Rev. Eleanor Collinsworth, President of the Board of Directors of the United Methodist Economic Ministry (UMEM), shares the following: 

“My little Salem seedling made it through the winter!”  

Recently, the photo above was shared by a pastor friend from Saratoga Springs, NY, on her Facebook page. The church she serves sends a mission team to UMEM’s Salem site each summer. Well, except for the summer of 2020 … The team from Saratoga Springs UMC was thankful to be able to return to Salem in August 2021, and Pastor Heather carried this tiny seedling home with her.

Pastor Heather’s “Salem seedling” weathered the changing seasons. So it serves as an inspiring symbol of how United Methodist Economic Ministries has weathered many a season! UMEM continues to serve the regions around Salem and Howland, ME, and not only weathering the storm of a global pandemic, but by emerging stronger for having survived.  

The staff (paid and volunteer) at the Salem site is eagerly and excitedly preparing to welcome six mission teams this summer. These mission teams will complete outside projects at the homes of UMEM clients, and will also be doing project work at the Salem Thrift Store/Food Pantry.  

As you are reading this, the first team, from New Hampshire, is or has been on-site (as of May 15, 2022)!  Teams from Indiana, Ohio, New York, and Massachusetts are booked already. The good news is that there is room for a few more teams, in late July/early August, and especially into September/October. Please contact Amanda at 207-678-2611 if you are interested.
 
The newest season UMEM must weather is now upon us, as we journey through the upcoming transition in the position of Executive Director. Our dearly devoted Executive Director, Rev. Michele St. Cyr, will be leaving us at the end of June, as she transitions into a full-time pastoral appointment at Orono (ME) UMC and Alton UMC.  

The search for UMEM’s next Executive Director is underway. In fact, a job posting can be found in the “CLASSIFIEDS” section of the weekly Conference e-newsletter, including contact information to learn more about the position and to express interest in applying. You are encouraged to share this rewarding vocational opportunity widely! A full job description can be found here.  

The UMEM Board of Directors humbly request your prayers that the person God has in mind for this role (layperson or clergyperson) will be discovered, and that a new and fruitful season might begin for UMEM and the communities/regions it serves.  

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth … For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building” [1 Corinthians 3:6, 9].