WNCA 2011 Annual Meeting

Additional information is available at the WNCA web site.

Creating Covenant Community [Provisional version "c" / September 17, 2011] The Southern Conference: restructuring for greater vitality in ministry)

SOC Restructuring (Overview & Discussion / powerpoint)

SOC Restructured Positions / Financial Assumptions

Please complete the linked survey (will take 2 - 5 minutes) for the Technology Action Group of Southern Conference: Click here to take survey

Johns River Valley Camp Report: "Thanks for your [WNCA] support!" Celebrating 75 years of camping in the Johns River Valley [1936-2011], by Rev. C. L. "Curly" Stumb

Pastoral Leadership Development Program -- PLD Report for WNCA -- by Rev. Margot Trusty Pickett

Western North Carolina Association 2011 Meeting

WNCA Meeting was hosted by Abernethy Laurels of the United Church Homes and Services in Newton. Abernethy Laurels is celebrating a 40th anniversary of ministry in this location.

"In a body, it is impossible to be 'me first,' or 'me alone,'" proclaimed Rev. Gail O'Day in opening worship at the WNCA meeting. Sounding familiar lines of Paul's letter to the Romans (12:1-8), O'Day taunted listeners to renew a sense of church community, to counter self-serving interests, and to transform a win-lose mentality. "Today's church thinks more highly of self than it ought," she said.

Gail O'day's "me first" caution transformed the restructuring conversations with Barbara Rathbun, prompting delegates to ask whether WNCA was taking a "me first" stance in some of its thinking, and disregarding the "body" of Southern Conference and its other parts (ENCA & EVA).

Other thoughts surfacing in the dialogue around "Creating Covenant Community" included a call for organizing around a missional rather than governance framework, a reminder of a sense of loneliness at the local church, and a highlighting of the United Church of Christ motto, "That they may all be one." Rathbun reminded delegates that as a draft, there would be no vote taken on the document being discussed. She also suggested that the current interim process could take another one to five years, with the “Designated Conference Minister” (a position for which the conference is currently receiving applications) continuing to guide the process toward a new model of ministry.

Church and Ministry Commission Report included five ordinations and another ordination pending a call. Two are serving in ministry with license. Six persons were approved as members in discernment.

Lance Smith (PLD Student, Congregational UCC, Tryon) rose to the mike during a time of recognizing guests and visitors, and spoke of the PLD (Pastoral Leadership Development) program in Southern Conference. The PLD program provides an alternative track [to seminary education] and preparation toward ordination. A number of WNCA candidates have benefited from the program, including Lance Smith, Cyndi Burns, “Phred” Causey, Terri Barringer, Dave Carter, Tom Benedict, Wayne Linville. [PLD Report to WNCA]

Two institutions with geographic presence in WNCA were celebrating anniversaries. Rev. Larry Bolick called attention to the 40th anniversary of Abernethy Laurels, and Rev. Gary Owens lifted up the 75th anniversary celebrating the founding of Johns River Valley Camp in 1936.

The Association approved a 2012 budget of $16,500, including $6,200 for Church and Ministry (Financial aid, resources and administration) and $1,000 for outdoor ministry at Johns River Valley Camp.

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Photo Highlights... [photos by C. L. "Curly" Stumb]

1. Rev. Kristin Gerner Vaughn, Rev. Jerry Rhyne, and Doug Sink (WNCA president) converse.

2. Elizabeth Schiemann, WNCA secretary, records minutes and detail off meeting.

3. Rev. Lutz Keller directs choir of "Abernethy Singers" and UCC members.

4. Rev. Dave Carter (Hebron UCC & PLD student) directs "Whispers of Hope."

5. Rev. Barbara Rathbun presents "Creating Covenant Community, The Southern Conference: restructuring for greater vitality in ministry." [Provisional version c / 9/17/11]

6. Tom Brooks has served on the national UCC Board of Directors, and rose to the mike (during a time recognizing special guests and visitors) to speak of the porgram "Focus."

7. Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss, co-pastor of Land of the Sky UCC, shares updates and a story of this Asheville new church start.

8. Rev. Gary Owens, pastor of Monticello UCC and president of Johns River Camp board of trustees, highlights 75 th anniversary of JRVC, and thanks delegates for continued budget support from WNCA

9. Rev. William Sowers (Hedrick's Grove pastor) and Elizabeth Schiemann (WNCA secretary) share a conversation.

10. Rev. Larry Bolick, Chaplain at Abernethy Laurels, (with Doug Sink at the door to Abernethy Laurels) highlighted the 40th anniversary of the facility.