LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE Mayflower Community Congregational Church (UCC) Minneapolis, MN Associate Minister Minnesota Conference December 31, 2018 LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE CONTENTS Position Posting Who Is God Calling Us to Become? Who Are We Now? Who Is Our Neighbor? References Consent and Validation God is able to provide you with every blessing, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
POSITION POSTING LISTING INFORMATION SCOPE OF WORK COMPENSATION & SUPPORT WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US? LISTING INFORMATION Church name: Mayflower Community Congregational Church (UCC) Street address: 106 E. Diamond Lake Road, Minneapolis, MN 55419 Supplemental web links: www.mayflowermpls.org Additional ecumenical affiliations: None Conference: Minnesota UCC Conference or Association Staff Contact Person Name: Rev. Richard (Rick) Wagner Title: Associate Conference Minister Phone: 612-871-0359 Email: rickw@uccmn.org Summary Ministry Description: In a short paragraph, reflect on where your church is going and what it might look like when you get there. What do you need to get there? Who are you seeking to join you on this part of your church s faith journey? Mayflower is a spiritual incubator that transforms people, resources, talents, passions and our progressive Christian faith into focused energy to achieve God s dream of justice on earth. This transformation is evident in the day-to-day and week-to-week events of our congregation as it lives out its core values of worship and profound kinship. We do the work of God and enrich the spiritual through the wisdom and investment of our lay leadership ministry teams. Mayflower is not seeking an Associate Minister who does it all, but rather one with the faith-based organizing skills to harness, channel, and encourage the passions of our congregational members. The Associate Minister will guide us on vibrant faith pathways so members can explore issues, questions, and practices of faith. PAGE 2
Photographs All are welcome at Mayflower. Our entrance features a solar canopy - part of our solar power array added through our most recent capital campaign. Worship at Mayflower emphasizes music and all generations. PAGE 3
All age groups at Mayflower can participate in the active work of justice. Recently members have been in Nogales, Mexico protesting the border wall, and in St. Paul for the local March for Our Lives event. The annual youth mission trip is a key part of high school faith formation and is designed to help youth connect their actions with justice. PAGE 4
What we value about living in our area: Minneapolis is a highly livable city where one can walk and bike most anywhere, including to church. Communal green space, parks, and waterways are pervasive. Neighborhoods have distinct identities yet feel cohesive with walkable neighborhood restaurants, independently owned shops, and active neighborhood associations. The diversity of the city and multiple church organizations have supported immigrants, which in turn sustain a vibrant and diverse religious community of many faiths. Our city is civically engaged, with strong political activism and high voter turnout. Current size of membership: 809 active and inactive members; 1023 active members of community. This includes active members, children, active nonmembers, but not inactive members. Languages used in ministry: English Position Title: Associate Minister Position Duration: Settled a called position intended for longer-term ministry in which the minister moves their church membership to the congregation and moves their standing to related association Compensation Level: Full Time Does the total support package meet conference compensation guidelines? Yes. The compensation package is guided by the Minnesota Conference UCC Compensation Guidelines, other UCC conferences guidelines, as well as Associate Minister packages within other mainline denominations in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul region. SCOPE OF WORK See Attachment #1 Associate Minister Job Description (revised February 2018) The Associate Minister position is primarily about member integration and engagement in social justice, adult faith formation, small groups, and new member integration. The pastoral care is shared with the Team Lead Minister. Regular worship leadership includes preaching once a month. This person is also on the four-member Leadership Team decision-making body in our policy governance structure. This position oversees communications among and PAGE 5
beyond the congregation, working with several key volunteers and the Office and Communications Coordinator. Core Competencies: Strong relationship-building skills and ability to weave the community together, especially able to show intercultural experience and competency in this work. Ability to communicate well across multiple modes and media, including curating print and online media. Exceedingly well organized with the ability to prioritize and follow through on commitments. Commitment to disciplines of faith-based organizing especially the development of leaders, knowing when to lead and when to let others lead, and the ability to balance congregational leadership with public role. Excellent worship leadership and preaching. COMPENSATION AND SUPPORT Salary Basis: Salary and housing $58,700-69,400, depending on experience. Benefits: Retirement annuity of 14% of salary Family medical and dental Long-term disability insurance Social Security offset Sabbatical and continuing education Residential/commuting expectations: Mayflower values a commitment to urban community and the politics of urban life. We expect the Associate Minister to live within the Twin Cities metro area. Describe peer and professional supports available for ministers in your association/conference: The Minnesota Conference UCC offers Communities of Practice, in which clergy meet to support and empower each other. Twin Cities Metro Clergy Cluster meets monthly during program year. Other opportunities include Minnesota Conference UCC Annual Meeting and Annual Fall Convocation; Leaderwise (www.leaderwise.org); and four graduate theological seminaries in the Twin PAGE 6
Cities. The Associate Minister will be encouraged to participate in a clergy support group. PAGE 7
WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US? Describe the ministry goals you envision your next minister cocollaborating with the congregation to achieve: Mayflower members want to strengthen our faith through prophetic preaching, and to act in service of God s vision of justice. We seek more courage, more joy, and a greater capacity to sacrifice in these challenging times. Collaboration with congregational goals will be central to the work of our next Associate Minister. Our congregation and program staff continue to explore and clarify how the Jesus path of prayer, meditation, modern tithe, and embracing the Sabbath will be lived in our modern times. Our next Associate Minister will join in that work, being especially attentive to the passions and interests that emerge from members. Interests and goals include: Work with the Mayflower Race Matters team to understand and dismantle white privilege, and to realize our vision of a more inclusive community. Help to define our congregation-wide vision for racial and cultural diversity and inclusivity and how we can live into this vision of increased visibility, critical mass, and leadership of members from all and nondominant backgrounds. This may include changes to worship. Continue to expand our inclusivity of and valued leadership from GLBTQI members and staff at Mayflower and beyond. Integrate new members, connect newcomers with their passion(s), invite members to leadership, and creatively expand adult faith formation. Through faith-based organizing, empower Mayflower members and leaders to organize in collaboration for God s dream of justice. Further strengthen partnerships with community initiatives outlined in the following section. Describe how your vision of the minister you are now seeking will assist the congregation in making an impact beyond its walls. Among other initiatives that exist and will develop, the Associate Minister will be significantly involved in Mayflower s growing commitment and relationships with: ISAIAH: a multi-racial, state-wide, nonpartisan coalition of faith communities fighting for racial and economic justice PAGE 8
Creekside Commons: a workforce housing initiative with housing for 30 working families Beacon Interfaith Housing: creating homes and advancing equitable housing Mayflower Early Childhood Center (MECC): serving children across the economic spectrum through high-quality Montessori early education Earthwise and Groundwise: initiatives to counteract climate change by becoming a carbon neutral church, improve water stewardship, and reduce waste Interfaith Power and Light: responding to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy Immigration and Sanctuary Groups: providing support for those seeking safety and hope in a new land The Associate Minister s primary role with all initiatives is to nurture and support lay leadership so that together the people of Mayflower can be an active and visible force of compassionate service and justice in the world. Specify language requirements or culturally-specific capacities preferred in a next ministerial leader, and why those matter to the congregation s sense of calling. Demonstrated intercultural competency and experience is imperative. Some competency with additional languages is preferred, and a person who is bilingual and/or from non-dominant cultural background would bring particular gifts to move with this congregation toward fulfilling our mission. The congregation is primarily of European descent, with some racial diversity. Nevertheless, in this time of global mass migration, refugees and firstgeneration peoples are finding their way to Mayflower. Ever aware that we are on Dakota land, we feel blessed by the increasing diversity in our city and our corner of the city. Every week, you will hear Spanish, Arabic, Somali, German, French, and Hmong spoken in the church building because of Creekside Commons, Mayflower Early Childhood Center, the German school, our work with undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers, and the staff who help the church and the ministries thrive. PAGE 9
Our worship embraces diverse languages and theologies in music and sermons. This year we welcomed a sermon from a global theologian who is a Mayflower member and first generation Filipino. Our Consecration Sunday sermon was preached by an Imam who is first generation Bangladeshi. Our Earth Day sermon will be preached by Winona LaDuke from White Earth reservation, an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) nation. Based on what you have learned about who your church is, who your church s neighbor is, and who God is calling the church to become, describe four areas of excellence from The Marks of Faithful & Effective Authorized Ministry that your next minister will display to further equip the congregation s ministry in these areas. Exhibiting a Spiritual Foundation and Ongoing Spiritual Practices At the heart of faithful, sustainable, and empowering authorized ministry is strong awareness of God s love and presence, and commitment to following the Jesus path of ongoing spiritual practices and a life of discipleship. Building Transformational Leadership Skills The Associate Minister is focused on member integration and engagement as well as leadership development of others and self. This person will work closely with the justice ministry teams to help members live out the congregation s callings and support Mayflower s engagement in the wider movements of justice. They will need to work effectively with intercultural awareness and sensitivity and to witness in the public square. Performing related administrative tasks is essential. Encountering the Other with Justice and Mercy The Associate Minister will demonstrate the radical hospitality of God by identifying and working to overcome implicit bias in all ministry settings and in church life. They will draw on the ministry of Jesus to confront injustice and oppression. Participating in Theological Praxis Members put a high priority on the Associate Minister s capacity to reflect theologically and to appreciate and nurture a variety of theological perspectives. We value a well-formed ministerial identity that simultaneously maintains healthy boundaries and is appropriately self-disclosing. PAGE 10
WHO IS GOD CALLING US TO BECOME? Who is God calling you to become as a congregation? Mayflower s call is to hold the beautiful paradox of being (content with resting in God, in whom we live and move and have our being, practicing a contemplative oneness with all of creation) and doing (boldly and actively participating in bringing forth God s dream of justice in the world). We know that the work and words of progressive Christians are exactly what is needed to live and work in companionship with our Jewish, Muslim, Hindi, Buddhist siblings in their wonderful religiously diverse geography that is the USA. We are being called to expand our work for racial and economic justice, to become more welcoming and engaging of the many facets of diversity including race, gender, neurodiversity, and generational diversity; and to become more adept at welcoming and responding to the needs of sanctuary and asylum seekers. Admittedly, we often use more words to describe our doing, but it is no more important than is our being. Describe how God is calling you to reach out to address the emerging challenges and opportunities of your community and congregation. Mayflower has had and does have a strategic plan, last updated and approved in May 2015. We adopted the vision statement, To become a spiritual incubator that transforms people, resources, talents, passion and our progressive Christian faith into focused energy to achieve God s dream of justice on earth. Goals and strategies are defined with the categories of Within, Among, and Beyond, and the plan s mission and vision statements are the glue that hold our many initiatives together. Specific initiatives include: (1) Our history has always valued multi-generational Christian education. Last year we initiated inter-generational communion Sundays PAGE 11
to address our realization that generations in our congregation have often had differing levels of education concerning the essential stories and practices of our faith. On the first Sunday of the month we are intentional to select new and creative ways of teaching the stories, history, and practices of the Christian faith. We involve people of all ages in all the aspects of worship. This initiative has been met with positive feedback and especially good attendance by families. In the second year we will update the initiative by even further involving youth in the teaching. (2) Recognizing that some newcomers were seeking small group community and may hesitate about long-term commitment, six years ago we began a Lenten Series with small groups meeting in homes for fellowship, study and discussion. There has been a very positive response from both participants and the overall congregation. Of particular note, it has become a way in which many young adults find community and entry into broader participation. For next steps, we will add new time slots and locations for the program. 3) We have increased focus on the use of building and grounds space for the next 20 years. This initiative will involve important congregational decisions and involvement as to how physical space and buildings are prioritized in our strategies and goals of Within, Among, and Beyond mentioned above and how our physical space relates to our goal of becoming a carbon-neutral campus. PAGE 12
WHO ARE WE NOW? CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS 11-YEAR REPORT CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS PARTICIPATION AND STAFFING CHURCH FINANCES HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS Describe your congregation s life of faith: True to our non-creedal UCC roots, we are theologically diverse, leaning more towards theologically liberal. Our God language is inclusive, sometimes poetic, often non-existent. Meditative moments are woven through the service because, as Fr. Thomas Keating says, Silence is God s first language; everything else is a poor translation. Marcus Borg, Walter Brueggemann, Howard Thurman, Dorothy Butler Bass, Process Theology and Liberation Theology are in our river of thought. Our confirmands and new members are not asked to assent to a set of beliefs, but rather to commit to continuing their faith and doubt journey in the Mayflower community. That said, we are unabashedly on the Jesus path, claiming the name Christian/progressive Christian in the public, political sphere. Our calling to Christian faith formation is strong and exciting; that is, learning the stories of the faith and practicing the spiritual disciplines of the faith like inclusivity, justice, forgiveness, Sabbath rest, and modern tithe. These are interesting times in our culture to be religious and we are rising to the challenge with excitement and conviction and curiosity. Describe several strengths or positive qualities of your congregation. These strengths and positive qualities were compiled from responses of the congregation during listening sessions and with the work of the search committee: PAGE 13
Our Community: We are vibrant, progressive, and active. Designations such as Open & Affirming, Peace with Justice, Earthwise, and Immigrant-Welcoming are put into action in our congregation. We are a welcoming congregation, encouraging new members to lead and get involved. Visitors can feel the deep care we have for each other. We Walk Our Talk: Our Vision and Mission are in action through rich advocacy and expertise across many interest areas in our congregation, and in social and political activism. Faith Formation: Education is ongoing, life-long, and engages a diversity of leadership and members. Members enjoy numerous opportunities to connect their passions to their faith. Powerful, Prophetic Worship: We value excellent preaching and worship leadership. We offer a strong and vibrant music program. We worship with welcoming and inclusive language and sacraments. Our non-creedal Christian worship welcomes those across the spectrum of our faith. Describe what worship is like when your congregation gathers. Worship is at the heart of Mayflower s common life. Accordingly, great care is taken so that worship services have thematic integrity and appeal to diverse styles of spirituality (contemplative, relational, thinking, and doing). Sunday worship is at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. during the program year and at 10 a.m. in summer months. Our flexible worship space has windows to the wider world, the context of our gathering and serving. A Native American dream catcher the congregation commissioned hangs from a rafter, signaling our openness to God s dreams for our world, as well as our multi-cultural and multi-faith appreciation. The worship space is carefully tended by a worship environment team. Our sanctuary is accessible, and we employ inclusive language. Weekly services begin with a responsively sung call to worship, welcoming all to the love of God, followed by a time for passing the peace. Priority announcements ensue, with the printed bulletin listing many additional events in our active congregation. A lay leader offers the gathering litany and reads scripture. Music from diverse traditions, often composed by our music staff and members, enriches and deepens worship. Worship includes: centering time (when we drop more deeply into a concentrated awareness of God s presence), congregational PAGE 14
singing, and an outstanding adult choir, as well a children s choir, youth choir, men s choir, and bell choir. We encourage multigenerational worship through Time with Children, a young-families corner (with activity bags and roaming space), and a child-friendly worship area in the narthex. Communion is shared on the first Sunday of each month and is open to all. We offer non-alcoholic grape juice and provide a gluten-free option. Children actively engage in baptisms, which are scheduled several times throughout the year. We are not shy about naming the connection between money and mission, and every service includes a time for generous giving. Each worship experience also includes prayer an extended period for silence and simply resting in God, as well as a time for community prayer. Our sermons are intellectually challenging, spiritually engaging and inspiring, and call us to put our faith into action. We are often moved to add our communal amen at their conclusion. Describe the educational program and/or faith formation vision of your church. Mayflower UCC has been on a journey from a Christian Education model for prek-12 to a Faith Formation model for all ages, which started more than seven years ago. Our newly formed Faith Formation team is leading the program into deeper Faith Formation philosophy and evolution. These following examples demonstrate our continued development. Intergenerational worship occurs the first Sunday of the month with a youth and family focus. Youth sing, lead liturgy, usher, and read at this service. Our Sunday morning faith formation time includes rituals that can be used at home. Our senior friends program matches older adults with Sunday school classes starting in kindergarten and remain with the class until high school graduation. In our Sunday morning programming for prek-12, the curriculum units include: Death and Dying, Our Whole Lives, Who/What is God, Bible stories, and faith rituals. Our teen program has a shared leadership model. The Faith Formation Director leads a team of adult leaders who facilitate youth programming. Every summer, there is a youth service trip that anchors the program. We PAGE 15
offer confirmation in 9 th grade that encourages reflection and discernment without requiring a creedal affirmation. Our outstanding music and choral programs for children and youth foster faith formation. Our children and youth instrumentalists often play the prelude and postlude of services. Describe how your congregation is organized for ministry and mission: See Attachment #2 Policy Governance Chart Mayflower follows a policy governance model of decision-making that includes the congregation, Leadership Team, and a nine-member Council elected by the congregation. The church s vision is to ensure a place and process whereby people, resources, talents, and passion are transformed to achieve God s dream of justice on earth. That vision is given voice through the governance model. New initiatives bubble up regularly at Mayflower and manifest themselves through the various social justice teams and care ministries, and are overseen by the Leadership Team. All decisions do not require a formal process. Smaller groups may make less impactful decisions, but all decisions find their way to the larger congregation through monthly newsletters, Facebook posts, emails, from the pulpit on Sunday, or by special announcement. The governance model emphasizes the Council s outward focus on capturing congregational vision and the Leadership Team manages operational decisions. The process opens paths of responsiveness to the congregation s interests and feedback while supporting the Leadership Team as they leverage the staff and congregation s time and talents. Through questionnaires, interviews, and one-to-one discussions, the Council actively listens and responds to feedback from the congregation. Both the Leadership Team and Council, working within the parameters that define their roles, offer input and direction that inform Mayflower s strategic plan which is updated every 3 to 5 years. 11-YEAR REPORT See Attachment #3 11-Year Report PAGE 16
CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS Describe those who participate in your church Number of active members 674 Number of active nonmembers Total of church participants (sum of the numbers above) Total active people in our community 105 779 Is this number an estimate? (check if yes) 1,023 *includes active members, children, active non-members. Does not include inactive members. Percentage of total participants who have been in the church Is this number an estimate? (check if yes) More than 15 years 41% Fewer than 15, more than 5 years 45% Fewer than 5 years 14% Number of total participants by age 0-10 11-15 16-25 26-35 36-55 56-65 66-70 71+ Are these numbers an estimate? (check if yes) 88 74 137 99 167 130 66 144 Average Age: 42.85 Percentage of adults in various household types Single adults under 35 15% X Joint household with minors Single adults age 35-65 15% X Joint household with no minors Is this percentage an estimate? (check if yes) (We have no record of this demographic in our database) (We have no record of this demographic in PAGE 17
Single adults over 65 15% X our database) Education level of adult participants by percentage Is this percentage an estimate? (check if yes) High school 5% X College 45% X Graduate School 50% X Specialty Training Other (please specify) Percentage of adults in various employment types Adults who are employed 60% X Adults who are retired 20% X Adults who are not fully employed 20% X Is this number an estimate? (check if yes) Describe the range of occupations of working adults in the congregation We represent the breadth of the workforce, from cement makers to liberal arts college professors, with many clergy, healthcare professionals, educators, and therapists. Describe the mix of ethnic heritages in your congregation, and the overall racial makeup. Most UCC congregations tend to describe themselves as diverse. Yet, the vast majority of UCC congregations are mono-cultural. What does diversity mean in your context? Our congregation is predominantly white (European-American),but our members are also first generation immigrants and refugees and blended families. Our congregants identify themselves as African-American, Colombian, Filipino, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese, and more. We represent robust diversity of gender expression and orientation, as approximately one-third of our families identify as GLBTQI. Our members are also differently-abled and neurodiverse. PAGE 18
List the date your congregation has had or will have a conversation using a resource such as the Welcoming Diversity Inventory. Comment on the results. Our church leadership and many members work to understand the nuances of diversity in our congregation. We also desire to be more welcoming to socio-economic, racial, and ethnic diversity and the challenges that are inherent in a white congregation seeking more diversity. Our Race Matters team guides us in doing the work to understand the systemic impacts of white privilege, unlearn teachings of white supremacy, and build relationship alongside communities across difference instead of doing for. This is our most recent iteration of this work, and as opposed to a singular inventory, our congregation understands this work to be on-going and continuously evolving. PARTICIPATION AND STAFFING See Attachment #4 for Participation and Staffing Visualizations Every church group is staffed by a member of the Leadership Team. Groups typically have a leader who works closely with the staff liaison. The staff liaison attends meetings when necessary. Some groups require little staff support or presence, like the men s fellowship. Others, like stewardship, have ongoing and consistent staffing. Yearly, the staff liaison meets with the group to revise the group form regarding alignment to mission and budget request. Leaders are trained yearly in facilities and communications use and the integration of newcomers. The Associate Minister staffs the Adult Faith Formation groups, the fellowship groups, and the justice groups. The Faith Formation Director staffs the ministries involving children, youth, and families. The Team Lead Minister staffs worship, the attached web of pastoral care, stewardship and foundation, leads the staff and Leadership Team, and is ex-officio on council. (Note the Associate Minister does worship leadership and pastoral care along with the Team Lead). List all members or regular participants in your congregation who are ordained, licensed, or commissioned ministers. Indicate those with current United Church of Christ Three-Way Covenants (i.e. serving in a congregation) or Four-Way Covenants (i.e. serving in a ministry beyond a congregation). PAGE 19
More than two dozen authorized ministers are active participants in Mayflower Church. Many Mayflower members have completed an advanced theological degree or are currently engaged in seminary study. About a quarter of the ordained are chaplains or pastoral counselors. An additional quarter are clergy from other affiliated communions (Disciples of Christ or Formula of Agreement partners) who have found a church home at Mayflower. A UCC ordained minister at Mayflower also serves on the staff of the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ (Rev. Anita Bradshaw) and on the faculty of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (Rev. Dr. Eleazar Fernandez). Diane Gardner, a commissioned minister, is a spiritual director. If one or more previous pastors or retired ministers currently hold membership in the church, describe their role(s) in the life of the congregation: Several Mayflower members have served in focused, very part-time Associate Minister roles. More than a half-dozen retired clergy are active Mayflower members. These persons participate regularly in worship and serve on the Church Council, ministry teams, etc. by interest or invitation. List all current staff, including ministers. Exclude the position you are seeking to fill. Indicate which staff person serves as head of staff. Staff Position Team Lead Minister Interim Associate Minister Faith Formation Director Director of Operations Office and Communicatio ns Head of Staff? Compensation (full time, part time, volunteer) Supervised by Length of Tenure for current person in this position Yes FT Council 14 years FT Team Lead <1 year FT Team Lead 1 ½ years FT Team Lead 2 ½ years PT Associate Minister 2 years PAGE 20
Mayflower Choir Director Organist and summer music Handbell Choir Director Youth Choir Director Community Minister Visitation Minister Spiritual Director Child care workers (2) Assistant Facilities Director PT Team Lead 35 years PT Team Lead 35 years PT Youth Choir Director 1 year PT Team Lead 1 ½ years Volunteer Associate Minister 4 years PT Team Lead 2 years volunteer Team Lead 17 years PT PT Faith Formation Dir. of Operations 3 ½ years 1 year REFLECTION After reviewing the congregational demographics and activities above, what does this information reflect about your congregation s overall ministry? We have vital, active, intense, collaborative, bubble-up ministries. We continue to be clear about lanes, supervision, and decision-making authority. We are intentional about our communication and healthy feedback systems. An important part of our recent story is two losses: the death of our long time, 35- year children and youth music director, and the departure of our beloved associate minister after a good five years, who has moved on to more direct justice organizing. PAGE 21
CHURCH FINANCES Current annual income (dollars used during most recent fiscal year) (Note: The current fiscal year is FY19, from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. FY18 refers to the period from 7/1/2017 to 6/30/2018) Source Annual Offerings and Pledged Giving Amount $ 725,000 (FY19) Endowment Proceeds (as permitted within spending policy, such as a cap of typically 4.5%-5% on total return) Endowment Draw (beyond what is permitted by spending policy, "drawing down the principal") Fundraising Events Youth Fundraising, FY18 $16,000 A minimum of 3% and maximum of 5%, on a 3- year rolling average; it is usually 5%. The Foundation is not allowed to draw beyond its annual allocation Gifts Designated for a Specific Purpose Monthly Special Offerings (money raised for partner organizations*) Grants The Foundation makes grants; the Church does not typically award grants. Rentals of Church Building $17,600 $0 $145,000 (FY18) Rentals of Church Parsonage (No parsonage) $0 Support from Related Organizations (e.g. support for a Women s Group Women of a Certain Age (WOCA)) $270 Transfers from Special Accounts $0 Other (specify): $0 Other (specify): $ TOTAL Total projected revenue for FY19 is $877,000 $877,000 *Mayflower partners with numerous organizations, making direct gifts to these organizations. One form of giving is through Mayflower s Monthly Special Offering. Every year Mayflower designates a specific organization PAGE 22
to receive a separate, special offering, given throughout the month. During that month, church members are told about that organization s work. Church members are encouraged to make a separate gift to that organization. For example, every February, the monthly special offering is given to One Great Hour of Sharing. Last year, $17,600 was given to organizations through the monthly special offerings. These partner groups include, ISAIAH, United Theological Seminary, Beacon, Witness for Peace, and other Conference-supported organizations. In addition, Mayflower encourages its members to consider the modern tithe, and give five percent to Mayflower and five percent to other organizations. Mayflower members strongly support Mayflower partner groups, and give more than $50,000 directly to these organizations, in addition to support from Mayflower Church. Current annual expenses (dollars budgeted for most recent fiscal year): EXPENSES FY2019 BUDGET AMOUNT Wages $ 595,121 Operations 12,600 Faith Formation 16,115 Pastoral Care 3,400 Worship Life 8,940 Community & Belonging 9,000 Building & Grounds 157,750 Justice 73,637 Justice Teams 4,500 TOTAL EXPENSES $ 881,063 Considering total budgeted expenses for the year, compare total ministerial support. What is the percentage? Budgeted for FY19, total ministerial support (Team Lead, Associate Minister and Faith Formation Director) was $298,000 of a total budget of $881,063 or 34% of the total budget. PAGE 23
Has the church ever failed to pay its financial obligations to a minister of the church? No Is your church 5-for-5, i.e. does it include each of the following contributions during the church year? YES Our Church s Wider Mission (OCWM Basic Support) YES One Great Hour of Sharing YES Strengthen the Church YES Neighbors in Need YES Christmas Fund In what way is OCWM (Basic Support) gathered? If calculated as a percentage of operating budget, what is that percentage? Mayflower supports OCWM with a formula of giving to OCWM 10% of Mayflower s giving from the last fiscal year. For Mayflower s fiscal 2019 (beginning 7/1/18) Mayflower will give $64,000 to OCWM. What is the church's current indebtedness? Mayflower has no debt. There is no building mortgage. Mayflower has over $250,000 in cash, savings, and in restricted accounts. There is a four-year, $15,000 energy loan with the local utility, Xcel. Mayflower initiated an energy savings program with Xcel, installing LED lighting. This is a self-funding through the savings in its electric bill over four years (and decreasing Mayflower s carbon usage as well). If a building program is projected or underway, describe it, including the projected start/end date of the building project and the total project budget. Mayflower has two church groups, Groundwise and Earthwise, who are evaluating projects for the Church. Each retained consultants in June 2018 to consider various plans for improvements or expansion. No conclusions have been reached or enacted. If the church has had capital campaigns in the last ten years, describe: Year(s) Purpose Goal Result Impact 2012-2016 Seeds of Hope : Funding solar energy installation, assoc. minister position, and PAGE 24 $537,000 $550,000 Installed solar panels and energy system to lower carbon footprint and reduce energy usage; the
2007 to 2010 building security All Are Welcome : Establishing a lowincome housing project adjacent to Mayflower Church; capital improvements, and paying off mortgage $750,000 $827,000 If a capital campaign is underway or anticipated, describe: N/A transitional funding provided time for Mayflower to then fund a full-time associate minister; provided a more comprehensive security system with integrated, computer-based doorlocking and security. Led to the creation of a 30- unit subsidized low-income complex adjacent to Mayflower with principally Somali immigrants; made capital improvements and paid off mortgage, and to provide support for the creation of the pre-school, Mayflower Early Childhood Center (MECC). Describe the prominent mission component(s) involved in the most recent (or current) capital campaign. There is no current capital campaign underway. With planning underway with two church groups mentioned previously, Groundwise and Earthwise, there is the possibility of a capital campaign, but currently nothing planned. Does your church have an endowment? There is a Mayflower Foundation, which is a separate 501(c)3. As of 10/17/18, the endowment was $910,000. There is a rule for the endowment draw that it cannot be below 3% and not above 5% of the trailing three-year average value of the endowment. The intention is to maintain the endowment in perpetuity, and not to draw down the asset value but to continue to increase its value. Grants have averaged $40,000 to $45,000 annually recently. Grants are typically used for social justice-related support, and not for Church operating expenses. Other Assets Reserves (savings): $30,000 of cash reserves PAGE 25
$75,000 reserve for building maintenance $5,000 reserve for ministerial sabbaticals $50,000 in checking account $130,000 in restricted savings account Investments (other than endowment): None Does your church have a parsonage? No Describe all buildings owned by the church: The church is located on a two-acre campus with two primary building complexes. The church building is 25,000 square feet, consisting of a sanctuary, chapel, multiple multi-use rooms, and church offices. There is an adjoining twostory 20,000 square foot education wing. There is a 4,000 square foot courtyard between these two buildings. Describe non-owned buildings or space used or rented by the church: Mayflower owns a small camp used by the Church Scout troop along the St. Croix River, 90 minutes northeast of the Church. Which spaces are accessible to wheelchairs? There is a wheelchair ramp at the front entrance for access to the Church entrance. There are two more door entrances, one to the Church and one to the education wing, with direct wheelchair access. The Church has two floors. There is an elevator to the first and second floor. There is wheelchair access to all public space rooms on each floor. There is a corridor that is wheelchair accessible from the Church building to the education wing. In the education wing, there is another elevator providing access to the first and second floor. There are door controls for wheelchair access at each of these door passages. Reflection: After reviewing the church's finances and assets described above, what does this information reflect about your congregation's mission and ministry? Financially, Mayflower is dynamic and thriving. Mayflower s members take seriously their commitment to support the Church and ministry. This community is generous in its giving. Giving has increased annually by 4% for the last ten years, and 5% for the last five years. Because of its ideal location being easily accessible, the Church building is shared extensively with partner organizations, and used by the community. The Mayflower Foundation often complements the Church by providing the key funding for a new initiative or social justice effort of the Church. Two recent major capital campaigns have solidified the finances of Mayflower. With no debt, a solid balance sheet with cash reserves, growing giving, and a growing Mayflower Foundation, Mayflower Church is investing to build up its ministry and further its mission. PAGE 26
HISTORICAL INFORMATION Name one to three significant happenings in the history of your church that have shaped the identity of your congregation. Add the most important event in the life of your church in the past 10 years. Looking back at key historical events in the life of Mayflower helps to understand how it has emerged as a progressive and leading faith partner in the community. More than 50 years ago, the construction of Interstate 35W adjacent to the church led to the displacement of homes and schools in the area, costing the congregation 400 members. Additionally, the existing church building had a poor foundation, failing plumbing, and other major repair needs. Mayflower saw this as an opportunity to assume a $400,000 mortgage to build a new facility across the road. The new church building formally opened for the church s 50 th anniversary in 1975. This deliberate decision to claim the identity as an urban church matched the spirit and passion of its members. It was neither the first nor the last time that Mayflower boldly looked to the future and took a leap of faith in order to position itself for continued growth and action. More than 25 years ago, Mayflower went through an intentional discernment process to become an open and affirming church. That decision, like so many others, has solidified Mayflower s reputation as an open and welcoming congregation and has shaped the identity, the composition and the mindset of the congregation. Mayflower has a consistent history of providing strong financial backing to support vital faith-based issues in the community. When the former parsonage, used at that time to provide housing to one immigrant family, began to fail, the congregation found the financial means to tear down the parsonage and partner with Beacon Interfaith Housing to build in its place Creekside Commons, a 30-unit workforce housing apartment building. These families, all immigrant and nearly all Somali Muslim, are our valued neighbors. Many of their children attend Mayflower Early Childhood Center, a mixed income, high-quality early education center for working families housed in our building, which we created in response to family need within Creekside Commons. The investment continued by adding solar panels to become closer to our goal of becoming a carbon neutral campus. Twelve years ago, Mayflower committed to working with the Lilly Residence program as a way of expanding our ministerial staff and of providing a learning and growing experience for new seminary grads. We had three consecutive new seminary graduates, each ministering at Mayflower for two years. That experience highlighted our long history and identity as a teaching congregation willing to take risks for our future and for the future of the denomination. Describe a specific change your church has managed in the recent past. PAGE 27
While there are many to choose from, the change from a representational to a policy governance model, initiated 8 years ago has continued to contribute positively to the life of our congregation. This decision, driven by discernment of our mission statement, led to a more inclusive strategic plan, allowing more people to have their voices heard, adding creative solutions, and inviting investment in the church s mission. The shift enabled the church to be less dependent on long-standing committees and groups, recruit younger members and leaders, and strengthen the church s multigenerational leadership model. As much as any other change, the shift in governance structure allowed Mayflower to better reflect the passion of its people, thus becoming the progressive, responsive, welcoming, supporting, highly involved church that it is today. Every church has conflict, some minor, some larger. Where two or three are gathered, there will be disagreement. Describe your congregation s values and practices when it comes to conflict. Because Mayflower is such a vibrant and involved community, difference of opinion is a way of life. We value discussion and often find ourselves debating the points of any given idea or decision. Conflict is expected as a sign of health and well-being. It is often said that the words, I would like to push back on that are a sign that we are engaged and vibrant. That said, while we welcome differences among us, we also value mutual respect for personhood. During a turbulent time at Mayflower two decades ago, we developed Guidelines for Healthy Communication that are read at every large church gathering and clearly define how we encourage both agency and respect among us. Mayflower developed a program and process called MRCE (Ministry Review and Communication Effectiveness) in which members could give their feedback about important programs and issues of church by gathering in small groups and talking directly. The MRCE program is no longer active but it continues to inform the way in which we offer feedback, both affirmation and critique. Additionally, Mayflower s Grievance Procedure supports both staff and congregants to insure a recognized path for people s concerns to be heard. Finally, the policies of the Church Council define the grievance procedure and establish parameters for the Leadership Team regarding conflict. PAGE 28
Ministerial History (include all previous ministerial staff for the past 30 years) Staff member s name Rev. Sarah Campbell, Team Lead Minister Rev. Howard Bell, Interim Associate Minister Rev. Dwight Wagenius, Community Minister Rev. Suzanne Owens-Pike, Interim Visitation Minister Rev. Emily Goldthwaite-Fries, Associate Minister Lilly Pastoral Residents: Hannah Brown Michael McMillan Gretchen Deeg Years of service 2005-present 2018-present 2010-2013 2014-present 2017-present UCC Standing (Y/No) Yes Yes Yes No 2013-2018 Yes 2007-2013 Rev. Bonnie Forsman (Part-time) 2009-2010 Yes Rev. Anita Bradshaw (Part-time) 2003-2010 Yes Rev. Carolyn Hendrixson (Part-time) 2005-2009 Yes Rev. Jennifer Stoos, Interim Minister 2003-2005 Yes Rev. Ken Iha, Co-Minister 1998-2003 Yes Rev. Charlotte Frantz, Co-Minister 1992-2002 Yes Rev. Budd Friend-Jones, Sr. Minister 1987-1996 Yes Comment on what your church has learned about itself and its relationship with persons who provided ministerial leadership: As a congregation we desire clarity around authority, responsibility and accountability. We have learned to be highly intentional with our lines of healthy communication. As a result, we made a change from Co-Ministry to a structure of Team Lead and Associate Minister. Has any past leader left under pressure or by involuntary termination? Yes, under pressure, more than 15 years ago. PAGE 29
Has your church been involved in a Situational Support Consultation? No Has a past pastor been the subject of a Fitness Review while at your church? No PAGE 30
WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR? COMMUNITY VISION MISSION INSITE COMMUNITY VISION How do the relationships and activities of your congregation extend outward in service and advocacy? We highly value feeding our inner life through prayer, worship, song and spiritual practices. We call this our within work. At the same time, we highly value our life in community and the outreach we do through caring ministries, adult education as well as plain old fun and fellowship. We call this our among work. What distinguishes us in the community is our justice work, which we call our beyond work. Newcomers are drawn to this. We are known for our all-in service and organizing in the community through groundbreaking strategic work with partner organizations (see pages 8 and 9). Examples: Mayflower was an early adopter in not signing wedding licenses until everyone could be legally married. Our church teamed to build 30 units of workforce housing in our affluent South Minneapolis neighborhood. We installed 200 solar panels and are committed to becoming carbon neutral. Finally, we were the first UCC church to join ISAIAH in Minnesota. In sum, our work within work fuels our among work, which feeds our beyond work of building God s dream of justice. Describe your congregation s participation in meetings, relationships and activities connecting the wider United Church of Christ (association/conference/national setting). Nearly 20 members of Mayflower serve on committees and teams of the Minnesota Conference, including two on the Board of Directors, three on the Committee on Ministry, and three on the Immigration Team. Others serve on the Nominating Work Group, the Development Committee, the Pilgrim Point Camp Committee, the Justice and Witness Team, the Global PAGE 31
Partnerships Team, and the ONA/LGBT Team. Mayflower sends five adult delegates to the Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Conference and has offered presentations on creation care, global justice, and immigration. Two Mayflower members served recently on the Board for Global Ministries of the UCC/DOC. Former Faith Formation Director, Rev. Kevin Brown, is now Minnesota s Associate Conference Minister for Faith Formation and Rev. Dr. Anita Bradshaw, is Designated Term Associate Conference Minister. Former Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers, is a member. Team Lead Minister Sarah Campbell was a UCC Delegate to the World Council of Churches and was awarded the Avery D. Post Ecumenical and Interfaith Achievement award at the 28 th General Synod of the UCC in 2011. Several resolutions that originated at Mayflower UCC (Earthwise, Immigration) gained approval by the Minnesota Conference and at General Synod. Notwithstanding the above, a rich understanding of and appreciation for the United Church of Christ could be much more widely shared among the Mayflower membership. Check all of the following statements of witness that apply to your UCC faith community. (Find more information on these statements at ucc.org.) _x_ Accessible to All (A2A) _x_ Creation Justice _x_ Economic Justice _x_ Faithful and Welcoming _x_ God Is Still Speaking (GISS) _x_ Immigrant Welcoming _x_ Inter-cultural/Multi-racial (I M) _x_ Just Peace _x_ Global Mission Church _x_ Open and Affirming (ONA) WISE Congregation for Mental Health Other UCC designations: Other similar designations in affiliated denominations While Mayflower UCC shares a deep alliance with the justice witness of the United Church of Christ, it has not been our practice to engage specific UCC statements or resolutions and to vote for particular status (e.g., as Global Missions Congregation, etc.) PAGE 32
Describe your congregation s participation in ecumenical and interfaith activities (with other denominations and religious groups, local and regional). Because we aim to be not only faithful but also strategic, we try to partner with the most powerful faith organizations in the Twin Cities. We partner by sharing our leadership, by turning out our members (once a month tabling action, action alerts, public actions), by giving money (see below our giving strategy), and offering meeting space. We do faith-based organizing around issues like health reform, housing, renewable energy, early childhood education. We also do charitable work in areas such as tutoring and early childhood education, housing, food, and are sanctuary supporting for asylum seekers. The vitality of this work is liberated by our policy governance structure. Our strongest faith-based partners are all ecumenical and interfaith. They include: ISAIAH Faith Based Organization Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative Mayflower Early Childhood Center Interfaith Power and Light Sacred Solidarity Network anti-racism work If your congregation has a mission statement, how does that mission statement compare to the actual time spent engaging in different activities? Think of the range of activities from time spent gathering, to governance, to time spent going out. Mission: To inspire spiritual journeys on the Jesus path and to transform each individual into a catalyst for justice through communion with God, education, and action. See Attachment #5 for Mayflower Church Strategic Plan Our ability to live our values in action has flowed from this mission statement. It clarifies why this church exists, and gives us a mandate from which to change our governance, church structure and priorities in order to make this mission succeed. From this mission, we allocated significant time and resources to launching successful partnerships with our Creekside Commons housing, the Mayflower Early Childhood Center (MECC) and expanded our solar energy to limit our carbon footprint. In order to sustain and follow through with this work, we grew our staff to include a full-time Associate Minister position. About half of this position is dedicated to justice and creation care work, including organizing at the Minnesota capitol and with faith-based organizations like ISAIAH. PAGE 33
Ministry is happening all the time. Our members work with asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants and to get out the vote in our state. Our children know the Jesus path through our example, and they join us in this work of social justice. The composite of all church staff hours is devoted evenly to each circle of ministry: within, among, beyond. This includes administrative, facilitative and creative work. Reflect on the scope of work assigned to your pastor(s). How is their community ministry and their ministry in and on behalf of the wider church accounted for in the congregation s expectations on their time? Mayflower wholeheartedly supports clergy engagement with the community and the wider church. We emphasize that the Associate Minister spends about 50% of their time organizing the congregation for justice work. An additional 30% is dedicated to member integration and pastoral care. The remaining 20% is worship leadership, preaching and encouraging spiritual practices of the community. Our Team Lead Minister and our Community Minister also engage in justice work in the wider community. PAGE 34
MissionInSite Comment on your congregation s MissionInsite report with data for your neighborhood(s) or area. What trends and opportunities are shown? Based on a review of the addresses of the active members, 12 zip codes represent twothirds of the congregation. Those zip codes are highlighted in red on this map: When we compare our congregation to the Mission Insite report for these most common zip codes, we see a congregation like its demographics and somewhat unlike the metro-area and state as a whole. First, our congregation reflects the higher levels of education that are present in the demographic report. Mission Insite reports a 50% higher level of both bachelors and graduate degree achievement than the state of Minnesota. Second, our congregation has a relatively high participation of families and this is consistent with the overall demographics. The church s key demographic areas reflect the same relative percentage of small three-to-four-member households, fewer large families and relatively more single and 2-member households than the overall state. Both of these trends are forecasted to continue according to Mission Insite. PAGE 35
How do your congregation s internal demographics compare or contrast to a) the neighborhoods adjacent to your church, and b) other neighborhoods with which your church connects? Mayflower s physical location is in a neighborhood that is predominantly white and economically stable. Our church membership in part reflects this neighborhood, though we believe we are called to answer the question of our role in addressing the legacies of racial and economic segregation in our neighborhood. With this call in mind, we work to actively engage with the history of housing discrimination in Minneapolis that has led to our neighborhood s demographics by design, by volunteering with a University of Minnesota research study called Mapping Prejudice. This project uses open source research to document and expose the history of racial covenants and housing discrimination in Minneapolis. We recognize that Mayflower Church campus is not just the sanctuary and its active members. The building space is shared with the Mayflower Early Childhood Center (MECC), a separate non-profit started by Mayflower in 2009 to serve children and families across the economic spectrum in our community. Currently 21.2% of MECC s total enrollment receives tuition financial assistance. We also share our block with Creekside Commons campus, a 30-unit low-income housing development which we built in partnership with Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative. The success of Creekside Commons has prompted the inclusion of additional low-income housing in the neighborhood. How are the demographics of the community currently shaping ministry, or not? Community demographics that shape our ministries include: families with young children, members of all abilities, adults with aging parents and other caregivers, refugee and immigrant community members, GLTBQI members and their families and white-identified members coming together to unpack white privilege and our commitments to racial justice. We have responded to these demographic needs by adding small groups and resources, including: support for our Race Matters team, several congregants who have stepped up to share temporary housing with asylum-seekers and immigrants awaiting court hearings, hiring a part-time Visitation Minister to support pastoral care and visits for our elderly and homebound members, and we enjoy strong representation and leadership from our GLBTQI members and families. PAGE 36
Nearly 1,100 different people use the Mayflower building weekly, with over 2,400 unique visits in an average week. Nearly 15 church and non-profit groups meet weekly in our space including: Alcoholics Anonymous, Scouts and Girl Scouts, Alzheimer s Caregiver Support, Youth Symphony, our Mayflower Early Childhood Center (MECC), issue focused and faith-based organizing groups including ISAIAH and BEACON Interfaith Housing Collaborative, and statewide UCC groups. This wider community of groups with shared values helps shape the priorities of our church, and provides opportunities for partnership in action. As a church, Mayflower is both responsive to the demographics of the larger Twin Cities community, and works to build membership among the broad local community in which our church members live. What do you hear when you talk to community leaders and ask them what your church is known for? We are known as a bold, active, prophetic UCC church. We tend to be early adopters. We were: One of the first mid-size churches in the country to stop signing wedding licenses until all could wed One of the first in Minnesota to install significant solar and move towards carbon neutrality by 2030 One of the first UCC churches in the Twin Cities to join ISAIAH One of the first Minneapolis churches to partner in building workforce housing in an affluent neighborhood. Through this work we show that we are a church that loves to partner with other congregations, faith-based organizations, and partners who have shared goals. When we create partnerships with faith-based organizations or congregations, we give significantly to each partnership through our money, prayers, leadership and people present. What do new people in the church say when asked what got them involved? It s easy to get involved in the many existing church groups or in groups new people can form themselves. People are attracted to Mayflower for: work for justice, strong music program, non-creedal and theological openness and women in leadership. When people visit, there is welcoming outreach from ministers and members even in the form of chocolate chip cookies delivered to the visitor s home. New members quickly learn that we are a community that offers care, inclusion and comfort in many forms. Mayflower is proud and public in living out its Open and Affirming membership, and this position pulls in people searching for a church home. Young families are attracted to how many PAGE 37
Mayflower young families are involved and present, and to the many models of family. We also attract new families with the breadth of our youth programming that includes yearly retreats, urban- and rural-immersion programs, courses on sexuality, death and confirmation. REFERENCES Name up to three people who have agreed to serve as phone references. Make sure they are not members of your church but are persons who know your church well enough to be helpful to candidates seeking more information. Obtain agreement from each reference to receive phone calls from selected candidates. REFERENCE 1 Rev. Hannah C. Brown Pastor West Concord Union Church UCC 1317 Main Street Concord, MA 01742 Church phone: 978-369-6309 Email: revhannahwcuc@gmail.com) Hannah was a Lilly Pastoral Resident at Mayflower UCC from 2007-2009. REFERENCE 2 Rev. James (Jim) Gertmenian Retired Senior Minister of Plymouth Congregational Church 1900 Nicollet Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 Now residing in Maine. Home phone: 207-489-9373 Mobile phone: 612-385-4318 Email: jamesgert@aol.com Jim worked in partnership with Lilly Residency and the building of Creekside Commons as a colleague to Team Lead Minister Rev. Sarah Campbell. REFERENCE 3 Susan Kolze 329 E. 1st St. #311 PAGE 38
Dayton, OH 45402 Phone: 612-729-0355 Email: sckolze@gmail.com Susan was a member at Mayflower for more than 10 years and was a leader on Church Council and recently moved. REFERENCE 4 Rev. Todd Smith Lippert Senior Pastor First United Church of Christ 300 Union Street Northfield, MN 55057 Phone: 507-649-0513 Email: pastortodd@firstucc.org Todd has worked closely with Team Lead Minister Rev. Sarah Campbell through ISAIAH MN, in restructuring the governance model at First UCC, through the Minnesota Conference UCC and in a professional development group. PAGE 39
CLOSING THOUGHTS CLOSING PRAYER STATEMENT OF CONSENT CONFERENCE/ASSOCIATION VALIDATION CLOSING PRAYER Honoring you who read this profile, you who are considering a new ministry, a new community, a new home, a new beginning, we offer you this blessing by John O Donohue and our gratitude for you who are called to this strange and wonderful work of congregational ministry. May you find the right fit and flourish! For a New Beginning In out-of-the-way places of the heart, Where your thoughts never think to wander, This beginning has been quietly forming, Waiting until you were ready to emerge. For a long time it has watched your desire, Feeling the emptiness growing inside you, Noticing how you willed yourself on, Still unable to leave what you had outgrown. It watched you play with the seduction of safety And the gray promises that sameness whispered, Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent, Wondered would you always live like this. Then the delight, when your courage kindled, And out you stepped onto new ground, Your eyes young again with energy and dream, A path of plenitude opening before you. Though your destination is not yet clear You can trust the promise of this opening; Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning That is at one with your life s desire. Awaken your spirit to adventure; Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk; Soon you will be home in a new rhythm, For your soul senses the world that awaits you. from To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings, by John O Donohue PAGE 40
And should your new beginning be with Mayflower, and Mayflower s new beginning be with you, we will set forth on this exciting adventure into the unknown future together. In the words of Vida Scudder: Without the call to high adventure, the faith has never flourished. Are you the one? Are we the one for you? PAGE 41
STATEMENT OF CONSENT The covenantal relationship between a church and those called by that church to serve as pastors and teachers and in other ministerial positions is strengthened when vital information is openly shared by covenantal partners. To that end, we attest that, to the best of our abilities, we have provided information in this profile that accurately represents our church. We have not knowingly withheld any information that would be helpful to candidates. As the committee charged with the responsibility for identifying and recommending suitable new minister for our church, we have been authorized to share the information herein with potential candidates. We understand that a candidate may wish to secure further knowledge, information, and opinions about our church. We encourage a candidate to do so, recognizing that an open exchange of relevant information builds the foundation for continuing and healthy relationships between calling bodies and persons seeking a ministry position. 1. Which individuals and groups in the church contributed to the contents of this Local Church Profile? Church Council Team Lead Minister Interim Associate Minister Faith Formation Director Director of Operations & Development Leadership Team Faith Formation Team Entire congregation through Listening Sessions Search Committee Signed: Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers, Search Committee Chair December 31, 2018 PAGE 42
VALIDATION BY CONFERENCE/ASSOCIATION The congregation is currently in good standing with the association / conference named. Staff Comment: True. Mayflower is a flagship church in the Conference. To the best of my knowledge, ministerial history information is complete. Staff Comment: True. To the best of my knowledge, available church financial information is presented thoroughly. Staff Comment: True. My signature below attests to the above three items. Signature: Name / Title: Rev. Richard Wagner/Associate Conference Minister Email: rickw@uccmn.org Phone: 612-871-0359 Date: 12/31/2018 This document is created through support to Our Church s Wider Mission (OCWM) and is only possible through the covenantal relationships of all settings of the United Church of Christ. Jesus answered them, Have faith in God! Mark 11:22 PAGE 43
ATTACHMENTS The attachments referred to in the document are included here. Each attachment will have a cover page followed by the document. ATTACHMENT 1: JOB DESCRIPTION See the following page for attached document. PAGE 44
Mayflower United Church of Christ Associate Minister Job Description last revised Feb 2018 The Associate Minister is an exempt, full-time position. Reports to Team Lead Minister. Works collaboratively with Team Lead Minister, Dir of Operations and Development and Director of Faith Formation as a member of Leadership Team. Called by Congregation. AM supervises Office and Communications Coordinator and Community Minister Reporting/Supervision Participate in regular goal reviews and annual performance review with Team Lead Minister. Responsibilities 1. Member integration and engagement Spends the majority of time engaging and connecting members with opportunities to become involved in the life of Mayflower, according to their passions, talents and interests. Effective use of technology to engage members and document member gifts and talents will be a key to the success of this position. Provides staff leadership to the various volunteer systems and teams, in consultation with the Team Lead Minister. Among the programmatic areas include: Social justice works closely with the justice ministry teams (ISAIAH core team, Earthwise, etc.) to help members live out the Congregation s callings and support Mayflower s engagement in the wider movements of justice in the UCC and other partners. Activate participation in timely actions via partners and teams. Adult education Works with the Adult Faith Formation Team and staff to coordinate, research and promote Adult Education, leveraging the wealth of talents of the congregation and community. If time permits, may also teach. Small group formation Works with lay participation to develop small groups as a means of deepening engagement among and between members. Special development of young adult and parent groups. New member process Leads the process of engaging and assimilating new members, including planning and leading new member programming. 2. Visitation and Co-Pastoral Care In conjunction with the Team Lead Minister, the Associate Minister shares pastoral and crisis care. In addition, this person coordinates baptisms and occasionally officiates at weddings and funerals. 3. Preaching and worship leadership Participates regularly in worship, preaches monthly, and contributes to weekly worship planning. 4. Communications Oversees communications among and beyond the congregation, working with several key volunteers and the Office and Communications Coordinator to carry out plans. Writes, edits and curates submissions for print and online media, providing final edit for the newsletter. 5. Governance Serves on Leadership Team and tends to policy governance and healthy communication issues as assigned or in Team Lead s absence. Provides items for LT s monthly report to Council and works with Council in relevant areas. PAGE 45
Competencies Understanding of and commitment to the mission and vision of Mayflower Passion for the church in the world and its ministry of compassion and justice Commitment to personal growth in disciplines of faith-based organizing Passion for theological study and research Interculturally competent Strong belief in shared ministry Understanding of role as Associate, in relation to Team Lead Minister. ie, when decisions should be made by Team Lead, by me, or by LT together. Strong organizational and communication skills Collaborative and appreciative of leadership gifts of others, including members, staff and Leadership Team. In work with teams, consider when to lead more, when to let others lead. Attentive to process and follow through on projects Able to balance public role and congregational leadership PAGE 46
ATTACHMENT 2: POLICY GOVERNANCE See the following page for attached document. PAGE 47
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