Dr. Steven Smith spent a couple of decades as a meteorologist for the NBC stations in Maine before entering seminary, gaining valuable experience in the field of communications and marketing. After graduating from Bangor Theological Seminary, Steve served United Methodist Churches in Downeast Maine, then was appointed to Orono United Methodist Church for ten years. During that time, he graduated from Duke University with a Doctor of Ministry in church leadership, with a specialization in communication. Steve is in his sixth year as senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Bangor, Maine, and is coordinating pastor at Corinth UMC. Steve also teaches communication courses at Husson University in Bangor.
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Introducing the 2025
Foundation Forum Educational Series!
YES!! Let’s Do This Together
Ministry Happens Through the Foundation’s Grant Program
February 26, 2025 at 12:30pm and February 27, 2025 at 7pm
- Why does the Grants Ministry exist? What is its purpose?
- Who can apply?
- Where do I begin the process? It’s not at the top of the application!
- What grants are available?
Presented by: Rev. Dr. David Abbott Director of Stewardship and Leadership Development
Getting Creative
Ideas to Inspire Generosity
March 19, 2025 at 12:30pm and March 20, 2025 at 7pm.
- Inspired by years in media and marketing, Dr. Steven Smith will share new and creative ideas for successful church stewardship.
- Learn how to engage church leadership teams and congregation members, drawing on their gifts of time, talents, and treasure to implement creative stewardship programs.
- Hear about how creative stewardship has inspired growth of both pledging units and loose change offerings and how you can do the same!
Looking for inspiration, tools, or guidance on a specific topic?
Check out our video library of resources. If you can't find what you're looking for, reach out, we're happy to help. (Or you may just inspire our next Foundation Forum!)
Your Ministry Partner.
For more than twenty-five years, the United Methodist Foundation of New England has served churches, agencies, clergy, and individuals within the New England Conference.
We strengthen the financial capacity of churches and agencies through stewardship services, planned giving resources, socially responsible investment management, loans, capital campaigns and grants.
We equip clergy to be more effective in serving Christ and the church through personal and life planning workshops, consultations, pastoral resources, and leadership development.
We encourage individuals to live and give as faithful trustees of God's generosity through stewardship services and gift planning.