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Mid Maine District E-News 

May 15, 2019



"Singing With God”
Rev. Dr. Karen Munson 

The small and mighty choir loved singing heartfelt gospel songs, especially ones they’d known for years. Their new director did too but wanted to stretch their musical horizon.  So, he set them to work on “Alpha and Omega” by the Gaithers, with its tempo changes and challenging harmonies.  (In the interest of full transparency, the director was my husband and the choir Readfield UMC, my first appointment as a United Methodist Church pastor.)
 
For weeks (seemed like years) we made mistakes and moaned.  He helped us conquer that piece phrase by phrase until it entered our very selves and we could toss it around with skill and delight. Sometimes discipleship, progress into God’s vision, is like that. Read more……
 


Mid Maine Pre-Conference Briefing this Saturday May 18th at 2:30 - 4:30

What we will cover
  •  the Re-Districting (from 9 to 7) Proposal
  • General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegate elections
  • orientation for first timers
  • MidMaine Equalization Members elections
  • legislation related to NEAC response to General Conference actions
  • legislation to be sent to General Conference
  • Budget and proposals from NEAC’s Council on Finance and Administration.
  • New Board of Ordained Ministry Eight Year Assessment process.
  • other material as is helpful to those attending
Hosted by the Brunswick UMC, 320 Church Road, Brunswick ME 

         


Due Now: Bottle Challenge Wrap up for JFON and UMEM

It's time to get counting!  Our bottle challenge is wrapping up May 1st and we can't wait to see the totals for the Mid Maine District.  

What to do now:  Count up all your nickels and dimes and deposit them in your church account. Then send two checks for each ministry payable to the Mid Maine District, indicate UMEM or JFON in the memo, and mail them to the MME District Office by May 15. The district will keep track of the donations and send the final amounts to the Conference. Churches will be credited for their donations.

Lori will post the totals for the MME district in the coming e-news.

Mid Maine District UMC  PO Box 89 East Winthrop ME 04364


Clergy and Candidate Updates

As we approach Annual Conference, MidMaine bids a fond and appreciative farewell to Joe and Heidi Chamberland as they move into retirement, John Baker Streevy as he is commissioned and begins full time service to Thornton Heights UMC in Portland, and to Dee Webber as she finishes her interim work with Strong UMC.
 
In the fall of 2019, MidMaine will have 5 seminarians:  Seth Fortier (serving as a licensed local pastor in Metro Boston while attending Boston University School of Theology, “BUSTH”), Barry Judd (serving as a LLP in Central Massachusetts while attending BUSTH), Geoff Gross (Illiff), Terra Fredricks (starting at BUSTH), and Nicki Turner (starting at Garrett Evangelical).
 
In addition, MidMainer Robin Chaput will begin Course of Study, joining Cheryl Decker, Gayle Holden, Ray St Pierre, Cathy Cantin, and Karen Merrill in that program.


Please watch for all these folks to ask how they’re doing and encourage them!


 

MME Lay Servant Ministry offering Basic Course 

Lay Servant Ministry Basic Course 
at Brunswick UMC
Saturdays, June 22 and June 29, 2019 9 am- 3 pm. 

Soup and salad will be served for lunch the first Saturday. The second week we will all share pot luck. NO PEANUTS due to severe allergy. 
Read:  Before the first class, read Chapters 1-3 for June 22;
Chapters 3-5 will need to be read for June 29.  Worship will be celebrated June 29.

For more information and registration,click here!


News about the New England Annual Conference on June 13-15

 Find more deadlines here
Find all the latest news about AC 19 here

 

BRING YOUR UMCOR KITS TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE

If your church is planning to or has been busy creating hygiene kits, school kits or cleaning buckets for UMCOR’s response efforts, we have one easy drop-off location: Annual Conference. Kits can be dropped off onsite at Annual Conference between June 12-15, 2019. Get the details 

We also need volunteers to help staff the donations trailer. If you are coming to Annual Conference or are in the Manchester area and are willing to help, click the link to learn more and sign up.


 
 

2019-2020 Ministry Day Schedule:  Clergy and Lay Supply,  please mark your calendars now for Sept -May 2020 

  • September 12
  • October 10
  • November 14
  • December 12
  • January 9
  • February 13
  • March 12
  • April 9
  • May 14
Next year’s Ministry Day team is Rev. Nancy Bischoff (manager) and Rev. Elizabeth Bachelder Smith (worship coordinator) and Rev. Dr. Karen Munson, District Superintendent.  Please be in touch with Elizabeth if you would like to lead worship one month.  We encourage elder/licensed local pastor teams as embodiment of our ministry partnership. 

 Mid Maine District Events Calendar

 

May 18, 2019 Pre-Conference Briefing at Brunswick UMC from 2:30-4:00

June 13-15 New England Annual Conference, Manchester, NH

June 20th Church Leadership in Anxious Times Resource Day at Highland Ave, UMC, Gardiner 2:00-4:30

June 23, 2:00-3:30 Required Post Annual Conference Meeting for SPRC Chair, Lay Member to AC, Lay Leaders and Clergy hosted at Green St. UMC, Augusta, ME

One on Ones with Clergy and DS will begin in August.

Clergy and Lay Supply MME Ministry Days at Camp Mechuwana 8:30 bible study, 9:00-12:00. Worship and Program

  • September 12
  • October 10
  • November 14
  • December 12
  • January 9
  • February 13
  • March 12
  • April 9
  • May 14

February 1, 2020 (moved from May 18) Giving Jesus Generosity- Mid Maine Resource Day? 9:00-2:00 at Brunswick UMC

February 14, 2020 NEAC Statistics Due

 


This and That

 Join MidMaine DS Karen Munson exploring Journeys of PaulSept. 30 - Oct. 9, 2019. 2019 pilgrimage to Greece

 Join Bishop Devadhar and the NEAC for a Holy Land Pilgrimage - February 10-20, 2020.  FMI email Lori at mmedist@neumc.org

United Methodist Church News
Thank you to all who gathered for a Judicial Council debrief on May 5.  It was an information packed session with lots of good questions.
 
1) https://www.umnews.org/en/news/commentary-two-decisions-one-a-danger
 
2) https://www.umnews.org/en/news/bishops-plan-to-explore-new-forms-of-unity
 


Classifieds

Organist Wanted in Augusta

Green Street United Methodist Church, Augusta, Maine Part time salaried position (approximately 10 hours per week) accompanying rehearsals for the Chancel Choir, and playing the organ and piano for two worship services each Sunday morning and at other traditional holy day services throughout the year. Playing for weddings and funerals will also be requested of this individual from time to time and will be compensated separately.  The organ is an Allen hybrid (with both pump and electronic capabilities). We are looking for a person who can work well with others and who has the desire and ability to bring a wide range of Christian music to the congregation.

If interested please send a letter of interest and resume to GSUMC, 13 Green Street, Augusta, ME or e-mail greenst@myfairpoint.net (207-622-0843)

Part-time Choir Director in Winthrop

The United Methodist Church of Winthrop, ME seeks a creative team-player as part-time Choir Director.   Responsibilities include directing the adult choir during the Sunday worship service as well as setting up other special music throughout the year.  Salary commensurate with experience. 
Submit resume, including address, telephone, and/or email address, and professional references to Winthrop UMC, P.O. Box 136, Winthrop, ME 04364 or office@winthropumc.org
  


 

Please pray for the following... 

 Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar

Rev. Dr. Karen Munson, DS

 

May 19: Southport UMC, Strong UMC, Thomaston Federated Church, Trinity UMC, Union Church of Belgrade Lakes. 

May 26: UMC of Auburn, UMC of Minot, Unity UMC, Vassalboro UMC, Waldoboro UMC

June 2: Wayne Community UMC, West Cumberland UMC, Wilton UMC, Winthrop UMC

 


District Office Hours

AA (Lori's) Spring office hours 
M-TH 7:30-2:00
F 7:30-10:30

 


NEW information, events, and ministry opportunities below .
Please check the
MME Facebook page or the MME website for current updates 


To have a notice included in an Update, email mmedist@neumc.org.


Previous District Updates are available on the website.

 

The New England Conference

Our District Contact Info

District Superintendent
Karen Munson
 

 

Administrative Assistant

 

Lori C. Umberhind

 

Address

 

PO Box 89
East Winthrop, ME 04343

 

Office Phone

 

(207) 395-4080

 

Office Fax

 

(207) 377-4388

 

Email

kmunson@neumc.org

mmedist@neumc.org
Transformed by the Holy Spirit, united in trust,
we will boldly proclaim Christ to the world.