Meeting in Cleveland, Oct. 29-31, the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries Governing Board discussed its past, future and primary responsibilities.

A variety of members expressed apprehension during early plenary sessions as recent meetings were mired in governance discussions that had divided the board into winners and losers. "I realized early on this weekend that the board needed to figure out a way to get to our next steps without being trapped by the governing process of the last couple of years," said Board Chair the Rev. Leslie Penrose.

"I wanted to honor what we were sensing from the group," said Vice-Chair the Rev. Fredd Ward. "It was important to that we were responsive to the body while being responsible to the plenary agenda."

Given past conflict, the Board emphasized healing, prayer and song throughout their meeting. The Rev. A. Rebecca West officiated a morning worship session, leading the board through focused meditations guided by readings from Howard Thurman as well as inspirational hymns. West affirmed that she enjoys sharing her gifts with the Board and expressed her gratefulness that "for the first time [since the troubled governance conversations] people were able to say what was needed and it was heard. But the challenge is how it will be followed up."

The Board was given an orientation regarding their responsibilities entitled "Good Governance, Generative Leadership." They endorsed a new travel policy as a measure of good stewardship and will invite other Covenanted Ministries Boards and Executive Council to consider the same policy.

The Finance Committee recommended and passed four items including the 2010 Operating Budget, 2010 Centro Romero Budget, Clergy Housing Allowance and UCC Audited Financial Statements as of December 31, 2008. Four action items regarding common personnel policies were recommended - three passed and a revision of vacation policies was not approved.

The next meeting of the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries Governing Board will be during the Joint Board sessions April 15-17, 2010.