1999 Annual Meeting
The opening session of GS22 began, notably, with a speak-out by the Rev. Dr. Harold Wilke calling the church to task for omitting “ACCESSIBLE TO ALL” from references to our stated intent to be a “multiracial, multicultural church, accessible to all.” Jewel Shuey and assistants kept this message before GS attendees in a fresh way each day with numerous changing posters which began with simply a big black “A”, evolved to “MMA,” and eventually to “Multiracial, Multicultural, and Accessible to All.” All statements in the new UCC Bylaws, which had omitted the term “accessible to all,” were changed in actions of the delegates by friendly amendments, as was wording in one of the other resolutions before GS. The combined NCPWD/Mental Illness Network (MIN) booths were again centers of hospitality and sharing for Synod goers. Our new NCPWD commercial display background was a good addition and made it easy to change the display to reflect important activities of each day. Harold Wilke was often present in the booth, with his wife, Peg. He autographed many copies of his autobiography, “Angels on My Shoulders, Muses at My Side,” just released by Cokesbury Books. Two resolutions came before the delegates of particular concern to NCPWD/MIN. The first requested the church take a pro-active stance toward the calling of clergy with disabilities. The second called on the people of God to open wide their hearts to persons with serious mental illnesses (brain disorders). Both passed by an overwhelming majority following some editorial changes made during the committee process. Our workshop, “Your Faith has Made You What? The Meaning of Wholeness for Persons with Disabilities,” and our meal which emphasized conference task forces on disability issues were very successful in bringing new people into our circle and in meeting real needs. The accommodations for persons with disabilities at GS plenary sessions, worship services, and in the Convention Center and hotels continue to be a source of concern. NCPWD committee members were enthusiastically welcomed and used as resources by the local arrangements committee once we arrived at GS, but, we were not given the opportunity to work with the local arrangements committee prior to GS. Consequently, despite the excellent work of the local committee, there were avoidable slip-ups. Some of these were attributable to denominational office planning rather than to the local committee. Of particular concern to the NCPWD is the difficulty persons needing special hotel accommodations have in making reservations and in making sure that their individual needs can be met. In addition, the serving of communion continues to be an issue. Persons with visible disabilities were singled out for individual service at this GS, and given no option to pass the communion vessels along with other worshipers. Because this was not announced beforehand (which would have resulted in the same objections it did with consequent changing of the arrangements, as happened at GS 21), there was confusion. Persons with disabilities began to pass the vessels and then had them pulled away by servers. ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation for plenary sessions initially was provided only during the scheduled times. When delegates voted to extend a session, persons who required interpreter services, became disenfranchised because the interpreters left the podium at their scheduled times. This was brought to the attention of delegates, and the problem seemed to have been resolved by the conclusion of GS. Our committee will again make diligent efforts to be resource persons to UCC staff and to the local arrangements committee for GS 23. Such coordination is strongly recommended by the local arrangements committee of the Rhode Island Conference. One anonymous GS delegate said to one of our members, after the week was well underway, “This is YOUR Synod, isn’t it!” We were well-pleased with our increasing visibility and acceptance. (Report by Billie Louise (Beezy) Bentzen, Past Chair-person, NCPWD) On July 4, 1999, at General Synod in Providence, the Rev. Dr. Harold Wilke was honored at the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries’ Banquet. Harold was ordained in 1939. During his sixty year career he accomplished many things on behalf of the UCC. As an advocate for persons with disabilities he touched the lives of many clergy and laity with disabilities. Harold received a lifetime achievement award at the Banquet which consisted in part of a special medallion that Paul Sherry presented to him. The presentation was followed by a standing ovation which lasted several minutes. Everyone present at the banquet shared in a very special spiritual moment. Harold served in many capacities over his 60 year career as a pastor, chaplain, author, speaker, and workshop leader. He served 10 years as director of Lay Life and Leadership, the predecessor of the Office for Church Life and Leadership. Harold is the founder and director of the ‘Healing Community’. He has addressed the United Nations, and delivered a speech to the Pope who warmly embraced him after the message. He, along with the Reverend Virginia Kreyer was the catalyst that started the UCC National Committee On Persons With Disabilities (UCPWD), now known as the UCC Disabilities Ministries (UCCDM). A strong advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), President George Bush invited him to offer a blessing when the President signed the bill. It is believed that this was the first time a bill signing ceremony included a prayer. Harold has been called by some disability experts the grandfather of the ADA. In grateful recognition of his gifts and service the UCCDM announced the formation of the “Wilke Fund,” a fund that will be used to support the goals of the UCCDM. The Annual Meeting of the NCPWD was held in Providence, Rhode Island on July 7, 1999, with seven members, two staff persons, and 13 associate members and friends, including representatives from the Mental Illness Network, attending. Minutes will be distributed to members, associate members, and friends who attended the meeting. (Should anyone else wish to receive minutes, please contact one of the persons listed at the end of the issue.) We reflected upon what the UCC restructuring implies for the UCCDM in the future and what we need to do to grow into the future. We will have a much stronger presence in the new structure with voting members having six-year terms on the Executive Council and the boards of Local Church Ministries, Wider Church Ministries, and Justice and Witness Ministries, and a voting member on the GS Nominating Committee. The level of representation in the new national structure does not mesh with our current committee structure and bylaws. Keeping up with these activities will consume most of our budget and leave few financial resources for pursuing the DM mission. The following people will represent the committee as voting members in the UCC national structure: Executive Council: Christina Thomas; Local Church Ministries: Jeanne Tyler; Wider Church Ministries: Charles Bamforth; Justice and Witness Ministries: Beezy Bentzen; GS Nominating Committee: Doris Dunn. Members reported to the NCPWD on the structures and budgets of other historically under-represented groups within the UCC that might serve as models for the further development of the UCCDM. A committee was appointed to draft revised bylaws. We considered a membership fee and fund raising. We also considered having a national gathering. Committee Members elected for 1999-2001 and their terms are as follows: Doris Dunn (2001), Charlie Bamforth (2001), Christina Thomas (2001), Rita Fiero (2003), Jeanne Tyler (2003), Jewel Shuey (2005), and Donald Lawrence (2005). New officers: Co-chairpersons: Rita Fiero, Jeanne Tyler; Vice-chairperson: Charles Bamforth; Secretary: Doris Dunn; Executive Council Representative: Christina Thomas. Report by Beezy Bentzen, Past-Chairperson, NCPWD Thank you Beezy and Peggy for your service to NCPWD. From UCC DM Newsletter ArchiveNCPWD, ALIVE AND WELL AT GENERAL SYNOD (GS) 22
REV. DR. HAROLD WILKE CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF MINISTRY!
“Planning to Grow” 1999 NCPWD Annual Meeting