Greenfield Group Minutes
Since 1927
A Unitarian Universalist Ministers Study Group
BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES - APRIL 2004
Gathering at Our lady of Peace called together by the Moderator.
SCRIBE’S REPORT
There were no minutes available from the fall ‘03 meeting because of hard drive failures.
Absent: Rosemarie Smurzinski (not excused)
Excused: Tom Wintle, Marta Flanagan, Tracy Sprowl
There were two deaths: Paul Mueller and Saint, Nat Lauriat
Resignation: Lucinda Duncan
There are four openings and two possible nominations.
Discussion to re-invite Marta Valentin, voted to extend an invitation
One recommendation, Jim Sherblom by Martha Niebank
A question raised about the history of non-ordained people in the group. It was pointed out that there had been many non ordained individuals in the group: Royal Cloyd, Ed Darling, Joan Goodwin. Ordination is one way of framing membership, another is that people coming to this group have some experience of ministry.
It was voted to extend an invitation to Jim Sherblom.
WEB SITE
The website has a new look. All papers and other downloadables will be in the .pdf format. A free reader is available from a link on the site. Members were requested to scour their hard drives for past papers which can be placed on the site.
TREASURER
Treasurer’s report: We began the convocation with $742 in the treasury, gave $1000 in 2000 and in 2002 to the James Luther Adams Library and $702 to Paul Rasor for fees and expenses. As a result the balance is lower than the Treasurer would like to see it.
Two weeks before our meetings at Our Lady of Peace Bob Thayer sends in the count of people expected at the meetings. We have three people who did not give notice till the day of our meeting and they owe us money. This draws down the account. Bob will have to write snail mail letters to these people dunning them. Balance is down to $300 or so dollars - not counting what we have to pay for refreshments.
Bob added hat we have been asked to contribute to the fund drive for Our Lady of Peace. Bob feels he has to say something to the house and has an obligation to give them a donation. Frank said he had sent money to OLP when they wrote him. Payment for flowers for Paul and Nat are still outstanding. Discussion ensued about an amount to give to OLOP. $20 each was suggested. This would make close to a $500 gift. The treasurer noted that it would be too much to sort out individual gifts from the group gift. Suggested: encourage a $25 gift from each member at the next convocation - (optional) to be used toward a $500 donation. Passed with one opposed. Will make a pledge to OLP.
KEEPER OF THE SPIRITS
Keeper of the spirits: Annual pelting of the keeper with money by the slackers and sale of unopened goods was held. It was proposed that we put an end to collections and substitute a fee for all to pay. An amount of $5 added to the regular cost was suggested. There were sundry comments and suggestions. Moved - add $5.00 to pay for basics and others chip in for drinks. Passed. No opposition.
Cost next time is $145.00 plus an optional $25 for OLP.
KEEPER OF THE GONG
Keeper reports that she has found the big gong and will take it home and bring it next time. Many people did not know the gong had gone missing..
PROGRAM REPORTS
Report by Nannene, Frank C., and Susan S. on Pastoral and Personal Responses to Terrorism for the fall:
Political and personal by Nannene, response by Josh,
Pastoral by Susan response by Bob Thayer
Personal reaction to terrorism (3 pages: Rose, Frank H and Frank C).
CARING CARD
A card will be sent to Marta.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Nominating Committee: Selected Tom Wintle as vice Moderator and all others currently in place - Chute for Moderator. Accepted.
KUDOS TO FRANK
Accolades to Frank Carpenter for his work as Moderator. Appreciation to Frank for how he handled the memorials to Nat and Paul.
Reminder: Invitees are to be invited by the Moderator.
Other comments: Some would like more vegetarian food - can we send five or ten recipes to Robert Thayer and he will bring them here and deal with the house.. Worth a try. .Nannene will be assistant to Nina Gray as historian for GG and will pick up extra papers this time. Kopke will get old papers to her - several boxes worth.
TOPIC SELECTION
Greg Chute will lead us in selection of topics for Spring 05 and fall 05.
Talk about possibility of seeding the process with several plans developed ahead - but there are some topics which need more group input - process can not be too vague - long discussion - many ideas - topics today - we have lately been getting into immediate response type topics and that is making the problem. Topics today - would like a more fleshed out process proposal.
Suggested topics: Theatre in the church; Utopian Societies; Music in the Church; UU’s and spiritual practices; Mission Driven Church (book: Purpose Driven Church); Mysticism and Liberal Religion; Religion in Popular Fiction (Two minutes presentation on each, and two votes per person on topics)
Winnowed out to: Mission Driven (Spring 05) Church and Mysticism and Liberal Religion.(fall 05)
Meeting ended with an announcement that we need to bring blankets into chapel!
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Kopke. Scribe
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