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Dear Friends,
 The Executive Committee met in Sun City in Feb. and included in their agenda of some 27 reports from
officers, divisions, and committees, were several proposals which you will hear about in the weeks and months ahead.
• Two of them were money-saving suggestions to help reduce the cost of
Annual Meetings
• Two were proposals for use of out-of-budget gifts to the NA for
two divisions
• One was to help with publication of an international Congregational
Journal
• Two were to further improve an "open leadership model" begun almost three years ago by then Chair of the Executive Committee, Rev. Bob Carlson
• One was to create an ad-hoc committee of division and financial reps
to see if we can create one comprehensive financial appeal a year to our Churches
These were the highlights of a very productive meeting, shortened to save travel costs. I'm sure most of
the Committee left the meeting somewhat exhausted but gratified that so much could be accomplished for the
betterment of our Association. I, too, left tired, but proud that we are not allowing our financial constraints to dampen
the Spirit which Christ continues to generate among us.
"A CITY SET ON A
HILL" 2004 SYMPOSIUM
Congregationalism has,
throughout the life of this nation, impacted and interacted with its social
context. These historical and contemporary interconnections will be the focus
of the Fourth Congregational Symposium, to be held at North
Congregational Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan, November 4-7,
2004. Entitled "`A City Set on a Hill': Congregationalism and the
American Experience," papers and discussions will be centered on how the
early Puritan ideal for the shaping of society has developed through time.
In addition to formal presentations and responses, opportunities to visit
such key sites as the Underground Railroad Living Museum at the Historic First Congregational Church of Detroit and the southeastern
Michigan Holocaust Museum are being planned. Please mark your
calendars for this important occasion of fellowship, sharing, and growth, as
we continue to explore and define our Congregational Way.
PICTURES OF YOUR CHURCH
We are collecting pictures of
our member Churches for use on publications (including the 2005
yearbook). Please send or email color photos to
kfrazzell@nacc.org
A MASS MAILING IS ON ITS WAY
This is the second mailing of this
type we have sent our member Churches in the last year. It is another way
to get useful information to our Churches and interested
individuals. If you receive a packet, please be sure to distribute the information
inside to the officers, boards and committees of your Church, as
designated.
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