District Executive/Minister

The Rev. Mary Higgins, District Executive

The Rev. Mary Higgins

Responsibilities of the District Executive include:

• leadership development
  
• working with local congregations to improve their organizational functioning
  
• promoting the growth of local congregations in both members and programs
  
• strengthening the District and sub-District organizations
  
• supporting the ministers within the District and seminary students from and within the District
  
• promoting the extension and the development of new congregations within the District
  
• serving as a link between the District, our local congregations, and the UUA staff
  
• bringing resources of the UUA into the District
• serving as a link to the Maine Council of Churches
  

The District Executive is also available for such ceremonial activities as ordinations, installations, building dedications, and anniversaries, and for the conduct of Sunday worship services, especially when these activities can be coordinated with the primary responsibilities described above.

The District Executive can provide workshops and counsel or recommend consultants for:

• Creating a congregational covenant
  
• Leadership development for your lay leadership, planning a board retreat, learning leadership styles
  
• Beginning a building project or seeking a loan from the UUA
  
• Financial planning, budgeting, fund raising, and canvasser training
  
• Assimilating new members
  
• Planning the church year
  
• Adult Education/Fund-raising/Social Activities workshops
  
• Long range or strategic planning; developing a vision and a mission
  
• Starting a new congregation
  
• Developing a worship committee
  
• Developing an effective Committee on Ministry, clarifying their work
  
• Congregational goal setting
  
• Conflict management or if you are experiencing conflict (the sooner the better)
  
• Dealing with disruptive behavior in the congregation
  
• Bylaws
  
• Governance
  
• Going through a ministerial transition
  
• Needing part-time ministerial help, pulpit supply, extension interns, ministerial interns, "Church-on-Loan"
  
• Small Group Ministry
  
• Managing a district or cluster conference