Worship Committee Proposes Expanded Size, Responsibilities to April 14 Board Meeting in lieu of Empty Chaplain Slot

When Worship Committee Chair Don Weaver first learned that an Executive decision would be coming to eliminate the role of Chaplain in the Institute most likely by the Fall of 2018, he knew he would have to be preparing for a larger and more dynamically organized Worship Committee to absorb the responsibilities of that role. When the then-current Chaplain, G. Franklin was brought up to speed on the plan, he decided "not to delay nor stand in the way of progress," and submitted his resignation-retirement effective February 20, 2018.

Rev. Weaver then set up a proposed plan that included three (3) additional members to the Worship Committee and the job responsibilities that they would take on. His proposal to the Worship Committee, which the Committee has now accepted, follows:

1. Doug Wilson - who would serve as Worship Leader Coordinator. He has indicated to me that he is willing to recruit Worship Leaders for each of the Sundays of our season - their task would be to lead our congregation in worship and to introduce the weekly speakers. He will work to recruit clergy and laity that are connected to the Silver Lake community to serve in this capacity. 
2. Greg Franklin - who would serve as recruiter and coordinator of he Sunday Worship Speakers and the presenters of special music. He has agreed to do this recruitment with the aim of providing speakers from a variety of denominations and faith services.  Experience has shown us that because of the close relationship with Camp Asbury and the United Methodist Conference, persons with an attachment to the camp or the Institute tend to be the ones that are more readily and willing to commit to be our speakers.
3. Barb Weaver - who has agreed to recruit and coordinate child care programming for the services.  

[Items 1,2,3 are Official by Committee]

Dr. Weaver's plan also included:

Because there will be no appointed Chaplain for the SLI, Doug and I have agreed to have our names publicized as clergy that can be approached to offer Pastoral Care during the Summer Season. We would be willing to serve that need on a volunteer basis.

I have checked with the Chair of the Trustees, who has given me the "go ahead" to follow the same budget figures given to the Worship Committee when we anticipated having the Chaplain position filled. This would allow for us to be more flexible with how we support the worship expenses for the summer.

My suggestion is that we stay with the 10 week schedule for this season and explore with the committee how an 8 week season would work in the future. I also feel we need to get a response from the full Board of Trustees.

[Bullet Points are Official by Committee]

The Committee has responded to this plan and accepted it, so the finished proposal will be submitted to the Board of Trustees through its President at the Board's April 14th meeting at 10 a.m., most likely held in the SLI Shop/Garage, corner Wesley and Janes.