Community Outreach
Welcome to the Orono United Methodist Church
We are located on the banks of the Stillwater River in Orono, Maine and have served the Orono community since 1829.
36 Oak Street, Orono, ME. 04473
Down East Maine Missions
Brief History of the Program
The Down East United Methodist churches responded to a question posed
at a church council meeting. “Why am I always hearing Spanish when buying groceries”? They decided it was time to know more about
this growing population in Washington County. They discovered the best-kept secret – 9,000 Spanish speaking migrant workers.
In this
discovery process, we heard challenging stories about discrimination, the living conditions and also work arrangements. We prepared
as best we could and continued to pray. We decided it was necessary to ask our United Methodist brothers and sisters to help us with
this important ministry.
The NEC churches responded well and with everyone working together thousands of migrant workers were supported
with basic needs and material aid. Hundreds of migrant workers attended worship service, received bibles in their own language, attended
literacy classes and even some basic math. Blankets and other material aid was given as well.
Migrant Workers experienced the love
of Jesus Christ through the hands of United Methodist from all over New England and from our Nicaraguan Covenant Brothers.
Who
are Migrant Workers
Between 9,000 and 12,000 migrant and seasonal workers gather in Washington County to harvest the crops. Many arrive mid July and some stay until the end of December. Some are local and live in this economically challenged area. They rake blueberries, harvest cranberries, pick and bag pinecones, collect evergreen brush, and decorate and pack wreaths in the
local factories. They arrive as families starting from the grandparents in their 70’s down to the newborn that entered the world
early. Some arrive as work teams, organizing themselves for hire with as many as 8 in a car or 20 in a van. They take turns
sitting on the seats and the floor. They arrive with a few dollars in their pocket. They split the cost of gas and send everything
else back home for the family.
For its second year a group from Orono United Methodist Church participated in a week-long mission
week to Down East Maine Missions in August 2007. The group participated in Neighbors Helping Neighbors and placed wood sheathing
around a family’s home to help keep out the winter cold. Members of the group helped out at the Raker Center, which is a thrift
store for the migrant workers. It was a wonderful time had by all.
For more information on Down East Maine Missions contact Pastor
Betty Palmer at pastorbetty@verizon.net. www.jacksonvilleumchurch.com
Down East Maine Missions
P.O. Box 286
East Machias,ME 04630
207-952-0413
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