Minutes of the Congregational Meeting of the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church

October 22, 2006

Remington Chapel

The special congregational meeting for the purpose of approving the congregation’s social justice program for the ensuing year was called to order by the Chair of Board of Trustees, Joanne Masterson, at 12:35PM.  Ms. Masterson explained the purpose of the meeting and stated that there were two proposals that had been circulated in the call for the special congregational meeting. 

Ms. Masterson called Bill Alsmeyer-Johnson to the podium to present the first proposal.  Mr. Alsmeyer-Johnson briefly reviewed the proposal as stated in the call, which read:

We, the congregation of Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, authorize establishment or continuation of the following social justice task forces for the period of one year:

·                 Richmond Highway Area Social Action (formerly UCM Support)

·                 Green Sanctuary

·                 Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

·                 Women’s Reproductive Rights

·                 Actions of Immediate Witness

·                 Affordable Housing

Mr. Alsmeyer-Johnson requested a motion to accept the proposal as stated.  Nance Cedar moved and John Henrehan seconded the motion. 

Betsy Stephens inquired the reason for the change from UCM support to Richmond Highway Corridor Support.  Mr. Alsmeyer-Johnson asked Georgia Pourchot to explain.  Ms. Pourchot clarified that there were other projects in addition to UCM that had become known to the congregation, and it was felt that it was a more accurate description for the project.  As there was no further discussion, Ms. Masterson called the question and a vast plurality voted in the favor of the resolution.  A review of the absentee ballots showed a 45-1 vote in favor of the proposal.  As such, the motion passed. 

Ms. Masterson then called upon Lisa Gillispie, chair of the Partner Church sub-committee, to present the second proposal.  Ms. Gillispie presented the second proposal. 

We, the congregation of Mount Vernon Unitarian Church approve the establishment of a second Partner Church relationship with the Unitarian Church of Mawlat in the Khasi hills of India.

Ms. Gillispie explained the proposal in detail.  She first emphasized that this proposal was to add a second partner church and that there was no intent to eliminate or reduce support in any way for the existing partner church relationship.  The financial support required from MVUC to the Unitarian Church of Mawlat will be $1500/year, which the Committee believes can be achieved with relative ease. 

Members of the congregation asked a series of questions.  The first inquiry was about the level of contact between members of the two churches.  Ms. Gillispie stated while no formal contacts had been made at this point, but that a trip was in the planning phase for February 2007.  In response to a question about the length of time that Unitarianism has been practiced in this region of India, Ms. Gillispie briefly explained the events that led to the formation of Unitarian churches in the Khasi region.  In response to a question about possible differences in religious practice among the new partner church, Ms. Gillispie stated that while there are differences in language (Khasi) and hymnal, the basic tenets are very similar.  Ms. Gillispie stated that an important advantage of this proposal is that most of the congregants and the minister speak English.  In response to a question about similar partner church arrangements in the Khasi region, Ms. Gillispie stated that MVUC would be the third area UU church with a partner church in both Romania and India -- joining River Road and Fairfax. 

A member commented that while he was supportive of the partner church initiative, that he could not support the proposal due to the financial condition of the church.  Lynn Alsmeyer-Johnson reminded the members in attendance that church that the partner church program has zero impact on the church budget – it is completely self-funded by external fund raising, a Sunday Brunch program, and through the second collection for this purpose. 

There being a lull in the discussion, Ms. Masterson asked for a motion.  Mr. Henrehan moved (Ms. Cedar seconded) the adoption of the partner church proposal as presented above.  There being no further discussion, Ms. Masterson called the question, and the proposal was approved by the vast majority of the members.  A review of absentee ballots resulted in 29 in favor and 17 opposed.  Both the members voting in attendance and the members voting by absentee ballot favored the proposal.  As such, the motion passed. 

Ms. Masterson thanked the various parties that participated in the planning, setup, and running of the meeting.  There being no further business Ms. Masterson then adjourned the meeting at 1:11 PM. 

Respectfully Submitted,

M. Lauck Walton

Secretary Pro Tem