Welcome to the Circle, where everyone is important, every voice matters, and every story is significant. Circles is both an effective way to gather, and a spiritual discipline that builds authentic connection. Learn the basics of Circle philosophy, and how this ancient practice can strengthen your church community and enhance the way it makes decisions and grows in love. This workshop may stand alone, or it is also a prerequisite for Part II.

Workshop Leader: Rev. Dr. Amy Lignitz Harken is an experienced Circle facilitator and trainer. Circles process was the focus of her dissertation at Hartford Seminary (now Hartford International University for Religion and Peace).

Churches that are prepared are best able to respond to events in their communities. Today we are experiencing extreme weather, human-caused traumatic events, and technological disasters (ie: power outages, hazmat spills, etc…). The need for preparedness is great and the time for preparedness is now. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll get preparedness basics and have the opportunity to begin building your church emergency operations plan so that you may respond when a critical event happens in your community. All registered attendees will be entered to win a 2 person/3-day emergency kit!

This workshop will explore the power and the purpose of elderhood in life and in our congregations as we create a Circle of Presence together. Although advanced age may be a characteristic of an elder, it is not the primary defining factor. An elder is one who lives with authenticity, is capable of being vulnerable, experiences awe, passes on acquired wisdom, and knows hope in the service of all being. Our circle will practice presence, a quality of awareness that brings us into engagement with ourselves, one another, the earth, and the Spirit, encouraging us to create such circles within our congregations and communities. Workshop Leaders: Rev. Dr. Kate Winters, Rev. Joel Krueger, Cathie Jorgensen

You CAN grow your children and youth program. Learn from three people who have done this in multiple ministry settings about what works, what doesn’t, and why complaining about sports on Sunday is cancelled forever.

Rev. Amelia Edson in the minister of Falmouth UCC, a former preschool teacher (Headstart/ Teach for America), camp counselor, nanny, ballet teacher, etc etc and mom of a three and 2 year old.

Kristen (Coleman) Tripp is the Executive Director of DaVinci Experience Science & Arts Summer Camp and Childcare Center. She served Falmouth Congregational Church UCC as the Director of Children & Family Ministries for 6 years and currently serves as the chair of the Christian Education Committee. Kristen has proven experience designing, running, and growing children’s programing inside and outside of church settings.

Lydia Hoffman has newly joined Falmouth UCC as the Minister of Children and Families. She is a recent graduate from Yale Divinity School and holds a Bachelor degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She has worked at Pilgrim Lodge for 8 summers and has a deep love for exploring creation with little ones. 

Welcome back to the Circle! Let’s put what we learned in Part I into motion. After a quick review the basics of Circles, we’ll spend the remainder of our time in Circle, sharing our thoughts and stories. We’ll experience the special synergy that occurs through deep listening and authentic sharing. Please note: Part I is a prerequisite for this workshop.

How are we responding to homelessness in Maine? The Social Action Committee will lead a discussion and working session on that question. After a brief introduction to the Social Action Committee and its role in the Maine Conference, we will invite you to share stories about homelessness in your communities as you have seen it, experienced it, and responded to it, from people outside seeking overnight shelter to immigrants working to create new lives. We will talk about resources available to help, or, in many places, the lack of resources. We will hear presentations by churches that are taking a pro-active role in their communities. Finally, we will end by preparing our own “call to action” that could provide a foundation for improved and broader engagement of homelessness as our prophetic ministry.