Unity Ministers of the Mid Atlantic States

Meeting Minutes

Cookeville, TN - May 4, 2004

I. The meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m. by Joel Blackford. Teny Fisher, “Minister of Finance” at Unity Church of the Cumberlands was introduced and shared about “Prosperity: A Covenant Between God and Me” a stewardship campaign program she developed. Joel led the opening prayer.

II. Present: Joel Blackford, Maryanne Blackford, Denise Yeargin, Sydney Magill-Lindquist, Chad O’Shea, Rene Pare, Marie Pare, Victoria Lafser, Kaye Phillips, Jervais Phillips, Catherine Padgett, Susan Scott Downs, Julie Wilkinson, Steve Bolen, Mary Bolen, Allison Mann, Charlotte Seeger, Beth Curtis, Charlie Curtis, Kathy Nelson, David Nelson, Kathleen McKevitt, Margee Grounds, Felicia Searcy, Cherie Larkin, Rice Pierce, Arlene Meyer, Russell Heiland.

III. The agenda was unanimously approved as submitted.

IV. Approval of the minutes of the February 2004 UMMAS meeting was tabled until May 5.

V. The financial report presented by Sydney Magill-Lindquist was unanimously approved as submitted. N.B. Tithes sent to Silent Unity are applied to Unity’s James Dillet Freeman Fund. This fund supports the work of Silent Unity. It was unanimously decided to tithe our current discretionary tithe ($160.00) to Barbara and Mike Huffman. Barbara is an incoming MEP candidate from the Atlanta area.

VI. Discussion of the Southeast Regional Meeting (October 4-8, 2004) ensued, facilitated by Margee Grounds.

Opening night - Judy Blackwelder and Denise Yeargin will provide music and opening program. They will do music daily as needed (usually ½ hr. in AM and before PM programs).

Sallye Taylor has agreed to do a presentation for one day/night, and will attend the entire program. Her fee is $1000 for any four hours plus expenses. She will require transportation to/from airport. UMMAS will make her travel plans. She expects a letter of confirmation. Her telephone number is: 913-236-4638. Sallye’s website is www.soulfoodunityministries.com, noted under Alternative Ministries in our AUC Yearbook. Rabbi Birnholz fees are $1000.00 plus expenses.

Margee Grounds has agreed to serve as program director. The following agreed to serve as a team for this activity: Catherine Padgett, Joel Blackford, Chad O’Shea, Arlene Meyer, Kathleen McKevitt, Ed Kosak (volunteered by Joel). Kathleen will work on brochures with Donna Kopitsky, whom she volunteered.

It was unanimously agreed to pay expenses for Judy Blackwelder and Denise Yeargin.

Judy Blackwelder and Denise Yeargin will do a choir workshop.

Russell Heiland volunteered to do a workshop on Campus Ministry.

Felicia Searcy suggested Dale Savage to do a workshop based on Maria Nemeth’s work.

Cherie Larkin and Rice Pierce agreed to do a workshop on Enrichment Giving.

Joel and Maryanne Blackford volunteered to do a team building “funshop”

V.Discussion about the Kanuga Retreat (Sept. 13-17, 2004), facilitated by Felicia Searcy.

Monday, Sept. 13 is for ministers only. Retreatants arrive Tuesday, Sept. 14.

Steve Bolen shared an update about keynote speaker Mary Manin Morrissey. Her broadcasting agency has experienced some financial difficulties and is in the process of engaging in some financial reorganization. This should not impact her participation at Kanuga.

The “God Walk” was cancelled in order to have free time.

Maryanne Blackford volunteered to coordinate materials for “Sacred Circles” leaders. Joel will coordinate seating of same. Circle leaders will be verified at ministers’ pre-retreat gathering on Sept. 13.

Colleen Engle and Kaye Phillips are doing registration. Donna Kopitsky will post Kanuga info on our website. Mary Morrissey will post a link to UMMAS website on hers.

Catherine Padgett will provide Kanuga corrected master flyers to UMMAS members.

Capacity at Kanuga is 200 total participants. Kanuga has assured us that “overage” is not a problem.

VI. Board training will be held at Atlanta Unity on Aug. 13-14. Gary Simmons will be presenter. Reservations: Holiday Inn Select, 4383 Chamblee-Dunwoody Drive, Atlanta, GA (770) 457-6363, ref: Atlanta Unity when making reservations. Atlanta Unity is located at 4146 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA. (770) 455-8920. John Strictland is minister. Lunch will be provided at church on Saturday. Program begins 7:00 p.m. on Aug. 13. WARNING: Arrive EARLY!! Atlanta traffic is very heavy on Fridays! Be sure to eat before the program on Friday. Maryanne Blackford will mail information to UMMAS ministers/ministries. Program topic may be about “congregational accountability.” UMMAS pays program fees – no cost to participants to attend other than travel/lodging.

VII. Scholarships and Grants were discussed. Felicia Searcy recommended Mahogany Matsey. Kaye Phillips requested a scholarship. Scholarships are for $500.00 per person. It was decided to maintain the current practice that letters of request for scholarship be sent to the UMMAS Executive Team President to be decided upon by the Executive Team. No grants were awarded at this time.

VIII. The report of the Executive Team was approved as presented. There was one item – approval of a grant to Steve Bolen. Report unanimously approved. Joel further reported on the work of the Executive Team including revised bylaws to be discussed in February 2005, revised standard operating guidelines. Sydney is creating an UMMAS Treasurer’s manual.

IX. Discussion ensued about making a cash contribution to the Southeast Region to support the Southeast Regional Meeting. It was moved that UMMAS give $4,000 to the Southeast Region for this year’s Minister’s conference. Motion passed unanimously.

X. Discussion ensued about UMMAS insurances. There was no known insurances on the organization. It was moved to authorize the Executive Team to investigate liability coverage for UMMAS and report back in February 2005. Unanimously approved.

XI. UMMAS is composed of TN, SC, NC and GA. This clarification was requested by the Executive Team.

XII. Margee Grounds reported that the Southeast Region can now accept Mastercard, VISA and American Express.

XIII. Scholarships and Grants Addendum. Beth Curtis asked about the past practice of UMMAS granting ministries buying new buildings. Past practice has been a grant of $1,000.00. It was unanimously decided to grant Crystal Coast Unity and Unity of Murfeesboro with $1,000.00 grants to support their purchases.

XIV. Jervais Phillips moved that UMMAS grant Victoria Lafser with $2,000.00 to assist with moving expenses to Washington State. Motion carried unanimously.

The business meeting closed with prayer led by Russell Heiland at 4:24 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Russell Heiland

Unity Ministers of the Mid Atlantic States

Meeting Minutes

May 5, 2004 - Cookeville, TN

I. The meeting was called to order by Joel Blackford at 9:18 a.m. Charlie Curtis read the Daily Word. Prayer was offered by the group in gratitude for the generous hospitality offered by Unity Church of the Cumberlands. Music was offered by Judy Blackwelder and Denise Yeargin.

II. Present: Chad O’Shea, Felicia Searcy, Marie Pare, Kathy Nelson, Victoria Lafser, Susan Scott Downs, Catherine Padgett, Denise Yeargin, Judy Blackwelder, Kaye Phillips, Joel Blackford, Maryanne Blackford, Russell Heiland, Beth Curtis, Charlie Curtis, Julie McKay Wilkinson, Steve Bolen, Mary Bolen, Allison Mann, Arlene Meyer, Rene Pare, David Nelson

III. A candid discussion about UMMAS, our Association, Unity, ministry and life in general ensued.

IV. The minutes of the February 2004 meeting were reviewed. They were unanimously approved with these two corrections:

Change Julie McKay Wilkinson’s email address to: revjulie3@bellsouth.net

Add addendum about discussion concerning discussion subsequent to distribution of gifts and grants held on Wed., Feb. 4, 2004.

V. The business meeting was closed at 10:12 a.m. by Joel Blackford.

Respectfully submitted,

Russell Heiland

N.B. UMMAS will meet Feb. 21-23, 2005 at Unity Christ Church, Wilmington, NC

THIS DATE IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WAS DISCUSSED IN COOKEVILLE ON ACCOUNT OF THE FACT FEB. 9 IS ASH WEDNESDAY. THE FOLLOWING WEEK IS VALENTINE’S DAY, SO WE (RUSSELL AND RENE) DECIDED ON FEB. 21-23.

The May 2005 meeting will be held at Christ Unity Church, Charlotte, NC, May 9-11.