Attendees: Bonnie Bates, Convenor; David Southard, Recorder; Clarence Price, Lawrence Gilley; Scott Brown; Robert Welcher; Nathan Wright, Joe Phillips, Dennis Lowe, Vatsala Ponnuraj, Melva Victorino, Peg Mainusch, and Marcie Agee.

Bonnie opened our Meeting at 11:15 AM. Bonnie welcomed all and asked us to perform introductions, since there were so many new faces at the table. She then provided an opening prayer.

Minutes from the March meeting were reviewed (Dave provided copies to those needing them); the one change from the original meeting had already been made so the minutes were accepted, by consensus, with the change.

Web Site responsibility transfer was next discussed. Lawrence reported that a lot of work needs to be done. He asked Melva (Metro Assoc.) to send any Global Mission info to him. She explained her (written) Missionary visit report, and Bonnie explained what our “overview” responsibilities consist of on The NYConf Commission on the Global Church.

Following the Agenda, we discussed Missionary visits to our Conference. Bob asked for names of the individual Association contact people. This information will help him to expedite future Missionary itineration plans for NYConf. Bonnie stated that one of our Commission goals is to encourage Mission Committees on each Assoc. Bob said he has been in touch with Beth Miller at UCC Hq. Phyllis Byrd and Gloria Vincente will be available in 2009. Bob would like to attend Ministry and Mission Interpreters (MMI) Training (already provided to Bonnie and Rick Cowles). The next MMI course is October 19-21, 2007. Lawrence moved, 2nded by David, for our Commission budget to pay for Bob to attend the next MMI course. The motion was approved, unanimously. Rick has requested that we be permitted to retain our NY relationship with Dawn and Jon Brown, Missionaries in partnership with the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa.

Lawrence mentioned our goal of three (3) Missionary visits a year evenly divided amongst NYConf Associations. Much discussion occurred, including that we must fund INTRA-conference and maybe even INTER-conference travel expenses. Melva mentioned that many from her church wish to write “personal” letters to Missionaries who have visited. David, Joe and Bonnie all echoed Melva’s statement of excitement about Missionary visits. Lawrence suggested we consider two (2) itinerations in 2008, one in the spring and one in the fall, each for a 10 day period, and involving four (4) separate Associations.

David suggested we consider Missionaries from other denominations to visit our congregations. According to Melva, this approach has worked well in the Metro Assoc. Clare suggested EKU and Mision Cristiana Missionaries as other possoibilities. Bonnie recommended we go to the website for Global Ministries.

Bob asked for an official list of Association contact people for Missionary Relations. Bonnie responded that all Assoc. don’t have such contact persons, at this time.

Melva will e-mail Bonnie with her request for a scholarship to attend MMI.

Chad Kyle has applied to our Commission for a scholarship to attend “Sabile Young Adult Conference”. Scott suggested we check with Peter McKerry for his opinion. Clare suggested we establish a Commission policy for budget requests for sponsoring events outside the purview of our Commission. Bob volunteered to work with Bonnie to develop such a policy. Lawrence moved that we deny Kyle’s request. After much discussion, and a 2^nd by David, the motion was approved (to deny), unanimously.

Next on our agenda was The Disaster Response Team (DiRT) discussion. Clare had volunteered to get the Disaster Response effort going for us and he reported on a recent conference call with FEMA in Westchester County. He will discuss at the next UCCNYConf staff meeting. Clare talked with the Massena Church and sent them info about how a similar situation was handled at his church. He said he doesn’t yet have all the volunteers for the NYConf DiRT Committee. Bonnie asked each of us to go back to our respective Assoc. to determine who will get involved in the DiRT. Much discussion occurred. Marcie stated that anyone we send to a disaster site will need to know exactly what skills are needed and what the volunteers are expected to do. Bonnie believes the DiRT Committee members would need to be able to provide guidance, suggestions and planning. Lawrence requested that Melva write up the Metro experience of preparing 25 people to operate a Red Cross center, for publication in the NY “wrap around” of the UCC News. Bonnie will send data about different Mission projects to Melva.

Ginger was NOT able to attend, but provided a handout which brought us up-to-date on NYHelp issues. Travelers (7-9) will visit Honduras on August 13.

Nathan offered grace before our lunch and we shared photos from Marcie’s recent trip to Tanzania on Bonnie’s laptop. Marcie gave us an oral report, in addition to her written report, about her visit to Tanzania.

Many interesting, and mostly positive, reactions were voiced by those at today’s meeting who attended NYConf and Synod meetings in Connecticut.

Nathan spoke about renewal of the five-year covenant with the Mision Cristiana Church, of Nicaragua. Clare provided us with information about the history. Nathan and Rick Cowles will travel to Nicaragua, from Newark, August 2-6, 2007. They will travel to Oklahoma to attend a Covenant Specifics Exchange meeting with Disciples of Christ who also have a “relationship” with the church, and an “in-residence” Missionary. One Youth trip is being considered. Folks from the Mision Cristiana will be invited to attend our November “Mission Possible II” retreat. We’ve agreed to pay for their transportation. Question was asked, “how many can we afford?”

Location for our “Mission/Possible II” Retreat will be Christ the King Retreat House (Syracuse) on the weekend of November 2-3, 2007. A discussion ensued as to what the program should include. We determined to use this retreat as a self-development opportunity and to ask others with interest to attend. The cost seems reasonable at $50 per person. Clare will get word out to each Assoc. President that we would like to identify a Global Church representative from every Association!!!!

We, next, discussed inviting Felix Ortiz being invited into our relationship with Nicaragua. Clare spoke of a Covenant with UKE (German). Peter Dennanbaum will remain. 10 of us to visit Germany each even year and 10 of the Germans to visit us every odd year. Jean Golden will handle theYouth component . Dave Seipel or Clare will attend an October 13 meeting of the Commission on Ecumenism. Lawrence proposed that we invite someone from Ecumenism Commission to our Mission Possible II Retreat, 2nded by Clare and unanimously approved. Rick will be asked to prepare something for UCC News to invite people to attend our Retreat. Nathan will be able to invite three (3) from Mision Cristiana. Clare suggested we use an overview of our Commission and our successes.

Lawrence proposed contacting the Barnes to establish a relationship with our Commission, Nathan 2nded, discussed and unanimously approved. In lieu of Gloria Vicente, Missionary for Youth in Honduras, Lawrence proposed that we use the Hansens as a relationship. This proposal was postponed and further discussion was tabled until our next meeting, when Ginger Comstock (NYHelp), will be here.

New Business: Clare reported on the Capitol Fund Drive for our NYConf Building. Geoffrey is requesting that we commit (personal) funds to this. Clare spoke of a “Corner Stone” fund.

Meeting adjourned before 3 PM, closed in prayer by Nathan Wright. Our next scheduled NYConf Commission on the Global Church Meeting will be: Saturday, September 15, 2007, 11 AM to 3 PM, at the NY Conference Office. We bid a fond farewell to Scott Brown who is relocating to work on a PhD program.

Respectfully submitted by Recording Secretary David G. Southard.