Associations and Committees on Ministry
Associations and Committees on Ministry (CoMs) embody covenantal relationships across the United Church of Christ (UCC), ministering in collaboration with local churches, the Maine Conference, and the national setting. There are seven Associations in the Maine Conference, each with over 20 congregations, and seven CoMs.
Associations are a group of congregations and church leaders who work together on Authorized Ministry and live in connection to support each other’s ministry. The work of Associations mostly includes licensing, ordination, and pastoral oversight of licensed, commissioned, and ordained ministers.
On behalf of and through their respective Associations and Conferences, CoMs have a relationship with Local Churches, Members in Discernment, all those who seek or hold ministerial standing, every other CoM in the Maine Conference, the national setting of the UCC, and the Church Universal. In this role, the overarching ministry of a CoM is the mindfulness of the Church’s well-being and the discernment of the movement of the Holy Spirit in authorizing ministers on behalf of the UCC. This is as explained in the UCC Manual on Ministry.
On this page you can learn more about each of our Associations and CoMs, connect with their leaders, and explore resources related to Authorized Ministry.
Cumberland Association and Committee on Ministry
Association Moderator: Rev. Diane Bennekamper
Association Vice-Moderator: John Terison
Association Clerk: Rev. Kelli Whitman
Association Treasurer: Deb DeLong
Committee on Ministry Chair: Rev. Marcia Charles
Chair Nominating Committee: Rev. Linda Gard
Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!
Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.
Find the Cumberland Association on Facebook and view their website!
Katahdin Association and Committee on Ministry
Association Moderator: Rev. Gary Bagley
Association Vice-Moderator: Cindy Freeman
Association Clerk: Rev. Bruce Burnham
Association Treasurer:
Committee on Ministry Chairs: Rev. Bruce Burnham, Rev. Susan Burgess, & Stacey George
Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!
Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.
Find the Katahdin Association on Facebook!
Living Water Association and Committee on Ministry
Association Moderator: Chris Magri
Association Treasurer:
Committee on Ministry Chairs: Rev. Marraine Kettell & Rev. Kim Shrader
Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!
Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.
Midcoast Association and Committee on Ministry
Association Moderator: Rev. Anne Roundy
Association Vice-Moderator: Rev Oscar Wallace
Association Clerk: Claudia Hatch
Association Treasurer: Rev Pam Kittridge
Committee on Ministry Chair: Rev. Bill Bliss & Linda Wallace
Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!
Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.
Oxford-Union Association and Committee on Ministry
Association Moderator: Cindy Christie
Association Vice-Moderator: Barb Hammond
Association Clerk: Jane Chander
Association Treasurer: Franklin Anderson
Committee on Ministry Chair: Rev. Tim LeConey & Leslie Chatfield
Chair Nominating Committee: Jane Chander
Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!
Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.
Sunrise Association and Committee on Ministry
Association Moderator: Rev. Joe F. Cistone
Association Vice-Moderator: Jack Lacey
Association Treasurer: Roger Haynes
Committee on Ministry Chairs: Andi Lloyd & Lisa Durkee
Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!
Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.
Resources from the Sunrise Association:
- Details of the Sunrise Association Officers
- Sunrise Association UCC Scholarship Application
- Sunrise Association Directory
- Sunrise Association Bylaws
Find the Sunrise Association on Facebook!
York Association and Committee on Ministry
Association Moderator: Jeff Pelkey
Association Vice-Moderator: Beth St. John
Association Clerk: Rev. Linda Hirst
Association Treasurer: Daniel Moisan
Committee on Ministry Chair: Rev. Beth Hoffman
Chair Nominating Committee: Phil Drew
Next Association Annual Meeting: Details coming soon!
Each Association Committee on Ministry meets monthly. The chairpersons of our Association Committees on Ministry also meet monthly for mutual learning and support.
Find the York Association on Facebook!
Resources for Authorized Ministry
Explore resources from the National Setting of the UCC to learn more about the process and best practices for becoming an Authorized Minister and ways to learn more about UCC history and polity.