Greenfield Group Minutes
Since 1927
A Unitarian Universalist Ministers Study Group
BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES - APRIL 26, 2006
The Gathering at Our Lady of Peace was called to order by Greg Chute (taking over for Tom Wintle).
Treasurer’s Report:
No final report was available. There was money in and money out. (laughter) . . . .$700 grant from Michelle Bentley from the Continuing Education Departmentf or the program. There was some money ( $195.00) left over and perhaps we need to earmark that money for future bursaries for funding educational expenses. We should send a copy of the anchor report to Michelle Bentley.
Our Lady of Peace wants a deposit larger than in past and that will deplete our reserves. We need higher dues. We need another $1500 in bank account to cover deposits and keep a balance when checks bounce or can not pay conference fees on time. Bob will get finances out to us by email.
Scribe’s Report:
Minutes of the Fall 2005 meeting have been posted for all to read. Any corrections - please note on the copy.
Absences: Mary Harringotn (excused), Charles Stephens (excused), John Weston (excused), Rosemary Brae-McNaught (excused), Tom Wintle (excused), Joel Miller (excused), Josh Pauleck (excused).
We have two spaces open at the present time. There were no nominations for those spaces.
Scribe has asked Bob Thayer and Bill Gardner to work on a draft revision of the disciplines which will be emailed to everyone for comment in September. The draft will be discussed at the Fall 2006 meeting. We will be cleaning up the Disciplines to reflect current practices as well as looking at some of the changes which have been seeping into the job divisions.
Scribe will set up the list of people who have done what papers and responses for the past ten or so years and will include it in the information on the web site for the Program Chairs to use in selecting people to write papers.
Keeper of the Spirits:
Beer, $1.50, wine $2.50 a glass. We are $50 short, there is beer and wine for sale now - Beer is $1 a bottle, $7 for wine. Snacks left over are free. There was an annual sale of second hand beer and wine. Sale and donations covered expenses.
Selection of Future Topics:
Bill Gardiner led us through a process of reflection on what would be most valuable for us to think about as we move forward in our ministries . . .
Ideas form the group: Interpreting the Living Tradition, Right Relationship to Colleagues, Violence: Mammals in Inhumane Systems, Religion and Politics: Hot Spots in the World, Understanding Issues of Civil Rights, Women’s Roles in Social Advancement, Issues in Cultural Change with Globalization, Globalization of the World, Globalization in our Daily Lives, Globalization and God, Mentoring, Origins of Christianity and Judaism
April 23 - 25, 2007 - Origins of Christianity and Interpreting the Living Tradition (Frank Hall and Frank Carpenter)
November 26 - 28, 2007 - Globalization Group (local import) Jim and Brian, with Martha, Rosemary and Bill)
Historian’s Report:
Will talk to Neal at Meadville about moving the Harvard files there. We will get all old duplicate papers to Chicago (Nina) who will make a bibliography and send out wanted papers rather than carry them back and forth.
Nominating Committee for report in the fall of Next Spring’s Officers:
The Nominating Committee will be Marta Flanagan, Frank Carpenter, and Brian Kopke. They will report to the fall convocation with a slate of officers who will take over their duties at the spring meeting.
Program Committee Report:
Nov. 27-29, 2006: Universalism: What is Compelling in Universalism Today?
Program Committee: Nina Grey (chair), Rosemary Brae McNatt, Jim Sherblom, Anita Farber Robertson, Joel Miller (added in spring 2006: Gail S. and Rosemarie S).
Monday Evening:
History - Historicizing wall of UU History
Three short papers - no more than 20 minutes to deliver (Clarence Skinner, CB Hanniford , George DeBenneville)
Tuesdays Morning
Universalism as a Devotional Life
Universalism Diversity and Pluralism in Congregational life (Jim/rNina)
Small Groups - One page papers by all - Universalism in Our Ministries
Change of Pace - Tracey
Anchor - Paul
Election of a Cantor:
Will Saunders wil be a song leader and consultant - agreed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brian Kopke, Scribe
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