Associations and Committees on Ministry

Associations and Committees on Ministry (CoMs) embody covenantal relationships across the United Church of Christ (UCC), ministering in collaboration with local churches, the Maine Conference, and the national setting. There are seven Associations in the Maine Conference, each with over 20 congregations, and seven CoMs.

Associations are a group of congregations and church leaders who work together on Authorized Ministry and live in connection to support each other’s ministry. The work of Associations mostly includes licensing, ordination, and pastoral oversight of licensed, commissioned, and ordained ministers.

On behalf of and through their respective Associations and Conferences, CoMs have a relationship with Local Churches, Members in Discernment, all those who seek or hold ministerial standing, every other CoM in the Maine Conference, the national setting of the UCC, and the Church Universal. In this role, the overarching ministry of a CoM is the mindfulness of the Church’s well-being and the discernment of the movement of the Holy Spirit in authorizing ministers on behalf of the UCC. This is as explained in the UCC Manual on Ministry.

On this page you can learn more about each of our Associations and CoMs, connect with their leaders, and explore resources related to Authorized Ministry.

Cumberland Association and Committee on Ministry

Association Moderator: Judene Dyer

Committee on Ministry Chair: Rev. Marcia Charles

Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!

Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.

Find the Cumberland Association on Facebook and view their website!

Katahdin Association and Committee on Ministry

Association Moderator: Jan Barton

Committee on Ministry Chairs: Rev. Bruce Burnham, Rev. Susan Burgess, & Stacey George

Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!

Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.

Find the Katahdin Association on Facebook!

Living Water Association and Committee on Ministry

Association Moderator: Chris Magri

Committee on Ministry Chairs: Rev. Marraine Kettell & Rev. Kim Shrader

Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!

Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.

Midcoast Association and Committee on Ministry

Association Moderator: Rev. Alan Baughcum

Committee on Ministry Chair: Rev. Bill Bliss & Linda Wallace

Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!

Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.

Oxford-Union Association and Committee on Ministry

Association Moderator: Lisa Burger

Committee on Ministry Chair: Rev. Tim LeConey

Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!

Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.

Sunrise Association and Committee on Ministry

Association Moderator: Rev. Joe F. Cistone

Committee on Ministry Chairs: Andi Lloyd & Lisa Durkee

Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!

Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.

Resources from the Sunrise Association:

Find the Sunrise Association on Facebook!

York Association and Committee on Ministry

Association Moderator: Rev. Brian Gruhn

Committee on Ministry Chair: Rev. Beth Hoffman

Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!

Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.

Find the York Association on Facebook!

Resources for Authorized Ministry

Explore resources from the National Setting of the UCC to learn more about the process and best practices for becoming an Authorized Minister and ways to learn more about UCC history and polity.