Minutes
208 th Annual Meeting of the
Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ
Hartford-Cromwell Crowne Plaza
Cromwell , CT

June 22, 2007

The Rev. Mr. Bert Marshall, Moderator, called the meeting to order at 9:31 AM on Friday, June 22, 2007. The Rev. Mr. John Hamilton led the gathering in song. Mr. Marshall welcomed delegates and visitors and spoke about the immanent General Synod. He clarified what business would be handled at this meeting and what would be covered at the second part of the Annual Meeting on September 29, 2007. The agenda for this meeting included election of nominees, reports from Minister and President Jim Antal and from the Board of Directors, a presentation and actions related to the Conference budget for 2008, and worship. At the September 29 meeting in Worcester , delegates will attend workshops, vote on the Board proposal regarding new ways to use Conference resources, vote on clergy compensation guidelines, discuss the proposed resolution on a Massachusetts Innocence Commission, and celebrate the installation of the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal as Minister and President of the Massachusetts Conference. The Rev. John Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, will be present for that meeting.

Mr. Marshall introduced members of the Annual Meeting worship leadership team: The Rev. Ms. Judy Brain, the Rev. Mr. Dan Smith, Ms. Sylvia Ferrell-Jones, and Mr. Hamilton, and stated that worship components would be woven throughout the plenary session.

Mr. Marshall introduced Ms. Sybil Smith , Vice-moderator; Mr. Richard Osterberg, Parliamentarian; Mr. Willie Sordillo , Recorder; and Bishop Ulises Muñoz of the Pentecostal Church of Chile. He also welcomed first-time delegates, and announced that 17 members of the national staff would be joining the meeting for lunch.

Mr. Marshall announced the appointment of the following persons to the Business Committee in accordance with the by-laws: Ms. Bonnie Fleming , Ms. Margery Eramo, Ms. Sue LaLone, the Rev. Ms. Linda Michel and Ms. Sybil Smith , who also serves as Vice-moderator and Chair of the Business Committee. Mr. Marshall noted that Ms.LaLone and Ms. Eramo were appointed as time keepers, and that Ms. Fleming, serving as Chair of the Credentials Committee, had appointed Ms. Mary Alice Stahleker and the Rev. Dr. Peter Wells to that committee.

Mr. Marshall reported that Ms. Fleming was not able to be present due to her husband’s illness. Therefore, the Rev. Ms. Linda Michel had been appointed by the Board of Directors as Assistant Secretary to act in her absence. Ms. Michel determined, and Mr. Marshall reported, the meeting registration statistics as follows:

Lay delegates: 247
MAUCC Clergy: 198
Commissioned & Licensed Ministers: 6
In-care students: 13
Board of Directors: 12
Commission and Committee Members: 18
Visitors: 64
National Setting staff: 19
Conference staff 16

Total: 574

Mr. Marshall declared that a quorum was present and the meeting was officially in session. He appointed the Rev. Mr. Dale Hempen and his committee to act as tellers and ushers for the meeting.

The worship leaders called the gathering to worship with prayer, song, and the passing of the peace of Christ.

Mr. Marshall introduced the consent calendar. There were no objections to the consent calendar as printed. It was moved and seconded that the consent calendar be adopted. There was no discussion. The motion carried.

Consent Calendar
07-AM-01
The 208 th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ adopts the Consent Calendar as presented on Goldenrod I (Appendix A.)

The Rev. Dr . Will Sencabaugh , Chair of the Board of Directors, was invited to present proposed amendments to the by-laws of the Massachusetts Conference. He moved that the by-laws be amended as stated on page 17 of the Advance Reports. The motion was seconded and followed by a clarifying statement from Dr. Sencabaugh. Following discussion, the motion passed.

By-law Change
07-AM-02
The 208 th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ amends Section 2 of Article IV of the By-laws of the Massachusetts Conference as presented (Appendix B.)

The Rev. Dr. Charles Close, Chair of the Nominating Committee was invited to the podium. He called delegates’ attention to the list of nominees on Pink I and moved that nominations be closed. The motion carried. The recorder was instructed by the moderator to cast a single ballot in favor of the slate. Those thereby elected to serve as delegates to the 26th General Synod of the United Church of Christ were asked to stand and be recognized.

Mr. Marshall invited the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal , Minister and President of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, to report to the plenary. Dr. Antal introduced his report by saying that, while the report of the Minister and President would usually be part of the business of the Conference, at this meeting it would be delivered as part of worship. He proceeded to address the Annual Meeting with an “Epistle of II James”, in keeping with Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. He called upon those present to “be the leaders you are waiting for”, and to see themselves as pilgrims aboard the Mayflower rather than travelers on the Titanic. He exhorted those present to trust that “although we may find ourselves occasionally off course, God will see us to land.”

Dr. Sencabaugh was invited back to the podium to present the report of the Board of Directors. He invited two Board members, the Rev. Dr. Steve Austin and Ms. Aida Bruns, to join him. Ms. Bruns introduced the Board’s proposal to transform the use of Conference resources, titled “ A Still More Excellent Way : Transforming our use of Massachusetts Conference Resources for Vitality and Covenant,” which had been made available to delegates and clergy prior to the meeting. The document proposes that the Conference will focus on adult faith formation, leadership development and prophetic witness. Dr. Austin spoke about increased communication between the Conference leadership and the Associations and churches, and talked about the Conference-wide Listening Process undertaken by the Board early in 2007.

Dr. Sencabaugh then preached a sermon illuminating the proposal. He told the story of Jethro and Moses as an allegory for the current situation of the Massachusetts Conference. Much as Moses needed to utilize the talent of the Israelites rather than act as the sole mediator between God and the people, the churches of the Conference need to encourage and develop the talents that exist throughout the membership rather than depending heavily on Conference staff to do the work of the wider church. The proposal seeks to unleash leadership and create bonds between churches with common strengths and concerns.

Dr. Sencabaugh invited discussion among delegates and visitors at their tables. He introduced four questions as a guide for this conversation. He asked that those present initiate similar discussion in their local church and Association contexts, and invited feedback via a worksheet made available at the meeting and through a questionnaire at the Conference web site, www.macucc.org. Dr. Sencabaugh stated that the Board is seeking comments in order that the proposal may be further strengthened before being presented for a vote at the September meeting. Ms. Brain then offered words from the apostle Paul to lead the gathering into conversation.

Mr. Marshall called the meeting back to order at 10:59 AM. Ms. Ferrell-Jones was invited to offer a scriptural introduction prior to consideration of the Conference budget. Rev. Marshall invited Mr. Richard Harter and the Rev. Mr. Curtis Preston to present the Board’s budget proposal. Mr. Harter introduced a video prepared by Mr. Andrew Gustafson , Associate Conference Minister for Stewardship and Financial Development, which highlighted the work accomplished by the churches of the Conference through their gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support and Fellowship Dues.

After remarks by Mr. Harter, Mr. Preston pointed out details of the proposed budget shown in the Advance Reports on pages 14 and 15, and spoke about two of the three votes proposed by the Board, which were listed on page 17. The first vote proposed to set the retention rate for Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support at 40% for 2008. The second would set 2008 Fellowship Dues at $16.00 per member reported at 12/31/07. Mr. Preston stated that this rate represents an increase of fifty cents per member over the 2007 Dues rate. Mr. Harter then returned to the microphone to speak about the third proposed vote, which called for a budget with operating revenues of $2,140,400, expenses of $2,195,100, a transfer of $41,000 from the Operating Budget Stabilization Fund, and a projected net operating deficit of $13,700.

Ms. Brain offered a scriptural reflection and Mr. Hamilton led the gathering in song.

The Rev. Ms. Katrina Wuensch was called to the podium to report on the hearing on the budget, for which she served as Moderator. She spoke about concerns related to the low rate of collection of Fellowship Dues, low utilization of the facilities at Warner Farm, and questions of clarification regarding the operating budget reserve fund. She also reported on a question about staff travel costs, which have increased as fewer staff must travel farther to serve churches statewide.

Mr. Preston then moved the proposal on the retention rate. It was seconded and discussed. The motion carried.

2008 OCWM
Retention Rate
07-AM-03
The 208 th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ determines that 40% of OCWM Basic Support received in 2008 shall be retained by the Conference.

Mr. Preston next moved the proposal on Fellowship Dues. It was seconded, discussed and voted as moved. The Rev. Ms. Wendy Vander Hart, from the floor, encouraged all churches to consider asking their members to pay their Fellowship Dues individually as an expression of their commitment to the wider church.

2008
Fellowship Dues
07-AM-04
The 208 th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ sets 2008 Fellowship Dues at $16.00 per church member as reported December 31, 2007.

Mr. Dick Harter moved the proposal related to income and expenses for 2008. It was seconded. There was no discussion. The motion carried.

2008 Budget
07-AM-05
The 208 th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ adopts a 2008 budget with income of $2,140,400, expenses of $2,195,100 and a transfer from the Operating Budget Stabilization Fund of $41,000.

Ms. Smith, Vice-moderator of the Conference and Chair of the Business Committee, announced that the business of the Annual Meeting had been completed, and reminded the gathering that further business will be taken up at the second part of Annual Meeting on September 29. She then called on Dr. Antal, who recognized outgoing Board members Ms. Maggie Adams, Mr. Marshall and Dr. Sencabaugh. He also welcomed Ms. Smith and the Rev. Mr. Tom McMillan as the new Moderator and Vice-Moderator.

Ms. Smith then called on Ms. Eramo, who thanked many people who had helped to plan and organized the Annual Meeting. These included Mr. Dodge, outgoing Co-Chair of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee; staff members Ms. Susan Dickerman and Ms. Dawn Hammond ; Annual Meeting Planning Committee members Ms. Shirley Montgomery, the Rev. Mr. Russ Chamberlain, Ms. Judith Stone, Ms. LaLone, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Smith and Ms. Jane Clark, Registrar. Ms. Smith made several announcements before closing the business portion of the meeting to move into a time of more focused worship. She asked Mr. Marshall to entertain a motion to adjourn until Saturday, September 29, 2007. The motion was made, seconded and passed. Ms. Smith declared the meeting adjourned.

Willie Sordillo
Recorder

Linda Michel
Assistant Secretary

Appendix A Consent Calendar

1. The 208 th Annual Meeting grants Honorary Delegate status, with voice but not vote, to the following persons: Bishop Ulises Muñoz of the Pentecostal Church of Chile, and Ms. Elena Huegel, Common Global Ministries Missionary to Chile .
2. The 208 th Annual Meeting adopts the Standing Rules as printed on pages 10 through 12 of the Advance Materials.
3. The 208 th Annual Meeting adopts the Order of Time and Events as printed on Goldenrod II.

Appendix B Amendment to the By-laws

The first sentence of Article IV, Section 2 of the By-laws of the Massachusetts Conference is amended to read:

The Annual Meeting of the Conference shall be held at such time during each year as the Board of Directors shall decide.

New second and third sentences are added to Section 2 as follows:

To the extent that the business of the Annual Meeting is not accomplished within the order of time and events as set forth in the Agenda of the Annual Meeting or the Agenda of any Extended Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors may decide to adjourn the Annual Meeting or any Extended Annual Meeting to reconvene at a later time, place, and date within such year as an Extended Annual Meeting to consider the remaining business of the adjourned Annual Meeting or the remaining business of any adjourned Extended Annual Meeting and any other business of the Conference properly before the meeting.  Any such Extended Annual Meeting shall be conducted under the same Standing Rules as the Annual Meeting, and any such Extended Annual Meeting shall comply with such notice provisions as apply to the Annual Meeting.