Christ United Methodist Church and First Congregational United Church of Christ Merger Update- What’s Next?

There’s been a lot going on behind the scenes as the work towards merger continues.

• Most importantly, we are continuing to bring our separate ministries together: we continue in unified worship and fellowship every Sunday (have you noticed how lively Coffee Fellowship has become?); we are well into plans for this year’s Rally Sunday (September 7); and the unified Search Committee continues to do their work.
• A subcommittee of the Exploration Committee has been working to create bylaws for the federated church that will be formed when everything is finalized.
• Leaders of both congregations have met with respective legal counsel to make sure that each congregation’s interest will be honored and that we don’t overlook anything.
• Another subcommittee of the Exploration Committee is getting together to create some Articles of Incorporation to be filed with the Secretary of State’s office.

While all of that is going on, your help is needed to discern the name of this new thing that God is doing. By what name will this church be called?

Many thanks to folks who participated in the “What’s in a Name” process in early June. Here’s some of what you shared on paper:

When asked, “what is the most important thing about our church,” you responded with reflections about mission projects, our sense of openness and the welcome we extend, and a few good sermons.

When asked, “when you are telling others about our church, how do you describe it,” your responses echoed much of the above in addition to a sense of vibrancy and fun.

When asked about your “favorite experiences with our church and what it means for you,” you brought up food, fellowship, outdoor services, meeting new people and dancing.

When asked what you thought is most important in a church name, you mentioned keeping our roots and reference to our historical denominations (Congregational and Methodist), a name that unifies, a name that is short, and a name that reflects unity, peace and hope.

Interestingly, the question that was answered the most was the one that was not asked: what should our new name be? There were 56 responses to the question that was not asked.

So, now we’re going to officially ask the question: By what name shall our new church be called? In order to be sure that as many people can participate in the process as possible and to try to come close to a consensus, the Exploration Committee is putting forth the following process:

1. Send us your name recommendations by July 12. You can do so in a number of ways:
   1. Email them to Rev. Lynne at pastor@greatfallsucc.org
   2. Place suggestions in the offering plate on Sunday morning
   3. Write ideas on the large piece of paper in Fellowship Hall (Look on the wall partition by the piano)
   4. Place name suggestions in the “Name that Church” box in the narthex
2. July 13 will be “Dot Day.” All the names that have been submitted will be compiled on a large sheet of paper in Fellowship Hall. You will have an opportunity to “dot” your favorites with colored dots. You can “dot” more than one name but please, only one dot per name per person (in other words, don’t load up your favorite name with lots of dots!) (If you won’t be in church on the 13^th, let Rev. Lynne know and someone will send you a photo of the board and you can let her know which name(s) you’d like to “dot.”
3. July 17 – Exploration Committee meets and will select five options.
4. July 30 – August Newsletter will include a ballot of the five name options selected by the Exploration Committee based on your previous input. You will be asked to select your top 2 choices and rank them 1^st and 2^nd. You can make an additional suggestion, but it will be counted as one of your choices. Names will be required on the ballot just to make sure we don’t end up with someone stuffing the ballot box. One person – one vote.
5. August 17 – Ballots due in the church office
6. August 18 – Ballots are tabulated and Church Council identifies one name to put forth to the congregation for a vote.

September 7 – Rally Day! Specially called congregational meeting to approve the name of our new church. BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! If the bylaws are ready in time to distribute to the congregation in advance, we could also be voting on new bylaws.