10TH ANNUAL MEETING UCCOSSN
Planned and Hosted by the New England Support Staff Steering Committee.
April 11-13, 1997
St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Connecticut
Ninety women and men, representing local churches, associations, conferences, and national support staffs attended the 10th Annual Meeting of the United Church of Christ Office Support Staff Network (UCCOSSN).
The Rev. Dr. Lynn Bujnak and Rev. Peggy Slater, of the Maine Conference, led the participants through a variety of activities focusing on ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE. Some of the issues addressed were, the importance of defining and respecting boundaries, confidentiality and ethics and conflict.
A variety of workshops was offered on Saturday, covering such topics as "The UCC: Who We Are and What We Believe", "Partners in Ministry", "Lotus Notes", "Computers and Web Pages", and Caring for the Caregiver". Each person was able to attend two workshops.
Worship and Bible Study were offered by the New England Support Staff Steering Committee, Rev. Davida Crabtree, Connecticut Conference Minister, and Rev. Daehler Hayes, Rhode Island Conference Minister.
Opportunities were also provided to meet old and new friends and visit nearby points of interest. A community building session employing the use of a "grab bag" enabled those gathered to collectively address a problem submitted by a peer. Questions ranged from the "nuts and bolts" of office procedure/equipment to how to address differing personal styles of working to steps toward achieving economic justice, i.e. salaries, benefits, pension.
The facility lended itself to quiet walks, contemplative moments and family style meals where we had a chance to bond and get to know one another outside of a work environment.
All persons in support staff positions in all settings of the United Church of Christ from local church to association to conference to national offices are members of the UCCOSSN.