The Annual Meeting of the York Association was called to
order at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2003, at the First
Congregational Church of Eliot, Maine, by the Moderator,
Ms. Suzanne Stohlman. The Rev. David Avery, host pastor,
welcomed the Association. Ms. Stohlman offered the consti-
tuting prayer, and the Rev. Franklin Anderson, scribe,
stated that a quorum was present. Seventeen of 22 churches
were represented:
Acton, Alfred, Cornish, Eliot, Kennebunkport First, Kennebunk-
port South, Kittery Second Christian, Kittery Point, Limerick,
North Saco, Saco First Parish, Sanford North Parish,
South Berwick Federated, Wells, West Newfield, York First
Parish, and York Beach Union.

The Association presented certificates to the Rev. Charles
Whiston for the 25th anniversary of his ordination, to the
Rev. David Avery for the 30th anniversary of his ordination,
and the Rev. William Inderstrodt on the 50th anniversary
of his ordination. The Eliot Church is raising money to replace
sanctuary windows, and has received enough pledges for one
side. The Kittery Church has been hosting weekday noon
prayers during the war in Iraq. South Berwick has held
Friday peace vigils, and held an auction which raised over
$9,000. Cornish has purchased new hymnals and chimes
for a chime choir, and is about to begin a capital campaign
to remove old pews and the parsonage, and pave the parson-
age area for parking. Saco held a groundbreaking for their
new facilities April 13. Acton has refurbished a room and
started a Monday afternoon senior citizen drop-in program.
The Rev. Charles Whiston and the Rev. Jean Alexander
presented a pitcher to the Rev. Joanne Stoughton in thanks
for her service as sabbatical conference minister.

Minutes of the October 27, 2002, Association meeting and

subsequent ecclesiastical councils were accepted as presented.
The treasurer's report for 2002 was accepted as presented.
The auditor's report, stating that all accounts were in order,
was accepted as presented. Reports from the Church and
Ministry Committee, Mission Committee and Nominating
Committee were accepted as presented. Conference Com-
mission reports were also received. The Rev. Jean Alexander
reported for the Maine Conference that the Amistad is about
to arrive, that the Conference hopes to have a new half-time
conference minister devoted to small church ministry, since
100 churches in the conference have fewer than 100 members,
and 50 less than 50 members; that $21,000 has been received
toward aid in E. Millinocket, where Great Northern Paper has
closed; and that OCWM donations were down slightly
(by $1200) for 2002. The Association voted to accept all reports.

The Association VOTED to amend its bylaws, replacing the
words "Board of Directors" in Article VIII(a) with "Maine
Conference Coordinating Council." Those nominated by the
Nominating Committee were unanimously elected to their
positions: Ms. Anita Higgins as an Executive Committee
member at large through 2006; Ms. Debra Lund as
Women of the Maine Conference SW District Director through
2004; Ms. Pam Precourt to the Community Life Commission;
the Rev. Pat Smith and Mr. Loren Downey to the Church and
Ministry Committee through 2006; and the Rev. Brad Hirst
to the Mission Committee through 2006. The Association also
VOTED: to sponsor a trip in March, 2004, to Honduras, for as
many as possible up to 18, to represent the Association, under
supervision of the Mission Committee. (There were 5 no votes
and 2 abstentions.)

The Association adopted a resolution offered by the Second
Christian Congregational Church of Kittery, as follows:

Whereas, we are deeply troubled by the difficulties faced by    
immigrants and refugees in the world today; and

Whereas, Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, teaches us to
love our neighbor as ourselves; and

Whereas, all persons have a right to live in peace and security
in communities free from fear and terror; therefore

Resolved, that we will welcome and support those from other
countries who seek to live and work in our midst.

Resolved, that we will work to dispel hatred, racism, and bigotry
from among us and within us through education, dialog and
encounter.

Resolved, that we will struggle faithfully to be a clear voice
for peace and justice in our community and in the world.

It was voted to recess the meeting until the service of worship,
and to stand adjourned at the close of worship.

The service of worship was led by the Rev. David Avery,
host pastor. It included the signing of the Association's Covenant
Book by churches and clergy present; the reception of Jacquelyn
Thornton of the Limerick Church as an in care student; and the
installation of newly elected Association committee members.

After worship many attended the dinner hosted by the Eliot
Church.

Respectfully submitted,