Report of the Commission on Witness Life

Coordinating Council

March 27, 2009

• The Commission met with staff of the Maine Economic Justice Partners to learn about their history and program and discuss ways to cooperate, especially in terms of Legislative work. They give low income citizens in voice in law making and can refer individuals to appropriate organizations for assistance. They are available to talk with churches and Associations to explain their work and how it may connect with our concern for economic justice.
• We also met with Jonathan Falk of PICA (Peace through Intramerican Community Action) regarding their second application for a NIN grant for their listening project called kNOw US and THEM. Jon reported on the progress during the first year and plans for the second. Susie Craig sat in on the presentation and the Commission voted unanimously to ask for a Conference endorsement of the grant application. A video presentation is available for church or Association programs.
• ONA: work continues toward planning Conference-wide study about the challenge of declaring Maine an Open and Affirming Conference. There will information and a workshop at Annual Meeting, with a view to bringing the issue to a vote in 2010.
• Just Peace: Bonnie Haase has volunteered to coordinate a program of study, recommendation and implementation to undergird the Conference vote at Annual Meeting 2007 to declare ourselves a Just Peace Conference. An invitation will go out on ACE for others to work with her and the Commission.
• Disaster Response: Lori Whittemore reported that there is progress toward wrapping up work following the Aroostook flood. There are still five families identified that need assistance. There will probably be two mission trips from in-state this summer to help. It is often not recognized how long lasting the effects of a natural disaster are.
• Legislative issues: the Commission discussed several that may call for our attention and testimony. Among them are marriage equality, Earned Income Tax Credit, minimum wage and others identified by MEJP. (Since the meeting it has been determined that David Gaewski will be testifying re marriage equality for the Conference at the 4/24 hearing and so the Commission will defer to him.)
• Tara Olsen has been representing the Commission as the NE Conferences plan for an economic justice event in the fall of 2009. Date was set as 10/16-17 but may change due a MA conflict. We will make a concerted effort to have good representation from Maine.
• The Commission plans to present a resolution on climate change to the 2009 Annual Meeting, and will be using the Connecticut resolution that has been endorsed by the Coordinating Council as a model, but adapting to Maine concerns.
• We regretfully accepted the resignation of Connie Insley, and look forward to the appointment of a new representative from the Penobscot/Piscataquis Association.