July 31: Email from Karla and Phil to the congregation

Beloved People of FCCH, In March, upon the recommendation of the Human Relations Ministry (HRM), our Church Council approved a new policy regarding departed clergy, and this information was conveyed to the congregation. As many of you know, there was conflict and concern regarding both the policy and the way it was announced.   In June, the Human Relations Ministry, in consultation with the Committee on Ministry (CoM) of the WNC Association of the UCC and the Associate Conference Minister, The Rev. Dr. Colleen Samson, made a motion to Church Council to suspend the departed pastor policy and engage a consultant with expertise in church conflict management. This motion was made out of the desire to reduce tension and dissension and to promote dialogue and begin a process of healing. After considerable discussion, the Church Council approved this motion by a majority vote. On July 22, the Church Council met to discuss proposals from two organizations, The Center for Congregational Health in Winston-Salem and Convergence in Atlanta.  Again, after considerable discussion, including questioning the need for a professional church conflict consultant, the Council approved, by a majority vote, the proposal from the Center for Congregational Health. Since then, the council has received multiple emails from the group of concerned members regarding moving forward with a conflict mediation process. While we hear those concerns, your elected church leadership has chosen a course of action that will provide us a framework to work through our differences during the added stress of a global pandemic. There are those who believe if the policy is simply changed, everything will be o.k. While addressing the policy will be an important part of this process, we also know that there are ruptured relationships and significant misunderstandings which we believe will be best addressed through a period of listening, dialogue, assessment and healing, led by an objective and skilled professional. The Center for Congregational Health is busy putting together that process and we will have more details at the end of next week on how it will unfold.  Please know that everyone who has something to say and share will have the opportunity to do so, and we are committed to an equitable process for all. Everyone’s voice is essential and important. In the meantime, while we wait, it is our holy opportunity to reflect upon where we are as a community, and to pray for our church, and for one another. May we each seek reconciliation wherever and however we can individually. May we listen to the Spirit of Love and Grace as we move through this process together, so we can embrace more fully the mission of justice and compassion we are being called to do in this pandemic world we are living in today.  Faithfully yours, Rev. Karla Miller, Pastor Phil Taylor, Moderator       and on behalf of the Church Council