The Spring Oxford-Union Association meeting was held Sunday, April 29, 2007, at the Bridgton First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. Rev. Dick Bennett and Rev. June Boutwell, Maine Conference Interim Associate Conference Minister, led the worship as a celebration of the completion of a major renovation of the Bridgton Church. Jim Cossey described the renovation process. The $1.7 Million renovation included a new foundation, new heating, elevator, and handicap bathrooms. The congregation worshipped in three different settings for the 18 month process, including the Bridgton Alliance Church, the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the United Parish Church in North Bridgton. Rev. June Boutwell rededicated the building and the people of the church during the worship, celebration. She also installed new officers for the Oxford-Union Association.

John Cunningham, newly elected moderator, chaired the business meeting. The minutes of the fall Oct. 15, 2006, meeting were distributed and approved. Jane Chandler read the roll call, with a total of 12 ministers with full standing, 1 commissioned minister, 5 others in ministerial positions or in care, 28 delegates, and 11 members plus the approximately 80 people from Bridgton. Sue Black presented the treasurer’s report. The 2007 budget was approved as presented. (moved by Ginger Snapp-Cunningham, seconded by Jim Chandler) The amount to the Maine Council of Churches was increased from $100 annually to $150. Jane mentioned she received a thank-you from the Maine Council of Churches. Norm Rust suggested increasing the support of Bangor Theological Seminary from $100 to $150. Sue said she’d bring this idea to the Executive Committee. Sue presented a proposed increase in Association dues from $.37 per capita to $.40 per capita, for 2008. 2007 dues have already been sent out and this wouldn’t affect this year’s budget. Jane Rich moved, seconded by Rodney Abbott, the increase in dues to $.40 It was approved unanimously. A total of $308 was collected during worship for the Association.

Committee reports – Linda Kimball reported for the Spiritual Life commission. Silver Leamon reported on the work of the Witness Life Commission and the Maine council of Churches. John Crowe, Association representative to the Community Life Commission, and Earle Simpson, at large member of the Community Life Commission, reported on the work of that committee. The conference will sponsor town meetings to assess the assets and liabilities of all conference-owned properties, Pilgrim Lodge, Rockcraft and the Pennell Center in Yarmouth. John described a $30,000 shortfall in the Maine Conference operations this year with an anticipated $30,000 shortfall in the coming year. Dan Johnson reported on the work of the Coordinating Council. The exciting news is the recommendation to call Rev. Susan Craig as Associate Conference Minister. Delegates will vote on this recommendation Saturday, June 9 at 2 p.m. in Waterville. A service June 2 at 2 p.m. in Waterville will be held to recognize the work of Rev. June Boutwell during her interim work in the Maine Conference.

The nominating committee presented a slate of new officers. Dick Bennett moved that all of the list be installed, seconded by Marc Fuller. The report of the nominating committee was approved unanimously. George Kimball reported on the work of the Church and Ministry committee. He introduced new ministers. Nancy Mioulis from the Lincoln Association is serving in East Sumner. Rev. Bill Wildman is the new minister at Second Congregational Church in Norway. Rev. Janet Weidler is the interim minister in Poland. Other changes include Marc Fuller has completed his work with the Lovell Community Church. Anita White will graduate May 18, 2007 with her Doctor in Ministry. She has accepted the position of Vice Moderator of the Conference. Vicky Carpenter was approved for ordination at her Ecclesiastical Council April 22. Her ordination is scheduled for June 10 at 2:30 p.m. in Oxford. Frank Haines is working with the church and ministry committee toward his ordination.

Rev. June Boutwell brought greetings from the Conference office. She said the coordinating council and the leaders are working hard to live within our means, understanding the difficulties of the shortfall. She thanked the Oxford-Union Association for its innovations that have been taken to the wider church, specifically the lay preaching training and the marriage equity discussion, both last summer. Susan Craig has worked in Greenwich, CT. for 20 years. She has many ties to Maine and is excited about the new position. June would like church and association banners for the June 10th worship, to be delivered to the conference office by June 7. June encouraged everyone to attend General Synod this June in Hartford, CT., celebrating 25 years as a United Church of Christ.
June mentioned upcoming interpretation of recreational tax that will greatly impact Pilgrim Lodge. The legislation interpretation would add a restaurant tax to all camps, including non-profit camps. Also they would assess a recreation tax on these camps. Please contact your local legislators about this concern.

June mentioned the ongoing work of the Maine Honduras Partnership. She mentioned the Bangor group going to Honduras in August has vacancies. Also medical teams are requested. The Conference has made a commitment to staff the clinic one week a month all year with physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists. Also a group of young people from Honduras will attend General Synod in Hartford then travel to Maine for one week at Pilgrim Lodge then four days in various churches around the conference. Contact Sally Colegrove for any of these connections. Colegrove2135@aol.com

The next meeting of the Association will be October 21 in Mexico at the Green Church. The Oxford church offered to host the association meeting in the Spring, 2008. Jim Chandler made the motion to adjourn after supper, seconded by Ginger Snapp-Cunningham. All approved.

Jane Chandler, Scribe
Oxford Union Association