Capital District Interfaith Alliance
Interfaith Alliance of New York State



Meeting Report
Capital District Chapter - The Interfaith Alliance of NYS
November 9, 1998


Present: Chair Jim Murphy, CREO; John Amidon, Universal Truth; Pat Beetle, Friends; Ed Bloch, Staff; Pearl Campbell, United Methodist Women at Trinity; Holly Cameron, New Scotland Presbyterian Church; Sr. Lee Connolly CSJ, Roman Catholic; Jean Cowan, American Baptist Church; June Gurnett, Presbyterian Church; Senley Jack, Friends of Friends Universal Community; George Klohck, United Methodist Church; Bob Lamar, Capital Area Council of Churches; Liz Pearson, Friends; Gene Rowland, Presbyterian Church; Joe Seeman, Reform Jewish; Gene Smith; United Armenian UCC Church; Luis Yat, Guatemala.

NEXT MEETING:
8:20 a.m., Tuesday, December 8th
Roman Catholic Pastoral Center

Chair Jim Murphy opened the meeting with silent prayer.

Bob Lamar reported on changed situation with respect to NYS Community of Churches. The new location of the Interfaith Alliance office - at least for a while - will be at the Fiscal Policy Institute office, 1 Lear Jet Lane, Latham, 12110. The phone number will be 783-7769 (FAX 786-3146) although there will be a forwarding message at the former number 436-9319, ext. 17.

Because The Interfaith Alliance of NYS is not really functioning efficiently as a statewide group, Lamar emphasized, the Capital District chapter is being asked by the Executive Committee to assume a bellweather role in giving leadership to other Chapters.

Chair Jim Murphy asked for a new focus of mission with the successful St. Francis Day conference behind us. Bob Lamar reminded the group that objectives should be set within the context of more frequent gatherings of faith groups and heavy emphasis of public policy discussions WITHIN THE CONGREGATIONS. Bob, Senley Jack and Joe Seeman volunteered to think through such objectives and report to the Dec. 8th meeting.

Among public policy issues suggested for such a focus: 1) electoral finance reform ("clean money") 2) a center for the disabled 3) shutdown of School of Americas which trains assassins (John Amidon, Pat Beetle and Liz Pearson will be in Georgia on this one and could be jailed) 4) the 23-hour lock-in for prison inmates in 'special housing units' and 5) a deliberate plan for action engaging the congregations on an ad hoc or long-range basis. 6) the "sweat-free schools" issue undertaken by the Labor-Religion Coalition.

In line with the Executive Committee request for more formal Chapter (free-standing) leadership roles, Chair Jim Murphy opened the discussion on choosing leaders. Sr. Lee Connolly called for intentional focus on the process by which leaders are chosen, keeping always in mind the diversity issues of gender, denomination, race etc. Jim Murphy was named by several to continue as Chair, though the possibility of rotating the chairmanship was raised. It was agreed that the positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer or Secretary-Treasurer be filled at the December 8th meeting.

It was additionally suggested that there be a Spokesperson for specific ad hoc issues or a Standing Committee of spokespeople to fill this role, particularly for media advocacy.

In terms of dealing with increased expenses under the new setup, Gene Rowland proposed consideration of membership dues.

Sr. Lee reminded the Chapter that it was essential to provide full reporting to Connection, the Capital Area Council of Churches newsletter. All items of interest should go to her at SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH PROVINCIAL HOUSE, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham 12110, the first part of every month.

NEXT MEETING:
8:20 a.m., Tuesday, December 8th
Roman Catholic Pastoral Center



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