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DOVE'S WING
ARTICLES FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 ISSUE
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DOVE'S WING ARTICLES FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 ISSUE |
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Committee ends search, thanks congregation
The Search Committee thanks the congregation
for the trust they placed in us during the time we engaged in the process of
studying the many ministerial profiles that were sent to us. The number and
quality of the individuals who were interested in becoming our pastor reflects
both the health of the UCC as a whole and the potential that they saw in our
congregation. Our core values, time and again, were the primary characteristics
of our congregation that drew the attention of these candidates.
We feel honored that the Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson chose to be one of
those candidates. Her background and Statement on Ministry stood out from the
others, and she was our unanimous choice to present to the Church Council as our
recommendation. The Council then unanimously voted to present her name to the
congregation.
Plans are now being made by the Search Committee for the reception that will be
held to introduce Dr. Jackson to the congregation on September 20 at 10:00,
prior to the 11:00 worship service. She will be leading the service of worship
and preaching.
At the conclusion of the 11:00 service, a special meeting of the members of the
church will be held to vote on the recommendation of the Church Council to
approve the hiring of Dr. Jackson as our new minister.
If anyone has not received the information
letter about Dr Jackson, contact the church office and one will be sent to you.
Joyce Christison, Chair, Search Committee
Church Council highlights
August 9
A special meeting was called for the Church Council on August 9. The sole
purpose of this meeting was to meet with the Pastor Search Committee regarding
their primary candidate. Prior to revealing their candidate, the Search
Committee made their recommendation for the new pastor’s compensation package. A
motion was made by Barbara Hildebrand that the compensation package presented by
the Search Committee be accepted. The motion was seconded and carried.
Following discussion, it was decided that a congregational meeting would be
called for September 20 after the 11:00 service. Prior to that service there
will be a reception for the candidate, Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson, who will
then give that Sunday’s sermon. There will be no 9:00 service that day.
August 16
The regular Church Council meeting was
held on August 16. The main purpose of the meeting was a review of the statement
to be submitted to UCC Cornerstone Foundation Fund as part of the application
for an initial loan of $75,000 designated for pre-development expenses for the
construction of a new sanctuary. The loan will be used to pay for the
preliminary costs incurred, such as an architect.
It was moved by Barbara Hildebrand that the financial statement as of June 30 be
approved as stated. The motion was seconded and carried.
Jim Christison proposed that an additional $10,000 be solicited from members of
the congregation for operating funds for 2009. A motion was made to that effect
by Barbara Hildebrand. It was seconded and carried.
Michele Shields, Clerk
Neighbors in Need offering set for
October 4
The Neighbors in Need (NIN) offering, which we will
receive on Sun., Oct. 4, supports the UCC’s ministries of justice and compassion
throughout the United States. Throughout the month of September, look for
inserts in your Sunday bulletin to learn more about this special offering of our
denomination.
Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries
to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy
efforts, and direct service projects. Through UCCTakeAction.org, our national
Justice and Witness Ministries office offers resources, news updates, and action
alerts on a broad spectrum of justice issues. Working with members of the UCC
Justice and Peace Action Network (a network of thousands of UCC justice and
peace advocates), Justice and Witness continues its strong policy advocacy work
on issues such as the federal budget, voting rights, immigration, health care,
hate crimes, civil liberties, and environmental justice.
Neighbors in Need also supports our American Indian neighbors in the UCC.
One-third of the offering supports the UCC’s Council for American Indian
Ministries (CAIM). Historically, forbearers of the UCC established churches and
worked with Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arickara, and Hocak in
North and South Dakota, Wisconsin and northern Nebraska. Today there are 20 UCC
congregations on reservations and one urban, multi-tribal UCC congregation in
Minneapolis, MN. These churches and their pastors are supported by CAIM. CAIM is
also an invaluable resource for more than 1,000 individuals from dozens of other
tribes and nations who are members of other UCC congregations in the U.S.
For your convenience, Neighbors in Need offering envelopes will be inserted in
the Sunday bulletins on September 25 and October 4, the latter of which is also
World Communion Sunday. Please give generously.
Women's Fellowship disbands
On May 31, 2009, the members of Women's Fellowship voted to
disband the organization at First United. The distribution of the remaining
monies was determined by a vote of the former active members. Three hundred
dollars was given to each of the following organizations: Back Bay Mission in
Biloxi, MS; Church Women United, for the Clothes Closet in downtown Tampa; the
Judeo-Christian Health Clinic; the Good Samaritan Mission in Balm; Metropolitan
Ministries; and The Spring of Tampa Bay. The remaining amount, $1,815, was given
to the church to use for new chairs in the chapel.
The women of the church will continue to participate in the activities of Church
Women United (CWU). The Clothes Closet reopened on August 12. Men's clothing,
from underwear to coats, is always in demand, especially small sizes. If you
have any contributions please contact Joyce Ellsworth.
Joyce Ellsworth
Adult seminar returns
The popular adult seminar, led by David Elliott, returns on Sunday, September 6. The new study will focus on the book Christianity for the Rest of Us by Diana Butler Bass.
Her book is the result of a three-year study sponsored by the Lilly Foundation to uncover the characteristics of successful mainline congregations in the United States. Her study includes great examples from the Lutheran, Episcopalian, Methodist, Presbyterian, and UCC traditions.
Marcus Borg calls this "The most important book
of the decade about emerging Christianity and the renewal of mainline
congregations." Barbara Brown Taylor says: "This book is so full of good news
that I keep it next to my Bible." What a great way to prepare us to move into a
new era with our new pastor!
This book will require a longer study, but each week we should have only 20 or
so pages to master. The study will begin on September 6 at 10:10. We will try to
meet in the renewed library room. If that doesn't work we can retreat to the
pastor's study. September 20 will be a week off due to the reception for Dr.
Jackson.
The book is available online and at most big
bookstores. There seems to be an ongoing torrent of powerful publishing around
the future of the church and spiritual growth. This volume will add to your
personal faith as well as to the growth of our church.
All are welcome, even if you must miss some sessions. Read as much as you can
before we start on September 6.
David Elliott
Thanks to the beautification team
Thanks to Les Locker, Building and Grounds chair, and his team of helpers for grooming the church grounds on September 22. They mulched, trimmed, and generally spruced up the outdoor areas. Thanks also to Les and those who helped with painting the interior of Metcalf House. We all appreciate your efforts!
FUSE schedules October meeting
The next scheduled meeting of FUSE (Faiths United for Sustainable Energy) will be held Thursday, October 1, at 7:00PM at True Faith Inspirational Baptist Church (2526 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa). Discussion will center on how congregations will show love of God’s creation on October 24, Climate Action Day. All are invited to attend.
Council recommends Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson
First United Church Moderator M. Hayden Sutherland, on behalf of the Church Council, sent a letter to the congregation following the council’s August 9 meeting. In it, he notes: “Yesterday, the Church Council unanimously voted to accept the recommendation of the Pastoral Search Committee to present the name of the Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson to the members of the congregation to be our next pastor.”
He went on to say: “Dr. Jackson comes to us with the highest credentials.” He noted that Dr. Jackson is an ordained United Church or Christ pastor who has served as the American President of the World Council of Churches since 2005. She was the founding Executive Minister of Justice and Witness Ministries for the UCC nationally. Hayden commented that Dr. Jackson’s Statement on Ministry “reads like a beautiful summation of our core values and an invitation to help build the ‘Beloved Community’ of the 21st century.”
Dr. Jackson holds two master’s degrees, one from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and the other from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She also holds honorary doctorates from Defiance College and the Florida Center for Theological Studies, where she serves as an adjunct professor.
The letter detailed the “faithful and lengthy process” undertaken by the Pastoral Search Committee that led to their recommendation. They met weekly for five months. First, they developed and circulated a 40-page local church profile. In return, they received 42 ministerial profiles, along with sermon materials. Committee members contacted all references from the final candidates. After much prayer for discernment within the committee, Dr. Jackson was recommended to the Church Council unanimously.
The letter continues: “In turn, the Church Council unanimously recommends The Reverend Bernice Powell Jackson to the members of First United Church of Tampa UCC for approval as the next pastor and leader of this congregation in its mission of being a Christian witness in the community.”
The congregation will have an opportunity to meet and greet Dr. Jackson on Sunday, September 20 at 10:00 during a reception in the Fellowship Hall. Dr. Jackson will then lead the one combined morning worship service at 11:00 and deliver the sermon. A special congregational meeting will be held immediately following worship to vote on the recommendation of the Church Council for calling Dr. Jackson to be our next pastor.
The letter concludes: “The Church Council, on behalf of the congregation, wishes to extend our sincerest appreciation to the Pastoral Search Committee and its Chair, Joyce Christison, for their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts on behalf of the church in this most important endeavor. The committee members are Joyce Christison, David Elliott, Joyce Ellsworth, Leroy Hershberger, Barbara Hildebrand, Dan Purdom, Mimi Reid,and Carl St. Myer.”
First United Church of Tampa, UCC · 7308 E. Fowler Ave. · Tampa, FL 33617 · 813-988-4321