1999 APRRE General Business Meeting
Minutes
Toronto, Canada
Sara Lee brought the meeting to
order.
Approximately 65 persons were in
attendance.
Honoring of Persons Who Have or Are
About to Retire
Chuck
Melchert spoke in honor of Berard Marthaler. Melchert shared that Berard has
long embodied the theme of this year's meeting: particularism and pluralism. He
was the first Roman Catholic member of aprre. His work in catechisms and creeds is
thoroughly grounded in a particular tradition but he does it in a way that is
open. He taught at Catholic University of America and also edited The
Living Light. Already in the
‘70's he invited Protestants to be a part of the editorial board of that
Catholic journal. He was also the first Roman Catholic president of aprre. He spent a sabbatical in
residence at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education while working on a
book on Catholic creeds. We will miss his gentle, irenic spirit - and the
twinkle in his eye, as he makes astute but ironic observations.
Jack
Seymour spoke in honor of Chuck Foster. Foster is a Past aprre President. He taught at United
Methodist Theological Seminary of Ohio, Scarritt, and Candler. He has
particular passions for history and intercultural issues. Foster is retiring
early--not yet 62. He is passionate about life and is willing to take big steps
forward in his journey. Foster is a gracious, listening friend who in trust has
called us to be more than we thought we could be. He and Jan are blessed hosts
across difference and offer foretastes of the Great Banquet. He will be
retiring into teaching, writing, and gardening.
Bill Lord honored Ian Knox, who died
earlier in the year. He was a Spiritan priest, a member of the Congregation of
the Holy Spirit. He received his doctorate from Notre Dame. His dissertation
was revised and published later with the title, Above and Within.
He taught for many years in the faculty of Education at the University of
Toronto and courses in Religious Education at St. Michael's, faculty of
theology. His other book, Theology for Teachers, had been revised
just before his death. We will miss his soft voice and gentle wisdom. God gives
God's beloved their rest.
Lucinda Huffaker honored Edward
Everding. Everding's degree was from Harvard in New Testament. Religious
Education was a matter of retooling for him. He had a mutual dedication to
teaching the bible and the process of teaching. He used creative pedagogy at
Iliff, reflecting his commitment to the transformational power of education.
Everding was also committed to the church and the leaders of the church. He was
gentle, devoted to students, and had a good sense of humor.
Thanks were given to Sara Lee for
her leadership--affirmed by the membership in applause.
Thanks were also given to Thomas
Groome for his service as president during the past year. Recognition was given
to the three Executive Committee members concluding their terms: Susan Davies, Patrice Rosner, and Robert
O’Gorman.
Sara Lee announced Chuck Melchert's
planned departure from the office of Executive Secretary. She explained that a
search committee has been formed to prepare for the transition. It is chaired by
Susan Davies and includes Mary Elizabeth Moore, and Russ Moy. Forms were
distributed soliciting information from the membership about their expectations
for Melchert's successor. By the time of the meeting in the fall of 2000 names
of candidates should be identified. The goal is to elect a person one year
ahead of Melchert's departure so there will be an overlapping for transitional
period. APRRE will need to address the cost incurred by the overlap. A meeting
took place with Groome, Lee and Melchert regarding needs, concerns and
qualities of a new Executive Secretary. The same types of issues were on the
forms given to the membership asking for input. The position is an episodic
job. A job description will be in the January/February newsletter. A lot of the
work is in preparing for the conference, newsletter and membership
management. Members were encouraged to
share comments with a search committee member. Melchert added that he is not
running out on APRRE. The position is just taking too much time from his
writing, which was his reason for retiring from teaching. Lee observed that a
lot has been done by the committee already since its start on Friday. Thank you
given to the committee.
The Executive Committee recommends
that a joint effort between APRRE and the REA begin to explore funding for
planning the future of the Religious Education journal. The future needs to be
ensured and made even more promising than at present. Melchert is to facilitate
getting this started by assisting a committee created by the Executive
Committee of APRRE. There is insufficient time for small group discussion of
this issue during this meeting. All members are urged to give initial feedback
and comments to Melchert who will pass them on to the committee. At this point
the committee includes Tom Walters, Sara Lee and Chuck Melchert, with Hanan
Alexander and Jack Seymour as consultants. Good support for the idea has come
from REA representatives.
Melchert presented the budget and
the financial report from last fiscal year. The numbers in last year's
financial report are higher in light of meeting with the REA last year. There
was a deficit from last year on paper—large expenses apparently without
matching funds but funds were received from a grant in the previous year. APRRE
did not lose money, as it would appear. The report does not show additional
reserves of $11-12,000 and travel funds in the $8,000 range. APRRE is not in a
bad shape financially.
Lee recommended two changes to the
proposed budget. ONE- the salary of the Executive Secretary. Melchert has done
well without adequate compensation. The Executive Committee would like to offer
the new Executive Secretary something more commensurate but they also do not
want the next person to be the sole beneficiary of that decision. The proposal
is to gradually increase Melchert's salary to get where APRRE wants it to be
for the next Executive Secretary. Raise from $5,000 to $6,000 to $7,000 in the
next years. TWO-Issue of income. The Executive Committee recommends that dues
be raised from $55 to $65 for members and associates and from $25 to $30 for
emeritus and student. Lee commented that APRRE has a bright future and
decisions should be made now that positions APRRE to move forward. The raise is
modest and last year’s increase has not negatively impacted membership. The
increase would also facilitate stronger outreach to doctoral programs and
expanding the membership base.
Questions and comments from floor: Need to specify that the budget is
in U.S. dollars. Remember that
the exchange increase is impacting Canadian members more. Why not take Canadian
at face value? Or should we look at the
future impact of doing so? May Elizabeth Moore recommended that Canadian members
be exempt for the coming financial year from the increase. Moved and seconded.
(That would be about 40 to 50 members.) What of other foreign members - should
they be included? Would that make it difficult to project income? Chuck thought
it would not be too bad. The difficulty is that it costs more to support
international members. For example, it costs the same dollars to send mail to
55 non-US members as does to send mail to 400 US members. Still, we should be able to do that and keep
balance. Vote on amendment, which would exempt all foreign members from the
dues increase for this coming year.
Passed without dissent. Vote on the budget as amended. Passed without
objections.
It was observed that one way to make
up loss get more members in attendance.
Melchert reported that work has
begun on the dates and locations for meetings in the next three years. The
meeting during 2003 will be in Chicago for the100th anniversary of
REA, hopefully at the Palmer House. For 2001 and 2002 Boston, Baltimore and
Minneapolis/St. Paul are being considered.
Regarding dates, the pattern will be
the first weekend in November or last weekend in October. Next year the days will
be November 3-5. Davies was curious about opinions about meeting with aar because she was hearing concerns
expressed. Lee responded by saying that last year the membership unanimously
voted after discussion to meet separately. This is the first year of meeting
separately and APRRE needs the opportunity to see how this works for the next
few years. Lee suggested the issue be revisited after another couple of
meetings.
Melchert shared that next year's
meeting will be on November 3-5 in Atlanta. A hotel has already been selected
but an additional three will be considered this coming week. The newsletter
will announce the specific location and will ask for information for the new
membership directory. A request was made to have the call for papers come
earlier.
Jack Seymour reported that the theme
for the meeting will be “Knowing God: Meeting God in the Peoples of God.” He
intends to build in and expand in the program the voices of persons in
congregations and justice ministries. It is best when we talk directly with
those who live and lead in congregations; people who are seeking to live out
their faith even when the congregation does not take them seriously. He is
intending to open with a liturgy drawing on voices from congregations.
Attention will be given to examining methodologies in use. Time will be devoted
to leaving the hotel and engaging communities in Atlanta. The last session
return to issues of revelation.
Melchert reminded the membership
that next year will be a joint meeting with the REA.