Greater Community

(Items are listed for up to 3 weeks)

Dear Friends of the Christian Community in Maine:

Our annual observance of Michaelmas will commence with the arrival of the Reverend Julia Polter on Friday, October 15. She will be in Maine through Saturday, October, 16. The following events are scheduled during her visit:

On Friday, October 15, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., there will be Religious Instruction for Children, conducted by Reverend Polter.

 On Friday, October 15, at 7:00 p.m., there will be a presentation by Reverend Polter on "The Sacraments for the Dying: Yes to the Body and Yes to Dying." A discussion will follow, and then at 8:30 p.m., there will be a short Close of Day Service.

On Saturday, October 16, from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m., a Service for Children will be held, for children ages seven through fourteen.

Parents and adults are also encouraged to attend, lending their support to the children participating in this service.

At 9:30 a.m., The Act of Consecration of Man will be held. All who are nine years or older are welcome at this service. For child care during the service, please call Shelly Elmer at 207-450-3962 to make arrangements.

At 10:30 a.m., there will be a refreshment break. If you are able, please contribute a potluck dish for all of us to enjoy.

At 11:00 a.m., the conference will continue with a workshop conducted by Jonitha Hasse and Ann-Elizabeth Barnes entitled "Bringing After-Death Care Back Home –– How Families Can Care for Their Own."

The conference will last until 3:00 p.m. and will comprehensively cover the practical aspects of caring for a loved one after their death at home prior to burial or cremation. For a more detailed look at what the conference will cover, please see our website:http://mainechristaincommunity.org . For those who are able we are asking a contribution of $25 to cover the costs of this extended conference; however, all who wish to attend may do so. Please contribute if you are able.

• Julia will be available for consultations on Friday, October 15, in the afternoon. Please call her to make an appointment at 617-522-2972.
• Julia will be staying with Barbara Guffin, who has again generously provided her home for lodging. We continue to thank Barbara for her dedicated support of our community.
• Please contribute to The Christian Community of Boston, of which we are a branch, and also to our own local fund. Thank you for any support you can give. As usual, a small selection of books will be available at the conference for purchase.
• For anyone interested in reading homilies written by The Christian Community priests, there is a website available: www.thechristiancommunity.org

All events will be held at Cordelia Lane's New Elm Farm, 27 Lambert Rd., Freeport, Maine 04032. Telephone 207-865-4019.

Directions: From Route 295 heading north, take exit 20, turn right at the end of the exit ramp. From Route 295 heading south, take exit 20, turn left at the end of the exit ramp. At the first traffic light, turn right onto U.S. Route 1 south. Follow this to the "Big Indian" on the left (you can't miss it !),and turn left onto South Freeport Rd.

Take the second right onto Lambert Rd. Proceed about a half mile and watch for the black mailbox #27 on the left and a sign for New Elm Farm. Follow the driveway (bearing right) down to the house. Parking is available at the end of the driveway. The entrance is by an outer staircase on the left side of the building. (Please be aware that the mailbox numbers are out of sequence.)

Upcoming dates:

• Lay services at New Elm Farm will be held at 10:15 on the following

Sundays: November 14, December 12, February 13, March 13, and April 10.

• Conferences on January 28–29 and June 1–4 (Ascension Day, June 2) in 2011.

Please see our newly established website at www.mainechristiancommunity.org for a complete look at our purposes and activities here in Maine. Please call Pat Chanterelle (207-846-0587), Stephen Hopkins (207-846-3785), Sarah Hyde (207-865-0770), or Kristin Ramsden (207-829-8451) with any questions.