Second Unitarian Church Newsletter, November 2009 vol.2

The Board of Trustees of Second Unitarian Church has called a special meeting for 11/22 at 11:30 a.m. A notification letter was mailed out to all members on November 5 which highlights two motions to be voted on. Also, in accordance with our bylaws, a second notice was mailed out on November 6 for a special meeting to take place immediately following the first. (A third letter was sent out by petition organizers with the presumption that the petition request was not being handled in accordance with our bylaws.) Please read the letters very carefully and don't hesitate to contact any board member with questions.

Here's why we're holding two separate meetings: the first one is being called by the Board of Trustees to try to understand where we stand with the congregation, and the second is being held as a result of a petition request for a special meeting. The Board of Trustees called the first meeting after learning that a petition was circulating. We were frustrated that no one felt they could approach us to discuss a constructive solution to the issues before a secret process was initiated. We were very concerned about the significant breakdown of trust in the church.

At our annual meeting in May, a member made a motion that was a reasonable request for pastor accountability. While this is certainly within members' rights, it was hurtful in two ways: 1) Reverend Owen-O'Quill was asked- and we allowed her- to leave the sanctuary, and 2) having held several town hall meetings to get issues on the table in advance, this one was never brought up. The same pattern is playing out with the petition process and we don't think this is how any of us want to be in community.

Both instances were highly visible examples of members not trusting the "Trustees" enough to work through concerns together. As much as it saddens me, I do believe that if the congregation does not trust the current board of trustees, then we should be replaced. I truly hope that this is not the case, and that this becomes an opportunity to recommit as a community to our covenant and to honest communication.

The first meeting will ask members to affirm confidence in elected leadership and as a result, entrust us to continue the process that was initiated (and that I referred to in the last Anvil) after the annual meeting. If the Trustees are not affirmed then we will invite the congregation to hold a future meeting to replace the current Trustees. If Trustees are not affirmed, then we will then reluctantly move forward with the second meeting. The petition's stated purpose for this second meeting is to vote on four resolutions- one of which would be a vote of confidence on our pastor. The Board of Trustees believes, in no uncertain terms, that regardless of the vote, this second meeting would be seriously detrimental to the whole of our community.

Please know that we all share in confusion and hurt that has both caused and been caused by this. We are working to be the reconciling and loving community that we all want and need 2U to be.

In faith,
The Board of Trustees