Special Mid Maine District E-News

March 24, 2020

He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?"
-Ezekiel 37:3

Thoughts from Karen
The 7 am Clergy/CLM/Lay Supply gathering has been giving me daily gifts of scriptural insight and prayer partners. Today we read Ezekiel’s dry bones passage aloud. It raises the issue of mortality that is much on people’s minds now. It also declares God’s intention to bring dry bones to life. Aren’t we in a time when dry bones of our churches are starting to jump and dance in new ways? Death and life. Dem bones put on flesh and, by God’s word enacted by God’s servant, breathe again. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act," says the LORD. (Ezekiel 37: 14)

Pastors, as our communities’ practical theologians, we have recently been busy brings words of hope, courage, and connection. As the days go on and urgent questions emerge, we are called upon to hear the yearning for God and to listen for God’s word for the people. The ways that we speak of mortality, redemption, healing, life and so many other deep soul concerns will shape our communities’ understanding and action. May God bless you to bring such a blessing.

Laity, now is your time to dance! It is awesome to hear of the caring circles being created, of your food pantry and community meal adaptations, of so many ways that you are rising to the challenge at hand. You are the body of Christ in motion.

In God’s Grace, Karen

MidMaine’s “We Can Do It” contest for creative community projects is extended one week.

What plans is your church making to creatively engage the community beyond your own members? Who do you hope to connect with and what’s your plan for actually doing that? Our first two entries are below. Between now and Sunday, March 29, put your heads together (virtually or by phone of course) with leaders in your church and send to Lori Umberhind.

We’ll share these in next Tuesday’s e-news with an invitation to send your votes for 3 who will receive funding ($250, $150, or $100) to help put their plan into action.

Voting will be open for 24 hours with the top vote getters announced on Wednesday afternoon, April 1 (no, not an April Fool’s!)

Lights of Love/Signs of Support, People’s United Methodist Church of South Thomaston
A small group is making a luminaries with symbols of Heart, Praying Hands & Hugging Arms. These luminaries will be placed in front of a few local businesses each day to show we stand by them and we will be with them and will return when the all clear has been given. Where lights are not appropriate, we hope to have signs with the same symbols on them.

“Drive-thru” Free Community Supper, The Belfast United Methodist Church plans on having “Drive-thru” Free Community Supper in April and May. Our Free Community Supper ministry has been a way to do church with (not at) the community (about 200 people in average) for the last 5 years. We decided not to let the fear and the danger of the COVID-19 stop us from sharing God’s love with our community at the “table.” A “Drive-thru” prayer request drop-box is outside the church.

Other Examples:
*Create a “grab and go” retreat bag and distribute.
*Create children’s activity bags and distribute.

PLEASE NOTE: We have concluded the online Daily MME Bible Study and prayer at 7:00 pm

Many of our pastors are now offering wonderful online and phone gatherings. If you would like to connect with one (perhaps your own church’s small group “meets” at a time that doesn’t work for your) please let Lori Umberhind know so we can try to make connections with you.

VIA WEBINAR: March 29 2:00-4:00: MME Transition Workshop (for churches and clergy receiving a new appointment, July 1, 2020) will be held via WEBINAR. An invitation will be sent out via email to those churches and clergy receiving a new appointment

Mid Maine District Churches offering ONLINE Worship on Sundays

Please follow this link for up-to-date information and service times.

UMCOR INFORMATION:

If your church has Flood Buckets waiting to go to UMCOR, UMCOR requests that you take the N95 facemasks out and donate them to your local hospital, Dr’s office, or first responders. (Restock the buckets later!)
If your church has Hygiene Kits on hand, please donate to your local Red Cross or homeless shelter.

The UMC Northeast Jurisdiction’s UMVIM leaders are strategizing ways to help and guide response efforts. If you are involved with volunteer meal preparation or other distribution, remember to maintain your 6-foot distance from other volunteers and use proper gloves at all times.

Sewing cotton masks at home.

In settings where facemasks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face.
(CDC.gov HCP use of homemade masks)

Please be guided by the needs of your area health providers and first responders. Not all can/will use homemade masks at this time. Maine Health sites are not in need of homemade masks at this time. Central Maine Health (Lewiston, Rumford, Bridgton) is accepting homemade masks. If you know of places saying that they need homemade masks, please let Lori know so that we may share the list.

Here is Dartmouth Hitchcock’s mask making instructions. https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/patient-education/sewing-masks.html

photo credit: Pastor Gayle Holden

NEWS ABOUT THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET, please help get the word out.

*Maine Governor Janet Mill’s emergency declaration prevents electricity from being turned off to customers (residential or commercial) who fall behind in payments during this time.

*President Trump’s emergency declaration put a moratorium on evictions.

United Methodist Economic Ministry

We have identified two drop off sites for non-perishable food and paper products:

Union Church of Belgrade Lakes UMC, Contact the church office to arrange a time 207.495.3599 or unionchurchmaine@gmail.com
Bath UMC, Contact the church office to arrange a time 207.443.4707 or bathumc@me.com

District Hours:

Administrative Assistance Lori Umberhind will work normal office hours from her home. Calls to the office, 207-395-4079 or 207-395-4080, will be forwarded to her mobile phone. District Superintendent Karen Munson is available as normal by email and phone. Physical availability will be limited. Letter from Rev. Dr. Karen Munson

HOME: AA Hours: M-TH 7:00-3:00,

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.