Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Faith UCC, Anderson Township
Co-Dean Kay Young called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. Also present: Pam DeFusco, Rudy Gruenke, Keith Haithcock, Steve Heckey, Jim Hill, Linda Kemp-Baird, and Stuart Blersch.
Correction to February minutes: Kay Young volunteered to be Co-Dean with Pam.
All present were disappointed that Rudy has yet to cross the Red Sea and enter Cyberspace.
Steve was proud to announce the birth of his first grandson, Liam Thomas.
Keith reported that the military event on February 23, although modestly attended, was successful and worthwhile.
Pam distributed the RVCC vision statement adopted several years ago. Rather than revisit the document now, we agreed to do so at a future meeting set aside for this purpose.
Discussion:
* We picked up where we left off last time, about cluster meetings being a place for ministers to talk to each other about church-related issues. Today's primary focus was the meaning of christening and infant baptism, in particular for those who do not otherwise participate in the church. As a way of emphasizing the importance of this sacrament, some churches are placing the baptismal font in a more prominent location. We discussed working toward some RVCC standards for baptism, and agreed that we should aim at theological standards rather than specific rules.
* We would like to have a cluster confirmation program—to be discussed next month.
* Pam mentioned the possibility of a Synod meeting here in the future.
Next meeting: Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 11:00 a.m.-noon, at The Gathering, 1431 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati. We will continue our roundtable discussion.
Directions to The Gathering: http://thegathering-church.org/teaser.cfm?id=1
Respectfully submitted,
Stuart Blersch
