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Mid Maine District E-News 

September 11, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steadfast

Many of us grew up being told (or telling ourselves) to be good and do well. In other words, learning to follow the rules and achieving admirable goals. Psalm 108 starts out there but then heads in another direction. Will you look through it line by line with me? 

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast.
The singer begins his/her morning by declaring their position, “I am steadfast.” I can imagine someone swinging their legs out of bed with resolve for a new day of challenges. They tell God that they are ready. Read more……


Meet our October learning team

Rev. Dr. Elaine Heath is an ordained Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference and is the co-founder of the Missional Wisdom Foundation (2010) and of Neighborhood Seminary. Elaine served as Professor of Evangelism at Perkins School of Theology and Dean of Duke Divinity School and is the author of numerous books and articles. She is a native of Alaska who lives at Spring Forest, an intentional Christian Community and farm near Hillsborough, North Carolina.

Rev. Dr. Lynne Blankenship Caldwell is the Vice President and Dean of Programs for Neighborhood Seminary and pastor at Bethel UMC in Winston-Salem, N.C. An Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference and former District Superintendent, she taught for 10 years at the Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond.

 

 

 

Dr. Jack Lawson was ordained in the Reformed Tradition but has worked for the Methodist Church in Great Britain and the U.S. since 2004. He holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible & the Ancient Near East. He works as the Mission Implementation Coordinator for the Yadkin Valley District of the Western North Carolina Conference and has two great passions: helping churches to reach out and serve their local communities, and bringing the Bible to life for local congregations. Born in the U.S. but raised in England, he currently lives in Winston-Salem, N.C.

OCTOBER 19, 2019  Auburn UMC 9:00-4:00

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! 

ONLINE REGISTRATION HERE


UNplug the Christmas Machine 
Is this the year for a simpler, less commercial, more soul-satisfying Christmas?
If a joyful, affordable Christmas is what you are after, attend this fun and eye-opening workshop on Sunday, November 17 from 2-5:30pm.  Using a printed workbook and engaging stories, we'll learn how Christmas became a marketing event; and how you can create a season of meaning and joy this year.  Call the PSUMC office to register 8732-7564 by Nov 10.  Cost for materials and program is $7.00 per person, $12 for two.  All proceeds to benefit missions of Pleasant St. UMC.   Questions? Contact susan.mackenzie@colby.edu
 
Facilitated by Susan MacKenzie


News from the District UMW

“Faith, Hope, and Love in Action” Is the theme for Mid Maine District United Methodist Women’s Fall Meeting at Auburn Church, Auburn, Me, Saturday, October 5, 2019.

The meeting date was changed because women in the Farmington area were busy with Farmington Fair the last Saturday in September and we didn’t want to leave anyone out.

We will focus on ‘Sophia’s House which is being converted from a former convent in Lewiston. United Methodist Women are very involved with awareness of trafficking, incarceration and addiction and this is an opportunity to put our awareness into action!! And for others in our churches to be involved in doing Christ’s work.

From an article in Sun Journal: 
Sophia’s House will contain six private rooms for women who are healing from trafficking, incarceration and addiction. There will be five apartments for women living on fixed income.
As the first project in Maine to be modeled on the successful 20-year program of Thistle Farms in Nashville, Tennessee, for up to two years women will live in a safe community with all services and supports needed to restore their lives.
St. Mary’s Health System has donated the building, which previously served as a convent for the Sisters of Notre Dame.
“We are delighted to contribute to this initiative to support women in recovery,” said Steve Jorgensen, president of St. Mary’s Health System. “Sophia’s House will be an invaluable resource, improving the quality of life for people in need.” 

The ingathering of women’s hygiene products will go to Sophia’s House as will the offering.

Please invite your church families to participate in this, whether or not they have a UMW Unit. And whether or not anyone attends.
United Methodist Women are very involved with awareness of trafficking, incarceration and addiction of women and this is an opportunity to put our awareness (and faith, hope and love) into action!!

Marilyn Stinson, Communications Coordinator, Mid Maine District.


Tom Leach, of New England’s United Methodist Men reminds us that there are many opportunities to boost and develop your individual ministries as well as being able to connect with other men’s ministries.

My challenge this coming year is to identify as many men and groups of men that work in support of Men’s Ministry. I want to connect groups of men’s ministries with opportunities such as mission projects as well as some training opportunities.  All of these are optional for you to participate with us. Connect with Tom and read the rest of his message here... read more


 

(NEW) Lay Servant Ministry Basic Course

The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundation course designed to equip new church leaders and renew current leaders in The United Methodist Church. It explores personal spiritual gifts, servant leadership, each leader's role in developing future leaders, the importance of consistent spiritual practices, the core ministries of Leading, Caring, and Communicating, and much more.

Instructor: Sharon Merrill CLS and Anna-Jean Alexander, CLM

Dates: (Sundays & Mondays) Sept. 8, 2019 2pm-5pmSept. 9, 2019 6pm-8pmSept. 15th 2pm-5pmSept. 16th6pm-8pm 

Time: Sundays 2pm-5pm and Mondays 6pm-8pm

Where: Bolsters Mills UMC Bolsters Mills Rd., Harrison

Assignment for first class is reading Chapters 1 & 2 and the Biblical reflections.  At our second session, we will work with chapters 3 & 4, and for the final class, Chapter 5 and closing worship.  Attendance at all three classes is necessary to receive a completion certificate.

Required texts:  Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course Participant’s Guide (ISBN 97808817762) available from The Upper Room Bookstore. Or Cokesbury.  Available in print or Kindle format. Participant is responsible for purchasing text. Check w/your church for possible scholarships.

Course fee: $10.  If paying by check, please make it out to New England Conference UMC and on the memo line write: LSM Course – Basic. If cost is prohibitive, check with your church – some churches and Districts have scholarships available.

ONLINE REGISTRATION HERE 


 

Market Square Books online training program for United Methodist clergy will offer classes taught by recognized leaders within the denomination, eight to ten each month, beginning January 2020. (Note:  material is still being fine tuned). Information concerning classes and instructors can be found at:

  clergyeducation.com

 The following classes are available beginning October 1:
 
Oct 1 at 1:00pm Eastern/Noon Central: Phil Maynard: Getting Your Congregation Back Into the Game of Effective Ministry
 
Oct 2 at 11:00am Eastern/10:00am Central: Glenna Manning and Wil Cantrell: Preaching and Teaching the Christmas Story
 
Oct 3 at 11:00am Eastern/10:00am Central: Phil Schroeder & Kay Kotan: Launching Leaders: Developing Leaders in the Local Church
 
Oct 8 at 3:00pm Eastern/2:00pm Central: Kevin Slimp: Developing Effective Communication to Grow Your Church
 
Oct 21 at 11:00am Eastern/10:00am Central: Wil Cantrell: Answering Your Call as an Associate Pastor
 
Oct 22 at 2:00pm Eastern/1:00pm Central: Wil Cantrell: Answering Your Call as an Associate Pastor
 
Nov 5 at 2:00pm Eastern/1:00pm Central: Quincy Brown: Engaging Your Community: Answering the Questions Your Community is Asking
 
Nov 7 at 3:00pm Eastern/2:00pm Central: Glenna Manning and Wil Cantrell: Preaching and Teaching the Christmas Story
 
Nov 11 at 3:00pm Eastern/2:00pm Central: Bishop Kenneth Carder: Being an Effective Pastor in the 21st Century
 
Nov 12 at 1:00pm Eastern/Noon Central: Bishop Kenneth Carder: Being an Effective Pastor in the 21st Century
 
Nov 12 at 3:00pm Eastern/2:00pm Central: Phil Schroeder & Kay Kotan: Launching Leaders: Developing Leaders in the Local Church
 
Online classes are live, and attendees will participate in question/answer session during the final portion of each class, allowing them to ask questions of the instructors.
 
The fee for each one-hour classes is $25. UM clergy will receive a 20 percent discount in October and November when using the following discount code: clergy20
 
Upon registration and class attendance, participants will receive a certificate designating their attendance, with applicable information, which can be turned in to district or conference officials.
 
The ClergyEducation.com website is live and registrations are now being accepted.
 
More information concerning Market Square Books can be found at marketsquarebooks.com. At Market Square, we publish books by United Methodist authors, including several best-selling titles over the past three years.
 

 Mid Maine District Events Calendar

 

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 

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 Program: Fran Nuite will present on Facebook Live as a strategy for building online presence for Churches and engaging the community beyond Sunday morning.  

    When I meet with you all in October I will be bringing  professional equipment  with me as well to give you an idea what your services can look like with a investment in this kind of equipment.   Anyone that it interested in professional gear I offer consulting services as well.   I look forward to meeting with you all in October.  If anyone has any questions or issues you are facing before we meeting feel free to email me @ frannuite@gmail.com 

  • November 14 Program:  Zoom. Isn't that a children's TV show?  Webex. Probably a new cereal? Skype. Ah, I know that one! It's when you want to skip and fly a kite at the same time, right?  Skype, Webex, Zoom, are all methods of speaking face-to-face with others via electronic devices (computers, tablets, and smartphones).  For the past three years, I've participated in a continuing education program which used a mix of ways to stay in touch, including retreats at Mechuwana, but also, monthly webinars that connected participants from Maine to Wyoming.  I am preparing to teach a District Lay Servant Ministry Basic Course via Webex.  And, I'm excited for you all to come to the Ministry Day November 14th to learn how to use electronic face-to-face technology to bring new possibilities to your ministry region. See you in November! ~Elizabeth Bailey-Mitchell
  • December 12
  • January 9
  • February 13
  • March 12 (Anne Robertson- program MA Bible Society)
  • April 9
  • May 14

October 19, Auburn UMC, 9:00-4:00 MME Resource Day: Neighborhood Ministry Register HERE!

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

(NEW DATE) February 1, 2020 Giving Jesus Generosity- Mid Maine Resource Day 9:00-2:00 at Brunswick UMC  Register HERE!

February 14, 2020 NEAC Statistics Due

GCORR Northern Maine District Feb 21 -22 Anti-Racism training

This is mandatory quadrennial training for everyone with an appointment.  Laity in leadership are encouraged to attend.  9am - 3pm,   location TBD.  You will need to attend EITHER February 21st or 22nd (not both).
 


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

Free Piano: Mr. Wally Backus from Trinity UMC, Farmington has a piano (picture below) he would like to donate to a church that needs one. If you are interested, his number is 207-778-1115 and email is awbackus@gmail.com

Pianist Wanted:  The Brown Memorial UMC, Clinton is looking for a pianist for Thursday night practice and Sunday worship.  If you are interested please contact Rev. Chong Choi at 207-332-9951

Job Opportunity: Editor of the Wayne Messenger  The Wayne Community Church has an opening for the  position of Editor of The Wayne Messenger,  a publication of the Wayne Community Church, United Methodist. As an outreach ministry of the church, the purpose of the Messenger is to provide church, personal, social and town news to the Wayne community, in accordance with the WCC Wayne Messenger Policy. Duties of the Editor include production, editing and distribution of the Messenger on a monthly basis. Excellent writing, communication, organization and collaboration skills, as well as attention to details and timeliness are essential.  Knowledge and experience with Publisher and Square Space software preferred.
 
Compensation is $290 per monthly issue. Preferred start date – October, 2019.
 
To apply, please send a letter of interest outlining relevant experience, and  the names and contact information of 3 references to:  Messenger Committee, Wayne Community Church, PO Box 300  Wayne, ME   04284  or by email to wayneumc@roadrunner.com.  Deadline: September 13, 2019
 
For further information you may contact Susanne Spalding, Messenger Committee Chair, at 685-9012.

 

Psychological First Aid Training

Click Here to Register

Two Dates - Two Locations

October 18, 2019, Fireside Inn & Suites, Belfast

December 6, 2019 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport

What is PFA? A full-scale public health response to disasters must attend to both the physical and mental health needs of affected groups. The latter set of needs is especially important because most authorities agree that far more individuals will report psychologically-related complaints than will report physical symptoms directly stemming from the injury-causing agent or event. Because a large scale emergency will overwhelm existing mental health response resources, psychological first aid - the provision of basic psychological care in the short term aftermath of a traumatic event - is an important skill set that all public health workers, emergency responders and natural community helpers should have.

for more information, click here!

 


 

Please pray for the following... 

 Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar

Rev. Dr. Karen Munson, DS

 

 

September 15 Aldersgate UMC, Bartlett Memorial UMC, Bath UMC, Belfast UMC, Bethel UMC, Bolsters Mills UMC 

September 22 Bradley Memorial UMC, Brown Memorial UMC, Brunswick UMC, Calvary UMC

September 29 Centenary UMC, Church of Good Fellowship, Community UMC, Cox Memorial UMC, Cushing Broad Cove Church


District Office Hours

AA Office Hours: M-TH 7:00-2:00 (or by appointment)

Office closed: September 26 - Mandatory Training at the Conference Office.

2019 Holiday dates office is closed: October 14, November 28, November 29, December 24, December 25


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

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