Merger News - Archive Editions
The Vote: Consolidation moves forward ...
The vote for consolidating Payson Park Church with Phillips Congregation was held on Sunday, September 30. While those who attended the special meeting voted 71 to 10 to consolidate, the vote failed, however, to meet the by-laws requirement of a two-thirds majority. The members of Payson Park Church now await the decision of the Secretary of State, who adjudicates these matters. Typically, although not guaranteed, the Secretary of State rules in favor of the majority, because those present overwhelmingly favored consolidation. When will the Secretary of State decide? Unfortunately, no time table exists, but not less than in the next three weeks is a decision expected. The consolidation will progress as the legal procedings continue. Check the website for updates as well as Merger News for archive articles.
Implementation Committee Message - July August 2007 Messenger (Archive)
We would like to update everyone on what has transpired since the June 3rd meeting of our Congregation. At that time, and after much deliberation and prayer, we voted to form an Implementation Committee for possible Church consolidation with Phillips Church. Our vote count was overwhelmingly positive in favor of approval. Everyone present was in favor with and exception of 3 “no’s” and 1 “abstention.” The Phillips Church also had a meeting on Sunday, June 3rd to vote for possible consolidation. Their vote was all in favor with 1 “abstention.”
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ad Hoc Committee for their faithful and dedicated work throughout this year. The committee consisted of Keith Oates as Chairman,Phil Ripley, Emily Dallman, Nancy Marsh, Liza Roman and William Troop. Al Gledhill and Bob Phillips have nominated Janet Welby, Phil Ripley, Keith Oates and Ann Alves to the Implementation Committee and they have met for the last two weeks to begin the process of drafting an agreement for consolidation, update the by-laws and formulate appropriate budgetary plans to facilitate a possible consolidation. The committee has met once with the Phillips Church Implementation Committee. The Phillips Committee consists of Dana Bolton, Jeff Cronin, Kate and Fred Issacs, and Karen Harvey. Both Rev. Rob Asinger and Rev. Lael Atkinson are ex-officio members who are offering spiritual guidance to us as our committees meet each week throughout the summer months.
Once we complete the next few meetings as a joint committee and identify all consolidation issues that we feel are necessary to address, we will begin a series of letters to both congregations so that everyone is kept aware of our progress. We encourage and request that if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact Al Gledhill or any of the commitee members at any time. This is your church and we will always be available to you. At our first joint committee meeting last Tuesday evening, Rev. Asinger spoke about sacrifice. He said the church is built on the foundation of the willingness to sacrifice. We need to build our foundation on the spirit and love of Christ. We will now begin to prepare to build our foundation for our new church. Thank you all for your support and prayers. The Implementation Committee of Payson Park Church
Archive Article: Church Meeting - June 3, 2007
1)To consider and act upon a proposal to express intent to consolidate with Phillips Congregational Church of Watertown, Massachusetts,and that an implementation committee be appointed by the Co-Moderators to: Negotiate with Phillips Congregational Church, to draft an agreemem for consolidation and present it to our church, and to do other tasks that are related and appropriate to facilitate this consolidation.
2) To consider and act upon a proposal to authorize Walter Guertin, Treasurer, on behalf of the church and in its name, to certify its f ederal Tax Identification and Withholding Status.
3) To consider and act upon a request from the Finance and Property Committee to authorize use of capital funds for work to be done on the church building.
