Mission and Outreach Team

June 5, 2008

Present: Laurie Cary, Chair; Linda Skinner, Marilyn Andress, John McCall, Greg Wyman, Carol Scheffler, Jim Van Hoeven, Sandy Dyer, Sarah Randall, AnnElissa Leveque, Elsa Peters; Guest: Eben Marsh

Laurie opened the meeting at 7:00PM

Eben presented pictures & a talk describing his Honduras Mission Trip taken earlier this Spring. It was obvious that Eben felt the experience was extraordinary. The Team hopes that his presentation can be shared with more of the congregation, perhaps at a forum in the Fall following Worship.

Linda opened the formal meeting with a reading and prayer from the UCC Devotional website.

Laurie welcomed the new members, Sarah Randall and Sandy Dyer, and thanked out-going member Marilyn Andress for her service on the Team

Document Distribution:
Minutes of 05-01-08 Meeting (e-mailed earlier), Treasurer’s Report (additional copies will be e-mailed to members), updated service assignments and updated MOT membership list. 2008/2009 Recorder & Opening Prayer schedule is not yet ready. Linda will be recorder for our meeting in September.

Secretary’s Report:
Minutes approved as read.

Treasuer’s Report:
Linda reported disbursements for Elder Programs. From the Mission Fund, the contributions to Myanmar and $50.00 to Maine Council of Churches as acknowledgement of the talk by Anne Burt have been the only expenditures. The Easter Offering has been disbursed with the funds being split between the Salvation Army & Preble Street Resource Ctr. There is an additional $10.00 remaining from One Great Hour of Sharing which Cyndi will add to the check for Blanket Sunday.

Council Report for 05/16/08 Meeting Highlights:
- Council looking for a volunteer to maintain the church website
- Have had a significant number of people joining the church & expect another group to join next month
- Chancel project is on track to begin in June
- By-laws reflecting the new governance structure almost completed

Minister’s Moment:
- Elsa reported that she has a group of about 15 interested in participating in a Mission Trip. The group has chosen Humane Borders for its project. Humane Borders’ primary focus is to provide water to migrants dying of thirst as they cross the border into the U.S. In addition to hauling water, the group may do whatever they can to respond to the needs of the project. Elsa would like the Team to consider how this project can become part of the entire congregation’s ministry, not just the effort of a small group.
- Elsa (and John) encouraged everyone to complete the hymnal survey.
- Elsa has set up a blog where all group minutes will be posted at the end of the month. Go to http://meetinghousehillminutes.blogspot.com. Any minutes should still be sent to Barbara Stevens. You will find minutes archived as far back as April on the left of the opening page under “Labels”. Thank you, Elsa.

Old Business:

Fair Trade Coffee subgroup - Greg reported that the initial offering went well with the exception of three orders still waiting to be picked up. AnnElissa has called the 3 owners. As Greg is reluctant to continue to take up Cyndi’s office space, he will personally deliver the orders if not picked up by Sunday. Carol reported that Cyndi indicated that she has no problems with the coffee ordering/distribution process to date. Elsa remarked that co-op members have had inquiries from friends and neighbors about the coffee which will increase volume of coffee ordered & also might result in additional people coming to church! Next order dates are July 13th & 20th, with distribution occuring on the Sunday following order receipt from Bridgewater. Carol circulated a request for feedback from that will be given to co-op members on the next distribution date.

New Business:

Fort Kent As a result of the recent flooding, many of the residents of this area are experiencing hardships that are not being met, including the need for hygiene & personal care products. The Falmouth UCC church is acting as a collection site. Jodie Ramsey has volunteered to drive the collection to Ft. Kent on June 6th & has asked if we would be willing to contribute something toward the cost of gas. It was agreed to give Jodie $100.00 toward this expense. Jodie plans to go to Ft. Kent again in July. AnnElissa will post a list of the items needed on the Mission bulletin board. Jim suggested that something be put in the Beacon to not only alert the congregation to the needs of Ft. Kent but also to make folks aware of this personal ministry by Jodie.

China Earthquake – It was agreed to send $1000.00 through Church World Service to help the relief effort in China. A contribution of $1000.00 for the victims of the typhoon in Myanmar had already been agreed upon via e-mail.

Homecoming Sunday, September 7th. – Sandy & Sarah agreed to oversee the MOT table for Homecoming. Requests for tables must be submitted to the church office bu August 1st. Laurie will e-mail the request form to the sub-committee chairs. Fair Trade coffee will be available for purchase & ordering at the table & Eben Marsh will be asked if he could have his presentation available.

Mission Mall/Holly Daze Bazaar – Carol reported that the Mission Mall/Holly Daze Bazaar will be on November 22nd, with the Mall continuing on Sunday after worship.. The MM sub-committee met at 6:30 (prior to the MOT meeting) & agreed on inviting 9 charities to participate. They are: Wayside Soup Kitchen, Gary’s House, Ronald MacDonald House, Crisis Ministries, Food Pantry, Seeds of Peace, Animal Refuge League, Safe Passage, and Community Cancer Center. Over the summer, sub-committee members will issue invitations to participate to these charities. Our next meeting will be at 6:30 PM on October 2nd (prior to MOT meeting).

Food Pantry Drive – Since the pantry shelves were recently filled to overflowing, it was decided (via e-mail) to postpone the Food Drive scheduled for June. Instead it was agreed to hold a food drive in September , with bags being handed out on Homecoming Sunday, September 7th.

Since time was growing short, it was decided to postpone team breakout for budget & education /social action subcommittees until September. It was agreed to make the following direct service contributions:

Andover Newton Theological School - $ 750.00
Serenity House 750.00
Habitat for Humanity 750.00
Preble Street (The Lighthouse Shelter) 750.00
Day One 750.00
Protestant Hospital Ministry 750.00
TOTAL $ 4500.00

As a contribution had been made to the UCC Coalition in December of 2007, it was decided to postpone a contribution to them until later in the year.

Team Feedback:
Jim again expressed the need to make the congregation aware of the personal ministries/missions of individual members, such as Jodie and Eben to not only acknowledge individual efforts but also to encourage the rest of the congregation to become involved in mission efforts.

Recorder: Carol Scheffler

Next Meeting: Thursday, September 4th at 7PM.
Recorder: Linda Skinner