Council:
(2008) Clerk: Ted Ruark, Hallowell
Board
of Trustees:
(2010-2) Ronald Beinema,
(2010-2) Bruce Hazelton,
(2010-1) Martha Hoverson,
Nominating
Committee:
(2008) Alice Anderman,
(2010) Linda Kimball,
(2010) Martha Hoverson,
Commission
for Community Life:
(2008-1) At-Large: Tom Hancock, Casco
(2010-1) At-Large: Nancy Godfrey,
Commission
for Spiritual Life:
(2008-1) At-Large: Constance Wells, Nobleboro
(2010-1) At-Large: Pat Butler, Somesville
Commission
for Witness Life:
(2008-1) At-Large: Martha Day, Westbrook,
Westbrook-Warren
General
Synod Delegates:
(2007)
(2007)
(2007) Penobscot-Piscataquis: Diana Richardson,
Hampden
(2007)
(2007)
(2007) State Youth Council: Drew McLaren,
John
Glover moved that the slate of nominations be voted on in a single vote. – The
motion carried.
Elections: The slate of
nominations was voted on. – The motion carried.
Associate Minister for
Introduction of the new
Associate Conference Minister: The Rev. David Gaewski introduced the Rev.
Susan M. Craig, who spoke.
Speak Out Overview: The Rev. Anne Roundy
presented the concept and rules associated with Speak Outs. There will be a strict one minute limit.
The Commission reports:
The Commission for
Spiritual Life reported. The Rev. Anne
Roundy pointed out the highlights of the written report.
The Commission for
Community Life reported. Herb Oliver pointed
out the highlights of the written report and he announced where there is more information
on the plans for Town Meetings on the topic of the Conference assets.
The Commission for
Witness Life
written report has been received.
Plenary 2
Introduction of
Conference staff
Rev.
Rev.
David Ray, Associate Minister for
Brian
Wallace, Bookkeeper
Sue
Stevens, Executive Assistant
Annette
Mott, Director of
Ann
Hodgman, Resource Associate
Sandy
Dyer, Resource Librarian
Introduction of Guests
Rev.
David Schoen, Coordinator, Congregational Vitality
Edith
Guffy, Associate General Minister
Donald
Barnes, Vice President, UCC Pension
Board
Barbara
Rafuse, Maritime Conference, United
Eric
C Smith,
Nash
Garabedian, Sea Farers Friend
Jeff
McDonnell, UCC Insurance Board
Bert
Marshall, Church World Service
Tom
Angus, Beneficio Coffee
Jackie
Burpee, H.O.M.E.
Dahler
Hayes, Cornerstone Fund
Bill
Imes,
Sean
Porter,
Introduction of new
Pastors:
Since
Annual Meeting 2006, the Maine Conference has placed:
7
Intentional Interim pastors
1. Brewer
2.
3. Buxton, North
4.
5.
6. Ellsworth
7.
3
Redevelopment/Turn-about placements
1. Millbridge
2. Gray
3. Weld
1
Student Pastorate
1. Monson
4
Bridge placements
1.
2. Buxton, North
3.
4.
16
Settled pastorates from Annual Meeting 2006 to Annual Meeting 2007 (including
ACM)
1. Congregational United
2. First Congregational United
3.
4. Second Congregational of
5. Congregational
6. Congregational Church
United
7. Congregational Church,
8. First Parish
Congregational United
9. Congregational Church,
Madison – Rev. Susan Tierney, Pastor
10. First Congregational
Church United
11. Gardiner Congregational
Church UCC, Edgecomb – Rev. Dr. Thomas Clough, Pastor
12. Congregational Church of
United
13. Cornish United
14.
15. First Congregational
16. First Congregational
Church United
Recognition of
Ordinations and Anniversaries
Ordinations since Annual meeting 2006:
Elsa Peters 1/21/07
Mair Honan 4/21/07
Vicky Carpenter 6/10/07
Allen Myers 7/1/07
Anissa Bacon 8/26/07
Frank Haines 9/9/07
Peggy Wolfe Dunn 9/9/07
Ordination 25th Anniversary:
Robert Grove-Markwood,
Carol Kerr,
Richard Small,
Philip Devenish,
Hancock-Waldo
Kenneth Dale, Lincoln
Anita White,
Oxford-Union
Ordination 50th Anniversary:
M. Ronald Beinema,
Carl Beyer,
Richard Gelwick,
Hal Tucker,
Pilgrim Lodge
Presentation:
Bryan Breault spoke about Pilgrim Lodge:
A check was presented to the Honduran
Partnership for $12,382 from the 2007 mission project.
Pilgrim Lodge achieved a perfect score on its
ACA accreditation.
A banner was presented thanking
He encouraged people to attend the Town Meetings
regarding UCC Conference properties.
The Pilgrim Lodge Annual Appeal is coming up.
The t-shirts in the Pilgrim Lodge store are
sweatshop free.
He encouraged youth and adults to get involved
with Pilgrim Lodge as campers, volunteers and/or staff.
Five recent staff members are considering
seminary.
The history of Rockcraft was presented
The features of the property were highlighted
There are three lodging options; the main
building/lodge, the chauffeurs house and the carriage house.
There is additional meeting space in the
boathouse, and a chapel in the woods.
State of the Conference: David Gaewski spoke on
the following topics:
The origins and history of the Maine Conference
The
The
At David’s request the Evangelical
and Reform Church of Honduras pronounced their disagreement with the UCC, which
was painful but it may help strengthen the covenant between our two
conferences.
There is a need for more
than a 2 day/week director.
The new initiatives with the United Church of
Canada:
Both conferences are
working on how to better serve the churches that are furthest from the
conference offices. These churches are
the ones close to the Canadian/US border.
There is work towards
developing Franco American churches in areas with French speaking populations
Possible new church startups:
Opportunities in
Aroostook and
Kennebec and
We should consider how
we are using our assets and if we should reallocate them to initiatives like
this and other mission and outreach programs
OWCM – everyone is asked to make the case at
their own churches for funding this
Our partnership with the National UCC:
We are a better
Conference because of this partnership
We appreciate their work
We appreciate the grants
that they’ve awarded
Our Representative to
national bodies are: Richard Bennett on Office of General Ministries, Diane
Bennekamper on Local Church Ministries, Gini Kin on Executive Committee, Robert
Kirton on Wider Church Ministries
In summary, keep communicating; don’t sweat the
small stuff; keep our eyes on the prize.
We are still called to prophesize the good news.
Plenary 3
Speak out
The minutes from the
2006 Annual Meeting
were approved as amended.
Treasurer’s Report: Linda Guard presented
highlights of the written report, including:
OCWM – 1/3 of the churches gave more, 1/3 gave
the same, and 1/3 gave less.
2008 Budget: Jane Lowell, the chair
of the finance committee reported on the proposed 2008 budget:
Dianne
Bennekamper called the questions – motion carried
2008
Budget carried as written.
Plenary 4
Sally
Colegrove reported:
12 work teams went to
Much of the work in
preparing for the mission teams was performed by the on site staff; the mission
director, Liz Charles and the mission interns Artie Flanders and David Lopez.
12 Honduran young people
visited the
In August a pilot team
from across
She is proud of all of
the work that the Maine UCC has done in
David
Gaewski reported:
Thank you to Sally for
all her work in this area.
Update on the
Evangelical and
The possibility of have
a permanent medical facility is being examined.
Work teams will be
scheduled for April 10-18, April 18-26 and April 26-May 3. There will be an information meeting on
October 20 at 10AM at the First Congregational Church UCC in
General Synod 26 report: Nancy Duncan reported:
Resolution to Call for
End of American War in
Whereas The
fruits the American War in Iraq have borne are: the loss of hundreds of
thousands of human lives, political instability in an already-fragile region,
the fostering of anger and hatred toward America and the resulting breeding
ground for the next generation of terrorists, environmental damage on a
staggering scale, and profits for many multi-national corporations with little
accountability or oversight;
Whereas The Just Peace Pronouncement
at General Synod 15 (1985) of the United Church of Christ calls all settings of
the United Church of Christ to be “Just Peace Churches,” defining "just
peace" as the interrelation of friendship, justice, and common security
from violence, calling the church to a vision of shalom rooted in peace with
justice, and placing the UCC General Synod in opposition to the institution of
war;
Whereas the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference of the
United Church of Christ passed a resolution opposing a pre-emptive or
unilateral military strike on Iraq and calling for a peaceful resolution to the
crisis at that time;
Whereas the Council of Conference Ministers and national
Executives of the United Church of Christ signed a Pastoral Letter in February
of 2003 stating “The recourse to war, according to our Christian tradition, is
an admission of human failure . . . Instead of war, we advocate . . . for a
more humane and moral course of action which emphasizes economic justice, God’s
mercy, and a new vision of what it means for humanity to live together on this
planet we share”;
Whereas the Collegium of Officers of the United Church of
Christ are currently encouraging us to sign on to a Pastoral Letter dated June
22, 2007 also calling for an end to the American War in Iraq;
Theological and Biblical Foundations . . .
Whereas The Prophet Isaiah speaks of the world God intends for
us, saying . . .
“God shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning
hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn
war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4)
Whereas Psalm 34:14 calls all people of faith to “seek peace
and pursue it”;
Whereas Zechariah speaks of the coming Messiah who shall
“command peace to the nations” (9:10);
Whereas we witness that the One the Prophets spoke of is Jesus
the Christ, our Lord and Savior; and whereas we seek to be faithful disciples
of Jesus the Christ, we remember how He said “Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9) and how He said “All who
take the sword shall perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52) and how He practiced
what He taught, “turning the other cheek,” not returning violence when it was
done to Him;
Whereas we look forward to the day when God’s liberating reign
means peaceful coexistence among all peoples and creatures (Isaiah 11:1-9;
Revelation 21:1-6);
Whereas James, in his Letter, promises “a harvest of
righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace” (3:18);
THEREFORE:
Be it resolved that The Maine Conference of the United Church
of Christ vote to declare itself a “Just Peace Conference.”
Be it further resolved that we call upon our churches and
members to consider signing a Pastoral Letter written by the UCC’s Collegium of
Officers (see it at
http://www.ucc.org/news/significant-speeches/a-pastoral-letter-on-the-iraq.html);
Be it further resolved that since Christians (through Christ),
Jews (through the Patriarchs), and Moslems (through the Prophet Mohammed –
Peace Be Upon Him – and beyond Mohammed to Ishamel and Hagar) all claim one
common ancestor in their faith – Abraham – we call upon the Churches of the Maine
Conference of the United Church of Christ to enter into dialogue with other
Children of Abraham in acknowledging our shared grief over the human suffering
and physical damage of this war and to stand with them in their own witness for
peace;
Be it further resolved that although the 2007 Annual Meeting
of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ disagrees with the war
in Iraq, we lift up the men and women of the armed forces who are stationed
there for their courage and sacrifice and hold them and their families in our
prayers;
Be it further resolved that the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Maine
Conference of the United Church of Christ call for an immediate end to the
American War in Iraq and the immediate development of a timetable for a
measured, safe withdrawal of our troops stationed there;
Be it finally resolved that this resolution, if approved, be
sent to Maine’s Representatives in Congress and its Senators.
Bill Dehais moved to amend by substituting:
Be it
further resolved
that the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Maine conference of the United Church of
Christ call for all sides to end the war in Iraq; We pray that over time this
could lead to a safe withdrawal of American and other foreign troops stationed
there;
for the second to last paragraph, which reads:
Be it further resolved that The Maine Conference of the United Church
of Christ call for an immediate end to the American War on
- The motion carried.
Silver
Be it further resolved that The Maine Conference of the United Church
of Christ calls for our government to act in concert with the other nations
involved in the Middle East to determine a course of action designed to prevent
inflicting further harm; we acknowledge our responsibility to use our resources
to help repair the damage we have caused;
- The motion failed.
Catherine Graves called
the question. – The motion failed.
Susan Gilpin moved that all the instances of the
words “American War in
Motion to extend debate until 4PM carried.
Joel Krueger moved to insert the following prior
to “Be it finally resolved”:
Be it
further resolved
that the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference of the United Church of
Christ call for an immediate bi-partisan dialogue within Congress to craft
legislation which will call for:
· Political dialogue and negotiations
among all nations within the region
· Involvement of the
United Nations in establishing a peace-keeping force, including care for
refugees and a swift and progressive process for establishing safe and secure
means by which Iraqi people can return to their homes
· Development of a time
table for a measured, safe withdrawal of our troops stationed in
· The removal of mercenary
forces
· A return to adherence to
Geneva Conventions and a complete denouncing of the use of any and all torture
· The establishment of
Congress of an independent investigation of the influences, powers, and
underlying rationale that led our country to war in Iraq, particularly of those
individuals and corporations who stand to profit as a result of the war
· And an official pronouncement
by the leadership of congress calling national and religious bodies to their
best selves, and for an international/inter-religious dialogue and partnering
toward a goal of peace with justice in our world.
David Ray called the question – motion carried.
The following resolution carried:
Whereas the fruits the US War
in Iraq have borne are: the loss of hundreds of thousands of human lives,
political instability in an already-fragile region, the fostering of anger and
hatred toward America and the resulting breeding ground for the next generation
of terrorists, environmental damage on a staggering scale, and profits for many
multi-national corporations with little accountability or oversight;
Whereas The Just Peace
Pronouncement at General Synod 15 (1985) of the United Church of Christ calls
all settings of the United Church of Christ to be “Just Peace Churches,”
defining “just peace” as the interrelation of friendship, justice, and common
security from violence, calling the church to a vision of shalom rooted in
peace with justice, and placing the UCC General Synod in opposition to the
institution of war;
Whereas the 2002 Annual meeting
of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ passed a resolution
opposing a pre-emptive or unilateral military strike on Iraq and calling for a
peaceful resolution to the crisis at that time;
Whereas the Council of
Conference Ministers and national Executives of the United Church of Christ
signed a pastoral Letter in February of 2003 stating “The recourse to war,
according to our Christian tradition, is an admission of human failure …
Instead of war, we advocate … for a more humane and moral course of action
which emphasizes economic justice, God’s mercy, and a new vision of what it
means for humanity to live together on this planet we share”;
Whereas the Collegium of
Officers of the United Church of Christ are currently encouraging us to sign on
to a Pastoral Letter dated June 22, 2007 also calling for an end to the US War
in Iraq;
Theological and Biblical Foundations …
Whereas The Prophet Isaiah
speaks of the world God intends for us, saying … “God shall judge between the
nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords
into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up
sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4);
Whereas Psalm 34:14 calls all
people of faith to “seek peace and pursue it;”
Whereas Zechariah speaks of the
coming Messiah who shall “command peace to the nations” (9:10);
Whereas we witness that the One
the Prophets spoke of is Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior; and whereas we
seek to be faithful disciples of Jesus the Christ, we remember how He said
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew
5:9) and how He said “All who take the sword shall perish by the sword”
(Matthew 26:52) and how He practiced what He taught, “turning the other cheek,”
not returning to violence when it was done to Him;
Whereas we look forward to the
day when God’s liberating reign means peaceful coexistence among all peoples
and creatures (Isaiah 11:1-9; Revelation 21:1-6);
Whereas James, in his Letter,
promises “a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace”
(3:18);
THEREFORE:
Be it resolved that The
Be it
further resolved
that we call upon our churches and members to consider signing a Pastoral
Letter written by the UCC’s Collegium of Officers (see it at
http://www.ucc.org/news/significant-speeches/a-pastoral-letter
-on-the-iraq.html);
Be it
further resolved
that since Christians (through Christ), Jews (through the Patriarchs), and
Moslems (through the Prophet Mohammed – Peace Be Upon Him – and beyond Mohammed
to Ishamel and Hagar) all claim one common ancestor in their faith – Abraham –
we call upon the Churches of the Maine Conference of the United Church of
Christ to enter into dialogue with other Children of Abraham in acknowledging our
shared grief over the human suffering and physical damage of this war and to
stand with them in their own witness for peace;
Be it
further resolved
that although the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference of the United
Church of Christ disagrees with the war in
Be it
further resolved
that the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference of the United Church of
Christ call for all sides to end the war in Iraq; We pray that over time this could lead to a
safe withdrawal of American and other foreign troops stationed there;
Be it
further resolved
that the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference of the United Church of
Christ call for an immediate bi-partisan dialogue within Congress to craft
legislation which will call for:
• Political
dialogue and negotiations among all nations within the region
• Involvement
of the United Nations in establishing a peace-keeping force, including care for
refugees and a swift and progressive process for establishing safe and secure
means by which Iraqi people can return to their homes
• Development
of a time table for a measured, safe withdrawal of our troops stationed in
• The
removal of mercenary forces
• A
return to adherence to Geneva Conventions and a complete denouncing of the use
of any and all torture
• The
establishment of Congress of an independent investigation of the influences,
powers, and underlying rationale that led our country to war in Iraq,
particularly of those individuals and corporations who stand to profit as a
result of the war
• And
an official pronouncement by the leadership of congress calling national and
religious bodies to their best selves, and for an international/inter-religious
dialogue and partnering toward a goal of peace with justice in our world.
Be it
finally resolved
that this resolution, if approved, be sent to
Plenary 5
Resolved that the 76th
Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ send its
congratulations and its appreciation to Senator Olympia Snow in receiving the
United Church of Christ Everett C. Parker award in communications. Motion carried.
Speak out
2008 Clergy Compensation
Guidelines:
Anne Roundy presented the guidelines on behalf of the Commission for Spiritual
Life. The guidelines were received and
are filed with the minutes
Motion
to adopt the guidelines carried.
Recognition of 5 for 5
Churches:
David Gaewski and Susan Craig:
First Congregational Church UCC,
First Congregational Church UCC, Houlton
Presque Isle First Congregational Church, UCC
First Congregational Church, UCC, Gray
Raymond Village Community Church UCC
East Raymond Community Chapel, UCC
Old South Church UCC,
Rangeley Congregational Church UCC
Hancock-Waldo
Association:
The
Union Congregational Church, UCC, Hancock
Somesville Union Meeting House UCC
First Congregational Church, UCC,
First Congregational Church, UCC,
Thomaston Federated Church
West Parish Congregational Church, UCC,
First Congregational Church, UCC, Fryeburg
Lovell Church UCC
Second Congregational Church, UCC,
Penobscot-Piscataquis
Association:
First Congregational
Alfred Parish Church UCC
Kittery Point Congregational Church, UCC
First Parish Federated Church,
State
Youth Council
Recognition of OCWM
contributing churches:
Churches
who increased OCWM contributions from $0:
Amherst/aurora, Congregational
Castine, Trinitarian
Hampden, Congregational
Penobscot-Piscataquis Association
Raymond, East Chapel
South
West Bethel,
Whitneyville Congregational Church
Churches
with at least a 10% increase in OCWM contributions:
Alfred Congregational 10%
Edgcomb, First Congregational 33%
Ellsworth, First Congregational 27%
Gray, First Congregational 74%
Hancock, Union Congregational 10%
Island Falls,
Jackman,
Matinicus Congregational 25%
Monson UCC 50%
Somesville, Union Meeting House 28%
Westbrook, Prides Corner 80%
Awards received from
Resourcing the
Westbrook, Prides Corner - $1500
East
First Congregational UCC,
First Congregational,
First Congregational,
Benneficio Coffee video
presentation
Greeting from
Greetings from
The
credentials committee reported: Connie Insley presented the registration data
86 Clergy,
25 Commission/Committee members,
190 Lay Delegates,
50 Visitors, and
14 Youth Delegates attended
For a total of 365 attendees.
Thank You: Denise thanked those
who served at this Annual Meeting, including:
Sue Stevens, Cathy Croudis and Karen Erikson –
Administrative and registration
Bob Grove Markwood – Video/Audio
Dan Johnson – Musical
Bob Grove-Markwood and Herb Oliver – co-chairs
of the planning committee
Speakers, and worship and workshop leaders
Delegates and visitors.
Sharon
Brookes moved to set the time to adjourn
following the worship service. Motion
carried
Adjourned