l. Neither hairshirt nor soft berth...The changing shape of being clergy
Leader: Rev. Joan Smith
Ordination is a vow; calling is a form that continues to evolve. What it means to be clergy is shifting shape in response to our changing global community, the nature of parishioners’ needs, and our internal spiritual journeys. Which of the differing gifts of spiritual leadership does your ministry embody? Is there anything else brewing in the world at large or your own parish that either dissipates or inspirits you? Where might God be in all this, and what might it mean for your role Monday through Sunday? Bring your questions and experiences.
Rev. Joan L. Smith is ordained UCC clergy from Vermont, whose ministry has included parish ministry, spiritual direction, retreat leadership at Greenfire Retreat, Hospice chaplaincy and a private practice in vocational discernment. She currently offers individual and group retreats for restoration and discernment at The Guest House in Rockland, Maine.

2. “Reclaiming the Life of the Church” A Workshop of the Academy for Congregational Life and Leadership
Leaders: Rev. Dr. Deborah Jenks and Rev. Dr. Kate Winters
The Maine Conference is about to launch the Academy for Congregational Life and Leadership in the Fall. This workshop, led by two of the ACLL planning committee, will explore the purpose and goals of the academy as it offers a "sample class" that will engage us in reclaiming the vibrant life of our faith communities and our personal spiritual journeys.

3. The Mystery and Magic of Making Ends Meet in Maine
Leaders: Rev. Gina Finocchiaro and Rev. Bricker Gibson
This workshop will consist of a sharing of “success stories” by those present—the ingenious and innovative ways our congregations have found to steward resources, address costs, and raise funds. Come share and generate new possibilities for both stretching your dollar and funding mission! Members of the Maine Conference Stewardship Team will facilitate the process.

4. Boundary Workshops for Lay People?
Leader: David Hall
Most clergy participate in Boundary Issues Workshops, but what about lay people? This workshop is for lay people. All relationships are about boundaries, but sometimes boundaries are only implicit or unclear or even hidden. Clear boundaries describe what is ok and what is not. In addition to understanding what clergy workshops are about, this workshop will explore how church people can create clear and intentional boundaries, which go a long way toward maintaining healthy relationships among the laity and with their pastor.

5. Seven Ways to Make Scripture Come Alive in Worship
Leader: Annette Mott
We will explore and enact seven ways of effectively communicating the word of scripture during worship, including a variety of ways to read it, tell it, and act it out, including story telling, dramatization, skits and trained and scripted reading of scripture.

5. GOING GREEN: Saving Money and the Environment at the Same Time
Leader: Daehler Hayes
A workshop designed to show church leaders how to consider the ways and means for a church to ‘Go Green.’ Resource Materials provided to those attending.

6. The Music of Worship
Leader: Dan Johnson
A fresh look at traditional and contemporary worship, different kinds of music and generational differences.

7. Faith in the Family
Leaders: Susan Fitzgerald and Anne Hodgman
In this interactive workshop, we will explore eight different formats through which families can nurture their child(ren)'s spiritual life at home.

8. Preparing Your Congregation for Disaster Response
Leader: Lori Whittemore
Each workshop participant will receive a preparedness notebook (one per church) on how to prepare their parishioners and church for disasters. The workshop will address how to assess individual needs, infrastructural needs, community position of church. We will discuss step by step strategies to prepare a church, including who the city and regional emergency management contacts are, how to account for your neighbors and most vulnerable populations. Completion of the workshop should have you well on your way preparing a church disaster response plan.

9. The New Stained Glass: Digital Visual Media & Worship
Leader: Rev. Bob Grove-Markwood
Projection screens in the sanctuary. Powerpoint in church. Is it the “new stained glass,” as some have called it, or just another fad? Using digital visual media in worship will be the focus of this introductory workshop. We will consider why this can be a valuable part of worship ministry, how to get started, and where to find a variety of resources for effectively (& faithfully) choosing, and incorporating digital visual media in worship. Don’t just tell them – show them.

10. Honoring the Past, Envisioning the Future: Small Churches of the Maine Conference Talk
Leader: Rev. Darren L. Morgan, Acting Associate Minister for Small Church Development of the Maine Conference, UCC
Small churches and their supporters are invited to come and meet the Acting Associate Minister for Small Church Development and to talk about the needs of the smaller churches in the Maine Conference. The purpose of this workshop is to help plan the future development work of small churches in the coming year. Bring your joys, bring your concerns, and bring your hopes and dreams for the future of small churches in the Maine Conference

11. Grace Knitting
This hands-on work shop will feature reports on various "grace knitting" opportunities like prayer shawl ministries. In addition, attendees are encouraged to knit or crochet 8" squares of 100% wool to
bring in OR to work on during Conference meetings. During our session, we will knit/crochet/sew these squares into afghans to send to "Afghans for Afghans". Bring spare 100% wool yarn, size 5 - 8 needles, or medium sized crochet hooks (Help! I'm not a crocheter!) in addition to your pile of completed squares. Let's see what we can make in an effort to soothe a tiny bit of the suffering in Afghanistan. APPEAL: anyone involved in a "grace knitting" project is invited to speak briefly about it, and anyone who'd like to knit or crochet an 8" square of 100% wool is also encouraged to do so, whether or not s/he is attending the workshop itself. Questions? Contact Becky Leamon at 667-6681 or rleamon@u98.k12.me.us. Fire up those needles!

12. We Are a "Just Peace Conference": What Does that Mean?
Leaders: Witness Life Commission and panelists TBA
Panel presentation, with participatory discussion concerning last year's resolution and what it means to be a Just Peace Conference. Please review the Somesville Just Peace Church resolution for this workshop.

13. ONA: Open and Affirming - It's who we are, but what does that mean??
Leader: Bill Walsh
Have you ever thought: What does it mean to be an ONA Church? Where are the ONA churches in Maine?
What have churches in Maine that have become ONA experienced?
Or, have you thought: How do we become an ONA Church? What would it mean for our church to become an ONA Church?

14. Honduras Partnership -
Leader: Sally Colegrove
We will discuss the process necessary to apply to do a mission trip. We will also offer pointers about how to do the trip once a location in Honduras is assigned. We will have forms available for the next two year cycle of mission trips, which will be submitted to Mission Council in September. Finally we will answer questions about our relationship with the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Honduras and the progress we have made over the last year.

15. Service Project - On your knees for Jesus -Vegetable Gardening
Leader: Debbie Robinson Limit 10 workers
The community garden services 9 food pantries in Franklin county is coordinated by hospital affiliated organization. We will be expanding the garden by creating new raised beds, and doing general garden maintenance. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring your work gloves. Tools will be provided.

16. Service Project - De Colores - Painting
Leader: Dick Giard Limit: 10 workers
We will be painting the inside of the Fairbanks Food Pantry, located in Farmington. Paint and brushes will be provided. Please bring old clothes to wear at the work site.

17. Choir Rehearsal
Choir Director – Bruce McInnes, Old South Church, Farmington
Organist – Pat Hayden, Old South Church, Farmington
Rehearsal for the Sunday morning worship service at Old South Church. Rehearsal will be held in the Old South church sanctuary.