Mission and Outreach Team

Meeting Minutes of September 2, 2010
Recorder: Laurie Cary

Members present: Sarah Randall, Sandy Dyer, Laurie Cary, Kristen Silvia, Jan Bosse, Maureen Clancy and Associate Minister Elsa Peters.
Members absent: Mike Kasputes, Richard Parker and Kendra Palmer.

Kendra Palmer met with Laurie Cary prior to the meeting to resign from the Team as she has found new employment out of the Portland area and will not be able to attend the meetings. She will be able to lead the Thanksgiving Day Baskets project this year, however. We’re sorry to lose her on the Team but wish her well in her new job.

Meeting begins: 7:10 p.m. with Sarah leading the meeting.

Sandy Dyer led the opening reading with a prayer on the spirit of giving by William Sloan Coffin.

Roundtable introductions were made followed by sharing of special times during the summer.

Homecoming Sunday is September 19, 2010. Mission Outreach had decided in the spring that we would not have a booth this year, and would instead volunteer a couple of Sundays to serve coffee hour and share our projects with other parishioners and invite their involvement.

Treasurer’s Report: None as Mike Kasputes is absent due to illness.

Minister’s Moment: In recognition of Labor Day, Elsa invited Christopher Teret from the Southern Maine Labor Council to speak as part of her sermon on September 5th.

Gretchen Reynolds is trying to line up a Micah Project for the month of October. Our Youth Group will be going to Pilgrim Lodge on Saturday October 30th to help with the end-of-summer clean up.

A Mission Trip is scheduled for July 24–July 30, 2011 to Downeast Maine to work with the Maine Seacoast Mission. There is not fee for lodging or food, except a request for money for supplies. Elsa hopes to have at least ten volunteers for painting and other work depending on the skill level of the volunteers.

The following Thank You notes were received since the last meeting:
• South Portland Cape Elizabeth Emergency Food Pantry
• Gwen Moore – Children of China fund
• The Center for Grieving Children
• Andover Newton Theological School
• Protestant Hospital Ministry
• United Church Christ – Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund
• Shalom House
• Serenity House
• Oxfam of America
• Preble Street

Special Offerings: Neighbors in Need will be received on Sunday, October 3rd. Laurie is preparing the articles for the Beacon and will contact Betty Deschenes with the date to place the envelopes in the pews.

Mission Sunday: will be held Sunday, February 13, 2011. Several themes were discussed; a decision will be made at the October meeting, along with a planning schedule.

Sarah Randall re: Holy Joe’s Café – this program provides UCC Exchange coffee to our troops in the Middle East. Discuss further at October meeting.

Quarterly Disbursements: $500.00 each for a total of $3,500.00 to the following Maine non-profits:
• Union Theological Seminary
• Preble Street Lighthouse Shelter
• Day One
• Equality Maine
• Habitat for Humanity
• Iris Network
• Pilgrim Lodge

Jan Bosse volunteered to check on Maine State Prison Pastoral Fund, a Maine Special Support that we have not allocated funds to in several years.

Long Creek Birthday Cakes: Maureen states that she has been approached by Long Creek contact Emmy Brown. Ms. Brown is trying to determine how many churches donate birthday cakes to Long Creek to be sure all cottages receive one. Our cake goes to Spruce House, which is a boy’s cottage.

Sandy closed the meeting with a rereading of William Sloan Coffin’s prayer.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.