Minutes of
the Board Meeting of
Parkwood
United
1. Bob
Newlin chaired the meeting in the absence of President Rev. Nancy Ferree-Clark.
Bob
called the meeting to order and introduced Rev. Bob Kretzu, who welcomed the
group. He advised that Parkwood UMC was
established in the early 1960's in what was then a rural area. He described Methodists as "low church
Anglicans" and as more than Confessional or Creedal, seeing value in
diversity and wrestling with issues rather than seeking easy answers.
He
enjoys the concept of diverse Congregations working together to meet community
needs. He would like to see stronger
collaboration from Congregations in southern
Rev.
Kretzu thanked church members Emily Gillis and the UMW, who prepared the lunch.
He
offered an opening prayer.
2. The
DCIA Affirmation was read in unison.
3. The
Minutes of the November 16 Board Meeting were approved.
4. Maryann
Crea, Treasurer, presented the Finance Report. The year appears to be coming in below the
current budget.
The
proposed Budget for 2005, which had been discussed at the November Board
Meeting, was approved by those present.
5. Guests
were welcomed:
Rev. Duke Lackey and Rev. Susan Wright from Trinity UMC.
Rev. Gregory Davis from Crown of
Ammon Gitao from First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Joe Harvard advised that Ammon is very active in the Presbyterian Church in
Mamie Alston announced that at last Sunday's Commencement
at NCCU, Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Social
Work, cum laude. The assembly applauded Pebbles' many
contributions to the community.
7. Bob
Newlin, Chair of the Communications Team, encouraged people to visit the DCIA
website at <www.DCIA.org> and offer comments and suggestions.
8. Kaaren Johanson, Chair of the
Priorities Team, advised that their charter is to engage Congregations in
assess and deciding how to determine DCIA priorities and allocate resources. This Team would like for two people from member
Congregations to participate in the upcoming Focus Group sessions,
that will identify areas of high interest. A schedule for these sessions was
provided. The group
appreciated having several available days and times, and were urged to
complete a sign-up form.
9. Rev.
Joe Harvard, Chair of the Interfaith Activities Team, advised that they are
seeking opportunities for discussions and interactions across boundaries. Trinity UMC recently extended hospitality to
First Presbyterian Church when it was under construction, and this created a
wonderful sense of community.
Upcoming
events include talks by scholar Charles Kimball from
10. Rev. Joe Harvard, Chair of the Nominations Committee, offered
the following slate of Officers for 2005:
President Rev. Nancy Ferree-Clark
Vice
President Imam Abdul Hafeez Waheed
Secretary Rev. Pebbles
Lindsay-Lucas
Treasurer Maryann Crea
This
slate has ably served in 2004 and was unanimously approved.
11. The assembly was asked to complete a form to answer 4
questions:
. What
can DCIA do to further the
. What
is the most important activity of your Congregation or Agency that crosses boundaries of
faith, race or ethnicity?
. What
can you and your Congregation or Agency do to help DCIA achieve its
. What
other people in your Congregation or Agency would you like to involve with
DCIA?
12. David Winer, Executive Director,
advised:
(a) The Executive Committee has functioned very well this past
year. In addition to
the Officers, Rev. Laura Benson and Bob Newlin have made
outstanding contributions.
(b) Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) is beginning an exciting
social venture called Clean Sweep. This will:
i. Offer
a high quality cleaning service to commercial customers.
ii. Provide paid job experience to
Shelter residents, increase their skills, and better enable them to find a job with a living
wage;
iii. Provide ongoing support to those in
Recovery;
iv. Reinforce to the community that
Shelter residents are partners rather than parasites,
and assume responsibility and engage in productive work.
v. Provide some income to cover
overhead for UMD;
David
urged the assembly to strongly consider engaging Clean Sweep for their
Congregation, and publicize its
availability to its congregants who may be affiliated with organizations that are potential customers.
(c) Bob Newlin has designed a new DCIA brochure which was
provided. Please advise
of suggestions to it. We will want it placed at our member
Congregations and elsewhere.
(d) The DCIA Annual Dinner Meeting is at
13. Several Prayer Requests were offered. Becky Carver's sister,
Susan Williams; Lloyd Zurbrigg, music director and
organist at Triangle Presbyterian Church; John Lafferty, who is doing well;
Zelma Ham, Director of Christian Education at Russell Memorial CME who is
undergoing surgery; Gordon McNeill, organist at Trinity UMC; Lenora Monroe; and
Jessie Smith.
14. Rev. Carl Kenney offered the closing prayer.
Minutes by: David Winer