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CMA Adopts Local Church Covenant
A new Local Church Covenant between CMA and its member churches was adopted
by the Annual Meeting of the Chicago Metropolitan Association on May 3, 2008.
Entitled THE COVENANTAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHICAGO METROPOLITAN
ASSOCIATION AND THE LOCAL CHURCH, this document was developed by the CMA
Church and Ministry Committee through a process that dates back to before the year 2003.
The document lists the covenantal expectations between the Chicago
Metropolitan Association and its member churches and procedures for
addressing violations of the covenant.
The CMA Constitution was also amended at the same meeting on May 3, 2008
to acknowledge the new covenant and its role in relations between CMA and
its member churches.
The complete text of the covenant can be downloaded
HERE.
The CMA Consitutiton as amended is also available online
HERE.
Sacred Conversations:
Let's Talk About Race
UCC Resources Available Here
CMA Resources:
Passing Down New Paradigms on Race: An Interpretation of Song of Songs 1:5,
by Joyce Timberlake; a paper presented to the Chicago Metropolitan Association
Cluster Six Meeting on December 1, 2008.
Download Here
Ye With Out Sin, by Billy McGhee; a paper presented to the Chicago
Metropolitan Association Cluster Six Meeting on December 1, 2008.
Download Here
With Eager Longing, by Ann Joseph; a paper presented to the Chicago
Metropolitan Association Cluster Six Meeting on January 5, 2009.
Download Here
The National Council of the Churches of Christ has a search engine on
its website which indexes the entire New Revised Standard Version of
the Bible (NRSV). It is located on the "search" page of their site at:
www.ncccusa.org
Coping with Violence
Help-Lines and Resources
From The Windy City Times
Community Listings
EMERGENCY CALLS 911
NON-EMERGENCY CRIMES (312) 746-6000
Anti-Violence Project 24-Hr HOTLINE; at Horizons: (773) 871-CARE
Chicago Abused Women’s Coalition, POBox 477916, 60647; (773) 278-4566
Chicago Anti-Bashing Network, action grp (888) 471-0874, (773) 878-4781;
www.CABN.org;
CABNstopthehate@aol.com
Chicago Commission on Human Relations; G&L Liaison: Bill Greaves, Advisory Council on
G&L Issues (TDD 312-744-1088) (312) 744-7911
Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network (312) 360-1924; 220 S. State #1208, 60604;
Fax (312) 360-1927, TTY (312) 360-1928, CMBWN@aol.com
City of Chgo Dept. of Health, Office of Violence Prevention Director, fax (312) 747-8835
(312) 747-8787
Cook County State’s Attorney’s Gay/Lesbian & Hate Crimes Specialist Nicole Kramer,
1340 S. Michigan, fx(312)341-2806 (312) 341-2738
Cook County State’s Attorney’s Gay/Lesbian Liaison Vernita Gray, 69 W.Washington,
TDD 890-7492, fx (312) 603-9831 (312) 603-8710
Heartland Alliance Women’s Program (773) 847-4417
Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (217) 789-2830
LGBT Specialist (YWCA); (312) 341-2851
Hull House Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Project, Location: Domestic Violence Court,
1340 South Michigan; (312) 341-2883, TDD: (312) 341-2715; FAX: (312) 341-2825;
www.hullhouse.org/uc/dvcap.asp
Kate Shaw, LGBT Specialist, 170 N. Wabash, 60601; free counseling
LGBT Shelter. Chicago Horizons, 961 Montana, 60614 (773) 472-6469 x411
National Coalition for Police Accountability (312) 663-5392
National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-SAFE
North West Cntr Against Sexual Assault (crisis 888-802-8890) (847) 806-6526
Rainbow House (Women’s Shelter / Women’s Crisis Line) (773) 521-5501 English & Spanish;
Crisisline 24 hours: 773-762-6611 (TDD 773-762-6802)
Rape Victim Advocates (312) 663-6303
Sarah’s Inn domestic violence, POB1435,Oak Park 60304 (708) 386-3305
Women’s Program of Center for Women’s & Family Services, Chicago Connections,
3533 S.Archer, 2nd floor, 60609; 773-847-5602
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For the most up to date information on UCC Disaster Response
AND HOW TO CONTRIBUTE, visit the UCC
national web site.
Illinois Conference Disaster Team
The assistance of all of the churches in Illinois Conference is needed to help
replenish Disaster Clean Up Kits or having special offerings to help with
delivery expenses, etc. Kit contents can be found on the Disaster
link of the Conference website.
Further information can be had by contacting either of the conference
coordinators:
Ben McNeal: aandbmc@msn.com
Bob Tripp: rjtripp@ameritech.net
Help Church World Service Fight Hunger
The United Church of Christ is a supporting member of Church World Service and
sends a significant amount of its mission gifts through CWS.
Visit the CWS Website.
ILLINOIS SAFE CHURCH - ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY
After considerable work and consultation with national leadership, other conferences
and many within our Conference, the Illinois Conference Council has approved a policy
to express our commitment to creating and maintaining programs, facilities and a
community in which employees, volunteers and persons served by the Conference can
work together in an atmosphere free from all forms of discrimination, harassment,
exploitation and/or intimidation. The policy also puts into place clear guidelines
for practices, particularly in ministries involving youth and children.
Download Safe Church Policy Here.
Please understand that this policy has been approved only for the Illinois Conference
itself---our offices, events, ministries, camps, youth programs, etc. While we
believe it is a best practices policy for our Conference and it may be utilized
as an example for local churches, it is not intended to be a template for local
church policies.
Local churches are encouraged to look at the UCC Website, particularly:
UCC Safe Church Policy PDF
There are additional resources available at www.ucc.org;
(then search "safe church policies" for additional links).
Please remember that each church may and should refine their own policy to meet
their particular situation and needs --but EVERY church needs a policy and needs
to implement such a policy, not only because our insurance requires it but because
it is the right thing to do to protect all the people of our churches and
particularly the most vulnerable.
Is Your UCC Student Going to U of I?
Here is a request from the UCC Campus Ministry at the University of Illinois
in Urbana-Champaign:
The Campus Ministry would like to hear about any UCC students from your
church that are going to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign this
Fall, either for the first time or as returning students.
Please send us information on each of your students so
we can contact them and invite them to participate in our UCC campus ministry.
You can visit our WEBSITE
to learn more about our activities on campus.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Blessings and thank
you for all your support of campus ministry and our UCC students.
Rev Karen Bush
ks-bush@uiuc.edu
UCC Campus Ministry at
The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign
Website: www.community-ucc.org/ucf/
Resources on Open and Affirming Churches and LGBT Concerns:
Click Here
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center trains people each year in mediation and
conflict transformation. Information about their programs and registration
information and brochures (and a congregational group discount form for
"Healthy Congregations") are available on their website at:
www.LMPeaceCenter.org.
Click on the "schedule of events" page and then click on "register" for
each event. We hope that your pastors and staff are able to attend one
of these valuable training events.
For more information contact Erin Dalian, LMPC Assistant for Communications,
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, 101 W. 22nd Street, Suite 206, Lombard, IL
60148; phone: 630 627-0507; fax: 630-627-0519;
www.LMPeaceCenter.org.
Making Churches Safe for All
The UCC Office of Parish Life and Leadership in Cleveland is responding to an upsurge
in interest in safety concerns in all churches by referring those interested to an earlier
guidebook that was produced by several UCC agencies entitled Making Our Churches Safe
for All. This pamphlet is reproduced on the
UCC Web Site.
Copies are also available from CMA or from UCC resources (800-537-3394).
An update will be published later this year.
Background checks are one particular concern. The Roman Catholic Church
and the Boy Scouts of America are setting a new standard of care by
requiring criminal background screening for ALL STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
WORKING WITH CHILDREN. PLL will keep us posted on federal
legislation to improve availability and access to such screening.
The Big Brothers have suggested contacting Illinois State Police at
815-740-5160 for criminal background assistance.
Reporting Child Abuse
ILLINOIS CLERGY ARE NOW REQUIRED TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT
Illinois clergy have now been added to the list of mandated reporters who are required
by law to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the Illinois Department of
Children and Family Services (DCFS) under a new law signed by Gov. George Ryan on Friday,
August 16, 2002.
Illinois clergy are now required to report suspicions that a person (including a
parishioner, a parent, a church employee, teacher, or another member of the clergy)
has neglected or abused a child under their care, including sexual abuse. An exemption
preserves the confidentiality privilege for clergy members who learn of abuse or neglect
in the confessional or when acting as a spiritual adviser.
Clergy members join a list of professionals, such as doctors and teachers, who have
had to report abuse or neglect to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
for some time. People who fail to report the first offense can be charged with a
misdemeanor. Subsequent violations can result in felony charges. A person could be
jailed for up to a year for a misdemeanor, or sent to prison for a longer term for
a felony. (Chicago Tribune, 8/18/02)
DCFS has issued the following Guidelines for Calling the Child Abuse Hotline:
Mandated reporters and other persons should call the Hotline when they have reasonable
cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected. The Hotline worker will
determine if the information given by the reporter meets the legal requirements to
initiate an investigation.
Criteria needed for a child abuse or neglect investigation:
* The alleged victim is a child under the age of 18.
* The alleged perpetrator is a parent, guardian, foster parent, relative caregiver,
paramour, any individual residing in the same home or any person responsible for the
child's welfare at the time of the alleged abuse or neglect, including a minister.
* There is a specific incident of abuse or neglect or a specific set of circumstances
involving suspected abuse or neglect.
* There is demonstrated harm to the child or a substantial risk of physical or sexual
injury to the child.
Information the reporter should have ready to give to the Hotline:
* Names, birth dates (or approximate ages), races, genders, etc. for all adult and
child subjects.
* Addresses for all victims and perpetrators, including current location.
* Information about the siblings or other family members, if available.
* Specific information about the abusive incident or the circumstances contributing
to risk of harm-for example, when the incident occurred, the extent of the injuries, how
the child says it happened, and any other pertinent information.
If this information is not readily available, the reporter should not delay a call to
the hotline.
CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE NUMBER: 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873)
1-800-358-5117 (TTY)
The Hotline operates 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. The Hotline is less busy in
the early morning hours, and reporters may be able to get through more quickly during
these times. Reporters should be prepared to provide phone numbers where they may be
reached throughout the day in case the Hotline must call back for more information.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services publishes a Manual for Mandated
Reporters, which is designed to help those required to report understand their
responsibility to report suspected child abuse and neglect to the DCFS Child Abuse Hotline.
If the report is accepted, DCFS will begin an investigation to determine if abuse or
neglect occurred.
The manual, which will have to be revised to include the new clergy provisions, includes
a copy of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA), the Illinois state
law which defines the Department's intake and investigation of child abuse and neglect
reports received through the Hotline.
The Department of Children and Family Services also provides a variety of training
opportunities for all mandated reporters in Illinois. The Attorney General's Task Force
on Violence to Children and the Illinois Children's Justice Task Force have contributed
their leadership to this training effort, as have many other state and local agencies and
professional groups.
To request additional information, please contact the DCFS Office of Communications at
217-785-1700 (phone) or 217-524-0014 (fax) or visit the DCFS Child Abuse Reporting Website:
www.state.il.us/dcfs/faq_faq_can.shtml
Check Your Pension Account
On New Web Site Feature
Annuity Fund members who are not yet receiving pension income
are now able to use the Pension Boards’ web site to access their personal account
information and make projections about future retirement income.
A new calculator feature has been added to the
Pension Boards website that
enables members to check their most recent account balances in a secure,
password-protected Internet setting. Individuals logging in to the Member Area
will also be able to update their contact information, such as changes of address, telephone
or e-mail.
To access account information, visitors must use their seven-digit member identification
number, located in the upper right hand section of the annual accumulation statement,
beneath the Pension Boards address. For first-time visitors, the last four digits of
the Social Security number serves as the password. Once in the site, members will be
asked to select a personal 6 to 12 digit password for future log-ins.
"These new web features offers members increased access to their accounts," said
Pension Boards Executive Vice President Michael A. Downs. "It is a another step
toward providing members with the flexible tools they need to make informed
financial decisions."
Ecclesiastical Councils
The United Church of Christ provides for associations to ordain
candidates for ministry. Persons prepare themselves for ordination
through study (including Master of Divinity) and prayer (including
membership in a local church which sponsors the candidate).
The official context for ascertaining a candidate's fitness for ministry
is the Ecclesiastical Council which is convened by the cluster of the
candidate's home church on behalf of the entire Chicago Metropolitan
Association. Voting Delegates to the Council are all Chicago
Metropolitan Association ordained clergy and Licensed Ministers
plus delegates selected by each local church in CMA.
Candidates distribute copies of their ordination paper to Cluster
church representatives. Copies for others are available upon request.
Ecclesiastical Councils begin with prayer and, after introductions,
the candidate presents her or his paper. Direct questions to the
candidate are asked after the paper has been presented. Some areas
usually highlighted for candidate response are:
a. The Bible- What is it for you? the church? the Christian community?
What is "God's Word"? Is there "universal truth" in the Bible?
b. Knowledge of the wider church.
c. The candidate's understanding of her or his ministry's impact
on the local church.
d. What challenges does the United Church of Christ present?
e. What opportunities for celebration does the United Church of
Christ present?
f. Understanding of the sacraments. (The United Church of Christ
recognizes baptism and the Lord's supper)
g. Reflection on the UCC Statement of Faith
h. Self care
i. Reflection on the role of preaching in the ministry
Procedures for Ecclesiastical Councils
February 19, 1999
1. The ordination process begins after a candidate is approved for ordination by the CMA Committee on Church and Ministry. The candidate then notifies his or her local church pastor, and the pastor and candidate then contact the dean of their cluster and the CMA association co-minister for that cluster. Together they all coordinate a date for an Ecclesiastical Council.
2. Once the date has been established, the candidate, with the help of his or her church, must inform all the other churches and non parish clergy in that cluster. A copy of the candidate's ordination paper is sent to each church and to all non-parish clergy in the cluster. Each local church in the cluster is responsible in turn for making copies of the ordination paper for its own lay delegates. The cluster dean should have extra copies of the ordination paper available at the Ecclesiastical Council for others that may attend. The candidate and his or her church should also inform the deans of the other CMA clusters. It is the responsibility of the other deans to inform their churches and non-parish clergy about the Ecclesiastical Council.
3. Quorum: the Ecclesiastical Council truly represents an attempt to have Association-wide support for a candidate considering ordination. As in other association meetings, all clergy with standing in CMA and two lay delegates from each church with standing in CMA, are eligible to vote. A quorum requires that at least one lay delegate from each of at least one-third of the churches within the host cluster be present, or that at least one lay delegate from each of 12 churches in other clusters and one clergy from each of 12 churches in other clusters be present. It is the responsibility of the candidate's church to secure a quorum.
4. The Ecclesiastical Council meeting: All clergy and lay delegates should register and receive voting cards. The cluster dean or a representative from the Committee on Church and Ministry should introduce the candidate. The dean of the cluster moderates the meeting. After the candidate is introduced, he or she should be invited to summarize his or her faith journey and statement on theology to the Council. A period of questioning follows regarding the theology presented, the submitted ordination paper, and the candidate's readiness for ministry. (See Manual on Ministry for suggested questions.) A reasonable amount of time for questioning is one hour. Further time should be negotiated by the entire group.
5. Following the period of questioning, the candidate and family are excused. In case there is no family present, the candidate should not be alone during the deliberation. A formal vote is then taken by the official delegates present. A three-fifths vote is required for approval. The candidate is invited back into the meeting to hear the results, and the meeting is closed in a circle of prayer.
6. The dean or a designated person reports the decision to the CMA association office. Plans for an ordination service must be worked out between the ordinand, the Local Church, and the association co-minister.
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Constitutions
CMA Constitution
The revised constitution, adopted at the annual meeting on May 7, 2005, became
effective on June 12, 2005.
Download a copy.
Illinois Conference Constitution
Download the most recent version here.
United Church of Christ National Constitution & Bylaws
Download the current Constitution here.
Download the current Bylaws here.
Church Tax and Financial Publications
Church
Treasurer's Handbook (PNC Draft 2002)
IRS Information for Churches
IRS Information for Clergy
Housing Allowances
UCC Tax Exemption
Pastoral Care Guidelines
for People Returning from Military Service
A message from John Gundlach, Minister for Government Chaplaincies:
The Army Chief of Chaplains Office offers a publication to help civilian
clergy understand the special needs of service members and their
families entitled: Deployment Resources for America's Clergy.
This 39 page publication can be downloaded from
www.chapnet.army.mil.
Once on this site, click on "Civilian Clergy Resources" in the left
column and then click on the PDF file Deployment Resources for
America's Clergy. Adobe Reader software is required.
CHURCH VANS: The Retirement Research Foundation also makes grants
for congregations seeking support for purchasing a van. Contact RRF at
8765 W Higgins - #401, Chicago, IL 60631; 773-714-8080.
INFORMATION ABOUT STANDING IN CMA
A guide for Persons Authorized for Ministry
BASIS for Authorized Ministerial Standing in CMA (only one may apply)
Ordained: Ordained ministerial standing is ongoing recognition as an Ordained Minister of the United Church of Christ and provides ongoing ecclesiastical authorization to perform the duties and exercise the prerogatives of ordained ministry. Ordained ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ is granted by and held in an Association and confers voting membership in the Association.
Licensed: A Licensed Minister of the United Church of Christ is one of its lay members whom God has called and who has been recognized and authorized by an Association to perform specified duties in a designated local church or within that Association, mainly preaching and conducting services of worship, for a designated period of one year at a time under the supervision and guidance of the Association.
Commissioned: A Commissioned Minister of the United Church of Christ is one of its lay members who has been called by God and who has been commissioned by an Association for a specific church-related ministry.
CURRENT STATUS of Authorized Ministerial Standing in CMA (more than one may apply)
Active: A minister who is recognized by the CMA Church & Ministry Committee as currently fulfilling all of the requirements for active ministry. These include membership in good standing in a local CMA church; and work in a position which requires ordination, licensure or commissioning that is approved by the CMA Church & Ministry Committee and should be located within the CMA geographic area.
Retired: A minister who is currently receiving retirement or disability benefits from the UCC Pension Boards or other retirement fund or Social Security or has special approval from the CMA Church & Ministry Committee. Those in this category do not have to be of retirement age. They may be disabled. They may engage in some forms of compensated ministry (pulpit supply or interim ministry) and may belong to any UCC Association.
Leave of Absence: A Minister who withdraws from active service in the ordained or commissioned ministry prior to retirement may to the CMA Church & Ministry Committee for Leave of Absence, which may be granted for one year at a time. People on Leave of Absence have voice and vote in Association and Conference settings. If Leave of Absence is not approved or is not renewed annually by the Standing Sub-Committee, standing may be dropped without prejudice.
Ordained Ministerial Partner: An Ordained Minister with ordained ministerial standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who has a call to perform the duties and exercise the prerogatives of ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ, may seek Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing in the Association where the calling body is located. This standing provides ongoing ecclesiastical authorization to perform the duties and exercise the prerogatives of ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ.
Dual Standing: An Ordained Minister of another denomination who wishes to retain ordained ministerial standing in that denomination and who has become pastor of a local church of the United Church of Christ, or serves in an instrumentality of the United Church of Christ (or has become pastor of a yoked charge or a federated church, one part of which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, or has been called to an ecumenical ministry one constituent of which is the United Church of Christ), may be granted Dual Standing in the UCC by the CMA Church and Ministry Committee for the duration of that current call.
Privilege of Call: An Ordained Minister of another denomination who desires to enter the ordained ministry of the United Church of Christ may be granted Privilege of Call by the Association within whose bounds he or she resides. The ordained minister is then free to seek a UCC call. If that subsequent call is approved by the applicable Association, full active standing is granted
Trained Intentional Interim Minister: An Ordained Minister who has completed recognized training for Interim Ministry and who professionally serves in successive interim positions. The UCC Office of Parish Life & Leadership recommends that these ministers establish a call to Interim Ministry from the local CMA congregation in which they hold their membership. This makes the call continuous and allows the minister to maintain active standing during periods of unemployment without changing church membership or reapplying for Leave of Absence or Active Standing with each change of position.
This general discription is not intended to be a complete technical guide to all
standing questions, but merely a source of general preliminary information. For
authoritative information you should consult the UCC Manual on Ministry and contact
the CMA Church and Ministry Committee or an Association Co-Minister.
Procedures for Pastors Transitioning Between Calls in the Chicago Metropolitan
Association of the Illinois Conference, United Church of Christ, Adopted April 10, 2003,
by the Sub-Committee on Standing of the CMA Church and Ministry Committee.
Overview
In the past, when a person with standing in the CMA moved between calls within the
association, they were asked to "renew their call" by submitting documentation to and
meeting with the Sub-committee on Standing of the Church and Ministry Committee.
Starting immediately, Renewal of Standing as a category is being dropped for the
following reasons:
- It is not identified as a category in the Manual on Ministry.
- Transfer of call within the association does not raise questions regarding
an authorized individual's standing that warrant a meeting with the sub-committee.
- Few people actually followed through with the process.
- If everyone did follow through with the requested process, the sub-committee
would be overwhelmed with the volume.
Procedures
The association, however, does need to be apprised of a change in an authorized
individual's call. The new process that the sub-committee will follow is:
- When an authorized individual leaves their current call, he/she will send a
letter to the CMA office informing the office of this change and indicating his/her
intentions regarding on-going ministry. (i.e. is the person seeking a new call,
retiring, desiring to go on leave of absence, transferring standing, etc.)
- When an authorized individual is called to a new position, he/she will send
a letter with a copy of their new call contract to the CMA office. The association
co-minister will review the call contract. If the association minister finds any
issues of concern related to the call, she/he will refer it to the Sub-Committee on
Standing.
- Issues that might be referred to the Sub-Committee on Standing include:
* Questions regarding just compensation for the pastor.
* A call requiring a four-way covenant (i.e. a non-parish ministry or an unpaid
ministry in a congregation).
* A call to a multi-denominational congregation.
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