October 2010

Dear Conference members.

                As conference moderator, I want to let you know that since June we have been very busy with the many projects that the conference has on the front burner.  As you all know, the property at Rockcraft has been on the market since December of 2009.  It has been under contract twice and both times the deal has fallen through.  We are still aggressively marketing the property and hope to have some good news soon.

  The Pilgrim Lodge task force committee has been meeting and is looking forward to having some improvements  taking place at our summer camp facilities as we move forward on both the boardwalk and other items that are on the maintenance needs list.

 As of the first of October, we have acquired the Gardiner Church property.  Also the farmhouse gift to the conference in Carmel will be in our possession at the end of October. 

  The Next Generation Task Force has been working through the summer and will be giving a report to the Coordinating Council at its December meeting. 

The Annual Meeting Planning committee has met and the theme for 2011 meeting to be held at the University of Maine at Farmington is Called to Tell the Story.  The key note speaker will be Rev. Dr. J. Mary Luti, recently retired from Andover Newton Theological School. 

By now all the pastors and local church moderators have received a letter from David Gaewski, Conference Minister, that the Coordinating Council asked him to write, regarding the financial status of the Maine Conference.  As of September 30 our conference is in a deficit of $100,887.  David wrote, asking that the pastors place on the agendas of their Church Council (or other governing board) meeting the conference deficit to make them aware.  We are asking that the churches consider sending their OCWM/UCC Support on a monthly or quarterly basis to assist our severe cash flow problem. 

As we approach the last quarter of the year, I know it is a busy time for us all, but as we look toward the future of the Maine Conference may we faithfully make our commitment to making this a strong conference that looks ahead to a vital and faithful future.  

Peace,

Herbert F. Oliver

Conference Moderator