The Council of the University Congregational United Church of Christ met on May 15, 2019 in the church library. A quorum was noted just after 7:00 pm and the meeting was called to order by Margaret Stine.
Council received and discussed financial and Ministry and leadership reports focusing on liaisons and communication. Reports on the Pacific Northwest Conference Annual Meeting and Tent City 3 were provided by Ed Coleman. The Futures committee also reported on progress to date.
Minutes from the October 2018 and April 2019 council meetings were approved.
clear identification of resources prior to approval of a new project
A request from Love & Justice Committee and the Administration and Council Finance for clear identification of resources prior to approval of a new project/program or initiative was discussed and approved.
Some background may be helpful:
New projects originate in a variety of ways, including through a ministry, through church-wide initiatives, through an appeal directed to church council. Some projects may span the goals of multiple ministries.
For example: Tent City hosting started out as a congregation-wide project, but now lives under Love & Justice.
A ministry may not have sufficient funding to carry out the work of an innovation or new project. This new process will help ministries to plan and prioritize. A “roadmap” will be developed to facilitate the process of new ideas finding funding. Carol Nelson anticipates bringing the roadmap back to Council for review/approval. A clear path for funding requests, as well as adequate funding, enables the success of these projects, and a “home” under a ministry or ministries, as well as representation on church council.
participating Church with the Church Council of Greater Seattle
Council confirmed our desire to be a participating Church with the Church Council of Greater Seattle. Specifically, we affirm our desire to act faithfully for peace, justice, and reconciliation and engage in trainings, workshops, dialogues, and conferences. The current focus of CCGS is on economic and racial justice and the sanctuary efforts. We already donate funds to CCGS via the Love and Justice Ministry.