June 11: Email from Phil

There was a council meeting on June 10th.  In lieu of the conference call with church leadership representatives of this group were permitted to listen in to the proceedings.  Following the church council meeting Phil sent the following email to Bonnie Rash.


Hi Bonnie,

The Council agenda had an item "Departing Clergy Policy Dispute Update" which I provided.  Bob asked if several of your group could attend to "observe", and I agreed.  Bob said they would not participate in the discussion unless asked a question.  And while they did participate without being asked a question, I think everyone was respectful, which I appreciate.


 I outlined that I have been in communication with your group through Bob and now through you.  We have been discussing how to have a conversation about this disagreement during a pandemic, but have not agreed on how that might work - including such questions as facilitated or not facilitated.  I noted that both your group and the HRM had met separately with the CoM of the WNCA regarding this situation.  I also explained that the CoM was the appropriate group to help resolve this situation.


Gary Cyphers (HRM chairperson and Council member) then made a motion that the HRM had decided to request of Council during a meeting the HRM had yesterday with some members of the CoM.  The motion is as follows:

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The Human Relations Ministry (HRM) moves that the revised personnel policy for departing pastors, passed by church Council on March 11, 2020, be suspended (postponed) for an indefinite period of time in order to assess and ameliorate the causes of the dissension that has arisen around its passage. The HRM also requests that the church Council assume responsibility for engaging one or more professional consultants and trainers from a respected and objective organization knowledgeable in church conflict mediation, such as the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, to guide the congregation through a process of assessment, dialogue, transformation, healing, and reconciliation.

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After a very extensive discussion about this, the Council voted to approve this motion by a vote of 8 in favor, 2 opposed, and 3 abstaining.  This makes the Council responsible for the process of obtaining professional assistance as described in the motion to work with all of us on a process of transformation, healing, and reconciliation.  I will be communicating this information to the congregation in the near future.

Clearly, this will not be an easy road for any of us.  I remain hopeful, however, that this will lead all of us to my goal of a mutually acceptable solution that we can all embrace and allow us to move our church forward.


Thanks,

Phil