Amendments in BOLD

Spiritual Life Commission January 5, 2008

Our Calling:  Relating to God encompasses our listening to God who speaks
to us as we journey together.  Together we worship, study, and pray,
nourishing and renewing our faith, identifying our gifts, celebrating the
Spirit of Jesus Christ alive in our midst.

Present:  Anne Roundy, Linda Kimball, Bob Edgarton, Joan Jordan Grant,
      Judy Hubley, Joanne Painter, Beth Haynes

Reflector:  Joan Jordan Grant

Recorder:  Beth Haynes

Minutes were approved as presented.

Executive Committee:  no report

Coordinating Council:  The Council did not have a special speaker at their retreat.  The committee spent time building community and spiritual centering during their time together on Friday.  Saturday was then spent working on the business of the Conference.  The Council did not approve an investment policy developed by the Board of Trustees.
This will be looked at again.  The Council also changed the date for the 2009 Annual Conference back to September due to a conflict with General Synod.

Calendar of Events:  Seminary Day at the Bangor campus will be held in the conference room not in the cafeteria.  Anne will set this date up and Linda Kimball will inquire about a date for the Portland campus. Bob Edgarton will conduct the worship at the Bangor campus.

Clergy Spring Retreat will be on April 28th & 29th at Living Waters in South China.  Joan Smith (a UCC ordained minister in Rockland) will be asked to lead the retreat.  The topic of envisioning ministry in the future was suggested but rejected.  It was noted that this retreat was for nurture and renewal.  This topic seemed more like "work"
but would be fine for the Annual Meeting.  Anne will meet with Joan to work on a new focus for the retreat.

Conference Concerns:
David Gaewski wanted to reflect on the spiritual health of the Conference.  This reflection was important since cuts will have to be made this year with the deficit from 2007.  Our commission has to ask "what is essential that we won't be able to do now?"  With this in mind he reported the results of the town meetings:  1. Overall love and support for Pilgrim Lodge  2.  At both extremes for feelings for Rockcraft  3.  Move of the Pennell Center to farther north  4.  A new "green" building as a model for the state as an environmentally responsible group.

David will be taking a sabbatical this year.  He has not decided on exactly when and for how long.

A new line in the budget will be made for the Maine Ministerial Excellence Program.  This program will be used by associations for professional requirements for ministers in standing.  Each association will determine their own guidelines. Anne asked David about continuing the planning for a workshop for multi-staff churches.  He volunteered both Susie Craig and himself as the leaders for this.  Anne will call Kevin Pleas in Hampden for ideas.  She will also post a question on ACE about large church needs. Susie Craig reminded us that there would be no Lenten retreat.

Annual Meeting:
The committee has toured the facilities at UMaine- Farmington. Marcia Charles and Anne are on the committee to set up the workshops.  The theme is "It’s Who We Are".

Spiritual Resources Directory:
Joan Jordan Grant reviewed her progress on the directory.  Other members volunteered to call some of the individuals listed to update their information.  Next meeting we will review this work again.

Grant Writing:
Holly Hancock will meet at First Church of Belfast on January 31 at 1:00 p.m. with anyone interested in working on writing grants.

Academy for Congregational Leadership:
Applications for the director have closed.  The committee will meet to review these on January 16th.   Once the person has been chosen Anne told Susie Craig that we would want them to come and meet with our commission.

Next meeting: February 2, 2008 in Waterville
Will do budget!

Reflection:  Joan felt that the commission members expressed that "God Makes All Things New" in their work today.  Everything including ministry must be flexible to maintain the vital health of this conference.