National Charter Empowers Local Churches in the Unification Movement

In the nearly two years since the passing of our True Father in September 2012 the Unification Movement has been going through many changes, with more responsibility for the governing of our church and our communities passing into the hands of the members.

Elected councils have been created throughout the United States. Each Unificationist community has its own council, as does every one of the 12 districts (formerly known as regions).

There is also a National Council, with each of the district councils sending a representative. It meets twice a year, in April and October. The National Council is an initiative of the FFWPU, USA executive, and primarily fulfills an advisory role at this time.

These are the current National Council representatives:

District 1: Libby Henkin

District 2: Noah Ross

District 3: Alain Tamelissio

District 4: Christine Hempowicz

District 5: Richard Sapp

District 6: Luke Abrahams

District 7: Steven Jares

District 8: Cindy Pfeiffer

District 9: Rick Schnorr

District 10: David Burgess

District 11: Bryan Lancaster

District 12: Walter Frank

President: Alexa Ward

The councils operate according to the National Charter, which provides a structure for the election of pastors and council members and the relationship between various levels of governance. The charter, which was completed by the interim National Council on October 20, 2013, guides the community and district levels.  As well, there are provisions for local and national amendments.

“True Mother is advocating for the establishment of this kind of democratic body and process throughout our church worldwide,” wrote Dr. Michael Balcomb, president of FFWPU USA, in a June 2, 2014, memo to the U.S. membership. “[Continental Director] Dr. [Ki Hoon] Kim and I endorse and fully support the National Council and the charter.”

Dr. Michael Balcomb also wrote: “This is a very important step in the development of the American church. The National Council is an elected body of your peers, one from each district, who have the opportunity to represent you and your community, as well as make significant input in the process of developing the church.”

Council members serve for two years, with elections staggered so that half the members each year will have experience from the previous year.

The National Charter outlines eleven duties and responsibilities for the National Council. The main tasks include:

• making recommendations to the president and the HSA-UWC Board (arising from concerns from the districts)
• awarding grants to the districts for projects designed to promote church growth and development
• adopting amendments to the National Charter for local churches and adjudicating appeals from local churches
• recommending candidates and providing recommendations for fiscal prudence and accountability to the HSA-UWC Board, and participating with board members on a Financial Review Committee
• ensuring the protection of members as specified in the National Whistleblower Policy.

During their most recent meeting, in Las Vegas from April 25 to 27, the National Council members elected their leaders for 2014: Noah Ross as chair, David Burgess as vice chair, and Libby Henkin as secretary. In accordance with the National Charter, the vice president of FFWPU USA, who currently is Alexa Ward, serves as National Council president for the year.

Meeting with the council in Las Vegas, Dr. Balcomb shared his view that the National Council represents a fourth key body of working partners for the FFWPU USA president—in addition to the Headquarters staff, the HSA-UWC Board and the 12 district pastors.

To accomplish its assigned responsibilities, the National Council set up the following committees:

• Recommendation Committee: reviews input from the districts and investigates and proposes solutions to recommend to the president.
• Grant Committee: sets up the requirements for a Request for Proposal (RFP) by which districts can apply for project funds.  President Balcomb has allocated $200,000 for this year’s grants.
• Charter Committee: addresses necessary amendments to the charter.
• Judicial Committee: adjudicates appeals and oversees whistleblower complaints.
• Financial Committee: organizes and participates in a Financial Review Committee.
• Executive Committee: composed of the chair, vice chair, secretary and president (the HSA-UWC executive vice president).

These committees will be chaired by National Council representatives but also will include members selected from the membership at large, based on interest and expertise.  The committees will meet over the summer with the aim of finalizing their work in time for the council’s next meeting in October.

Church members are encouraged to contact their representative with questions or concerns. While directions from Headquarters will continue to flow through the district and local pastors, the National Council will serve as an avenue for communication from the general membership to the church leadership.

Dr. Balcomb, in his June 2 memo to the U.S. members, wrote:  “I encourage you to take the time to familiarize yourself with all aspects of the charter.” You can read the National Charter here.

National Council stands ready to award grant money

Local Unificationist communities are invited to submit applications to the National Council to receive grants that the council will distribute to support activities designed for local church growth and to meet the goals of Vision 2020. FFWPU USA has allocated $200,000 for this purpose.

The council anticipates awarding 19 one-year grants at the following levels: 10 grants of up to $5,000 each; five grants of $5,001 to $10,000 each; and four grants of $10,001 to $25,000 each. Awards will be made available for a project period of November 1, 2014 to October 31, 2015.

This new funding opportunity requires a local matching commitment of ten percent of the total project cost for each proposed project. Applications for district-level projects will be accepted; however, preference will be given to local church applicants. Alternatively, two or three small church communities may submit an application together.

More information about the grant competition, and application forms, will be made available within a few days.

Webinars to explain council, charter, answer questions

If you’re thinking, “Why should I care about the National Charter? How does it affect me?” several members of the National Council, including Noah Ross, Alexa Ward and Christine Hempowicz, may be able to answer those questions during two webinars taking place on July 24 and 26. This is your chance to learn more about the National Council and Charter, learn how to get grant money for your district or community, ask questions and bring up issues for the council.

Both webinars will present the same content. One is on a Thursday evening, the other is on a Saturday afternoon.

The first webinar will be held on Thursday, July 24, starting at 8 p.m. EDT

There are three ways to enter the webinar:

1)    By telephone: Dial: +1 (415) 762-9988 or +1 (646) 568-7788  Meeting ID: 178 152 515

2)    By Internet: Please click this URL to start or join. https://zoom.us/j/178152515

3)    Or, go to https://zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 178 152 515

The second webinar will be held on Saturday, July 26, at 1 p.m. EDT. Again there are three ways to enter:

1)   By telephone: Dial: +1 (415) 762-9988 or +1 (646) 568-7788   Meeting ID: 843 517 848

2)   By Internet: Please click this URL to start or join. https://zoom.us/j/843517848

3)   Or, go to https://zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 843 517 848

Article written by Renee Corley, based on information provided by David Burgess and Christine Hempowicz.