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| To: |
UUCF Board of Trustees
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From:
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The signers of the April 8th letter to Rev. Jim Nelson
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Date:
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April 8, 2003
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The enclosed letter to Reverend Nelson asks him to resign as Minister of our church. The letter speaks for itself as to the reasons for our request. The letter has been signed by 47 of your fellow UUCF members. You will probably recognize every name. We are the current and past leadership of the congregation.
We have chosen not to ask you to sign our letter so that you will be free to work with Jim for the best possible outcome for our congregation.
Behind virtually every signature on this letter lies an anguished conversation, sometimes internal, sometimes with fellow members. The people listed here have come to the conclusion that it's time for Jim to resign.
We note that a majority of past Board members whose terms overlapped Jim's time with us have signed our letter including seven past Board Presidents, five of whom served with Jim. Many of the signers are current chairs or members of the lay ministries that run the church.
We know that many members who have not served in leadership roles are unaware of the problems outlined in our letter. The campaign required for a successful vote to remove Jim would be long and divisive. We sincerely hope and pray that you will be able to work out a departure agreement with Jim that will leave both the congregation and Jim whole.
In the faith.
[Letter Requesting Resignation of Rev. Jim Nelson, 08 April 2003 is quoted in full here.]
Dear Reverend Nelson:
The subscribers to this letter represent a broad cross-section of UUCF lay leaders and major financial supporters. We are and will remain deeply committed to the well-being of the church and its congregation. Out of our love and concern for the church, we have concluded that your ministry at UUCF should not continue. Because we believe that you share that love and concern, we hope that you will resign voluntarily, and we ask that you begin the process of negotiating your resignation with the Board of Trustees.
You can be proud of many accomplishments during your tenure as our Senior Minister. You have led UUCF through a sometimes difficult transition in its membership, worship styles, and organizational structure. Under your leadership and with your support, the lay ministries and the pastoral care associates have deepened UUCF's spiritual offerings, strengthened its religious exploration program, and provided help and comfort to many of our members.
However, your tenure has been marked by a recurrent - and worsening - alienation of UUCF members who have volunteered their time and talents to serve in lay leadership positions, particularly the Board of Trustees. The February 21 resignation of Mary Foster from both the Board and the congregation is only the most recent example. The Board's subsequent request for assistance from the UUA marks the fourth time in less than ten years that special interventions or task forces have been necessary to deal with conflicts between you and members of the church.
This has gone on for too long, and has occurred with too many people in too many different contexts, to be explained by differences in personality or spirituality. Rather, it has become clear that you have a fundamental inability to accept the legitimacy of lay leadership, and that you believe that, because you are a called minister, you are beholden to no one in how you discharge your responsibilities. This has been reflected in numerous ways. You have rejected and resisted any attempt by the Board of Trustees to devise a performance review process, even though your contract has always provided that salary increases shall be based on performance. You have failed to maintain reasonable office hours, have unilaterally moved the church to a one-service schedule in the spring without the courtesy of prior notice to or consultation with the Board, and have failed to demonstrate a professional approach toward vacation and professional leave. In the recent controversy over your sharing with a church member deeply personal information about another church member, you refused to cooperate with the Board's efforts to address the issue, to the point of declining to attend a special Board meeting on the ground that it was your day off.
Your behavior toward UUCF's lay leadership constitutes a severe threat to our community. It angers and demoralizes church members who, at the beginning of their volunteer service, wanted only to support your ministry. It jeopardizes the finances of the church, because of the direct connection between willingness to serve in leadership and generous pledging. It threatens the vitality of the church's programs, which depend on volunteers. It makes the recruitment of the next generation of lay leaders more and more difficult. And, most important, it is directly contrary to the spirit and identity of UUCF as a congregational church.
It may be that in a different church with a different congregation, this problem will not arise. But here at UUCF, the problem has become too severe and intractable to be ignored any longer. There is only one solution, which is an orderly end of your ministry here.
Copies of this letter are being provided to the members of the Board of Trustees, and to officials of the UUA. We pledge to ask the Board to negotiate your resignation in such a way that there is no permanent damage to your career. There are provisions in your contract governing notice, which we are confident will be honored.
We suggest that you communicate your response to this letter to Susan Blasko, President of the Board of Trustees. Of course, you will need to consider the situation carefully and discuss it with your family, but we ask that your response be forthcoming within two weeks.
Sincerely,
| 1. |
Jim Allen UUCF member since 1988 Board of Trustees, 1993-1997 RE Committee, 5 years, 2 as Chair Nominating Committee Covenant Group Leader
2. |
Mark Binderman | UUCF member since 1982 Board of Trustees, 1984-1986
3. |
Mary Binderman | UUCF member since 1982 Board of Trustees, 1991-1994 President, 1993-1994 Lay Minister for Membership, 1998-2002 Canvass Co-Chair, 1995 Nominating Committee, 1994-1995 Staffing Task Force, Long Range Planning Committee, 1994-1995 Personnel Committee, 1995 Ad Hoc Committee for Intervention post Ombudsman's Report, 1998 Chair. Membership Committee, 1997-1998 Search Committee for Minister for Religious Education, 1988-1989
4. |
Carote Crotty | UUCF member since 1983 Board of Trustees, 1989-1992 President, 1991-1992 Search Committee for Associate Minister, 1997-1998 Auction Chair Endowment Committee RE Committee Nominating Committee Ombudsman Committee
5. |
Ann Mane Cunningham | UUCF member since 1995 Social Justice Council, 2001-present Chair, 2002-present Habitat for Humanity Leadership Committee, 2001 Project Coordinating Committee, 2000-2001 Fiscal Affairs Council, 2002-present Co-pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign at "Builders" level ($10,000 or more)
6. |
John Cunningham | UUCFmember since 1995 Board of Trustees, 1999-2002 President, 2000-2002 Project Coordinating Committee, 2001'-present finance Committee, 2002 -present Co-pledgedto 2001 Capital Campaign at "Builders" level ($10,000 or more)
7. |
[Anonomous-2] | UUCF member since 1983 Lay Minister for Education, 1994-1995 Search Committee for Senior Minister, 1991-1993 Canvass Committee, 1995 Nominating Committee, 1991-1992 Member and Chair of Grounds Committee Welcoming Congregation Committee Delegate to UUA General Assembly, 2000 Denominational Affairs Liaison, 1999-2001
8. |
Hal Fuller | UUCF member since 1976 Board of Trustees twice, including service as Treasurer Lay Minister for Social Justice, 1998-2001 Recipient, Sollenberger Awardfor Social Justice, 2002 Co-Chair, UU'Service Committee Chair, Budget and Finance Committee Co-Chair, Denominational Affairs Committee
9. |
Pat Fuller | UUCF member since 1976 Nominating Committee, 2002-2003 Chair, Denominational Affairs Committee Partner Church Circle RE Committee
10. |
Steve Gold | UUCF member since 1991 Board of Trustees, 1997-2000 President, 1998-1999 Finance Committee, 2000 -present Fiscal Affairs Council
11. |
John Graham | UUCF member since 1998 Music at many services and special events
12. |
Melinda Hardin | UUCF member since 1989 Board of Trustees, 1997-1998 Pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign at "Founders" level ($25,000 or more)
13. |
Janice Holmblad | UUCF member since 1987 Lay Minister for Religious Education, 2001 - present RE Committee, Co-Chair RE Teacher, 5 years Chair, Yard Sale Pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign at "Builders" level ($10,000 or more}
14. |
Kurt Jensen | UUCF member since 1996 Board of Trustees, 1998-2001 Vice President, 2000-2001 Secretary, 1999-2000 Finance Committee, 2001 -present Canvass Chair, 2002-2003 Bylaws Committee Chair, 2003 RE Teacher, four years Pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign at "Builders" level ($10,000 or more)
15. |
Martha Johnson | UUCF member since 1990 Board of Trustees, 1996-1999 Search Committee for Associate Minister, 1997-1998 Advisory Committee for Associate Minister, 1998 -present Nominating Committee, 1999-2001
16. |
Rowland Johnson | UUCF member since 1995 Pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign at "Founders" level ($25,000 or more)
17. |
Dennis Jones | UUCF member since 1980 Board of Trustees, 1985-1986 and 1992-1994 Vice President, 1993-1994 Canvass Co-Chair Search Committee for Minister for Religious Education, 1988-1989 Nominating Committee, 1986-1987 RE Committee Chair, 1985-1986 Social Action Co-Chair RE teacher, four years
18. |
Paid Kohlbrenner | UUCF member since 1985 Board of Trustees, 1998-2002 Treasurer, 2000-2002 Assistant Treasurer, 1998-2000 Finance Committee, 1989-1993, 2002 - present RE Teacher, 7 years Pledge Recorder, 1990-1993 Co-pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign at "Founders" level ($25,000 or more)
19. |
Martha Koopman | UUCF member since 1986 Lay Minister for Fellowship, 1998-2000 Pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign at "Builders" level ($10,000 or more)
20. |
Donald Krueiski | UUCF member since 1987 Led UUCF Singles group in late 1980 's Many Lay led services
21. |
Meg Lay | UUCF member since 1969 Board of Trustees, 1983-1986 President, 1985-86 Canvass Chair, 1993 Worship Committee, ten years
22. |
Rodney Lay | UUCF member since 1969 Canvass Chair, three limes Building Committee Chair, 1983-1985 Nominating Committee, three times
23. |
Marie Ann Lcyko | UUCF member since 1997 Religious Education Committee 1998-2000 RE Committee, Chair 1999 RE Teacher 1998-2002 Audit Committee 2003
24. |
C. Lianea Nelson | UUCF member since 1996 RE Committee RE Teacher Training Nominating Committee Co-Chair Spirit Journey Co-Founder RE Teacher (3 years)
25. |
Gerald Poje | UUCF member since 1997 Social Justice Council 1998-2000 Nominating Committee 2002-2004 RE Teacher 1997-2002 Green Sanctuary Group 2000-2003
26. |
Maureen Porter | UUCF member since 1987 Membership Committee Chair 1989-1990 Covenant Group Leader
27. |
Jim Price | UUCF member since 1982 Pastoral Care Associate, 2001-2003 Building Committee Pledge Recorder RE Teacher
28. |
Sue Price | UUCF member since 1981 Board of Trustees, 1986-1988, 1994-1995 President, 1987-88, 1994-1995 RE Committee and Chair, J 984-85 Canvass Committee Nominating Committee, 1995-1996 Pastoral Care Associate, 2001-2003 Search Committee for Senior Minister, 1990-1992 Ad hoc Committee for Intervention post Ombudsman's Report, 1998
29. |
Susan Redick | UUCFmember since 1988 RE Committee, 4 years Chair, 2 years RE Teacher, 4 years
30. |
Catherine Riddle | UUCF member since 1981 Lay Minister for RE RE Teacher, 7 years RE Committee, 3 years, I year as Chair Auction Chair
31. |
Nancy Rooney | UUCF member since 1986 Board of Trustees. 1998-2001, 2002 Vice President, 1999-2000 Project Coordinating Committee, 1999-2001 Chair, 2000-2001 Canvass Committee, 1995-1997 Pledged to 200) Capital Campaign at "Founders" level ($25,000 or more)
32. |
Madeline Silva | UUCF member since 1981 Canvass Committee, 1997 RE Committee, 1993-1995 RE teacher, three years
33. |
Rick Silva | UUCF member since 1981 Canvass Committee, 1997 Personnel Committee, 1992-1993 RE Committee, 1985-1987 "Medium Rare Cafe" folk music series, 2001-present "Our Daily Bread" volunteer, 1991-1998 RE Teacher
34. |
Nancy D. Smith | UUCF member since 1993 Worship Committee Chair RE Teacher Canvass Committee
35. |
Robert Stemetzki | UUCFmember since 1991 Board of Trustees, 1997-2000 Treasurer 1998-2000 Assistant Treasurer 1997-1998 Finance Committee 1995-2000 Project Coordinating Committee 1999-2001 RE Teacher
36. |
Bob Tripp | UUCF member since 1993 Partner Church Circle, 10 years, Chair, 1998-2001 Led high school youth group for 8 years Co-Teacher, UU Affirmation for high school group. 1996-1997, 1998-1999
37. |
Mary Tripp | UUCF member since 1975 Board of Trustees, 1995-1998 Vice President, 1997-1998 Secretary, 1995-1997 Covenant Group Leader, 2000-2003 Partner Church Circle, 1992-2003 Nominating Committee, 1998-1999 Yard Sale Chair, 1995 Social Justice Associate, 1994-1995
38. |
Marianne Vakiener | UUCF member since 1985 Board of Trustees, 1989-1993 President, 1992-1993 RE Committee, 1988-1991 Canvass Chair, 1993 Capital Campaign Co-Chair, 2000-2001 Project Coordinating Committee, 2001-present Co-pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign at "Founders" level ($25,000 or more)
39. |
Eric VanderVeer | UUCF member since 1994 RE Committee, 1998-2001 RE teacher, five years Building Committee
40. |
Janet VanderVeer | UUCF member since 1994 Advisory Committee to Lay Minister for Worship, 2002
41. |
BruceVernor | UUCF member since 1986 Board of Trustees, 1992-1997 President 1996-1997 Vice President 1995-1996 Treasurer 1993-1995 Lay Minister for Administration 1991 -1992 Canvass Co-Chair 1998-1999 Nominating Committee 1997-1998 Co-pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign at the "Builders " level ($10,000 or more)
42. |
Patricia Vernor | UUCF member since 1986 Caring Committee, 5 years Chair, 2 years RE Teacher, 3 years Pastoral Care Associate 2001-2003 Co-Pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign a the "Builders " level ($10,000 or more)
43. |
Julie Waser | UUCF member since 1991 Family Activities Coordinating Team ("FACT") Co-Chair, two years RE teacher, seven years Co-pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign at "Builders" level ($10,000 or more)
44. |
Mark Waser | UUCF member since 1991 Canvass Committee, three years Co-Chair, two years RE Committee, three years Chair, (wo years RE teacher, eight years Search Committee for Associate Minister, 1997-1998 RE Task Force, Long Range Planning Committee. Chair 1994-1995 Co-pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign at "Builders" level ($10,000 or more)
45. |
Jean Wilkins | UUCF member since 1955 Board of Trustees, 1956-1957, 1981 Secretary, 1956-1957 Search Committee for Associate Minister, 1997-1998 Caring Committee, twenty years Canvass Dinner chair, four years "Daytimers" coordinator, three years Pledged to 2001 Capital Campaign at "Founders" level ($25,000 or more)
46. |
Ann P. Wood | UUCF member since 1975 Board of Trustees, 1979-1982 Secretary, 1981 Vice President, 1982 Search Committee/or Senior Minister 1991-1993 Lay Minister for Social Justice 1994-1996 Social Justice Council, 1997-2002 Chair 2001-2002
47. |
Zeena E. Zeidberg | UUCF member since 1974 Youth-Adult Committee, Co-Chair Nominating Committee, 1993 Memorial Grave Committee, 1992-present Building Committee, beginning-present Grounds Committee, through 2000, Chair 1993-1994 |
| cc: |
David Hubner, Director of Ministry Unitarian Universalist Association 25 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02108
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Rev. Stefan Jonasson | Nine Rowand Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3J 2N4 Canada
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Rev. Richard Speck, District Executive | Joseph Priestley District ofUU Congregations 100 West 1Oth Street Suite 1008 Wilmmgton, DE 19801
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Rev. Dr. Edward A. White | Alban Institute, Senior Consultant 5908 Nevada Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20015-2526 |