Our Relationship with Christ United Methodist Church: Update

Relationship with Christ UMC

Notice of Special Congregational Conversation September 22 following an abbreviated worship service

Please plan to participate in a presentation of the latest developments in the conversation for the potential merger of Christ UMC and First Congregational UCC.  Following an abbreviated worship service, both congregations will remain in the sanctuary for a presentation about where we are at this point and a general Q&A session. Then, we’ll separate into congregations for further discussion. Christ UMC will have their conversation in Fellowship Hall and FCUCC will remain in the sanctuary.

On Monday (8/19), our Church Council approved a formal response to the proposal set forth by Christ United Methodist Church in late July. Our response affirms the direction of Christ UMC’s proposal, recognizing that we are in a time of Holy Experimentation as we figure out how to expand our relationship towards a potential merger into a future federated church. The highlights:

• No major decision will be made until we have had time to conduct a thorough congregational process and allowed for congregational vote(s).
• Affirmed the continuation of Rev. Lynne as pastor of both congregations and future pastoral selection would be through a process of search and call (UCC process)
• Seeks clarification of Rev. Dawn’s future time with Christ UMC
• Seeks clarification of definition of United Methodist presence (pertains to ownership of property)
• Expresses the ongoing retention of denominational relationships
• Establishment of unified budget for 2025 supported by church members’ giving and other financial assets as determined by each church
• Requests that both churches conduct a fall stewardship campaign in anticipation of a unified budget
• Continued unified leadership on boards and eventually council
• The offering of a unified congregational conversation on September 22 to facilitate the presentation of information to both congregations with allowance for independent congregational discussion

If you are interested in reading the full response, you can find it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dqryegk2MzZGssKc65mLWJOrRr5kDXi5/view?usp=sharing.

Because of our polity, no decisions will be made without congregational involvement. Keep an eye on future newsletters for more information and how you can be involved.

UCC Council Members are: Dick Kloppel, Moderator; Karen Spencer, Vice Moderator; Liz Lee, Clerk; Nancy Zadick, Treasurer; Dean Jardee, Member At Large; Peter Johnson, Member At Large; Carol Shipley, Business Affairs; Sue Turton, Christian Education; Lila Byers, Christian Service; Karen Venetz, Christian Service; Carol Davidson, Church Growth; KimKay McCarty Martin, Fellowship; Suzan Seery, Stewardship; Steve Gettel, Worship