ANNUAL REPORTS

of the

CUMBERLAND ASSOCIATION of CHURCHES & MINISTERS Maine Conference

United Church of Christ

194th ANNUAL MEETING October 2, 2016

2:30-4:30 PM

Hosted by

Congregational Church in Cumberland UCC 282 Main St, Cumberland Center, ME 04021

Rev. Diane Bennekamper, Senior Pastor

       

             

 Rev. Kelli Whitman, Moderator

     

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 Table of Contents

Cover Page 1 Table of Contents Page 2 Call to the 194th Annual Meeting Page 3 Agenda Page 4 Moderator’s Report Page 5 Minutes of the 193rd Annual Meeting Page 6 - 7  Report of Church & Ministry Page 8 - 9 Report of C&M Actions Page 10 - 11 Report of Treasurer Page 12 - 16  Report of Nominating Committee Page 17 Report of Implementation Team Page 18 Report of Conference Deacons Page 19 Member Churches Page 20 - 21

                                 

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CUMBERLAND ASSOCIATION

Of Churches and Ministers

MAINE CONFERENCE ~ UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

The Churches and Ministers of the Cumberland Association are hereby called to the

194th Annual Meeting of the Cumberland Association at

Congregational Church in Cumberland UCC 282 Main St, Cumberland Center, ME 04021

Rev. Diane Bennekamper, Senior Pastor

Sunday, October 2, 2015

2:30-4:30 pm

We will gather for worship, conduct the business of the Cumberland Association, followed by our guest speaker, Reza Jalali. He advises multicultural and Muslim students at the University of

Southern Maine and Bowdoin College. He’s the author of “Homesick Mosque and Other Stories.”

If your church has announcements to share with the Association, please notify the Clerk VIA email so that we can program them into our schedule.

Agenda and Annual Reports will be sent in a separate email

AUTHORIZED DELEGATES

Three delegates and one youth delegate from each congregation, all persons with ministerial standing in the Association,

and all officers and committee members of the Association are voting members of the Cumberland Association.

A quorum is 12 clergy and 12 lay delegates representing 12 churches

Visitors from each congregation are invited and encouraged!

Please join us for this important afternoon.

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Signing In (Please check-in with the Clerk)

Meeting Agenda

WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER Kelli Whitman, Moderator QUORUM ANNOUNCEMENT Harry Marsters, II, Clerk GREETINGS & OPENING WORSHIP Rev. Diane Bennekamper, Pastor Congregational Church in Cumberland OFFERTORY (For MID Scholarships) Sara Bartlett North Yarmouth Congregational Church REPORT OF THE TREASURER Rev. Linda Gard MOTION TO ADOPT A BUDGET FOR 2015-2016 Rev. Kelli Whitman NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT Rev. Kelli Whitman MOTION TO ELECT OFFICERS FOR 2016-2017 Rev. Kelli Whitman MOTION TO ACCEPT THE ANNUAL REPORT Rev. Kelli Whitman MAINE CONFERENCE GREETING Rev. Darren Morgan Associate Conference Minister NEWS OF THE CHURCHES AND DELEGATES Rev. Kelli Whitman MOTION TO ADJOURN THE BUSINESS MEETING Rev. Kelli Whitman INTRODUCTION OF OUR GUEST SPEAKER Rev. Karl Andersen ADJOURNMENT Rev. Kelli Whitman FELLOWSHIP TIME

Thank you to our hosts, the members of Congregational Church in Cumberland UCC

and their pastors: Rev. Diane Bennekamper and Rev. Judy Braun

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Report of the Moderator Rev. Kelli Whitman

When the Executive Committee met in February, we suspended our usual agenda and spent our time together talking about two questions: 1. Why do we need Associations? What is our central purpose? 2. What can we do to better support that purpose? A lively conversation followed. As I looked back at my notes from that meeting, one of my scribbled sentences caught my attention again. The church doesn’t exist in a vacuum. On our best days, the Association reminds us that we are not just in ministry with the people sitting in our pews. We are partners with other people, and other pastors, sitting in other pews. And all of us, together, have been called to bear witness to Christ’s light in the particular communities that we serve. All of us, together, are striving to love God and love our neighbors. The church doesn’t exist in a vacuum. That’s why we gather as an Association to examine candidates for ministry and to celebrate ordinations and installations. That’s why we have spent several Association meetings highlighting the ministry that is happening in our local churches. That’s why we gather twice a year for worship, and fellowship, and conversation—so that we can see one another, and pray together, and be reminded that we aren’t doing this work alone. The church doesn’t exist in a vacuum. As the Association continues to discern its role and purpose in the new Maine Conference structure, I believe this will be an important note to hold onto. Our challenge is to continue to strengthen the connections and relationships between congregations, to continue to remind one another that we are not doing this work in isolation. I will conclude my service as moderator of the Association at the end of our fall meeting. It has been privilege to serve as your vice-moderator and moderator for these past four years. I have enjoyed getting to know all of you, and I am glad to call you partners in ministry. I am especially grateful to the other members of the executive committee for their work on behalf of the Association, and for their grace and good humor in all that we did together. With gratitude, Rev. Kelli Whitman Moderator

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Minutes of the 193rd Annual Meeting of the Cumberland Association Sunday, September 15th 2015

1. Association Moderator Mark Terison welcomed all to the Association’s 193rd Annual Meeting hosted by Wiliston-Immanuel United Church in Portland, ME and their Pastor, Rev. Deborah Davis-Johnson.

• He called the meeting to order and thanked those who had gathered. He offered special thanks to those who serve on the Executive Council and Committee on Church and Ministry for there efforts during this past year. He also thanked Rev. Deborah Davis-Johnson and Music Director Kathleen Scott for their assistance in organizing this special event.

• During his opening remarks, Mark expressed his appreciation for all that occurs throughout the Association each year to support our local churches, authorized ministers and MIDS (Members in Discernment).

• He then reminded us of the Purposes of the Association.

2. ATTENDANCE & QUORUM REPORT - Church Delegates, Clergy and Visitors signed in with the Clerk prior to the start of the worship and business meeting. The following are attendance figures: Churches Represented by Delegates: 16 (26 Delegates) Association Clergy (Active and Retired) 25 (includes the 15 church pastors) Church Pastors: 15 Visitors: 4 Association Officers: 5 Conference Staff: 1 Total attendance: 56 3. Rev. Deborah Davis-Johnson Welcomed all to Williston-Immanuel United Church and offered Greetings and a Call To Worship. 4. REPORT OF CHURCH AND MINISTRY COMMITTEE - Rev Steve Gray, Chair of Church and Ministry Committee provided an overview of the committee’s purpose and thanked those retiring form the committee this year. He also highlighted the committee’s work during this past year as identified in the Annual Report. 5. REPORT OF THE TREASURER - Rev. Linda Gard thanked Church Treasurers or book-keepers for their quick action in returning dues. She requested that churches with new financial folks should contact her and have them check the Association Web Site. Linda thanked John Kipp for offering to audit the Association’s financial books. She provided the following information to the Association:

• Financial Position of the Association as of 27 September 2015 • Actual VS Budget Report explanation • Solicited Questions, there were none • Discussed the Proposed Budget

o Dues to remain the same this year • A motion was made and seconded to adopt the proposed budget for 2015-2016. No further discussion.

VOTE/Approved 6. MOTION TO DISTRIBUTE HONDURAS FUND – CEVER Discussion

• Rev Marcia Charles made a motion to take the money from the Honduras Fund and send it to the Maine Honduras Partnership to the CEVER program Tool Fund. Motion Seconded. Discussion: CEVER is a Vocational School. Current inventories of tools are wearing out! Larry Gilbert amplifies the need for supporting this initiative. Steve Gray endorses this program! Marcia – This is a sustainable venture for the Association to be engaged in! No further Discussion. Vote/APPROVED

7. MAINE CONFERENCE GREETINGS from Rev. Deborah Blood, Maine Conference Minister - Rev Blood thanked those present for all that they do for our Churches!

• Rev Blood explained that her first duties are to learn about the people, churches and conference so I’m open to come and visit! One of her first tasks is to help with the “Coming Together” plan and she is grateful for all that’s been done. What will it look like and what will it do for us? Help the Conference out and identify our Visions. She’s open to listening to ideas of better ways of doing business and looking forward to growing the conference vision together!

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8. NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT - Rev. Kelli Whitman presented the Nominating Report to the Association. Sue Stevens from First Congregational Church in South Portland and Hal (Harold) D’Amico from First Parish in Gorham were nominated to fill vacancies on Church and Ministry Committee.

• Executive Council/Association Officers changes include Rev Kelli Whitman as Moderator. Vice Moderator position is vacant.

• A motion was made and seconded to Elect Officers and Committee Members as presented in the Nominating Report. No Discussion. Vote/APPROVED

9. Mark Terison asked for a motion to accept the 193rd Annual Report

• Moved & Seconded to accept all reports. No Discussion. Vote/APPROVED 10. BLESSING OF OUR CONFERENCE DEACONS - Rev. Kelli Whitman introduced our Conference Deacons. She informed us that Sue Stevens is one of the Conference Deacons Co-coordinators for the Maine Conference. Sue provided and overview of their roles in the Association/Conference. She also explained what the circles are and there are still, vacancies in some of our Circles within the Association. Anyone interested in possible serving as a Conference Deacon should contact Sue.

• Rev. Kelli Whitman offered a prayer of Blessing for our Deacons and their work. 11. IMPLEMENTATION TEAM REPORT - Rev. Marcia Charles provided an overview of how she became a member of the Implementation Team. She had previously served on the Coordinating Council, which converted to the Implementation team. The Implementation Team may look a little different than it did in the “Moving Forward” Document, but we’re moving! It’s a 3 year experiment!

• Communications is a key factor of this program. It’s a labor of Love and Patience! • Communications Piece Status includes the following:

o Gathered experts in Electronic Communications o How do folks connect when so far apart o A committee is developing a vision for this o Let the committee know what the communications is about and who we need to communicate with.

• Resource Teams – comprised of folks with passion in various areas. Darren Morgan is the Conference point of contact for these teams. Workshops will be held at Conference annual meeting

12. DELEGATE TO GENERAL SYNOD - Anne Hodgman, the Association’s delegate, provided a brief introduction of her background in working with the church and Conference! Anne provided us with an overview of the General Synod and what we can do to be part of it. Her definition is “It’s the Maine Conference on Steroids!” She noted that Dick Wadell put a reflection in the ACE. It’s well worth reading! 13. NEWS OF THE CHURCHES AND DELEGATES

• Debra Girard is being ordained in York Association this afternoon • Windham Hill - E-waste flyer is the one certified program to make sure things don’t end up in dumps!

Event will be at the Windham Mall on Rt 302 in North Windham - See Flyer • Windham Hill sponsoring a trip to France - See the Flyer • Oct 18th - CROP WALK at Back Bay. 25% of money stays in Casco Bay area!

o Google: Crop/CWS Casco Bay • So Portland Church – Mary Ann Wallace – Art Show IMAGES of the Devine. Oct 17th 1-4pm • Geoff Parker – Annual Meeting Worship! Check ACE for details

Meeting Adjourned. Fellowship and a reception for Rev. Deborah Blood, our Conference Minister, follows!

Thank you to our hosts, the members of Williston-Immanuel United Church, their pastor, Rev. Deborah Davis-Johnson, and Music Director Kathleen Scott.

Respectfully submitted, Harry L. Marsters II, Clerk

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2016 Report of Church and Ministry Committee Rev. Steve Gray, Chair

At the conclusion of my first three year term of serving as the Chairperson of the Cumberland Association Church and Ministry Committee, I continue to be appreciative of the faithful attendance and service of the 14 members of the committee as well as the excellent administrative support of our Association Clerk, Mr. Harry Marsters. Again this year, we continued to benefit from the staff support of Interim Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Ineke Mitchell. Since August of 2015, the Church and Ministry Committee has met ten times with each committee member involved in numerous sub-committee meetings and assignments. The demands of the Church and Ministry Committee are such that our monthly three hour meetings rarely provide enough time to address all of the agenda items for which the committee has responsibility. However, the following was accomplished during the past 12 months:

1. Local Church Leadership Transitions a. Rev. Leslie Foley resigned as part-time Minister of First Parish Church, UCC, Freeport b. North Windham Union Church, UCC installed Rev. Debra Girard as part-time Minister in November,

2015. c. Rev. Patricia Rowe-Jones resigned as part-time Minister of Sixth Street Congregational UCC in Auburn

in November, 2015. d. North Yarmouth Congregational Church, UCC called Rev. Nancy White who was installed in February,

2016. e. First Parish Church, UCC, Brunswick called Rev. Leslie Foley as Minister of Visitation in March, 2016. . f. First Parish UCC, Gorham and North Gorham UCC installed Rev. Tamara Torres McGovern as

Associate Minister in May, 2016. . g. Rev. David Butler retired as Senior Minister of First Parish UCC, Gorham and North Gorham UCC in

July, 2016. h. Sixth Street Congregational Church, UCC, Auburn called Rev. Joseph C. Dressler who was installed in

July, 2016. i. First Parish UCC, Gorham and North Gorham UCC called Rev. Scott Lovaas as Interim Senior Minister.

Rev. Lovaas began his ministry in July, 2016. j. First Congregational Church, UCC, Gray called Rev. Dr. Richard Hyde as Minister in August, 2016.

2. MID Review Day. The Annual Review Day for Members in Discernment was held at Pride’s Corner

Congregational Church, UCC, Westbrook. Guest presenter for our three MIDs was Rev. Ineke Mitchell.

3. Periodic Support Consultations. After consulting with association authorized ministers, the committee initiated a new annual practice of Periodic Support Consultations. Held in conjunction with MID Review Day at Pride’s Corner Congregational Church, UCC, Westbrook, the committee interviewed 15 authorized ministers for whom the visit was well received. All active authorized ministers will be interviewed on a three year cycle.

4. MID Scholarships. Communication was forwarded to Members in Discernment regarding not only

scholarship opportunities in the Association and the Maine Conference, but in the wider United Church of Christ as well. Thanks to all churches and individuals for their contributions! Some $5,000 in scholarships was awarded to two Members in Discernment.

5. Boundary Training. The second year of conference-wide Boundary Training was held during the past

year. Boundary Training is offered in three different locations, on three different dates and with three different program agendas. All authorized ministers must attend Boundary Training every three years to maintain ministerial standing.

6. Interventions. Much of the Church and Ministry Committee’s agenda is concerned with persons preparing for ministry and meeting and installing newly called pastors. However, the committee has a responsibility to and did provide oversight to churches in the association experiencing difficulties.

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7. Policies and Guidelines. The extensive Cumberland Association MID Guidelines were edited and reviewed and should be finalized before the end of 2016.

8. Members in Discernment. The following persons continue into 2017 as Members in Discernment: a. Sara Bartlett. Having received her D. Min degree from Andover Newton Theological School in 2015,

Sara was approved at an Ecclesiastical Council in June, 2016 for ordination pending a call. She is also serving part-time on the staff of First Congregational UCC, South Portland.

b. Stephen Savage. Stephen is a member of the Standish Congregational UCC and is a third year student at Andover Newton Theological School.

c. Caroline Thomas. Caroline is a member of Cumberland Congregational UCC and is a third year student at Boston University School of Theology.

9. Ecclesiastical Councils. An Ecclesiastical Council was conducted for the following Members in

Discernment (students preparing for ordained ministry) who were approved for ordination pending a call to an authorized ministry: a. Sara Bartlett in June, 2016 at North Yarmouth Congregational Church, UCC.

10. Ordinations. Having been approved for ordination pending a call, the following Members in Discernment

were ordained to Christian Ministry: a. Elliott Munn – November, 2015 at First Parish Church, UCC, Brunswick. Elliott was called as Associate

Pastor at First Congregational UCC, West Hartford, Connecticut. b. Allison Flaherty – May, 2016 at State Street UCC, Portland. Allison was called as part-time Minister of

First Congregational Church, UCC of Buxton. .

11. Licensed Ministers. The following Members in Discernment were approved as Licensed Ministers (renewable annually): a. Jeremy Young – Associate Minister, Williston-Immanuel United Church, Portland.

12. Church Visitation. One additional responsibility of the Church and Ministry Committee is oversight of the

32 local churches of the Cumberland Association. A committee will be established in 2016 to create a plan for systematic visits with association churches that compliments the work of the new Conference Deacons. Hopefully, this can be initiated by 2017.

13. Orientation Session. An orientation session using national UCC materials was again offered for all new

committee members.

14. Committee Continuing Education. Several members of the committee took advantage of one continuing education opportunity: Rev. Cathy Clark of MESA (national UCC agency that provides support to Church & Ministry Committees) met in April, 2016 with members of Church & Ministry Committees from across the Maine Conference. The focus of the day was an introduction to the new “Marks for Ministry” which is a new tool for use in the discernment process for Members in Discernment.

My thanks are extended to the members of the Church and Ministry Committee for not only faithfully attending our regular meetings each year, but for the other assignments for which they donate their time and ability. Should I be elected to a second three year term as Chair of the Church and Ministry Committee, I will look forward to continuing to serve the Cumberland Association. Respectfully submitted, Rev. Stephen C. Gray, Chair

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Actions of the Committee on Church and Ministry August 26, 2015 - October 2, 2016

Ecclesiastical Council(s):

Sara Bartlett Member in Discernment, member of North Yarmouth Congregational Church, North Yarmouth. Approved on June 5, 2016 by Ecclesiastical Council for Ordination upon receiving a Call to Ordained Ministry.

Ordination(s):

Allison Flaherty was ordained at State Street Congregational Church, Portland on May 1, 2016 and has accepted a call as pastor and teacher at First Congregational Church of Buxton at Tory Hill, Buxton, ME Elliott Munn was ordained at First Parish Congregational Church in Brunswick on November 22, 2015 and has accepted a call as Associate Pastor at First Church, West Hartford CT

Transfers of Standing to Cumberland Association: Rev. Charles Erb, Retired - From the Sunrise Association, MeUCC 1/20/2016 Rev. Rebecca Erb, Retired - From the Sunrise Association, MeUCC 1/20/2016 Rev. Tamara Torres-McGovern - Called to First Parish Gorham & North Gorham UCC Churches from

Granby CT 4/20/2016 Rev. Joseph C. Dressler - Called to Auburn Sixth Street Congregational Church from the MidCoast Association, MeUCC 3/16/2016

Transfer of Standing out of Cumberland Association: Rev. John Ellis, Retired - To Oxford Association

Rev. Patricia Keeler, Chaplain - Transferred to UAB Medicine Dept. of Pastoral Care, University of Alabama. Southeast Conference UCC. In Progress (8/1/2016)

Rev. Allison Flaherty - To York Association, ME Rev. Elliott Munn - To Hartford Association, CT (3/1/16) Conversion: Privilege Of Call to Association Standing: Rev. Nancy White - Approved Full Ministerial Standing on February 17, 2016 Installations: Rev. Debra Girard - At North Windham Union Church, UCC on November 8, 2015 Rev. Nancy White - At North Yarmouth Congregational Church, on February 21, 2016 Rev. Tamara Torres McGovern – At First Parish Gorham & North Gorham Congregational UCC Churches

on May 15, 2016 in a joint celebration. Rev. Joseph C. Dressler - At Auburn Sixth Street Congregational Church on July 31, 2016. Licensed Ministers: Jeremy Young Continued licensed ministry at Williston Immanuel United Church in Portland.

License renewed on February 17, 2016 for 1 year – renewable upon request. Debra Girard called to North Windham Union Church to be their Pastor and Teacher. Licensed on June 15, 2015 till (September 27, 2015) her Ordination in the York Association. Retirements: Rev. John Ellis Rev. David Butler Pastoral Changes (apart from retirements): Rev. Leslie Foley - Called as Minister of Visitation at First Parish in Brunswick, March 2016 Rev. Patricia Rowe-Jones - Resignation from Auburn Sixth Street Congregational Church November 2015

Rev. Patricia Keeler, Chaplain - Transferred to UAB Medicine Pastoral Care, University of Alabama, Southeast Conference UCC. Transfer of Standing in progress. Rev. Dr. Richard Hyde - Called to Gray Congregational Church on August 7th and began his ministry on August 21st

Rev. Scott Lovaas - Called as Interim Sr. Minister in Gorham & North Gorham, began July 2016 Jane Stegeman - Leave of Absence. She is a Commissioned Minister at Falmouth Congregational Church

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Deaths (2016) Rev. Ronald Mosely - January 28, 2016 Members in Discernment: Sara Bartlett, M. Div: Member of North Yarmouth UCC. Received as MID 8-28-13. Approved on June 5, 2016 by Ecclesiastical Council for Ordination upon receiving a Call to Ordained Ministry. Stephen Savage. Member of Standish Congregational Church. Entering third year at Andover Newton. Received as a MID 8-27-14.

Caroline Thomas. Member of Cumberland Congregational Church UCC. Entering third year at Boston University School of Theology. Received as a MID 3-25-15.

Ordination Anniversaries: (These are listed in five year increments beginning with the longest ordained There is no listing when no one was ordained that year.) 60 + Years Rev. Philip Shearman 62 Yrs. Retired 55 Years Rev. Garvey MacLean Retired Rev. Raymond Williams Retired 50 Years Rev Rebecca Erb Retired Rev. Dr. William Gregory Retired 45 Years Rev. Dr. John McCall Retired Rev. Joanne Painter 40 Years Rev. Dr. Robert Morse Pastor of Visitation, First Congregational Church, South Portland 35 Years Rev. Linda Gard Pastor, First Congregational-Christian Church, New Gloucester Rev. Kent Allen Senior Pastor, First Parish Church, Yarmouth 30 Years Rev. Dr. Dana Reed Pastoral Counselor 20 Years Rev. Susan Gilpin Retired 15 Years Rev. Ezra Chapola Pastor, Stevens Avenue Congregational Church, Portland 10 Years Rev. Dr. Leslie Foley Pastor of Visitation, First Parish, Brunswick 5 Years Rev. Annette Mott Interim Pastor Rev. Kelli Whitman Pastor, Prides Corner Congregational Church, Westbrook   Respectfully submitted, HARRY L. MARSTERS II, Clerk

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Report of the Treasurer

Rev. Linda Gard August 21, 2016

I am pleased to report that the funds entrusted to our Association by its members have been received and put to use as directed by the Association itself at it’s Annual Meeting last Fall. While it has turned out we were somewhat rosy in our estimates of receipts from dues and the offerings (at installations, ordinations, and Association meetings) for the Scholarship Fund, we have been able to pay the Association’s expenses and make the donations we decided together to make, without dipping into our reserve operating funds. As we have fewer seminarians at this time, the Church and Ministry Committee proposed, and Executive Committee approved, making more significant scholarship grants this year from the Educational Scholarship Fund. Please note that the Actual vs. Budget (Budget Performance) and Statement of Financial Position which you have received in advance of this meeting are not year-end reports. When our fiscal year ends on September 30, the books will be presented for audit. Please convey my personal thanks to all your Administrators, Bookkeepers, Treasurers—everyone who has been responsible for fulfilling the financial side of our mutual covenant as the Cumberland Association of Churches and Ministers. For three years it has been my pleasure to serve as your Association Treasurer, of which perhaps the most rewarding part has been helping folks in the congregations navigate the whys and wherefores of the UCC. Fellowship Dues Collection The secondary, but most time-consuming, role of the Association Treasurer is to act as the billing and collection agency for both Association and Conference Fellowship Dues. This involves receiving churches’ membership data (March) from the national UCC via the Maine Conference, preparing and mailing statements for each of our congregations, posting receipts in both categories, and forwarding Conference Dues to the Conference. The first part of this process has been hampered in the last two years by the failure of almost half our 33 congregations to file data reports via the still-annoyingly-user-unfriendly online data hub. By long-standing policy, I must use the most recently submitted UCC data to prepare the statements, not your church’s current but unreported numbers. Please, even if they only wade into the data hub as far as the membership questions, make sure someone is reporting your church’s statistics each January/February. Information about this and other topics related to dues, along with the most current IRS mileage reimbursement rates, is posted on the Association website, cumberlandassoc.org. In the 2015-2016 fiscal year (October through September), our congregations have acknowledged 6,114 members, down 507 members from the previous year. So far during this fiscal year, $9,577 has been received for Association Dues ($1.65/member), and $81,600 for Conference Dues ($15.08/member). In order to keep our local and statewide ministries operating, the Association and Conference requests that all dues be paid on or near June 1 each year. Many of our congregations do honor this. Others are in the habit of creating their own payment plan, monthly or quarterly. Though this makes more work for church bookkeepers and the Association Treasurer, it can be accommodated if necessary. However, all 2015/16 Association Dues should be remitted by the end of our fiscal year, September 30. (The Maine Conference fiscal year ends December 31.) Perhaps it would be helpful to you to have a snapshot of the current membership reported by our congregations. Please refer to the chart (next page):

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Church Membership Chart

ASSOCIATION CONGREGATIONS MEMBERS

North Yarmouth, Congregational* 103

Auburn, High Street 156 Portland, State Street 190

Auburn, Sixth Street* 33 Portland Stevens Avenue Congr. 42

Auburn, West-United* 46 Portland, Williston-Immanuel* 150/2 Brunswick, First Parish Church 777 Portland, Woodfords 297 Casco, Village* 181 Raymond, Village Community 79 Cumberland Center, Congregational 387 Raymond, East Chapel* 25 Durham, First Congregational Church 27

Scarborough, Blue Point Congr. 44

Falmouth, Congregational 276 Scarborough, First Congregational 189

Falmouth, Foreside Community* 260 South Portland, First Congregational 566

Freeport, First* 36 Standish, Congregational* 99 South Freeport Church UCC* 202 Westbrook, Highland Lake* 58 Gorham First Parish* 507 Westbrook, Pride's Corner 117 Gorham, North, UCC* 26 Westbrook-Warren Cong.* 205 Gray, First 88 Windham, No., Union 228 Minot Center, Congregational* 2 Windham Hill 208 New Gloucester, First Congregational 169

Yarmouth, First Parish Congregational 416

*not reporting via UCC data hub in 2016

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Notes on the Proposed Budget for 2016-2017 (see document) • No increase in Association Fellowship Dues. $1.65/member. (FYI…We/you won’t know the Conference Dues

rate until January, as, unless a raise or decrease is voted upon at the Conference Annual Meeting, the rate fluctuates by federal cost of living data.)

• Receipts from Association Fellowship Dues will be roughly the same as this year. Though this is debatable, there is at present a proposed “cushion” of Net Income (the bottom line).

• While we usually aim for offerings for the Scholarship Fund to equal the amount we transfer to the Scholarship Fund (Educational Scholarships in the Donations to Ministries part of the budget), it may be reasonable to anticipate less income from ordinations, installations and Association meetings in 2016-2017. It would be nice to be wrong!

• We have combined some redundant lines in the formation of the proposed budget. Expenses for Association meetings, any special programs, and any retreat that might be planned will come from Line 15, eliminating lines 14 and 21. As we have one Clerk for the Association as a whole and for the Church and Ministry Committee, expenses for postage, supplies, and copies are shared Association expenses, and line 23 has been discontinued.

Respectfully submitted, Rev. Linda K. Gard, Treasurer (pastor@ngucc.org)                    

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Cumberland Association - UCC

         

1:42 PM

Statement of Financial Position        

8/21/16

As of August 21, 2016          

Cash Basis

     

         

 

Aug 21, 16

 Aug 21, 15

   

% Change

ASSETS

Current Assets

Checking/Savings

0020 · TD Bank Checking 4,862.75

5,744.96

-15.36%

0040 · TD Bank Savings 7975 2,070.71

2,069.88

0.04%

0120 · CD expires 8/27/16 5,075.15

5,070.07

0.1%

Total Checking/Savings 12,008.61

12,884.91

-6.8%

Total Current Assets 12,008.61

12,884.91

-6.8%

TOTAL ASSETS

12,008.61

12,884.91

-6.8%

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

Liabilities

Current Liabilities

Other Current Liabilities

Educational Scholarship Fund 4,805.51

6,805.51

-29.39%

Honduras Fund 0.00

896.97

-100.0%

Reserve for NE Women's Conf. 300.00

200.00

50.0%

Total Other Current Liabilities 5,105.51

7,902.48

-35.39%

Total Current Liabilities 5,105.51

7,902.48

-35.39%

Total Liabilities 5,105.51

7,902.48

-35.39%

Equity

Retained Earnings (General Fund 2,162.14

2,162.14

0.0%

32000 · Unrestricted Net Assets 2,503.78

0.00

100.0%

Net Income 2,237.18

2,820.29

-20.68%

Total Equity

6,903.10

4,982.43

38.55%

TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 12,008.61

12,884.91

-6.8%

       

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Cumberland Association - UCC  

1:34 PM

Actual vs. Budget (Budget Performance) 08/21/2016

October 1, 2015 - August 21, 2016  

Cash Basis

Oct 1, '15 - Aug 21, 16 Annual Budget

Ordinary Income/Expense

Income

Association Dues 9,576.53 10,595.00

Conference Dues 81,600.55 0.00

Dividends & Interest 4.97 10.00

Scholarship/Education Fund 2,888.79 3,000.00

Total Income 94,070.84 13,605.00

Gross Profit

94,070.84 13,605.00

Expense

Association Expenses

Association Mileage 12.04 400.00

Equipment & Software 305.49 325.00

Meeting and Program 0.00 500.00

Postage, Supplies & Copies 256.02 200.00

Stipend Assn. Clerk 1,950.00 2,600.00

Total Association Expenses 2,523.55 4,025.00

Church & Ministry Expense

Boundary Training Workshop 0.00 100.00

Conferences & Retreats 0.00 200.00

MID Testing/Luncheon 54.38 1,000.00

Ordination Gifts 259.56

Postage, Supplies + Copies 118.37 150.00

Stipend, C&M Chair 527.25 703.00

Total Church & Ministry Expense 959.56 2,153.00

Conference Expense

Dues remitted to Conference 81,600.55 0.00

Total Conference Expense 81,600.55 0.00

Donations to Ministries

Andover Newton Theo Seminary 1,500.00 1,500.00

Chaplaincy Support Fund - MMC 1,000.00 1,000.00

Cong'l Library and Archives 150.00 150.00

Educational Scholarship Fund 3,000.00 3,000.00

Grace-Street Ministries 500.00 500.00

Maine School of Ministry 500.00 500.00

NE Women's Celeb. Schol. Fund 100.00 100.00

Total Donations to Ministries 6,750.00 6,750.00

Total Expense 91,833.66 12,928.00

Net Ordinary Income 2,237.18 677.00

Net Income

2,237.18 677.00

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Proposed Budget 2016/17

1 2015/2016 2015/2016 2016/17

2 BUDGET estimated Proposed Budget

3 year-end

4 INCOME 5 Association Dues 10595 10000 10000 6 Scholarship/Education Fund 3000 2889 2500 7 Interest (Savings/CD) 10 6 6 8 Total Income 13605 12895 12506

9 EXPENSE 10 Association Expense: 11 Mileage Reimbursement 400 12 100 12 Stipend Assn. Clerk 2600 2600 2600 13 Equipment/Software 325 305 350 14 Meeting & Program (see 15) 500 0 15 Meetings/Programs/Retreats 700 16 Postage, Supplies & Copies 200 256 300 17 Total Association Expense 4025 3173 4050 18 Church & Ministry Expense: 19 Boundary Training Workshops 100 0 100 20 Stipend for C&M Chair 703 703 703 21 Conferences & Retreats(see 15) 200 0 22 MID Testing/MID Day Luncheon 1000 54 1000 23 Postage, Supplies, Copies(see 16) 150 120 24 Ordination Gifts 260 100 25 Total C&M Expense 2153 1137 1903 26 Donations to Ministries: 27 Andover Newton Theo School 1500 1500 1000 28 Chaplaincy Support Fund-MMC 1000 1000 1000 29 Educational Scholarships 3000 3000 3000 30 Grace Street Ministries 500 500 500 31 Congreg'l Library/Archives 150 150 150 32 Maine School of Ministry 500 500 500 33 NE Women's Celebration 0 0 0 34 NE Women's Cel. Schol. Fund 100 100 100 35 Total Donations to Ministries 6750 6750 6250 36 Total Expense 12928 11060 12103

37 Net Income(Loss) 677 1835 403

NOTES:

Line 5--Per capita dues rate: $1.65, as in two prior years

Line 11--Available to volunteers @ statutory $.14/mile; request through chair of event, meeting, or Treasurer

Line 19--Boundary Training is now done state-wide; this will provide support when Cumberland hosts.

Line 33--only budgeted in the year of a Celebration

Line 34--a small amount to be saved up for use in the year of a Celebration

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NOMINATING REPORT

Association Officers All Officers are members of the Executive Council Name Position Term

Ends Term Eligible to Reelect

(Vacant Clergy)

Moderator (2016 - 2018)

2018 N/A No 1 (3-YR TERM)

Sue Stevens (L) (South Portland)

Vice Moderator (2016-2018)

2018 N/A No 1 (3-YR TERM)

Harry Marsters II (Stevens Ave, Portland)

Clerk 2019 2nd No

Rev. Linda Gard (New Gloucester)

Treasurer 2019 2nd No

Dot Grosset (Yarmouth)

At Large

Rev. Garvey MacLean (South Portland)

At Large

Rev. Stephen Gray (Brunswick)

Chair: C&M 2019 2nd No

Anne Hodgman (Auburn High Street)

Gen Synod Representative

Church and Ministry Even number of lay (L) and clergy members if possible

Class of 2017 Term Class of 2018 Term Class of 2019 Term Rev Dr. Leslie Foley

(New Gloucester) 1st Vacant (Lay) 2nd Kathy Whittier (L)

(North Yarmouth) 2nd

Susan Lowell (L) (Blue Point Scarborough)

1st Rev. Annette Mott (Brunswick)

2nd Rev. Fred Gagnon (First Congo Scarborough)

2nd

Rev. Diane Bennekamper (Cumberland Center)

1st Hal D’Amico (L) (1st Parish Gorham)

1st Rev. Peter Foss (So. Portland)

2nd

Rev. Peter Heinrichs (Williston-Immanuel)

1st Rev. Geoff Parker (Brunswick)

2nd Vacant (Lay) 1st

Representatives to the Maine Conference (Awaiting further guidance from MeUCC) All representatives are members of the Executive Council

Name Position Term ends Term Eligible to Reelect Rev Stephen Carnahan

(Auburn High St.) OPEN 2019 2nd No

Rev. Marcia Charles (Blue Point Scarborough)

Implementation Team

2019 2nd No

Nominating Committee Name Position Term Ends Term Eligible to Reelect

(Vacant) Chair 2019

1st Yes

Rev. Edward DeLong (Westbrook-Warren)

Member 2018

1st Yes

(Vacant)

Member

Conference Deacons

Deacon - Circle Churches Sue Stevens - 6 Scarborough, Blue Point Scarborough, State Street (Vacant) - 7 North Windham, Standish, Windham Hill, Raymond Community, Raymond East, Casco,

North Gorham Tom Hancock - 8 Auburn High Street, Auburn Sixth Street, Auburn West, New Gloucester, Gray Karl Andersen - 9 1st Gorham, Highland Lake, Pride’s Corner, Westbrook -Warren Judene Dyer - 11 Cumberland, Falmouth First. Falmouth Foreside, North Yarmouth Almira Nappi 12 First, South Portland, Stevens Avenue, Williston-Immanuel, Woodfords (Vacant) - 13 Durham, Freeport 1st, South Freeport, 1st Yarmouth Anne Roundy -14 Brunswick, Bath, Phippsburg, Woolwich, Day’s Ferry (Joint with Mid-Coast Assoc.)

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Mission Implementation Team Report

Rev. Marcia Charles

We are nearly two years into the three year “experiment” with the Moving Forward Together (MFT) Strategic Plan, passed at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference. There are four guiding pillars of the MFT plan: 1) building relationships throughout the Conference, 2) strengthen mission & ministry, 3) help Conference staff be more accessible, and 4) communicate to all. The Mission Implementation Team has been working in partnership with the Mission Council to assist the Conference – in all its settings – live into this new model of governance, mission and ministry. The Conference Deacons are in place in all but a couple of the church “circles” of our association. In consultation with each other and with Deb Blood, our Conference Minister, the role of the CDs continues to be assessed, defined, and tweaked. We thank all those who have stepped forward to serve the circles of our association. A major change in the life of the Maine Conference has been the discontinuation of the three Commissions; however, the work of ministry and mission continues through the efforts of the many Resource Teams: Anti-Racism, Clergy Communities of Practice, Communications Resource Team, Earthcare and Spirituality, Faith Formation, Honduras Partnership, Maine School of Ministry, Musicians Resource Team, Outdoor Ministries, Pilgrim Lodge Advisory Team, Resourcing the Local Church, Small Church Convocation Team, and State Youth Council. For a full description of each of these RTs, please go to the Maine Conference website. While the Conference has moved away from a representative model of governance, Association reps are still needed on a number of Conference boards. The Moving Forward Together document states:

Our Associations continue to be the glue that keeps our covenant relationships across the United Church of Christ moving and working together.

In the United Church of Christ the Association is the place where authorization for ministry resides. It is also the setting of the Church by which all local churches initiate and maintain their membership in the United Church of Christ. Associations, therefore, are vital to this or any other model for governance and staffing in the United Church of Christ.

1. Particular responsibilities of the current nine associations of the Maine Conference in this Networking/Community Model of governance include:

a. the choice and Affirmation of the Ministries of the Conference Deacons; b. choosing representatives to serve on the Conference Nominating and Personnel

Administrative Resource Teams; c. choosing representatives to serve on the Conference-wide Planning Events and their

congregations to participate in them; d. Associations may develop their own Resource Teams, as well. e. Traditional tasks of collecting Association and Conference Fellowship Dues and carrying on the

vital work of the Church & Ministry Committee continue.

Communication continues to be a major challenge with the new model of governance. Without association representation on the primary working boards of the Conference, there is no natural flow of information. Mission Council is aware of this challenge and the concern being voiced by the churches and associations.

I believe the Maine Conference entered into this new vision and model with the belief that God is doing a “new thing” in the life of our churches, associations and the Conference leadership as we engage in mission and ministry in this twenty-first century. We all know that in this rapidly changing world, it is necessary for our churches and our Conference to “keep pace.” Change does not come without some losses and challenges… even some resistance. I hope we can all remain open to seeing the movement of the Spirit as we move forward together.

 Respectfully, Rev. Marcia Charles

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Conference Deacons

Sue Stevens  

The Conference Deacons for Cumberland Association have been active this year , building relationships among our churches, our members, our Associations and the Conference. Each Conference Deacon is connected to a circle of 3-5 churches that they visit regularly, participate in special events, encourage relationships among the churches, serve as a resource when needed, and provide a connection between the church and the Maine Conference. Conference Deacons in Cumberland Association are Karl Anderson working with the churches in Westbrook and Gorham, Judene Dyer serving churches in Falmouth, Cumberland and North Yarmouth, Tom Hancock the Deacon for churches in Auburn, Gray and New Gloucester, Almira Nappi working with the churches in Portland, Sue Stevens serving churches in Scarborough and South Portland, and Anne Roundy, the Deacon for the churches in Bath, Brunswick, and Phippsburg. We have two church circles available for a new Conference Deacon - one serving churches in Freeport, Durham and Yarmouth, and one circle which includes the churches of the Presumpscot Union Parish (Windham, Raymond, Casco and Standish). If this is a ministry that you would like to participate in please contact Sue Stevens, Kelli Whitman or Harry Marsters for more information. Respectfully, Sue Stevens

         

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MEMBER CHURCHES OF THE CUMBERLAND ASSOCIATION, UCC 22 August 2016 AUBURN High Street Congregational Church UCC 106 Pleasant Street Auburn, ME 04210 784-1306 Website: www.highstreet-ucc.org Email: office@highstreet-ucc.org Pastor: Rev. Stephen Carnahan AUBURN Sixth Street Congregational UCC 100 Sixth Street Auburn, ME 04210 782-7517 Pastor: Rev. Joe Dressler AUBURN West Auburn Congregational UCC P.O. Box 3126 / 811 West Auburn Road Auburn, ME 04212-3126 Pastor: BRUNSWICK First Parish Church UCC 9 Cleaveland Street Brunswick, ME 04011 729-7331 www.firstparish.net Senior Pastor: Rev. Mary Baard Associate Pastor: Rev. Geoff Parker CASCO Casco Village Church UCC P.O. Box 367 / 941 Meadow Road Casco, ME 04015-0367 627-4282 www.cascovillageucc.org Pastor: Rev. Joyce Long CUMBERLAND Congregational Church in Cumberland UCC P.O. Box 247 / 282 Main Street Cumberland, ME 04021 829-3419 Email: office@cumberlanducc.org Website: www.cumberlanducc.org Senior Pastor: Rev. Diane Bennekamper Assistant Pastor: Rev. Judith Braun DURHAM First Congregational Church UCC 773 Royalsborough Road Durham, ME 04222 353-9040 Pastor: Rev. Peter Mercer (Stated Supply) FALMOUTH Falmouth Congregational Church UCC 267 Falmouth Road Falmouth, ME 04105 781-3413 www.falmouthcongregationalchurch.org Pastor: Rev. Michael Richards FALMOUTH Foreside Community Church UCC 340 Foreside Road Falmouth, ME 04105 781-5880 www.foresidechurch.org Pastor: Rev. Janet Dorman Please send corrections to pastor@ngucc.org. Thank you!

FREEPORT First Parish Church Cong'l UCC 40 Main Street Freeport, ME 04032-1211 865-6022 www.freeportucc.org Pastor: (supply) GORHAM First Parish Congregational UCC One Church Street Gorham, ME 04038 839-6751 admin@firstparishgorham.org www.firstparishgorham.org Senior Pastor: Rev. Scott Lovaas (Interim) Assoc. Pastor: Rev. Tamara Torres McGovern GORHAM United Church of Christ at North Gorham 4 Standish Neck Road Gorham, ME 04038 892-5363 uccngorham@gwi.net Senior Pastor: Rev. Scott Lovaas (Interim) Associate Pastor: Rev. Tamara Torres McGovern GRAY First Congregational Church UCC Mail to: P.O. Box 155 Gray, ME 04039 Church Location: 11 Yarmouth Road Parish Building Location: 5 Brown Street 657-4279 www.grayfirst.org Email: grayfirst@securespeed.us Pastor: Rev. Dr. Richard Hyde MINOT Minot Center Congregational Church, UCC c/o Helen E. Clifford 134 Garfield Road Minot, ME 04258 NEW GLOUCESTER First Congregational-Christian Church UCC P.O. Box 114 19 Gloucester Hill Road New Gloucester, ME 04260 926-3260 www.ngucc.org Email: office@ngucc.org Email: pastor@ngucc.org Pastor: Rev. Linda K. Gard NORTH YARMOUTH First Congregational Church UCC 3 Gray Road North Yarmouth, ME 04097 829-3644 www.nyccucc.com Pastor: Rev. Nancy J. White PORTLAND State Street Church UCC 159 State Street Portland, ME 04101 774-6396 www.statestreetchurch.org Email: office@statestreetchurch.org Pastor: Rev. Jeanette A. Good, Ph.D.

  21  

PORTLAND Stevens Avenue Congregational Church UCC 790 Stevens Avenue Portland, ME 04103 797-4573 saccucc@gmail.com http://saccucc.blogspot.com Pastor: Rev. Ezra Chapola, Ph.D. PORTLAND Williston-Immanuel United Church (UCC-ABC) 156 High Street Portland, ME 04102 775-2301 www.williston-immanuel-church.org Pastor: Rev. Deborah Davis-Johnson Pastoral Intern: Mr. Jeremy Young PORTLAND Woodfords Congregational Church UCC 202 Woodford Street Portland, ME 04103 774-8243 Email: info@woodfordschurch.org www.woodfordschurch.org Pastor: Rev. Carolyn Lambert Assistant Pastor: Rev. James Fletcher RAYMOND Raymond Village Community Church UCC P.O. Box 285 27 Main Street Raymond, ME 04071 655-7749 Email: office@rvccme.org www.rvccme.org Pastor: Rev. Nancy Foran RAYMOND East Raymond Chapel UCC 394 Webbs Mill Road Raymond, ME 04072 (July/Aug mailing only) 655-2652 Pastor: Rev. Joyce Long SCARBOROUGH Blue Point Congregational Church UCC P.O. Box 2055 236 Pine Point Road Scarborough, ME 04074 883-6540 info@bluepointchurch.org www.bluepointchurch.org Pastor: Rev. Marcia Charles SCARBOROUGH First Congregational Church Location: 167 Black Point Road Mail: 161 Black Point Road Scarborough, Maine 04074 883-2342 Email: FCCScar@maine.rr.com www.fccscarborough.com Pastor: Rev. Fred Gagnon SOUTH FREEPORT South Freeport Church UCC P.O. Box 46 South Freeport, ME 04078 865-4012 Email: southfreeportchurch@gmail.com www.southfreeportchurch.com Pastor: Rev. Dr. David Bowling

SOUTH PORTLAND First Congregational Church UCC 301 Cottage Road South Portland, ME 04106 799-3361 Email: office@fccucc.org www.fccucc.org Senior Pastor: Rev. Cindy Maddox STANDISH Standish Congregational UCC P.O. Box 68 25 Oak Hill Road Standish, ME 04084 642-3386 www.standishcc.org Pastor: Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bland Biggar WESTBROOK Pride's Corner Congregational UCC 235 Pride Street Westbrook, ME 04092 797-4636 Email: churchadmin@pridescornerchurch.org www.pridescornerchurch.org Pastor: Rev. Kelli Whitman WESTBROOK Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church UCC 810 Main Street Westbrook, ME 04092 854-9157 Email: office@westbrookwarren.org www.westbrookwarren.org Pastor: Rev. Dr. Edward DeLong WESTBROOK Highland Lake Congregational Church UCC 1303 Bridgton Road Westbrook, ME 04092 854-1403 Pastor: Rev. Dr. Anita White WINDHAM North Windham Union Church UCC 723 Roosevelt Trail Windham, ME 04062 892-6142 Email: joannwuc@roadrunner.com http://www.northwindhamunionchurch.org Pastor: Rev. Debra Girard Email: pastordebbie-nwucc@roadrunner.com WINDHAM Windham Hill United Church of Christ 140 Windham Center Road Windham, ME 04062 892-4217 Email: windhamhillucc@roadrunner.com www.windhamhillucc.org Pastor: Rev. Sally Colegrove YARMOUTH First Parish Congregational UCC 116 Main Street Yarmouth, ME 04096 846-3773 Email: fpcc@firstparishyarmouth.org www.firstparishyarmouth.org Pastor: Rev. Kent Allen Associate Pastor: Rev. Kate Dalton

Please send corrections to pastor@ngucc.org. Thank you!