Congregational Conversation on Article II

ARTICLE II PROCESS: WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED AND WHAT WE’LL DO NEXT

Discernment

Last weekend’s discernment workshops created a welcoming space for us to practice listening to each other deeply, with a goal of understanding rather than persuading.  Many people commented how wonderful it felt to open up, deepen connections, and feel really heard.  We learned, or reviewed, communication tools, and practiced using them with each other, even stretching beyond our comfort zones to speak from someone else’s perspective – not an easy task!

Exchange of Views

The next step in our congregational process is a full exchange of views about the Article II topic.  This experience, which will take place next weekend, will also require us to stretch beyond our comfort zones.  Instead of relying on limiting “debate and discussion”, we will explore all the aspects of the Article II proposed amendments together, continuing to reach for common ground and understanding, using what we learned in the discernment workshops.

Listening deeply and with care requires more time, especially with a topic as complex and nuanced as this one.  It’s the only way to make sure all voices are heard, and all perspectives are counted. So the planning group has asked that Fellowship members and friends attend TWO sessions, both Saturday, 4/27, from 10 am to 12 pm, and Sunday, 4/28 from 12pm to 2pm.  Both sessions will be hybrid, to accommodate remote participants. See below for  Zoom link (same for both).  THE TWO SESSIONS BUILD ON EACH OTHER, SO PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND BOTH.  We thank the members of the Saturday Soul Matters group for moving the time of their meeting to accommodate this important congregational conversation.

One of the outcomes of the exchange will be a list of all aspects of the topic of concern to our Fellowship, so if you are unable to attend either session, feel free to send a list of the aspects of this topic you have particularly strong feelings or opinions about to the planning group (see below for list).  We will make sure to include your concerns in the list.

Thanks for coming along on this journey toward closer connections and deeper understandings.  We know it’s hard work – and our beloved Fellowship is worth it!

Judy Keiser for the Article II process planning group:

Louis Merlin

Ron Roth

Rev Kathy

Gail Price-Wise

Rajeev Arora

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