Our Purpose
To maintain and promote public and private worship of God. The UPA seeks to advance the teachings and spirit of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ of faith, to develop Christian fellowship, and to minister to and in the world. The Parish also seeks to support and enable members in their individual ministries. (adopted 2009)
Our Mission
We seek to be an Inclusive Church, Grounded in Christian Love, Committed to Service. (adopted 2018)
Open and Affirming/Reconciling Statement
In April of 2000, the UPA publicly affirmed its commitment to welcome all people to worship and fellowship with God by adopting the following ‘Open & Affirming and Reconciling’ statement:
Recognizing that the church historically has not always welcomed all persons, we affirm the God-given worth and dignity of every individual as our sister or brother, and we welcome all persons, including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender to the full life and ministry of the United Parish of Auburndale. We celebrate all relationships founded on the principles of God’s love, compassion and faithfulness and embrace the responsibility to work against all forms of discrimination.
We are UNITED METHODIST.
We are CONGREGATIONAL (United Church of Christ).
The Annual Meeting [First Sunday of February] holds final authority for carrying out the mission and ministry of the United Parish of Auburndale. All members of UPA have voice and vote in Annual Meeting.
The monthly administration of the church is carried on through Parish Council leaders in concert with elected committees and boards, listed below. The names of current leadership is listed in line below. New nominations and volunteers are welcome at all time via THIS FORM.
Following the annual corporate meeting, the Moderator shall appoint a Nominating Committee chaired by the Vice Moderator to nominate individuals and members for Officers, Boards, Staff Parish Committee, and Denominational Representatives. The Pastor(s) shall serve ex-officio on the committee. This committee will be responsible for reviewing the participation of elected officers and board members throughout the year and for making nominations to fill vacancies as they occur.
THE PARISH COUNCIL shall be responsible for the overall supervision and coordination of programs, projects and services developed in the several Boards and areas of Parish life. This shall include the operation of a planning process that contributes to the identification of needs, setting goals, fixing of priorities, scheduling of events and evaluation for outcomes. The Council as a support body shall provide for the orientation and training of Board members and leaders. It shall prepare the agendas for Annual Meetings and Quarterly Meetings, resolve differences between Boards and establish patterns of communication throughout the Parish.
The Council shall be composed of the Moderator, Vice Moderator, Clerk and Chairpersons of the Boards, and the Pastor(s); a majority of members of the Council shall constitute a quorum. The Council shall serve as a standing committee of the Parish and shall have the authority to fill vacancies in any of the officers or Boards or Committees of the Parish until the next Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD OF WORSHIP shall be responsible with the Pastor(s) for planning and evaluating the worship life of the Parish. This shall include establishing a time of worship, the overseeing and promoting of special worship services, and the presentation of the arts as creative expressions of the human spirit. It shall be responsible for choir supplies; the scheduling and supervision of weekly liturgists and ushers; the care, tuning and repair of musical instruments; the taping of sermons, and pulpit supply in the absence of the Pastor(s). The Board may create committees to carry out altar maintenance and communion preparation. The Board, in cooperation with the Pastor(s) and the Staff Parish Committee, shall be responsible for recommending the appointment of the Director of Music. The Board of Worship, in cooperation with the Pastor(s) and the Director of Music, shall be responsible for recommending the appointment, evaluation and termination of services of other musical staff and shall recommend remuneration for these positions within established guidelines and budgetary provisions.
Linda Wood-Boyle – CHAIR (Council member)
Gail Gillespie
Natalie Austrian
Granville Harris
Ellen Wright
[Music Director (Children’s Music Director), Pastor, Deacon]
THE BOARD OF STEWARDSHIP shall be responsible for the management of Parish property and financial resources in a manner that will further the mission of and purpose of the Parish. It shall work with other Boards to build an annual budget for Parish review and adoption, conduct fund-raising activities, provide for a system of accounting, and supervise financial officers. The financial responsibility of the Board shall also include management of investments and memorial gifts, and the cultivation of bequests for ministry in wills and estate plans. The Board shall provide for the repair and maintenance of Parish property, insurance coverage, and a policy on room use by Parish groups and community or outside organizations. The Treasurer shall serve ex-officio on this Board.
Bob Dutton – CHAIR (Council member)
Treasurer – Dave Stuart (Council member)
Finance Secretary – Janet Conway
Kathy Beckwith
Lou Membrino
Lyman Jackson
[Pastor, Church Administrator]
THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION shall be responsible for the overall coordination of the Christian education programs of the Parish. Its planning and programming shall include Sunday Church School, youth ministries, confirmation class, and other educational programs of interest to the youth and children.
The Board shall be responsible for planning and coordinating educational events of interest to adults of the parish. These events shall generally take the form of forums and workshops scheduled to follow the fellowship time after Sunday worship. The Board shall also periodically sponsor study groups, workshops, and classes at other appropriate times, particularly during special seasons of the church year such as Lent. Subjects addressed shall include learning opportunities of interest to adult Christians, outreach possibilities, Bible study, lifetime experiences, and spiritual and denominational concerns.
The Board shall be responsible for making diligent effort to meet and become acquainted with newcomers to the United Parish. The Board is to continually explore ways of reaching out into the community to bring in new people and to make certain that those who attend regularly be shown ways they may become active participants, with the hope they will join the ranks of full membership. The Board shall act on the requests from those who ask to join as members and as associate members and send their recommendations to the Parish Council.
Beth Viveros – CHAIR (council member)
Emily Jeep-Klingamon – Co-Chair
Carol Dutton
Bob Dutton
Kevin McGovern
Becca Walsh/Byron Bradley
Jan Spicer
[Education Director, Pastor]
THE BOARD OF COMMUNITY shall be responsible for personal group activities that contribute to the nurture of individuals and builds a sense of community in the church. Its community building responsibility may include the creation of sharing groups and other invitations to involvement. The Board shall also promote an informal group climate, fellowship and hospitality activities, and provide support services for shut-ins and hospitalized members. It shall also provide church-wide activities and functions that promote the sense of community for the church.
Don Ross – CHAIR (council member)
Carole Smith – Co-Chair
Toni Miller
Mary Reppert
Mary Freeman
Sue Diazlo
Sue O’Connell
[Pastor]
THE BOARD OF OUTREACH shall be responsible for framing and overseeing programs that minister to human needs beyond the United Parish in a manner reflecting the church’s moral, social, and ecumenical concerns. Such programs may be local, national, and international in scope and encompass such issues as peace, justice and freedom. Its programs should also take into account the promotion and coordination of local and national mission concerns with due consideration of denominational responsibilities. The Board shall recommend to a quarterly meeting of the Parish the percentage of the previous year’s undesignated income which shall be allocated to outreach the following year and report how monies are spent.
Denise Chicoine – CHAIR (Council member)
Martha Sweet
Rachelle Ross
Doris Ann Sweet
Allison Sharma
[Deacon, Pastor]
THE MODERATOR shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for a term of one year and may serve no more than two consecutive terms. It is the duty of the Moderator to conduct corporate business meetings of the Parish, to conduct the meetings of the Parish Council, and to represent the Parish as its principal lay leader.
Natascha George, February 2018 through February 2020
THE VICE MODERATOR shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for a term of one year and shall assume the duties of the Moderator in the absence of the Moderator and shall chair the nominating committee.
John Connor, February 2018 through February 2020
Assumes role of Moderator February 2020
THE CLERK shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for a term of one year. It is the duty of the Clerk to attend corporate business meetings of the Parish, to keep records of these meetings, to keep a complete record of the membership of the Parish, to be the secretary of the Parish Council and keep records of the same, and to call meetings of the Parish in the manner herein provided. The Clerk shall be sworn into office at the Annual Meeting. The Clerk may be authorized to cast one ballot for the election of any Officer, Board or Committee member or Denominational Representative when there is only one nominee for each position.
Dana Dornbusch
THE TREASURER and Assistant Treasurer shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for a term of one year. The Treasurer shall have charge of receiving and disbursing all monies, and the custody of all securities belonging to the Parish; shall make such investments or changes in investments of the Parish’s funds as may be directed by the Board of Stewardship; and shall present accounts properly audited at each Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall furnish such other reports regarding financial matters as the Boards or Parish Council may from time to time require.
The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer, and in the absence of the Treasurer shall assume the same duties as that of the Treasurer. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall furnish a bond in such amount as may be determined by the Board of Stewardship, the premium for which is to be paid by the Parish.
Dave Stuart
THE COLLECTOR AND ASSISTANT COLLECTOR shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for a term of one year. The Collector shall attend to the collection of pledges and all contributions to the Parish, shall keep a record of such collections, and notify the members and contributors to the Parish quarterly as to the status of their giving. The Collector shall furnish a bond in such amount as may be determined by the Board of Stewardship, the premium for which is to be paid by the Parish.
Janet Conway
Carol Roush
THE AUDITOR AND ASSISTANT AUDITOR shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for a term of one year and may serve no more than four consecutive terms. The Auditor shall examine the accounts of the Treasurer and Collector and the securities of the Parish and make a report of the same at the Annual Meeting.
Non-Appointed Role
DENOMINATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES shall be elected at the Annual Meeting to represent the Parish at meetings of the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ and to report to the church. The Denominational Representatives shall be responsible for advising the Pastor(s), Parish Council and members of on denominational matters and to enable the church to realize its responsibility to the denominations with which it is associated. Denominational Representatives will publicize and promote denominational concerns within the life of the Parish.
United Church of Christ – Lyman Jackson
United Methodist Church – Bob Dutton
THE STAFF PARISH COMMITTEE shall consist of at least six lay persons who shall be representative of the entire membership of the Parish. Members shall serve a three-year term and shall be elected in such a manner that at least two are elected to the Committee at each Annual Meeting.
2020 Brian Bean
2020 Sonia Parker
2021 Julie Redmond (CHAIR)
2021 Doug Spicer
2022 Katie Jackson
2022 Kris Finn
The Committee shall relate to the Pastor(s) and the Director of Music and, in special circumstances, to other staff members. The Committee shall maintain relations with appropriate denominational officials.
The Committee shall meet at least quarterly but preferably monthly. It shall meet additionally at the request of responsible denominational officials, the Pastor(s) or other staff members, or the Chairperson of the Committee. The Committee shall meet only with the knowledge of the Pastor(s).
The Committee may meet with responsible officials without the Pastor(s) being present; however, when the Pastor(s) are not present, the Pastor(s), or any member of the staff under consideration shall be informed prior to such meeting and immediately thereafter be brought into consultation either by the Committee or by denominational officials.
The duties of the Committee shall include the following:
1.) to confer with the Pastor(s) and Director of Music in the development of an effective ministry. To keep the Pastor and staff advised concerning conditions within the Parish as they affect relations between the Pastor(s), staff and members. To interpret the nature and function of the ministry to the members.
2.) to counsel with the Pastor(s) and Director of Music on matters pertaining to their relationship with the Parish, including priorities to be given in the use of their time. To counsel with other staff members on matters pertaining to their relationship with the Parish or their associates insofar as these are not considered or specifically dealt with by the Board to which they are responsible.
3.) to evaluate annually the effectiveness of the Pastor(s) relationship to the growth and depth of the life of the Parish; and in consultation with the chair of the Board of Worship, to evaluate the effectiveness of the Director of Music.
4.) to consult on matters pertaining to pulpit supply, proposals for salary, travel expense, vacation, health and life insurance, pension, continuing education, housing, and other matters affecting the work of the Pastor(s). To make recommendations regarding such matters to the Parish Council, and to report requested budget items to the Board of Stewardship. The Committee may arrange with the Parish Council for the necessary time and financial assistance for the attendance of the Pastor(s) at such continuing education events as may serve the Pastor(s) professional and spiritual growth.
5.) to recommend in consultation with the Chair of the Board of Worship, remuneration for the Director of Music, within established guidelines and budgetary provisions.
6.) to interview, evaluate, review and recommend to the Parish meeting or charge conference persons who are candidates for entering the ministry.
7.) to confer with the Pastor(s) if it should become evident that the best interests of the Parish and Pastor(s) will be served by a change of Pastor. A three months notice shall be given in writing when a Pastor resigns or is terminated.
8.) to confer with the Director of Music, Pastors, and Chair of the Board of
Worship if it should become evident that the best interests of the Parish and Director of Music will be served by a change of Director of Music. A three months notice shall be given in writing when a Director of Music resigns or is terminated.
PROPERTY BOARD
Rich Frantz CHAIR (Council)
Jim Miller
Lou Membrino
Brian Redmond
Ken Smith
Walter Piescik
Marilyn Harris
[Pastor, Church Administrator, Sexton]
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
John Ross, chair
Karen Agnew
Jim Miller
Sherwood Norton
Elizabeth McVittie
Brian Redmond
Dave Stuart
Bob Dutton
[Denominational Representatives]
OPEN and AFFIRMING COMMITTEE
Sue O’Connell CO-CHAIR(council)
Charlie Kessler CO-CHAIR
Jane Frantz
Rich Caswell
Doris Ann Sweet [Member Outreach]
MEMBERSHIP CULTIVATION
Kristin McGovern CHAIR (council)
Caryn Bean
Mahala Davenport
Sean Gallivan
Sue Membrino
Paddy Scott