(Draft)

2010 ANNUAL MEETING

MAINE CONFERENCE, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

June 11 – 13, 2010 - University of Maine at Farmington, Maine

Gathering Music: Each time the delegates to the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference gathered in the Dearborn Gymnasium at the University of Maine at Farmington, Beth Barefoot led the delegates in singing, the words of which were projected on a large screen at the front of the hall.

Plenary 1 - Friday, June 11, 2010, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Welcome: Annual Meeting Planning Committee Co-Chairs Mark Doty and Martha Hoverson welcomed the delegates and visitors to the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference United Church of Christ.

Call to order: Moderator Anita White called the meeting to order.

Reading of the Call: Clerk Walter (Ted) Ruark read the call:

Official Call of the 2010 Annual Meeting

The 79th Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ (successor to the Congregational Christian Conference of Maine; it being the 99th Anniversary of the Congregational Conference and Missionary Society of Maine; the 185th Anniversary of the State Conference, the 203rd Anniversary of the Maine Missionary Society, the 181st Anniversary of the Maine Congregational Ministerial Relief Society, and the 43rd Anniversary of the Maine Conference as a Conference of the United Church of Christ), will be held at the University of Maine, Farmington, Maine and will convene at 2:30 p.m., Friday, June 11, 2010. Items to be voted at this year’s meeting will be the:

· Proposed 2011 Conference Budget

· 2011 Compensation Guidelines for Clergy

· Slate of Officers/Commissions Elect

· Resolution regarding “Covenant for Civil Discourse”

· Changes to the Maine Conference UCC By-laws

Quorum: Moderator Anita White, after consultation with the Credentials Committee, declared that a quorum as defined by the Conference Bylaws was present.

Constituting Prayer: Doug Nielsen offered the constituting prayer.

Agenda, Rules, and Procedures: The agenda was adopted as printed. An amendment to the agenda, to include a vote on the donation of 5% of the net proceeds of the sale of the Rockcraft Retreat Center, was also adopted. The rules and procedures, distributed prior to the Annual meeting, were adopted on a hand vote with no opposition or abstentions.

Appointment of Credentials Committee, Tellers, and Parliamentarian: Moderator Anita White announced the appointment of the following:

Credentials Committee: George Kimball, Sue Stevens, Regina Oliver

Tellers: Anne Roundy, Don Green, Linda Kimball, Marcia Charles, Ben Haskell, Regina Oliver

Parliamentarian: Sally Colegrove

Approval of September 25 – 27, 2009 Annual Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the September 25 – 27, 2009 Annual Meeting were accepted as printed. The motion passed with no opposition or abstentions.

Receipt of Printed Reports: The reports distributed prior to the Annual Meeting were received as printed.

Greetings from Bangor Theological Seminary: Rev. Dr. Kent Ulrey, President of Bangor Theological Seminary, reported that 191 students graduated from the seminary in 2010 and two current students had recently received prestigious scholarships. He announced the names of two of the featured speakers for the Fall Convocation and that faculty member Rev. Susan Davies would be retiring soon.

Greetings from the Maine Council of Churches: Eric Smith, Associate Director of the Maine Council of Churches, briefly described the composition of the Council (9 denominations) and explained its purpose as focusing on public policy.

Introduction of Conference Staff: Rev. David Gaewski offered a audio-visual presentation of the Conference staff.

Treasurer’s Report: Supported by multiple graphs and charts, Treasurer Gerard Moore presented his report to the Annual Meeting delegates. His presentation included a review of both the income and expenditures. He indicated that the recent audit had produced no significant findings. He noted that the invested funds had started to recover from last year’s losses. He also pointed out, however, that the cash flow has necessitated short-term borrowing in March. The Treasurer’s report was accepted as printed.

2011 Budget Presentation, Discussion, and Vote: Connie Insley, chair of the Finance Committee, used graphs and charts to present the proposed 2011 budget that was developed by that committee and recommended by the Coordinating Council. The 2011 budget was adopted as presented on a hand vote.

Coordinating Council Recommendation, Discussion, and Vote: Vice Moderator Herb Oliver introduced a motion from the Coordinating Council that 5% of the net proceeds of the sale of the Rockcraft Retreat Center be given as an unrestricted gift to the National Setting of the United Church of Christ. The Coordinating Council’s recommendation was based on the fact that the amount of Our Church’s Wider Mission funds forwarded to the National Setting had been reduced by the Coordinating Council in a revision of the adopted 2009 budget, had been further reduced in the adopted 2010 budget, and was being recommended for even further reduction in the proposed 2011 budget.

After considerable discussion, a motion to table the motion was defeated on a hand vote.

An amendment to the motion, designating the Maine Council of Churches as the recipient of an additional 5% of the net proceeds of the sale of the Rockcraft Retreat Center was defeated on a hand vote.

The original motion (the Coordinating Council’s recommendation) was then defeated on a hand vote. Several delegates expressed the opinion that no commitments of the net proceeds should be made until the amount of the sale is known. Others felt that decisions about the disposition of the proceeds should be made only after the Coordinating Council had provided a plan for the expenditure of those proceeds.

A motion was made that this Annual Meeting go on record asking the Coordinating Council, as it considers the use of the Rockcraft Retreat Center funds, take seriously generous donations to both the Maine Council of Churches and the National Church. The motion was tabled on a hand vote.

With time drawing near to the end of Plenary 1, a motion to extend the order of the day (to continue the discussion) was defeated on a hand vote.

Speak Out Overview: Anne Roundy reviewed the procedures that would be used in conjunction with the Speak Out sessions at the Annual Meeting. Those wishing to present information at the Speak Out sessions would be given one minute and could sign up for one of the Speak Outs. Anne would invite the listed persons to the microphone and monitor the time of their presentation.

Plenary 1 ended at 4:30 p.m.

Workshops – Session 1: The following workshops were scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon:

Title Room Leader

Morning Small Group Discussion Education Center

Reframing Communication Olsen St. Center Eric Anderson

Reframing Stewardship Education Center Gina Finocchario

Recognizing Invisible Barriers Thomas Auditorium Stephen Carnahan

Reframing Our Families Education Center Bill Walsh

Reframing Evangelism Education Center Jeff Gallagher

Evening Session – Friday, June 11, 2010, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

State of the Conference Address – Rev. David Gaewski: Rev. David Gaewski, Conference Minister, presented his annual State of the Conference Address. He included the following concerns and celebrations in his address:

The Maine Conference has moved with “deliberate discernment” as it has assessed and begun plans for the next generation of physical facility needs of the Conference.
Historically there has been a waxing and waning of Congregationalism, from its beginnings in the 1700’s to the present day.
Three trends for the future have become apparent:

Some full time pastorates have become part time (of the 29 churches seeking settled ministers, 7 have moved from full time to part time); part time ministers leads to more vital and active lay ministry; graduates (current and future) will contribute their enthusiasm to the life of the local church.
Licensed and commissioned ministers should be encouraged; changes in the authorization process should positively impact this development.
The new certificate programs being offered by Bangor Theological Seminary will help develop skill and expertise in specific areas.

Many of today’s generation at “participating community members” who are active financially and physically in the life of the church without becoming covenant members; they have often turned away from membership but are involved in discipleship, seeking spiritual direction and a renewed mission for the church.
The Next Generation Committee is collecting data and identifying the needs of the Conference in order to develop a plan for the future. Inherent in the plan will be the importance of faith nurture, technology usage, and facilities appropriate to the new(and the older) generation.
Programs especially recognized: state and regional middle school events, small church initiative, safe church policy workshops, boundary training, the Maine Ministerial Excellence Program, The Academy for Congregational Life and Leadership, the reconstituted Fall Learning Event, and the new pastors’ trip to the national offices in Cleveland.
The donation of the Gardiner Church provides the Conference with an opportunity to explore at a very concrete level the potential for transferring the conference offices and possibly a retreat center to the greater Augusta-Waterville area.
The Green Action Plan, a program conceived in the Connecticut Conference and spreading to the other New England states, illustrates the churches’ intentional ministry in preserving the integrity of God’s creation. The Maine Conference will participate in this program in coming years by recognizing the efforts of churches to “go green” at each Annual Meeting
The Honduras Partnership is alive and well! The first mission trips to Honduras were made in the 1970’s, with the formal partnership between the Conference and the Evangelical Church of Honduras consummated in 1997. Rev. Carlos Ortega, President of the Honduran church, visited Maine and spoke at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference. While mission trips were temporarily suspended because of the military junta in 2009, those trips have now been resumed, with planning for the 2011 and 2012 trips well underway.
Pastoral transitions are at an all time high with 42 churches (1 of 4 churches) either experiencing or expected to experience a change in ministers in the nest few years. And 22 of those churches are asking for a part time pastor, a position often difficult to fill for economic reasons.
While Our Church’s Wider Mission and Fellowship Dues will remain the major funding sources for Conference operations, contributions to the Friends of the Maine Conference Appeal are enormously important to the continuation of Conference activities. At this Annual Meeting, contributors of $25 or more to the Friends of the Maine Conference received, and were encouraged to wear, special lapel pins identifying them as “Friends of the Maine Conference.”

Worship with Rev. Carol Howard Merritt: Rev. Carol Howard Merritt, Pastor of the Western Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C., was the keynote speaker for the 2010 Annual Meeting and led the Pre-Annual Meeting retreat. She is the author of “Tribal Church,” a book reviewing the growth experience of churches in several different denominations across the United States, and a soon-to-be published book on reframing churches.

Rev. Merritt’s theme for the Friday evening worship service was “shifting landscapes.’ She identified four specific areas in which the “landscape” of the church’s work has or is changing and gave examples of each:

1. Community – The new community members coming to our churches often reflect a need to question authority and a breakdown of individualism in favor of a new sense of community. Examples included churches that are borrowing from different traditions rather than following strict denominational lines and monastic churches that offer contemplative services rather than liturgical guidelines.

2. Technology – There is a pronounced shift from the “signpost and commerce” churches to “social media” churches where personal relationships are developed as the basis for worship and interaction. Examples given were the use of Facebook and other social media technologies for more personal and directed communication and interaction.

3. Narrative – The themes of the emerging churches tend to emphasize personal experiences, testimonies, and “personal, family, and community stories” rather that preaching and teaching in the traditional sense. Evangelism is given a new meaning.

4. Activism – The new community members tend to be more interested in social issues than either biblical study or personal faith development. An example is the “Not for sale” program that promotes political and social activities concerning the issue of human bondage and trafficking.

The real benefit of the emerging church movement is that it has instilled in the churches and its members a new hope for the future.

Plenary 2 - Saturday, June 12, 2010, 8:15 – 11:00 a.m.

Speak Out 1 – Moderated by Anne Roundy

Conference Bylaw Revision, Discussion, and Vote: Walter (Ted) Ruark, chair of the Bylaw Revision Committee, presented the revised Bylaws as recommended by the Coordinating Council. The Bylaws, as revised, were adopted with no comments on a hand vote.

Recognition of 5 for 5 Churches: Rev. David Gaewski, Rev. Susan Craig, and Rev. Darren Morgan read the names of the churches in the Maine Conference which had collected all 5 of the annual appeals of the United Church of Christ (Basic Support, One Great Hour of Sharing, Neighbors in Need, Strengthening the Church, and The Christmas Fund):

Alfred Congregational UCC, Alfred Hammond Street UCC, Bangor

First Church In Belfast UCC, Belfast

West Parish Congregational UCC, Bethel

First Congregational UCC, Bridgton

Brownville Community Church UCC, Brownville

First Parish Church UCC, Brunswick

Elm Street Congregational, Bucksport

Casco Village Church UCC, Casco

Trinitarian Parish Church UCC, Castine

First Congregational Church UCC, Durham

First Congregational UCC, Eastport

Union Congregational UCC, Ellsworth Falls

First Congregational, UCC, Farmington

Frankfort Congregational UCC, Frankfort

First Congregational UCC, Fryeburg

First Congregational UCC, Gray

Union Congregational, UCC, Hancock

First Congregational Church UCC, Houlton

Second Christian Congregational UCC, Kittery

First Congregational Church UCC, Kittery Point

Limerick Congregational UCC, Limerick

Lovell United Church of Christ, Lovell

Madison Congregational Church UCC, Madison

Mexico Congregational Church UCC, Mexico

New Sharon Congregational, UCC, New Sharon

Second Congregational UCC, Newcastle

Second Congregational UCC, Norway

Oxford Congregational UCC, Oxford

First Congregational UCC, Pittsfield

Poland Community Church UCC, Poland

Williston-West UCC, Portland

Woodfords Congregational UCC, Portland

Presque Isle Congregational Church UCC, Presque Isle

Raymond, Village Community UCC, Raymond

East Raymond Chapel, Raymond

First Parish UCC, Saco

North Parish Congregational UCC, Sanford

Somesville Union Meeting House UCC, Somesville

First Congregational UCC, Waterville

State Youth Council

Recognition of Churches with Increases in Our Church’s Wider Mission of at least 10%: Rev. David Gaewski, Rev. Susan Craig, and Rev. Darren Morgan read the names of the churches in the Maine Conference which had increased their contributions to Our Church’s Wider Mission by at least 10% (comparing 2009 giving to 2008 giving):

First Congregational UCC, Brewer

Andover Congregational UCC, Andover

Dover-Foxcroft Congregational UCC, Dover-Foxcroft

First Congregational UCC, Buxton

Centre Street Congregational UCC, Machais

West Newfield Congregational UCC, West Newfield

Central Congregational UCC, Eastport

First Congregational UCC, Edgecomb

Orono Church of Universal Fellowship, Orono

Oxford Congregational UCC, Oxford

Second Congregational UCC, Newcastle

Williston-West Congregational UCC, Portland

Second Christian Congregational, Kittery

UCC of Northeast Harbor and Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor

State Street Congregational UCC, Bangor

First Congregational UCC, Kennebunkport

10 churches gave in 2009 but not in 2008

34 churches increased in 2009

41 churches gave same as 2009

` 53 church decreased in 2009

28 churches gave nothing in 2009

166 churches total

Recognition of Open and Affirming Churches: Bill Walsh read the names of the churches in the Maine Conference which have adopted open and affirming statements:

Somesville Union Meeting House Mt Desert

United Church of Christ Congregational Bath

First Parish Congregational Church Saco

Woodfords Congregational Church, UCC Portland

Alfred Parish Church Alfred

First Congregational Church Wilton

First Congregational Church UCC South Portland

Congregational Church in Cumberland Cumberland Center

First Parish Congregational Church UCC Gorham

Union Congregational Church Hancock

Williston West UCC Portland

Hammond Street Congregational Church UCC Bangor

The Union Church of Northeast Harbor, UCC Northeast Harbor

The Union Congregational Church Seal Harbor

First Congregational Church UCC Waterville

Stevens Avenue Congregational Church UCC Portland

State Street Congregational Church UCC Portland

First Congregational UCC Blue Hill

Old South, First Congregational Church Farmington

The Open House Portland

Windham Hill UCC Windham

Broad Bay Congregational UCC Waldoboro

Falmouth Congregational United Church of Christ Falmouth

Casco Village United Church of Christ Casco

Old South Congregational Church UCC Hallowell

Centre Street Congregational Church UCC Machias

The First Church in Belfast, UCC Belfast

First Congregational-Christian Church, UCC New Gloucester

ONA Spirited Youth Organization - Maine State Youth Council

Associate Conference Minister’s Remarks:

Rev. Susan Craig thanked the Conference for the opportunity to serve the churches of Maine. She described the major areas of her work: youth ministries (including the middle school activities), search and call, interim ministry, and the Academy for Congregational Life and leadership.

Associate Conference Minister for Small Church Development’s Remarks: Rev. Darren Morgan described the major areas of his work on behalf of the Conference: preaching, search and call, working with small churches across the state.

Nominating Committee Report and Election: Eric Smith presented the slate of nominees:

Coordinating Council

(2012) Moderator: Herb Oliver, Waterville

(2012) Vice Moderator: Rev. Doug Nielsen, Saco

(2012) Clerk: Walter (Ted) Ruark, Augusta

(2012) Treasurer: John Davidson, Lincoln

(2013) At Large: Rev. Karen Byrne, Winslow

(2013) At Large: Jeff McDonnell, Bangor

(2013) At Large: Linette George, Bangor

(2013) At Large: Rev. Kent Allen, Yarmouth

Board of Trustees

(2013-1) Rev. Linda Gard, New Gloucester

(2013-1) Ted Davis, Bethel

(2013-2) Rev. Martha Hoverson, Portland, Woodfords

Nominating Committee

(2013) Laurie McQuarrie, North Yarmouth

(2013) Rev. Anita White, Waterford, First

Commission for Community Life

(2013-2) Nancy Godfrey, Waterville

Commission for Spiritual Life

(2013-1) Doug Dunlap, Wilton

Commission for Witness Life

(2013-1) Steve Carnahan, Auburn, High Street

General Synod Delegates

(2013) Cumberland: Rev. Elsa A. Peters, South Portland

(2013) Hancock-Waldo: Briana Haynes, Belfast

(2013) Oxford Union: Rev. Jane Rich, Andover

(2013) Midcoast: Tim Gormley, Newcastle, Second

(2013) Kennebec Valley: Rev. David Anderman, Waterville

Moderator: Herb Oliver, Waterville

State Youth Council (to be named in February 2011)

Eric Smith moved that the Nominating Committee report be accepted and that the Clerk cast one ballot for the nominees. The motion carried on a hand vote without opposition or abstentions.

Coordinating Council Recommendation, Discussion, and Vote: Discussion of the Coordinating Council’s recommendation that 5% of the net proceeds of the sale of the Rockcraft Retreat Center be given as an unrestricted gift to the National Setting of the United Church of Christ continued.

A motion was made that the net proceeds from the sale of the Rockcraft Retreat Center be invested in the Maine Consolidated Trust and that the interest from the Rockcraft Fund earned in the first year be sent to Basic Support of the United Church of Christ. This motion was defeated on a hand vote.

A motion was made that the Coordinating Council present to the 2011 Annual Meeting a comprehensive plan for the stewardship of the net proceeds, until such time as they are allocated by the Maine Conference, shall be managed by the Board of Trustees in keeping with established Maine Conference Investment Policies. The following amendment to the motion was passed on a hand vote:”. . . unless a recommendation for the funds comes forward before the 2011 Annual Meeting in which case a special gathering will be held.

With time running out on Plenary 2, a motion to table the amended motion was passed on a hand vote.

Plenary 2 ended at 11:00 a.m.

Graduation for the first class of the Academy for Congregational Life and Leadership was held in the Dearborn Gymnasium at 1:15 p.m. Those receiving recognition were:

Arlene Carroll, Alfred Parish Church UCC, Alfred

James Carter, First Parish Church, York

Karen Erickson, Old South Congregational Church UCC, Hallowell

Sandra Gemmel, Hampden Congregational Church UCC, Hampden

Donald Green, Centre Street Congregational Church UCC, Machias

Donna Hall, Holden Congregational Church UCC, Holden

Paula Hammerick, Old South Congregational Church UCC, Farmington

Elizabeth Hood, Phippsburg Congregational Church UCC, Phippsburg

Nancy MacArthur, Union Congregational Church UCC, Ellsworth

Ginny McGovern, Holden Congregational Church UCC, Holden

Almira Nappi, Westbrook Warren Congregational Church UCC, Westbrook

Andrea Rosenberg, First Congregational Church UCC, Buxton

Sara Salisbury, Blue Point Congregational Church UCC, Scarborough

Rebecca Schnell, South Congregational Church UCC, Kennebunkport

Roy Scribner, Old South Congregational Church UCC, Farmington

Ann Sewall, UCC of Northeast Harbor and Seal Harbor

Jane Stegeman, Falmouth Congregational Church UCC,, Falmouth

Suzanne Stevens, First Congregational Church UCC, South Portland

Linda Warner, First Church UCC, Belfast

Sondra Withey, Locke Mills and Rumford Point Churches UCC

Academy Director Rev. Peggy Wolfe Dunn and Academy Advisory Board Chair Rev. David Ray presented the diplomas to the graduates in a ceremony that included presentations by several of the students and a chorus made up of all the students.

Plenary 3 - Saturday, June 12, 2010, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Introduction of Guests: Rev. David Gaewski introduced the following (not all were present):

Rev. Carol Howard Merritt, Western Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C.

(keynote speaker and retreat leader)

Rev. Kent Ulrey, President, Bangor Theological Seminary

Rev. Daehler Hayes, Cornerstone Fund

Rev. David Williams, United Church Funds

Jeff McDonnell, United Church of Christ Insurance Board

Eric C. Smith, Maine Council of Churches

Amy Porter, World Church Service

Gayle Klopp, Charles Hall Youth Services

Nancy Roby, Heifer Project

Charles Brandes, Equal Exchange Coffee

Rev. Nash Garabedian, Seafarer’s Mission, Portland, ME and Portsmouth, NH

Recognition of Ordinations and Anniversaries: Rev. David Gaewski, Rev. Susan Craig, and Rev. Darren Morgan recognized the following ministers with standing in associations in the Maine Conference who had been ordained since the last Annual Meeting and those who are celebrating 10, 25, 35, and 50 years in the ordained ministry:

Ordination: Rev. Judith Clark, Kennebec Valley Association

10-Year Anniversary:

Rev. Diane Langworthy, Aroostook Association

Rev. William Friedrich, Hancock-Waldo Association

Rev. Tim LeConey, Oxford Union Association

Rev. Joyce Ingrisano, Washington Association

25-Year Anniversary:

Rev. Robert McCall, Hancock-Waldo Association

Rev. Richard Bennett, Oxford Union Association

Rev. Bonnie Haase, Washington Association

Rev. Gary Haase, Washington Association

35-Year Anniversary:

Rev. Nancy Foran, Cumberland Association

Rev. Peter Foss, Cumberland Association

Rev. David Anderman, Kennebec Valley Association

Rev. Jeff Belcher, Midcoast Association

Rev. Franklin Anderson, York Association

Rev. Dr. Kent Ulrey, Penobscot-Piscataquis Association

Rev. Diane Wendorf, York Association

50-Year Anniversary:

Rev. Hartley Nutting, Kennebec Valley Association

Rev. David Hall, Midcoast Association

Rev. Merle Steva, York Association

A motion to change the afternoon schedule, placing the New Generation Committee report after the Pilgrim Lodge report, was passed on a hand vote.

Introduction of New Pastors: The following new pastors were introduced with a audio-visual presentation:

Rev. Alice Anderman serving Winthrop Congregational Church UCC

Rev. Karen Byrne serving Winslow Congregational Church UCC

Rev. Ernie Campbell serving High Street Congregational Church in Newport

Rev. Stephen Carnahan serving High Street Congregational Church UCC in Auburn

Rev. Dr. Eric Kelley serving Millbridge Congregational Church UCC

Rev. Jane McIntyre serving South Parish Congregational Church UCC in Augusta

Pastor Jim Paar serving Brownfield Community Church

Rev. Patricia Rowe-Jones serving Sixth Street Congregational Church UCC in Auburn

Pilgrim Lodge Task Force Report: Rev. Anne Roundy, chair of the Pilgrim Lodge Task Force, reviewed the charge to the Task Force from the Coordinating Council: to examine and make recommendations concerning the recruiting, marketing, and maintenance processes at Pilgrim Lodge and to support the Director of Outdoor Ministries in his capacity as Camp Director. The Task Force identified 2 major issues that need attention:

User policy – Concerns have arisen over the past few years that require a thorough discussion and possible revision of the user policy. The Task Force will be addressing these concerns in the months ahead.
Boardwalk – The replacement of the boardwalk had been discussed for at least 10 years. The cost of design and replacement, as well as the need to adhere to life safety, handicapped accessibility, and other civil/legal requirements, has been a stumbling block to getting the work accomplished. On behalf of the Coordinating Council, a motion was introduced to proceed with the design phase of the Pilgrim Lodge boardwalk at a cost not to exceed $13,000, pending the availability of funds. The cost was an estimate provided in a proposal from Scott Simon Architects for the design of the boardwalk. The proposal included the option of designing handicapped access to the chapel for an additional $10,000. An amendment to increase the cost in the original motion to $23,000 (so that handicapped access to the chapel could be included in the design) was made and passed on a hand vote. The motion as amended was passed on a hand vote.

Subsequent to the favorable vote, the following took place:

Rev. Dr. Kent Ulrey, President of Bangor Theological Seminary, volunteered the services of the Vice-President for Development to help raise the funds needed for the design project.
One delegate pledged $500 for the design project.
Another delegate indicated that a donation of $76.47 from each church in the Conference would fund the design project and produced checks from the delegates of 2 churches.
The Saco United Church of Christ Youth Group pledged $100 to the design project.
Another delegate pledged $200 for the design project.

Next Generation Committee Report: Denise Goodman, co-chair (with Ernie Campbell) of the Next Generation Committee, reported on the committee’s activities since its creation, which have included a review of the results of the “town meetings” and interviews with Conference staff, State Youth Council officers, Association moderators, Rev. Bryan Breault, and representatives of those who favor a deeper Conference commitment to adult retreats. She also indicated that the Gardiner Congregational Church had closed in January 2010 and has offered the church’s physical and fiscal resources to the Maine Conference. The Coordinating Council had commissioned Scott Simons Architects to determine whether the buildings offered could be renovated to provide space for Conference offices and the Resource Center and space dedicated to daytime retreats. A detailed report from the architects is expected soon.

Pilgrim Lodge Report: Rev. Bryan Breault, Director of Outdoor Ministries and Pilgrim Lodge Director, reviewed the changes made in the 2010 camping program. He also described some of the physical, personnel, and fiscal needs of Pilgrim Lodge if it is to stay a viable component of the Conference’s programs. His report included a visual presentation of activities that have taken place at Pilgrim Lodge.

Discussion and Vote on Resolutions: Rev. Steve Hastings, chair of the Commission for Witness Life, introduced the Resolution on Civil Discourse, a resolution sponsored by the Maine Council of Churches and recommended by the Commission for Witness Life and the Coordinating Council. He reviewed the 6 principles included in the Resolution:

Act responsibly and attempt to understand opposite viewpoints.
Respect other opinions.
Refrain from demoning opinions other than your own as “evil.”
Refrain from knowingly spreading lies.
Value honesty in others.
Expect others to follow the tenets of the civil discourse covenant.

He explained that the Resolution was consistent with the principles of the Maine Conference because it was scriptural based, because many within the Conference are disturbed by the “uncivil discourse” that has overtaken much of our political and social interaction, and because it strengthens our position as a Just Peace Conference.

With very little discussion, the Resolution was passed on a hand vote.

National United Church of Christ Constitution Changes, Discussion, and Vote: Rev. David Gaewski reviewed the history of the changes to the United Church of Christ Constitution that were before the Annual Meeting. The 2005 General Synod had approved the Ministry Issues Pronouncement which, when incorporated into the Manual on Ministry, would establish multiple paths to authorized ministry and institute a more comprehensive authorization process by Committees on Ministry. The 2009 General Synod had revised the Bylaws to reflect these changes and voted to change the Constitution, a process that requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Conferences. He indicated that today’s vote would be either for or against the changes and that no amendments to the changes could be made. He described the major Constitutional changes as:

Use of the term “member in discernment” instead of “in care student.”
Association committees on ministry would be expected to help the member in discernment determine his/her appropriate call as well as the path to that call.
A strengthening of the partners in the discernment process – local church, association, member in discernment.
The recognition of all 3 authorized ministries (ordained, licensed, and commissioned) with the promotion of increased roles for licensed and commissioned ministries.

After brief discussion, the changes to the United Church of Christ Constitution were approved by the Conference on a hand vote.

Honduras Partnership Report: Bruce Burton reported on the efforts of the Honduras Partnership to market fair trade Honduran coffee through Wicked Joe, with $2.00 from the sale of each bag of coffee going to support a technical school in Honduras.

He also reported that, after a brief hiatus, trips to Honduras had been resumed, although safety concerns still exist. He indicated that applications for trips in 2011 and 2012 are due in early July. He mentioned that a visit by Honduran pastors is being planned.

Regional Youth Event Report: Heather Gellerson and two other members of the State Youth Council reported that the Regional Youth Event would be held at Boston University on June 24 through 27, 2010. Over 30 youth from Maine are expected to attend.

Installation and Rededication of Officers, Commission and Committee Members: Current and newly elected officers, commission and committee members gathered at the front of the hall. New officers and commission and committee members were installed into their positions and current officers and members were rededicated to their responsibilities.

Speak Out 2 – Moderated by Anne Roundy

Plenary 3 ended at 4:15 p.m.

Workshops – Session 2: The following workshops were scheduled from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.:

Title Room Leader

Afternoon Discussion Group Education Center

Reframing Communication Olsen Student Center Eric Anderson

Reframing our Families Education Center Bill Walsh

Emerging Leadership Ricker Addition Peggy Wolfe Dunn

Reframing Youth and Young

Adult Ministry Thomas Auditorium Kris Galasyn

Reframing Stewardship Education Center Gina Finocchario

Reframing Ecumenism Education Center Eric C. Smith

Conference Choir Dearborn Gymnasium Beth Barefoot

Plenary 4 - Sunday, June 13, 2010, 8:30 – 10:00 p.m.

Speak Out 3 – Moderated by Anne Roundy

Moderator Anita White announced that Conference Minister Rev. David Gaewski had been called to Connecticut on Saturday night to attend to his ailing father and would not be present for the day’s activities. She asked for prayers for David and his family.

Vice-Moderator Herb Oliver announced that Denise Goodman had been appointed Parliamentarian for Plenary 4.

2011 Clergy Compensation Guidelines: Rev. Darren Morgan, Associate Conference Minister for Small Church Development, presented the 2011 Clergy Compensation Guidelines and drew partic-ular attention to the guidelines for interim ministers, emphasizing the need to consider the years of experience when determining a fair compensation package. He also pointed out the provision for interim minister sabbatical leaves of 1 month for each year in an interim position. A motion to adopt the 2011 Clergy Compensation Guidelines was passed on a hand vote.

Resourcing the Local Church Grants: Dale Bardo explained that Resourcing the Local Church Committee awards approximately $20,000 in grants each year and that the grants are given for the following purposes:

Develop new or expand existing ministries within a church.
Develop new congregations.
Provide emergency funds or address local church building needs.
Provide service of a crisis counselor for local church conflict resolution.
Assist lay leaders and clergy in attending developmental leadership training workshops.
Sponsor laity, clergy, and youth participation in wider mission activities of the United Church of Christ.
Support conference programs that directly benefit local churches.

He then announced the 12 grants that had been awarded since last fall’s Annual Meeting (totaling $21,786):

Winthrop Congregational Church UCC – emergency roof repair - $1,007.60
Rev. Anne Roundy – interim minister training - $400
First Congregational Church UCC of Ellsworth – youth scholarships for Dominican Republic mission trip - $1,000
First Congregational Church UCC of Kittery – ministry to young families project - $250
Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor – new choir loft chairs - $2,400
First Congregational Church of Deer Isle and Sunset Congregational Church – parsonage furnace replacement - $1,500
First Congregational Church UCC of East Millinocket – water diversion/dry classrooms project - $3,416.63
Regional Youth Event Scholarships – $3,700
Bus transportation to Regional Women’s Event - $1,517
Raymond Village Congregational Church and First Congregational Church of South Portland – John Bell in Maine musical event - $2,500
Woodfords Congregational Church UCC of Portland – consultant fees and associated costs for refocusing programs and right-sizing space - $3,000
Broad Bay Congregational Church United Church of Christ of Waldoboro – expenses for Rev. Nancy Duncan’s attending the New Church Leadership Institute - $1,096

Unfinished Business: Disposition of net proceeds of the sale of Rockcraft Retreat Center

A motion to remove the following motion from the table was passed on a hand vote:

“That the Coordinating Council present to the 2011 Annual Meeting a comprehensive plan for the stewardship of the net proceeds, until such time as they are allocated by the Maine Conference, shall be managed by the Board of Trustees in keeping with established Maine Conference Investment Policies, unless a recommendation for the funds comes forward before the 2011 Annual Meeting in which case a special gathering will be held.”

The person making that motion and the person seconding it requested that the following substitute motion be accepted in place of the original motion:

“That the Coordinating Council present to the 2011 Annual Meeting or a called Special Meeting a comprehensive plan for the stewardship of the net proceeds of the sale of Rockcraft Retreat Center, which proceeds shall be held by the Maine Conference in accordance with the established Maine Conference Liquidity Policy, which governs short-term investments of Conference resources for the safety and preservation of Conference resources.

This motion was accepted as a substitute for the original motion taken from the table by a hands vote.

After brief discussion, the substitute motion was passed by a hand vote.

Credentials Committee Report: The Credentials Committee reported the following:

Lay delegates 148

Clergy delegates 86

Youth delegates 8

Voting Delegates 242

Visitors 43

Total attendance: 285

Moderator’s Remarks: Anita White acknowledged the cooperative spirit of the Coordinating Council during her 2 years as Moderator, noting that some of the decisions it needed to make had been difficult ones. She thanked Mark Doty and Martha Hoverson as chairs of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee and the excellent work of Sue Stevens in the organization and coordination of the Annual Meeting. She thanked Bob Grove-Markwood for his assistance with the audio and visual equipment. She also expressed her confidence in the newly elected Conference officers, citing their strengths and capabilities as well suited to tasks ahead.

Plenary 4 ended at approximately 9:15 a.m.

The Closing Worship Service was held at Old South Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Farmington at 10:00 a.m. In the absence of Rev. David Gaewski, Rev. Steve Hastings read his sermon, focusing on the theme of Christian stewardship of our earth. Communion was served by Rev. Susan Craig, Rev. Darren Morgan, Rev. Anne Roundy, and Rev. Susan Kaplan-Burgess, assisted by deacons of Old South Church.

The service included recognition of 4 ministers who had died since the September 2009 Annual Meeting:

Rev. Wesley N. Haynes
Rev. Neil Eichhorn
Rev. A. Karl Phillippi
Rev. Walter E. Wyman