Dan Flint, MATE's Operations Manager, and a team of housing ministry volunteers from Bedford Presbyterian Church, will be busy working on renovations at McCleary House in December.

Dan has an ambitious plan to 1) complete the excavation of the kitchen/bath crawlspace and install a vapor barrier and spray foam insulation in that area; 2) install plumbing drains and vents for the kitchen, two baths and the laundry; and 3) install new subfloors in the kitchen and two baths. In addition, an electrician will be working to upgrade and extend electrical facilities. After this work is completed, the heating contractor will return to complete the new heating system in the kitchen and bath area.

The Board of Directors is beginning the search for a new Executive Director. The new ED will serve MATE only, and not in a shared role as ED and pastor of Fairbanks Union and New Portland Community Churches. Previous ED's served also as clergy to those congregations. The Board of MATE and church leadership agree that separating the roles of pastor and MATE ED will better serve the needs of both congregations and MATE clients.

Having a dedicated Executive Director for MATE reflects the growth of MATE as a 501(c)3, with a vision for an expanded ministry to the people and communities which MATE serves. It comes as the demands on the Executive Director for fundraising, grant writing and administration, community outreach and collaboration building, and marketing have increased. Having a dedicated ED also allows MATE the option of hiring someone with specific non-profit experience or interest who is not necessarily an ordained minister.

MATE retains a strong identity as a faith-based organization with a history in the Presbyterian Church (USA). MATE relies on our church partners of all faiths for volunteers, donors, and overall support. We are committed to continuing those relationships.

For more information about the Executive Director position, please contact Sharon Cowen at SBCowen@comcast.net.

If you've never volunteered, please consider 2022. Come by yourself and join another group. Or, bring a whole team. If you don't know how to start organizing, ask; we have ambassadors to guide you. Contact Operations Manager Dan Flint at housing@missionattheeastward.org.

It's never too early to start planning. Nine church teams have already signed up for the 2022 season. We are thankful! We need more of you!

Why volunteer? The obvious reason is to serve others. We create safe places to live. We build lives. We serve folks who need help from others, for whatever reason.

But, the maybe not-so-obvious reason is what you do for yourself. Volunteering is part of a faith journey; it's a chance to learn from the people you support. It's a chance to connect with other volunteers, witnessing their faith in action and hearing their stories. It's the place to see the Holy Spirit at work and how God provides in unexpected ways when a need arises.

The last reason is that it's just fun! You become a team! Other volunteers become lifelong friends. You get to know folks in different ways than you do in church. (You also find out who snores, who stops for extra coffee on the way to the work site, who plays pranks on everyone else, who plays chess, who is a morning person and who just isn't.)

I am so thrilled and excited to be a part of the MATE Team as the newly designated Administrative Assistant. I have 28 plus years as an Accounting/Administrative Professional with 17 of those years being in the transportation Industry. I also have many years of experience with renting apartments and storage facilities and recently named my own business, Pleasant Home Properties, LLC. I genuinely enjoy this as well as I am not the typical landlord. I believe in strong communications and thriving to have happy tenants.

While I lived approximately 25 years in Massachusetts, my true roots are right here in the Franklin County Area. This has always been home to me. As a native from this area, I know all too well the many struggles and how much we are truly in need of assistance here. It touches my heart to see the many folks who pull together to help.

I have a son who resides in Massachusetts who enjoys working with children who are less fortunate with their own disabilities, along with their families, in the Greater Worcester Area. I am immensely proud of this young man! He has limited time for Mom these days, but understandably so. He has his Associates Degree and is still continuing his education.

I have a significant other whose name is Troy. I am also proud to have three others who I can now include as my children and/or who have significant meaning in my life. Devon, Telinah, and Ryan came into my life over the past six years since being home in Maine, and I am just as proud of them with their own lives. Devan has written his first book and has just recently published, Telinah is expecting her first child in January 2022, and Ryan is a very hard worker and has just moved into his new place this past summer.

To see average folks pull together with their big hearts whether they are near or far is so amazing to see! Whether it be in the form of donations or swinging by with hammer and nails, I am so proud to be a part of this program that helps make a difference in many lives. I look forward to continue working with MATE administration and being part of something so magnificent!

MATE's Board of Directors is committed to making sure that everyone who supports us, or is just interested in our work, knows what's happening at MATE. We send out MATE Matters, this email newsletter, as an update on a monthly basis. In addition, we send occasional "snail mail" communications. If you know someone who would like to receive MATE communications, either by email and/or US mail, please ask them to send an email to Sharon Cowen at sbcowen@comcast.net. If you have questions about anything you read, please contact Sharon to ask!

Check out the website http://www.newenglandglow.org/ and the public New England GLOW Facebook page.If you have any questions please contact New England GLOW.

Anonymous donors through the Maine Community Foundation

First Presbyterian Church of Springfield NJ

The Dover Church, UCC, MA

First Presbyterian Church of Dutch Neck, NJ

New Portland Community Church, ME

Fairbanks Union Church, ME

Church of the Covenant, Boston MA

First Congregational Church of North Anson, ME

Hildale Park Presbyterian Church, NJ

Marturia Presbyterian Church, NH

Leeds Community Church, ME

Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, PA

Topsham United Presbyterian Church, VT

Bedford Presbyterian Church, NH

First Presbyterian Church of Ramsey, NJ

Hartford Community Presbyterian Church, ME

Presbyterian Church in Sudbury, MA

First Presbyterian Church of Antrim, NH

Camp Hill Presbyterian Church, PA

Flemington Presbyterian Church, NJ

Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, PA

St Josephs and St Rose of Lima parishes in Farmington and Jay, ME

Grace Community Boston, MA

Higganum and Haddam UCC Churches, CT

The Presbyterian Church in Burlington, MA

Allentown Presbyterian Church, NJ

Rev. Blair Moffett

Lowe's

ReFrame

June Lee in honor of Rev. Thea Kornelius

Anonymous gift from a Farmington community member

MATE Board of Directors gift for McCleary House in honor of Rev. Thea Kornelius