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Seeking Common Ground,
Working for the Common Good

 

19 Pleasant Avenue, Portland, ME  04103            207-772-1918 

News and Updates:

Looking Ahead to the Future of  Maine's Environment

The Maine Environmental Priorities Coalition, in which MCC is an active participant, has released a new 5-year vision of specific steps for Maine policymakers to take to create new jobs, protect our health, and preserve our environment.Read the full report, Investing In Maine's Environment: A Trail Map to Prosperity, online at                       http://www.protectmaine.org/ourfuture/report/

 Calling on our Senators  to Support Human Rights

During Torture Awareness Month in June we collected postcards to Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, asking them to support legislation ensure access to all U.S. detainees by the International Committee of the Red Cross. This access is provided by Executive Order of the President, but is not yet law and can be revoked at any time. We also collected over 100 additional signatures in our ongoing call for a nonpartisan Commission of Inquiry into abuses of detainees since 2001.

To learn more about our anti-torture campaign, including resources available for your congregation to study this issue, visit our anti-torture page.


Immigration Reform
MCC is a member of the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, working toward comprehensive reform of our immigration laws and policies. There are resources available from denomination and Maine organizations to help your congregation study, discuss, speak, and act on this issue.
Saturday, May 1, MCC joined nearly 600 others at the Maine March for Immigration Reform in Portland. Read the Bangor Daily News  coverage and watch video of the event.


A Covenant
for Civil Discourse

The Board of the Maine Council of Churches believes the fate of our democracy depends upon truthful and respectful interactions among us all, especially when we hold differing views.  To express this belief, we created and adopted a Covenant for Civil Discourse. MCC encourages and invites our member denominations, political leaders and others to endorse, share the Covenant and asks those who pledge to live by these principles to publicly express support by adding your name below.


Read and endorse the Covenant for Civil Discourse

Fishes and Loaves:
a study of the covenant between sea and land
This spring MCC worked with churches and communities along the Maine coast to study the changing realities of life in and on the water for fish and fishing families.

This new study program look at our sacred relationship with sea, how ocean ecosystems are affected by climate change and ocean acidification, and what local communities can do to support fisheries that are environmentally and economically sustainable. The first communities to use this resource are Kennebunk, Topsham, and Bar Harbor. Learn more about this program and how your church can participate.

Donate to MCC

About Maine Council of Churches:

Maine Council of Churches is an ecumenical community of nine denominations dedicated to the vision of a sustainable, just, and compassionate world.  We serve as a voice and a resource for Maine's congregations, people of faith, and other organizations that share our vision.


Resources:

Strategies for Economic Outreach:

Throughout 2009 MCC's Dolores Vail gathered clergy, outreach workers, church members, and volunteers in communities across Maine to hear what programs and strategies they are using to assist those in greatest need in their communities. Dolores has collected her findings into a summary of responses to the increasing needs. Read more...

Ending Torture for Good:

While immediate actions have been taken to stop torture and abuse of detainees by U.S. agencies, Americans still believe that torture is often or sometimes justified. MCC continues our work to build a moral consensus that torture is always wrong. the National Religious Campaign Against Torture has a new video resource for use in your congregation. Read more...

Environmental Health:
MCC Environmental Health Consultant Sally Chappell continues her presentations to churches and community groups about the very real dangers to our bodies and our children from chemicals in everyday household products. This presentation is both an education in prevention and a call to action for faith communities to protect the most vulnerable members of our families and communities. Read more...


Our Member Denominations:

Association of the New Jerusalem Church (Swedenborgian)

Episcopal Diocese of Maine

Maine Conference, United Church of Christ

New England Conference, United Methodist Church

New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

New England Yearly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends

Northern New England District, Unitarian Universalist Association

Northern New England Presbytery, Presbyterian Church ( USA)

Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland


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MaineShareColor_Logo_07_000.jpgWe are a proud member of MaineShare.   You can now donate to the Maine Council of Churches at your place of employment through the MaineShare Program. Find out more about MaineShare and how you can make a donation today!
 
 
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