Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-10-29
kennebec Association OF
Congregational Churches
Is Organized thursday Under
4 Nev Constitution.
Foriy.six DeIegates Present and
irefrsm Is Much Enjoyed.

Adopting new constitution where
~ ali the churches in the conference
art as one in general matters and the
giving up Of it's own organization and
becoming a part of the kennebec AS
ISOLATION were the two important mat
tiers Of business transacted at the Ken
rebec conference Of Congregational
churches and the meeting Of the MN
isters' Associa ton held Thursday at
the Congre gational church in TINS
city. There were present &c delegates
and visitors representing ~ clurches
in the conference.
The forenoon session was given over
to the report of the special committee
consisting of Rev. c. F. Stlmson OF
Waterville, Rev. Robert LaWton OF
South Gardiner and Rev. Langdon
Ouimby, D. D., of Gardiner, who
were named at the annual meeting of
the association held in Monmouth
lime II. 1903 on the new constitution.
Tho committee read the articles of
the new constitution separately and
thew were adopted and then the entire
constitution was adopted. This consti-
tuition as approved supersedes and an
association has been acting.
The most important change in the
constitution was that affecting a sin
gle organic body composed of all the
churches and ministers of the county
who shall in the future undertake a
definite and continuous work Where
as the churches have been called to-
gether occasionally they now become
single, united body existing under
a continuous and permanent organiza-
ton In all matters of local concern the
individual church retains its own lib
erty and autonomy but in all affairs
representing the common and collective
work the churches, acting through the
association, will act as single body
through system Of permanent Off
GERS and committees.
A second important change is that
hereafter the ministry, instead of ex-
listing in a separate organization of
their own, transferred it's membership
to the association and is to act with it.
The following are excerpts from the
new constitution adopted yesterday
giving the revised form:
Preamble.
The kennebec Association is a vol
untary organization of tho Congrega-
tional churches and ministers who
compose it. In it's relation to the
churches and ministers associated, it
disclaims all Legislative or judiciary
power over them. In all matters upon
which the association acts, it simply
gives advice. 1t is permanent council
of reference and supervision; and, as
such, exercises the same powers and
renders the same services. with regard
to the associated churches and minis
tiers, as the churches and ministers of
our order have generally heretofore
exercised through occasional councils
or committees. or through purely min
istcral organizations.
Object.
The object of this association shall
be to increase the unity and efficiency
of our Congregational churches and
ministers in their common religious
interests and throughout their atfiliat
ed missionary and philanthropc enter
prises
The association seeks growing
union OF the churches in carrying out
lleir conceive ana cOHliIiol Npih.
Recognizing that there are certain
tasks and spheres of work which be-
long to the churches as whole and
which can adequately be accomplished
only through their united action,
therefore. specific lines of service. in
harmony with the spirit and purpose
Of the association. are hereinafter out
lined and committed to the officers and
committees designated. thus indicat-
ing more definitely the practical func-
tons of the association:
officers.
The officers of this association shall
tt a moderator. Il vice moderator, and
register who shall serve as treasur-
err They shall be elected at the annual
meeting on the nomination of a spc-
clal nominating committee, (said COM
mttee to be chosen by nomination