Mid Maine District E-News

August 14, 2019

MME Resource Day coming to you October 19th!

Location will be at Auburn UMC (time to be determined)

Neighborhood Seminary supports commitment to knowing the neighbors you seek to love and live while growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Join us October 19, 2019 for a day with Lead Team Elaine Heath and Lynne Caldwell, along with Communications Director Neil Caldwell.
Explore what this dynamic back to basics movement has to teach us and what it might look like Neighborhood Seminary might look like in our midst.

Many of you will remember Elaine from NEAC 2019 and Lynne from one our most popular Resource Days: Asset Mapping. Start putting your team together for Oct. 19 now! Registration coming soon!!

Lay Servant Ministry Advanced Course
Aging and Ministry in the 21^st Century

Starting September 14th (register by Sept. 6)

This Lay Servant Ministries course addresses a topic most congregations face, especially here in Maine. (We often hear that Maine is the oldest state in terms of population.) Both our members and the communities around us are aging, and facing the challenges that presents.

Rev. Dr. Rick Eifert, pastor of Randolph UMC, has studied aging and hospital visitation in his doctoral work. At previous churches he has served, Dr. Eifert has organized lay people into hospital visitation teams that have enabled him as pastor – and the whole congregation – to have a stronger hospital visitation ministry. Art Dostie, a layman from Cox Memorial UMC in nearby Hallowell, has had an active nursing home ministry for over 20 years. He will be sharing some practical Lessons Learned from his experiences.

For dates, registration and more information, click here!

Gospel and Christian music fans need to circle Thursday, August 15th on their calendars. On that date, Nashville, TN duo Ernie & Jason Couch, will be in concert at People's United Methodist Church, 21 Depot St, Union, Maine (behind the Post Office, on Rt 235). Concert begins at 7:00pm. A love offering will be taken, and you are invited to join us for refreshments following the concert.

Ernie & Jason will be bringing an exciting mixture of 20th Century gospel classics and originals to town. These guys are known across the U.S. and Canada for their live music, good humor, and genuine spirit. Many describe the group as refreshingly different, and a lot of fun. Jason Couch stated, "We want to reach everyone from all age groups and backgrounds, with the message of the music. We enjoy what we do and want the people to enjoy it just as much!" Questions? Call 207-785-4114.

Bishop Devadhar’s 2019-20 “Book to Read”

Piloting Church: Helping your church take flight

By Pastor Cameron Trimble

Empire Grove Summer Vespers Schedule 2019

From Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend, the community at Empire Grove hosts weekly Vespers services on Sunday evenings from 7 to 8 PM. These services feature a variety of speakers from different denominations. We always include time for hearing God’s Word in the reading of scripture, responding to that Word in prayer, and lots of music. All are welcome to join us for the summer Vespers services.

August 18 Rev. Russell Peppe

August 25 Rev. Karen Munson, District Superintendant

September 1 Rev. John Whitley, Milford (NH) UMC

July 28 Campmeeting

August 4 Campmeeting

August 11 Rev. Don Mayberry, South Paris

August 18 Rev. Russell Peppe

August 25 Rev. Karen Munson, District Superintendant, 5:00 pm potluck for clergy retirees.

September 1 Rev. John Whitley, Milford (NH) UMC

For more information about Empire Grove, please visit their Facebook page,

Mid Maine District Events Calendar

Pastoral Conversations due no later than August 15th

(NEW) GCORR MidMaine Resource Day September 14 9:00-3:00 at Brunswick UMC.

Vital Conversations: Racism and the U.S. Church The Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CCORR) is beginning a series of trainings for clergy on how to have “Vital Conversations” about race and racism in their congregations. BOOM has approved 0.5 CEU’s for this training. All District Clergy are required to attend
Lunch will be provided by the Mid Maine Mission Of Peace Delegate, Maggie. Lunch donation suggestion is $10.00

PLEASE REGISTER HERE!

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

September 12 (Rev. Karen Munson leading worship and program)
October 10
November 14
December 12
January 9
February 13
March 12 (Anne Robertson- program MA Bible Society)
April 9
May 14

October 19, (time TBD) MME Resource Day: Neighborhood Ministry

December 7 1:00-4:00 Bishop Day at MidMaine District

February 14, 2020 NEAC Statistics Due

May 18 Giving Jesus Generosity- Mid Maine Resource Day 9:00-2:00 at Brunswick UMC

This and That

Church Conference information is on the Mid Maine Webpage! All current forms, due dates, prep checklists and worship guide. Some church conferences have been scheduled but are still working through the calendar. If you have any questions, please call or email Lori

MME Pastors and Laity... YOU ARE AWESOME! Thank you for working with us by honoring form deadlines, using doodle polls to streamline scheduling, logging in to Webinars, answering calls, being flexible, patient and keeping the communication lines open as we navigate new roles in the district and conference. We appreciate you! Karen and Lori

Please pray for the following...

Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar

Rev. Dr. Karen Munson, DS

August 18 Rumford Center UMC, Rumford UMC, Salem Community UMC, Searsmont UMC, Searsport UMC, Sheepscott Community Church

August 25 Southport UMC, Strong UMC, Thomaston Federated Church, Trinity UMC, Union Church of Belgrade Lakes

September 1 UMC of Auburn, UMC of Minot, Unity UMC, Vassalboro UMC, Waldoboro UMC.

District Office Hours

AA (Lori's) Summer Hours
M-TH 7:30-2:00 (or by appointment)

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.