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Massachusetts Conference Edition
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Annual Meeting Part 1 sets high expectations for Part 2by Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane, Editor August/September 2007
The June 22, 2007 meeting at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell, Connecticut preceded the UCC 26th General Synod and 50th Anniversary celebration. At that meeting, delegates elected officers and voted on income, expenses and the Fellowship Dues rate for 2008; the Minister and President gave his report to the Conference; the Board presented a proposal for new ways of using Conference resources to nurture church vitality and covenant; and over 500 people worshiped and broke bread together. But this Annual Meeting was not typical. The venue – a hotel – differed from the college campus of Mount Holyoke where past meetings have taken place. Red voting cards were the same, but attendees were seated at round tables instead of lines of chairs in an auditorium. This arrangement seemed conducive to conversation and fellowship – like a wedding celebration instead of a business meeting. Each table had their own bread and wine to be blessed and served by clergy seated at the table.
Moderator Bert Marshall led a spirited and many-times humorous meeting. The agenda was anchored by scripture and lively band music led by John Hamilton, pastor of the First Congregational Church UCC in Norwood. Attendees learned about the various programs and staff members via a video ‘movie’ – complete with bloopers and out-takes. Conference Minister and President Jim Antal gave his report - in the form of “The Epistle of II James” – in which he told delegates “you are the leader you've been waiting for.” Acknowledging the difficult times the Conference has faced recently, Antal said: “many of us have convinced ourselves that we’re on the Titanic, when we’re actually on the Mayflower.” (You can listen to or read Antal’s full report at www.macucc.org/annualmeeting/addresses.htm.) With little debate, delegates passed the $2.14 million budget proposed by the Board of Directors. The budget includes a $53,000 deficit, and delegates were urged to “rise to the challenge” of wiping out the deficit. Antal told delegates that the collection rate for the per-member Fellowship Dues voted by the Annual Meeting was 82 percent last year. “If all churches paid their Fellowship Dues we would have the staff and programs we love,” he said. Fellowship Dues were set at $16 per member (an increase of 50 cents) for 2008. Liz Garrigan-Byerly of Monterey UCC said that she had been to Annual Meeting twice, “but this one felt more spirit-like because of the marriage of business with worship.” Jean Sniffin of the First Congregational Church of Natick loved this year’s format. “There was a lot to hear, but it was easy to listen to with the humor that was injected.” That spirit-filled atmosphere is expected to continue during Part 2 of the Annual Meeting, which will take place Saturday, September 29, 2007, at the DCU Center in Worcester. Highlights of the Annual Meeting Part 2 will include a morning business session, a lunch and keynote address, 25 workshops, and worship including the installation of Jim Antal, Conference Minister and President. Registration for Part 2 of the 208th Annual Meeting is required even if one attended Part 1 or General Synod. (Registration forms are available online through the MACUCC website as well as in hard copy through the mail to local churches.) There is a registration fee of $50 for Part 2 of the meeting (in addition to any registration fee paid for Part 1). Continental breakfast and luncheon buffet are included. All of the advance materials are available on the Massachusetts Conference website at www.macucc.org. For more information or to register, contact Jane Clarke, Conference Registrar, Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM at the Framingham office by calling 508-875-5233 or by email at clarkej@macucc.org. Online registration is available at www.macucc.org/annualmeeting/registration-part2.cfm.
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As already reported, the Massachusetts Conference 208th Annual Meeting has been divided into two parts: Part 1 took place in June and Part 2 will take place in September.