things move slowly in most churches, particularly old ones.
I remember talking about the term overseer thirty years ago sitting on church committees.
Since Philadelphia Quakers, spread out down through Maryland and Virginia,
were often the conductors in the Underground Railroad, bringing freed slaves North,
special long term relationship with folks of color.
Any of you have any name changing in your churches? (not meant to be discussion of any religion, just the name changing part)
At Meeting for Worship for Business this coming Sunday, February 9th, those in attendance will be asked to consider changing the name of the Overseers Committee. The Ad Hoc Committee formed at the last Meeting for Worship for Business to consider alternate names met and reached a decision as outlined below:
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee
Despite its unique history and use within the Society of Friends, the word 登verseers has general connotations of power and authority, and for some people, specific connotations of the brutal authority wielded over enslaved people in America痴 past. To prevent pain and misunderstanding and to convey a welcoming, inclusive attitude, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and most of its monthly meetings have discontinued use of the term Overseers.
I personally was on Overseers Committee for many years, pretty much a Board of Directors in an organization without any pecking order.
I don't believe Overseer is a term used in normal industry today, but I bet there are examples out there, likely in foreign countries.
off to buy some Entemann's chocolate donuts for the nurses