Mission and Outreach

Meeting Minutes of February 4, 2010

Present: Laurie Cary, Mike Kasputes, Maureen Clancy, Sandy Dyer.

Opening Reading: Sandy read from Life Tides “Kaleidoscope”. A selection which drew our attention as being a part of the whole, and trusting in the unity of the whole.

January Minutes were accepted as written.

Treasurer’s Report: No financial report was available. However, the new Fund Raising Form process developed by the Council was discussed, including the asking of donations as being part of that process. Laurie reviewed the Haiti disaster relief efforts, which included a contribution to the UCC of $1500. In addition there are opportunities through One Great Hour of Sharing plus an advance of $500 to Konbit Sante designated to earthquake relief. An open discussion of some of the challenges occurring in Haiti concluded the report.

Minister’s Moments: Elsa Peters - Elsa focused on some of her involvement in the greater community:

• What’s our vision as a community? This question arose from Pastor Parish Relations. The Council has created a group to discover a definition of our Vision. To articulate what we are and where we are going. This relates to the Mission Outreach Team. The initial time frame is for a draft in the next 3 to 6 months, but the process is open ended.

• The November marriage vote continues to draw attention. There is work being done in the secular area (Equality Maine) as well as in some religious groups. These include the Progressive Clergy of Portland which John and Elsa attend. Some of the focus is on the teaching of marriage inclusion as we have done here at Meetinghouse Hill FCC.

• She engaged in the employee protest at the Front Room over workers rights. Rock Maine a labor organizing group is coordinating efforts. Elsa had an opinion carried on the editorial page of the January 29, 2010 edition of the Portland Press.

Old Business:

• The next Micah Project is set for the 6th of March. Laurie, Maureen, and Sandy will call to find 12 volunteers. Maureen will get a request for volunteers in the next Beacon. The location for the Habitat for Humanity project is still unknown. We will be departing the church at 8:30. If we have more than 12 volunteers, we’ll attempt to set-up another Habitat project date. Volunteers will need to bring lunch, snacks, and water.

• Coffee hours went well on the 10th and 17th of January. Fair Trade Coffee orders were strong during the coffee hours. Delivery will be around the 14th of February. Sign-ups for projects included the Reynolds, Herb and Evie Strom, and a new Children’s Closet volunteer. The Food Pantry needs volunteers this winter. The pantry is an on demand system where the volunteer of the day is called in to fill a bag (3 meals for 2 days for the family size). The team feels that the coffee hour hosting was beneficial and should be done again next year.

• The Children’s Closet (9 to 11 a.m. first and third Wed. and Sat. of each month) came up with new rules to curb the impulsive over taking of clothes offered. They are working to implement the new rules. They may not need to replace Jen since the team is dividing up responsibilities. They could still use more volunteers and donations.

• The Dafur information is tabled for this month.

Other Discussion:

• Wayside Soup Kitchen: Laurie received a letter on transitioning over into the Preble Street program for volunteers. Wayside is also looking to create a mobile food pantry.

• The Florence house, a facility for both permanent and temporary women, located at the base of Maine Med – on or near Valley Street will need volunteers. Micah may help on a one time project at the Florence house. They will need servers on a regular basis. That request will be passed onto Karen Mooney of the Soup Kitchen committee here at FCC.

• Maureen shared her experience and knowledge of Amistad at St. Dom’s on State Street. This is a restaurant luncheon program focused toward work experience and social interaction for people with a mental disability. The program participants serve the public. Should we support Amistad?

• The South Portland Cape Elizabeth Emergency Food Pantry would like a food collection done later in the spring. A potential for the next food drive is May or June.

• The Azande group, connected with World Vision with a program operating in Sudan for refugees, delivers school supplies in that region of the world. Should we consider this for a donation in March? For more information: www.azandeorganization.org

• Laurie will pull together an article for the Beacon regarding the One Great Hour of Sharing on 3/21/10. This is a UCC offering that goes to international charity.

• Should we invite representatives of the groups we support during the year to attend some of our mission meetings? This would be an opportunity for each group to update the committee on their current programs and needs.

Thank-you Notes Received:

• The South Portland Cape Elizabeth Emergency Food Pantry, in thanks for the Maine Special Support and Mission Mall. Including the cash donation of December 2009, and the Holly Daze Bizarre.

• Opportunity Farm for the cash donation.

• Animal Refuge League in thanks for the Mission Mall.

• Long Creek Youth Center in thanks for the Christmas Giving Tree presents.


Closing Reading: Sandy read from Life Tides - “let us dance in the flame that we see”.

Recorder: Mike Kasputes


Next Meeting: March 4th.
Opening/Closing Prayer: Richard Parker
Recorder: Sandy Dyer