NEAC holds listening sessions about Vermont
Written: 12/19/2007
During October, the New England Annual Conference (NEAC) held a series of six �listening sessions� to talk about the possibility of Vermont becoming part of that Conference instead of merging along with the New York portion of Troy Conference with the North Central, Western New York and Wyoming Annual Conferences. Three of the sessions were held close to the Vermont border -- one in Williamstown, Mass., and two in New Hampshire.
A total of 38 people attended the sessions held around NEAC. Most of those in attendance were curious about the division of Troy Conference and what it would mean if Vermont did become part of New England Conference.
"I think there was generally an openness [to the union]," said the Rev. Jim McPhee, NEAC Director of Connectional Ministries and Assistant to Bishop Peter Weaver of the Boston Episcopal Area. "People were frankly seeking information. Their feelings and opinions may be fluid."
That fluidity is because the process of discernment about Vermont joining NEAC is relatively new.
"The discussion around boundaries has not been on the radar of people in the New England conference," McPhee said. "Bishop Weaver had mentioned it at annual conference session last June and has mentioned it in a few email columns, but the conversations are just starting in New England."
McPhee said that many of the questions raised at the listening sessions centered around how changing the conference's boundaries to include Vermont would impact the ministries and well being of NEAC.
Questions raised included those about the proposed 2010 boundaries change timeline and the missional reasons for increasing the size of NEAC. Other questions dealt with the number of clergy in the 114 Vermont churches and how many were full-time Elders, local pastors, and how decisions about districts and clergy appointments will be made.
Like many people in Troy Conference, as well as the other three conferences, there was concern in New England about the impact of the increased size on travel, the staff and bishop, and on clergy itinerancy.
Also discussed were financial matters such as the impact on Vermont of the NEAC higher minimum salaries, health insurance, property insurance and direct billing; the apportionment or mission share payment history for the churches; and how incorporating Vermont into the New England Conference will impact NEAC finances. There was some concern about �absorbing� a large number of small, struggling and declining churches when the conference is already addressing similar concerns throughout New England.
"We have just begun to struggle with the fact that there are a lot of struggling churches who need to 'right size' their ministry," McPhee said. A lot of our small churches have had pastoral appointments beyond their ability to support them, and this has been a financial drain on the churches. As a result, they have not been able to fulfill their financial and missional obligations.
�When you first look at the profile of the Vermont churches, they�re very similar to ours," he said. This similarity stimulated questions about whether Troy Conference, and specifically the Vermont churches, have begun looking at "right-sizing" churches.
Many of those attending the listening sessions agreed that Vermont is part of New England in both culture and social atmosphere.
The Rev. John Blackadar, New Hampshire District Superintendent, said that the response in his district was generally positive. �The only questions were about the time schedule, how soon it might happen, and if it would include all, or part of Vermont.
�Based on what has been presented so far, I don�t think there�s anything standing in the way [of Vermont becoming part of NEAC],� he said. �I think folks would welcome the churches in Vermont.�
Bishop Weaver has created a boundaries committee to begin more formal conversations between New England and Troy conferences.
"We would prefer to get to know each other a little better; then to bring some awareness to our conference, to do more in our public media to help people know what�s happening," McPhee said.
McPhee anticipates that some type of resolution calling for the joining of Vermont with New England will be presented at the NEAC Annual Conference Session, June 13 to 15, to be held at Gordon College in Wenham, Mass.