Proposed Timeline for ONA Study Process

Proposed Date – Nov. ‘07 - ONA Sub-Committee finishes plan for church-wide study of ONA designation

Proposed Date – Dec. ‘07 Elders’ - ONA sub-committee presents plan to Board of Elders for approval

Proposed Date – early ‘08 Council meeting - Board of Elders presents plan to Council for its approval of an ONA study process

Proposed date – Nov. ‘07 - ONA contacts all resource people who will be resources for the study process (Russ Mitman, clergy resources, family education resource)

Proposed date –Nov. ’07 - ONA sub committee compiles information packets for members - distribute at a later date

Information packets will include the following:

1. cover letter from the Board of Elders (how we came to this study and why)
2. Frequently asked questions
3. Information about 15th General Assembly of UCC
4. Timeline with components of process
5. How Being Open and Affirming Might Impact Our Church
6. Samples of ONA Statements

Proposed Date – Jan-Feb. ’08 - Forge articles to introduce ONA study process Articles will be published thru out process Introduce components of the study and timeline Announcement that following Sunday sermon will focus on introduction of the process

Proposed Date – Sunday Feb. 17 ’08 - Intro to ONA process from pulpit-sermon to focus on UCC historical involvement in and commitment to justice and Social issues – preacher, Rev. Char Gosselink Distribution of information packets to church members

Proposed Date – Feb. ’08 - A process for disseminating packets to members not present in worship on this Sunday

Proposed date – March ’08 - Elder Flock Gatherings: Focus: Biblical and Theological Foundation for ONA designation – promoted as an Adult Ed Lenten Study Opportunity

3 Elder flock meetings –

Sunday, March 9 – 7-8:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 16 – 12 noon-1:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 30 – 12 noon-1:30 p.m.

• combine Elder flocks
• sign ups for gatherings
• gatherings all held at church
• child care provided
• gatherings include simple meals
• gatherings led by clergy teams from our church
• small groups discussions around presentations
• entire meetings to last 1 ½ hrs.
• include “rules for conducting dialogue”

Proposed date – Sunday, April 20 ’08 – Guest preacher Ann Hanson, Minister for Children, Families and Human Sexual Advocacy, UCC National Staff

• Rev. Hanson will lead an educational event for families with children on “How Do I Talk with My Child about ONA?”
• child care and simple activities not related to ONA

Proposed date – May ’08 -General Meeting of the Congregation

• hear from laypeople from other churches that have gone thru the ONA designation process
• impact of ONA designation on life of our church, programming, membership, identity in community
• opportunity to raise questions

Proposed date – May-June ’08 – Work session to Design ONA Statement for UCC/VF All interested persons in church family invited

Proposed date – May-June ’08 – Congregational meeting to accept ONA Statement and Designation

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