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With Sympathy
Please keep the family of David Hall in your prayers. David died on May 7th. A memorial service will be held at the North Windham Union Church on Saturday, May 26th at 11am. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.funeralalternatives.net
Read More about David

Please keep the Rev. Sara Bartlett and her family in your prayers. Her dad Dick Brobst died on Saturday, May 12th. A Celebration of life will be held at the North Yarmouth Church on Saturday, May 19th at 1pm. Please share stories and condolences at www.dignitymemorial.com
  Read more about Dick
Maine School of Ministry June Intensive 2018
"Practicing Torah - Branches of Judaism"
 will first survey the Ancient, Medieval, and Modern development of Judaism (Meeting 1, June 2) and then explore the three major branches of Present-day Judaism in America: Orthodox (Meeting 2, June 9), Reform (Meeting 3, June 16), and Conservative (Meeting 4, June 23). The course will conclude (Meeting 5, June 30) by confronting the history of Christian anti-Judaism. Meeting 5 will be optional (though recommended) for students and it will be open (and announced) to the entire Maine Conference UCC community. Each Meeting will feature morning and afternoon sessions. The instructor for the June Intensive will be Dr. Deborah Goodwin. 
Learn more and register here

MESoM Convocation 2018
June 30, 2018 9am - 3pm

"Christian anti-Judaism and its impact on present-day Christian-Jewish relations"

Convocation 2018
will be held at the Maine UCC Conference Center located at One Weston Court, Suite 104 in Augusta.
Learn more about Convocation
Convocation Leadership
Register for MESoM Convocation
MID Scholarships
The Maine Conference United Church of Christ awards scholarships to Members in Discernment (MID) preparing to become Authorized Ministers.

Most recipients will be seminary students.  However, MIDs following alternate paths to ministry and those not engaged in traditional seminary degree programs are also encouraged to apply.
 
Awards will be sent directly to the recipient's educational institution in August for the academic year beginning in the Fall.
  Learn More>> 
Pilgrim Lodge Registration is NOW OPEN!  
Register Here

Coming May 19 - 20: Day of Visioning & Open House
Learn More!

Pilgrim Lodge is raising money to help bring LGBTQ+ high schoolers to camp!

Camp Pride is a week-long residential camp for high school age youth who identify as LGBTQ+ and supportive allies.

Because we believe Camp Pride is one of the only LGBTQ+ youth outdoor ministry programs of its kind, we are actively seeking participants from far beyond Maine. In order to remove as many barriers to participation as possible, we are seeking funding to cover both the camp fees and travel cost for any campers who wish to attend but could not otherwise afford the expense.

For more information about Camp Pride visit:
 
Job opportunities listed below.

"The Holy Spirit is moving Maine and we have Stories of Love to share!"

Make plans now to join us October 26-27!

Annual Meeting 2018
Spirit ~ Stories ~ Love!
 
Have you heard our Good News gossip?

Thanks to the work of Rev. Holly Morrison, Sue Burgess and the kitchen ministry team at First Parish Saco we will be blessed with Farm-to-Table Meals during our retreat and annual meeting. The cost of your meal may be a bit more this year but well worth the few extra dollars to support our local farmers. If you'd like to physically, prayerfully or financially help with this meal ministry & mission support of our local farmers please email Abby at   
2018 Boundary Awareness Training
Opportunities Sponsored by the
Maine Conference UCC
 
"Letting Go: Observing Boundaries in New Ministry Settings/Retirement" with Rev. Dr. Nick Davis - If you are thinking of retiring or changing ministry settings soon, or if you have just retired/changed ministry settings, this Boundary Awareness Training event is for you. We will process the unique concerns, challenges, and questions that arise for clergy and their spouses who leave behind important relationships and enter a new ministry setting or "the 3rd third" of life. As our relationships with parishes and parishioners change, how do we manage this transition in healthy ways? What can we learn from one another? How can we support one another?  10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 5, 2018 @ Maine Conference UCC, 1 Weston Court, Suite 104, Augusta $25.
Looking for
   The First Church in Belfast UCC
is looking for 3 Large Print copies of the New Century Hymnal. If you have large print copies you no longer use please contact Rev. Joel Krueger at
joelfirstchurchinbelfast@gmail.com
or by phone 207-338-2282. 

Need Vacation Bible School Kit(s)  The Maine Conference Resource Center has a number of Vacation Bible School Kits to give away. You can find them in the online catalog under Vacation Bible Schools in the advanced search feature. You can also email Anne at resourcecenter@maineucc.org or call 1-800-244-0937 with your request to hold a kit for you. However, you will need to come to the Resource Center to pick up your requests.
Maine's Faith-based Organizations Can Help in the Fight Against Elder Abuse
  Learn more>> 
Events
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland
is once again offering Active Shooter Training around the state this month.
May 22nd in Scarborough.
Learn more>> 
Association Meeting
Living Water Association Meeting Sunday,
May 20
th 2pm - Waterville. 
   
200th Anniversary Celebrations   
First Congregational Church in Wilton
continues to celebrate.
Learn more about it>>

First Church in Belfast UCC is celebrating the 200th Anniversary of building their sanctuary.
Schedule of events.   
Organ Recital Series 

Programs at the Alcyon Center 
Inner Path of Dying
June1 & 2 Learn more  

 Christ Church in Kennebunk will present "That's Amore! Italian Concert and Spaghetti Supper" Saturday, May 19th at 6 Dane Street. Concert to begin at 4pm with supper at 5:30pm.

North Windham Union UCC
will host a Music with a Mission Concert on May 19th at 7pm featuring the Royal River Chorus.
Help Wanted/Classifieds
Pilgrim Lodge is looking for Nurses! If you, or someone you know, is a nurse and would like to spend a week at Pilgrim Lodge, Please contact Karen at the PL office by email: karen@pilgrimlodge.org or by phone: 207-724-3200

Falmouth Congregational UCC
is seeking a part-time Office Assistant to assist the Office Manager in performing the church's everyday administrative functions. Learn more

First Parish UCC in Saco
is looking for a full-time Office Administrator to perform administrative, secretarial and scheduling functions for the church. Learn More

State Street UCC
is looking for a Christian Education Coordinator Learn more>>

Blue Point Congregational UCC
just minutes away from beautiful Pine Point Beach in Scarborough is a growing church seeking a
part-time music director/organist. Learn More

First Congregational UCC
in South Portland is looking for someone to fill a part-time Multi-Ministry Position covering member visitation, youth ministries and adult lifelong learning.
Learn more>>
 
Open Positions at the National Offices
In This Issue
Quick Links
Beyond Our Borders
Free Webinars
The Insurance Board has free webinars available. Click the image above to learn more or to register. Upcoming Events:
May 23rd 2pm - Sex in Your Congregation: Recommended and Best Practices for allowing offenders into your church. 
Mental Health Sunday is
May 20th
Click here for resources

Strengthen the Church Offering - Suggested Collection Day - May 20, 2018 Learn More

Vacation Bible School and summer youth camps are exciting opportunities to engage young people on a range of global topics, including the realities of young people around the world as well as how to engage and participate in God's global mission.  Resources
More VBS Ideas 
Click logo above to learn about upcoming webinars. 
Webinar: Going Solar-Connecting Faith, Finance, and Facilities
As part of the monthly Creation Justice Webinar series, the UCC has teamed with GreenFaith to offer a webinar designed to assist churches who are interested in going solar. On May 30th,
the Rev. Fletcher Harper will address issues related to technology, finance, physical plant, communications, and more. Sign-up today for this
webinar! Also, look up past webinars or subscribe for monthly updates on future webinars.
A new toolkit from Shoulder to Shoulder on Faith mobilization to support American Muslims in this era, complete with resources for both short-term and long-term work to address anti-Muslim bigotry in our nation and in our communities.
  View the toolkit here
The Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) is pleased to announce a new opportunity for congregational churches in the New England area. We have been awarded a $1.5 million five-year grant from the Lilly Endowment to create an innovation hub to foster creative vocational reflection in congregations today.
Read the Creative Callings Invitation
Press Release 
Events
Clergy Day 2018: "Preaching Beyond Black History Month"
This is an annual opportunity for authorized ministers (ordained, licensed, commissioned, currently serving and retired) to gather together. This all day event will be on May 23rd. Brought to you by the New Hampshire Conference.
View Brochure
Register
Maine Conference UCC | 207-622-3100 | conference@maineucc.org | http://www.maineucc.org
Maine Conference United Church of Christ
One Weston Court, STE 104
Augusta, ME 04330