Business Meeting
129^th Annual Spring Meeting
Metropolitan Association
April 29, 2006

Welcome

Henry T. Simmons welcomed us to the 129 th Annual Meeting of the Metropolitan Association on Saturday, April 29, 2006 . We gathered in Founder's Hall of the Robert Ross Johnson Family Center of St. Alban's Congregational Church, UCC.

Simmons, the pastor of St. Albans , explained that Ross was the founding pastor of this church. The Family Center now serves more than 2,000 persons per week.

Registrar's Report

Registrar Christopher Ponnuraj declared a quorum with 85 persons from 46 churches already in attendance. (Final attendance was 124 persons representing 52 churches; 93 were voters.) He referred us to his report posted on this web site and distributed at the meeting. He gave special attention to the death of Rev. William Sloane Coffin who died on April 12, 2006 . Coffin was Senior Minister of Riverside Church from 1976 - 1987.

Report from Ordination and Standing

This was the final report from Jan Powell, chair of Ordination and Standing, for she has accepted a call to serve in Oak Park, IL. Jan referred us to her report posted on this web site and distributed at the meeting. She urged us to look for persons who might see ministry as a vocation. "Your Committee on Ordination and Standing will welcome the opportunity to help nurture them as they consider this important calling."

The Blue Ribbon Committee

Regional Conference Minister Michael Caine recalled the joyous day when he was installed as the minister of the Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church. Arthur Wells, a wise member of the Metro Association (now deceased) shared Michael's joy but reminded him there would be more difficult days. There were.

Similarly, there have been joyous times in the Metro Association and times, like the Fall of 2005, when unkind words were said, when there were serious misunderstandings. But we gather as God's people, we get through, we stay together, and the glorious times return.

The Blue Ribbon Committee, co-chaired by Lennox Grant and Susan Switzer has begun its work to guide us in re-designing the Metro Association to meet the needs and realities of the 21^st Century.

Co-Chair Lennox Grant reported that the Metro Board gave to the Blue Ribbon Committee a very long list of issues. "Looking at them, my first instinct was to run," he said. But he was reminded of Genesis 18:14, "Is anything too hard for the Lord," and he and the other Committee members decided to stick with it. "We are ordinary people doing extraordinary work," he said. "Pray for us."

Lennox said the focus must be on "where is God in all of this." He reported that finances appear to be the biggest issue, but we must also take account of the spiritual life of the Association.

Treasurer's Report

Treasurer Fannie Davis referred us to her report posted on this web site and distributed at the meeting. She highlighted the fact that expenses are essentially on target, but dues are slow in coming in. The dues report as of 4/24/06 shows almost two more months of dues receipts than reflected in the January - February 2006 Income Statement.

Fannie said the books for the years 2003 - 2005 are being prepared for the auditors. She does not want to report again on these years until the audit is finished.

Legal expenses are above budget because the Association, following up on concerns expressed at the Fall Meeting , is asking the attorney to help clarify situations where congregations may be "sitting on" money that should be available to the Association.

Payroll taxes are above budget because the Executive Administrator remained at her 2005 work and compensation levels through the First Quarter 2006.

In response to a question from the floor, Fannie said we could show the full year's budget as well as the reporting period's budget, on future reports.

Michael Caine led us in prayer for the return of good health for Assistant Treasurer Phoebe LeSesne. Phoebe has been in the hospital and is now in a rehabilitation center in Westchester County . Michael's description of Phoebe as a "saint of Grace Church and of the Association" was shared by those joining in prayer for her.

Report of the Nominating Committee

Nominations Chair Tom Martinez made several additions and changes to the first report of the Nominating Committee. They are reflected in the Election Report. The nomination and election of four new members of the Nominating Committee are also reflected. (Nominations for the Nominating Committee must come from the floor of the meeting to help assure that neither the Board nor the retiring Nominating Committee can control who is nominated in the future.)

Tom said it was beautiful to hear the "yes, I will serve" which preceded the nomination of each person on this slate, though it is also understandable that some must say "no."

Several questions arose about Committees for which there were no nominations - because they have not been meeting. These include the committees for stewardship, youth action and Christian education. The Association voted to ask the Metro Board and the Blue Ribbon Committee to make specific decisions about the future of these committees rather than continue to have them "lie fallow" without a decision to re-activate or discontinue.

Those interested in serving on these now-inactive committees should contact a Board member to express their interest in serving.

Commissioning

Michael Caine asked all those just elected as well as those continuing to serve as officers, members of boards and committees, to come to the front of Founder's Hall where he asked in prayer for God's blessing on their service.

Protest Censorship

Martha Gotwals reminded the Association of the role the United Church of Christ (UCC) has played in giving marginalized persons access to the airwaves. This started when the UCC and the NAACP joined forces to overturn the license of TV station WLBT when its racist policies denied access to persons of color.

Now the networks and some cable channels have refused to air the current "God Is Still Speaking" ad because "it is too controversial". Martha said this is part of a trend for broadcasters to be more and more cautious, more and more conservative, denying outlets for more and more information. She asked those present to sign a petition protesting the current refusals. She also seeks persons who "represent diversity" to volunteer to deliver these petitions to the networks in May 2006.

Support Immigrants' Rights

Manuel Castro urged us to support immigrant rights during the demonstrations on Monday, May 1, 2006.

Honor Everett Parker

Bob Everett urged the Association to honor Everett Parker, the person who led the UCC Office of Communication when the UCC worked with the NAACP to overturn the WLBT license. Everett now lives in White Plains and is a member of the Metro Association.

Celebrate Service

Alexander Jamison urged us to join in a June 1, 2006 celebration of "From Victim to Victory" honoring those who have survived Hurricane Katrina as well as those who have been helping move these persons from Victim to Victory.

Reported by Lucy Werner