Evangelical United Church of Christ

Congregational Meeting @ 9:45am

• 9:45am Call to Order, Introduction of Parliamentarians, Count for Quorum
• 9:50am Background on Calls (presentation by GB/Katy) - (call agreements linked below)

  Motion to extend call to Al Schon as ordained Pastoral Associate (part time)
  Al's call agreement is in the traditional call format and includes a plan for begin a modest remuneration. The initial five hours will provide pastoral care and worship leadership (covering vacations, sabbatical, and family leave) as well as supporting our new member ministries (work currently shared as a volunteer). The focus of Al's work will be on ministries of GROWTH.

  Motion to extend call to Rev. Dr. Marilyn Stavenger as Pastoral Associate (volunteer)
  Marilyn's call agreement is more narrative in style and articulates the nature of her call as a volunteer with a focus on ministries which SUSTAIN.

• 10:15am Update from Governing Body re: 212 and proposals (presentation by GB/Scott)
• 10:25am Tabled Youth Motion
• 10:45am Adjourn for Worship
• (reconvene @1pm as necessary)

Further Detail Re: Meeting Topics

GB Proposal re: SRWS

In early January, we received a request from Shining Rivers Waldorf School to rent the 212 building on a temporary basis beginning in the summer of 2012. Attached is a recommendation from the Governing Body that explains the request and process. (background and motion linked below)

The youth, who would under this plan move to rooms in the 204 (two adjacent classrooms, likely the original youth rooms), have asked to be heard and even brought a motion to the 2/12/12 congregational meeting (motion tabled). Subsequently several mediation sessions have been held with youth and adults to reach consensus. To date consensus has not been reached. Youth and parents are invited to meet with Janet and other GB folk on Friday night (2/24) @5:30pm for pizza and conversation.

The Governing Body is pleased that the attached recommendation includes not only a place for the youth to call 'home', but also identifies a plan for providing more financial support for our youth ministry. Although this plan is supported by some of the youth, a separate Youth Motion supported by other youth is also attached. This separate Youth Motion assumes use of funds committed but not received and funds that have not been vetted with our stated process (the Gifts Circle is currently reviewing various requests for these anticipated funds).

Background of Calls

Our church has been on a wonderful journey with Al Schon as he prepares for ordination, a journey in which we now have an important work to do. Al has been "approved for ordination pending call". This means that the St. Louis Association's Preparation for Ministry Committee has affirmed that he is ready for ordination as soon as he receives a call to a local congregation. We would like to be that congregation.

In many ways this is a reaffirmation of what we have already done. At a congregational meeting in July 2008, we issued a formal call to Al Schon as our Pastoral Associate. This was formalizing what had begun even earlier with Al sharing volunteer leadership for our community as a licensed pastor. Now we need to issue a new (and funded) call to Al for three reasons:

• Association requirement: To proceed, the St. Louis Association requires a new call to an ordained ministry. It has also been made clear to us that the position should be a funded one.
• Al's resume: If Al were ever in a position to be seeking a call outside of our community, it will be important that this ministry be shown as a funded one.
• Peace UCC needs: We need the service rendered (pastoral coverage, pulpit supply, new member support) and it will be a healthful choice to begin paying our own way.

With limited funds, we are delighted to have found a way to begin. Specifically we are funding the ministries that, were it not for Al's generosity in recent years, we would already have had to pay. Our initial funding for five hours per week covers only work already being done and which we deem vital to our community (preaching and care in Katy's absence and support for new members); our commitment is to add at least one weekly hour per year until we reach a 1/3 time position. The focus of these additional hours will be determined together as they are added each year.

As we consider this opportunity to re-commit ourselves in covenant with Al Schon, we would like to also lift up and make public our commitment to the ministry shared by the Rev. Dr. Marilyn Stavenger. Marilyn's pastoral caregiving expanded when she retired from Eden Theological Seminary and she shares significant hours both in teaching and pastoral care. We are truly blessed with such a talented team. Considering the calls of both of our Pastoral Associates, we recognize a beautiful opportunity to honor their work as they embody our two-fold ministry: Grow and Sustain. Al's ministries naturally align with our commitment to growing, Marilyn's instinct to nurture is sustaining. As a congregation, we have an opportunity to share our appreciation for and affirmation of their ministries with the attached call agreements.

On Sunday, Feb 26, 2012, the members of Peace United Church of Christ will be invited to issue calls to both Marilyn Stavenger (Pastoral Associate, volunteer) and Al Schon (Pastoral Associate, part time).

Attachment	Size
Congregational Call for Al Schon	97 KB
Congregational Call for Marilyn Stavenger	91 KB
Motion for 212 and SRWS (inclusive of youth)	37.5 KB
Separate Motion from Youth	24.5 KB