Attendees: Bonnie Bates, Convenor; David Southard, Recorder; Clarence Price, Lawrence Gilley, Ginger Comstock, Deanne Bellinger, Marjorie Watrobski, Peg Mainusch, Dona Roll, Kelly Shiflett, Wayne Wilson, Kay Woike, Bob Welcher and Rick Cowles, Upstate Regional Conference Minister.

Bonnie opened our Meeting at 11:10 AM. She welcomed all and asked Rick Cowles to provide an opening prayer. David circulated a sign-in sheet and asked everyone for an e-mail address update.

Minutes from the June meeting were reviewed. (David had posted the minutes to our website). The minutes were accepted..

A Missionary summary report was distributed by Bob Welcher.

Bonnie reported, next, on our cooperative venture with German EKHN. Rick has been communicating with the Barnes about our sponsorship of young people’s trip to Germany. Tony Green has volunteered to accompany the group. We will need a date, but UCC Chaplains at NYS Colleges will be asked to recruit college students. Lawrence recommended two (2) “local” youth travelers, Lindsey and Chrissy. We need to give the youth some time to raise money for the trip. Between July 31 and August 18, 2009, German youth will visit the USA. Clare has asked a lay group to consider Tuesday arrival, before the Annual Meeting, in June. Bonnie reminded us of our goal: “Our youth, ages 18-25 and German youth will go to Africa to WORK on a Project, together”. A discussion ensued about working with Prince Bela. $4,000. was the original charge for the trip to Africa, per person.

Mission Trip Guidelines were next on the agenda. Dona Roll and Marge Watrobski handed out their report and we spent some time adding to this document. Dona and Marge will produce a new document to place on the Yahoo Group site and we’ll respond to it, there.

Much discussion was held on the subject of “becoming a Global Mission Conference”. Rick said our Commission provided a lot of impetus to the Oneida Assoc’s Global Church Committee to sponsor the “Tents of Hope” Mission Fair. This was an illustration of “how to become a Global Church”. Kelly suggests we simply tell churches what to do to help them become Global Churches. Concerning our becoming a Global Mission Conference, Bonnie said our National Office will decide what we need to do. Lawrence said that ALL Conference Staff need overseas experience in order to qualify as a Global Mission Conference. David and Lawrence suggested we include activities/ideas from other Conference Commissions, such as Justice & Witness, etc.

Rick and Bob reported on the National Conference Meeting.

Rick showed us a slide show report on the Oneida Assoc. Tents of Hope Mission Fair while we ate lunch. Deanna provided grace for our working lunch.

Next on our agenda was The Disaster Response Team (DiRT) discussion. . Clare reported that the next (training) meeting will be held on November 15th At 9 AM at Fairmount Community Church and he passed out the most recent report of his activities. Wayne Wilson has offered to coordinate New York mission trips to New Orleans and has accepted the title of Disaster Response Trip Coordinator for our Commission. 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.

Wayne will make trips with some volunteers (from his church) March 29-April 4, And November 1-7, 2009. We discussed the cost of such trips: Air fare is $250. , Housing is about $50., Food is $400. and Group transportation (6 people) is $300. Groups of six (6) volunteers is best, said Wayne. Wayne said he’ll be comfortable to take volunteers from other churches to fill his scheduled trips. “Reference” applications may be coordinated through Pat at NYConf. Office. Wayne is willing to co-host additional trips of six volunteers. Wayne will contact Florence, Kay Woike will try to generate interest in Buffalo (Western Region) and Kelly will advocate for high school kids.

Ginger Comstock reported that the next Honduras trip will be February 16-28, 2009. We received a report from NYHELP w/pictures from the trip. Cost of the trip is $1000. per person.

Mission Possible III was next discussed. Bonnie asked what is our purpose?? Other Questions needing answers are: What to cover?, Do we include Mision Cristiana? And other such concerns. Bob Welcher has reserved the Christ the King Center for March 27 and 28, 2009. After a lengthy discussion, David, Melva and Marge will work on developing plans for the next Mission Possible. It was suggested that we talk to Callie Rogerswitte, about requesting a speaker from UCC Hq. and that we invite a Missionary.

Bonnie will “rework” Mission Survey. A difference of opinion developed as to whether to work more closely with the other Commissions, such as Ecumenism and Bonnie asked to see some discussion (in writing) at our next meeting. Lawrence feels, strongly, that there is some urgency for us to sort out our Mission understanding.

Kay closed our meeting with a prayer.

Our next meeting is Saturday, January 31, 2009 10:30AM, at the NY Conference Office, (February 7 snow date).

Respectfully submitted by Recording Secretary David G. Southard.