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Message From Your Pastor
Circumstances have prevented me from meeting with the Administrative Council in the last month. Also, emails, as you know, are not the best way to handle conflict. Sometimes we have to respond in ways that are not optimal. Charges against me by five of nine people on the administrative council warrant such responses.
There are, however, no bad people in this story. I've stated and repeated this in every correspondence and in private conversations with Wedgewoodians. All my references have been from a perspective of being the pastor of the entire congregation and concern for its health and mission, from a psychological perspective and not moral perspective, and from a perspective of humility and confession. There are no perfect models of church and disadvantages and advantages of each. Also, I've shared I tend to be edgy and prophetic and that is not always well received by some. I get on my own nerves. That's as humble as I can get.
During the past year I have shared with the Administrative Council that it does not represent the church well in terms of its makeup. It has no African-Americans. Except for one person the Council is made up of seniors. Only one person is of a marginalized sexual orientation. This, in part, has led to some of our conflict.
Once the lawsuit situation is over I will gladly meet with any and all of the Administrative Council. My hope is, without smoothing over differences, there can be healing and all can move on. Life is too short to do otherwise.
A lot of people have left Wedgewood over the years. All have been good people. Wedgewood is not for everyone. And if Wedgewood ever has a different vision than the one for which I provide leadership I either have to accept, adapt or move on. We are congregational.
I've shared the following information with Wedgewood Deacons and Administrative Council in light of the lawsuit and you should be aware of this information also.
Wedgewood Church's constitution recognizes a member may need to be removed from membership.
Section H. Removal from Membership. Membership in the church shall terminate upon any of the following:
a. Receipt by the church of the request of members who wish to terminate their membership;
b. Letters of transfer granted upon request for a person joining another church;
c. Death; and
d. For cause, as determined by the church, provided, however, that termination for cause shall require the church to act at a conclave.
Our constitution recognizes deacons provide supervision and evaluation of minister, NOT the Administrative Council.
The UCC Committee on Ministry received a copy of Wedgewood Church's constitution before accepting us and had ample opportunity to discuss it with me and others who appeared before the committee. UCC representatives should NOT have met with Wedgewood's Administrative Council.
Also, I remind everyone Wedgewood is dually aligned with American Baptist Churches USA and UCC. Our name is NOT Wedgewood United Church of Christ as portrayed by Rev. Jon Heaslet, a retired UCC clergy on Wedgewood's Administrative Council.
Finally, Wedgewood's constitution recognizes and underscores the prophetic character of the church and that such character will inevitably upset people in the congregation.
3. Restrictions on Control. While the church may terminate the employment of any ministerial staff person at will, the church shall not, by prescription or proscription, otherwise interfere with the prophetic ministry of any ministerial staff person including, without limitation, placing any limitations on the pulpit.
See you Sunday and looking forward to discussions about the church in the next six months. There are good reasons we are growing and that so many outside of Wedgewood have been inspired by our church.
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