2011 ANNUAL MEETING

MAINE CONFERENCE, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

June 24 – 26, 2011 - University of Maine at Farmington, Maine

 

Gathering Music: Each time the delegates to the 2011 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 24, 2011, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

 

Call to order: Moderator Herb Oliver called the meeting to order.

 

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

 

Official Call of the 2011 Annual Meeting

The 80th Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ (successor to the Congregational Christian Conference of Maine; it being the 100th Anniversary of the Congregational Conference and Missionary Society of Maine; the 186th Anniversary of the State Conference, the 204th Anniversary of the Maine Missionary Society, the 182nd Anniversary of the Maine Congregational Ministerial Relief Society, and the 44th 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 24, 2011.  Items to be voted at this year’s meeting will be the:

·                 Proposed 2012 Conference Budget

·                 2012 Compensation Guidelines for Clergy

·                 Slate of Officers/Commissions Elect

·                 Resolution regarding “Declaring the Maine Conference an Open and

Affirming Conference”

·                 Conference Bylaws Changes

·                 Affirm Recommendation of Coordinating Council regarding

The Conference Properties

 

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

 

Welcome: Annual Meeting Planning Committee Co-Chairs Martha Sprong and Marcia Charles welcomed the delegates and visitors to the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference United Church of Christ.

 

Reading of the Conference Mission Statement: In accordance with the Conference Bylaws, the Conference Mission Statement was read, by Susan DeCoster, as a reminder of the acknowledged purposes of the Maine Conference

 

Agenda, Rules, and Procedures: The agenda and the rules and procedures, distributed prior to the Annual meeting, were adopted as printed 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: Karen Nielsen, Connie Insley, Sue Stevens

    Tellers: Anne Roundy, Pam Burrows, Susan DeCoster, Kim Hoare, Donna Wheeler, Charles    

            Whiston, Cathy Wallace, Glenda Raymond, Marcia Charles, Susan Kaplan-Burgess

    Parliamentarian: Martha Phillips

 

Approval of 2010 Annual Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the June 11 – 13, 2010 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. Susan Davies announced 2 recent administrative appointments at Bangor Theological Seminary: the Rev. Dr. Robert Grove-Markwood has been named interim president following the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Kent Ulrey; and Andrea Jane has joined the staff as Director of Admissions. She also announced that the Fall Convocation would be held in Portland this year, on October 27th, on the University of Southern Maine campus..

 

Greetings from Andover Newton Theological School: Brita Gill-Austern noted that the seminary had recently adopted a new competency-based curriculum and that it now shares course offerings with the Jewish seminary which will be located on the ANTS grounds in the near future. She also mentioned the availability of on-line courses through the seminary.

 

Greetings from the Maine Council of Churches: Silver Moore-Lemon, President of the Board of Directors of the Maine Council of Churches, acknowledged the vital participation of the Maine Conference in the Council’s activities, especially during the recent legislative session. She also indicated that the Council has moved its offices to 156 High Street in Portland.

 

Greetings from the United Church of Canada: Rev. Jane Johnson, Associate Conference Minister of the Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada, recognized the common mission and roles of the Maine and Maritime Conferences.

 

Introduction of Conference Staff: Rev. David Gaewski offered an audio-visual presentation of the Conference staff and introduced those present at the Annual Meeting with a “things you may not know about them” quiz for the delegates.

 

Associate Conference Minister for Small Church Development Report: Rev. Darren Morgan used the parable of the sower to illustrate the focus of the Maine Conference on the development of small churches. He emphasized the importance of lay leadership, especially in the smaller churches that are lead by part-time pastors. He also announced the resurrection of the Small Church Convocation, which will be held at the Universal Fellowship Church in Orono on September 17th. Rev. Lynn Bujnak, Conference Minister in Vermont, will be the keynote speaker.

 

Treasurer’s Report: Because he was in England with his family, Treasurer John Davidson’s previously recorded report was presented to the Annual Meeting. He reviewed the income and expenditures figures for the 2010 budget year and explained the modifications in that budget made by the Coordinating Council in the beginning of the year. John joined the plenary session via a telecommunication hook-up (using Skype© technology), answering question and providing additional information to the delegates in Farmington.  The Treasurer’s report was accepted as printed.

 

2012 Budget Presentation, Discussion, and Vote: Art Marshall, co-chair of the Finance Committee, used graphs and charts to present the proposed 2012 budget that was developed by that committee and recommended by the Coordinating Council. He indicated that the 2012 budget includes a $.44 increase in Fellowship Dues in addition to the $.29 increase attributable to the automatic cost of living increase, setting the annual Fellowship Dues at $14.18. He also reminded the delegates that there had not been an increase in Fellowship Dues for the past 3 years. It was noted that the 2012 budget would increase the time of the Associate Conference Minister for Small Church Development from ¾ time to 7/8 time and that the costs of the Academy for Congregational Life and Leadership has been separate out from the Commission for Spiritual Life (where its expenses have appeared in past budgets).The 2012 budget was adopted as presented 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 4:49 p.m.

 

 

Evening Session – Friday, June 24, 2011, 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 observations, concerns and celebrations in his address:

  1. The impact of the 2008 recession can still be felt in some churches around the state, while many churches are beginning to find ways to live within their means by focusing on their mission as local churches rather than striving to address financial issues by concentrating on increasing membership.
  2. If one looks at the history of the church since the time of its inception, the church is almost always described as in a state of change. We should not be surprised that it is characterized as changing today.
  3. The relationship between the Maine Conference and the Evangelical and Reformed Church of Honduras has taken a dramatic (and important) shift over the past year, away from their theological and social policy differences to a conversation of what the church of Christ is and can be in the future, regardless of (or in spite of) our differences.
  4. The Maine Conference has been the recipient of 2 major gifts this past year: the Norman and Ruth Powell Foundation donated a parcel of land with buildings to the Conference, which was sold for just over $40,000; and a bequest of $323,000 from the Nellie Stahlman estate. These 2 gifts have been added to the Conference investment portfolio until such time as the Coordinating Council determines their effective use.
  5. After many years of collecting information through town meetings, the Next Generation Task Force, and the discussions at several Annual or Special Conference Meetings, the Coordinating Council has voted to sell the Pennell Center in Yarmouth and seek other space for Conference operations. The Pennell Center had served as the Conference office since 1983 and had been purchased by a gift in memory of Ruth Pennell of Winthrop, long-time Conference Clerk. One of its shortcomings is that it contains no real “sacred space,” a place specifically designed and set aside for worship. As the Conference and Coordinating Council searches for new office space, it is essential that it contain “sacred space.”
  6. The Conference has long recognized that major repairs and improvements are needed at Pilgrim Lodge if it is to remain a vital location for children, youth, and adult programming. Much time and energy has been devoted over the past year to collate the information gathered over the years and generate a short- and long-term plan for Pilgrim Lodge. The consulting firm of Kaleidoscope Incorporated was commissioned to produce a developmental report, which was reviewed by the Pilgrim Lodge Task Force, Outdoor Ministries Committee, and Coordinating Council. It is anticipated that a capital campaign will be needed to finance the priority items of necessary repairs and enhancement issues identified in the report.

 

Worship with the Rev. Dr. Mary Luti: The Rev. Dr. Mary Luti, Professor at Andover Newton Theological School and the keynote speaker for the 2011 Annual Meeting, led the delegates in worship. Assisted by three others, she retold the story of the Samaritan women who met Jesus by the well. Worship ended with an invitation to come forward to be “washed in the water” of Christ’s grace. 

 

Plenary 2 - Saturday, June 25, 2011, 8:15 – 10:00 a.m.

 

Speak Out 1 – Moderated by Anne Roundy

 

Introduction of Guests: Conference Minister David Gaewski introduced guests at the Annual Meeting representing the following: the Cornerstone Fund, the United Church Fund, Church World Service, and the Insurance Board.

 

Recognition of Ordinations and Anniversaries: Rev. Susan Craig and Rev. Darren Morgan recognized the following ministers with standing in associations in the Maine Conference who are celebrating 5, 10, 15, 25, 30, 31, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 years in the ordained ministry and those who had been ordained since the 2010 Annual Meeting:

Five Years – 2006

Penobscot-Piscataquis – Linda Hatch

York – Beth Hoffman

York – Janet Leighinger

            Ten Years – 2001

Oxford Union – Virginia Snapp-Cunningham

York – Abby Lynn Campbell

            Fifteen Years – 1996

Hancock-Waldo – Ronald Hutchins

York – Denis Dunn

            Twenty Years – 1991

Cumberland – Susan Gilpin

Hancock-Waldo – Jerry Maske

Midcoast – Barbara Dudley-Thompson

Penobscot-Piscataquis – Anne Purdy

Washington – Martha Shaw

            Twenty-Five Years – 1986

Aroostook – Dale Holden

Cumberland – Deborah Breault

Cumberland – Dana Reed

Kennebec Valley – Cynthia Lepley

Oxford Union – John Fillemore-Patrick

Penobscot-Piscataquis – Deborah Jenks

Thirty Years – 1981

Cumberland – Kent Allen

Cumberland – Linda Gard

Midcoast – Tom Clough

York – Diane Harvey

            Thirty-one Years – 1980

Franklin - E. Marriotte Churchill

            Thirty-Five Years – 1976

Cumberland – Bob Morse

Hancock-Waldo – James Barclay

Kennebec Valley – Alice Anderman

Oxford-Union – Russell Ingalls

            Forty Years – 1971

Cumberland – John McCall

Cumberland – Joanne Painter

Midcoast – John Potter

Penobscot-Piscataquis – James Haddix

York – Peter Mercer

            Forty-Five Years 1966

Cumberland – H. William Gregory

Hancock-Waldo – Rebecca Erb

York – Ian Stewart

            Fifty Years – 1961

Cumberland – Garvey MacLean

Cumberland – Raymond Williams

Franklin – John Tolman

Hancock-Waldo – G. Dale True

Midcoast – Harold Tucker

Penobscot-Piscataquis – Clifton Davis

Penobscot-Piscataquis – William England

York – John Heinl

            Fifty-Five Years – 1956

Oxford-Union – John Crowe

            Sixty Years – 1951

Cumberland – Birger T. Johnson

            Ordination:

Franklin - Susan Kaplan-Burgess

 

Introduction of New Pastors: Rev. Susan Craig and Rev. Darren Morgan presented the names of those who had been called as new pastors since July 2010:

  1. Rev. Deborah Tate Breault – Falmouth Cong. Church
  2. Rev. Kate Dalton – First Parish Cong., Yarmouth
  3. Rev. Geoff Parker – First Parish Church, Brunswick
  4. Rev. Martha Spong – First Cong. Church, North Yarmouth
  5. Rev. Kelli Whitman – Pride’s Corner Cong. Church, Westbrook
  6. Rev. Peggy Dunn – Union Cong. Church, South Bristol
  7. Rev. Deborah Davis-Johnson – Williston-Immanuel United Church, Portland
  8. Rev. Doretta Colburn – North Waterford Cong. and East Stoneham Cong.
  9. Rev. Beth Hoffman – First Cong. Church, Eliot
  10. Rev. Michael Robinson – First Cong. Church of Lincoln
  11. Rev. David Bowling – South Freeport Church
  12. Rev. Kathi Smith – First Cong. Church, Pittsfield
  13. Rev. Larry Zimmerman – First Cong. Church of Cherryfield
  14. Rev. Susan Tierney – Moose River Cong., Jackman
  15. Rev. Peter Heinrich - First Parish Church Cong., Freeport
  16. Pastor Karen Dresser – First Cong. Church of Milford
  17. Rev. Harry Petter – The Yoked Congregations of Limerick and West Newfield
  18. Pastor Wallace Farnum – Mission Cong. Church, West Parish
  19. Rev. Tim Stohlberg – First Cong. Church of Houlton
  20. Rev. Franklin Anderson, United Parish Cong. Church of Harrison & N. Bridgton

 

Discussion and Vote on Resolution - “Declaring the Maine Conference an Open and Affirming Conference”

Rev. Steve Hastings, chair of the Commission for Witness Life, assisted by members of the Open and Affirming Conference Task Force, gave a brief outline of the background of the resolution: a resolution to study the issue at the June 2008 Annual Meeting, formation of the Task Force by the Commission for Witness Life, “Gathering Here,” a workshop held in the Saco Church in April 2010, and a PowerPoint presentation made at each association in 2010 or 2011. He indicated that this resolution placed in public the policies and practices that the Maine Conference had, in fact, followed for many years. He also noted that, if adopted, the Maine Conference would be the 17th conference nationally and the 5th New England conference to become an open and affirming conference.

The discussion that followed included numerous passionate appeals in support of the resolution. A brief segment of the discussion focused on the definitions appearing in the resolution, and several language changes were made: “physical and mental status’ was substituted for “physical and mental abilities” and “ethnicity or national origin” was added to the language of the resolution. The resolution was adopted on a show of hands vote.

 

Associate Conference Minister Report: Because of the lateness of the hour, Rev. Susan Craig asked that her report to the Annual Meeting be moved to later in the Annual Meeting.

 

Keynote Address – Rev. Mary Luti

Rev. Luti’s keynote address focused on the theme of the centricity of Scripture in our worship services. She commented that, all too often, the reading of Scripture and the sermon are separated by too much space in the service to ensure an understanding of the connection between them, and that too often the emphasis of worship is on the preacher’s words rather than God’s words. She also asserted that Scripture is not read with enough serious expression to assist in its meaning. She presented 6 recommendations with regard to the use of Scripture in our services;

1.     Read more Scripture (don’t just pick the one that best fits the sermon)

2.     Pray before the reading of Scripture (instead of before the sermon itself)

3.     Increase the opportunities for Bible study among the congregation

4.     Train others to read Scripture (and don’t fear discouraging those who do not do it well)

5.     Bring creativity to the reading of Scripture (but don’t make creativity an end unto itself)

  1. Memorize Scripture and use it as part of the service (eye contact heightens the congregation’s interest)

Plenary 2 ended at 9:50 a.m.

Workshops – Session 1: The following workshops were scheduled from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 noon:

            Title                                                       Room                                          Leader

Clinical Pastoral Education                          Education Center, Room 113      Jay Turner            

Practicing the Liturgical Year                       Thomas Auditorium                  Kate Winters

Again for the First Time                                Education Center, Room 111   Susan Tierney

Digital Storytelling                                        Dearborn Gymnasium        Bob Grove-Markwood

Dance & Movement                                       Olsen Student Center, Room 123  Bonnie Wright

Praying in Color                                             Education Center, Room 114   Alice Anderman

Telling the Story of ONA                               Education Center, Room 106   Diane Bennekamper

Soundtrack of God in our Lives                     Old South Church sanctuary     Leslie Chatfield

 

Worship led by Maine Conference Youth - 1:15 – 1:45 p.m.

The Executive Committee of the State Youth Council led the afternoon worship service, with hymns, a Scripture reading, and a meditation what had been written by Heather Galasyn and presented at the Mid-Winter Event. The offering, later announced at over $1,000, was donated to the 5 for 5 campaign.

 

Plenary 3  - Saturday, June 25, 2011, 1:45 – 4:00 p.m.

 

Discussion and Vote on Conference Bylaw Changes: Walter (Ted) Ruark, Conference Clerk, presented the following bylaw changes recommended by the Coordinating Council: the immediate past Moderator would become a member of the Coordinating Council for a 2-year term and the chair of the Nominating Committee, also for a 2-year term; and the duties of the Coordinating Council and the Board of Trustees with regard to the purchase, sale, mortgage, or lease of real estate property was clarified. The changes were adopted on a show of hand vote.

 

Pilgrim Lodge and Pilgrim Lodge Task Force Report:

Rev. Bryan Breault, Director of Outdoor Ministry and Director of Pilgrim Lodge, informed the delegates that he would be beginning his sabbatical leave in July. He showed pictures of some of the improvements to the camp and also of the tree damage caused by the beavers. He acknowledged the passing of Alden Carroll, nationally known camp director and Bryan’s mentor.

Rev. Anne Roundy, chair of the Pilgrim Lodge Task Force, discussed the Kaleidoscope Report and the priority lists that the Task Force had developed from it. She noted that the priority list had been presented to both the Outdoor Ministries Committee and the Coordinating Council. She indicated that the next step in the planning process was to determine the estimated cost of each of the priority items and then, following a Special Conference Meeting called for that purpose, to organize a capital campaign to implement the developmental plan.

 

Discussion and Vote on Conference Facilities:

Moderator Herb Oliver presented a brief history of the assessment of Conference facilities that culminated in the decision of the Coordinating Council to sell the Pennell Center, including the architect’s report, the town meetings, and the Council’s research of rental properties in the Augusta-Waterville area. He further explained that the purpose of the afternoon’s discussion was to allow individuals from across the state to provide further information upon which the Coordinating Council would base its decisions about the purpose and location of a Conference Center. The only vote to be taken following the discussion was one asking the delegates to affirm the Coordinating Council’s decision to sell the Pennell Center.

For purposes of the discussion, individuals were invited to speak by the associations in which their church was located, beginning with the Aroostook Association and continuing through the York Association. In order to hear from as many persons as possible, speakers from each association were asked to limit their comments to 2 minutes, and the total time for speakers from each of the associations were limited to 10 minutes. If not of all the time was used by the speakers from an association, speakers from the next association were invited to speak. After speakers from the first round of the associations had been heard, additional speakers from each of the associations were invited to address the delegates.

As expected, there was little consensus among the various speakers about the future of the Conference Center, with the possible exception that there was a general feeling expressed that any new space should be rented or leased and not purchased. Few of the speakers, moreover, advocated keeping the Pennell Center as the base of Conference operations. There appeared to be widespread recognition of the limitations that the building placed on Conference administrative and program activities. There was also recognition of the need for extensive repairs to the building and the limitations imposed by the location (such as the limited parking for both staff and visitors). There was concern expressed by a number of speakers that moving the Conference office could be a hardship on those who work there, especially if the new location were to be located outside of the greater Portland area. Several speakers from the more distant areas of the state asked that travel time and expense be considered in the Council’s discussion and decision when determining a location of the Conference Center. Another item on which no consensus was expressed was the possible inclusion of retreat facilities in any new Conference Center. Since the closing of the Rockcraft Retreat Center, the Conference has relied heavily on other facilities for its retreat and Academy for Congregational Life and Leadership activities, primarily Living Waters in Winslow. With Living Waters scheduled to close its doors in 2012, there was concern expressed about the options available. A number of speakers supported the inclusion of retreat facilities in a new Conference Center, while others maintained that existing locations could be found for retreats. Still others encouraged the Council to consider building retreat facilities at the Pilgrim Lodge site as part of the Pilgrim Lodge enhancement project. A theme that ran through a great number of the comments offered was that the Conference, through the Coordinating Council, should continue to develop and clarify the purpose and mission of the Conference, especially in its relationship to local churches and its programming of activities.

Following this discussion, the vote to affirm the Coordinating Council’s decision to sell the Pennell Center was taken. The motion paced on a show of hands vote.

 

Speak Out 2 – Moderated by Anne Roundy

 

Plenary 3 ended at 4:00 p.m.

 

Workshops – Session 2: The following workshops were scheduled from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.:

            Title                                                       Room                                       Leader

Multiple Intelligences                           Education Center, Room 114          Alice Anderman Understanding Transgender                  Thomas Auditorium                            Alex Roan

Worship Planning in the Pews              Education Center, Room 112          Paula Hammerick

Seven Ways to tell the Story                 Education Center, Room 111             Annette Mott

Effective Storytelling                            Education Center, Room 106          Ruth Thibodeau

Adding Character                                 Education Center, Room 113              Joel Kreuger

Banners                                                  Education Center, Room 107               Pam Brown

Prophet Miriam - drumming                 Olsen Student Center, Room 123        Deborah Breault

Conference Choir                                   Dearborn Gymnasium                        Beth Barefoot

 

 

Evening at Leisure:

            The Master Singers Concert – Old South Church

            “It’s My Story” led by Stephen Carnahan – The Landing

 

Plenary 4  - Sunday, June 26, 2011, 8:30 – 9:15 a.m.

 

Speak Out 3 – Moderated by Anne Roundy

 

2012 Clergy Compensation Guidelines: Rev. Robert Edgarton, representing the Commission for Spiritual Life, presented the 2012 Clergy Compensation Guidelines, which include a 2% increase (after 2 years with no increases). He also indicated that the Commission is planning to include compensation figures for licensed pastors in the 2013 Guidelines. A motion to adopt the 2012 Clergy Compensation Guidelines was passed on a show of hand vote.

 

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

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

    He then announced the 8 grants that had been awarded since last fall’s Annual Meeting (totaling $29,500):

à       Somesville Union Meeting House UCC - $2,500 for piano and organ purchase

à       Holden Congregational Church UCC - $5,000 for steeple repair

à       Centre Street Congregational Church UCC of Machias- $2,500 for steeple preservation

à       Prides Corner Congregational Church UCC of Westbrook - $2,500 for furnace replacement

à       Youth @ General Synod - $4,000 for youth and advisor scholarships for 2011 General Synod

à       Mexico Congregational Church UCC - $5,000 for furnace and boiler replacement

à       Mission Congregational Church of West Paris - $3,000 for replacement of exterior siding

à       First Congregational Church of Ellsworth UCC - $3,000 for handicapped accessibility project

He also announced that, because the competition for grants has often become intense, the Committee recommends that other funding of projects be sought and documented prior to application to the Committee. In addition, the Committee has established quarterly deadlines for the receipt of applications for Committee funds: March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1.

 

Recognition of 5 for 5 Churches: Rev. Susan Craig and Rev. Darren Morgan read the names of the churches in the Maine Conference that 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):

Aroostook Association:

First Congregational Church UCC, East Millinocket

First Congregational Church UCC, Houlton

Presque Isle Congregational Church UCC, Presque Isle

Cumberland Association:

            High Street Congregational Church UCC, Auburn

            First Parish Church UCC, Brunswick

Casco Village Church UCC, Casco

            Cumberland Center Congregational Church UCC, Cumberland Center

            First Congregational Church UCC, Durham

            Falmouth Congregational Church UCC, Falmouth

            First Congregational UCC, Gray

            State Street Congregational Church UCC, Portland

            Woodfords Congregational UCC, Portland

Raymond, Village Community UCC, Raymond

            Windham Hill Congregational Church UCC Windham Hill

            First Parish Congregational Church UCC, Yarmouth

Franklin Association:

            First Congregational, UCC, Farmington

New Sharon Congregational, UCC, New Sharon

            Rangeley Congregational Church UCC, Rangeley

Hancock-Waldo Association:

            First Church In Belfast UCC, Belfast

Trinitarian Parish Church UCC, Castine

First Congregational UCC, Ellsworth Falls

            Frankfort Congregational UCC, Frankfort

Union Congregational, UCC, Hancock

            Kennebec Valley Association:

                        Old South Congregational Church UCC, Hallowell

                        First Congregational UCC, Pittsfield

First Congregational UCC, Waterville

            Winslow Congregational Church, Winslow

Mid-Coast Association:

            Second Congregational UCC, Newcastle

            Deer Isle (Sunset & Deer Isle) Congregational Church UCC, Deer Isle

Oxford Union Association:

            West Parish Congregational UCC, Bethel

First Congregational UCC, Bridgton

Lovell United Church of Christ, Lovell

Mexico Congregational Church UCC, Mexico

Second Congregational UCC, Norway

Oxford Congregational UCC, Oxford

Poland Community Church UCC, Poland

            Sweden Community Church UCC, Sweden

Penobscot-Piscataquis Association:

            Hammond Street UCC, Bangor

Brownville Community Church UCC, Brownville

            Hampden Congregational Church UCC, Hampden

            Holden Congregational Church UCC, Holden

            Stillwater Federated Church, Old Town

Washington Association:

            Central Congregational UCC, Eastport

York Association:

Alfred Congregational UCC, Alfred

First Congregational Church UCC, Kittery Point

Second Christian Congregational UCC, Kittery

First Parish UCC, Saco

North Parish Congregational UCC, Sanford

State Youth Council

 

Recognition of Churches with Increases in Our Church’s Wider Mission of at least 10%: 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 2010 giving to 2009 giving):

Union Congregational Church, Hancock

Sandy Point Congregational Church

First Congregational Church, Eliot

Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church

Old South Congregational Church, Hallowell

Hampden Congregational Church

First congregational Church, south Berwick

Madison Congregational Church

            Wells Congregational Church

            First Congregational Church, North Berwick

            Second Congregational Church, Norway

            North Waterford Congregational Church

            First Congregational Church, Gray

            First Parish Congregational Church, York

            Church of Universal Fellowship, Orono

            Old South Congregational Church, Farmington

            First Congregational Church, Belfast

            Durham Congregational Church

            Whittier Congregational Church, Island Falls

            Second Christian Congregational Church, Kittery

            Cumberland Center Congregational Church

            Second Congregational Church, Newcastle

            West Congregational Church, Brooksville

            Village Community Church, Raymond

            High Street Congregational Church, Auburn

The following churches were recognized as contributing in 2010 but not in 2009:

            First Congregational Church, Wilton           

            Rumford Point Congregational Church

            Cherryfield Congregational Church

            Lincoln Congregational Church

            Isle Au Haut Congregational Church

            Washburn Memorial Congregational Church, Sherman Mills

            First Congregational Church, Freeport

 

Communication with Douglas Doyle, “On the Appalachian Trail” – Rev. Doyle left Georgia on April 11, 2011, and will be hiking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. Contributions have been requested at a penny a mile to be donated to the vocational school in Honduras. Rev. Bruce Burnham was able to connect with Doug via cell phone, which was broadcast to the delegates. Anne Roundy noted that each hiker on the Appalachian Trail takes a trail name. Doug’s is Walking Home.

 

 

 

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 [This list was copied from the Maine Conference web site]

:

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

Second Congregational Church UCC                        Norway

Rangeley Congregational Church UCC                     Rangeley

Madison Congregational Church                               Madison

First Parish Congregational Church UCC                 Yarmouth

Foreside Community Church UCC                            Falmouth

ONA Spirited Youth Organization - Maine State Youth Council      

 

Nominating Committee Report and Election: Rev. David Gaewski and Laurie McQuarrie presented the Nominating Committee’s slate of nominees. Although all the officers and members of the various commissions and committees were listed, only the following were nominated for office at the 2011 Annual Meeting:

Coordinating Council

                        (2011) Commission for Spiritual Life: Sondra Withey, Locke Mills

            Board of Trustees

                        (2014-1) Evelyn Cowes, Waterboro

            Nominating Committee

                        (2014) George Kimball, Rumford

            Commission for Community Life

                        Chair: Susan DeCoster, Waldoboro

(2013-1) Susan Eliot, North Yarmouth

                        (2014-1) Ezra Chapola, Portland (Stevens Avenue)

            Commission for Spiritual Life

Chair: Tim Hall, Frankfort

(2014-1) Robert Fast, Wilton

            Commission for Witness Life

                        Chair: Steven Hastings, Farmington

                        (2014-2) Bill Walsh, Waterville

(2014-1) Geoffrey Parker, Brunswick

                        (2014) Kevin Pleas, Camden

It was noted that the chairs of each of the commissions were selected at the 2010 Annual Meeting in accordance with the Bylaw changes adopted at that meeting (Susan DeCoster – Commission for Community Life, Tim Hall – Commission for Spiritual Life, and Steve Hastings – Commission for Witness Life). The motion to accept the list of nominees as presented by the Nominating Committee was carried on a show of hand vote.

 

Associate Conference Minister’s Remarks:

Rev. Susan Craig thanked the Conference for the opportunity to serve the churches of Maine. She indicated that she would send a written report to each church within the next week and ceded her time to speak so that delegates could hear the Master Singers who would be presenting a short concert prior to the Morning Worship Service at Old South Congregational Church in Farmington.

 

Credentials Committee Report: Karen Nielsen presented the following report from the Credentials Committee:

            Lay delegates                          147

Clergy delegates                       89

Other                                         33

Voting Delegates                    269

Visitors                                     43

Total attendance:                    312

 

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., preceded by a 25-minute concert of music by The Master Singers. Rev. David Gaewski led the service, assisted by Rev. Susan Craig and Rev. Darren Morgan.

    The service included recognition of 8 ministers who had died since the June 2010 Annual Meeting:

  1. Rev. Russell Lane
  2. Rev. Douglas P Hedstom
  3. Rev. David Pendleton
  4. Rev. Ronald Ashworth
  5. Rev. Patricia Moore
  6. Rev. Richard J. Nordgren, Sr.
  7. Rev. Donald Henderson
  8. Rev. William Lynn Inderstrodt

 

The 2011 Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference was adjourned following the worship service.