MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL
OF CHURCHES
108TH ANNUAL
MEETING
JANUARY 24, 2009
MEMBER DENOMINATIONS
African Methodist
Episcopal, New England Conference
African Methodist
Episcopal Zion, New England Conference
American Baptist
Churches of Massachusetts
Diocese of the Armenian
Churches in America (Eastern)
Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), New England District
Church of the New
Jerusalem (Swedenborgian)
Episcopal Diocese of
Massachusetts
Episcopal Diocese of
Western Massachusetts
Evangelical Covenant
Churches, East Coast Conference
Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, New England Synod
Greek Orthodox
Metropolis of Boston
Religious Society of
Friends, New England Yearly Meeting
Presbyterian Church,
(USA), Synod of the Northeast
Salvation Army,
Massachusetts Divisional Headquarters
Unitarian Universalist
Association
United Church of
Christ, Massachusetts Conference
United Methodist
Church, New England Conference
In Association With
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River
Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield
Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester
2008 ANNUAL REPORT
OF
THE MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL OF
CHURCHES
A YEAR OF CHANGE, CONTINUITY AND VISION
“The Massachusetts
Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches which seeks to respond to love
of God the Father as revealed in scripture, confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and
savior and relies upon the power of the Holy Spirit. These churches and other
members covenant with one another to engage in common mission and seek to
manifest ever more fully the work of reconciliation, renewal, and unity in
faith”
Article 11 Purpose
Statement, Constitution of the MCC.
In 2008 the MCC marked
its 107th year of ecumenical witness in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
The MCC is composed of
seventeen member denominations in the Commonwealth in association with the
Archdiocese of Boston and the three Roman Catholic Diocese of Massachusetts.
Highlights of the
2008 Program Year
New Leadership… The
installation of the 9th Executive Director, the Reverend Jack
Johnson on the occasion of the celebration of the 100th Anniversary
of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The celebratory worship welcomed
the Reverend Dr. James Forbes, Jr., preacher of the day.
Environmental Health…
The introduction of a new adult curriculum, “Healthy Kids, Healthy Churches,
Healthy Communities” for churches in Massachusetts. This project evolved from
the Council’s Strategy and Action Commission with support from the National
Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and the Merck Foundation. The
curriculum content seeks to inform, engage churches on household toxics. Over
2,400 were introduced to our new adult curriculum.
Ecumenical Dinner… Our
Ecumenical Dinner brought together over one hundred friends of the Council to
hear keynote speaker, the Reverend Dr. Michael Kinnamon, newly elected General
Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Christ, U.S.A.
Christian Unity…
Presentations by the Council’s Commission on Christian Unity hosted two
programs, a plenary with Reverend Dr. Thomas Best, retiring Executive
Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Faith and Order Secretariat and a
“Conversation with Dr. Antonios Kieropolus,” senior program for Faith and
Order and Interfaith Relations of the National Council of Churches.
A response from the
Commission on Christian Unity to the World Council of Churches study document,
“Christ and Humanity.”
“Religious Leaders
Summit on Climate and Energy”… An occasion that brought some one hundred
leaders together to discuss the twin crisis of climate instability, global
warming and energy prices. The gathering key note speaker was Bill McKibben,
internationally known author and speaker on global initiatives to reduce green
house gas emissions.
“Praying with Lior”… in
partnership with Hebrew College and our Disabilities Network sponsored a
documentary film. The film was an occasion to educate and inspire faith
communities to look at the number of people with disabilities who are missing
in their midst and create a place of welcoming.
“Sabbath in the City”…
co-sponsored a conference with the Center for Practical Theology at Boston
University and the Lord’s Day Alliance as part of our “Take Back Your Time”
that affirmed the keeping of the Sabbath.
Patriarchal Visit… The
occasion of the visit of His Holiness Karebin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of all Armenians, in November 2007, was both an event of ecumenical
hospitality by the Council, the Archdiocese of Boston, and the Greek Orthodox
Diocese of Boston. An occasion of standing in solidarity with the Armenian
community in unequivocally recognizing the Armenian genocide.
Dialogues… An ongoing
Council program of dialogue groups that address Jewish/Christian dialogue,
Muslim/Christian dialogue and Evangelical/Liberal dialogue.
“Intersect”… The
introduction of the new format for the “Intersect” the Council’s newsletter
mailed to some 6,700 churches and friends of the Council.
Networking… Occasions
of visits, preaching, teaching, and presentations to local congregations,
regional councils, clergy associations, civic associations, denominational
conventions and conferences by the staff of your Council.
The Future
In the spring of 2008,
the Council launched a Vision and Development Strategic Planning Process. In
this time of transition and a multitude of challenges for ecumenism and the
Council, the Board affirmed a process that will enable us to plan for the next
three to five years. A Steering Committee has implemented a process that will
engage stakeholders and Board leadership to develop a future vision and common
ground focus. The first phase, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
and threats) analysis has engaged over eighty stakeholders in this process.
This spring the Board will identify and develop key strategies, with a goal by
the fall of 2009 for a new vision and strategy for the Council.
Christians Together
Making a Difference
Advocacy… Your Council
continues to bear a Christian witness in the public square. In 2008 a
significant public witness of Council members united made a difference.
Defeat of Casino
Legislation… The Council spearheaded a collective effort “Casino Free Mass”
which led to the defeat of a legislative effort to bring casino gambling to
Massachusetts.
Global Warming Solutions
Act… Legislation passed and signed into law in Massachusetts sets enforceable
state limits on green house gas emissions for 2020 and 2050. The Council
played a key role in the creation of the Massachusetts Interfaith Climate
Action Network that advocated for the Global Warming Solutions Act.
The Greyhound Protection
Act… Passed into law by a voter referendum in 2008 will end greyhound racing
here in Massachusetts in 2010. The Council working with the Committee to
Protect Dogs, launched a “Blessing of the Greyhounds” in churches throughout
the Commonwealth on St. Francis Day.
Question 1, Ballot
Initiative… The Council advocated with a broad network of religious and civic
organizations in opposition to ballot initiative that would have repealed the
Massachusetts state income tax. The question was defeated in November.
The Safer Alternatives
Bill… While not successful in seeing the passage of this bill in the 2007-08
legislative session it is for the Council a legislative priority in the new
session. The Bill will expand the successful Massachusetts Toxic Use
Reduction Act (TURA) program, which has demonstrated that reducing the use of
chemicals both protects health and saves business money. This bill is part of
an action component in our ”Healthy Kids, Healthy Churches, Healthy
Communities” curriculum.
MISSION PARTNERS
In 2007-08 your Council
has worked in partnership with organizations and networks throughout the
Commonwealth and the nation.
Alliance for a Healthy
Tomorrow
American Congregational
Association
American Jewish
Committee
Black Ministerial
Alliance of Greater
Boston
Boston Faith and Justice
Network
Boston University Center
for Practical
Theology
Casino Free Mass
Church World Service
Church Women United
City Mission
Common Cause
Cooperative Metropolitan
Ministries
Disability Network
Ecumenical Advocacy Days
Episcopal City Mission
Family Services of
Greater Boston
Graymoor Ecumenical and
Interreligious
Institute
Greater Boston
Interfaith Organization
Healthy Environmental
Leadership Project
(H.E.L.P.)
Harvard Kennedy School
Interfaith Climate
Action Network
Interreligious Center
for Public Life
Interreligious Leaders
Association
Islamic Council of New
England
Jewish Community
Relations Council of
Greater Boston
Lord’s Day League
Alliance
Mass Green Agenda
Massachusetts Bible
Society
Massachusetts Board of
Rabbis
Massachusetts Catholic
Conference
Massachusetts Citizens
Against the Death Penalty
Massachusetts Family
Institute
Massachusetts Interfaith
Committee for
Social Justice
Massachusetts Interfaith
Power and Light
Merck Foundation
Muslim American Society,
Boston
National Council of
Churches
National Religious
Campaign Against
Torture
New England Consultation
of Church
Leaders
New England Region
Anti-Defamation
League
One Massachusetts
Paulist Office for
Ecumenical and Interfaith
Relations
Pluralism Project
Regional Councils of
Churches
Sisters of Our Lady of
Sion
State Council Executive
Directors
Association
Tobacco Free Kids
Campaign
Union for Reformed
Judaism, Northeast
Council
Vision New England
World Council of
Churches in Christ
LEADERSHIP 2008 - 2009
Board of Directors
OFFICERS
Mr. Richard Harter,
President (United Church of Christ)
Mr. Joel Anderle,
VicePresident (East Coast Conference, Evangelical Covenant Church)
Rev. Kenneth G.Y Grant,
Treasurer (Presbyterian (USA))
Rev. Karen Coleman,
Secretary (Episcopal Diocese of MA)
DENOMINATINAL
REPRESENTATIVES
Rev. Fr.
Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian, Diocese of
the Armenian Church in America (Eastern)
Rev. Dr. Jim Antal,
Massachusetts Conference, the United Church of Christ
Rev. William Bergmann,
The Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts
Rev. Fr. Michael Bird,
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
Ms. Faith Bloomquist,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, New England Synod
Rev. Peter Boehringer,
New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Ms. June Carter, New
England Conference, The United Methodist Church
Dr. Charles Dickinson,
Massachusetts Conference, the United Church of Christ (representing
Rev. Dr. Jim Antal)
Rev. Herbert L. Eddy,
New England District, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Major Raphael Jackson,
Massachusetts Divisional Headquarters, The Salvation Army
Alexander Levering
Kern, New England Yearly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends
Presiding Elder
Margaret Lawson, New England Conference, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Rev. John Maheras,
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boson
Rev. James McPhee, New
England Conference, The United Methodist Church
(representing Bishop Weaver)
Rev. Frederick Moser,
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Rev. Tony Pappas,
American Baptist Churches in Massachusetts
Rev. Mikel Satcher, The
American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts
Rev. Dr. William
Showalter, Synod of the Northeast, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Mrs. Mary Alice
Stahleker, Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
Rev. Gordon Swan, The
American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts (representing Rev. Pappas)
Rev. F. Robert Tafel,
Massachusetts New Church Union (Swedenborgian)
Bishop Peter D. Weaver,
New England Conference, The United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Thomas Wintle,
Unitarian Universalist Association
Rev. Roger Zimmerman,
New England District of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
REPRESENTATIVES OF ECUMENICAL AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Rev. Marc
Bergeron, Ecumenical Officer, Diocese of Fall River
Mr. Paul Hand,
Ecumenical Officer, Diocese of Worcester
Mr. David Edwards,
Communities Together
Rev. Bert Marshall,
Church World Service, New England Region
Rev. Dr. Edward
O’Flaherty, Ecumenical Officer, Archdiocese of Boston
Rev. Dr. Rodney
Petersen, Boston Theological Institute
Dr. Martin Pion,
Diocese of Springfield
Rev. David Wright,
Black Ministerial Alliance
INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATIVES
Dr. Ruy Costa
(Presbyterian)
Rev. Judith Hoehler
(Unitarian Universalist Association)
Rev. Dr. Thomas
McKibbens (American Baptist)
*Mr. Robert Sarly
(Unitarian Universalist Association)
OTHERS
Mrs. Emadel Ramsay,
Church Women United
Rev. John Stendahl,
Immediate Past President (New England Synod, ELCA)
Commission on Christian
Unity
Denominational
Representatives
Rev. Fr. Arakel
Aljalian, Diocese of the Armenian Church in America, Eastern
Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas
Apostola, Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Canada
Rev. Dr. Theodore Asta,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, New England Synod
Rev. Fr. Marc Bergeron,
Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River
Rev. Terry Burke,
Council of Christian Churches within the Unitarian Universalist Association
Rev. John Castricum,
Chairperson, United Church of Christ, Massachusetts Conference
Rev. Douglas Cederberg,
Evangelical Covenant Churches, East Coast Conference
Rev. Norman David,
Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC)
Dr. Charles Dickinson,
United Church of Christ, Massachusetts Conference
Rev. Dr. Edward
Dufresne, Lutheran Church in America, New England Synod
Mr. Brian Flannagan,
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Rev. Fr. Paul Frechette,
Eparchy of Newton, Melikite
Rev. Fr. Edward
O’Flaherty, S.J., Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Rev. George
Papademitriou, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
Rev. Dr. Rodney
Petersen, Presbyterian (USA), Synod of the Northeast
Rev. K. George
Philipose, Malakara (Indian) Orthodox Church
Rev. Barbara
Smith-Moran, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Rev. Dr. Llewellyn
Smith, United Church of Christ, Massachusetts Conference
Rev. Meredyth Wessman
Ward, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Rev. Nathan Wood,
American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts
Finance Committee
Mr. Eric Grey,
Chairperson (American Baptist)
Ms. Faith Bloomquist
(Lutheran)
Rev. Kenneth G.Y Grant
(Presbyterian)
Mr. Steve Hahn
(Presbyterian)
Bruce Hawkins
(Religious Society of Friends)
Mr. Ray Larson
(Evangelical Covenant)
Mr. Robert Sarly
(Unitarian Universalist)
Mr. James Woodward
(Episcopal)
Investment Committee
Mr. Hans Olsen,
Chairperson (Episcopal)
Rev. Kenneth G.Y. Grant
(Presbyterian)
Ms. Debbie Kuenstner
(------------)
*Mr. John Minahan
(Unitarian Universalist)
Mr. Robert Sarly
(Unitarian Universalist)
Nominating Committee
Ann Armstrong
(Religious Society of Friends)
Rev. Terry Burke
(Unitarian Universalist)
Rev. Peter Chase,
chairperson (Episcopal)
Rev. Thomas McKibbins
(American Baptist)
*Rev. Arnold Rots
(Presbyterian)
Ms. Alexx Wood (United
Methodist)
Personnel Committee
Ms. Susan Dickerman,
Chairperson (United Church of Christ)
*Rev. Mark D.W.
Edington (Episcopal)
Rev. Judith Hoehler
(Unitarian Universalist)
Ms. Christine Karavites
(Greek Orthodox)
Rev. Dr. Stephen Ott
(American Baptist)
*Mrs. Joanne Snook
(United Methodist)
Strategy and Action
Commission
*Ms. Rachael Anderson
(Boston Faith and Justice Network)
Dr. Paul Baxter,
Chairperson, City Mission Society (United Church of Christ)
Ms. Nancy Banks
(Unitarian Universalist)
Sr. Tess Browne,
Consultant, HELP Fellows
Ms. Elizabeth England
(United Church of Christ, Commission for Mission & Justice Ministries)
Rev. Dr. Norman
Faramelli (Boston Theological Institute, Ethics Committee Chair)
Rev. Deborah Jackson
(American Baptist)
Alex Kern (Religious
Society of Friends)
*Rev. Marla Marcum
(United Methodist)
*Rev. Robert Mark
(Presbyterian)
Rev. Jim McPhee (United
Methodist)
Rev. Dr. Stephen Mott
(United Methodist)
Rev. Dr. Rodney
Petersen (Boston Theological Institute)
*Mr. Lyle Pirnie
(Episcopal)
Rev. Dr. Peter Wells
(United Church of Christ)
Rev. Cindy Williams,
Consultant, Countering Racism
Vision Development and
Strategic Planning Process
Steering Committee
*Rev. Joel Anderle,
Chairperson (Evangelical Covenant)
*Rev. Dr. James Antal
(United Church of Christ)
*Rev. Judy Hoehler
(Unitarian Universalist)
*Rev. Dr. Edward
O’Flaherty (Roman Catholic, Archdiocese of Boston)
*Mrs. Mary Alice
Stahleker (United Church of Christ)
*Rev. Canon Edward
Rodman (Episcopal)
*Rev. David Wright
(Black Ministerial Alliance)
* Denotes elected at the 2009 Annual Meeting
Staff
Rev. Jack Johnson,
Executive Director
Ms. Laura E. Everett,
Associate Director
Mrs. Louise Frehill,
Executive Assistant
Rev. M. Lise
Hildebrandt, Consultant, Healthy Kids, Healthy Churches, Healthy Communities
(12/07-12/08)
Mr. Derek Kotze,
Consultant, Vision Development and Strategic Planning Process (5/08 – 9/09)
Seminarians:
Liza Anderson, Harvard Divinity School
(11/08 – 5/09)
Josh Griffin, Harvard Divinity School (11/08
– 5/09)