The Maine Council of Churches provides the following list of community events as a service to individuals and congregations in Maine that may be interested in participating.  Listing an event here is not intended as an
endorsement of the event and does not mean that the Council, except where specifically noted, is a cosponsor, organizer, underwriter or supporter of any event, organization, issue or cause referred to.

Through June 26 - MaineCare Workshops For Winter/Spring 2008
Various Locations - A project of Consumers for Affordable Health Care in collaboration with Maine Equal Justice Partners

This workshop will give you the tools to offer information and application assistance to individuals and families applying for MaineCare coverage. Updates will be provided on MaineCare, including: services covered, costs, eligibility guidelines, and the application process. This workshop will also provide a brief overview of DirigoChoice; Maine's prescription drug plans (the Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled [DEL] program and Maine Rx Plus); and other health care coverage programs.

If workshop attendees are interested in how MaineCare differs for seniors and the disabled, or how the Medicare Savings Program (Medicare Buy-In) works together with MaineCare, these topics can also be briefly covered in the training.

Workshop Locations and Dates: ( Exact location provided after registration.)

* May 15 - Wells - 12:30PM to 3:30PM
* May 29 - Machias - 10AM to 1PM
* June 5 - Ellsworth - 12:30PM to 3:30PM
* June 26 - Dover-Foxcroft - 9AM to 12PM

Why attend? There are thousands of children and adults who are eligible for but not enrolled in MaineCare full-benefit coverage plans. You can make a difference by helping these individuals, who are entitled to a range of benefits under these programs, get the health care coverage they need.

Presenters: Lisa Webber has a background in training and facilitation and serves as the Outreach and Education Coordinator at Consumers for Affordable Health Care. Janine Corbett has a background in social work and serves as the Training and Policy Specialist at Maine Equal Justice Partners. MCC is a member of both sponsoring organizations, Consumers for Affordable Health Care and Maine Equal Justice Partners.

Please email klathe@mainecahc.org to register for any of these sessions.

June 6-8, 2008 - OUR WHOLE LIVES (OWL) Sexuality Education Curriculum Leader Trainings
Bangor Theological Seminary 159 State Street, Portland, Maine 04101

For Grades 7-9/10-12 Register early.  Space is limited.  Registration closes April 15. More information on this attachment. For more information and registration form, please contact Professor Marvin M. Ellison, Bangor Theological Seminary,159 State Street, Portland, Maine 04101; mellison@bts.edu ; 207-774-5212, ext. 207

Sponsored by: Bangor Theological Seminary Maine Conference, United Church of Christ Northeast District, Unitarian Universalist Association (207) 774-5212

WEEKLY VIGIL TO END VIOLENCE IN DARFUR
Fridays, 1:00 to 2 p.m. at Post Office Park on the corner of Middle and Exchange Streets, Portland.

Sponsored by Amnesty International and Portland 's Darfur community. FMI: Wells Staley -Mays at wells369@hotmail.com

WEEKLY VIGIL AGAINST TORTURE & FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Wednesdays, 12:30 - 1 pm, Monument Square, Congress Street, Portland.

FMI: Elaine McGillicuddy, ElaineBeatrice@maine.rr.com .

Look Good Feel Better is a free program from the American Cancer Society that teaches beauty techniques to women cancer patients in active treatment to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. For Look Good Feel Better programs outside of the Portland area please call: 1-800-ACS (227)-2345.

LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER – GROUP SESSIONS - Trained volunteer cosmetologists teach women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss using cosmetics and skin care products donated by the cosmetic industry. Women also learn ways to disguise hair loss with wigs, scarves and other accessories. Group programs (free) are offered:

• Twice a month at the Cancer Community Center in South Portland , the 2nd Monday of the month, 1:00-3:00pm and the 4th Monday of the month, 5:30-7:30pm. To register, please call the Cancer Community Center at 774-2200.
• Once a month at the North Windham Union Church in Windham, the 4th Wednesday of the month, 6:00-8:00pm. To register, please call 207-373-3708 or 800-227-2345 .

Free wigs are also available - read this document for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities - Road to Recovery – Cumberland County

The American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery program offers transportation, free of charge, to those coping with cancer who do not have rides to their treatment appointments. Road to Recovery relies on volunteer drivers. We currently need drivers throughout the state but are in dire need in Cumberland County . Volunteers in this program must have a good driving record, attend a training session, have a reliable car and some time available Monday-Friday, 9am -5pm. Volunteers make their own schedule, some volunteer once a month, others like to drive up to twice a week. Drivers use their own cars to provide this service. The American Cancer Society offers gas cards based on miles driven and supplemental insurance above a drivers existing coverage. For more information about this program and/or volunteering please call 1-800-227-2345.

Our reading topics to this point have included Christian peace, social justice and ethics.

If you think you may be interested in such a group, please call for more details. Suzanne Robers: 781-3908 or Cecile DeRoche-Cain 797-4316.