909 Standing Committees

		Chaplaincy Committee Chairperson - Chaplain - Michael Wilcox Assistant Chaplain -
		"GOD is in the workplace, because people are in the workplace. GOD loves people and people love GOD."




We believe that God has called and inspired ministry in the workplace. As chaplains who minister in the areas of Critical Incident, Trauma, Grief and Loss as well as Spiritual needs of those whom we served, we believe that professionalism is essential in both the religious and secular areas of our ministry. We will endeavor to prepare ourselves Morally, Spiritually and Educationally in order to present ourselves in the role of professional and compassionate ministers of God. We must and will maintain the highest standards and accountability.

Chaplaincy's History By Deborah D. Sayvor In the early 80’s, they were God fearing, bible toting, faithful men who loved God and were not ashamed to tell you that they loved God. They would gather together daily on the second floor behind the south cafeteria. There they would pray as they sat on boxes and crates, encouraging one another in God’s word and singing praises to God. Brother Nick Gugenheimer was the leader of them all, which included: brothers Dick Slaughter, Steve Boman, Jim Hurst, Sam Bass, George Woods, John Guzzo, Julius Corrion and Ralph Packizer. God tells his children to pray. Pray without ceasing. Pray everywhere. 1Timothy 2:1- 2, 8 these men did just that! Offering up supplications, petitions, making intercessions and giving of thanks on behalf of all men. They prayed for each other, our plant, management, our union and everyone who worked under GM Powertrain's roof. Word about their fellowship spread and then came the others: sisters Emily Grice, Bernice Johnson, Debbie Brown and the late Gail Lewis, brothers Tom Kelly, David Wells, Denise Chaney and brother Herman Shivers. In 1985 GM Powertrain personnel recognized them as a legitimate fellowship and designated a conference room where they could hold their fellowship meetings. This was the beginning of what is now known as the Powertrain Warren, UAW Local 909 Christian Fellowship that would result in the birth of the Chaplaincy Program. Their first assignment as children of God was to march around GM Powertrain's property and the old union hall. They prayed as they marched, all the while claiming the grounds for the Lord. In 1983, the Ministry of The Industrial Chaplain was introduced to the UAW. In 1987 the National Bargaining Convention approved a resolution in support of UAW Chaplaincy. I joined the fellowship in 1987 and started attending Chaplaincy Conferences that were paid for by the union along with others from the fellowship. God immediately gave me a passion for chaplaincy. As I gained more knowledge concerning chaplaincy and sought advice from sisters Jackie Kelly, Joanna Bonner, and Thelma Williams. Thelma referred me to Leonard Stephens, who schooled me on unionism and steered me in the right direction in regards to protocol. Members of the fellowship rallied the support of others that believed in chaplaincy, and this is the History. Chaplaincy was introduced, accepted, by the membership of UAW local 909 as a legitimate standing committee in September of 1992, under the leadership of Ernie Roberts, President and Frank Hammer, Shop Chairman. In 1996 the Constitution and By-Laws Committee made amendments to the local 909 by-laws article 11, section 1 to include the chaplaincy committee. Brother Herman Shivers was the first unofficial chaplain recognized by local 909 and Powertrain personnel, and served faithfully until 1996. In 1997 UAW Local 909 was the first local within Region 1 to successfully negotiate a Full-time Paid Chaplain, and an On-sight Chapel, under the Leadership of Al Benchich, President and Terry Bush, Shop Chairman. On February 23, 1998, Minister Golem Micah started serving as a full time paid chaplain. Chaplain Golem Micah faithfully served until December 31, 2002 Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the 1997 shop committee working with chaplaincy committee members Dorothy Smith, Betty Bell, Betty Buyck, Will Robinson and Deborah D. Sayvor, Chairperson. Special credits go to the 1997 Executive Board, Rita Cummings, Jackie Kelly and Mark Hicks, Plant Manager, Ken Dosenbach and his staff Bonnie Brown, Ken Jordan, Mark Johnson and Shannon Dipietro, Labor Manager. On Thursday, February 18,1999 a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony officially opened the Warren Plant - Local 909 Chapel. On January 1, 2003 President Al Benchich appointed Deborah Sayvor to serve the warren plant and UAW local 909 as Senior Chaplain. On Wednesday January 22, 2003, Assistant Chaplain Bruce Walker, broke down the barrier between Powertrain's EAP program and Powertrain's Chaplaincy program, by accompanying Frank Azar EAP Representative on a official visitation.