N ATIONAL A SSOCIATION OF C ONGREGATIONAL C HRISTIAN C HURCHES P.O. Box 288, Oak Creek, WI 53154-0288, (800)-262-1620, Email: [email protected]www.naccc.org NACCC N EWS I NSIDE 2013 A NNUAL MEETING & CONFERENCE 2 R ETIRED MINISTERS F UND 3 MISSION & OUTREACH 4 NEWS , V ISITS & T IDBITS 5 NEW P HONE E XTENSIONS 6 ORDINATION A NNIVERSARIES 7 UPCOMING DATES 8 44 TH A NNUAL CONVOCATION 9-10 NAPF/HOPE 11 B RITISH S EMINAR 12 ICF CONFERENCE 13-14 NACCC I NFORMATION 15 To Our Members and Friends of the National Association. . . We have had many busy and challenging times during the past 50+ years. Even my lack of that great a memory does not make me uncomfortable in stating that the past 24 months have been intense for our Association. Gratefully we have been and continue to be served by many splendid people just doing their job – and doing it very well indeed! For the sake of brevity I will not try to list everyone but will try and identify those groups currently working on all of the NA projects that we are depending on as we shift gears and begin to exercise the new model of NA leadership. The new Leadership Council under the direction of our Moderator, Neil Hunt, is working with our assigned Ministry Councils in order to implement their work strategies to manage the Association level work. These include Missions, Ministry and Church Outreach – older terms that now encompass greater meanings. This work will be complimented by new Bylaws (to be membership approved) now in development between our Legal Team (Harry Holtz, Steve Hoth) and the current Executive Committee. The implementation is dependent upon final IRS approval of the non‐profit status of our Corporation (not the Association). Once the status is assigned the new model Board of Directors with Moderator‐elect Jim DeLine can legally assume the Corporation responsibilities. At that point the last of the old Leadership Team, the Executive Committee, will disband. This effort remains a work in progress and continues to take a real commitment. Something else to consider is the work needed behind the scenes – the continued staffing of the new model councils now that some yearly terms of assignment will expire. That important job has fallen squarely on our Nominating Committee, Claudia Kniefel and her dedicated group. Personally speaking, I know that the job has been complicated by some dual slotting requirements imposed by our current Bylaws. A heartfelt Thank You to all of the above, their councils and committees and to those potential candidates coming aboard – all of you have some real job opportunities ahead! Meanwhile, the old Executive Committee continues with the Bylaws work and setting about the task of assembling a Staffing Review & Search Committee for the vacant Executive Secretary position. Although many others may have already said it, writing on behalf of the Executive Committee, I want to thank Rev. Dr. Tom Richard for all he has done for our Association and indeed our own Executive Committee. His knowledge, understanding, wit & wisdom will be sorely missed. Blessings to Tom and his family for their years of commitment to Our Way and for all the help and assistance he has put into the new path and goals that we now undertake. We wish him the best in his new job in sunny California. Bet he won’t miss the Wisconsin cold! May God continue to bless all the good and righteous work that we do. Respectfully, Varn Philbrook, Executive Committee Chair F EBRUARY /M ARCH 2013 VOLUME 4, I SSUE 6
Transcript
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES P.O. Box 288, Oak Creek, WI 53154-0288, (800)-262-1620, Email: [email protected]
www.naccc.org
NACCC NEWS
INSIDE
2013 ANNUAL MEETING & CONFERENCE
2
RETIRED MINISTERS FUND
3
MISSION & OUTREACH
4
NEWS, VISITS & TIDBITS
5
NEW PHONE EXTENSIONS
6
ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES
7
UPCOMING DATES 8
44TH ANNUAL CONVOCATION
9-10
NAPF/HOPE 11
BRITISH SEMINAR 12
ICF CONFERENCE 13-14
NACCC INFORMATION 15
To Our Members and Friends of the National Association. . . We have had many busy and challenging times during the past 50+ years. Even my lack of that great a memory does not make me uncomfortable in stating that the past 24 months have been intense for our Association. Gratefully we have been and continue to be served by many splendid people just doing their job – and doing it very well indeed! For the sake of brevity I will not try to list everyone but will try and identify those groups currently working on all of the NA projects that we are depending on as we shift gears and begin to exercise the new model of NA leadership. The new Leadership Council under the direction of our Moderator, Neil Hunt, is working with our assigned Ministry Councils in order to implement their work strategies to manage the Association level work. These include Missions, Ministry and Church Outreach – older terms that now encompass greater meanings. This work will be complimented by new Bylaws (to be membership approved) now in development between our Legal Team (Harry Holtz, Steve Hoth) and the current Executive Committee. The implementation is dependent upon final IRS approval of the non‐profit status of our Corporation (not the Association). Once the status is assigned the new model Board of Directors with Moderator‐elect Jim DeLine can legally assume the Corporation responsibilities. At that point the last of the old Leadership Team, the Executive Committee, will disband. This effort remains a work in progress and continues to take a real commitment. Something else to consider is the work needed behind the scenes – the continued staffing of the new model councils now that some yearly terms of assignment will expire. That important job has fallen squarely on our Nominating Committee, Claudia Kniefel and her dedicated group. Personally speaking, I know that the job has been complicated by some dual slotting requirements imposed by our current Bylaws. A heartfelt Thank You to all of the above, their councils and committees and to those potential candidates coming aboard – all of you have some real job opportunities ahead! Meanwhile, the old Executive Committee continues with the Bylaws work and setting about the task of assembling a Staffing Review & Search Committee for the vacant Executive Secretary position. Although many others may have already said it, writing on behalf of the Executive Committee, I want to thank Rev. Dr. Tom Richard for all he has done for our Association and indeed our own Executive Committee. His knowledge, understanding, wit & wisdom will be sorely missed. Blessings to Tom and his family for their years of commitment to Our Way and for all the help and assistance he has put into the new path and goals that we now undertake. We wish him the best in his new job in sunny California. Bet he won’t miss the Wisconsin cold! May God continue to bless all the good and righteous work that we do. Respectfully, Varn Philbrook, Executive Committee Chair
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6
LESS OF ME, MORE OF HIM Biggest Loser Contestant, Season 14
Lisa Rambo to speak to Adults and Youth in Orlando
Just as we were about to go to press with this issue of the NACCC NEWS we received confirmation that Lisa Rambo, a member of the Annual Meeting and Conference Team, who is currently a contestant on NBC’s Biggest Loser, will be speaking to a joint session of the adults and youth at our NACCC/NAPF/HOPE meeting in Orlando. Lisa is currently living “off the Biggest Loser ranch”, working toward the goal of being the Biggest Loser come the finale of the session on March 18 when all contestants return for their final weigh‐in, broadcast on your local NBC affiliate. All contestants are striving to lose the greatest percentage of weight. For Lisa, the journey has been one of mind, body and spirit. You will want to hear her amazing story, first‐hand, so we invite you to attend the 59th Annual Meeting and Conference of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches to be held June 22‐25, 2013 at Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Florida in the Walt Disney World Resort. NAPF/HOPE will meet at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Hotel, just minutes from the Hilton. We, the Annual Meeting and Conference Team, and the Florida Association of Congregational Christian Churches are working to provide a meeting that will be one you won’t want to miss. The Rev. Dr. Donald Olsen, Sr. Minister at Plymouth Congregational Church, Wichita, KS, will be our Bible Lecturer, and the Rev. Dr. Mark Jensen, Minister Emeritus of North Congregational Church of Farmington Hills, MI, our Congregational Lecturer. On Saturday evening, the opening day of the conference, the Piedmont College Singers will provide a concert of music including works by Charles Stanford, Palestrina, Eric Whitacre, Eriks Esenvalds, William Hawley, Stephen Paulus, and Joseph Jennings. Remember, the beautiful Sunshine State provides a wealth of recreation options. Free time in the evenings while attending the conference can be spent exploring Downtown Disney or one of the Disney theme parks. Be‐fore or after the conference you might consider Space Shuttles at Cape Kennedy, the Golf Hall of Fame or the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, Busch Gardens in Tampa, or the Ringling Museum in Sarasota. So many fun options! Plan your vacation right now with the NACCC Annual Meeting and Conference as the centerpiece to your travel. See you in Orlando! The Annual Meeting and Conference Team Go to www.naccc.org for 2013 Annual Meeting & Conference information.
PAGE 2 NACCC NEWS
2013 ANNUAL MEETING & CONFERENCE . . .
A NOTE OF THANKSGIVING Here is an excerpt from a thank you note we recently received from one of our retired ministers. . . “I am writing to thank you and (through you) the National Association for the kind and generous cash gift that I received from you. I have enjoyed more than a half-century as a part of the National Association, ministering (throughout that time as Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church) I also held a number of offices and responsibilities in the National Association. The latter has enriched my ministry in countless ways. More importantly, the services, instrumentalities, ministries and programs of the NA have supported the health and effectiveness of countless congregations, pastors and fellowships, doing so competently and yet unobtrusively throughout those decades of its existence. As, from retirement, I reflect upon it all, I am most grateful to have been a part of it!! I certainly wish you all the very best in the many vital ways in which you serve!”
Your continued support of the Retired Minister’s Fund is greatly appreciated. This fund was established by the Rev. Dr. Max Strang, a long-time Congregational minister, and Mr. Fred Hoerner, a Congregational layman, to recognize the value of the service rendered by retired Congregational ministers and their spouses. This endowed fund has been supported generously by the churches and individuals of the NACCC and provides a modest annual gift to all retired ministers who have served NACCC churches at least 5 years.
PAGE 3 NACCC NEWS
PAGE 4 NACCC NEWS
HURRICANE SANDY UPDATE ‐ The Mission and Outreach Council (formerly the Missionary Society) has collected $26,000 through One Great Hour of Sharing. So far we have distributed $16,800 to churches and organizations.
For questions about Missions, please contact Linda Miller at [email protected] or call (800) 262‐1620 ext. 1618.
Every Dollar Given to Missions . . . Goes to Missions.
MISSION & OUTREACH NEWS
CHAPLAINCY REQUIREMENTS Chaplaincy endorsements are now handled through the Center for Congregational Leadership. The NACCC has adopted a Disclosure Protocol and Policy for all clergy wishing to update ecclesiastical endorsement. Clergy must have a Disclosure File completed before receiving a letter of support for chaplaincy. Details of the policy are available at www.naccc.org – go to Ministries, then Division for Ministry, then Ministerial Opportunities. Scroll down to open the NACCC Disclosure Protocol and Policy. Item #1 provides a list of documents required for the disclosure file. In addition to the documents required by the Disclosure Policy, those clergy seeking chaplaincy endorsement must be a member of an NACCC church and submit a letter of support from their church. All documents can be submitted to Marie Steele by email, fax or regular mail at
Center for Congregational Leadership 320 S. Main—Burrage Library
Great Resource for Treasurers: Check out Church Finance Today at www.churchlawandtax.com/ctainfo.php. Church Finance Today is published monthly with important financial information for churches that can have a direct impact on ministry. $59.95 annual subscription. They also have a free e‐newsletter you can subscribe to. “Church Finance Today is an important resource that helps treasurers keep good financial records and comply with tax reporting responsibilities. It’s editor, Richard Hammar, is well respected by IRS professionals.” Edward Coleman, former Director, IRS Exempt Ord. Division, Washington DC.
FCC Barkhemsted . . . 39 shoeboxes were gathered for the “Christmas Child” project which delivers gifts to children who otherwise would have no Christmas gifts. They have participated in Operation Christmas Child since 1997. In total, they have filled 497 shoeboxes to be given to children around the world. Riverpoint Cong. Church, RI . . . will be holding a Souper Bowl of Caring Feb. 3. All donations will be split between the Sheperd’s Table Soup Kitchen and the RI Food Bank. FCC, Terre Haute . . . holds a monthly Dialogue at St. Arbucks. (Starbucks) for a time of gathering and discussion about the issues and challenges of daily life. FCC, Wayne, MI . . . have started a new monthly evening service. Ignite Worship is an opportunity to worship in a casual style. FCC, Fall River, MA . . . will explore their church covenant, what it is, what it means and how it distinguishes them. Do you send us your internet newsletter? Please do. We will pick items from them to share in this column. You can send it to [email protected].
EXECUTIVE VISITS Dr. Tom Richard preached at FCC, Yarmouthport on Dec. 28. Dr. Tom Richard represented the NACCC at a visit to LaMoille Community Congregational Church in LaMoille, IA on Jan. 12. Dr. Tom Richard preached at the installation of Rev. Richard Miller-Todd and Rev. Tom Conrey co-pastors of Berwick Cong’l Church on Jan. 13 in Berwick, IA.
RECENT CALLS
CARMEL UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
CARMEL, MAINE REV. MARK RUSTIN AS SENIOR MINISTER
PAGE 6 NACCC NEWS
NEW PHONE EXTENSIONS
We have a new phone system, thus changing our extensions. Please make a note of them.
Carrie Dahm 1612
Betsey Mauro 1613
Marie Steele 1614
Courtney Schultz 1615
Dan Drea 1616
Rebecca Moore 1617
Linda Miller 1618
Office: (800) 262‐1620 or (414) 764‐1620 Fax: (414) 764‐0319
Have you recently received a post‐graduate degree? We’d like to know and celebrate that accomplishment. By the way, remember to add this information to your Disclosure File.
Send a copy of your certificate and/or transcript to: Marie Steele at [email protected].
FEBRUARY Larry Wentzel Feb. 1, 1974 Craig Crossman Feb. 1, 1992 Erik Nordgren Feb. 8, 2004 Howard Owen Feb. 8, 2004 Richard Vinson Feb. 14, 1965 G. Alden Taylor Feb. 15, 1974 Gail Mills Feb. 15, 1981 Steve DeGangi Feb. 17, 2008 Joseph French Feb. 19, 2011 Allan Palmer Feb. 22, 1987 Mark Long Feb. 22, 2004 MARCH Fred Dole Mar. 2, 1968 Wayne Jacobson Mar. 4, 1973 Herbert Bowers Mar. 4, 1979
ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES NACCC NEWS PAGE 7
Harry Clark Mar. 6, 1955 James Schibsted Mar. 7, 1982 Carl Mesnig Mar. 9, 1997 Dawn Carlson Mar. 11, 2007 James Jupin Mar. 12, 2005 Wilson Parks Mar. 13, 1966 Robert Stainback Mar. 15, 1986 Israel Young Mar. 15, 2006 Mark Dieter Mar. 16, 1997 Steve Whitworth Mar. 16, 2002 Tony Rambo Mar. 20, 2011 Terry Bascom Mar. 22, 1992 Robert Sullivan Mar. 24, 1996 Ronald Lake Mar. 25, 1990 Joan Laska Mar. 25, 2001 Jeffrey Potter Mar. 27, 2011 Michael Person Mar. 31, 1974
YourChurchResources.com is a great website to explore. One valuable handbook is: The 20122013 Compensation Handbook for Church Staff From their website: Based on a national survey, The 20122013 Compensation Handbook for Church Staff provides reliable church employee compensation breakdowns for part‐time, full‐time, church size, income budget, and geographical setting. With this information, you can compare your plan to other churches that have similar positions and demographics. Compensation profiles are broken down by categories so you can easily determine: base salary; retirement; health insurance; housing allowance & parsonage; life insurance; continuing education. In addition, you’ll find compensation levels based on personnel characteristics including years employed, denomination, region, gender, and educational training. Church staff positions profiled include: solo pastor; senior pastor; associate pastor; executive/administrative pastor; youth pastor; adult ministry director; children’s/preschool director; music/choir director; administrator; bookkeeper/accountant; administrative assistant; custodian and part‐time musician/vocalist.
PAGE 8 NACCC NEWS
Dates for your Calendar
Religion & Liberal Arts Conference
February 22-23, 2013 Piedmont College, GA
2013 Annual Minister’s Convocation
April 8 - 11, 2013 Mundelein, IL
2013 Annual Meeting & Conference
June 22-25, 2013 Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Florida
in the Walt Disney World Resort
NAPF/HOPE June 22-26, 2013 Orlando, Florida
NACCC NEWS PAGE 9
Facilitating Healthy Pastor-Congregation Relations is a workshop to help pastors and congregations address the crisis in the pastorate system. The church must be willing to reexamine some of the ways the pastorate system has functioned in recent years. Learn how to manage healthy pastoral transitions, strengthen support systems for pastors and explore systems for managing conflict. Richard Blackburn, Executive Director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) in Lombard, IL will lead the workshops. He is an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church, and served ten years as chairperson of the Peace and Justice Committee of the Mennonite church. He has broad experience as a trainer, mediator, and consultant with conflicted churches and their leaders.
The Program will consist of 4 sessions: Session I: The Crisis in the Pastorate System. Symptoms & causes; the congregation as a family system; understanding how churches can be like dysfunctional families. Session II: Managing Healthy Pastoral Transitions. Saying goodbye; churches searching for leaders; pastors searching for healthy churches. Session III: Strengthening Support Systems for Pastors. Systems for managing conflict. Session IV: Promoting Healthy Church Systems. Understanding church members; overcoming sabotage; leadership through self-differentiation.
Please join us for this very timely program. As always, there will be plenty of free time to relax and get reacquainted with old friends and make new ones.
You can view the complete program schedule on the NACCC website front page Features.
44th Annual Minister’s Convocation Registration April 8 – 11, 2013
Center for the Development in Ministry – University of St. Mary of the Lake 1000 E. Maple Avenue, Mundelein, IL 60060
847-566-8290
____ Conference, meals & lodging – By March 25: $365 (After March 25: $390) ____ Conference & meals – By March 25: $240 (After March 25: $265) Registration fees must be paid in full with the registration form and are refundable up until March 25th. They are non-refundable after that date as per our contract with the university. My arrival date & time: _______________________________ My departure date & time: ____________________________ ____ I will be driving _____ I will arrive by train at _________ am / pm Please use the Libertyville Train Station ____ I will arriving by plane at _____ Midway or _____O’Hare Arrival time: ___________________ on airline: ________________ Flight # _______________ Departure time: _________________ on airline: ________________ Flight # _______________
Method of payment
Name
Street
City, State, Zip
Phone: Email:
Check – payable to NACCC for $
Visa Mastercard ** We are unable to accept Discover or American Express cards.
Credit card number
Security Code Expiration Date
Signature
Return Registration & Payment to: Center for Congregational Leadership or Fax to: 269-749-7290 320 S. Main Street – Burrage Library Olivet, MI 49076
Registration deadline: March 25, 2013
NACCC NEWS PAGE 11
◊ Lodging at Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Hotel, located just 1 mile from Downtown Disney
◊ Dynamic social experiences ◊ Evenings at three Disney Parks ◊ Awesome speakers and small group time ◊ Interaction with NACCC Delegate Conference ◊ Inspiring worship experiences ◊ Registration Fee: $575.00 ◊ Scholarships are available for NAPF and HOPE participants.
You can locate the scholarship information on the NACCC website.
National Association of Congregational Christian Churches P.O. Box 288 8473 S. Howell Avenue
Oak Creek, WI 53154 Phone (800) 262-1620 www. NACCC.org
NACCC NEWS PAGE 12
For more information please contact Rev. Mike Fales at [email protected] or (517) 231-6818
NACCC NEWS PAGE 13
NACCC NEWS PAGE 14
8473 S. Howell Avenue P.O. Box 288
Oak Creek, WI 53154-0288 Phone: (800) 262-1620 Fax: (414) 764-0319
Bringing together Congregational Christian Churches for mutual care and outreach to our
world in the name of Jesus Christ.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
NACCC News is a publication of the National Association of
Congregational Christian Churches. All rights reserved.
SEND ME YOUR NEWS Submissions for the April/May
edition are due by March. 20, 2013. Marie Steele, Editor [email protected]
W E’ RE ON THE W EB! w w w . n a c c c . o r g
The Congregational Foundation
Want to create something of lasting value? You can be confident your legacy gift will make the difference you’re seeking to create. Contact the Congregational Foundation at: (800) 262‐1620
