Greenfield Group Minutes
Since 1927
A Unitarian Universalist Ministers Study Group
BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES - NOVEMBER 30, 2005
Gathering at Our lady of Peace was called to order by Tom Wintle, Moderator, at 10:45 am.
Scribe’s Report
To save time the minutes were not read and will be filed. Thanks to Jim Sherblom for writing the Spring 2005 minutes in the absence of the Scribe.
The report on attendance and resignations is below:
Absences
Rosemarie Smurzinski, excused,; Mary Harrington, un-excused.
Resignations Tom Chulak, Dick Fewkes, Kendra Ford
Invitees No suggested new members; therefore we have three openings for next time. Nominations must be into the scribe two weeks before the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer reported that $160 will be the cost for the spring convocation including dues ($20). This amount will be put on the web site where a receipt is available. We carry about a balance of $1046. There is an outstanding bill of $3.61 for copies, payable to Bob Thayer. We have usually carried a higher balance so that we could make gifts from time to time. To get the balance up would require an increase in the basic dues. (gave $1000 to James Luther Adams wing at Harvard Divinity School, and over $700 for Paul Rasor to attend).
Keeper of the Spirits and Snacks
Keeper of the Spirits pro-tem was Dick Fewkes. Joel Miller bought lots of snacks at the last minute for the group. This expense will be reimbursed at the time of the annual tossing of money at the Keeper of the Spirits. At the end of the session the Keeper still needed about $45. A rain of $5.00 donations flooded the Keeper of the Spirits and the deficit was covered.
Review of Disciplines
It was noted by the Moderator that we have changed the way we are operating in many respects and the Disciplines need to be reviewed and updated, especially with job descriptions. Moved and seconded to ask Scribe to initiate a process of Discipline review. Passed.
Proposal to Canonize Dick Fewkes
A proposal was made by Will Saunders that we extend Sainthood to Dick Fewkes. A motion was made to that end . . . Moved: Whereas Dick Fewkes has been a member of Greenfield Group for approximately 35 years has had provided service above and beyond the call of duty many times over the years, and at this time needs to honour the deep bonds of love, devotion and service in his marriage and therefore can not continue to attend on a regular basis, and because of the high esteem in which all members hold him, Dick Fewkes is elected to Sainthood in the Greenfield Group. Passed enthusiastically and unanimously. We could not readily find Dick to tell him of his promotion and assumed he was in the courtyard watching for the smoke from the chimney.
Announcement About GA Workshop
Frank Carpenter and Robert Thayer, both interested in Cahokia, the largest Native American site in the United States, will be leading a workshop at GA and encourage all to attend. Fliers for the site were passed out
Wintle’s Dream
Tom Wintle suggests a one week meeting each year in SAN DIEGO DURING JANUARY to go deeper and result in a letter to the denomination (for example), it is also a wonderful break. Brian Kopke suggested that we meet in Davis Inlet, Labrador, in January, as it would help the native community there with an infusion of cash, as an alternative site. It was suggested that such a meeting could be held once every five to eight years. Thoughts were shared about some schemes to help defray travel expenses for those with smaller travel budgets. Send thoughts to the scribe..
Spring Program
The spring program report was given by Susan Suchocki. Also on the committee are Bob Thayer, Brian Kopke, Bill Gardiner, and Greg Chute.
The dates are April 24-6, 2006, and the location is Our Lady of Peace as has been the custom for many years.
The topic is The Native American Experience in Southern New England in the 17th Century.
Following Check in at 3:00 PM, happy hour and dinner, we will begin the program on Monday evening with a skit, “Irreconcilable Differences,” to be written by Brian kopke with editor Bob Thayer. The skit will be followed by a panel discussion from three perspectives: Native American, Conservative Congregational Clergy, and a Military person.
Tuesday will be spent at the Pequot Nation Museum. For those inclined leave at 7:30 AM we hope to arrange a trip an archaeological dig, then meet with everyone else at the Museum at 10 for a Museum tour. (There will be a regular schedule, including chapel at 7:30 for those who can not go to dig.)
Lunch will be at the Museum from 12 - 1.
From 1-3 there will be two presenters. From 3-4 we will meet at the museum to process what happened during the day. Then we return to Our lady of Peace for a 5:03 dinner.
At 7:00, the Change of Pace will be led by Will Saunders and Marta Flanagan.
Chapel; will be held at 8:30.l
Wednesday morning Chapel will be led by Frank Hall. Chapel will be followed by a general discussion starting from 9 to 10.. Anchor reports by three anchors will offer a variety of perspectives: Tracy will report on the Monday Evening program, Josh will report on the Tuesday experience (If able to be here as his wife is expecting about that time!), and Frank Carpenter will report on the Wednesday morning discussion.
The traditional spirited Business Meeting will be held from 10:30 to 11:30.
Closing Chapel will be led by Bill Gardiner, the incoming Moderator.
The expectation for the program is to provide each of us with an in depth personal encounter with a 17th century savage-European experience, hoping participants get “it.” We hope to be on a learning curve with people over whose bodies we walk - over 18 million killed thru war and disease - bodies are continually found as construction sites build.
Participants are encouraged to find some kind of continuing work with native Americans on current day issues, casinos, land grants, museums, etc. (It was noted that there is a staffer at Our Lady of Peace who is a Narragansett.)
Before we meet in the spring, try to make native contact. There is a North American Pow Wow in Albuquerque in the spring.
Required Reading
Unholy Communion - Bob Thayer (TO BE SENT TO PARTICIPANTS BY THE SCRIBE)
The Name of War: King Philip’s War and the Origins of American Identity by Jill LaPore
The diary of Mary Rowlandson (also titled The Sovereignty and Goodness of God)by Mary Rowlandson - included in its entirety in David Hall, ed., PURITANS IN THE NEW WORLD: A CRITICAL ANTHOLOGY (Princeton U. Press, 2004) and is it is also available on-line -- go to: http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/rowlandson.htm
1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus by Charles Mann
Supplementary Books
Supplementary books to come from Nina Grey and Brian Kopke, to include Buz Jem Blues and Better’n Indian by William Yellow Robe and Rez Sisters by Thompson Highway, and others.
Grant for Spring Program
The Scribe will talk with Michelle Bentley at the UUA about a grant for $500 or 1/3 of the total cost of what we are doing (whichever is less). If members can make a donation to help others, be in touch with the Scribe or the treasurer.
Fall 2006 Topic
Frank Carpenter says the topic for the fall is something to do with Universalism. On the committee are Anita Farber-Robertson, Joel Miller, Gil Seavey, Rosemary Brae McNatt, and Nina Grey (chair).
The Moderator called the meeting to a close.
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Kopke, Scribe
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