There was a lengthy email sent to the Congregation by the R&RT. I included relevant parts:
It soon became apparent, however, that the circumstances which led to controversy about the Departed Clergy Policy in the beginning are still with us; some of our fellow members, even as this is written, continue to hold strongly and sincerely to the belief that the church has not done enough to deal with the precipitating issues. We also became aware that the obligations of departing clergy were, understandably, ones about which very few members were knowledgeable since change of clergy occurs relatively infrequently in the life of any faith community.
In reality, the focus must be that the congregation will be continuing under the guidance of a new settled pastor, and that the policy selected must nurture that future without any real or potential burden from the past. Looking at the issue from this perspective leads us to understand that what may appear to be somewhat Draconian rules are, upon further reflection, very much in the long-term best interests of both the congregation AND the departing pastor; each is freed and encouraged to move forward.
In any event, the revised First Congregational Church policy has been repealed and, in our view, need not play any further role as we strive to move forward.
Church leadership has acknowledged that the overall process of developing and instituting the new departing clergy policy, while technically correct, was arguably not carried out as smoothly as might have been desired.
In summary, then, we have come to the realization that whatever the merits or flaws in the First Congregational Church revised Departed Clergy policy, it is reasonable at this point to say that the matter has come to a conclusion.
Finally, we are aware that some feel that this issue has received more than enough exposure and discussion, and are eager to put it in the rear-view mirror. We hope that even those who felt most strongly about the matter can recognize that thoughtful and sincere people have dealt with the situation honorably and to the best of their abilities. The time has come to move on.
JB Note: The email also included informed the congregation that Richard Weidler's status regarding resuming social contacts with current and former congregants was a matter for CoM to adjudicate. I will also note that many of the concerned group read this (as I did) as a firm and final decision not to formulate a new Former Pastor Policy. Many of them informed the church that they were leaving FCUCC.
