Annual Meeting Report, CCGB, 2011

An alluring spring evening, Cinco de Mayo revelers, challenging parking and street repairs could not thwart, in the words of Lutheran pastor Rev. Bryan Leone, “the best Council annual meeting ever” : the 66 th Annual Meeting of The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport on May 5 th , 2011.

Our hosts were the gracious people of First Congregational Church of Stratford, “Our Lady of the Flagpole” as Chief Operating Officer John Cottrell quips. Beth Harris, Carolyn Ross and the Hospitality Committee served up Stockbridge's Cheesecake and a host of home-made desserts to delight the palates of the nearly 150 people in attendance.

Their reward was not unearned. We knew May 5 th was Cinco de Mayo. What we didn't know was that a new Mexican restaurant opened ½ block south of the church just a few months before. Coupled with yet-unfinished street repairs under the I-95 and Metro-North overpasses, attendees found a congested venue.

But once inside the church, great conversation and hospitality led to a meeting highlighted by video. In partnership with General Electric Digital Media Communication and G.E. Community Relations, the “keynote address” was a new, 7 minute inspirational video highlighting the mission and service of The Council of Churches. It was augmented by video introductions to each of this year's five award recipients, each of whom gave acceptance speeches that uniformly shared their passion for their service and their humility in being recognized for it.

Click on the links below each awardee to view short videos highlighting their achievements.

Scott K. Wilderman and Career Resources, receiving the Lurline W. Reid Award given to individuals who demonstrate commitment and personal involvement giving individuals with criminal records a chance to begin new lives.

Click here to see a short video (then double click for full screen view)

Thomas G. Larson, receiving the Community Builder Award for distinction in serving the community through our Bridge Building Ministry and annual Youth Conference;

Click here to see a short video (then double click for full screen view)

Carl F. Johnson, Jr. and David S. Huntington, receiving the Life Member Award presented to individuals who provide strong leadership for a decade or more, distinctive and sustained generosity that supports mission, or personal work that sets policy and direction into the future;

Click here to see a short video, Carl Johnson (then double click for full screen view)

Click here to see a short video, David Huntington (then double click for full screen view)

Pedro E. Wasmer, receiving the Founder's Award in recognition of service spanning decades that embodies the spirit and service of The Council's founders in 1945.

Click here to see a short video (then double click for full screen view)

Copies of the 7 minute inspirational video are available to member churches.

We conducted business required by by-laws, adopting the previous year's minutes, receiving summary financial information for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010 and electing new and returning officers and directors. Carl Johnson was re-elected to a second two year term as Board chair in the absence of Board Vice-Chair Fr. Demetrios Recachinas, who for personal reasons could not ascend to the chair. Newly elected Vice-Chair Dr. Donald Gibson was joined by new officers John Kreitler (Development) and Tom Larson (Human Resources). New Board members elected included the Rev. Hopeton Scott (Class of 2012) and Jeffrey Earls, the Rev. Koonae Lee, the Rev. David Spollett, Nancy Szwejkowski and Douglas Wade (2014). We also recognized Board members completing their terms: Karen Allen, Rosa Correa, Fr. Jose Diaz-Martinez, Rev. Jennifer Habetz, Thomas Larson, Robyn Oliver-Hunter and Fr. Demetrios Recachinas.

For the first time in some years we received three new member congregations: Church of the Blessed Sacrament (Roman Catholic), Bridgeport , First United Methodist Church of Shelton, and the United Methodist Church of Westport and Weston. Their pastors and delegates were recognized through a “Prayer Litany for New Member Churches” that was part of an opening worship on the theme “ Telling the Story.”

We also recognized the 18 congregations that, prior to Annual Meeting, informed us of their intent to recognize Council Month in October, 2011. More will be added in the months ahead, and details of how and why to observe Council Month are available elsewhere on the website.

This report would not be complete without my thanking my Board and staff for their leadership and support. The presentation of Annual Meeting is really a team effort. In particular, I would like to thank Patty Jensen, whose attention to detail in the production of the award biographies and the detail of the entire printed program, along with the preparation of award gifts, makes this event the quality occasion it is.

With a parting blessing from host pastor the Rev. Ed Rawls, our evening concluded at 8:25 p.m., 15 minutes ahead of schedule! By that time, the Cinco de Mayo celebrants in Main Street had moved to the sidewalk, easing our way home and reminding us of the greater celebration and service to which The Council is committed.

Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt

President and CEO

Annual Meeting Photos, CCGB, 2011

12 3

456

78

910

111213

14

Captions:

#1– David Huntington , Chair Board Resources; Life Member Award

#2 David and Joan Huntington

#3– Summerfield UMC Delegates, Elsie Pratt and James Austin

#4– Board Member Virgilio Lopez (Market Manager at People's United Bank) and Board Treasurer, Phil Norgren

#5– Representatives from new member congregation, the U.M.C. of Westport and Weston – Rev. Ed Horne , Lauren Strickland and Delegate George Hanze

#6– Newly Elected Vice Chair, Dr. Don Gibson and Carol Galloway

#7– CO-OP Center Director Dan Braccio and his wife, Pat

#8– Tom Larson, Carl Johnson and CCGB President and CEO, Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt

#9– Reps from New Member Congregations being received into membership:  Rev. Heather and Skip Sinclair – U.M.C. Shelton ; Lauren Strickland, George Hanze and Rev. Ed Horne – U. M.C. Westport & Weston; and Fr. Reginald Norman - Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Bridgeport.

#10 - Tom Larson, Rev. Jenn ifer Habetz, Fr. Jose Diaz- Martinez, Dave Huntington and Pres. / CEO Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt ; (Carl Johnson at podium)

#11– Scott Wilderman – Pres./CEO of Career Resources – the 2011 Lurline W. Reid Award

#12– Thomas Larson – 2011 Community Builder Award

#13- Pedro E. Wasmer - 2011 Founder's Award

#14– all awardees – l to r Scott K. Wilderman, Carl F. Johnson, Jr., Thomas G. Larson, Pedro E. Wasmer, David S. Huntington