Spiritual Life Commission

May 31, 2008 (June Meeting)

Minutes

Present: Chair, Anne Roundy, Konnie Wells, Linda Kimball, Beth Haynes, Judy Hubley (reflector), Bob Edgarton, Beth Haynes, Joanne Painter (recorder), Annette Mott (conference staff), and Daren Morgan (brand new small church development minister for conference)

Our meeting was opened with prayer and meditation, followed by check-ins. Annette began with a very clear presentation of her involvement and the conference involvement of Christian nurture and study and how this relates to the budget. Programs we pay for and how they reflect ¾ time staff person (Annette), 2 day staff person (Ann Hodgman), and leadership teams were discussed. There are 3 designated specialists Annette Mott has been certified for some time, Ann Hodgman has just received her certification, and Linda Hirst. Those who have received this achievement will be mentioned at the conference meeting. These people work together for events and in partnership.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY TEAM: Working with education staff is the Christian Education ministry team. Members of this team are David Avery, Judy Colbert George, Linda Hirst, Ann Hodgman, and Annette Mott. More involved and educated members would be welcomed. This team is ongoing and meets 4 times a year (reflected in #44 of our budget ($200).

PARTNERS IN EDUCATION: This group works in partnership with national and when a new curriculum is needed. Both national and the training events work with the conference; 7 partners would be active. There have been no requests since "Gather Round" has replaced "Bible Quest." Since the United Press and JED, the question has been "What or who should we team up with?" rather than even try to foot the enormous expense for curriculum writing and printing. There's a need for Christian education specialists to be trained and to work with communication with others.

A workshop format is foreseen for this task, with a second ear for consultation. Regrouping within this may happen at Annette's home during a summer retreat. The questions to wrestle with are "What is happening in the Christian Education scene? What are the new issues? What style is beneficial?"

ON-GOING ACTIVITIES: Christian education events like the confirmation exchange at North Yarmouth church last March. This maintains about a dozen participants. There was one in the fall as well. Conference staff (Ann or Annette) is present at these and once a year have a paid guest.

ON LINE: The on –line workshop on curriculum registered about 10 and looks like this is promising. Judy Colby from Freeport set up the on-line conference so graphics could be shown. Conference call worked well. About 9 or 10 tuned into this. No graphics here but people can talk with each other. Conference calling is something a staff person could set up from home. It's economical and effective. There has been lots of positive feedback.

NEANCE: New England Association of Christian Education takes place in Cape Cod . Many (13) from Maine went, but not enough from MA. The speaker was very expensive and the turnout not as good as in the past, so general attendance was down. Nick Davis will be our representative at this.

ACADEMY FOR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP: This is going well. There are 4 registered and the deadline for registration has been decided upon as Friday August 15, 2008. Many more will come in after Conference. The start-up work is done, the team is excited, and there is a workshop for this at Conference with Debbie Jenks and Kate Winters.

DISTANCE LEARNING: Maine is looking to hook up with those who are already involved in this like Andover Newton Theological Seminary. This is very expensive to do.

CHURCH LEADERS CONVOCATION: This is now (as last time) combined with Small Church Development where fees are shared, and they're working on it, but watching expenses. In the fall – November- Gil Randall is coming. He is a former Alban Institute person as well as an author and speaker. His specialty is "Leading Change in Congregations."

Thank you Annette. This is great information.

ANOTHER CONFERENCE STAFF: Darren Morgan attended and shared his first month's experience. He reported he is still sane. Well done! Thank you Darren, for coming on board. He serves Washington and Franklin Associations.

ADVENT and LENTEN RETREATS: One will be conducted by a conference staff person, the other with A Spiritual Life Commission person.

ANNUAL MEETING: coming together

SPIRITUAL RESOURCES DIRECTORY: Churches have been responding to the invitation to list what they have special to offer. Still room for more.

CLERGY COMPENSATION GUIDELINES: are on line with miner changes. Heath benefits remain the same as 2007-2008, because 2009 are not out yet.

RETREATS: Church and Ministry Chairs note change. It will be September 17^th at China Lake .

Advent Retreat on the 13^th will have to be changed. It is back to back with the New Ministers Retreat. The Nov. 20^th will be kept. (north and south)

Lenten Retreat – February 12 and February 19 (north and south)

Training for Church and Ministry/ Rapid Response Team ---March 21, Saturday.

Fall Learning Event – November 7/8 Gil Randall speaker (Alban Institute)

Seminary Days – October 15 and November 20 (one in Bangor and one in Portland to be determined)

Clergy Spring Retreat – May 5/6 (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Leadership for many of these will be drawn from capable colleagues.

MAINE MINISTERIAL EXCELLENCE PROGRAM: There are 7 components, programs.

GRANT WRITING: This may have to hold until David Gaewski is back from sabbatical. No definitive information today.

COORDINATING COUNCIL: Judy Hubley is sliding off the commission. She has been our second CCC member along with our chairperson. will fill her place.

Judy Hubley, for her last day after many good years, offered the reflection for our meeting. Thank you, Judy.

Next Meeting – September 6^th We have worship and refreshments. Linda Kimball will lead us in our worship.