MINUTES OF THE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

OF THE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

Wayne, Michigan

October 10, 2002-October 13, 2002

ACTIONS 02-E-36

Through 02-E-48

Call To Order A regular meeting of the Executive Committee of the National

Association of Congregational Christian Churches was called to

order by the chairman Rev. Dr. Roy Backus at 7:35 P.M.,

October 10, 2002 in the Conference Room of the First Congregational

Church of Wayne, Michigan. Prior to the meeting the entire

Leadership Team joined together for dinner in the Fellowship Hall,

followed by a Worship Service in the church sanctuary led by the

Rev. Patricia Dando Haaheim. She used Psalms 16:5, scripture of the

cups, and Psalms 23. She shared “ The Story of a Cup” relating it to

three cups she had brought an English China cup, a Communion

cup and a personal cup. She ended it with the thought that “God has

brought us together here in this place”.

Executive Committee voting members present Thursday evening, in

addition to the chairman were:

Dando Haaheim, the Rev. Patricia Ellcey, the Rev. Gregory A.

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

Michael Hicks Murphy, the Rev. Alice

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

Carter, Mrs. Susan

Absent: Clarke, the Rev. Joseph and Eckert, Mrs. Ellen

Ex-Officio Executive Committee non-voting members were:

Glab, Mrs. Sherry, Secretary, present at all sessions; Bailey, the Rev. Steven H. Ware and Bentley, the Rev. Donald L.

Also present representing the Leadership Team of the National Association, were: The Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Richard, Executive Secretary; Mr. James H. Walsh, Treasurer, Mrs. Marina Rosenberg, Controller; the Rev. Dr. Lloyd M. Hall, Jr., Historian; Mr. Joseph B. Polhemus, Editor THE CONGREGATIONALIST; the Rev. Arthur P. Ritter, Chairman, Division of Ministry; and the Rev. Dr. Steven Peay, Institute for Congregational Heritage Ad Hoc Committee.

Executive Committee Minutes 2 October 10-13, 2002

Welcome/Remarks The Chairman, the Rev.Dr. Roy Backus, opened with a welcome and remarked that he would be asking for a consensus whenever possible. During discussions and conversations if you have spoken let other speak before you speak again.

02-E-37 VOTED: By consensus the Agenda was approved with necessary

Approve Agenda changes. (Exhibit 1)

02-E-38 VOTED: Rev. Gierke moved the staff reports be accepted as printed,

Staff Reports Seconded and adopted. (Exhibits 3,4,5,6)

Housekeeping Dr. Backus had received a letter of resignation from Ellen Eckert

Item stating her reason was health related and an upcoming surgery would

prevent her from attending this meeting. Dr. Backus telephoned

her and told her she had been elected to this Board and after some

discussion she indicated she would probably be able to be with us in

February and he encouraged her to do so. Dr. Backus will write a

letter to her wishing her well.

Evaluation of Dr. Richard reported there were 27 responses to the request 2002 2002 Annual evaluation of the 2002 Annual Meeting. Overall remarks were

Meeting favorable. Dr. Steven H. Ware Bailey observed the unfavorable

comments were mostly petty concerns, i.e. food, communion, which

are not very important. Dr. Richard pointed out every comment

regarding the overhead screen were positive and we are going

capitalize on comments on Page 3. Mr. Joe Polhemus remarked the

power point was a good idea and Dr. Backus made the comment that

he did not care for the method used for communion. Tom assured us

we would use and follow through with suggestions. He is going to give

the divisions fair warning regarding expenses. (Exhibit 7)

Moderator’s Dr. Steven H. Ware Bailey reported the Program Committee has

Remarks met once with the host committee, and he has met twice with them in Milwaukee. The hotel is the Hilton and is very nice. The theme is “For Years to Come” taken from Psalm 90. Jack Brown and Steven Bailey have written words to the tune of “O God Our Help In Ages Past” as the theme song of the meeting. Speakers are: Keynote Speaker David Maitland of Carleton College; Bible Lecturer Peter Gomes, Harvard University and Banquet Speaker Martin Marty, University of Chicago. The Wisconsin Association will be in charge of the communion service. Worship services will be held Monday and Tuesday. Host committee has secured a German band for entertainment on Monday evening. There will be no bus trips but there will be an opportunity on Saturday and Monday afternoons to go to the National Association office. Dr. Bailey hopes attendance will

Executive Committee Minutes 3 October 10-13, 2002

be good since we are meeting in the Midwest. The youth will not be meeting in the same area. There will be general workshops as well as smaller ones with each one given twice. Small discussion groups are questionable. Executive Committee forum is yet to be discussed. Dr. Bailey’s goal is to involve the attendees as much as possible. Joe Polhemus asked for a series of articles regarding the meeting. Host committee is well organized and will provide local details.

Moderator-Elect’s Rev. Donald Bentley announced that the hotel has been confirmed and

Report the contract signed for the for the 2004 Annual Meeting to be held in Providence, Rhode Island. There was a meeting of the Program Committee following the meeting in Spokane. The theme is to be: “So we being many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another” Romans 12:5. Betsey Mauro is to be the Keynote Speaker, Karl Schimpf, the Congregational Lecturer and Jim Sanders the Bible Lecturer. Rev. Bentley wants to involve the local churches emphasizing God’s presence. Instead of a closing banquet we will end with the communion service in a historical church. He hopes arrangements can be made for us to do some touring of the area.

Sub-committee of the planning committee will be meeting in Providence on 11 November 2002. This committee consists of Don Bentley, Lois Heilmann, Lynn Merkel and Art Ritter, plus Joanne Simpson as director of HOPE. The Annual Meeting will be at the Biltmore Hotel and the youth will be meeting somewhere in the area. Sunday service may be held in a church or churches.

Future Planning Dr. Richard announced this committee has met twice by phone in

addition to meeting with several members in Spokane. They will be

meeting by phone two or three more times as well as at the annual

meeting in Milwaukee. Those serving on the committee are: Bob

Carlson, Chairman; Bill Ahrens, Betsey Mauro, Ken Arnold, Roy

Backus and Carol DiBiasio-Snyder. Some of the aforementioned will

be rotating off in June.

Executive Dr. Richard reported the office had made a mass mailing to all of Secretary’s the churches with samples of resource material and the yearbook. The Report resource materials are from the back room of the Oak Creek office.

Executive Committee Minutes 4 October 10-13, 2002

The office is looking forward to the feedback from this mailing. Tom is

looking to the website to convey much of the information to the

churches. Rev. Bentley asked if the office monitors the number of

churches using the website. Dr. Richard indicated we would ask Don

Olsen tomorrow.

Fraternal Norman Rust, instead of Bob Carlson, attended the installation of Rev. Delegates Donald Mayberry in South Paris,Maine. The delegates are scheduling

their visits three to four months in advance and are asking for

invitations. Seven churches were turned down because they asked too

late and they are trying to fill the needs of those seven. Rev. Gierke

reported Rev. Arvel M. Steece was concerned other types of churches

may not be remembered. Dr. Richard reported we had a delegate

attend the Interfaith 9/11 conference in Chicago.

Staff Changes Dr. Richard pointed out the changes of staff responsibilities as noted in his report. Regarding the upgrade of Karen Frazzell to Director of Youth Ministries, this has not been officially announced as yet. Phil Jackson is still a liaison to the Youth program.

Lloyd Hall suggested we display all of the material from the back room of the N.A. office, used in the aforementioned mass mailing, at the 2003 meeting in Milwaukee.

Don Bentley expressed a concern concerning the youth. He felt they should have an Executive Secretary assigned to them and that having them report to other personnel may be sending a wrong message. Discussion followed.

Controller’s Marina Rosenberg stated her report was on the web site and thanked the Report committee for the new accounting program. She had hoped to have the

number of those participating in the Ministers’ and Missionaries’ Benefit Board of the American Baptist Church (MMBB) program but we know we are well on our way. The majority of churches will start the retirement plan on 1 January 2003 due to fiscal years. She will have numbers for us at our February meeting. She stated all churches should pay their employees' salary plus benefits, not just a lump sum. A liaison from MMB Co., Rev. Margaret Lewis, will be at our 2003 Annual Meeting.

Historian’s Dr.Lloyd Hall had his written report on line. (Exhibit 8) He

Report reported that he had acquired boxes of paper from Wally Davis on the subject of historic documents in Indian churches which will be archived plus material from Harry Butman for which he needs to hire an intern. E-mail with attachment will be sent to the Executive Committee first which will be biographical sketches of former leaders and if the transmission of these documents is successful the material will then go out to the full Leadership Team.

Executive Committee Minutes 5 October 10-13, 2002

Institute for Dr. Steven Peay asked that he give his report since he would not be

Congregational with us the next day. (Exhibit 9)

Heritage Ad Dr. Richard expressed the need to have people to carry on the message

Hoc Committee of Congregationalism through seminars and written works and few are

Report doing it today.

Meeting recessed at 9:10 P.M.

Friday, October 11, 2002

At 9:05 A.M. the Leadership Team gathered in the Fellowship Hall in the Wayne Congregational Church, after partaking of the church’s gracious hospitality once more.

Morning Rev.Rob Joy, minister of the host church, was called on to give the morning Devotion devotion. The scripture was from Philippians “Rejoice in the Lord Always”

He shared “The Wellington Story” and stated we often don’t give enough encouragement and optimism is contagious. In our lives, as Christians we will have Good Friday experiences and Easter experiences. “Focus on things” recognizing God is in the world. Set the tone in the National Association and out to the churches. God is alive and breathing new life in

our association.

Workshop Rev. Patti Dando Haaheim continued with her workshop with group

sharing beginning with two scriptures on trust and hope from Proverbs and

Jeremiah. She referred to the N.A.’s Mission Statement and the vision from

it – are we faithful to the “Way”? Vision creates a future. She spoke on

the benefits of dreaming and hoping, seeing what God is doing. Patti shared

a synopsis of the recent meeting with the area association moderators – a

new sense of mission, individually and collectively our big dream. She then

handed out cards for us each to write a personal hope and dream for this

association after which we each shared with the group what we had written.

The meeting resumed at 10:37 A.M. Joining us were Rev. Neil Hunt, Rev. Ted Miller, Rev. Art Ritter, Rev. Don Olsen, and Mr. Joe Polhemus. Dr. Steven Peay was absent throughout the remainder of the meetings.

Call to Order Chairman Rev. Dr. Roy Backus called the meeting to order and asked Rev.

Art Ritter to give a prayer.

Editor’s Mr. Joe Polhemus reported The Congregationalist is doing well financially Report and the income from other sources is increasing. Subscription letters are

ready for mailing. Next issue will feature Contemporary Worship and Why

Piedmont College joined with the UCC. Mr. Polhemus is confident in how things are going.

Executive Committee Minutes 6 October 10-13, 2002

Rev. Lottie Jones Hood and Mrs. Sue Carter rejoined us at 1:00 P.M.

Dr. Backus asked us to think about having a meeting with new members (of the Executive Committee) following the Annual Meeting to start the new year. We will revisit this tomorrow morning.

TRM Todd Murphy, from Todd Robert Murphy Agency (TRM), joined us and

Presentation Dr. Backus asked that we each one introduce ourselves. Mr. Murphy gave

his report (Exhibit 10). Questions followed. It was noted that it would take

$35,000 to $50,000 to front the commercial expenses, $500.00 per market for

local advertising. Churches could join in at anytime.

Marketing Rev. Patricia Dando Haaheim, Chairman of the Marketing Ad Hoc

Hoc Committee, reported they had held a meeting via a conference call. Dr. Steven

Committee H. Ware Bailey, a member of the committee, had prepared a document a

document describing “The Congregational Way” which he presented

(Exhibit 11). The other members of this committee are Dr. Dewey Gierke,

Dr. Roy Backus, and Dr. Tom Richard. Dr. Backus encouraged the

committee to have one or two more submissions like the one prepared by Dr.

Bailey.

Meeting recessed for lunch at 12:20.

The meeting reconvened at 1:35 P.M. with a prayer by Rev. Neil Hunt. .

Tom Lootens, Christine Fleischmann and Rev. John H. Miller joined us.

Communication Rev. John Miller, Chairman of the Communication Services gave his

Services report (Exhibit 12). He concluded by stating the committee’s willingness to

help with the Marketing Plan and asked that representation from this

committee serve on the ad hoc Marketing Committee.

Church Mrs. Christine Fleischmann gave her report (Exhibit 13). She further

Services stated they will be giving workshops at the Annual Meeting on Music,

Youth and the Rotation Concept.

Financial Mr. Thomas Lootens, Chairman of the Financial Services Committee,

Services submitted the report for Financial Services (Exhibit 14). In addition he

reported this committee wants articles published in The Congregationalist,

they do not want to merge with CCD and they want a presence at the

regional and national meetings, and be included in workshops and seminars.

In addition they want to have financial advisors available.

Treasurer’s Jim Walsh, Treasurer, presented his report (Exhibit 15). He noted $90,000

Report in CCD and $110,000 in the Missionary Society were bequests. He reported

travel is the one line item overspent in all divisions. A discussion of the

NACCC meetings and undesignated bequests ensued.

Executive Committee Minutes 7 October 10-13, 2002

2:55 P.M. the Youth Committee and Christine Fleishmann, Chairman of Church Services joined us.

02-E-39 VOTED: Rev. Gregg Ellcey moved that the two unrestricted bequests

Bequests received in the past six months, for a total of $1,600.00, be allocated to the

General Operating Budget. Seconded and adopted.

Youth Members of this Committee were introduced: Mrs. Michelle Hunt Simino,

Subcommittee Chairman, Rev. Dan Vellinga, Rev. Joyce Acree, Mrs. Dee Hupp, Mrs.

Rene Soderberg, and Chris Jones. Also Mrs. Christine Fleischmann,

chairman of the Church Services Commission.

Mrs. Michelle Simino reported they propose to become their own

commission once again. If they were, they feel they would better

communicate with the local churches. They would hold their planning

meetings at the same time as Church Services and they plan to have

representatives at the annual adult meetings as well as P.F. and HOPE.

Mrs. Christine Fleischmann reported the consensus of Church Services is

that they are not ready to have the Youth Committee split off. The Youth

Commission is working on their Mission Statement. Dr. Lloyd Hall asked

that this item be considered at the Annual Meeting. Dr. Tom Richard asked

the Youth Commission to consider the following: their intent to move away

from Church Services, budgetary considerations; Executive Committee

overseeing another commission and meetings to be held in separate

locations. Chairman Dr. Backus asked Mrs. Simino and Mrs. Fleischmann

to meet with Rev. Ed White and Mr. Michael Hicks to talk over these issues

and report back in February. Mrs. Simino stated they were trying to

communicate at no extra cost.

2:50 P.M. break and reconvened at 3:10. Joe Polhemus was absent and Tom Lootens joined us.

Congregational Art Wallach reported on the Congregational Foundation (ad hoc)

Foundation committee. The committee and Hal Frentz met September 20 and 21, 2002.

Ad Hoc They considered the proposal approved at the Spokane meeting and

Committee feedback, including that of the Executive Committee. They asked questions

and obtained feedback from the attorneys Davis and Kuelthau. They have received numerous epistles and blessings from Rev. Dr. Harry Butman. The one mission of this Foundation would be to further the Congregational Way by financially helping the NACCC and be linked in spirit with the NACCC. It would be its own entity to protect the assets of the NACCC. The Board of Governors would consist of seven people with the Executive Committee Chairman and the Moderator as ex-officio members with vote. The Board of Governors would be ratified annually at the Annual Meeting. An honorary chairman was elected, Dr. Harry Butman, and he has accepted this position. Excerpts from a letter from Dr. Butman were read. They need staff at the

Executive Committee Minutes 8 October 10-13, 2002

NACCC office to help administrate. They may need special groups, task forces, i.e. money raising. Appropriate office expenses would eventually be paid back by the Foundation. Executive Committee to determine and needs and priorities. Board of Governors would raise funds, possibly including grants, restricted and unrestricted, and endowments. Local churches would administer grants. Time line attached. (Exhibit 16)

Art Wallach asked that Bet Goddard and Hal Frentz be added to the

committee.

4:50 Don Bentley left and Joe Polhemus returned.

02-E-40 Dewey Gierke moved we bless this ad hoc committee and their work.

Seconded and adopted.

Personate to Steve Peay’s report Dewey Gierke was asked to clarify rational of Olivet and Piedmont students to attend any course in Congregationalism.

Dr. Gierke reported Connecticut Association offered to pay a church $2,000 to start the new health plan.

Viscinage councils for conflict solving are being considered.

Mr. Mike Hicks gave a closing prayer.

Dismissed at 5:15 P.M.

Following dinner at Rex’s Restaurant we gathered at 7:10 P.M. Rev. Patricia Dando Haaheim asked that we form small groups and each were given one of the following topics: local churches, history and Congregationalism, Finance (restructure of Congregational Foundation) and youth growth. We were asked to come up with goals to present the following morning.

7:55 Dismissed.

Saturday

We met at 9:00 A.M. with a devotion taken from 1^st Peter 4:8. Rev. Dando Haheim asked each one to read our blessing slips from the previous day, followed by a prayer. She then asked the groups to report on their goals. Some of them were: Every church be represented at the Annual Meeting. State associations become connected to the NA. NA workshops and seminars be presented at state associations. Lay people visit other churches. Every church have a contact person. New way of thinking for Financial Services. Fair share giving. Get youth involved in church life. Survey by geographic

Executive Committee Minutes 9 October 10-13. 2002

division to reap ideas from other churches. History and identity. Lift up congregational traditions seeking God’s light in the world of today.

9:00 Meeting reconvened.

Mrs. Sue Carter addressed the NACCC Executive Car Proposal (Exhibit 17). The current practice needs to be made policy and written into employees contracts.

Committee recommendation was adopted by acclamation.

Sue asked us to pray for Tom Richard and the NA staff and support them.

Dewey Gierke asked that the Personnel Committee keep us informed of the leaving of Phil Jackson and asked if there will there be changes. Sue reported that our responsibility is to Tom Richard and he makes the decisions for the office. Lloyd advised us the Executive Secretary’s position is stated in the by-laws as part of the Executive Committee’s duties. Dr. Richard is contemplating further shifts in the office. Executive Committee will be included in hiring and job description. P and A to design the policy. Tom asked not to give him the responsibility or the authority.

NEW BUSINESS

Don Olsen reported on the changes of technology and what he has done in regard to information services. We now use e-mail to communicate with the Executive Committee and churches. He explained the upgrades he is making in webstreaming and presented a proposal. He reported how this would be used in communicating with candidates for ministerial positions, video interviews and sermons. Also possibilities of distance learning and Website hosting which would permit meetings on line. A discussion followed, including the costs involved. Dr. Lottie Jones Hood suggested we have a computer workshop at the Annual Meeting. Roy asked if technical work should be done by an Assistant Secretary and Tom responded that they are working on this with outside help. Don stated that in order for us to grow and enable the office to work more efficiently, we need to have the money to move forward. A T1 line, programming and at least one server will save the office time and better serve the churches.

02-E41 Dr.Dewey Gierke moved we support Dr. Olsen’s plan to expand our informational services and direct the office and budget committee to bring recommendations to us in February. Seconded and adopted.

Rev. Alice Murphy led us in prayer.

Break at 10:40

10:57 Meeting reconvened.

Membership Rev. Patti Dando Haaheim, Chairman of Membership and Procedures

presented three churches namely Southern Ocean Christian Community, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, Campton Congregational

Executive Committee Minutes 10 October 10-13, 2002

Church, Campton, New Hampshire and First Church of Squantum, Los Angles, California. (Exhibit 18 ) who are seeking membership.

The committee recommends they be approved at the Annual Meeting.

02-E-42 Adopted by acclimation.

Rev. Dando Haaheim has assigned a sponsor to each of these, from local

Churches, to work with them until the Annual Meeting. Dr. Lloyd Hall brought up a concern with the words “in fellowship”and informed us “In Fellowship” means “a relationship with local association or local churches”.

Rev. Phil Jackson joined us.

Misconduct Proposal on Misconduct Policy (Website). Phil Jackson stated that no one Proposal (HOPE or Pilgrim Fellowship) has the right to take on this type of problem.

02-E-43 Mike Hicks moved we accept these conditions. Seconded and adopted.

Proposed A proposal changing the days of the Annual Meeting (Exhibit 19) was Annual discussed. Saturday night stay is still a break with most airlines. There is Meeting a need for ministers to be in their churches on Sunday. Discussion ensued

Days with no conclusion. Roy asked Rev. Ed White, Rev. Don Bentley and

Dr. Richard to discuss this and for Tom to bring back a report in February.

Request Dr. Richard asked us to consider limited solicitations for CFTS in the names

Limited of Carolyn and Erwin Britton.

Solicitation

02-E-44 Rev. Alice Murphy moved we grant limited solicitation to friends of the

Brittons. Seconded and adopted.

Founders A proposal to change the Founder’s Library guidelines was discussed since

Library The Rev. Dr. Arvel M. Steece has offered his collection of books to the

Policy Founder’s Library. Lloyd Hall stated that the books in this library consist

of themes of Congregationalism or by Congregational members. Dr. Steece’s collection does not meet this requirement.

02-E-45 Dr. Dewey Gierke moved to accept this collection (Dr. Steece’s). Seconded and adopted.

Proposal Dr. Richard stated they have consulted with two real estate people regarding Oak Creek the proposal to subdivide the Oak Creek property (Exhibit 20). The deed to Property the property needs to be looked at as to how to possibly subdivide. We could

sell or rent. We are considering selling the property to the north (wooded area) house, barn and workshop. The front piece is worth the most.

02-E-46 Dr. Dewey Gierke moved that we accept the proposal for appraisal and

survey. Seconded and adopted.

Executive Committee Minutes 11 October 10-13, 2002

Annual A proposed change in the awarding of citations from the Executive

Meeting Committee was discussed (Exhibit 21). The Historian would submit the Citations names.

02-E-47 Rev. Gregory Ellcey moved we accept the recommendation as proposed.

Seconded.

Mr. Blaine Simons moved to amend the motion to add the words “and placed in handbook”. Seconded and adopted.

The motion was adopted as amended.

Annual Rev.Ed White brought up the point that the Presbyterians have their Annual Meeting Meetings every two years. He asked us to consider what it would save us in Ad Hoc our Annual Meeting expenses. Dr. Roy Backus asked Dr. Lloyd Hall, Dr. Committee Dewey Gierke, Mrs. Susan Carter and Dr. Tom Richard, along with the Budget Committee, to study this possibility.

Rev. Arthur Ritter spoke as an observer and stated he did not feel it was worth his time to attend this meeting nor did it serve any purpose in taking back information to his committee. Rev. Donald Bentley questioned the appropriateness of having the chairmen of the various boards and committees (of boards and committees not meeting at the time of the Executive Committee meeting) attend the Executive Committee Meeting.

Leadership Dr. Backus appointed Rev. Alice Murphy, Chairman, Rev. Neil Hunt, and Team Mr. Blaine Simons to an ad hoc committee to review the leadership team

Ad Hoc model and bring back their recommendations to the February meeting.

Committee

Thank Dr. Tom Richard recommended a note of thanks be sent to Todd Robert TRM for the presentation. Dr. Backus offered to write this.

Agenda Dr. Don Bentley recommended as an agenda item in February the staff come Item up with another company or two to compare with TRM.

Deaths Dr. Backus reported the following deaths: Mrs. Carol Cole’s father, Ms. Lois Hellmann’s mother and Dr. Dewey Gierke’s brother. Chairman Backus will write a note to each expressing our sympathy.

Thanks A note, from Dr. Backus, will be sent to the local churches who have so superbly served us during this meeting.

Rev. Patti Dando Haaheim will write a report on her presentations.

Proposal The Oak Creek Office recommends we suspend the Annual Meeting survey.

02-E-48 Mr. Mike Hicks moved we suspend the survey. Seconded and adopted, after

discussion.

Executive Committee Minutes 12 Octob