Metropolitan Association Meeting Planning Committee

Annual Report - 2003-2004

The main function of the Vice Moderator is to work in conjunction with the Regional Conference Minister to select a committee to plan the November and April Association meetings.

Looking toward the Fall Association meeting of November 22, 2003 , the committee began gathering in August and continued through until the actual meeting. The process involves choosing a church site, rotating among the areas of the Association; selecting a theme; choosing a preacher and preparing a Service of Worship; working with the local church in terms of arrangements such as registration, breakfast and lunch, child care, parking and church space available; choosing workshop topic and presenters; working with the Board of Directors for a business agenda; and providing evaluation forms for the attendees.

The Fall Association meeting was held at the Bethany Congregational UCC in East Rockaway.  Rev. Gordon Dragt, Pastor of Middle Collegiate Church in Manhattan , was asked to be both the preacher and the keynote speaker on the theme of the day, "Revitalization"  The workshops all worked to enhance the purpose of the day.  The evaluation sheets indicated a desire to move the meeting along in a more timely fashion, which is a concern for the April 24th Spring Association meeting.

Following the same process for this meeting, the Scarsdale Congregational UCC was chosen. "Reveal-Revitalize-Respond" is our theme.  There was very helpful input from the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors which was great appreciated. The preacher for the day is the Rev. Bonnie Rosborough, pastor of the Broadway United Church of Christ.   Ms. Adrienne Brockway, of the Board of Directors, joined the committee with suggestions for changes in the program.  Rather than workshops, there will be learning/information centers so that the members of the Association can become more aware of the ongoing thoughts and actions of the Board and the whole Association.   There will be presentations from a variety of Board committees and displays from committees, coalitions, and agencies.  The registration fee was raised from $20.00 to $25.00 due to the increase in food costs.  The Planning Committee is also recommending the establishment of a Rev. Dr. Harold Wilke Award, in memory of the late Dr. Wilke who was a champion in the affirmation of Persons with Disabilities.  It is hoped that the Award will be given to an individual/church/organization that has been a force in the empowerment of the marginalized.  This proposal will be presented at the April 24th Spring Association meeting in Scarsdale.

My thanks to Rev. Michael Caine, the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, members of the Metropolitan Association Annual Meeting Planning committee, and to the Pastors and people of Bethany Congregational UCC and the Scarsdale Congregational UCC for being so cooperative and caring in the entire venture.

Respectfully submitted,
Rev. Allen D. Mac Lean, Vice Moderator

Committee members

Rev. David Bocock
Ms. Claudia de al Cruz
Rev. Mark Lukens, Pastor of Bethany Congregational UCC
Ms. Tinka Marsh, representative from the Scarsdale Congregational UCC
Mr. Walter Merna, representative from Bethany Congregational UCC
Ms. Gwen O'Dell
Rev. Christopher K. Ponnuraj, Registrar
Ms. Dianne Rodriguez, representative from Bethany Congregational UCC
Ms. Alison Rose, representative from Scarsdale Congregational UCC
Rev. Gregory Rupright
Rev. Phil Washburn, Pastor of the Scarsdale Congregational UCC