Oct 4: Addendum to CCH Report: Statement from Rev. Luck

 JB Note:   I have chosen to include an excerpt from Rev. Luck's statement.

As but one example, I shared with the HRM in December of 2019 that the official policy of the United Church of Christ regarding retired clergy is as follows: after the new pastor has been present for one calendar year, the four respective parties (the congregation, the new pastor, the retired pastor, and the association as represented by the Committee on Ministry) then discern together over a period of 1-3 years whether it is healthy FOR ALL FOUR PARTIES for the retired clergy to return to their previous pastorate as a member. The good news about such a policy is that it is rather flexible and recognizes that not all situations, congregations or retired pastors are the same. The frustrating aspect of the policy is that it is not quick, facile, or always immediately clear as to what is needed. But the discernment process takes seriously the needs of all parties. While we as a committee wished the HRM had engaged in thelonger and slower process the UCC recommends, the HRM and council were certainly within their right to decide differently.

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Regardless as to Rev. Weidler’s future relationship status with First Congregational church, we have expressed our expectations of him: at the current time Rev. Weidler is not to engage in any conversations in the community regarding the persons and community life at First Congregational Church Hendersonville whether in person, or by phone, email, letter or through any form of social media; nor is he to engage in person or through these mediums in such conversations with members, constituents and friends of First Congregational Church Hendersonville. Upon completion of the current consulting process, the committee, in discussion with Rev. Weidler, will discuss when and if our expectations will bealtered or removed altogether.