The Kennebec Valley Organization is working to raise funds for its work. The goal is $8000 by January 15. Can you help? An ad book will be prepared in time for the January Convention. Eunice Spooner and Rev. David have information about the ad book and donations. (Others from our congregation have been involved in various roles over the last five years.)

Your support has made possible improvements in working conditions and benefits for direct care workers, leadership training in member groups, the Mid Maine Time Bank (which is now independent), mental health training for first responders, e.g. Waterville police. Work continues in the issue areas of jobs and health care. In general terms, KVO works for jus-tice on issues of local concern.

This fall KVO has begun another round of listening campaigns, Community Conversations, in order to identify possible new issues for KVO to research and take action on. Tammy Trask, an MSW student interning with KVO, has met with our Mission Committee and with a number of our members as a part of this listening. Already, we are hearing transportation emerge as a potential issue.

KVO is a local community organization with ten member groups, including our congregation. Support has also come from the Maine Conference and the national UCC. While much of the financial support of KVO comes through founda-tion grants, the founda-tions like to see indica-tions of local support. So your small contributions get multiplied many times as they make possible larger grants.