Where Do We Go From Here?

On October 2, 2011 College Street UCC voted to “pursue a deepening engagement” with Christ Church Presbyterian as per the Language of Affirmation and Support which read:

We, the congregation of the College Street Congregational Church United Church of Christ do herby affirm and support the direction and intent of the Proposed Statement to Both Congregations from the Joint Affiliation Team as presented at a Congregational Meeting on this day, October 2, 2011.  In so doing we acknowledge the fact that we take seriously the teaching “That They May All Be One”* and we will pursue a deepening engagement between our congregations, using the above mentioned recommendations as a guide and outline in achieving such a vision.

*The Symbol of the United Church of Christ contains the motto for the UCC that emerged from the process of four denominational groups coming together in 1957. The motto is based on the prayer of Jesus from John 17:21 “That They May All Be One” and reflects our historic commitment to the restoration of unity among the separated churches of Jesus Christ.

On November 20, 2011Christ Church Presbyterian voted to "pursue a deepening engagement" with College Street which read:

We, the congregation of Christ Church, Presbyterian do hereby affirm and support the direction and intent of A Statement to Both Congregations from the Joint Affiliation Team as presented at the Congregational Meeting on this day, November 20, 2011.  We will pursue a deepening engagement between our congregations, using the above mentioned recommendations as a guide and outline in achieving such a vision 

Soon we will begin organizing opportunities for that continuing conversation to broaden.  In the meantime, some topics for your consideration:

A Proposed Statement to Both Congregations from the Joint Affiliation Team

We, the Joint Affiliation Committee, have been meeting for one year. In that time, we have helped our congregations worship, study, march, sing, share fellowship and break bread together as we have attempted to discern what God may be calling our churches to be and do together. We have come to realize that we have much in common and that our strengths complement each other’s. Even more important, we have formed friendships, built on the recognition of each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are confident that the Spirit has brought us together and would have us continue to integrate our lives more fully. We believe that God is calling us together to be something much more than either of us can now imagine or could possibly become alone. We have begun to sense and picture the possibilities of an even more vital church, one that is even more faithfully seeking to discern what God is calling us toward, one that is using its collective gifts even more fully to help manifest the Realm of God here in Burlington, and one that is living more fully in the joy and fullness that God has promised and Jesus has modeled for us.

Toward this end, our Committee is asking both congregations to commit to an even deeper engagement together between now and October 1, 2012. We propose the following:

History of the Affiliation Conversations

2009 (Summer)

 During the summer of 2009, the pastors of College Street Congregational Church, UCC (CSCC) and Christ Church, Presbyterian (CCP) discussed the possibility of joint adult education venture. The two churches already had much in common: a progressive theological approach, a strong commitment to both Vermont Interfaith Action and the Joint Urban Ministries Project, and long-standing support of the full inclusion of LGBT persons.

2009-2010 (Fall, Winter, Spring,)

 Groups of 12-25 persons participated (during fall, winter, spring of 2009-2010) in a series of jointly-sponsored programs utilizing a variety of resources from “Living the Questions.”

During this same period, CCP leaders culminated several years of study and discernment by reaching out to area congregations and inviting them to converse about “possible affiliation.” CSCC was one of the churches invited by CCP to engage in conversations, and the CSCC church council responded positively. CSCC President Craig Abel-Palmer appointed a representative committee, and CCP was represented by persons who were part of their long-term assessment process. Several joint meetings followed during the winter/early spring of 2010. The process of “dreaming” about a future together (in some form) was clearly aided by the friendship relationships that had developed out of the joint study programs.

Commitment to a Joint Exploration (May, July 2010)

In May of 2010 CCP voted to terminate their conversations with other churches; they invited CSCC to move forward with them in an open-ended exploration of an affiliation process that would strengthen our individual and mutual ministry and mission. At a congregational meeting in July, 2010, College Street members voted enthusiastically to accept CCP’s invitation. New committees were appointed by each congregation; each church is represented by five members plus the pastor. In addition, Rev. Carole Carlson serves as facilitator.