WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION UCC
Centre St. Church, Machias
April 16, 2011
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Rev. Gini King, after a delicious breakfast prepared by Chef Don Green, worship led by Rev. Mary Angela Davis and youth of the host congregation, and a presentation on the ONA resolution to be voted on at the upcoming Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference. The latter elicited a number of moving testimonials to the urgency of a concrete and public commitment to the inclusive spirit of our church in these times.
In the absence of the Scribe,
The roll was answered by
2 clergy and 7 laity from Machias
1 clergy and 2 laity from Whitneyville
1 clergy and 3 laity from Milbridge
1 clergy and 1 laity from Cherryfield
1 clergy and 0 laity from Eastport
No representation from Calais or Perry
Guests: Rev. Mark Wilson of Phippsburg, Witness Life Commission
Rev.
Conference Staff: Rev. Darren Morgan
Scribe pro tem announced a quorum was present.
Minutes of the October 16, 2010 meeting held at Cherryfield were approved as written.
There was no official Treasurer’s report, but the Moderator assured the members that the Association is solvent at this time.
Due to the need for increased funds to provide assistance to members receiving training in church leadership and preparing for licensure, the Coordinating Committee had recommended that Fellowship Dues for the Association be increased from 50 cents per member per year to $1.00. This would be added to the Conference Fellowship Dues of $13.45 per year, making a total of $14.45. After discussion the increase in Fellowship Dues from 50 cents to $1.00 per year per member for Association support was moved by Rev. Larry Zimmerman and seconded by Pastor Betty Duzen. The motion was unanimously approved.
The Nominating Committee presented a slate in which the following persons were named to offices expiring in 2013 as follows:
Vice Moderator Rev. Eric Kelley
Treasurer Betty Kelley
Church & Ministry Com. Marty Resotko
Coordinating Council Don Green
Spiritual Life Commission Rev. Mary Angela Davis
The slate for 2013 was unanimously approved.
Reports were given by:
Church & Ministry Committee Pastor Betty Duzen (on file)
Spiritual Life Commission Rev. Mary Angela Davis (on file)
Community
Life Commission
Witness Life Commission Rev. Gini King
Conference Report was given by Rev. Darren Morgan
· A letter from the Conference Minister, Rev. David Gaewski, is announcing that after a thorough discernment process the Coordinating Council will be recommending to the Annual Meeting that the Pennell Center in Yarmouth be sold and the Conference headquarters be relocated to the Augusta-Gardiner area.
· New resources have been received by means of the sale of 10 acres at Rockcraft Lodge with a donation from the purchaser which brought the amount of the sale to $300,000; sale of a home in Carmel which had been left to the Conference, bringing $49,900; and an unrestricted bequest of $330,000. The Gardiner Church and the balance of the Rockcraft property remain on the market.
· The Small Church Mission Team is sponsoring a Small Church Convocation on September 17, 2011 at the Church of Universal Fellowship in Orono. There will be a keynote speaker, worship, workshops, and resources for small church ministry. Costs will be modest as leadership talent is home-grown.
In reference to the Washington County Food and Fuel Alliance, Rev. Gini King spoke of a county-wide food drive to support 12 food pantries. The Cherryfield Table of Plenty program was lifted up as an example of free community meals which will be of real assistance to persons who may be in need of both food and social contact; in colder weather these locations will be providing warming centers for those who will find their fuel assistance significantly reduced.
After other announcements were shared, the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
John MacDuffie
Scribe pro tem