Representative group to form Covenant of Separation
Clerks at Newberg Friends recommended a formal process for separating into two congregations in a letter emailed to the church info list on June 8. The message, signed by Mark Ankeny, Phil Smith and Ron Mock introduced an interim budget and a plan for forming a representative group that would “draft a Covenant of Separation to be effective on or before September 30.”
The purpose for the process is “our abiding concern that the coming transition be done well, to preserve relationships and allow both congregations to be thriving bodies of believers following the leadings of Jesus,” according to the letter.
The proposed minute acknowledged that the group is already in the process of dividing, that “none of us wish to leave Newberg Friends Church,” and that “each group includes people who have been members of Newberg Friends Church for all or most of their lives.” The minute also lays out parts of the Northwest Yearly Meeting restructuring process, especially those points that apply to the split at NFC.
The over 150 people present for the business meeting Sunday approved a second check signer and an interim budget of $101,100 – continued employment of one pastor, support staff, utilities, maintenance, program expenses, and yearly meeting local church support – for the period beginning July 1, and ending September 30, 2017. The meeting also approved the following minute:
We direct that a representative group be convened by our clerks to develop a Covenant of Separation to be effective on or before September 30, 2017, which focuses on our relationships, finances and other matters.
Click here to read the full letter.
Click here to read the original text of the proposed minute.
Threshing meeting to consider way forward in face of YM split
Hillsboro Friends will host a gathering for business and worship from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 25. The meeting – planned by representatives at midyear boards and open to all interested Friends – is intended to give people an opportunity to grieve the planned split in Northwest Yearly Meeting while also hearing “from one another about how Christ is calling us in our own communities.”
The meeting is in response to the Administrative Council’s announcement during midyear boards on January 27, 2017, of its decision to restructure the yearly meeting. Four churches are being removed from NWYM: West Hills, Eugene, Camas and Klamath Falls, while several other meetings may also choose to leave. The intended completion of this restructure is June 20, 2018.
“Many from the four released meetings and other meetings expressed a desire to come together to fellowship and hold This New Thing in the Light,” the group said in an email sent out Friday. “And so, let us gather!”
The proposed schedule includes introductions at 2 p.m. followed by waiting worship and threshing sessions. All are invited to stay for a potluck dinner from 5 to 6 p.m.
Hillsboro Friends is at 332 NE 6th Avenue.
Click here for the packet handout provided for anyone interested in attending the meeting.
All monthly meetings remain full members for now
Members of 12 Friends churches gathered at North Valley last week to discuss starting a new yearly meeting. But nobody’s out yet.
“All churches will remain full members of Northwest Yearly Meeting,” according to the minutes from Saturday, “until the transfer takes place on or before June 2018.”
Local churches with representation at Saturday’s meeting included the following:
- Camas
- Eugene
- Hillsboro
- Klamath Falls
- Newberg
- North Seattle
- North Valley
- Salem
- Second Street
- Silverton
- Tigard
- West Hills
A transition team tasked with making decisions about yearly meeting assets has its first meeting scheduled for March 18. The next yearly-meeting-organized gathering for those interested in forming a new yearly meeting will be held at Eugene Friends Church on Saturday, April 22.
Questions for the transition team can be directed to NWYM Superintendent Retha McCutchen by email – retha@nwfriends.org
Click here for the complete minutes