RI Conference UCC Interim Conference Minister's Report - Rev. Barbara J. Libby - RICUCC
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RI Conference UCC Interim Conference Minister’s Report - Rev. Barbara J. Libby This is my final Annual report as your Interim Conference Minister as I retire in mid-July. I have served as the Interim Conference Minister for the RI Conference United Church of Christ since August, 2014. The Rev. Marilyn Kendrix becomes the Transitional Minister for the RI Conference as of July 1, 2018. These nearly four years have been a remarkable time of transition for the RI Conference! It has been a privilege to walk with you all on this journey as we together have sought to discern what it means to be the Church of Jesus Christ and the churches of the RI Conference United Church of Christ in the 21st century. What a rich and challenging experience this time in RI has been! As you review the Annual Reports that follow you will find marvelous testimony to the inspired and devoted work that helps this RI Conference thrive. Look for evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit bringing God’s love into a variety of places here in Rhode Island and out beyond our borders and around the globe. The RI Conference is blessed by the work of a small and dedicated part-time staff – folks generous with their time and talent. Office Manager Sandy Tremblay has kept things organized at the Pawtucket Conference office for many years now. Commissioned Minister for Conference Health Care Peggy Matteson brings awareness and education around health issues to our churches in a volunteer capacity. Christian Education and Youth Ministry Consultant Kristin Putney coordinates RI church educators and organizes major youth events (in and out of state). Irons Homestead Director Rev. Jennifer Geary continues to grow, nourish, and expand the ministries of the RI Conference’s outdoor ministry site. Associate Conference Minister for Communications Tiffany Vail (a shared staff with the MA and CT Conferences) supports all our communication efforts – website, newsletter, and Facebook as well as visuals at RI meetings. Barbara Gregory began serving as our volunteer Disaster Coordinator in the spring. In December, 2017 we welcomed Rev. Bob Nolan as CFO and Treasurer for the Conference in a very part time capacity. In February, 2018 we bid farewell to longtime Business Manager George Weavill upon his retirement after many years of faithful service. The RI Conference is blessed with many gifted and talented people! It has been a great privilege to work with the RI Conference Committee on Church and Ministry as they walk with authorized ministers and all our churches – providing care and support in all sorts of situations and continuing to check in and sustain the ordained ministry of both active and retired servants of God. Throughout my time here in RI we have watched persons come forward from our churches who hear God’s call in their lives and who approach the COM to help them discern where God might be leading them. In the past year the RI Conference ordained to Christian Ministry two Members in Discernment: Shelly Moses and Helen Bodell. We also welcomed and installed three new pastors: Bob Hollis, Cleo Graham, John Ecklund, and Burton Bagby-Grose and celebrated Rev. Joe Runner who retired after nearly 28 years of service as Annuitant Visitor for our retired pastors. In addition my work has involved: monthly Conference Staff meetings, monthly meetings with the Conference Board of Directors, numerous committee meetings of the Board, regular meetings with Authorized Ministers – both active and retired, occasional meetings with lay leaders and member churches, assisting churches with the Search and Call process (for Interim & bridge pastors as well as for settled pastors), attending a variety of national gatherings (monthly meetings with the Council of Conference Ministers and twice a year retreats with the NE Conference Ministers), as well as attending our denomination’s biannual meeting of Synod – last summer in Baltimore, MD. In addition I try to keep up with the amazing inter-faith and inter-denominational conversations, actions, and gatherings happening here in RI. The Church is undergoing a massive sea change and another piece of my work has been to engage in the ongoing collaborative effort with our Together As One Team and its subcommittees as our three southern New England Conferences (RI, MA, & CT) have moved ahead to put “flesh on the bones” of our hope to become a New Conference together for the future. Being part of this imagining process and listening carefully for where God calls us for the future has been a particularly rich and fruitful process. At an historic shared Annual Meeting in Hartford, CT on June 16 & 17, 2017 our three Conferences all voted in support of a Resolution to move our three Conferences closer together into a New Conference. Many more details for how a New Conference might work will come before us at the June 15 & 16, 2018 Annual Meeting in Springfield, MA. Creating One Body of Christ in Southern New England among three historic UCC Conferences is not a simple task. Much ongoing discernment and careful planning has been underway. Imagining how we three conferences might become more interconnected and interdependent in Southern New England has been a unique and powerful experience! Your ongoing prayers are welcome as we together lean into preparing for a new future! May God continue to bless the work that we do in Jesus’ name and let us listen for God’s leading in all of this.
President of the Rhode Island Conference Report - Frances Munro
2017-2018 has been a full and active year for the Rhode Island Conference- UCC, following the affirmative vote in June of
20107 to continue planning with the Massachusetts and Connecticut Conferences for the creation of a joint entity.
Planning has continued with RICUCC sending the President, Vice President for Administration The Rev. Cleo Graham, At-
large Board member The Rev. Dale Azevedo, Church and Ministry Committee member Linda Sable and Interim Conference Minister
Barbara Libby to regular meetings of the Together As One (TA1) Planning Committee – many of them in Woodstock, Connecticut .
The RICUCC team also participated in special committees working on how the proposed tri-conference could look and function in the
areas of vision, communication, staffing, finances, and governance. The result of those meetings are being presented to the
membership for review and approval at the Annual Meeting in Springfield, where each conference will meet in individual session to
vote on the documents proposed by the TA1 Committee. If all three conferences approve, all delegates will meet in plenary session
to vote on a Board of Directors that will include seven (7) individuals from each Conference and a slate of officers for the next year.
It is important to remember that the Board/Officers being voted on in June will only be taking responsibility for joint program
planning and working out the specifics for TA1 as a combined entity. Rhode Island will continue to have its own Conference minister
(see below) and Board of Directors at least until the next Annual Meeting. In order for a new conference to be fully operational, the
General Synod has to vote to approve its creation (after vote by all three Conferences involved), which cannot happen until the next
Synod in 2019 in Milwaukee.
Within the state, RICUCC Board developed a Board of Directors' Covenant at a workshop in August, and has met as a Board
in September, October, December, January, February, April and May. The Conference has entered the new age of technology, now
making use of "zoom," which makes it possible for individuals who are unable to be present in person to log in and participate in
meetings. The Fall Conference, titled "Grace in a Time of Change" was held at Central Congregational Church – UCC on November 4,
2017. Especially well received was the keynote address by Dr. Lee Barrett, from Lancaster Theological Seminary.
In December, the Board filled the vacant Treasurer position and hired a Chief Financial Officer – both in the person of The
Rev. Robert Nolan, and accepted with regret the resignation of Vice President for Justice and Witness, The Rev. Nancy Soukup. The
Board also recognized the long and devoted service of Business Manager George Weavill on his retirement in February, 2018.
With Interim Conference Minister Barbara Libby scheduled to retire in July, Vice President for Administration Cleo Graham
chaired a search committee that worked closely with the UCC General Offices in Cleveland to recruit and interview candidates for
the position of "Transitional Conference Minister." The result of the Search Committee's hard work was the signing of a contract
with The Rev. Marilyn Kendrix in April, to start in July, 2018. We are all very pleased to have her on board, and hope that all
delegates will have the chance to meet and welcome her to RICUCC.
There remains much to be shared, discussed, worked out, and put into action; but we in Rhode Island are capable and have
a proud history, and will, I know, continue to work together thoughtfully and prayerfully toward a future that keeps our conference
"united and uniting."
Peace,
Frances Munro, PresidentChristian Education & Youth Ministry Resource Consultant Report - Kristin Putney Resource Consultant Annual Report MAY 2018 As the Christian Education and Youth Ministry Resource Consultant, I continue to be involved with the churches of the RI Conference. I continue to provided them within formation, resources, connection and guidance throughout the year. I have continued collaboration with CT and MA on annual national youth events. These opportunities have strengthened our relationship and support the future tri-state conference merge. May 12, 2017 “Family & Faith Book Fair” at Amicable Church This was a successful Book Sale during coffee hour for parents to order books for their home to promote a “faith at home” project. June 29 - July 5, 2017 Tri-State (MA, CT, RI) youth event bus trip to General Synod in Baltimore, MD Our RI group had 14 participants (10 youth / 4 adult leaders) from 5 churches: Seekonk, Amicable, Beneficent, Newman and Chapel Street. We gathered several times prior to our departure to engage in learning more about the synod resolutions and chose 3 specific resolutions to focus on in depth. I also designed a Tri-State Y@S T-shirt for all participants form RI, MA and CT. All RI participants were given a shirt from the conference and the bus fee was also covered by our conference. Our RI youth participants had a significant presence at General Synod 2017. They had the opportunity to contribute their personal thoughts and perspectives that influenced the writing of the youth reflections to support the 3 chosen resolutions. Their voice helped prepare 3 minute presentations that were read by youth on the floor of the plenary before the debate of the resolutions began. This was the first time youth were allowed to come to the mic in this capacity and represent their advocacy position and they were given great accolades for their courage and leadership. They received a standing ovation and it was certainly a memorable moment in the history of Synod. The Gun Violence resolution enthusiastically passed and stood out with the prominent voices of youth guiding the way for a collective positive vote. The resolution for the concern of the rights of children under Israeli military force also passed with a 75% vote in favor and our RI youth displayed a visual presentation they drew depicting a captured youth blindfolded with hands tied and in distress. The Minimum wage resolution was the last of the three youth presentations during the business sessions at Synod and it also passed with a 75 % approval. Many of the youth were so engaged about the resolution process and asked to return in 2 years as a voting youth delegate for their own conference. I have continued my 5 annual youth events throughout the year listed as follows- all were successful and well attended. * 10/14/17 Ecumenical Music Festival Youth Event with workshops 8th-12th grade at Camp Irons Homestead (25 Youth & 14 Adults - 5 churches) * 12/03/17 Advent Adventure Youth Event 3rd-8th grade at Woodridge Church (25 youth, 4 Adults - 3 churches) * 1/21/18 SKY ZONE Youth Event 3rd-8th grade at Newman Church then to trampoline park ( 35 youth- 6 Adults - 5 churches) * 1/28/18 Racial Justice Awareness Confirmation Youth Event at Seekonk Church ( 30 youth, 8 adults) * 2/4/18 Sliding with Faith Youth Event at Peace Dale church then Tubing at Yagoo (40 youth, 8 Adults, 5 churches) Plans for sharing youth group opportunities between 2 churches (or more) have been successful between Seekonk and Woodridge. This approach of one larger church planning a youth group event for their church group and inviting another smaller church youth group to join in has worked out well several times this year. Workshop Leadership and Retreats: April 6-9, 2018 Women’s Celebration Xl Event, Portland, ME I lead a double workshop on Prayer Beads - full sessions with total 58 women! May 1-3, 2018 NEAUCE (New England Association of Christian Educators) 3 day retreat in Swanzy, NH with the theme: “Be Who God Meant You to Be” with keynote address given by Dr. Pamela Shellberg. It was an excellent retreat with 5 participants for our RI representation from churches: Newman, Seekonk, Middletown and Chapel Street. Stacy Inman from the Seekonk Church served on the planning team for her 2nd year. I was commissioned to be on the NEAUCE planning team for the 2019 event serving as as the Conference staff representation. I was a workshop presenter this year engaging CE folks in new ways to experience VBS. AUCE (Association of United Church Educators) I have served my 2nd year as the AUCE RI Rep and continue to meet quarterly on Skype for meetings. I also traveled to Cleveland for the annual 3 day meeting that was in Nov 2017. ERYE 2018 I am collaborating with CT and MA again for the upcoming bus trip youth event to PA July 18-22 for the Eastern Regional Youth Event. I am involved on the planning team, doing several workshops and planning worship. I have a RI delegation of 17 going ( 5 Adults, 12 youth, 4 churches ). NYE 2020 A National Youth Event 2020 has begun the beginning stages with it’s leadership team from the national setting and also leadership from our Conferences. I am part of this team, meeting frequently with zoom meetings. Progressive Children’s Ministry Movement with Faith Formation Leader Rev. Ivy Beckwith - Meeting with Karen Zeil and Debbie Gline Allen - ongoing meetings and discussions Overall, it has been another great year. As 2018 turns into 2019, I will be moving forward into the possible future tri-state merge and will be committed to involving more relationships with CT and MA in many capacities with youth, leaders, CE folks, shared resources and shared events.
Irons Homestead Director Report - Rev. Jennifer Geary Irons Homestead is a sacred space that enables lives to change through encounters with God, nature and others. Our Mission is to make a positive impact on the world by honoring each person’s integrity and worth, while providing a nurturing, safe and challenging environment for them to grow socially and spiritually. We use gracious & generous hospitality and purposeful community to share God’s love and grace. Our Vision is, refreshed and challenged, guests will re-engage daily life with a deeper understanding of the interdependence and value of all of creation, making changes to lighten their foot print on earth and to live in harmony with all. We Value: A place apart from the everyday life; Respect for the natural world and order; The uniqueness of each person; Interdependence; Play; The teaching of Jesus the Christ Our Goals are to: Provide quality facilities and spaces; Provide a nurturing and safe environment; Honor each person’s integrity and worth; Teach creation stewardship; Teach life skills; Expect fun to happen; Be the Body of Christ here and now; Worship God in all ways every day. I meet monthly with the Division of Outdoor Ministry, with RICUCC staff and with the RI Ministers Association. I completed the 2-year Compass Points program in camp management and received my graduation compass in November at the national UCC Outdoor Ministries gathering at Silver Lake in CT. I attended five continuing education events in addition to the Compass Points program. I maintained my certifications as a servsafe food manager, archery instructor, lifeguard, waterfront manager, and public water system manager. I continue to serve as the RICUCC background check administrator. I installed new partitions in the “mens” room, making both Lodge bathrooms identical; replaced all the smoke/CO detectors and emergency lights; installed plastic panels, constructed by the Women of Brookfield, CT, on the porch of the Lodge to keep out wind and snow during the winter months; also replaced the screens on the porch. I had a commercial stove, dishwasher & refrigerator installed in the Farm House Kitchen plus two sinks. A new washer and dryer and mop sink were also installed. The old Farm House washer and dryer have been installed in the Lodge. The area behind the Lodge was cleared and a tent platform was built by a volunteer group from Vermont. We need to build a second platform before camp starts and also bunkbeds for both tents. Three new outswing doors have been purchased for the Farm House; two have been installed. I purchased a dumpster to replace the rotting one we were renting. I am seeking a forestry grant to deal with the trees compromised by two years of gypsy moth infestations. I would like to find a way to purchase the horse farm located to the east of our property as it stretches between two roads and is ideal for a developer. It would give us a second well and septic system, additional housing and a winterized barn which would allow us to do animal programing and year round school programs, plus a lot of valuable storage, something of which we are in short supply. It is on the market now. I began providing food service for rental group having now served six groups in the Farm House. I hosted seven Providence Experience groups and have seven booked for the coming summer. I organized the Great American Camp Out in June and the Free Fun Day in August. Kristin Putney coordinated an ecumenical youth event in October. 2018 was a difficult year for maple sugaring with product about half of what we expected and no groups were able to participate. The OMD ran a sugar eat fundraiser. I am planning and implementing day and overnight camping for the Summer of 2018. I will operate Forest Day Camp, a nine week day camp and a 2.5 week overnight camp. I have hired a program director and am in the process of hiring counselors, nurses, lifeguards and cooks. Volunteers will be needed for both camps. I am using an on-line registration, CampDoc. I created a fundraising account with the American Camp Association for our folks to make donations to our campership program. 2 donations were made. In addition I am seeking funds from UCC congregations to underwrite this year’s Summer Camp programing. Since this is the first year in many that we have offered camp and the RICUCC doesn’t budget money for camp, we are likely to run in
the red. Having a boost of support from our congregations will allow me to make sure the staff is paid regardless of the enrollment.
I am confident that once we complete our first year, enrollment will cover the cost of camp in the future.
I visited with several people who either worked or volunteered at Irons Homestead over the years and have been gathering
historical information. I am grateful for the work they did and the legacy that has been left for us to carry on.
We continue to host Camp Ruggles, a day camp for children with emotional disabilities, which has been on-site for over 40 years. I
provided them with a science lesson each week.
I put in hundreds of hours getting our facility, policies and documents in order in preparation for a visit by the American Camp
Association in August. We received our accreditation in October.
I applied for and received an $11,600 grant from the Champlin Foundation to replace the roofs on the pavilion and garage and to
purchase kayaks and life jackets for summer camp. I am seeking volunteer work crews to do the roofing. I also applied for and
received a $1000 Deering grant to fund our garden program. I also made the final purchases closing out our 2016 Champlin
Foundation Grant on a ballast box to stabilize the tractor, a grader blade, rake, logging winch and log splitter.
My vision for the future includes year-round preschool, adult retreats & camps, residential camp for children, Young Adult Service
Community and other life skills programs that promote sacred community. All very doable and very much needed by our splintering
society. To help facilitate this we need to replace the barn with a new building that will house the kitchen, dining hall, office, camp
store, meeting rooms and adult friendly guest rooms; construct a building at the waterfront to be used by day camp and as a nature
school during the rest of the year and which will make the waterfront a more viable option for our local congregations and construct
a bathhouse and begin adding rustic cabins. We will construct a new Arts Center in 2019.
As in my previous reports, I again request that the RICUCC consider creating an Irons Homestead Fund to more accurately convey
our finances and removing Irons Homestead income and expenses from the General Fund. For the fourth year in a row, the monies
received from the General Fund have been under budget.
I am available to lead worship and/or give presentations or have conversations with any group in your congregation.
I am so grateful for the many volunteers and generous donors who make this ministry possible. I am especially grateful to the
Outdoor Ministry Department who under the capable leadership of Mark Dennen has spread the name of Irons Homestead and
supported me in my labors.
I look forward to what God has in store for this ministry. Submitted by: the Rev. Jennifer Geary
Commissioned Minister of Congregational Health - Peggy Matteson
This provides an overview of some of the activities I have been engaged in on your behalf during the last year:
To Assisted Information Requests From Our Congregations
1. Collaborated with the Chapel Street Congregational UCC in starting a Health Ministry for their congregants and the
community they serve. Have continued to identify and provide resources as their programming has expanded.
2. To gain knowledge and resources to share:
a. Attended seminar on Sexual Exploitation of Children – Human Trafficking in RI presented by Day 1 to learn how to
identify children & youth at risk and the resources available to assist them.
b. Participated in two conversations to better understand the transgender experience:
i. Theological Conversation – Transgender Experience at the First Baptist Church in America, Providence, RI.
ii. Merciful Conversation on Gender Identification and Expression at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, East
Greenwich.
c. Attended The Opioid Epidemic: How to Improve Care for All Rhode Islanders presented by the Warren Alpert
Medical School of Brown University.
d. Attended Trauma Informed Pastoral Care, part of the Mental Health Education Series for Faith Community
Leaders.3. Distributed materials provided by Cindy Elder, Ex. Director of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – RI with
updated information on the location and times of NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups and NAMI Family Support
Groups.
4. Collaborated with Christine King, president of the Interfaith Counseling Center, to identify information opportunities to
offer to pastors, members of our congregations, and others.
For Our Conference
1. Participated in monthly staff meetings & collaborated with staff and shared resources with Kristin Putney and Jennifer
Geary as helpful.
2. Created two displays related to RI’s activities for the June meeting of the three conferences in Hartford. One display
provided information on Congregational Health Ministry and the other on Disaster planning.
3. Attended the 2 day meeting of the UCC Habakkuk Group and the MESA Team Ministry, Make It Plain: Authorizing Ministry
in the 21st Century held in Framingham, MA to learn the developing recommendations and to provided input related to the
Authorized Ministry of Commissioning.
4. Prepared materials and a display for Autumnal Meeting related to: The Legal and Moral Case for a Defibrillator in a church
building, Human trafficking within our state, and the legal responsibility of ALL people in RI to report known or suspected
cases of child abuse and/or neglect to the Dept. of Child, Youth & Families.
5. Continued to serve as interim liaison between the RI Conference and the UCC Disaster Ministries. Met several times with
potential volunteers interested in taking on this role. When a volunteer was identified I provided connections and
resources.
6. Had meetings with Rev. Don Anderson, of the RI State Council of Churches, as we explored the possibility of offering a local
program of educating lay leaders in the development of Health Ministries within their congregation. Coordinated place
and time with Woodridge Congregational UCC who graciously hosted the subsequent meeting.
7. Provided a workshop, Welcoming People Experiencing Mental Illness at the Table at the UCC Women’s Celebration X, April
7th in Portland, ME.
8. Participated in RI Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty to hear Rev. Traci Blackmon, gather materials for our churches,
and to network with members of both our churches as well as other religious denominations in attendance. Ideas for
collaboration across the Abrahamic faith traditions will be further explored with new contacts.
Collaborative Work With the National Office of the UCC:
1. Co-chair of the UCC Health Ministry/Faith Community Nurse Leadership Team - participating in monthly conference
calls and developing resources for others across the country offering ministries for health of body, mind, and spirit.
2. Continue for the third year as writer of UCC HM/FCN Monthly Newsletter: Mind, Body, Spirit – Linking Lives for Health
and Wholeness which is e-mailed out to all UCC programs.
3. Attended and staffed an information booth at Synod on Faith Community Nursing and Ministries of Health.
4. Developed and co-presented the Health Ministry/Faith Community Nursing presentation for the Health, Wholeness
and Human Services Luncheon at Synod
(Please note: Cost of participation at all events listed above except the RI Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty were personally
funded.) Peggy Matteson, PhD, RN-BC Faith Community NurseDisaster Coordinator Report - Barbara Gregory
(http://www.ucc.org/disaster)
Since assuming the position of RI CDC this past January, I am discovering and learning about the critical long term recovery work
being done by UCC Disaster Ministries (DM) domestically and internationally. I met 11 UCC Conference Disaster Coordinators (CDCs)
at the annual gathering held in Oakland, CA in April 2018. I also participate in monthly conference calls or meetings conducted by
UCC DM, RI Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (RI VOAD-includes representatives from government and non-profits such as
FEMA, Red Cross, United Way, RI Community Food Bank, etc) and have been amazed by the resources readily available to prepare
for disasters and learn of the need for individuals or work teams to serve those recovering from natural or human caused disasters.
Meeting new and seasoned CDCs provided me with the expansive past and current work done by the UCC DM office with state CDC
and volunteers (ex: Katrina, Sonoma fires & flooding, hurricanes in PR, FL, TX, US Virgin Islands). Our Conference participated by
donating buckets filled with cleaning products provided by UCC church communities. The buckets where sent to some of the
aforementioned areas and distributed by UCC Churches and volunteers to families in need of these products to aid in the restoration
of their properties. I am also learning that many RI Churches have safety committees or task forces to address how their
congregations can prepare for disasters within their own churches, as well as lend support to others.
My charge as RI CDC is to educate and communicate to RI UCC churches about UCC Disaster Ministries, to include: the work being
done, the opportunities to serve, the resources readily accessible to churches for preparing individual congregations to be safe and
able to respond to disaster in effective ways, and to maintain partnerships with government and non-profit organizations in the
state of RI on behalf of UCC.
I invite all readers of this document who have an interest in learning more about preparedness for disasters, to contact me.
Respectfully submitted, Barb Gregory, RI CDC Volunteer barbgreg32187@gmail.com
Haiti Division Annual Report by Shirley Hardison, VP Haiti Division
During 2017-18 the RICUCC Haiti Task Force and many churches and individuals throughout our congregations worked diligently to
fulfill our mission:
Providing education, quality health care, orphan relief, spiritual care and community-based services for the people of Haiti. We do
this through student and school sponsorship’s, financial support for medical clinics, two churches, a nutrition program for children
and sustained friendship and joint advocacy for positive change.
The Task Force did this by:
• Leading Discovery and Orientation mission trips with members of churches throughout the Rhode Island Conference
• Continued support for the salaries of nurses and a doctor in the MEBB Clinic in Fontamara, Haiti
• Providing funding for medical supplies for that clinic
• Sponsoring children at the Fontamara School in Port-au-Prince and providing support for the teachers at the Community
School of Bellevue in Gressier.
• Providing clothing and other supplies for children in the orphanages
• Sponsoring an art teacher for children in one of the orphanages
• Partnering with OneEgg Haiti to provide much needed animal protein in the form of an egg a day to now over 2,200
children
Discovery and Orientation Trips
In 2017, two planned trips had to be rescheduled mainly due to unusually expensive airline tickets. Each participant in the trip pays
their own airfare and other travel expenses, therefore we are sensitive to the costs associated with travel.However, in October 2017, a group traveled to Haiti to see first-hand and in many cases participate in, the work of the Haiti Task
Force. The travelers visited most of the sites where programs and/or sponsorships are in place.
In January of 2018, a group of twelve people traveled with Suzanne Swanson and Daehler Hayes on another Orientation Trip. This
group has remained very involved with the day to day operation of the Mission and has allowed us to greatly expand the
membership on the Haiti Task Force.
In September of 2017, Shirley Hardison and Suzanne Swanson traveled to Haiti to make visits to each site where we have established
programs. The purpose of this trip was two-fold. First, we can have an extended visit with each site to discuss the programs to assess
that programs are functioning as we expect and that they meet the needs of the participants.
Secondly, the Task Force has been asked by OneEgg,org to serve in an administrative capacity for a portion of the grant that
OneEgg.org received from Tyson Foods. There were funds in that grant to add children to the nutrition program in which we partner
with OneEgg, Haiti. Suzanne Swanson and I have responsibility for locating and vetting new sites for participation in the program.
One Egg Nutrition Program.
The other major accomplishment this year was the completion of the fourth full year of the OneEgg Haiti Nutrition Program. In
cooperation with OneEgg Haiti, a chapter of OneEgg.org over 2,200 children in schools and orphanages receive a hard-boiled egg,
five days a week. The program has been able to greatly increase the number of children it serves for several reasons; some funding
from a grant from Tyson Foods to OneEgg.org; the many churches throughout the conference that have conducted their own fund-
raining events to donate to the program or sponsor a specific site; and many individuals that have made personal contributions.
The RICUCC Haiti Task Force is proud of its work and operates on a completely volunteer basis with the help of numerous
representatives from churches throughout the conference and now with the assistance of those from other nearby conferences. We
look forward to another year of working together to accomplish our mission.
The Justice and Witness Division Report - Rev. Nancy Soukup
The Justice & Witness Division reports that the Diversity Scholarship Program continued to distribute funds to RICUCC students
during 2017–2018. After a successful program in 2016–2018, applications were announced again for this academic year. The
application deadline was extended to early September 2017 to allow clergy to nominate potential applicants. The Division received
two applications from RICUCC students. Maremo Lo and Tyler Frails, both of Beneficent Church. They both were awarded $750/each
to support their undergraduate studies. Lo attends American University, and Frails attends the University of Rhode Island. The
awards were announced in early January and funds were sent to the two students to help defray any remaining costs for Fall 2017
and to help with expenses for Spring 2018.
Before the awards were issues, Rev. Nancy Soukup consulted with Business Manager George Weavill, who reported that the fund
balance was $1,856, including income from the third quarter of 2017. He informed Nancy that the fund generates approximately
$620/year. With the two awards sent in January 2018, the account had approximately $356. Since Fall 2017, the fund has received
income from three quarters.
Finally, as RICUCC joins CT and MA Conferences in a future tri-conference system, the RICUCC Treasurer and Interim Conference
Minister will have to assess the status of the scholarship fund. It is one concrete way that the Conference(s) can contribute to
sustainable change for diversity within our faith community.
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE RACIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY 2017–2018
Since last May, the Racial Justice Ministry (RJM) has offered a sacred conversation training for confirmands, has had conversations
with the Committee on Ministry (COM) about required clergy racial justice training, and has begun discussions about how the RJM
will collaborate with the CT and MA Conferences on trainings. RJM Members included the Rev. Cleo Graham, Rev. Brendan Curran,
Rev. Kathy Henry, Rev. Dale Azevedo, and Rev. Nancy Hamlin Soukup
Announcements about RJM Members: On an extremely happy note, members of RJM took part in and were present for the Rev.
Jametta Alston’s ordination on Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Edgewood Congregational Church. We celebrate with her on this
milestone, send all good prayers for success in her new ministry, and thank her for her many contributions to the Racial Justice
Ministry. Additionally, the Rev. Cleo Graham became VP for Administration on the RICUCC Board. She also served on the team that
developed a job description, interviewed, and hired a Transitional Conference Minister for RICUCC.Clergy Racial Justice Ministry Training: The Racial Justice Ministry has been involved with the COM on devising a diversity
training/racial justice requirement for all clergy. This is in response to a clergy racial justice training resolution passed by the General
Synod of 2017. Rev. Nancy Soukup worked with Rev. Kurt Walker, who has offered a Rhode Island Council of Churches white
privilege training, on this initiative. Since RJM was founded, a key goal has been to have RICUCC adopt such a requirement for clergy
and authorized ministers. The Connecticut Conference has recently adopted such a measure. To achieve this goal in Rhode Island,
Kurt and Nancy met with the COM on a resolution in the Fall 2017 to discuss a possible RICUCC resolution. Currently, it sits with the
COM in preparation for the Spring Annual Meeting.
Confirmand Racial Justice Training: On Sunday, January 28, Rev. Brendan Curran and Rev. Nancy Soukup joined Ms. Kristin Putney,
RICUCC Children and Youth Ministry, for an afternoon of sacred conversation training with approximately 35 confirmands plus their
youth leaders from Seekonk, Beneficent, Chapel Street, Newman, and Peace Dale Churches. Brendan, Cleo, and Kristin developed
this program, which started three years ago.
The program at Seekonk Congregational Church was a three-hour session filled with activities, discussion, videos, and reflection on
racism in America and what that means for our UCC community. We did a survey afterward for students to share thoughts about the
training—what they knew before they arrived that afternoon and what new insights were gained at the end of the training.
White Privilege Training: During October 2017, the Rhode Island Council of Churches began to hold White Privilege Training Sessions
based on the UCC Model, using Teaching Manual they developed. These trainings were opened to the entire RI faith community.
Rev. Kurt Walker led a five-part series at Chapel Street Church. RICUCC Interim Conference Minister, the Rev. Barbara Libby,
attended this series. Participants were required to attend every session in order to gain full benefit of the training. We look forward
to the next round of these trainings so that other RICUCC members can take part.
RICUCC RJM and Tri-Conference Racial Justice Ministry: During the summer RJM learned that the Rev. DaVita McCallister, who
wrote/developed the current curriculum, was leaving her position with the CT Conference to do congregational ministry. Rev.
McCallister has been a guiding light for all three conferences around racial justice ministry. We will miss her leadership
tremendously even as we pray for continued success in the next stage of her ministry.
In September RJM met with TJ Harper, Associate for Racial Justice Ministries for the Massachusetts Conference. TJ had just taken on
similar responsibilities for the Connecticut Conference. We met at Barrington Congregational Church to discuss with TJ what
developments have occurred with the CT and MA trainings since the departure of the Rev. McCallister from the CT Conference.
Some of the questions discussed were: How are racial justice trainings moving forward? Are there any changes to the training
manual developed by Rev. McCallister? How can the RI Conference collaborate with MA and CT in the future?
The conversation with TJ was rich and helpful to us all. TJ talked about changes updates/revisions to the Realms of Racism Training.
In MA, he is not using Sacred Conversations any longer because its shorter timeframe did not allow for deeper consideration of
racism. In RI Conference, we have not decided to stop using Sacred Conversations for now. We also discussed how to increase the
number of trainers in RI when we do not have a budget to do this. TJ said that he is offering trainings for the full curriculum but also
sessions to update current trainers. RI trainers are encouraged to enroll. If there are charges for training, we will discuss with TJ.
FINAL NOTE for the J&W Division and RJM Ministry: In February, the Rev. Nancy Hamlin Soukup, who has served as VP for the
Justice & Witness Division and facilitator for the Racial Justice Ministry, announced her resignation from each position and as such
from the RICUCC Board. This was due to what is hoped to be short-term health issues due to Lyme Disease.
Both reports respectfully submitted by the Rev. Nancy Hamlin Soukup
Vice President for Mission Interpretation Report - Kleo Becker
The Rhode Island Conference for the U.C.C. has been helping, through the Wider Church Ministries, to sponsor John and Karen
Campbell-Nelson in their mission work in Indonesia. Last summer we were looking forward to visiting with them when they were in
the States. John, however, became ill and we were not able to meet with them. John has become better and they have returned to
Indonesia to do their work. We will continue to help sponsor them as well as keep John and Karen in our prayers. Many thanks to
Mary Hazeltine for keeping us informed about John and Karen.
Respectfully submitted,
Kleo BeckerOutdoor Ministry Committee Report - Mark Dennen Irons Homestead, a sacred space that enables lives to change through encounters with God, nature and others. Our Mission is to make a positive impact on the world by honoring each person’s integrity and worth, while providing a nurturing, safe and challenging environment for them to grow socially and spiritually. We use gracious & generous hospitality and purposeful community to share God’s love and grace. Accreditation 1.ACA Accreditation – We have received the official letter and certificate. Signs have been added to the sign post at the entrance to the Homestead. 2.Camp Irons is also certified for food service by the Department of Health. Events 1.Family fun day in August was reasonably well attended (30 people). 2.Work day in October that was sparsely attended. We are hoping for a better turnout at the next event scheduled for May 19, 2018. 3.National Outdoor Ministry Association Conference: Jennifer, Mark, Rich and Kristin went for all or part of the 3 days of this meeting. Jennifer presented her Compass Points Capstone project at Consult and received her compass and certificate later that night. She is the first UCC minister to complete the program. Facilities 1.Food Service is up and running 2.Purchased new stall walls to replace urinals and enclose toilet. 3.Washer hook-ups were put in. 4.Purchased 3 out-swing doors for the Farm House and new lighting for the Lodge. 5.Many trees down and the driveway got washed out with big storm. 6.Emergency Lights in lodge are replaced and tested. 7.We put in a proposal with Newport Solar for the lodge and are waiting to hear. 8.Fire Suppression we are waiting on the plumber to put valve in gas line. 9.Generator- We still have not gotten price quote from the company we purchased other one from. Jen bought a small generator at Home Depot. Programming 1.Summer Camp is coming together nicely. Jennifer have hired one Forest Day Camp counselor and made offers to two more awaiting confirmation. We still need to hire overnight counselors, nurse/health people, cook, & life guard. Volunteers are still needed for all sessions. 2.Our retreat ministry is going well with groups in most weekends through mid-June and then full weeks through the summer. The fall is starting to book up also. One thing learned this spring is that we must require a minimum for Food Service. Groups with fewer than 15 people do not bring in enough revenue to cover the cost of a cook. So in the future, group will be charged for a minimum of 15 people if they desire food service.
3.We are seeking to raise a considerable amount of money to bring the property and buildings at Irons Homestead into proper repair
and to facilitate new programing.
4.We raised $200 through 2 donations to the Camp Moves Me Campaign
We received $120 for camperships at Autumnal meeting.
5.Collection of clothing in coordination with Savers at the Autumnal Meeting that raised $ 176.32 (790 lbs clothing, 2550 lbs books).
6.Sugar Eat brought in less than $100 but was good publicity.
7.We are approved from Champlain for $11,600 for replacement of the pavilion and garage roofs and kayaks and life jackets.
8.We received $1,000 Dearing Grant to be used to upgrade gardening project.
9.We are applying for another Champlin Grant this spring. The total amount $104,000 for the construction of an Arts center and the
purchase of a dump truck. We will likely receive only part of this request.
10.Our goal is to raise $20,000 for camperships. We currently have $4000 in our campership fund and Jennifer just received a $5,000
grant from Champlin Foundations for this purpose.
11.We have also prepared a list of ways folks can financially support Irons Homestead which is being distributed in a variety of ways.
There is a donation page for the RICUCC website.
12.We have contracted with Newport Solar to install 19 solar panels on the Lodge. We are waiting on National Grid. Once we have
approval we will replace the roof and have the panels installed. We will borrow the money to complete this project and seek
donations to pay off the loan.
13.We have a new logo that will be unveiled as soon as the graphic designer is done.
14.Rich received recognition as partner in faith for State Council of Churches.
15.Campdoc- We are now registered with Campdoc and they will handle our registration documentation for the next year. A Health
and Wellness te4am to help us with this would be ideal. We need to advertise for the upcoming season for ages 4-12.
16.Advertising and Promoting Camp. Camp Doc is up and running but we don’t yet have any registrants. Big banner out by the road.
No ads have gone in newspapers yet. If we had a longer overnight program. Valley Breeze may be worth it. We are interested in other
ideas to promote it.
Respectfully prepared by Mark Dennen,
Vice President of Outdoor Ministries and Jennifer Geary, Director of Irons Homestead, 9/20/2017
RI Conference Stewardship Report by Susan Rotblat-Walker
In 2017 the Stewardship Division of the Conference appreciates the faithful stewardship initiatives and programs of our local
churches and that of the RI Conference itself. These include successful local church stewardship programs as well as generous
responses from our churches to the UCC’s five special offerings that contribute to the life and work of the United Church of Christ in
the Conference and national settings.
These funds enable the United Church of Christ to “Be the Church” when migrants are on the move across the globe, when the rights
of the marginalized are threatened, when Haitian children have at least one egg each day, when racial justice training unpacks white
privilege and systemic racism, and when the UCC speaks up to end poverty and injustice.
During this program year we continued our annual appeal, Friends of the RI Conference, providing the opportunity for individuals to
show their support for the life and work of the conference.
The generosity of our local churches supports the fiscal well-being of the Conference as we move toward the formation of a new
Conference along with the Connecticut and Massachusetts conferences. We are gratified by your continued participation in and
financial support of the stewardship ministries of all the settings of the United Church of Christ.
Vice President for StewardshipChurch and Ministry Committee Report - Rev. Dr. Claudia Demick
The Church and Ministry Committee of the Rhode Island Conference of the United Church of Christ meets monthly on the
2nd Wednesday except in July and August when they meet if needed. This committee is responsible for the authorization and
granting of standing of all authorized ministers in the Conference. Members in Discernment are granted that standing by the
committee who then commits to advise those discerning ministry.
Meeting with authorized ministers for periodic reviews are also part of the committee’s work. In addition, an Information
Review is sent yearly to all authorized ministers by the committee who compiles the information. The Church and Ministry
Committee is also available to consult with congregations and ministers who seek support.
The Church and Ministry Committee submitted Compensation Guidelines for 2018 before the Autumnal Meeting. We also
organized boundary training for authorized ministers at least once a year. Additionally, this committee spent time in discernment
around submission of a Resolution on Anti-Racism and Racial Justice Training for Authorized Ministers before submitting said
resolution to the Board of Directors to be presented at the Spring Meeting.
Members in Discernment:
Chontell Washington, Linda Hartley, Brandon Yaghjian-Tison, Alyssa Browning-Gray, Ashley Walker, and Gabrielle Sclafani. RICUCC
Members in Discernment were given scholarships from the RICUCC scholarship fund toward their studies.
Ecclesiastical Councils:
Shelly Moses—Peace Dale Congregational Church
Helen Bodell—Newman Congregational Church
Pending Ecclesiastical Councils:
Linda Hartley—Newman Congregational Church (6/3/18)
Chontell Washington—Beneficent Congregational Church (7/1/18)
Ordinations:
The Rev. Shelly Moses—Peace Dale Congregational Church
The Rev. Helen Bodell—Newman Congregational Church
Installations:
The Rev. Burton Bagby-Grose—First Congregational Church Bristol
The Rev. John Ecklund—Chepachet Union Church
Pending Installations:
The Rev. Betsy Garland—Moosup Valley Congregational (9/9/18)
Privilege of Call
The Rev. Elisabeth Smith
Boundary Training: A general boundary training for all authorized ministers was held on 10/5/17 at Edgewood Congregational
Church. The RI Conference adopted a Resolution in 2008 that establishes the Conference’s policy requiring boundary training for all
authorized ministers every three years.
Dual Standing:
The Rev. Betsy Garland—Moosup Valley Congregational
The Rev. Robert Hollis—Mount Vernon Larger Parish
The Rev. David Pierce—Four Corners Community Chapel
Licensed Ministers:
Bill McMillan and Wayne Patenaude (Park Place Congregational),
Warren Marble (First Congregational Church of Warwick)
Transfers of standing to the RI Conference:
The Rev. Peter MacInnis (from CTCUCC—via China)
Respectfully submitted,
The Rev. Dr. Claudia P. Demick
Church and Ministry ChairRhode Island Ministers’ Association (RIMA)
Annual Report - Rev. Dale Azevedo
Once again, the Rhode Island Ministers’ Association (RIMA) had a wonderful year of continuing education and fellowship activities.
Our year began with our annual retreat held at Edwards House, in Framingham, MA in September 2017. Our presenters were
Jonathan Lewis and (our very own) Rev. Sharon Key. Both Jonathan and Sharon are formally trained in Kingian Nonviolence and led
us on a wonderful exploration of how this discipline works and can be utilized in our local ministry communities. It was a very
moving and meaning few days for all who attended. Although Edwards House has wonderful meeting rooms and dining facilities, its
distance from Rhode Island and a lack of private sleeping options were problematic for some members. We have been encouraged
to look at other options for next year.
In addition to our annual retreat, we continued our practice of holding monthly meetings around the state. As we have visited many
of our different churches around RI, we were introduced to some of the various ministries or program topics of importance to those
faith communities, including but not limited to “wrap-around housing ministries” and a “pollinator garden.” We also explored
meeting at alternative locations outside of our churches. In March, we met at Stages of Freedom in downtown Providence.
Unfortunately, due to brutally cold temperatures and a miscommunication at our host site, we were locked out of the building and
had only a handful of us meet across the street in Starbucks. Once our host returned, we were able to make a quick stop in Stages of
Freedom to learn about their justice work before our session ended.
As has become an annual tradition for RIMA, Kathy Henry hosted our Epiphany party. It is always a joyous time to gather with
colleagues after the Advent and Christmas seasons to laugh, reunite, and eat wonderful food. Thank you, Kathy, for hosting us.
As we look forward to the likelihood of forming of a new conference with our sisters and brothers in CT and MA, it will be even more
important for us to remain in relationship with one another. The bonds and friendships that unite the Rhode Island Ministers’
Association is a blessing for those of us in this corner of New England. We will continue to support, encourage, and even challenge
one another as we move forward in faith.You can also read
