MINUTES OF THE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

OF THE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

Sun City, Arizona

February 7, 2004

ACTIONS 04-C-01

Through 04-C-24

Call To Order A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the National

Association of Congregational Christian Churches was called to

order on Saturday, February 7, 2004 at 8:05 A.M. in the Conference Room of the Sun City Congregational Church, Sun City, Arizona by the chairman Mrs. Susan Carter.

The 11 voting members present, in addition to the chairman, were:

Simons, Mr.Blaine H. Gierke, the Rev. Dr. Dewey E.

Hicks, Mr. Michael Murphy, the Rev. Alice

Hood, the Rev. Dr. Lottie Jones White, the Rev. Milton “Ed”

Clarke, the Rev. Joseph Backus, the Rev. Dr. Roy

Hotchkin, the Rev. Richard E. Butman, Mrs. Anne

Hall, Mrs. Hannah

Absent: Godard, Ms. Betty and Bentley, the Rev. Donald L.

Present at all Sessions: Glab, Mrs. Sherry, Secretary.

Also present were: The Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Richard, Executive Secretary; Mr. James H. Walsh, Treasurer, Mrs. Marina Rosenberg, Controller; and the Rev. Dr. Lloyd M. Hall, Jr., Historian.

Devotions The devotions were given by Rev. Alice Murphy. She read two selections from “Parables of a Country Parson” by William E. Barton; “The New Recipe” and “The Moth in the Church Carpet”.

04-C-01 VOTED: By consensus the Agenda (Exhibit 1) was approved with the

Approve Agenda following changes: 6e was added, 11b deleted, 11c postponed, a call to Bonn Clayton would be made at 2:00 P.M., and an Executive Session would be held prior to recess for dinner.

04-C-02 VOTED: The minutes of the October 10-11 2003 meeting were

Approval of approved as corrected. (Correction made prior to posting on

Minutes the website.) (Exhibit 2)

Corporation Minutes 2 February 7, 2004

04-C-03 By general consent the report of Rev. Don Bentley, Moderator,

Moderator’s was accepted (Exhibit 3).

Report Dr. Richard further noted that $2,395.00 has been received for the Providence Fellowship Grants and other funds have been applied for. Also that the list requested in the final paragraph of the report is being addressed.

Host Committee A written report from the Chairman of this committee, Jim Hopkins was presented and discussed (Exhibit 4).

Moderator-Elect’s Mrs. Hannah Hall’s report (Exhibit 5) highlighted the dates will be

Report June 26 through June 29, 2005. The Bible Lecturer is to be Rev. Dan Showalter, Congregational Lecturer Rev. Shawn Stapleton and the Moderator’s Seminar to be given by Rev. Dr. Lloyd Hall. She and Carrie Dahm visited the Kansas City, Missouri site in October and it is very adequate for our needs. Her concern is whether the small churches in the area will be able to carry out such an assignment.

Mrs. Dahm’s In looking at Mrs. Dahm’s written report “Possible Future Meeting”

Report Sites” (Exhibit 6) a concern was voiced about the advisability of an Annual Meeting in Alabama in 2007. Dr. Richard asked that we depend on Carrie to determine the physical site. The suggestion was made that a one page host check list be available for areas considering hosting an annual meeting. Rev. Lottie Jones Hood suggested we ask churches not only “if” but “how”.

Report of Associate Rev. John Carson’s report (Exhibit 7) was presented and discussed.

Executive Secretary

Report of Associate Rev. Dr. Don Olsen’s report was presented (Exhibit 8). Mrs. Carter

Executive Secretary questioned the paragraph pertaining to the grant provided by First Congregational Church, Detroit and Rev. Hood stated she had that report.

Report of Rev. Dr. Tom Richard presented his report (Exhibit 9) and further

Executive Secretary noted he will be going to Georgia in May to meet with one or two churches. Regarding the last paragraph on Page 3, Rev. Hotchkin urged that Tom attend the meeting in Baltimore.

Greetings Rev. Dick Adair, Senior Minister of the Sun City Church greeted us and welcomed us to Sun City and to the church.

Break At 9:15 A.M. Chairman Sue Carter called for a 15 minute break.

Corporation Minutes 3 February 7, 2004

Reconvened The meeting was reconvened at 9:30 A.M. with all present as previously reported. Also present via speaker phone was Jeff Dillon, Assistant Treasurer

Controller’s Mrs. Marina Rosenberg presented her report (Exhibit 10). She

Report expanded on the subject of the “PBX” telephone fraud. Marina now works 30 hours a week, five hours of which are devoted to the work of the Foundation.

Treasurer’s Mr. Jim Walsh spoke to his report outline (Exhibit 11):

Report Considering a year ago our General Operating Fund is in better shape because we have been blessed with two major bequests and the market is kinder. He went on to say he is very concerned over the support from the churches. Marina Rosenberg noted that the Communications Services Committee has done an excellent job of solicitation for The Congregationalist. Division funding (Congregational Church Development and Missionary Society) is down. Mr. Walsh recommends building up unrestricted fund. Member church giving is about the same as a year ago. Pledges or estimates of giving from churches is still a possibility.

Investment Mr. Walsh reported for Bob Brunner, Chairman of the Investment

Advisory Advisory Committee, that J. Fred Rennebohm and Don Miesbauer

Committee have resigned from this committee and Timothy Roberts of

Changes Burlington, Iowa and Chuck Senn of Richfield, Wisconsin are now serving.

The attachment, to the Treasurer’s Report entitled “Funds Available

for EC Designation” (Exhibit 12) was addressed and two changes were made to the written report. “Other Income” should be changed from $6,000 to $16,000 and “Special Gifts from $12,000 to $2,000.

Dr. Richard commented the need to “advertise” what gift money does: fill wishes and guard against future deficits. There is a need to educate the next generation to give.

Annual Meeting Mrs. Rosenburg reported the registration for the Annual Meeting,

Fees based on 500 attendees is $149.10 ($150.00).

04-C-04 Rev. Joe Clarke moved the registration fee for the 2004 Annual Meeting be $150.00. Seconded.

VOTED: Motion was adopted.

Report on Rev. Dewey Gierke reported on a conference on a conference (of the

2004-2005 Proposed Budget Team) on January 5, 2004.

Budget

04-C-05 The Budget Team recommends to the Annual Meeting delegates the

2004-2005 Proposed Budget. (Executive Committee travel is for full expenses for February and June meetings). (Exhibit 13)

VOTED: Motion was adopted.

Corporation Minutes 4 February 7, 2004

04-C-06 VOTED: To accept the recommendation that the per diem

Per diem amounts of up to $11.00 (breakfast); $15.00 (lunch) and $20.00

Allowance for (dinner) tip and tax included.

Pre-meeting

Annual Meeting The designation for the offering received at the Communion Service Communion Service has not yet been decided upon for approval.

Offering Designation

04-C-07 VOTED: By general consent we accept the verification of the

Verification of National Association’s Controller, Mrs. Marina Rosenburg, that we Federal and State are in compliance with procedures for withholding, collecting and

Taxes remitting all Federal and State Taxes. Periodic review of the procedure will be made and it will be reported to the Board of Directors within 90 days of the close of the calendar year that this responsibility has been fulfilled for the prior year.

04-C-08 Rev. Joe Clarke moved that overdrafts of the line items in the Fiscal

Operating Budget Year 2003-2004 Operating Budget are approved provided that they

Line Items do not exceed the total expense budget by ten percent (10%). Seconded and adopted.

04-C-09 VOTED: by general consent to engage Reilly, Penner and Benton,

Approve LLP for annual (May 2004) audit at the cost of $12,350. ($12,000 to

Auditing Firm come from the general budget and $350 from the Foundation).

04-C -10 VOTED: by general consent that we approve The Housing Allowance

Housing Allowance and Expense Proposals for the Executive Secretary, the Rev. Dr.

And Expenses Thomas M. Richard; the Associate Executive Secretary, the Rev. Dr.

Proposals for Donald P. Olsen and the Associate Executive Secretary, the Rev. John D. Carson. (Attachments 14, 15, 16)

04-C-11 Rev. Roy Backus moved that no transfer be made from earnings to

Morgan Park endowment principle of the three Morgan Park Endowment Funds

Transfer of Funds (CFTS, CCD and Hurting Churches). Seconded and adopted.

(Exhibit 17)

Historian’s Report The Rev. Dr. Lloyd Hall advised us that a decision has to be made as to how to approach the problem of what to do with the historical vault. Rev. Hall indicated he would like to work with Dr. Worthley, Rev. Dr. Steve Peay and Rev. Leslie Shultz and come back with a report in June.

He also reported he would like to honor Dr. Worthley in some way.

04-C-12 Rev. Backus moved that Dr. Hall’s recommendation that Dr. Hall

Proposal to honor come up with a way to honor Dr. Worthley be accepted.

Dr. Worthley Seconded and adopted.

Dr. Hall asked Rev. Dewey Gierke and Rev. Alice Murphy to work with him.

Corporation Minutes 5 February 7, 2004

Recess The meeting was recessed at 11:57 A.M. Rev. Dewey Gierke led us in prayer and lunch was served by members of the Sun City Church.

The meeting was reconvened at 1:05 P.M. with all present except Sherry Glab. Mrs. Marina Rosenberg was appointed Secretary.

Sherry Glab joined the meeting at 12:15 P.M.

04-C-13 Rev. Hotchkin moved that the Executive Committee appoint a

Alternative Fund committee of nine, to investigate alternatives to the present system of

Raising financial appeals to local churches. A report to be brought back to the Executive Committee at the 2005 winter meeting.

Seconded and adopted. (Exhibit 18)

The following were appointed to serve on this Fund-Raising

Committee: Rev. Alice Murphy, Rev. Dewey Gierke, Mr. Jeff Dillon, Mr. Jim Walsh, Rev. Dr. Tom Richard and a representative from each of the four divisions. Rev. Murphy to be the convener.

Goal Groups At 2:07 P.M. we broke into our Goal Groups for discussion.

The meeting was reconvened at 2:50 P.M.

04-C-14 Rev. Alice Murphy moved that the NA staff, in consultation with

Test Marketing marketing consultant Mary Carson, and representatives of the New Hampshire Fellowship of Congregational Christian Churches, devise a series of spot ads for the Union Ledger in Manchester, New Hampshire. Up to $5,000 to be taken from the unrestricted gifts to the NA (wish list money) to fund this project (Exhibit 19).

Seconded and adopted.

3:23 P.M. Lloyd Hall left the meeting.

Missionary Society A Request for Funding (Exhibit 20) was received from the Missionary Society for the provision of meals for attending missionaries.

04-C-15 Rev. Clarke moved that up to $2,000 of wish list money be used to pay

Meals for for meals for missionaries attending the Annual Meeting. This to be a

Missionaries one time gift, next time it will come out of the Missionary Society budget.

Seconded and adopted.

Corporation Minutes 6 February 7, 2004

CCD Request A Request for Funding was received from CCD for a one year pilot

For Funding project hiring the Rev. Patti Dando Haaheim as a trainer/consultant to train regional representatives to offer revitalization retreats in their locale. This partial funding ($5,000.00) would be in lieu of salary.

(Exhibit 21)

04-C-16 Rev. Alice Murphy moved we fund a one year pilot program allowing

CCD to hire Patti Dando Haaheim for the amount of $5,000.00.

Seconded and adopted.

Land Committee Rev. Joe Clarke reported on behalf of the Land Committee. One solid bid has been received in the amount of $265,000 and possibly another one is in. The pending offer is in the negotiating stage and in consultation with the attorneys. The original price, which was discussed, was $280,000 with the hope of clearing $250,000.

Break At 3:57 P.M. Chairman Sue Carter declared a ten minute break.

Reconvened The meeting was reconvened at 4:07 P.M.

Congregational Written report was received and accepted. (Exhibit 22)

Church Development

Division

Congregational Written report was received and accepted. (Exhibit 23)

Foundation For

Theological Studies

Division for Written report (Exhibit 24) was received and accepted with one

Ministry correction. The correction being that Item 2, Request for Funding from endowed funds, was never done.

Missionary No report.

Society

Membership Mr. Mike Hicks reported on the Membership and Procedures

& Procedures Subcommittee. (Exhibit 25)

Report

Churches He noted the following churches have withdrawn from the NACCC:

Withdrawn The First Congregational Church, Tarentum, Pennsylvania, Verdon Congregational Church, Verdon, Nebraska, and The United Church of New Marlborough, Southfield, Massachusetts. He noted that two of these churches have closed.

Corporation Minutes 7 February 7, 2004

O4-C-17 VOTED: To recommend for membership in the National Association:

Recommended Alexis Congregational Church

Church For Toledo, Ohio

Membership

Dr. Richard recommended we put new churches on the web site. He will ask Mrs. Dahm to do this. He also suggested that new member churches be encouraged to go through the process of applying with sister church and State/Regional Associations.

Nominations Rev. Alice Murphy, Chairman of the Nominations and Appointments

& Appointments Subcommittee, gave the following report:

04-C-18 VOTED: To approve the nominee for the Division for Ministry as

Approve Nominees presented by the Nominations and Appointments Subcommittee to be

For Division of presented to the delegates for election.

Ministry Division for Ministry

Rev. John Alvord

First Congregatinal Church

Tacoma, Washington

Mr. David Spahn

Oneonta Congregational Church

South Pasadena, California

04-C-19 VOTED: To approve the nominees for the Congregational Church

Approve Nominees Development Division as presented by the Nominations and

For CCD Appointments Subcommittee to be presented to the delegates for

election.

Congregational Church Development Division

Mr. James Waechter

Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims

Brooklyn, New York

Rev. Ardyth Johnson

Faith Congregational Church

Franklin, Wisconsin

04-C-20 VOTED: To approve the nominees for the Missionary Society as

Approve Nominees presented by the Nominations and Appointments Sub-committee to be

For Missionary presented to the delegates for election.

Society Missionary Society

Mr. Jeff Roble

First Congregational Church

Kingston, New Hampshire

Rev. Arthur Rudman

First Congregational Church

North Anson, Maine

Corporation Minutes 8 February 7, 2004

04-C-21 Rev. Roy Backus moved we recommend that every commission and

Term Limits committee has to have term limits.

VOTED: Adopted by general consent.

Break At 4:57 P.M. dinner recess was declared by the Chairman.

We were invited to Ed and Pat White’s home for a lovely dinner followed by musical entertainment at the church.

Reconvened At 8:20 P.M. Chairman Sue Carter reconvened the meeting. All were present as noted at the beginning of the meeting except Rev. Dr. Lottie Jones Hood.

UGRR Grant The report from Rev. Dr. Lottie Jones Hood (Exhibit 26) was brought

(Underground to our attention. Dr. Richard noted Objectives 3 and 4 contained in

Railroad) the report and reported that sites linked are to be used as a museum

for archival information. He also stated that if any of us had further questions we contact Lottie.

04-C-22 VOTED: To accept the recommendation of the Secretary and

Appoint Ass’t. appoint Mrs. Carol Cole, Church of the Messiah, Los Angeles,

Secretary California, as Assistant Secretary for the Annual Meeting in

Providence, Rhode Island.

Personnel Rev. Blaine Simons reported there had been no changes since October.

Communication No Report.

Services Committee

The The report from Joe Polhemus was accepted. (Exhibit 27)

Congregationalist

The Dr. Richard reported the Search Committee has recommended Rev.

Congregationalist James Eaton of the United Congregational Church in Norwich,

Search Committee Connecticut (Exhibit 28). Discussion of a contract for this position was discussed. The committee recommended we appoint a committee. It was determined that Rev. John Miller, Chairman of the Communication Services Committee and Dr. Richard or Mrs. Sue Carter would sign the contract. The contract would include an annual review with a one year reversible contract. Dr. Richard and the Executive Committee would be the responsible parties. Termination would be made with a 90 day notice from either party. The Editor would be working for Tom, reporting to us, and working with the Communications Services Committee who would conduct the annual reviews.

Corporation Minutes 9 February 7, 2004

04-C-23 VOTED: We accept the recommendation of the Search Committee

New Editor and recommend Rev. Jim Eaton as the Editor of The Congregationalist.

Dr. Richard recommended Personnel and Administration work with the Communications Services Committee in writing the contract (Exhibit 29 ). After the details are worked out it will be presented to the Executive Committee (via e-mail) and we will be given 24 hours to respond.

Financial Services No report.

Fraternal A report entitled “Christian Churches Together Meeting” from Bonn

Delegates Ad Hoc Clayton was accepted (Exhibit 30). Tom Richard stated that the

Committee network of people will be increasing in the future and he recommended this ad hoc committee become a standing committee.

Nominating Rev. Alice Murphy gave the report from the Nominating Committee:

Moderator-Elect Rev. Richard Adair

Congregational Church of Sun City

Sun City, Arizona