wfn.org | Board moves ahead with domestic partner insurance,

["Communication Ministries" <wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

chooses president-elect 
Date: May 18, 2001
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Curt Miller
E-mail: Cmiller@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

01a-29

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) - The Board of Directors of the Pension Fund
of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), meeting here May
10-11, voted to provide coverage under the Churchwide Health
Care program for domestic partners of church employees covered
by family insurance. Program administrators and attorneys are
developing the precise definitions, plans and procedures 
necessary for implementation of the coverage, which could come
as early as January 2002.  The change applies only to health
care coverage, not to the Pension Plan or other programs.  

	The board's Membership and Benefits Committee had been
exploring domestic partner coverage for five years.  During that
time, the committee sought and heard advice from attorneys and
the administrators of other institutional pension funds.

	In early 2001, the Pension Fund board said it was willing to
consider such coverage if the General Assembly of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) requested it to do so.  In April,
the church's General Board formally asked the Pension Fund board
to make the decision regarding domestic partner coverage. The
General Board did not recommend a particular decision. Rather,
its action expressed the conviction that the decision should be
made solely by the Pension Fund board.

	In other business, the board elected James P. Hamlett as Vice
President/President-elect.  He will begin his work with the
Pension Fund Aug. 1.  

	For the past 28 years Hamlett has served the church through the
Board of Church Extension. Since 1995, he has been Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. 

	Hamlett earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the
University of Kansas and a master of business administration in
finance from Indiana University.  Currently he is pursuing
certified financial planner and chartered financial consultant
designations through American College, Bryn Mawr, Pa. 

	Arthur Hanna, president of the Pension Fund, and Hamlett will
work closely in a transition process until Hanna's retirement in
February 2004. 

	The Pension Fund board followed an executive search model
endorsed last year by the General Board.  Church Finance Council
President Lois Artis Murray assisted the board as a consultant. 

	Hamlett is an active member of Geist Christian Church,
Indianapolis. He and his wife, Linda S. Jonker Hamlett, are the
parents of two children.  

	-- end -- 

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