Metropolitan Association

New York Conference, UCC

Committee on Ministry Report

November 3, 2018

The Committee on Ministry has been working diligently and moving in the Spirit of Christ.  A new and right spirit has infused the COM, and candidates, for standing in the Association, are experiencing a spirit of cooperation, collegiality and love as they journey, with God, to fulfill their calls to ministry. The COM is grateful to God for the ability to serve Him and this Association with excellence, understanding that this work is a sacred ministry requiring prayer and discernment.

Special thanks to all the committee members who spend hours reading reports and papers, and hours meeting, sometimes, late into the night, to shepherd people in the process. The COM is especially grateful for the professionalism, spirit and joy of our Registrar, Claudette Joy Spence, who performs her ministry with dedication and compassion. To God be all the Glory!

I am delighted to report the following Ordinations and/or Installations since our last meeting in April:

Rev. Dr. Nigel Pearce was ordained and installed at Grace Congregational Church of Harlem.

Rev. Reginald Brantley was installed at the Corona Congregational Church.

Rev. James Sterner was Ordained at Broadway UCC

The following people have been approved by Ecclesiastical Councils:

Amy Harbo

Marie Tracy

Michael Vanacore

The following people are scheduled to be ordained before 2019: Please make every effort to attend and support these fine servants of God!

Marie Tracy, Broadway UCC, Hospice Chaplain: Dec 1, 2018

Michael Vanacore, Park Avenue Christian Church, Associate Pastor, Trinity Lutheran: December 9, 2018

Valerie Ross, called to Nazarene Congregational Church, Designated Pastor, November 10, 2018 at Judson Memorial Church

Doreen R. Forde: Corona Congregational Church, Associate Pastor, November 17, 2018

The following people have been received as MID’s

Sam Kinsman, Judson Memorial Church

Christopher Dieguez from the Garden City Community Church as an MID and licensed minister

Marjorie Price from the Garden City Community Church as an MID and Licensed Minister

Antigone Lowery as an MID and endorsed for Military Chaplaincy

Dr. Ruth Shaffer, Safe Haven UCC

Minister Phyllis Coachman, Safe Haven UCC

Jared Gilbert, Broadway UCC

Lance Hurst, Judson Memorial

Transfers into the Association:

Rev. Dr. Kelly Hough-Rogers

Rev. Jeff Mansfield

The Committee will recess in November because of the extraordinary number of ordination ceremonies that are coming this Fall.

Other News: Paul Cohn and Stephanie Bennett of the COM have agreed to work with the Spiritual Life Committee to begin periodic support check in phone calls for clergy. Metro Clergy should expect to be contacted by Spiritual Life and/or the COM in the months to come.

A number of our ordained clergy who are NOT on COM have agreed to mentor our MID candidates with a COM member assigned as a committee contact and guide. They will be trained by Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams this Fall.

The COM is organizing an anti-racism training for January or February so Metro clergy can stay in compliance with the requirements for standing in Metro. More information will be provided in the coming months

A new MID manual has been created and will soon be available on the internet. There are several significant changes that should be noted:

The fee for MID applications has increased to $55.00

The Association will no longer bear 1/3 of the cost of Psychological evaluations. The applicants and the sponsoring church will share the $650 fee.

There are now alternative paths to ordination that may not include seminary education.

MID’s are now mentored by ministers outside of the COM.

MID’s now have an avenue to grieve if they think the MID process at their church or Association is unfair to them.

Please lift the COM in prayer as we continue to encourage and journey with ministerial candidates.

Blessings for a fruitful Fall season!

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Kris Watson, COM Chair