Council for Health and Human Service Ministries

From the President

Photo of Bryan Sickbert One of the ways that CHHSM provides value to its members is by nurturing mutually beneficial relationships with other settings of the UCC, including the national setting. To help fulfill that responsibility, I serve on the UCC's Executive Council; we met in April in Hartford, Connecticut. During our meeting, we discussed the life and work of the UCC in many settings. Here are some highlights that might interest you:

  • Preparations for the 50th Anniversary General Synod in Hartford from June 22-26 continue. A major labor dispute is currently affecting the Convention Center and the Marriott Hotel. The Executive Council has agreed that it will not meet in venues where a "significant and just" labor dispute is underway, and so Associate General Minister Edith Guffy is exploring contingency plans should the Harford labor dispute not be resolved in time for General Synod.
  • The Collegium of Officers has issued a report with recommendations about the finances and structure of the national setting of the church. Since the current structure of the national setting was implemented in 2000, OCWM (Our Church's Wider Mission) income available for National Basic Support has decreased steadily, even as the total amount given in local churches has increased steadily. The Collegium is beginning an "intensive review" of the UCC's current structure management, staffing, and governance, including the size, number and role of the Boards and the Executive Council, the size and design of the Collegium, the design of national work and staffing levels, and the role of the General Minister and President. The full text of the Collegium's report is available here (PDF)
  • The Executive Council voted to continue the Stillspeaking Initiative in a redesigned form through the end of 2007. This 18-month plan will seek to maintain the Initiative's local momentum and begin its integration into the existing Congregational Vitality Initiative, PIC (Proclamation, Identity and Communication Ministry) and other ministries.
  • Local Church Ministries has declined to provide collateral for a loan to the United Church of Christ Insurance Board, and so the Insurance Board is now exploring other options for moving forward.
  • The Executive Council made decisions to hold the 2009 General Synod in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the 2011 General Synod in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Council also voted to invite the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to consider a Joint Synod/Assembly in 2013.

As these and other issues in the national church unfold, Vice President for Member Relations Bill Johnson and I will strive to keep CHHSM members informed. If you have questions about the recent Executive Council meeting or more ways CHHSM can help nurture your ministry's relationship with other settings of the church, please email me or call me at 216-736-2253, email Bill Johnson or call him at 216-736-2256.

Bryan W. Sickbert
President/CEO

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