Spiritual Life Commission
October 7, 2006 Minutes

Present: Rev. Joanne Painter (Convener), Rev. Carl Gunn, Doris Cushman, Judy Hubley, Rev. Linda Kimball (Recorder), Rev. June Boutwell, Rev. Kate Winters (Reflector)
During check in the commission welcomed new member Doris Cushman, Franklin Association, and noted that Gene Hunnewell of the Open House Church will be Cumberland Association representative and Bill Miles has moved and will no longer be serving on the commission.
1. Rev. June Boutwell provided reflection on the annual meeting of the Maine Conference, United Church of Christ. June also noted dates of upcoming events: Nov. 10-11 – New Pastor’s Retreat at Rockcraft, Nov. 16 – Advent Clergy Retreat at All Soul’s in Bangor, southern event to be determined. Feb. 8, 2007 – Lenten Clergy Retreat, March 23-24, 2007 – Leadership Event sponsored combining the Small Church Gathering and the Church Leader’s Convocation in Augusta, March 29, 2007 – Seminary Day at the Bangor Theological Seminary Portland Campus, May 1-2, 2007 – Spring Clergy Retreat, and March 18-20, 2007 – Ecumenical Support of Clergy Families Conference, Del Ray, FL.
The conference office is looking for feedback from the Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference and viewings of “An Inconvenient Truth.”
Cheryl Tibbetts is compiling a list of grant writers and any this commission has may be added to that list. June also asked if we knew of anyone with an interest in grant writing training. Kate Winter indicated her interest.
Rev. David Gaewski and Rev. Anita White are currently attending a conference on church giving in Cleveland.
Any anxiety and nervousness about Annual Meeting resolutions seems to have been relieved by the debate over meeting process.
Study materials for the Resolution on the Quality and Equality of Marriage will be available. Laurie Whittemore is making revisions to resource materials.
Kate Winters noted that many in our congregations only know the United Church of Christ through controversial issues. It would be a good idea to do some education and study of UCC history during the 50th Anniversary year.
Committees on Ministry will be encouraged to attend training on multiple paths to ministry in Pembroke, NH on Nov. 4, and Enfield, CT on Jan. 27, 2007. They will be working on implementation of moving to these multiple paths to ministry. Attendees will include pastors, C&M members, and anyone who works on issues of formation.
There have been requests by 2 other association to plan a model program for lay preacher training based on the one created and implemented by the Oxford-Union Association.

2. Annette Mott joined our group to inform us about the following:
ACT program: ACT is a lay program geared to Christian Education and Youth ministry, and is coordinated by Annette Mott and Diane Tinkham. Each class requires a minimum of 15 students. Tuition is $350 for the one-year program. The next program will begin in August 2007 with a retreat. The class will meet in Auburn or Waterville. Kate suggested holding a graduation or recognition for ACT graduates with perhaps worship and/or a meal and gathering for discussion.
Christian Education: A Christian Education meeting is planned for the week of Oct. 8 at the North Yarmouth church. Bryan Breault will help to facilitate with a focus on Ministry with Adolescents. Oct. 17 is Church Educators Day.
Distance-Learning: Annette met with Jeff Jones, Andover-Newton Theological School, director of the ANTS distance-learning program. Discussion included advertising of their programs, and geographical and calendar concerns. Jeff will visit ion Oct. 27, 2:00 PM at the Conference Office. We need to ask Jeff how we can make this happen, perhaps with video conferencing.
Joanne Painter asked: How can we move from keeping what we have in place to revisioning how churches can be vital centers of ministry and mission?

The committee reviewed the minutes of the June meeting.

Work on budget was bypassed.

Judy Hubley reported that the Coordinating Council met following the annual meeting. They work with the approved budget to implement it. They concluded that the Annual Meeting, 2006 was well-planned and executed.

A training workshop was held for C&M chairs on September.

Kate Winters suggested that clusters of churches might work together to share in Learning to Listen conversations.

The Annual Meeting debriefing:
Questioned “Why coffee” as an area of concern to which the reply was that it is the 2nd most traded item, preceded by oil. It is a justice issue. The labyrinth was a soothing and centering experience and the need for that spiritual centering and calming is needed at all annual meetings.

Kate Winters offered to be an alternate with Judy Hubley as back-up for the committee planning the Learning Event combining the Small Church Gathering and Church Leader’s Convocation.

Linda Kimball will ask if housing in private homes be available for the Learning Event?

Carl Gunn will preach for Seminary Day at BTS on Oct. 24.

Joanne will check with Martha Hoverson about filling at-large vacancies on the Spiritual Life Commission.
Linda Kimball will lead November worship. Everyone will bring refreshments.

Reflection: Spent time catching up after the summer hiatus. We are all in different places. Carl is in pre-retirement mode, Judy is looking ahead to knee surgery, commission work is a new experience for Doris, and Joanne is still waiting for a church call. God is with us and carrying us forward.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Kimball