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Leader of Constitution Revision Committee Dies
KEYSTONE, CO (June 25, 2002) - Melsie Waldner, chair of the
Constitution Commission that wrote the Covenant's
revised constitution at last year's Annual Meeting of
the Covenant Church, died Monday night of an apparent
heart attack, Covenant News Service has learned.
Waldner, who attended College Park Covenant Church in
Saskatoon, led a 16-member commission (including three
advisors) over four years to help the denomination
make its first document revision since 1957. The
constitution, including preamble and bylaws, was
passed by a standing vote of delegates June 28 of last year
in Rosemont, Illinois. Some amendments to the
constitution will be discussed at this week's Annual
Meeting in Keystone.
Among the major changes to the constitution was the
restructuring of the Executive Board from 14 to 31
members, transformation of four administrative boards
into Executive Board committees, and increased
emphasis on ethnic and gender diversity.
Waldner said that the passage of the constitution was
the culmination of a labor of love. "I've had many
privileges in my life," said Waldner. "The privilege
of sharing the Constitution Revision Commission -
working with that incredible caliber of committed
people - has been the joy of my life. Service
privileges come and go, but this one has really
brought me more gratification than anything."
The proposed Preamble sparked considerable discussion,
but Waldner saw that as a positive sign. "I think that
really is our identity as an Evangelical Covenant
Church," she said of the Preamble. "And it shows that
people truly treasure being part of the family of God
and they want to know who they are and why they belong
and what brings them together. Who we are as
Covenanters actually seems to be more important to
Covenanters than how we conduct our business."
More information about Waldner and memorial service
plans will be made available in the coming days.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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