Rev. Jill Saxby, Executive Director - On November 1, 2005, Rev. Jill Saxby joined the Maine Council of Churches, as Executive Director of the non-profit ecumenical organization headquartered in Portland.

The Maine Council of Churches is a working partnership among Maine’s Roman Catholic and Protestant communities. As a voice and a resource for congregations and persons of faith, the Council seeks to build a culture of justice, compassion and peace rooted in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. The Council’s advocacy work and educational programs focus on economic, restorative and environmental justice. As Executive Director of the Maine Council of Churches, Rev. Saxby will direct the work of the Council in these areas and serve as the primary liaison with community groups, local and government officials, the media, and national organizations with whom the Council works on a wide range of projects and programs.

A Unitarian Universalist minister and formerly an attorney, Rev. Saxby brings to the Council a varied background of experience and skills that lend themselves well to the social justice concerns of the Maine Council of Churches. Most recently, Rev. Saxby served for three years as Associate Minister of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in South Portland, Maine, having received dual fellowship from the Cumberland Association of the United Church of Christ. Prior to that, she served as Associate Minister for six years at The First Parish, Unitarian Universalist in Portland and as the first minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Belfast, Maine. She is a graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1995), The Washington College of Law at the American University (J.D., 1985) and James Madison College, Michigan State University (B.A., International Relations, 1982).

In each of her positions in ministry, in addition to the usual duties of parish ministry such as preaching and pastoral care, Rev. Saxby has focused on helping individuals to discover their own gifts for ministry and to organize for effective action. She has initiated new programs in these churches in social justice action, adult faith enrichment, small covenant groups, membership development, lay pastoral ministry and youth ministry. In addition, Rev. Saxby has been a long-time participant in ecumenical and interfaith social justice groups in Maine including the Maine Council of Churches and the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination. She has served as Adjunct Faculty at Bangor Theological Seminary, where she has taught Unitarian Universalist Policy and History. She has served on several local and regional committees within the Unitarian Universalist denomination, including the New England Regional Committee on Credentialing which oversees students working toward ordination. Click HERE to read entire article.

Rev. Saxby can be reached by email at jsaxby@mainecouncilofchurches.org

Doug Cruger, Associate Director of the Council, began work with us in May, 1998. He is responsible for directing the Council’s development work and oversees finances. He brings to the position over nine years of experience in finance and development. Prior to joining the Council, Doug served as port chaplain and branch manager for Seafarer’s Friend, which is a branch of Boston Seaman’s Friend Society. Doug’s career includes serving as a social worker for Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, directing program development for the New England Baptist Council, and working as an independent living specialist at Carleton House in Portland.

Doug can be reached at the office at 772-1918. By email at dcruger@mainecouncilofchurches.org

Eric C. Smith, Congregational Outreach Coordinator - In May 1997, Eric C. Smith joined the staff of the Maine Council of Churches as Congregational Outreach Coordinator. Eric travels throughout Maine bringing the work of the Maine Council of Churches to individual congregations, assisting churches with their own mission and focusing on how the Council can help congregations work together on social justice issues.

Eric is a lifelong member of the First Parish Church UCC in Freeport and for four years was Assistant Minister to Children, Youth and Mission with the First Parish Church UCC in Gorham. Prior to joining the Council, Eric's portfolio included working with the Gorham Ecumenical Mission on environmental issues such as global warming and events for the Gorham Ecumenical Food Pantry, including three Annual Around-the-Clock Food Drives. He has served on the national staff of the United Church of Christ and as a UCC delegate to the ecumenical dialogues of both the Consultation of Church Union and Churches Uniting in Christ. Eric has also served on the National Council of Churches' Youth Adult Ministry Team, working to develop and share young adult ministry models across denominations. Smith has studied at both the University of Southern Maine and Chicago Theological Seminary.

Eric C. Smith can be reached at the Maine Council of Churches office (772-1918) and by email at esmith@mainecouncilofchurches.org

Jon Stanley is the Director of the Council's Restorative Justice Center of Maine. A practicing lawyer, Jon Stanley opened his law practice in Cape Elizabeth in 1996, focusing on Criminal Law, Digital Legal Issues, Health Law, Personal Injury and Product Liability Litigation. Specializing in criminal and internet law, in particular, Stanley brings with him a wide range of experience and a particular commitment to working with the restorative justice model. He represented the State of Maine in the Attorney General's case against the tobacco industry and was the lead internet legal researcher with the law offices of Smith and Elliot Smith & Garmey, Norman Hanson & Detroy, and Verrill & Dana.

Stanley states that his varied experiences and professional skills have led him to become a "dedicated believer in the notion of restorative justice…this belief, combined with my ability as a vigorous advocate, will allow me to effectively convey to the wider community why it should expand the role of restorative justice in the system."

He has also served as in-house legal counsel for the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees and was employed as Program Developer and Senior Counselor with Day One/People's Regional Opportunity Program.

Jon Stanley can be reached at 799-6852; his email is mjstanl@maine.rr.com

Anne D. Burt is the director of our environmental program. For the past two years Andy has led our Interfaith Climate Change Initiative, working to engage Maine faith communities and others in the movement to reduce global warming and climate change. She has been instrumental in gaining the support of our congressional delegation, particularly that of Senators Snowe and Collins, who have commented positively on our efforts in the environmental arena. Andy has organized environmental gatherings both on a grassroots and on a statewide level, as well as serving on a national environmental committee. She frequently leads workshops, discussion groups and speaks to organizations about climate change, earth stewardship and about how congregations can become "green." She holds a degree from Vassar and enjoys living "off the grid," incorporating environmental preservation into her family lifestyle and home.

Andy can be reached at the office at 882-6848. By email at adburt@gwi.net

Sandi Buzzell was hired in October, 1999 as our Administrative Assistant. Sandi has an extensive background working in non-profit agencies. She worked for ten years at the Blind Children’s Learning Center, a preschool for blind and visually impaired children in southern California where she was honored with an award. She has also worked for Catholic Charities of Maine and for the Training Resource Center in Portland. Sandi’s extensive administrative background supports all areas of the Council’s work. She is a valuable member of our staff, expertly managing the daily operations of the Pleasant Avenue office. Additionally, she serves as events coordinator for the Council, organizing and planning monthly board meetings and events such as this Annual Assembly. Sandi serves as a member of the Parish Council at Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco.

Sandi can be reached at the office at 772-1918. By email at sbuzzell@mainecouncilofchurches.org

Dolores Vail coordinates the economic justice work of the Maine Council of Churches, with a particular emphasis on poverty and wage issues. A resident of Falmouth, she served as the Falmouth Town Council Chair from 1998 to 2002. For seven years she was the Coordinator of Volunteers for Community Health Services, where her role included public relations/communications functions relating to volunteer programs and events. She served as past president of the League of Women Voters, was chair of the People’s Regional Opportunity Program and chair of the finance commitee for York Cumberland Housing. In her position with the Council, Dolores is working to educate the public about economic justice issues through vehicles such as public speaking and networking, through paricipating in conferences and through her presence at local and Maine legislative meetings.

Dolores can be reached at the office at 772-1918 or by email at dvail@mainecouncilofchurches.org