|
|
Rank: Administration
Joined: 2/18/2008
Posts: 2
Location: Meadville
|
Greetings! As you know, the UU Church of Meadville is dealing with a ministerial transition as our long-time minister, Rev. Kate Walker, plans her departure. Use this space to share your thoughts and feelings on this transition. What worries you? What are you excited about? How should the church move forward at this time? Given that it will take a minimum of 18 months to secure a new settled minister, what option do you favor for the interim (a part-time minister, consulting minister, lay-led ministry, professional interim minister, or...)?
Peace,
Mark
|
|
Rank: Member
Joined: 2/20/2008
Posts: 1
Location: Meadville, PA
|
I think it's incumbent upon us to choose a transitional minister for two years. This person will help guide us through the process of choosing a settled minister. See you all at the meeting on Sunday.
|
|
Rank: Member
Joined: 2/20/2008
Posts: 1
Location: Meadville
|
As I look at the financial projections from Vanessa I seriously wonder if we are putting the cart before the horse. Based on past performance I don't know where we will get the money to hire either an interim minister or a settled minister. While we were able to achieve a balanced budget for each of the two years that i was in charge of the pledge drive, there was absolutely no fat in the budget, and the endowment was the ultimate saviour each year. This past year was even tighter, even though we were getting Kate for a real bargain price compared to what the new minister (either interim or settled) will cost. (Past Board members might remember that Kate had always said during salary negotiations that we wouldn't be able to hire a new minister for what we were paying her. These figures certainly prove her to have been right.) Unless there are deep pockets that will magically open up with the advent of a new minister, or we have some hidden "sugar daddy" who will make up the shortfall, I don't think that we can seriously consider either option until we determine how we are going to be able to pay for it. I think that we might have to consider lay leadership for a while until we get our financial act together.
|
|
Rank: Member
Joined: 2/21/2008
Posts: 1
|
I can see both Christian and Mike's points of view. The big looming unknown is:
*can the church survive without some sort of minister??
The church is more than just Sunday services. Pastoral care, as well as a presence/voice within the Meadville community are areas that "filling the pulpit" simply does not address. We can, and have in the past, muddled through periods of ministerial absence, but these were always relatively short and we knew when the END would be.
I am in favor of an interim minister. BUT... I am at a loss as to how to pay him/her. I cannot conjure cash from thin air.
No easy answers...
Rebecca
|
|
Rank: Administration
Joined: 2/14/2008
Posts: 5
Location: Oil City, PA
|
1. I don’t think we should approve starting a search for a Settled Minister at Sunday’s meeting. I feel we need some time for review and consideration of where we’ve come from over the last 10 years and when we want to be in another 5 – 10 years. Forming a search committee for a Settled Minister, at this time, seems to be a continuation of the same mind-set that exists today.
2. I’m in favor of Motion Two: Approve hiring an Interim or Consulting Minister, under the auspices of the UUA, for a period of August 1, 2008 until July 31, 2010.
a. We should expect the Interim to assist us in examining the past 10 years, not regarding Kate’s ministry, but in looking more broadly at the changes and direction of the ministry of the church to its community.
b. The Interim could also assist us in examining the organizational structure that’s being considered and making recommendations based on what she/he has seen successfully taking place within similar congregations to Meadville.
c. I don’t think we would get a realistic solution to the financial support for a newly Settled Minister with a fund drive at this time. We don’t want our members making decisions out of likes/dislikes of Kate, but rather out of what they foresee and adopt as the mission of our church for its members and community. We don’t want them funding a “person”, but financially supporting the overall effort of where we’re heading and maturing in the years ahead; we need time for a member buy-in to our true goals.
d. This would also allow for more time before committing a formal search committee. The specifics of the seven member committee are very explicit in what talents are required. This is not the time for “warm fuzzies” but straightforward appraisals of what the church really needs and requires. Since it’s recommended that those seven members hold no other office nor have any other ongoing volunteer responsibilities to the church for the duration of the search, means that we will need to consider how we transition the work being done by those committee members – that in itself could be a hurdle tough to accomplish.
I guess those are my major thoughts and concerns as this important decision is being made.
|
|
Rank: Guest
Joined: 2/14/2008
Posts: 19,815
|
My thoughts are that an interim minister is needed - but how will we fund this when we can barely make the budget? A second pledge campaign may help -but what if it does not? Can we rely on a loan from the endowment to help us in this case? My questions on the subject remain unanswered - I have been assured that money will be forthcoming- I guess I'm not on the inside track to know from where.
|
|
Rank: Member
Joined: 2/15/2008
Posts: 1
|
I have a few comments. First, in response to Jerry's posting regarding Motion One, the Settled Minister Search, I think the intent of this Motion is for us to establish if we eventually want a settled minister, without regard to when. If we vote for this Motion and Motion Two (for a 2-year interim) then, according to the UUA, the Search Committee needn’t be up and running until late 2008. This will give us the luxury of time to select the most appropriate people to serve on the Search Committee and, if necessary, to reassign their existing duties.
Second, with regard to money, I'm totally unaware of a "sugar daddy" or any other assurance that "money will be forthcoming". However, even though money is a vital component, I think we need to first ask ourselves, "If money were no object, what would our best course of action be?" That way, we “subconsciously” hit upon what our community needs to flourish, without allowing finances to stymie the thought process.
If we agree that a two-year interim would be the best course, then why? Probably because we feel we need time and professional guidance to come together as a community to develop a Mission Statement, goals, and strategic plans. Concurrent with this evaluation, we need to answer the question, why are some members pledging at low or non-existent levels? Is their lack of support based on something that we can reasonably address, or is it based on a mindset that says, “I’m not happy with the service, minister, fellowship, or educational opportunities, etc. offered by the church, so I’m not going to offer financial support.”
Bear in mind that our 2008 budget already has a shortfall of approx. $9,000. In other words, even if Kate had stayed with us, we would have had to do another pledge drive to pay her through 2008. Would we have been able to raise this money, and if not, what would we have done? So, essentially, we are facing the same question – it’s just a matter of degrees. Personally, I think the most effective way to raise money is to attract more members. And how do we do that? Through clearly identifying who we are, where we are going, and what we can offer - bringing us full circle to the things that an interim could help us achieve.
We’ll only know where we stand after we’ve completed a pledge drive. But, while the pledge drive is underway, we could contemplate possible avenues for next steps. Either way, I think we have to address our systemic issues head on, otherwise they’ll surely hunt us down and pinch us in the rear.
With affection. Vanessa
|
|
Rank: Member
Joined: 2/20/2008
Posts: 1
Location: Seneca, PA
|
The world seems to be at a crossroads with regard to religion. Recent books by Christopher Hitchens and others have attacked religion in general and Christianity in particular. Many Americans claim to be spiritual or religious but do not attend a church of any kind. Many of these people have been turned off by the traditional denominations, my self included. In a recent survey of "unchurched" adults 44% agreed with the statement "Christians get on my nerves". Of this same group 72% say God,a higher power of supreme being actually exists.
There are many people that need a religious home and the Unitarian Universalist denomination seems to be a good fit for those following their own religious path. Progressive writers and theologians like John Shelby Spong and Joan Chittister sound to me more like UU's than traditional christians. I believe that we are the church of the future.
In the early years of the 18th century a small group of visionaries founded what has become the UU Church of Meadville. I will be forever in their debt. I think it is the duty of todays members to keep this vision alive. One of the purposes of this forum is to voice our concerns. My main concern today is for UU Church of Meadville to continue. I think it would be very difficult for the church to thrive and grow without a full time minister. Most agree but feel we cannot pay for it. As most of you know I favor borrowing from the endowment to enable us to hire an interim or consulting minister. I agree with Vanessa that the way to increase donations is to increase membership. Please understand that I am not blaming Kate for the lack of growth for I think this is the responseability of the congegation. Most people join as the result of personal contact with a member. Perhaps a consulting minister could help us learn how to grow.
As for the short term I agree it is unlikely that a "sugar daddy" will apear, but there are such a things as "sugar babies".If we break the cost down per member it is not that much. (Vanessea may be able to give exact figures) I know many cannot afford to give any more but I think that many of us can. We really need to be aware of how vaulable the Church is to us. Where else are we going to get the kind of fellowship and support the we get at tne Meadville UU? What other church has an RE program like ours? What other church would have someone like me as a member?
At one of the first services I attended Fran Richmond was pulpit assistent. In his welcome he refered to our churh as "A becan of liberal religion" We must not let that becan go dark!
|
|
Rank: Member
Joined: 2/28/2008
Posts: 2
Location: Meadville, PA
|
Hey, folks, Sarah here.
I feel extremely out of touch, having missed the last two Sundays. I was traveling for work on the 17th, then came down with the flu upon returning and that then turned into pneumonia. I'm on antibiotics and am slowly returning to health, but I haven't heard what the outcome was on Sunday or how the meeting went. Can someone fill me in?
I definitely think we need an interim minister. I think there are people who can and will step forward to be "sugar babies", and that a draw from the endowment would be justified if we can't get the whole thing covered that way.
This forum is great, Jerry and Mark!
|
|
Rank: Member
Joined: 2/29/2008
Posts: 1
|
Greetings, all, Sarah, There were 58 members present (37 is a quorum). Lisbet went over the terms: settled/called full time minister, settled part time minister, certified interim minister (not a large pool), UU interim minister(UU ministers who are not trained in the specialty of interimship, but who are interested in this kind of position, and finally, part time non UUA minister as interim.
Mark LaPointe summarized/described the small group meetings: we want a settled minister, we would like an interim minister but are worried about how to pay for one, minority view: like lay led option. We were ok when Kate was on sabattic leave.
Motion 1. That we begin the search for a settled minister (form a 7 member search committee) per our bylaws with the goal of calling a settled minister on or before August 2010. motion approved
Motion 2. that we hire a UU interim minister for the period Aug 2008 and continuing for a period up to two years. Much discussion...motion passed.
Motion three. approve a special pledge drive to establish funds needed to accomplish motions 1 and 2. motion passed.
Transition team will hire the interim-Joyce M. is the chair. Amelia Carr and the stewardship committee will conduct the special pledge drive.
Cheers,
Cynthia
|
|
Rank: Guest
Joined: 2/14/2008
Posts: 19,815
|
IEQ64F dfv814t4fdfvmlfn093fvgbos
|
|
Rank: Guest
Joined: 2/14/2008
Posts: 19,815
|
2uXmUI hko9E3dnVxga1jOps
|
|
Rank: Guest
Joined: 2/14/2008
Posts: 19,815
|
I stand up and move down so that I can repay the favor he had just given me. <a href=" http://www.xoops.org/modules/profile/userinfo.php?uid=74301 ">pornotube</a>
|
|
Rank: Guest
Joined: 2/14/2008
Posts: 19,815
|
He steps up wobbly then turns off the shower than leans back down and assists me up then he quickly opens the door and then embraces me and lifts me up and rests me on his hips then subsides into my kissing again. <a href=" http://www.xoops.org/modules/profile/userinfo.php?uid=74311 ">youporne</a>
|
|
Rank: Guest
Joined: 2/14/2008
Posts: 19,815
|
Soon I feel the pressure break and hot seamen races into my mouth. Then I move my moth away and his dick is spraying my neck and chest with seamen, but the water from the shower washes me quickly. <a href=" http://www.xoops.org/modules/profile/userinfo.php?uid=74308 ">hq tube</a>
|
|
Rank: Guest
Joined: 2/14/2008
Posts: 19,815
|
I lower myself so I am sitting naked on his thighs. Then I start to rug his 9-inch penis and I can feel it harden instantly. <a href=" http://www.xoops.org/modules/profile/userinfo.php?uid=74302 ">red tube</a>
|
|
Rank: Guest
Joined: 2/14/2008
Posts: 19,815
|
I lower myself so I am sitting naked on his thighs. Then I start to rug his 9-inch penis and I can feel it harden instantly. <a href=" http://www.xoops.org/modules/profile/userinfo.php?uid=74302 ">red tube</a>
|
|
Rank: Guest
Joined: 2/14/2008
Posts: 19,815
|
We walk to his bedroom and he places me carefully onto his bed and then pushes me up so that my head is on his pillows. <a href=" http://www.xoops.org/modules/profile/userinfo.php?uid=74312 ">sextube</a>
|
|
Rank: Guest
Joined: 2/14/2008
Posts: 19,815
|
I then move my body up and then my lips find his lips again and we start kissing again. He roles me over with care in the shower. His moist lips part with mine and start traveling down my body when I stop him. <a href=" http://www.xoops.org/modules/profile/userinfo.php?uid=74309 ">tube8</a>
|
|
Rank: Guest
Joined: 2/14/2008
Posts: 19,815
|
Then I start to lower my lips to it but stop right before I am able to kiss it. <a href=" http://www.xoops.org/modules/profile/userinfo.php?uid=74303 ">redtube</a>
|
|
|
|
|
Guest |
