Attendees: Bob Welcher (for Bonnie Bates), Convenor; David Southard, Recorder; Clarence Price, Lawrence Gilley, Ginger Comstock, Deanne Bellinger, Gordon Comstock, Marjorie Watrobski, Anthony Green, Peg Mainusch, Melva Victorino, Dona Roll, Kelly Shiflett and Rick Cowles, Upstate Regional Conference Minister.

Visitors attending: Arnold Matlin, Stan Bennett and Jennifer O’Neill.

Bob opened our Meeting at 11:00 AM. He welcomed all and provided us with a reading from a book entitled “In His Own Words”, a story of “working” on the Sabbath. Jesus is more interested in people than in rules. Bob finished with an opening prayer. Bob explained his handouts, then introduced I. Kelly Shiflett. Kelly lives in Sherburne and has completed two years as Moderator for the Susquehanna Association.

Minutes from the March meeting were reviewed. (David had posted the minutes to our website). The minutes were accepted, with a couple of minor changes, following a motion by Melva, 2nd by Deanna.

Annual Meeting was next discussed. Felix Carrione, from Nicaragua, spoke and conducted a workshop about “How to Market your Church”. He was well received. Gordon suggested we combine Mission-type tables/displays together (better) at next year’s Annual Meeting. Rick Cowles presentation “wowed” the attendees. Our suggested Commission award was presented at the UCC NY Conf. Annual Meeting to the Clinton Heights UCC Church.

Ginger and Gordon Comstock reported from NYHELP. A trip to Honduras is planned (for 9-11 travelers) from July 12-26. Sanitation and water projects will be worked on.

Bob mentioned OCWM as a subject we need to learn and teach about.

Clare spoke about Geoffrey establishing an ecumenical relationship with a German Church through the NYConf. UCC Commission on Ecumenism. Combined Mission trip, by the youth, to Germany prompted Clare to suggest a combined youth Mission trip to Honduras or Nicaragua. Marge stated that she, and other visitors, have been educated about “conditions”, but she wants to establish projects along with the natives, about things WE can do, but she may have an idea about what THEY want to do. Marge said their big focus is education. She mentioned that “Compassion Internationale” is an organization that Mision Cristiana is working with. Marge will copy Felix Ortiz with all communications. She said she saw 4 or 5 churches, some with funding, some without. Social Services will be an issue, also. Music and language are two of OUR needs, allegedly. Ohio is NOT involved in these efforts.

Lawrence reported on Phyllis Bird in Kenya. He spoke of chicken coops, Diane Dunn, Peru Missionary and Incan Spirituality.

Bob asked attendees to send report summaries to Recorder, David.

Next on our agenda was The Disaster Response Team (DiRT) discussion. . Clare reported that the next meeting will be held on August 2nd and he passed out the most recent report of his activities. Florence Coppola has told Clare to be prepared to do Disaster Response mission work following his meeting in New Orleans. Wayne Wilson has offered to coordinate New York mission trips to New Orleans. Clare visited UCC Back Bay Mission in Mississippi. He said we’ll need to call many churches in the NY Conference to request who will represent that church. Acc. to Clare, we aren’t well enough prepared, in NY, to help much with recovery efforts, at this time. Many (33) Disaster Clean-up Buckets were delivered by churches at the Annual Conference, but will need to be delivered to CWS in Maryland. Home Depot is the best place to buy subject buckets, acc. to Kelly. Clare said he was informed by our UCC Nat’l Disaster Director, Coppola, that we should take a 3-fold approach to readying ourselves for Disaster preparedness:

1. Identify a Church Representative,
2. Train in how to assess a disaster,
3. Determine what we can do.

Mission Possible III was next discussed. Questions needing answers are: Do we hold MP III ?, What to cover?, When ?, Where?, Do we include Mision Cristiana? And other such concerns. October 24 and 25, 2008, suggested as a possible date. After a lengthy discussion, David, Melva and Marge will work on developing plans for the next Mission Possible.

Mission Trip Guidelines were next on the agenda. Lengthy discussion of funding for travelers. 1/3 church, 1/3 Assoc. and 1/3 traveler suggested. NYSOM requirements should be considered. Bob requested volunteers to develop requirements: Dona Roll volunteered and Marge Watrobski.

Bob questioned former MMI Trainees (Deanna, Melva, etc.) about their experience during the training. Consideration might be to do next MMI training on a Regional or Conference basis. Could we include in Mission Possible weekend???

Rick brought a discussion of a possible Young Adult ecumenical trip to Southern Africa to the table. He said Geoffry had asked if our Commission could coordinate such a trip, possibly in the summer of 2009. Possible criteria: 10 young adults from Germany/w 2 adult coordinators, 10 young adults from the U.S./w 2 adult coordinators, age ranges for young adults 18-25 years old, 10 day trip, minimum. Rick mentioned that the Barnes are able to help with work-camps.

Our Commission was honored to listen to Dr. Arnold Matlin discuss his experiences in Nicaragua. He spoke with passion and compassion and we all learned a lot. We applauded Dr. Matlin for his presentation AND his involvement.

Kelly closed our meeting with a prayer.

Our next meeting is Saturday, November 8, 11 AM, at the NY Conference Office, unless we decide to combine with Mission Possible III.