wfn.org | UCC Annual meeting lifts up ministry of support staff network

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

Annual meeting lifts up ministry of support staff network

> Written by Jeff Woodard
> May 20, 2010

Receiving affirmation that the crucial contributions of their day-to-day administrative 
work comprise "more than just office work," 43 members of the UCC Office 
Support Staff Network
(UCCOSSN) gathered last month for the group's 23rd annual meeting at the UCC's 
Church House in Cleveland.

"It was nice to hear from others in the group that we're performing a ministry of 
our own," says Lettie Eagar, Great Lakes Regional coordinator of UCCOSSN and a 
member of its newly formed communications team.

Moving forward with a theme of "Together We Can Make a Difference," attendees 
also concurred that
"you have to get us all together first," says Eagar. "The big challenge with our 
network is that there are 5,000 UCC churches across the country, and there were 43 of us at the 
meeting. Yes, we represent the 15 conferences and many of our churches, but that's just a drop in 
the bucket."

In an effort to expand the scope and depth of the network, the group created the position 
of regional network point person ? one for each of the seven UCC regions, says Eagar. 
"Volunteers will be charged with getting contact information for all support staff 
who work within conferences and associations throughout their region."

Meeting attendees also voted to add tiers to membership, including levels for 
supported
(dues-paying) membership and alumni; created a three-member communications team 
to recast the group's web site and explore ways in which to better maintain 
contact and support; and approved formation of a fundraising team charged with 
providing scholarship money for annual-meeting attendees and meeting  logistics.

Highlight workshop events was an appearance by Dr. Linda Burrs, CEO and principal consultant of 
Step Up To Success, a consulting firm focusing on leadership and organizational strategies for 
leaders, teams and individuals. "She was so high energy," says Eagar, "and she 
really helped to encourage us to build inclusion and diversity."

The group took part in a welcoming reception and dinner with Edith Guffey, UCC 
associate general minister; met with the Rev. Geoffrey Black, UCC general 
minister and president; and attended a worship service led by Rev. Paul Sadler 
of Mt. Zion Congregational UCC in Cleveland.

Hosted in Cleveland every other year, the 2011 meeting will be held April 
28-May 1 at First Church of Christ Congregational in North Conway, New 
Hampshire.

For more information on the UCCOSSN, log on to www.uccossn.org