November 4, 2006

Present: Kris Galasyn, BettyAnn Haskell, John Crowe, Heidi Flick, Evelyn Franson, and Herb Oliver

Absent: David Deas, Steve Harding (excused), Earle Simpson, Margie Bartlett, Jean Santiago, Peter Bauer, and Linda Smith (excused) No representatives: Lincoln Association and Cumberland Association

Minutes of the October 7 meeting were approved with correction under the Youth Ministries last sentence should read At the Nov. 7 meeting they will evaluate the Regional Youth Event. Under New Business #5 should read—Seminarian Debt where is the committee with it?

Report of ministry teams/committees

Outdoor Ministries: Steve sent a report on closing up PL smaller number in attendance maybe the weather was the reason. 50th anniversary celebration went very well and the Labrynth was a huge success. We asked if the video on the labyrinth was available for churches. Herb will check with Bob Grove Markwood or Brian. June B. said that everything on the list was completed except cleaning the wood shed and cutting the brush along the road way.

Support Staff Network: Cheryl had sent an email regarding the evaluation of the meeting held on October 25. A copy is attached to the minutes. A vote was taken and they decided to stop having the Partners in Ministry Day in the spring. They will have the Support Staff Retreat the third Tuesday/ Wednesday of October each year at Rockcraft. Cheryl had Cathy put those dates on the calendar thru 2009. The purpose of the retreat will be to educate and renew the support staff personal so they can do a better ministry for the churches. They will use the evaluations to help determine the theme.

Small Church Ministry Team: No report at this time.

Rockcraft Committee: Herb reported that he met with David G. and June B. on Thursday November 2 regarding Rockcraft and what the financial envisioning and development committee suggested the community life commission might do. The FEDCO committee suggested that we look at what is the wisest use of our assets. Rockcraft was suggested to be reviewed using the same idea as we did this summer. The template that we used Learning to Listen would be great. The feeling was that we have town meetings around the state enough so that people would not have to travel more than 45 minutes and discuss what are our highest and best hopes and dreams for this asset. The meeting schedule would be from January to September and an e-mail list of attendees as well as all the feedback available to all.

Our committee brainstormed that a conference wide written survey be available for those who didn’t attend the meetings or did not feel comfortable about speaking up at the meeting.

One suggestion as to how we begin was: The next Learning to Listen conversation, conference resources people would like us discuss the assets the conference owns including conference office, Rockcraft, and PL. We will be beginning conversations with Rockcraft in enough meeting places around the conference so people will not have to travel more than 45 minutes. As we move into the next millennium, we need to become good stewards of our resources. At the January meeting, we need to look at where these meetings might be held, who will facilitate the meetings, and how we will accomplish this task. Please come ready to discuss this item at the January 6 commission meeting.

YMAT committee: June B reported: At their last meeting they were working on how to strengthen the ministry groups which are under them (for example) the junior high events. At the annual meeting the Youth collect $1069.51 which goes to the 5/5 The December/ January issue of the Mainstream will be about the youth. Two advisors have resigned and the executive committee will be putting out applications at the beginning of the year. They will come back to us with recommendations after their Midwinter meeting in February.

Conference Report: June reported that we had 10 opportunities for giving some of them were:

*consolidated trust fund

*friends of the Maine conference appeal

*Pilgrim Lodge friends or maintenance

*Rockcraft fund

*Small Church Mission Team

*Faith Fund leadership development or church support This last one will have a new title New and Renewing church fund June reminded us that on Sunday night Nov. 5 at 6 o’clock there will be a web cast on All Saints Day.

During advent there will be an Ad buy for the UCC-- God Is Still Speaking commercial.

Finally, she reported that David returned from a Cleveland meeting where the National setting discussion of restructure is going to recomend one governing structure. It would have to be approved by all groups or it would not happen. Two boards have already voted not to do this but need to have more conversations on how we can use our resources more effectively.

Coordinating Council report: Herb reported that the council will meet in Winslow for a retreat on November 10 and 11.

Executive Committee report: On October 26 the committee met in Waterville. It was the first meeting that moderator Denise Goodman chaired. Highlights included report by Linda Gard that we recommend that the website be expanded to show fellowship dues by association in the nuts and bolts resources for churches. Mark Schussler reported that the OCWM was running 5% behind last year. He reported that Cheryl Tibbetts will be retiring after 25 years with us effective December 7. There will be no conference wide party but it was suggested that the representatives of all the associations inform key church people that cards and letters are encouraged to be sent to Cheryl. Report of the Annual meeting was given. The Executive committee recommended that the Coordinating Council explore the option of having the next annual meeting (2008) in June at a college campus possibly U of Maine Orono, UMF, or Bowdoin. Pilgrim Lodge report was presented and recommended to be presented to Coordinating Council. A review of General Synod plan for the state was discussed hiring a temporary employee to coordinate the travel and housing for all youth and adults.

Old Business: We discussed the directions of our commission. It was felt that the 6 items discussed in October and Rockcraft be on the bottom of the agenda every meeting so we can keep it in front of us at all times.

New Business: We reviewed the new member’s packet that Cathy had put together for all new members. We want to thank Cathy for providing the information to us. Heidi Flick will be putting together information for all our members to share with their associations.

We are responsible for worship in January. BettyAnn will be forwarding some information to us. Heidi and Kris will be reviewing the materials and putting it together for us to use on January 6. We will all bring refreshments for the meeting.

There being no other business to come before us, we adjourned at 12:15.