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Mid Maine District E-News 

March 11, 2020

Neighboring Past Fear

Rev. Dr. Karen Munson, DS

I’ve been thinking of “neighbor” as a verb lately. Its not just a label To neighbor is an action, a behavior. How do we actively neighbor each other in fearful times? We who yearn to be God’s Beloved Community come up against it time and again. Over the generations, we’ve done it better at sometimes than others, in some places than others.
 
Two biblical tales in this week’s common lectionary tell of neighbors, one close in relationship and the other distant, both in fear full situations. The first tale travels with Moses and the people exiting Egypt as their going gets tough. If you have children or playful adults, you might try acting out this cathartic scene. …read more  

 


HAPPENING THIS SATURDAY! 

Learn to Lead: Preparing You to Lead Small Groups  with Anne Roberston, MA Bible Society

Mid Maine Resource Day March 14th Auburn UMC  9:00-4:00 

REGISTER TODAY BEFORE YOU MISS IT!  REGISTRATION LINK HERE

Churches know that small groups are key to spiritual formation and vitality in their congregations.  Yet many are floundering for lack of small group leadership, especially when it comes to leading Bible studies. We can help you change all that.

Exploring the Bible: The Dickinson Series is a proven Bible study system that even those who know little about the Bible can learn to lead.  But we go beyond just introducing you to that material. 

In this six-hour workshop, you will:

  • Learn the basics of leading any small group.
  • Build confidence in leading a Bible study.
  • Understand the difference between teaching and facilitating.
  • Learn how to use Exploring the Bible: The Dickinson Series*
  • Practice the skills you’ve learned.
  • Receive tips on recruiting your first group, even if you are in a small, rural church.
  • Learn how to structure your group for success.
  • Network with others who are learning to lead.
  • Discuss ways to overcome the challenges of difficult personalities and group conflict... read more

This important resource day is available by live stream where ever you access internet!

‘Living as If the Gospel is True’ with Rev. Michael Mather  

March 21,  2020 from 9:30-2:30

Join via Zoom: For those who cannot attend in person, you can join the event via video conferencing using Zoom.
Find the login information here

What does it look like to trust God’s abundance in places and among people that struggle both inside and outside the church? At a joint District Resource Day on March 21, 2020 


Would you like to have a real impact on hunger? 

Maine’s congressional delegations are known for their good work in this area.  Please encourage and educate them further by participating in the
2020 Offering of Letters to Congress: Better Nutrition, Better Tomorrow
Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters to Congress engages churches, campuses, and other faith communities in writing personalized letters to Congress. Each year, for the focus of the campaign, we choose specific legislation or a legislative emphasis that can make a real difference to people struggling with hunger and poverty.
People write letters, usually as a group, and present them as an offering to God before mailing them to Congress. Hundreds of Offerings are held each year, resulting in tens of thousands of letters to Congress. Supported with prayer, these letters are a bold witness to God’s justice and mercy. Year after year, they continue to have a significant impact on the decisions made in Congress.



 


 

Redistricting 2020 Transition

The 2019 Annual Conference approved reducing the number of districts in the New England Conference from nine to seven.

This new structure takes effect July 1, 2020.

This page will provide information about the new structure and the transition process.

Read the announcement from Bishop Devadhar

See an FAQ on the new district structure

See the new district map

See a list of churches by district


 

 


General Conference 2020 

Find resources to help your congregation understand what General Conference is and how it works. LINK HERE

 

 

New England Annual Conference 2020

June 11-13, 2020 at the DoubleTree Hotel, Manchester, NH

Theme: "Vital Conversations: Building Beloved Community."

REGISTER HERE!

 

 


Addressing a possible coronavirus outbreak

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MID MAINE DISTRICT CALENDAR OF EVENTS

 

March 12 Mid Maine Ministry Day: Anne Robertson- program MA Bible Society: It's Time to Explore Justice! Volume One - Priorities - is Now Available.  Ministry Day at Camp Mechuwana (it's MUD season, so bring your boots!  8:30 bible study, 9:00-12:00. Worship and Program.  No other gods. No graven images. Don't take God's name in vain. Those are the commandments that focus this first volume of our new series - Exploring Justice: The Ten Commandments.  Do you think idols are merely statues from a false religion? Think again. In this first volume, you'll think about the primary values of your faith and learn the history behind some of today's difficult issues: When did the Pledge of Allegiance change and why? How did Charles Lindbergh taint the original "America First" movement? Who was the first monarch in history to grant the full freedom of religion and which Christian minister made it happen? read more

March 12: Invitation to the MME Clergy and Lay Supply for a Luncheon with Rev. Karen Munson, DS at Camp Mechuwana. 12:00-1:30 (after Ministry Day), Conversation regarding redistricting.  Please RSVP to Lori

March 14: MME Resource Day with Anne Robertson Learn to Lead: Preparing you to lead small groups with Anne Roberston, MA Bible Society.  9:00-4:00 pm At: Auburn UMC  REGISTRATION LINK HERE

March 21 9:30-2:30: “Asset Based Community Outreach” with Rev. Mike Mather, pastor of Broadway UMC, Indianapolis, IN. More information here:   Livestream link: TBD

March 29 2:00-4:00: MME Transition Workshop (for churches and clergy receiving a new appointment, July 1, 2020).  At Cox Memorial UMC, Hallowell ME

May 14 Ministry Day at Camp Mechuwana  8:30 bible study, 9:00-12:00. Worship Celebrating the MME District of the New England Annual Conference and Program Everyone Has a Story – What’s Yours? A Storytelling Workshop led by Dr. Daniel Robinson Ministry Day  

May 17 2:00-4:00:  MME Pre-Conference Briefing at Brunswick UMC, Brunswick ME

June 11-13: New England Annual Conference, DoubleTree Hotel in Manchester, NH. More information here...


Please pray for the following... 

          

 Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar

Rev. Dr. Karen Munson, DS

March 15 Wayne Community Church, West Cumberland UMC, Wilton UMC, Winthrop UMC

March 22 Aldersgate UMC, Bartlett Memorial UMC, Bath UMC, Belfast UMC Bethel UMC, Bolsters Mills UMC

March 29 Bradley Memorial UMC, Brown Memorial UMC, Brunswick UMC, Calvary UMC


District Office Hours

AA Office Hours: M-TH 7:00-3:00 (or by appointment)

The District Office follows the local school cancellation policy. If there is no school in the Winthrop/Monmouth area due to inclement weather- the office will be closed.

2020 NEAC Holiday dates office is closed: April 10, May 25, July 3, September 7, October 12, November 26-27, December 24-25

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.