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CONFERENCE SYMBOLS USED IN THESE MINUTESNote: In many of the lists of names in these Minutes, the individual’s Conference membership isindicated by capital letters following the name.California Nevada NorthernCalifornia Nevada, SouthernCalvin SynodCentral AtlanticConnecticutFloridaIllinoisIllinois chusettsMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMontana-Northern WyomingNebraskaNew HampshireNew YorkNorthern PlainsOhioPacific NorthwestPenn CentralPenn NortheastPennsylvania SoutheastPenn WestPuerto RicoRhode IslandRocky MountainSouth CentralSouth DakotaSoutheastSouthernSouthwestVermontWisconsinCA NV, NCA NV, IS10

MINUTESTWENTY-FOURTH GENERAL SYNODGod is Still SpeakingMINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTERMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTAJULY 11 - JULY 15, 2003FRIDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 11, 2003First Plenary Session1. GENERAL SYNOD CALL TO ORDERAND OPENING CELEBRATIONModerator Nate Lewis (CA NV,S) called theTwenty-fourth General Synod to order at 2:50p.m. He then led the delegates and visitors inprayer. During community building, AssistantModerators Chris Smith (MINN) and CarolWassmuth (IOWA) were introduced. At theconclusion of community building and theCollegium members responding to the question“How is God speaking in your ministry?” theformal business meeting convened.3. REPORT OF THE CREDENTIALSCOMMITTEEMr. Lewis introduced Rev. Jack Kemp (MINN),Co-Chairperson of the Credentials Committee.Rev. Kemp reported that there were 803 votingDelegates, 70 Associate Delegates and HonoredGuests, 65 members of the Business Committee,977 Visitors, and 27 General Synod staff, for atotal of 1,942 persons present at General Synod.Before adoption of the report of the CredentialsCommittee, Moderator Lewis recognized MarvinMorgan (WCM) who reminded the delegates thatadequate information was needed regardingpercentages of attendance by delegates asoutlined in Bylaw 186. The list fails to adequatelyreflect this and should be clarified before a vote iscalled. Mr. Lewis advised that the matter wouldbe addressed by the appropriate body.2. INTRODUCTION OF GENERAL SYNODLEADERSHIPModerator Lewis introduced the General Synodleadership, Annie Wynne Neal (SE) and RobertFrieberg (SD) as General Synod Twenty-fourParliamentarians and Mary Ann Murray asGeneral Synod Twenty-four Registrar.Rev. Kemp moved that the Twenty-fourthGeneral Synod adopt the report of theCredentials Committee.Mr. Lewis instructed delegates on the role of theStage and Floor Parliamentarians and gave abrief overview of parliamentary procedure.03-GS-1 VOTED: The Twenty-fourth GeneralSynod adopts the report of the CredentialsCommittee.Mr. Frieberg described his duties as the FloorParliamentarian and reviewed items in theDelegate Handbook. Ms. Neal described herrole as Stage Parliamentarian.4. QUORUM DECLAREDModerator Lewis declared a quorum to bepresent and the Twenty-fourth General Synodwas in session.Mr. Lewis identified the members of the AgendaCommittee and explained their role. He askedthe delegates’ help in completing the business ofthe General Synod by Tuesday evening andreminded the delegates that any work leftunaddressed would be referred to the ExecutiveCouncil after General Synod concluded.5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF TELLERSMr. Lewis directed the attention of the delegatesto the Executive Council report containing thelist of delegates who have agreed to be Tellers at11

General Synod Twenty-four. He asked the tellersto stand to be recognized.Ms. Sandman directed the delegates to theagenda on page 10 of the Program, Worship andBusiness Book, which had been revised andprovided on each table. She noted the challengeto complete business within time constraints.On behalf of the Business Committee, she thenmoved the adoption of the Agenda for theTwenty-fourth General Synod.LAYWOMENLAYMENLisa AlstonDan CaplanMicaela ColmanJeremy DavisCarolyn EdwardsCharles FriebergLilia EnriquezKarl HayesJavelle LunaJoseph KavitskiTaneta McCawChander RajaratnamElizabeth BrownEdwardo Rivera, Jr.Hazel MooreNicholas SchroeckMary PopeDavid SeamanRachel RecklingMelisa Toepke-PetersonHeather Young03-GS-2 VOTED: The Twenty-fourth GeneralSynod adopts the Agenda as revised andauthorizes the Business Committee to make anynecessary adjustments.7. ADOPTION OF THE STANDING RULESOn behalf of the Business Committee, Ms.Sandman moved the General Synod adopt theStanding Rules of the Twenty-fourth GeneralSynod contained in the General SynodHandbook.CLERGYBaron B. BarleyElizabeth BearFrank GroggettJeff LongWayne Sautter03-GS-3 VOTED: The Twenty-fourth GeneralSynod adopts the Standing Rules contained inthe General Synod Handbook.6. ADOPTION OF THE GENERAL SYNODAGENDAMr. Lewis reminded delegates that according toBylaw 226, the Executive Council acts as theBusiness Committee and Committee ofReference of the General Synod during itssessions. In this role, the Executive Councilprepares the agenda and schedule of all meetingsof the General Synod and recommends changesto the schedule as needed. He also noted that inorder to complete the business of the Twentyfourth General Synod, it is essential to remain onschedule. The Moderator instructed thedelegates to be as concise and brief as possiblein their comments so that business could movealong.8. VOICE TO PERSONS RESOURCINGTHE GENERAL SYNOD ON SPECIFICISSUES/CONCERNSMs. Sandman noted at times during the GeneralSynod, there would be persons who do not havevoice who would be asked to make reports,speak to certain issues as resource persons orintroduce nominees. With the suggestion of theParliamentarians,these persons will be identifiedup front and voice will be granted as a group toexpedite the business of General Synod.03-GS-4 VOTED: The Twenty-fourth GeneralSynod grants voice without vote to thosepersons approved by the Business Committee asdesignated resource persons for the presentationof reports, resolutions and pronouncements.Moderator Lewis called on Ms. Olgha SierraSandman, (ILL) Chairperson of the ExecutiveCouncil, to move the adoption of the agenda.9. DESIGNATION OF GROUPS GRANTEDVOICE WITHOUT VOTEMs. Sandman directed delegates to StandingRule 10 of the Twenty-fourth General Synodcontained in the General Synod Handbook,stating that the Executive Council recommendsto the General Synod the groups whoserepresentatives shall be granted voice withoutMs. Sandman thanked Robert Lee (VT) who isVice-Chair of the Executive Council, for hiscollegiality as he worked with her this lastbiennium. Rev. Lee stood to be recognized.12

voice while the General Synod is in session.She then moved that voice-without-vote statusbe granted to the groups and their statedrepresentatives listed in the Report of theExecutive Council, Part 1, July 10, 2003.10. GREETINGS FROM THE MINNESOTACONFERENCEMinnesota Interim Conference Minister, Rev.Clyde J. Steckel, welcomed everyone toMinnesota, land of lakes, rivers, boreal andhardwood forests, prairies, waterfalls and rockycliffs. He invited delegates and visitors to“Look around; take a dip; take a hike; climb acliff. You’ll feel better.” He invited everyone to“come back in January and February for a reallywarm welcome.”03-GS-5 VOTED: The Twenty-fourth GeneralSynod grants voice without vote to the followinggroups and their stated representatives listed inthe Report of the Executive Council, Part 1, July10, 2003:Assistant Moderator Chris Smith took a momentto thank the Local Arrangements Committee andall the Minnesota Conference members whoworked to make General Synod Twenty-four anenjoyable and memorable event in the life of thechurch.Association of United Church of ChristIntentional Interim MinistersMarjorie Mac Neill, Susan LincolnAssociation of United Church EducatorsSusan Gaffney, Ruth HainsworthBiblical Witness FellowshipDavid Runnion-Bareford, WilliamBoylandChristians for Justice ActionMal Bertram, Amelie SellFocus Renewal MinistriesJanet Smithson, Vernon StoopNetwork for Environmental & EconomicResponsibilityDon Clark, Nancy WrightUnited Church of Christ Chaplains in HealthCareSally Brown, Alan Kramer-MoyerUnited Church of Christ Expression of MarriageEncounterSunny SaylorUnited Church of Christ Military ChaplainsAssociationJanis B. Dashner, Lilton J. Marks, Sr.United Church of Christ Musicians AssociationJohn StansellUnited Church of Christ Office Support StaffNetworkPatricia Pierce, Peggy WrightUnited Church of Christ Parents of Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual and Transgender ChildrenGordon Sherman, Bob StrommenUnited Church of Christ Parish Nurse NetworkSheryl Cross, Mary KinsethUnited Friends for LifeJohn B. BrownUrban Ministries NetworkAnn Marie Coleman, John Selders11. INITIAL REPORT OF THEEXECUTIVE COUNCILRev. Smith spoke of the work of the ExecutiveCouncil over the past two years, noting thewritten reports beginning on page 91 of theProgram, Worship and Business Book.Assistant Moderator Smith called on Ms. OlghaSierra Sandman, Chairperson of the ExecutiveCouncil, and Rev. Robert Lee, ViceChairperson, to give their portion of the report.At the conclusion of the reports, Ms. Sandmanthen placed before the delegates the nominees tothe General Synod Nominating Committee,Class of 2009, including the names of personswho will serve on the Nominating Committeefrom groups. The Assistant Moderator calledfor nominations from the floor. No nominationswere made and Rev. Smith declared thenominations closed and instructed Ms. Sandmanto proceed.Ms. Sandman announced persons representinghistorically under-represented groups. Thesenames came directly from the groups. There areno nominations from the floor for thesepositions.Rev. Smith explained that the names of thoserepresenting the historically under-representedgroups will appear on the ballot for election as13

well as the names of persons whose names camefrom the conferences. Ballots will be distributedat the time of elections on Monday morning.Resolution: “Disaster Relief and UndocumentedPersons,” offered by Roger Kube (MOMS),Heather Young (KO) and Larry Young (KO);12. REPORT OF THE GENERAL SYNODNOMINATING COMMITTEEThe Assistant Moderator noted the NominatingCommittee’s hard work to fill positions ofpersons to serve on the Boards of Directors ofthe Covenanted Ministries. She then called onMs. Sachi Fujita, Chair of the General SynodNominating Committee, to present the report ofthe Nominating Committee.Resolution: “Emergency Resolution of Supportfor the Citizens of Calhoun County,” offered byPamela June Anderson (LCM, MRSEJ), DianaBurdett (RI) and Yvette Flunder (JWM)15. INTRODUCTION OF HONOREDGUESTS AND CELEBRATION OF THEMINISTRIES OF HAROLD WILKE ANDSHELDON MACKEYAssistant Moderator Carol Wassmuth called onMs. Olgha Sierra Sandman, who noted theStanding Rules state that previous Officers,Executives and Moderators may be designatedas Honored Guests and granted voice withoutvote. Ms. Sandman then moved those present inthese categories be granted voice without vote.The Assistant Moderator announced the reportof the General Synod Nominating Committeewas received.13. NOMINATIONS FROM THE FLOORFOR BOARDSFollowing review of Standing Rules 28-30on Page 26 of the General Synod Handbook, theAssistant Moderator called for nominations fromthe floor. There being no nominations from thefloor, nominations were declared closed.03-GS-6 VOTE: The Twenty-fourth GeneralSynod grants voice without vote to the followingHonored Guests:Former Officers:Joseph and Harriette EvansAvery and Peg PostPaul and Mary SherryCarol Joyce and Neal LeubkeCharles and Catherine LockyearPast Moderators:Nancy TaylorDenise Page HoodKenneth StewartJohn KruegerInstrumentality Executives:Thomas and Sandy DipkoMarilyn BreitlingMary Susan Gast and Roger StrawYvonne DelkArthur CribbsJoan BrannickScott and Jean Libbey14. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS(BY TITLE ONLY)Assistant Moderator Smith explained theprocedure for introducing new business,according Standing Rules (12.C.2a and C.3.a.3).This would be the only time in the agenda tointroduce New Business and New Businessshould be introduced by title only. Itemsintroduced would be referred to the BusinessCommittee for its recommendation during theplenary on Saturday morning.Four items of New Business were offered:Resolution: “Calling for a Boycott of WorldBank Bonds,” offered by Diana Burdett (RI),Bert Marshall (MASS) and John Nelson(MASS);Resolution: “The Nation’s Crisis: The Church’sMandate,” offered by John A. Nelson (MASS),Thomas Clough (MASS) and Edward Horner(OHIO);Ms. Sandman invited José Malayang to presentmemorial tributes to two of our church’s leaders,Rev. Harold H. Wilke and Rev. Sheldon E.Mackey, who had died since the Twenty-thirdGeneral Synod.14

16. ADDRESS BY JOHN THOMASAssistant Moderator Wassmuth announced thatthe Program and Planning Committee made thedecision that General Synod would have theopportunity to hear from each of the Collegiummembers. During the next five days, each of themembers of the Collegium will address theGeneral Synod. She invited Rev. JohnThomas, General Minister and President, to thepodium as the first Collegium member to deliverhis address.2. BIBLE STUDYRev. Carolyn Pressler, Harry C. Piper Professorof Biblical Interpretation at United TheologicalSeminary of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, ledthe Bible Study. The multimedia worship teamof the Union Congregational Church ofWaupum, Wisconsin, and their pastor, Rev.Michael Bausch, assisted Bible Study leaders inselecting clips that enhanced the message. Thetheme for the day was “Risk Transformation.”3. SPEAK OUT!Assistant Moderator Wassmuth welcomed theSpeak Out! participants.Rev. Thomas spoke about our readiness todemonstrate amazing generosity in support of achurch embodying resistance and daring in ourgeneration. He asked all to imagine a love forJesus so profound, so daring, a generosity soamazing, that the world may sense the wind ofthe Spirit in its sails, guiding living schoonerstoward God’s promised future, toward God’spromised home.1. David Greenhaw (MOMS), President ofEden Seminary, asked General Synod tothank God for the work of DavidHarkins of Eden Seminary at this timeof his retirement.2 . Elizabeth Aquilar (MASS) spokeregarding evaluation of the restructureof the National Offices. A report isplanned for 2004.17. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RECESSMs. Wassmuth called upon Ms. Edith Guffey,Administrator of the General Synod, forannouncements.3 . Kent Siladi (CONN) announced aUnited Church of Christ polity forumsponsored by United TheologicalSeminary to be held at 7:30 p.m.Ms. Guffey responded to the earlier questionregarding the make-up of General Synoddelegates and noted that the CredentialsCommittee had reviewed the percentages asrequired in Bylaw 186.4. Jeynnette Brown (CAC), urged GeneralSynod participants to support publiceducation as a civil right for all persons.Assistant Moderator Wassmuth declared the firstplenary of the Twenty-fourth General Synod tobe complete and in recess at 5:15 p.m.5 . Chaplain Lilton Marks (SE) urged thechurch to encourage the leaders of theUnited States of America to use meansother than violence to solve worldconflict.Worship began at 8:00 p.m. July 11 with Rev.Yvette Flunder (JWM), pastor at City ofRefuge Community Church, San Franciscodelivering the sermon. The theme was “BeReady.”6 . Margaret-Ann Ellis (OHIO) urgedGeneral Synod participants to act now toassure USA policies regarding cost ofproducts and tariffs do not cause hungerin other parts of the world.SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 12, 2003Second Plenary Session1. CALL TO ORDERAssistant Moderator Carol Wassmuth called thesecond plenary of the Twenty-fourth GeneralSynod to order at 8:30 a.m.7 . Bill Rishel (WIS) announced thedocking of the Freedom Schooner, LaAmistad, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin andinvited everyone to stop in Sheboygan15

after General Synod to help celebratethe freedom message of La Amistad.8 . Ga il Jo ra le mon ( SW)regarding seminary debt.Youth ProgramJune Boutwell and Ken BrownResource ProductionMadrid TrambleHospitalityHans HolznagelCommittee of Reference SupportLorin Cope and David AndersonSpanish TranslationCandita Mattosspoke4. INTRODUCTION OF GENERAL SYNODSTAFF LEADERSHIPAssistant Moderator Wassmuth introduced FloorCoordinators Susan Dickerman (MASS) andDale Hempen (MASS)and asked for a round ofapplause for all those who have been crucial inhelping attend to the many details in planningand working at Synod.5. INTRODUCTION OF ECUMENICALDELEGATES AND PARTNERSThe Assistant Moderator called upon Rev. LydiaVeliko, Minister for Ecumenical Relations, andRev. John Thomas, President and GeneralMinister, to introduce Ecumenical Delegates andPartners attending the General Synod.ExhibitsCliff Aerie, Valerie Smith & KenDanielsService ProjectsKathleen C. AckleyAV CoordinatorsProclamation,IdentityandCommunication Ministry Team, BobChase, Team LeaderRecordersMichell Farrow, Charlotte Lillquist,Vicki McGaw, Christopher Noffke,Allison Reker, Monica Smith andcoordinator Nancy CopeRegistrar StaffLaurinda Hafner and DestinyShellhammer, Denise MalinowskiStage ManagerDorothy LesterFacilities CoordinatorCarol ZygmontWorship Committee StaffArthur ClydeCommittee Process StaffLorin Cope, staff; Talitha Arnold,Wanda Harris Watkins and DennisFriche-MouriSpeak Outs!Dick SparrowAgenda CoordinatorSheila KellyComputer CoordinatorGlenda James-MorinOffice StaffChristina Chapple, primary staffEcumenical Delegates:Mrs. Sally Paulsell, Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)The Rev. Stan Hastey, Alliance of BaptistsRepresentatives from the Formula ofAgreement partner churches, with whom theUnited Church of Christ has been in fullcommunion since 1997:The Rev. Robert Kelley, EvangelicalLutheran Church in AmericaMs. Florence Johnson, Presbyterian Church(USA)The Rev. David Baak, Reformed Church inAmericaEcumenical Guests:Ms. Anne Marshall, staff to the UnitedMethodist Church’s General Commission onChristian Unity and Interreligious Concerns inabstensia, will join Synod laterThe Rev. Bertrice Wood, Director, ChurchesUniting in ChristRev. Patti Haakim, National Association ofCongregational Churches6. INTRODUCTION OF OVERSEASGUESTSMr. Dale Bishop, Executive Minister for Wi

Affirming the Participation and Ministry of Transgender People within the United Church of Christ and Supporting their Civil and Human Rights . Ms. Margaret Ellis (SOC) Mr. David R. Mann (COREM) The Rev. Tyrone L. Reinhardt (PAAM) . The Rev. Susan A. Henderson (NH) The Rev. Keith Mills (NOPL) The Rev. Julia Tipton Rendon (IOWA) Credentials .