Dear Colleagues,
Grace and peace to you! There are two totally
different but important subjects that this note
will cover and I hope you will stick with this to read
both. Lay leaders, I'd urge you to read this as well and
help encourage your pastors about both....
I. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION IN
ASSOCIATION AND CONFERENCE LIFE
Last week one of the pastors of a newly affiliated
UCC congregation who had, with delegates, attended a
spring Association meeting, asked me: where were
all the pastors? This pastor, coming from another
denomination, was shocked that at last Annual Gathering
and at Association meetings, so few pastors are regular
attendees. (Those who do regularly
attend with delegates may skip down to the next
topic!) I was, frankly, unable to explain because
in my 12 years as a local church pastor in Missouri, I
would never have missed attending and taking delegates
to an Association or Conference meeting, even if (as it
did) it meant avoiding scheduling weddings ("just say
no"!), driving for hours, and making arrangements for my
children. AND, in other Conferences the Annual
Meeting is often (alternate years) Sat-Sun to give more
lay folk a chance to attend but yes, clergy are expected
to find layfolk to fill the pulpit!
At another clergy gathering last week, a pastor
new to the Conference 'testified' that he always made it
clear in his call agreement with a church that part of
their ministry through him was his participation in the
wider church and the expectation was that they, too,
would be certain to participate through their
delegates. That, too, was how I experienced
ministry as layperson and as pastor. Folks at my
local church considered hearing about and, for delegates
and some visitors, attending Annual meetings, an
essential part of their life as part of the United
Church of Christ. And they came to look forward to this
important event---whether a particular year was a hugely
brilliant meeting or not. It's not finally about
the speakers or whether we 'get' something concrete of
value, though that is more often a benefit than not if
we open ourselves. The main 'gain' is being with other
UCC folk, exchanging challenges and experiences,
worshiping, learning and growing together. And
pastors---helping others have these experiences is part
of the role expected of you. Lives of laypeople
can be changed by these opportunities. Mine
was.
Our participation in and support the work of the
wider United Church of Christ is, in fact, an
expectation of our ordination (or if licensed or
commissioned, our authorization). And your own
very presence, your listening and, when given by the
Spirit, your insights or concerns or ideas, your voice
raised in song, your smile, your frustration, whatever
you bring to the covenant community is essential to the
growth and life of this Conference and the mission of
the UCC .
Some tell me that their local church folk don't
understand why their pastor should participate and
attend much less why they themselves should. If
so, it's up to us to teach, inform, excite and
challenge. Tell what happens (or what doesn't and how
your church can help change that!). Share stories,
write newsletter articles or ask delegates to do so,
show pictures, identify folk to be nominated. Take
the lead!
And lest chaplains or those serving in other
ministries than the local church read this and think it
is only about those serving local churches---no!
The wider church needs your particular gifts as much as
any!
So if you haven't registered for and planned to
attend this year's Annual Gathering with your delegates,
do so. Get the dates of our Association's fall and
spring meetings on your calendar (you can get them from
our website scncucc.org). The date for next
year's Annual Gathering will come to you soon.
When it does, please mark it and make it!!!
II. ARE YOU TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE
EXCELLENT NEW UCC PENSION BOARD OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
TO YOU?
The United Church of Christ Pension Board is one of
the best supports for clergy I can imagine. They
care exceedingly well for our retirement funds (yes,
even in these times--better than many have experienced)
and our health with a variety of opportunities,
including many new ones. I know how easy it
is to let our eyes glaze over when the newsletters
arrive but I want to encourage you not to miss checking
out some or all of these!
- Right here in SCNC, during Annual Gathering,
the Pension Boards will be doing 'Wellness Exams' at
the Claremont church for members who sign up (online
or call 800.642.6543 x 2872). There is even a
cash incentive. What could be easier?
- Also 'right here', at San Marino UCC, October 14,
PB offers a Retirement seminar. These are always
worthwhile and constantly improving. Plus again,
the PB will pay for travel and even help with
overnight housing if needed. Milt and I will be
there!
- Long Term Care. This is
something no one wants to think about when you're
young but it's the best time and later is better than
never. Milt and I have put off doing anything
about this too long because we thought it impossible
in our budget. But now the Pension Board has
contracted with a group to offer discounts and when we
met with the rep (I imagining I was learning just on
your behalf!), we found a plan that will work for us
and relieve some worry and burden for ourselves and
family for the future. I strongly encourage you to
explore it-no pressure at all. But you who are
younger, the price will be lower and much worth your
while, even though you think you don't need it.
- Vision Plan. Another new
resource for us, the cost is very reasonable and
worthwhile-check it out!
- Flexible savings. This is a
GREAT deal! It costs the church $100 to start
and then no cost to you except deciding how much to
put in, which we base on our last year more or less
regular health costs. Milt and I will save
several hundred tax dollars this year by using the
Flexible savings plan. It's definitely worth
looking into.
- Clergy Emergency
assistance. Again, we all hope we will
never need it but if you find yourself in some
seemingly impossible health cost or emergency
situation, we of the Conference can talk with
you about the possibility of Christmas Fund support
and can be the channel to inquire for you. The
funds are not endless (you can help with that by
promoting the Fund at your church) but they are there
for specific need situations. Please let me know if
you have a need that might be helped.
Colleagues, I am well aware that some churches try to
save dollars by not providing you the UCC Health Program
or paying the full pension amount. If your church
is considering urging you to change health care plans or
reducing your pension payments, I stand more than
willing to advocate for you about the lifelong benefits
of being in and staying in our UCC program. Among
the primary benefits---along with the excellent
programs---is the fact that all of these benefits and
particularly the health insurance are 'portable' as your
ministerial vocation life unfolds and relocates over the
years. I give thanks to God that our
UCC covenant community has created and maintained such
an excellent program for us.
Thanks for reading and for all you are and do in
your local church ministry and as part of the United
Church of Christ!
Blessings in Christ,
Jane
