Scarsdale Congregational Church

"Louise (Manigault) at the Office" was part of the team that organized this very successful fall meeting of the Metropolitan Association, New York Conference, UCC.

Morning devotions were lead by Rev. Susan Gibson, pastor of the host church, the Community Church of the Pelhams. She said the church has a ministry of hospitality, a ministry to make all feel welcome. She noted that part of this ministry is Carlton, the church cat, who keeps the vermin away. Her devotions centered on six gestures of morning prayer - from stretching your arms high and wide above your head and repeating "I thank you Holy One, for the gift of another day of life" to crossing your hands over your head and bowing to the waist and repeating "May I be united with you throughout the day, aware of your love strengthening me and shining through me."

The business meeting included adoption of the budget for 2003 - $151,826 compared to a budget of $143,115 in 2002. The most significant changes are:

• Elimination of rent expense of $27,000 for offices in the Interchurch Center in Manhattan
• Addition of rental income of $31,200 from those who use the building donated to the Metro Association after the Elmhust Community Church had its last worship service in July 2002
• Addition of expenses related to owning this building in which the Metro Association now has its offices at 79-11 Caldwell Avenue, Elmhurst, Queens, NY 11373
• Reduction in New York Conference support for office expenses from $32,500 to $20,000

In response to a question from the floor, Michael Caine explained that the Deer Hill Committee is aggressive in its efforts to sell the property, the proceeds of which are hoped to be sufficient to pay back the loan from the Metro Association and pay off its other debts. Currently Deer Hill is "mothballed for the winter", but intends to resume operations for summer business if it isn't sold.

David Tucker, chair of the Committee on Ordination and Ministerial Standing, announced that the procedures approved in the April 2002 meeting to evaluate candidates for ministry were now in place.

Donna Price, New York Conference coordinator for the ministry of healing and empowerment, said this ministry operates with the belief that all have been impacted by the events of September 11, 2001. She urged persons to contact her for information on how this ministry might help persons in our local congregations. She may be reached via e-mail at donna@sacredplaces.com.

Sean Murray introduced a resolution that is likely to be brought for a vote at the April 2003 Annual Meeting. The resolution proposes that the Association declare itself to be "Open and Affirming," that is - fully accepting of individuals regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, physical ability, age, marital status, class, ethnicity or cultural background." Approval of this resolution does not mean that churches in the Association are "Open and Affirming." It means that the work of the Association will be conducted in a manner that is Open and Affirming.

Sean said the New York Conference, as a setting in the UCC, is Open and Affirming, as are 22 local churches in the conference, five of which are in the Metro Association.

The meeting closed with more clear evidence of the ministry of hospitality at the Community Church of the Pelhams - a scrumptious lunch.