What’s In A Name?

“As we begin the next century, does the name Mayflower Community Congregational United Church of Christ continue to reflect our identity, mission and vision as a church?”

Over the past two years, the What’s In A Name? Committee (WIANC) has facilitated a church-wide discernment process about the question of whether or not to change the name of the church. Please scroll down to review all of the steps we have taken on that journey.

We are now in a place to bring this discernment process to a conclusion. Beginning on Sunday, September 15, 2024, we began the first of two multiple-choice voting processes. In the first round of voting, from September 15-30, member’s votes reduced the current list of more than 100 name submissions to 10.

In the second round of voting, from October 6-28, member’s votes will reduce the final list even further. Become familiar with the round two sample ballot here. The outcome of this vote could either result in a third round of voting or, if a clear choice has been made by the congregation, the WIANC will make a recommendation to Council for a final vote that will either be scheduled for the Congregational meeting in November or in a special meeting scheduled some time in January..

Here are a few important resources for you to review before you vote. Paper copies of these resources will also be available at church. In addition, you can attend a voting process informational session on Sunday, October 6, at 9:45 am or 12:15 pm.

• Our Church’s Discernment About Our Name: Read all of the names that were submitted along with the reasons why each one was nominated.

• Round One Sample Ballot: Read here.

• Round Two Sample Ballot: Read here.

 If you have question or concerns, please ask any member of Council: Maureen Englehardt (Moderator), Sharon Landavaso (Associate Moderator), Gary Adams, Leon Erstad, Connie Ford, Barbara Hummel, Maureen Lunde, Patrick Magistad, Scot Woelber

Or any member of the What’s In A Name? Committee: Kate Andrews Van Horne, Jim Bush, Gloria Englund, John Fredell, Chuck Gross, Beth Kittleson, Stan Kusunoki, Kathy Lafayette, Susan Lampe, Maureen Lunde, Bruce Nordstrom-Loeb, Jeff Richards

The Process to Date

The What’s In A Name? (WIAN) Committee is commissioned by the Mayflower Council to convene for a two-year period of spiritual discernment to answer this question and make recommendations to the Council and Congregation.

Beginning in March 2023, eight listening sessions were held with nearly 200 individuals in attendance to discuss core questions:

• What are some reasons to change or not the name of the church?
• What could be some positive or negative results if we change our name (and its manifestations)?
• What should the church name say about who we are?
• What should be the next steps in the process?

What’s In A Name? Archive

In addition to the WIAN? 2.0 listening sessions, the committee worked tirelessly to provide multiple opportunities for the congregation to share, learn about, and listen to the various stories and perspectives of our members:

• The 2024 Summer Sermon Series provided Biblical perspectives on the significance of name changes.
• At the Council Meeting on June 4, 2024, it was decided that the What’s In A Name? Committee will facilitate a process to elicit names for the church. To ensure we reach as many people as possible, the process will take multiple formats:
  • A Google Form survey to be submitted electronically (see July responses and August responses)
  • A paper version of that survey (submitted via a “suggestion box” at the Welcome Desk – (see July responses and August responses)
  • An in-person brainstorming session after church on July 14
  • A Zoom brainstorming session after church on August 18
  • The name nomination process will be open from June 9–September 14. All of the formats ask for the same information (anonymously): What name do you recommend for the church? Why is this name meaningful for you?
• On March 17, Mary Keepers and a group of fabulous readers brought to life the collected voices of our community in this Readers Theatre on “What’s in a Name?” You can also read the script from the Readers Theatre.
• This past winter, the Committee addressed the question “Why are we doing this again?” through this “What’s In a Name” presentation and accompanying PowerPoint.
• The UCC News published an article “Who We Want To Be” about Mayflower Church’s What’s in a Name? process.
• The What’s In A Name Committee and David Carey created a video summarizing the spiritual discernment process of the Congregation to date entitled “What’s In A Name 2.0” as discussed at the November 5, 2023, Congregational meeting.
• Feedback Summary from 10.8.23 Session: Reasons we should or should not change the name of the church
• Rev. Campbell chronicled her pilgrimage from Plymouth, MA. Please view Rev. Campbell’s blog and a video of the  Day of Mourning ceremony that Rev. Campbell attended.
• The 2023 Summer Sermon Series provided perspectives on some of our most treasured symbols and traditions.