Dream Team Meeting Summary

 Dream Team Meeting Summary

(Pastoral Transition & Cooperative Parish Planning)

 

Present: Sara and Rick Hill, Penny & Ross Gowen, Bonnie & Andy Anderson, Sally Sutton, Diane Ketchum, Puala Lilley, Jill Quint, Jack Forbush, Susan Laurence, Gabriel Grimm, Marion Collins, Pastor Craig, Pastor Mary, Pastor Joyce, and Pastor Victor

 

1. Opening & Introductions

• Meeting began with introductions (name, church, favorite food).
• Pastor Craig joined via Zoom from Kentucky.

 

2. Centering Devotion – Luke 5:1–11 (“Into the Deep”)

• Theme: Trusting Jesus beyond our experiences and feelings.
• Even when tired and discouraged, we respond: “Because you say so, I will.”
• Encouragement: Christ is the head of the church. And he knows what he is doing.

 

3. Sunday Worship Planning (Key Discussion)

• Current reality: Four churches, multiple service times, shared leadership.
• A single pastor covering all churches every Sunday is not sustainable.
• Suggested idea: “A/B rotation model”
• Pastor rotates between two “legs” of churches each week.
• Lay servants and retired clergy help lead other services.
• A: Mars Hill (9 am) & Houlton (11 am)
• B: Hodgdon (9 am) & Patten (10:30 am or 11 am)
• Be flexible—this is a starting point, not permanent.

 

4. July Transition Plan

• July 5:
• This will be Pastor Craig and his family’s first Sunday attending worship with us, though he will not be leading the service.
• Proposed: Combined 4-church worship at 10:00 AM at Houlton.
• Include welcome/transition elements for Pastor Craig.
• July 12:
• Begin A/B rotation model (initial trial phase for July).
• Pastor Craig begins regular preaching schedule.

 

5. Lay Leadership & Shared Resources

• Strong appreciation for lay servants and retired clergy.
• Need for:
• Greater coordination across churches
• Possible shared parish-wide lay ministry team
• Ongoing concern: consistency and sustainability.

 

6. Worship & Music  

·       Each church currently organizes worship in its own context.

o   Hodgdon, Houlton, and Mars Hill: Pastor and musicians work closely together.

o   Patten: Worship committee collaborates with the pastor.

·       There is strong musical leadership in most churches, with a need for additional support in Patten (Mary has graciously offered to help).

·       Possibility of sharing musical gifts across the parish.

 

7. Ministry Priorities Identified

Across the churches, key priorities include:

• Small Groups / Bible Study
• Children & Youth Ministry
• Together Tuesday (afterschool program, Houlton)
• Friday Kids Program (Patten)
• Backpack for Kids (non-perishable food delivery)
• Senior Ministry
• Senior Meals (delivery-based, strong community impact)
• Community Outreach
• Lend A Hand (Hodgdon)
• Food Pantry (Patten)
• Visitation Ministry
• Strong need, especially for homebound members
• May require a team-based parish approach

 

8. Pastor Craig’s Passions & Gifts

• Passion for Disaster Relief Ministry (ERT leadership and training, UMCOR)
• Strength in technology and livestreaming
• Commitment to support all existing ministries
• Visitation is an area he will work to grow with accountability

 

9. Support for Pastor Craig & Family

• Immediate need:
• Local emergency contact for children’s school (Houlton)
• Amanda Howe (Houlton Elementary Kindergarten teacher, Houlton UMC member): 207-538-6491, amanda.howe@rsu29.org
• Moving date:
• Arrival: June 24 (morning)
• Churches will help with:
• Unloading
• Basic groceries (“pounding”)
• Ongoing support:
• Help family adjust to local culture and community life
• Practical winter guidance (driving, weather readiness)

 

10. Communication & Administration

• Temporary plan for shared bulletin preparation (summer)
• Cliasta Bither will be our office administrator for summer months (June-Aug)
• Future consideration:
• Unified vs. church-specific bulletins

o   Currently, Hodgdon, Houlton, and Mars Hill share a common bulletin, while Patten prepares its own.