May 29: Summary so far

For those of you new to this blog this entry contains a brief summary and links to the most relevant entries.

The Situation

A new policy, announced March 11, excludes former pastors from becoming a part of the congregation.  Some in the congregation object to this policy and question the process by which the policy was changed. (Click to view new policy.)

The previous policy allowed former pastors to be welcomed back as members of the congregation after one year, upon the invitation of the new settled pastor.  (Click to view former policy.)  In our experience at FCC and for some at other UCC churches, this tradition has worked well. David Kelly and Barbara Rathbun are two such former pastors who are currently much-loved members of our congregation.

The Process:  The revised policy was developed by a newly formed Human Relations Ministry (HRM) that recommended the change directly to the Church Council.  The Council approved the new former pastor policy without bringing it to the full congregation.  The change disallowing our two former pastors from participation in our church was approved by Council and communicated to the congregation in a letter from Moderator Phil Taylor (click to view letter) on March 11.

Background Information

Click on the following to view in full:

·         Former Policy

·         New Policy

·         Guidance from national UCC bylaws referencing retiring ministers (paragraph 113)

·         March 11     Announcement of New Policy (letter from Moderator Phil Taylor to congregation)

·         April 16        Letter from Pastor Karla to congregation

·         April 28        Letter from 39 concerned members (to moderator, Church Council, HRM, Pastor Karla)

·         May 4            Response from moderator to letter from concerned members

·         May 23         Notes from meeting with Rev. Colleen Samson, NC Assn. of the Southern Conference, UCC