From Donna Leibin, a church member for the past decade:
Dear Policy Board,Thank you all for giving us the opportunity to voice our opinions today. Also, thank you all for the hours and endless energy that you contribute to our church. I was wondering if you might forward to the congregation through mail or email some key clarification points that came out of the meeting today.
1) that we are not eliminating the music program from our church, just cutting back and asking that members step up to the plate for more volunteers to work with our choirs.
2) that we are not eliminating RE, again just cutting back on spending, and in fact asking the director where she feels the cuts should come from within the program.
3) that a second minister is long overdue; let people know how overworked our minister is, and that with over 600 adults it is just an insult to not have this position filled.
4) pledging problems existed in this church for many years. We have talked this issue ad naseum. now it is time to talk of a solution and work with what we have. I for one am tired of hearing about the pledging problem and would like to just hear the solution of what we are going to do with what we have.
Also, I am respectfully asking that a policy board member have a conversation with Dick Krietner concerning his trying to tie the minister into the pledging problem.
This problem existed long before Rev. Nielsen became our minister. There are many, many, reasons behind this issue and to point a finger at the minister is irresponsible, especially when coming from somebody like Mr. Krietner who has been a long time member. I believe he is mis-informing people with pledging and membership statements and trying to tie it to the minister, and there is just no room for that kind of talk in this case. He is trying to create an issue that just doesn't exist and is not relevent.
Love is the spirit of this church and service its law, this our great covenant...to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love and to help one another...
It doesn't say anywhere in there, that we should point fingers and place blame, for problems that we have all created and must all solve together in the spirit of our affirmation.
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5 comments:
If love is the spirit of this church, I'm sure not feeling it in your remarks, Donna.
Someone from the policy board should "have a conversation" with Dick Kreitner?
That sounds like Louis DeLuca asking James Galante to have someone "talk" to his granddaughter's husband.
Dick and Debbie Kreitner love this church and had every right to say what they did. I respect them all the more for their courage.
Dick deserves praise for having the courage to say what others feel, but are afraid to express. The tone of this post and the nature of the comments I have heard over the past few months make me marvel at how intolerant people can be of dissent in a liberal congregation. It is never appropriate to silence people with whom you disagree.
Everyone in the church has the freedom to make any comments they want, in fact Dick did. The problem with Dick Kreitner's comments is that he is finger pointing at people, which will not solve the problem at hand. In fact the money problem has been an ongoing problem in the church for many years (prior to Jan's arrival). The church has been deficit spending and borrowing from the endowment for many years. This is not fiscally responsible!
The issue at hand is how to solve the ongoing fiscal shortfall. The board and Jan have suggested the correct (and difficult) fiscal path which is to make spending cuts to bring spending in line with revenue.
The music program is NOT being eliminated!
Religious education is NOT being eliminated.
The programs are being cut not eliminated!!
Nobody is saying that music or religious education is being eliminated. What's been targeted for elimination are the professional directors of the children's, youth and bell choirs. That's why many of us object to the plan.
We don't believe it is the short or long term interest of the church to dump experienced professionals in favor of volunteers. Even our kids know that's a bad idea.
I also feel the need to defend the Kreitners' right to say whatever they like about the church and its minister. While the financial crisis may have roots in the distant past, it's not ridiculous for someone to say that a different minister might do better in resolving it. That's a fair topic, whether you agree that Jan's part of the problem or not.
Personally, to the degree that Jan believes we need to cut the music program and the custodial pay, I think she's wrong, too.
Of course Dick Krietner has a right to speak out, as do I. I find it ironic that I am being persecuted for speaking out while he is being defended. For somebody to liken my words to that of Louis Deluca strong-arming his "grand-son-in-law" is childish and immature. Come on folks, listen (or read) with a little less emotion. I am about as far from intolerant to dissent as they come. I love our liberal congregation, and I love that my children get to grow up here. However, we strive to "seek the truth in love"....and I don't see that happening here. Donna Leibin
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