Minutes for the January 28, 2007 Skyland

Community Church Congregational Meeting

Submitted by: Deloise Mahrle

Stephen opened the meeting with a prayer.

Moderator Larry Lopp presented the need for the proposed changes to the Bylaws of Skyland Church. In the last few years it had been noticed that the behavior of the church was not matching the stated by-laws of the church. The council decided that the by-laws needed to be changed to reflect the actual behavior of the members of the church. The council has approved the addition of two new by-laws: Article VI, section 3,will define the annual budget meeting; Article IX, sections 4 and 5 will define the Run and Harvest Festival committees. In addition, the council has voted to clarify the responsibilities of the Deacons. These changes, reflecting the current operation of the church, as well as changes to improve the organization and operation of the church were presented to the quorum of the membership present for discussion and vote.

Larry Lopp read through the proposed Bylaw changes reflecting current operation of the church (Item II, 1—5; of the agenda) and called for discussion. Most of the discussion involved Item II, 2, regarding Article IX, sections 4 and 5. This would define the Run and Harvests Festival committees as such under the bylaws. It was questioned whether these committees were appropriate for definition under the bylaws. The arguments in favor of putting these committees in the bylaws were: These committees are both associated with missions and funding of the church, we need to have accurate records kept of the activities of these committees. Against the inclusion was the argument that these committees may need to have more flexibility than other committees in the Bylaws, and we may decide we do not want to have these functions every year.

Larry Cook moved to pass all the changes in Items I and II as one vote. T’Shala objected because this would go against usual parliamentary procedure. Larry Lopp asked for a vote whether we should vote on the Item I and II parts as one vote. A majority of church members present (24-17) voted to proceed as Larry Cook had suggested. Joan Law moved to make changes as listed in Items I, II.1, II.3, II.4, and II.5. Moira Howard seconded the motion. The vote was 38 for, 1 against, and 5 abstaining.

Discussion continued regarding Item II.2. Questions were raised: Should this go in bylaws at all? Should we restrict terms? Should we add words “if” and “when”. Suggestions were: 1. put these committees under the broad heading of “Events” committees; and 2. The reason for putting them in the bylaws is to make clear the source of their authority to act for the church.

Larry Cook moved we send Item II.2 back to the council for revision. Nancy Jo Lopp and Carole Greene seconded the motion. The members voted 39 for and 2 against.

Larry Lopp called for discussion of proposed changes listed under III.1-8. After discussion:

Diane Cook moved, Patricia Wood seconded that we put “and/or” before the word training in Article VII, section 1. The members voted unanimously for this proposition.

Gina Lucca moved and T’Shala Olivieri seconded that Item III.1 pass as amended. The members voted unanimously for doing so.

Richard Lyness moved to approve bylaw changes in Item III.2. (Article VIII, section 1). It would read, “Oversee the activities of all ministers and interns.” The members voted unanimously to do so.

Don Law moved that we accept Item III.3 (IX, section 2) as proposed, to read “give guidance to the pastor”. The members voted unanimously to do so.

After discussion which defined “Lay”, “in care”, and “four way covenant”, Holly Reed moved Item III.4 (Article X), the definition of chairperson be changed as described by the council. The members voted unanimously to do so.

Carol Greene moved to accept wording changes in Article X of the bylaws to allow the council to authorize others to transact business. Maire Howard seconded. The members voted unanimously for the motion.

Fern Thompson moved and Carol Greene seconded that the membership vote to approve the changes in Article X which state that the council is obligated to seek church membership approval for agreements which place obligation on the church, which extend beyond one year.

Holly Reed moved and Harold Hoyt seconded that a quorum for congregational meeting should consist of twenty-five members of the church (Article XI, section 4).

Joan Law moved and Larry Cook seconded that we accept that the Deacon’s membership to be restricted to nine lay, not “in-care” members (Article VIII, section 1). After discussion, the proposal passed, with two opposing votes.

Nancy Jo Lopp presented the Deacon’s “evolution of policy” regarding people going into the ministry. Policy regarding people in our church who have been called to the ministry has evolved. Three terms are used: “In Care”, “Intern”, and “Four-way Covenant”. “In Care” means the person is a member of the church who is being overseen in their training for ministry. An “Intern” is a person who is a member of another church who is paid to work and train in our church. The Deacons have decided that it is best for members of our church to intern at other churches. They will be in-care at our church during that process. “Four-way covenant” is the relationship Skyland has with a member of our church who is ordained and is doing ministry outside our church, as well as having some responsibilities in Skyland church.

At present we have Tom Kugler, Carolyn Glauz-Todrank, and T’shala Olivieri in Four-way Covenants with Skyland Church. Pam Nates is In-Care with Skyland, licensed but not yet ordained, so not in a four-way covenant as yet. Kristen Pratt is In-Care with Skyland Church and is interning at another church. Eileen Altman came as a paid Intern. She is In-care with her home church in Santa Cruz. Patricia Wood is In-Care with Skyland Church and is in the process of her first year of training. She will intern at another church.

This policy is a “living document”—not in the church Bylaws. The only money involved is that Interns are paid. Objections were raised about the concept of “voting” our approval of Four-way covenant members. Don Law moved and Del Mahrle seconded that we accept the policy as presented by the Deacon’s committee.

Discussion ensued. During the discussion the members voted to amend the policy, and decided to vote on the whole policy after that. Jan Swayne moved that the words “vote of” be stricken from the sentence regarding congregational endorsement of new Four-Way Covenant members. Richard Lyness seconded the motion. More discussion followed. It was pointed out that Four-way members have a different kind of responsibility than other members. It was suggested that we substitute a liturgical service, as opposed to voting. Also it was noted that “voting” conflicts with the other processes we use when accepting a Four-way covenant with a person. Others disagreed. There was concern for the discomfort caused to the person seeking the Four-way covenant and to the congregation. Stephen pointed out the two ways of thinking 1. thinking in terms of a new relationship, or 2. thinking in terms of voting someone in or out.

It was pointed out that the covenant relationship has obligations on both sides, and that Skyland Church has a multi-year history of direct democracy. Without a vote, there is nothing requiring individuals seeking four-way covenants to communicate with the congregation. Another point was that the Congregation makes the decision, beyond Deacons, Trustees, or council.

However, another view presented held that the congregation has already informally affirmed the person being presented, and that this should be seen as a statement of approval rather than a vote.

Larry Lopp brought us back to the question: The members voted to remove the words, “vote of” from the Deacon’s policy. With that change made, the members of the church voted unanimously to approve the amended policy of the Board of Deacons.

Next on the agenda was the organization of the Slate of committee members for 2007. It was noted that we need delegates to the regional meeting. Patricia Wood and Jan Swayne volunteered to be delegates, Larry Lopp and Jackie Seymour will be Alternates. Several other changes were made. Stephen suggested creating a fund for delegates to support their expenses for the May 2007 meeting.. Joan Law moved, Gerry Alonzo seconded that we pay for 2 adults and 1 youth delegate, with the money going into the council’s budget. Julia Selfridge was nominated as a possible youth delegate. The proposal passed unanimously. Stephen asked for volunteers for the Trustees, Board of Religious Education and Deacons. The members voted on the Slate as amended. It was passed unanimously.

Lastly, Larry Lopp offered thanks and praise for: people who have served and are stepping down from positions previously held; John Wetherill for his services in making the church more visible through the use of the internet; Gerry Alonzo for the positive changes he has made in the managing of the churches finances; Don Law for his quiet council and steady vision; Larry Cook for his help in the last year, Stephen for his listening, patience, and discernment; and John Gaffney and Michael Mahrle for their efforts on behalf of the online newsletter. Joan Law offered thanks and appreciation for Larry Lopp’s efforts and successes in his job as moderator.

Stephen offered the closing prayer.

Respectfully Submitted,

Del Mahrle, Clerk

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