The Hope Church consistory met in August and September and the following actions were taken at each of those meetings.
August
- The Personnel committee presented a report summarizing the staff reviews and the pastoral reviews that were held in the spring and early summer. This was the year for Pastor Jill’s 360º review with feedback from leadership, staff, and a random sample of congregational members. The committee was greatly impressed with all of these reviews and celebrated with the consistory the gifts the staff and pastors bring to their ministry as well as some of the challenges that they are working to address.
- The Consistory reviewed and updated our policy for recommending Hope Church members to come under care of the Classis for the purpose of pursuing ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament.
- The consistory heard the report of the elders who met with Andrew Spidahl and approved unanimously the request that he be recommended to the Classis of Holland to begin the process of pursuing ordination in the Reformed Church in America to become a Minister of Word and Sacrament.
- The Reconciliation Ministry asked the Consistory to send a letter to Representative Huizenga regarding the principles and values we want to see him affirm when considering immigration reform policy. This letter came to the Reconciliation Ministry from Justice for Our Neighbors, a group that works closely with immigrants within our community. The Consistory members discussed the letter and the implications of sending it at length and voted to both send the letter to Representative Huizenga and to send a copy of the letter to the Holland Sentinel as a letter to the editor. Read the letter.
September
- The Personnel committee shared the profile of the new seminary intern being placed at Hope Church for the 2013-2014 academic year. Danielle Floerchinger-Herrington will serve as an intern for 2 years and will join Paige Convis as she begins her second year interning at Hope Church. The Consistory was reminded that we are a part of the new Teaching Church program at Western Seminary. Read more about the Teaching Church program and both of our interns, Danielle and Paige.
- The Consistory followed up on the action taken at their June Consistory meeting to receive the remaining members of Crossroad Chapel into our membership. The Reconciliation Ministry invited Consistory members to join them in writing letters of welcome to each household of Crossroad Chapel. Read more about welcoming Crossroad Chapel members to Hope Church.
- The Consistory considered a request made at the July 14th General Synod Roundup session to send an overture to next summer’s General Synod urging the denomination to speak out against the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Consistory asked the Reconciliation Ministry to lead the exploration of an Overture to General Synod regarding alternatives to war and violence.