wfn.org | UCC Unified Governance team invites dialogue, discernment

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

UCC Unified Governance team invites dialogue, discernment

> Written by Staff Reports
> February 2, 2010

The Unified Governance Working Group (UGov), chaired by the Rev.
Bernard Wilson, is encouraging all bodies of the United Church of
Christ to participate in dialogue and discernment regarding Unified
Governance for the National Setting of the UCC.

The invitation to individuals, congregations, associations and
conferences is a response to a resolution adopted last summer at
General Synod 27 in Grand Rapids, Mich., to affirm the principle of a
unified governing board as the basic governance structure. The
resolution led to the Executive Council's creation of the UGov Working
Group, which will shape the proposal and bring it forward.

Guidelines include good governance practices and core concepts such as
theological reflection as contained in the Fall 2008 Governance
Follow-up Team II's proposal.

In the group's initial meeting, a dialogue and discernment process was
designed to invite prayerful reflection and responses. The "Dialogue
and Discernment Packet" offers background reading material and a
facilitator's guide for shared reflection in one-hour sessions at
annual meetings, board meetings, teleconference settings, etc.
Individual online responses can be posted at <ucc.org/governance>,
where the discernment packet and additional study resources are available.

Feedback will be received through June 30. All discernment items
received either moving through the process or prior to its start will
be posted on the web site. This open forum for sharing supports UGov's
intention to faithfully receive and include all responses that come
through the discernment process.

The reflection materials are user-friendly and invite study sessions
to speak perspectives and listen to those of others.