Dear Friends Church Community,

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TO APPROVE NEW ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Over the past several weeks we have provided many opportunities for your input regarding the document containing the proposed new organizational structure for Friends Church. The meetings have been very helpful and productive and we appreciate the contribution of everyone. We have now completed making changes to the document based upon many of your comments, and the revised draft document is available at Guest Services.

Based on the feedback we have received, we have called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, October 14 at 6:00 pm to ask for approval of the new organizational structure. Everyone may attend the meeting but only members may vote.

It is not often that a document of this size and nature is brought before the congregation for approval. Therefore, we have tried to give everyone an opportunity to be engaged through small group meetings prior to the Congregational Meeting. When it comes to voting on the new organizational structure, I believe we should follow the example of how the process was handled in the EFC-ER business sessions this past July. That means we will be asking for a “yes” or “no” vote on the document as it is presented, without entertaining motions for amendment. The vote will be conducted by written ballot.

We will answer clarifying questions during the Congregational Meeting; however, in a document of this size, we could be in session for many hours entertaining and discussing amendments. The document is not perfect and we understand that there likely will be amendments needed. If the new structure is approved, our process will be to receive your suggested changes over the next months and then bring any proposed amendments back to the congregation for approval at a later date.

For those who were not able to attend our small group sessions or would like to return and offer additional input, we will be holding two more open meetings prior to the Congregational Meeting. These sessions will be held in Room 127 on Tuesday, October 2 and Thursday, October 11. Both meetings will begin at 7:00 pm.

Once again I appreciate the cooperation of everyone in helping us wrap up this organizational issue. Please feel free to contact me by replying to this email with any questions.

In Christ,

Presiding Clerk