2019
Julia Sleeper-Whiting
Julia Sleeper is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Tree Street Youth Center. Born and raised in Bangor area, she initially moved to Lewiston as an undergraduate at Bates College. During her time as a student, she began connecting to the Downtown Lewiston community youth through service learning opportunities afforded to her as a Psychology and Education major. Over the past 10 years, Julia has continued to build on the relationships formed as an undergrad, seeking to provide valuable programming to at-risk youth in Lewiston-Auburn. After completing her Masters in Leadership and Organizational Studies at USM-LAC, she began the present-day Tree Street Youth Center.
2019
Rev. Char Corbett
MEUCC Partnering to Rebuild Puerto Rico
Rev. Char Corbett is Pastor of Second Congregational Church in Newcastle, UCC. Char was Co-coordinator for the 2019 Puerto Rico trip. She has coordinated dozens of multi-generational service trips over the last three decades and has a deep passion for active and justice-oriented care in the world. She lives in Bremen, ME with her husband Jim, daughter Katie and their cohort of cats and dogs.
2019
Stephen R Carnahan
Stephen R Carnahan has been serving churches in the Maine Conference since 1998, and in the UCC since 1984. He is currently the pastor at High Street Congregational in Auburn. Stephen’s ministry has focused on creative and relevant worship, community connection, and outreach to the marginalized. A strong believer in the power of stories and of humor, he is emceeing this 4th story telling event.
2019
Joshua Brobst
Joshua Brobst is a junior at Baxter Academy in Portland, where he is a leader in the school’s science Olympiad and math teams. Josh has been attending church at the First Congregational church in North Yarmouth since before he was born, and has attended Pilgrim Lodge since he was in third grade. Josh is now a CIT (counselor in training), at PL and also volunteers at his local library. Josh lives in Auburn with his parents and little brother, Tristan. Josh loves Dungeons and Dragons, biking, reading, playing guitar, and hanging with friends. Josh also serves on the search committee for the settled PL director.
2019
Broad Reach Ministries
Broad Reach Ministries is a sailing retreat ministry that offers soul nurturing and inspirational retreats to energize teachers, preachers, pastors, disciples, seekers and the faithful serving the body of Christ.
AbbyLynn Haskell along with her husband Bob are both U.S. Coast Guard 50-tons Master’s License Captains with sailing and towing endorsements. They have owned and sailed Mistress since 2014. They consider it to be their calling and deep joy to be able to share their boat and these retreat sailing experiences with all who come aboard.
Website: Broad Reach Ministries
2019
Nathaniel Blanchard
Nathaniel Blanchard is a University of Maine undergraduate currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science. He has served as a Communications Intern for the Eastern Maine Development Corporation and worked as a Marketing Coordinator for Eastern Maine Community College. Most recently Nathaniel was the Waterfront Director at Pilgrim Lodge. Nathaniel also serves on the Holden Historical Society Board of Directors.
Nathaniel is a member of the Holden Congregational Church where he is the chair of the communications committee. He also is an Assistant Scoutmaster for the Dedham-Holden Boy Scout Troop #21. In his spare time, Nathaniel dedicates himself to helping others by creating and improving community connections across Maine.
Some of his duties as the Communications & Information Technology Coordinator include managing conference communications, administration of information technology systems such as conference databases and resource portals, as well as the website, marketing, and public relations. Nathaniel also handles conference computer and mobile device systems, networking, data, and security. He also serves as the editor of the A.C.E. and other conference publications. We are very excited and happy to welcome Nathaniel and look forward to all of the amazing things that he will bring to and do for the Maine Conference!