COORDINATING COUNCIL

MAINE CONFERENCE, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

August 1, 2008, Waterville

 

Minutes

 

Present:

            Anita White, Moderator                                 Ann Roundy, Commission for Spiritual Life    

Herb Oliver, Vice-Moderator                        Linda Smith, Commission for Community Life

            Walter (Ted) Ruark, Clerk                             Connie Insley, Commission for Witness Life

            Gerard Moore, Treasurer                               Tom Clough, Interim Conference Minister

            Jane Lowell, Kennebec Valley                       Susan Craig, Associate Conference Minister

            Don Isham, Oxford Union                              Darren Morgan, Acting Associate Minister for

            John Glover, Penobscot-Piscataquis                          Small Church Development

            Ron Beinema, Board of Trustees                   Mark Schussler, Business Manager

            Franklin Anderson, York                               Susan Stevens, Conference Executive Assistant

           

Absent:

            Katie Pinard, State Youth Council                 Don Green, Washington

            Susan Kaplan-Burgess, Franklin                    Cumberland representative

            Phillip McKean, Lincoln                                Aroostook representative                  

            Victor Stanley, Hancock-Waldo                    Earle Simpson, Commission for Community Life

Jeanne Davis, Commission for Witness Life            David Gaewski, Conference Minister (sabbatical)

Linda Kimball, Commission for Spiritual Life

 

Call to Order: Anita White called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. and opened with reading and a prayer. Linda Smith volunteered to lead the meditation to begin the next regular meeting.

 

Minutes of the June 20, 2008 meeting: On a motion by Ann Roundy, seconded by Herb Oliver, the council voted to accept the minutes of the June 20, 2008 meeting as printed.

 

Treasurer’s Report: Gerard Moore highlighted the following from his written report:

  1. While total income is approximately equal to 2007 (year-to-date), revenues from Our Church’s Wider Mission (only 38% of the budgeted amount), Invested Funds, and Rockcraft are substantially less than 2007.
  2. Fellowship dues receipts now stand at 78% of the budgeted amount.

On a motion by Ron Beinema, seconded by Linda Smith, the council voted to accept the Treasurer’s report as printed.

 

Business Manager’s Report: Mark Schussler highlighted the following from his written report:

  1. He reviewed the “immediate to near term facility project needs” list for Rockcraft outlined in his report, adding that the roofing issues are the most pressing need. Mark was asked to look for funds from existing accounts for the major projects. It was also suggested that churches could be encouraged to “adopt” the funding of pieces of furniture or other element on the list as a special project.
  2. He indicated that attendance (both numbers of visits and guest meals) at Rockcraft had increased slightly over 2007 YTD, and that attendance at Pilgrim Lodge saw a slight decrease, at least partially due to the cancellation of two events (Men’s Weekend and the White Mountain Trip).

 

Conference Ministers’ Reports

Susan Craig:  Susan highlighted the following items:

  1. Pastor-to-pastor consultations.
  2. Representing the Conference at the dedication of a new Freedom Trail marker in Portland.
  3. United Church of Christ Musicians Association meeting (with 150 pastors and music directors)
  4. Interview of Phil Hilton as advisor to the Youth Council; his recommendation will be forwarded to the Commission for Community Life.
  5. National Youth Event, emphasizing the caliber of the youth and chaperones, the exemplary speakers, and the tragedy of the church shooting on the last day of the event.

 

Tom Clough highlighted the following from his written report:

  1. Staff operations are superb.
  2. His search and call responsibilities are especially stimulating.
  3. He is enjoying the work with commissions and committees.
  4. He will be exploring further a possible Lily Fund connection with the Massachusetts Conference for the implementation of the Maine Ministerial Excellence program.

 

Darren Morgan reported that, in addition to the information in his written report, he has been asked to lead a visioning retreat for the Lovell church, which he hopes to develop into a replicable design for other churches.

 

Personnel Committee Report: John Glover reported that the Personnel Committee has begun to work on potential organizational changes if and when Annette Mott leaves her position as Director of Local Church Resources.

 

Continuing business: 2008 Annual Meeting:

Pennell Center Task Force Report: Don Isham highlighted the following from the written report:

  1. Additions to the existing building would require town Planning Director approval (if under 1,000 square feet) and town Planning Committee approval (if over 1,00 square feet)
  2. Building on the existing location of the porch (deck) would gain approximately 675 square feet.
  3. Town regulations allow for parking “within a reasonable distance.” He noted that there are several churches with parking lots within walking distance of the office.
  4. He stressed that siding and roofing are the most pressing needs.

                       

Facilities Conversations (from Annual Meeting): The comments from the Annual Meeting were distributed and discussed. Anita, Sue and Herb will collate the specific suggestions concerning Rockcraft. Anita indicated that the Executive Committee had suggested that council members visit each of the three Conference facilities as a group. After considerable discussion, it was decided that Sue Stevens would set up a tentative schedule for the visits.

 

2009 Annual Meeting Planning Committee Report: Herb reported that the planning committee had met with the following results:

  1. Mark Doty and Marcia Charles are co-chairs.
  2. The dates and location have been confirmed: September 25 – 27, 2009 at Sunday River.
  3. Rev. Otis Moss III will be the pre-Annual Meeting Retreat leader and Annual Meeting keynoter.

On a motion by Walter (Ted) Ruark, seconded by Linda Smith, the council voted to appoint Ann Roundy as its representative on the 2009 Annual Meeting Planning Committee.

 

 

Dates for future meetings:

Executive Committee

September 18, 2008 (conference call)           March 5, 2009 (Waterville)

November 4, 2008 (Waterville)                     April 9, 2009 (conference call)

December 18, 2008 (conference call)                        May 14, 2009 (Waterville)

January 29, 2009 (Waterville)

 

Coordinating Council

            August 1, 2008 (Waterville)                          February 13, 2009 (Waterville)

            September 26-27, 2008 (Fall Retreat)           March 20, 2009 (Waterville)

            November 14, 2008 (Waterville)                   April 24, 2009 (location to be determined)

            January 9, 2009 (Waterville)                         June 5, 2009 (location to be determined)

On a motion by Herb Oliver, seconded by Susan Craig, the council voted to adopt the schedule of meetings as presented. I was suggested that the council should meet periodically at the various Conference facilities, although it was recognized that this would entail extensive travel for some members. It was also suggested that the council meet periodically at a small church. Ted will check to see if the Gardiner church is available for the April 24, 2009 meeting (with Hallowell as the backup) and Sue Stevens will check to see if Pilgrim Lodge is available for the June 5, 2009 meeting.

 

Finance and Audit Committees: These two committees are in need of an additional member with the resignation of George Higgins. Several names were suggested including Phil McKean and Art Marshall. It was acknowledged that a single person to serve on both committees was preferable. The Finance Committee meets about 6 times a year, the Audit Committee four times a year.

 

Fall Retreat: Anita reminded the council that the Fall Retreat will be held on Friday and Saturday, September 26th and 27th at the China Lake Conference Center. Check in will be after 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Dr. Kent Ulrey, new president of Bangor Theological Seminary, will be the speaker on Friday night. The business meeting will be held on Saturday. Sue Stevens distributed a signup sheet for meals and overnight accommodations.

 

New Business - none

 

Reports

  1. State Youth Council: Susan Craig reported that the Fall Retreat would be held on August 16th.
  2. York Association: Several installations are scheduled; the annual meeting will be held on October 26th in north Berwick.
  3. Hancock-Waldo Association: An Ecclesiastical Council was held for Terri Bracy on July 31st, with her ordination scheduled for October 5th in the Frankfort church. She will be moving to Warren, Michigan to begin a ministry there. Also, a choir festival will be held at the Ellsworth church on October 26th.
  4. Lincoln Association: The annual meeting is scheduled for September 21st at the Waldoboro church. Bob Edgarton will be ordained on October 19th.
  5. Oxford Union: The Bethel church has its first known in care student.
  6. Penobscot-Piscataquis: The association’s annual meeting was held at the Dover-Foxcroft church on October 26th.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m.