United Methodist Church, Brunswick
320 Church Road, Brunswick, ME 04011 phone 207.725.2185
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July 31, 2010



I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together..... (from Hymn: We Are the Church; words by Richard K. Avery and Donald S. Marsh, 1972)

Partner Committees in Ministry to our Church

Read through these listings.  Let the pastor know where you feel you will be of best service. He will help you to find your way to the right committee where you can plug right in. Yes, we are the church, together. We are the "wheels within the wheel, and the big wheel runs by the Grace of God" (-adapted from an old spiritual: Ezekiel Saw the Wheel)! Can you be part of more than one committee?  Of course you can!  Go where God sends you! Tell the pastor about your interests.

Altar Guild -the committee that takes care of the church paraments (banners and flags), and their placement. They are responible for the visual presetation in the worship and fellowship areas of the church building, including the chalices and candelabras.  They publish periodic articles in the church newsletter reminding us of the meanings of the symbols and colors in the church seasonal calendar. Some of our parapets are made by past members.

Board of Trustees -this is more of a board of regulators than open committee.  Its divisions are: Financial; Administration; and Buildings and Grounds Maintenance. Please speak to the pastor for more information regarding the details of the Board of Trustees. 

Christmas Fair -This committee welcomes anyone who likes to tinker with crafts, cooking, and sewing.  They coordinate efforts that help our major fund raiser, The Christmas Fair, to be totally awesome each year. 

Education Committee -This committee guides the church famly in seeking growth and enlightenment through the study of God's word and the sharing of experiences.  The committee serves from the smalles child learning that "Jesus loves me" through adults who may be struggling with "love your enemy". The curriculum includes the Sunday School classes for ages 2 through adults, as well as special pagent events, and the aftrnoon Methodist Academy of studies led by Pastor Ed.

Finance Committee -Oversees the income and bill paying of the church.  This committee makes sure the budget gets balanced.

Lay Leadership -This is a committee of trained people who step in as speakers to the church community when and as needed.  They have permission to speak from the "pulpit".  The opportunities for ongoing training and growth in Lay Leadership are available.  Contact our pastor or Lay Leader Dorothy Young  for more information.

The Library -This is a club that keeps our church library the best in the state of Maine. Currently supervised by Paggy Weinzetl, the Church library has two divisions: Adults on the main floor, and Children's library on the lower level.  The Children's Library contains over 2,500 book, and the Adult Library contains  over 1,600 books. There is a rumor that our church has the largest church library in the New England Conference. It's worth a visit or two!

Loyalty Club -the committee of living historians of the church since 1930. The Loyalty Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month except July and August.  They hold fundraisers to purchase cards and post cards for sending to church shut ins.  They prepare holiday table decorations for the residents of the Stevens Home.  The Loyalty Club is open to all women of the church. 

Missions -The Missions Committee seeks to fulfill the Mission State of our Church in the world through thte support of projects and special programs held throughout the year.   This includes the supporting and hosting of Church World Service fund raisers card sales for Mothers Day and Fathers' Day and blanket sales sponsorships, SERVV International gift sale at the Christmas Fair, volunteer work/mission trips to the UNEM in Salem, ME; and active involvement with the Mid-coast Habitat for Humanity;providing support in financial, material, and volunteering with the Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention, Oasis Health Network, Camp Mechawana, and the Tedford Homeless Shelter;  raising money for the local food banks; maintaintin support for our international United Methodist Church Brunswick missions in Coyusne, Nicaragua and in Managua, Nicaragua.

Music Ministry- When it involves music, it is in the scope of this committee! The following are part of the music ministry.  While reading music is a plus, we train! So, come ready to sing from the heart. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings.  We get the best sounds when members attend both rehearsals.  Do you have an ear for music, a strong voice for singing? The ability to carry a tune is a must. Membership is open to whomever wants to get involved on any level. The music ministry also gives mini-concerts when requested, when they can.   See Shari Tarleton for more information.

  • The Covenant Choir -singers of traditional and contemporary style church music; voiced into the traditional soprano, alto, tenor, bass. 
  • In Good Faith Band musicians - THE band of musicians that brings us to rise to our feet in singing the contemporary Word. It is comprised of singers and instrumental artists on drums, guitar, keyboard, saxaphone, hand percussions of goard and tamborine so far..
  • The Jubilaires Hand Bell Choir -This is the group that makes hymns shine through a different dimension. Training is provided, so if you are not an expert, don't worry. You'll become one.

Nurture Committee:  This is the committee that works on ways to bring a sense of fellowship and belonging to all church members and visitors.  There is an old adage that goes something like this: Some people draw a circle to keep me out, but you drew a circle to include me in. Jesus has said that: What you have done to the least of these people you have also done unto me.

. The commitee sponsors opporutnities such as the Knitting Ministry of Shawls (Prayer Shawls..pray as you knit or crochet)-kids can learn to finger-crochet and knit, too; Postcards for November; the AGAPE CAFE  Pot Luck Brunches on 3rd Sundays in the church calendar year; and an Aulde Lange Syne Potluck on the 4th Sunday of December.

Future opportunities include electronic comminications in ministry with podcasting and youtubing videos of our church in action.  Stay tuned! This is a committiee that is on the move!

Public Suppers -They organize, staff, and prepare  giant fundraiser that continues September through June.  This includes baking casseroles and pies, waiting on tables, set up and clean up, cash box tending, and accounting. This is the committee that has the delicioius treats to serve the community of visitors and regulars visiting our church for supper.  Rumor has it we have the best variety menu in public suppers around the area.

Social Justice- This committee represents our church on social issues addressing injustices in the US and across the Globe.  In its works of advocacy for those in need, marginalized, overlooked, or unjustly treated the Social Justice Committee seeks to keep us informed and provides ways for people to respond with acts of mercy and justice.

Staff /Parish Relations-This committee is our Human Resources management that is responsible for hiring the paid staff of our church. They also make sure that our hired staff has appropriate accomodations in order to do their jobs at their best.  The Staff/Parish Relations committee receives its guidance from the Northeast UMC district offices, federal and state guidelines, as it  carries out the mission of the church to the best of its ability while following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

United Methodist Men- the men's club of the church.  Membership is open to the men of the church at all times. They discuss men's issues, and enact projects that require muscle, manpower and manhood in Christian service. All men of all ages of the church are welcome.  

United Methodist Women -the women's club of the church.  Membership is open to the women of the church at all times.  They discuss women's issues, projects that require a woman's perspective and womanhood power in Christian service. All women all ages of the church are welcome.


Partners in Ministry in Community Service

Respite Care:  A non-profit, volunteer based, adult day service, dedicated to providing supportive care to inviduals and families facing the disabilities of aging, which meets at UMC Brunswick.  For more information, check out their website at http://www.respite-care.org/ or contact Nancy Herk-Bott, Executive Director, at 207-729-8571 or via email at respitecare@suscom-maine.net .

Transitions...MidCoast Grieving Children's Program:  A program of Hospice of Maine, committed to offering a healing environment for children, teens, young adults, and families through peer support groups, outreach programs, and individual support.  It meets at UMC Brunswick on Monday evenings.  For more information, contact Margaret Pelletier, Executive Director, at 207-721-9702 or toll free at 888-486-0340.  Also see their website at http://www.hospicevolunteers.org/ .

Great Wall China Adoption:  Great Wall specializes in adoption from China.  They offer free workshops at UMC Brunswick on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 1:00-3:00 pm.  The workshops offer participants the opportunity to meet Maine reprsentatives, who are adoptive parents themselves, along with their children, and learn about the process.  For more information, contact Lori Crawford at lori.me@gwca.org or see their website at http://www.gwca.org/.

Alcoholics Anonymous:  Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.  The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.  There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.  AA is not allied with any sect denomination, politics, organization, or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes.  Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.  A weekly meeting takes place at UMC Brunswick on Thursday evenings at 5:30 pm.  For more information, contact George Koucoulas at 207-725-6314 or 207-504-7004.

Brunswick Area Interfaith Council (BAIC):  Comprised of representatives from area churches and synagogues, the BAIC meets monthly to work on interdenominational, interfaith, and social concerns in and around the communities of Brunswick, Bath, and Topsham.  For more information, contact Rev. Jeff Hunt, President, at revjeff@suscom-maine.net


Confused about where you want to fit in ?  Pray about it. Then click on this link to take a survey test of your strengths and talents. The link will take you to a different website. If you score highly in all areas or most areas, consider yourself a very well blessed Renaissance child of God. Either way, the survey test will help you to bloom where you are planted. God Bless!

http://www.eleventalents.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=2








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