Commission for Spiritual Life
Maine Conference, United Church of Christ
Annual Report - 2007
In 2007, how did the Commission for Spiritual Life “nourish and renew
our faith,” “identify our gifts,” and “celebrate the
Spirit of Jesus Christ alive in our midst”? It is sometimes hard for people
of the Church to see how we have done these things because we can get so caught
up in the business of our meetings that we lose sight of why we are meeting
and doing the things we do. It is the goal – indeed the call – of
the Commission for Spiritual Life to stay focused and to help others stay focused
on the living Spirit of Jesus Christ in our midst.
Much of our work entails providing opportunities for clergy, seminary students
and lay people (in other words, all who are a part of the church!) to take time
to reflect on our faith and our gifts. To that end, we conduct several retreats
and gatherings.
We held two “Seminary Days,” when we met with BTS students at the
Husson and Portland campuses. Students who are In-Care with associations of
the Maine Conference, UCC had the opportunity to have lunch with and ask questions
of our Conference Ministers, David Gaewski and June Boutwell. The students asked
questions about the ordination process, search and call possibilities, and the
life of the Conference. The students who attend these gatherings are always
grateful to have the chance to have their specific questions addressed –
getting a free lunch is a bonus!
We offered three clergy retreats this year. In order to prepare for the seasons
of Advent and Lent, we invite clergy to come together for time of reflection
and to share ideas. Although the participants are small in number, those who
attend are generally glad they did. One clergy man shared, “I always think
I don’t have time for these retreats. Then when I come, I discover that
I can’t afford to miss them!”
The Clergy Spring Retreat was held at the Living Waters Retreat Center in Winslow
in early May. Rev. Kathryn Booth and Rev. Joan Jordan Grant of the Alcyon Center
in Southwest Harbor, were retreat leaders. Their topic was Holding Steady: Nurturing
Practices that Keep Us Faithful to the Mystery. Together, we explored spiritual
practices (grounded in the Christian contemplative tradition) that help keep
us steady in our calling. Our time included solitude and silence, conversation,
individual and group work, and worship.
Church and Ministry Committees of the Conference have the responsibility of
working with churches, clergy and students in-care on issues of ministry. In
order to keep up to date on requirements and responsibilities, the Commission
offers two training sessions. In September, the chairs of the committees met
in Bangor to go over issues of mutual concern. In March, members of Church and
Ministry Committees met to discuss new guidelines written by the Parish Life
and Leadership division of the United Church of Christ in Cleveland. These guidelines
are in response to a synod resolution to explore multiple paths to authorized
ministry. The Church and Ministry Committees were asked to discuss the guidelines
and register comments with Parish Life and Leadership.
In March, our commission joined with Small Church Development to offer a two-day
Learning Event. John Westerhoff, a nationally known expert on faith development,
was the keynote speaker. This event was well attended and participants were
highly enthusiastic about their time together. We hope to continue to work with
Small Church Development to provide similar opportunities in the years ahead.
A most exciting development is the proposed program of the Academy of Congregational
Life and Leadership, about which you will hear more in this Annual Meeting.
Under the auspices of the Commission for Spiritual Life, a task force has been
working hard on this program which will provide clergy and laypeople alike opportunities
to grow spiritually. Its goal is to “provide resources and programs that
enhance what it means to be a learned Christian today; prepare skilled leaders
to serve the church in areas of lay leadership, preaching, pastoral care, religious
education, and justice ministries; and to equip persons with the knowledge,
skills and experience to be considered for licensed ministry in the United Church
of Christ.”
Our agenda is always full, our time together enlightening and engaging. Through
it all, we are always conscious of who we are, whose we are, and whom we serve
as we do our work with the Maine Conference.
Respectfully submitted,
Rev. Anne A. Roundy