Minutes of the Board Meeting of Durham Congregations In Action

February 15, 2005

Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church

1. President Rev. Nancy Ferree-Clark called the meeting to order. She introduced Fabian Stone, who advised that the church is very involved with the local community. Its missions include support of Presbyterian Urban Ministries, and it reaches out financially and by volunteering to help those in need.

Mr. Stone introduced Rev. Herbert Dickinson, who has led the church for the last 10 months. He thanked the group for their presence, and is glad that the church is a member of DCIA. He offered an opening prayer.

2. The DCIA Affirmation was read in unison.

3. The Minutes of the December 14, 2004 Board Meeting were approved.

4. Maryann Crea, Treasurer, presented the Finance Report.

a. The year 2004 came in with a shortfall of income compared to expenses of $6600. A shortfall of $4000 had been budgeted.

b. In accordance with DCIA's finance policy, 4-1/2 months of operating expenses will be allocated from Operating Funds to Program Reserves. This equals $36,750. The remainder of Operating Funds is available for current projects.

c. DCIA provided pledge forms to Congregational Members a few months ago. We ask that Congregations advise what they intend to donate to DCIA in 2005.

5. Guests were welcomed:

a. Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas introduced Erielle Cooper and Jillian Byrd, who are soon to graduate from NCCU as social workers and are interning with Families First.

b. Rev. Duke Lackey introduced Amy and Dan Shaw. Amy is a new DCIA representative for Trinity United Methodist Church.

c. Reginald Hodges, new Director for the Durham Literacy Center. He wants to work with Congregations to join in the efforts of the DLC.

d. Lisa Saltzman, new DCIA representative for Judea Reform Congregation, and also a tutor for the Durham Literacy Center.

e. Ginny Chorley, new DCIA representative for Watts Street Baptist Church.

6. Announcements:

a. Rev. Joe Harvard advised that Wake Forest University Professor Charles Kimball and an Interfaith Panel will discuss Obstacles and Challenges for the Children of Abraham at a Community Forum at First Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. on February 27. Professor Kimball has some Jewish roots, is an ordained Baptist minister and an expert on Islam. He has written a very well received book entitled "When Religion Becomes Evil" and has been in great demand as a speaker on television and radio since 9/11.

b. Dick Chorley advised that Habitat for Humanity is celebrating 20 years in Durham at a breakfast on March 15. Participants are sought for an interfaith-interracial-intergenerational choir that is being formed for this event. Derek Brown of Greater St. Paul Baptist Church will lead this choir and direct practice sessions. A flyer was provided.

c. Marcia Owen announced that the 13^th Annual Vigil Against Violence will be held on the courthouse steps on Saturday, February 26 at 4 p.m.

7. Kaaren Johanson led the group in a review and reflection of the recent Focus Group sessions. Thanks to all participants.

The goal of these sessions was to develop and identify Priorities to which DCIA should focus its energies. The five sessions collected information on ministries in which individual Congregations are currently involved; and areas that would be best for Congregations to jointly work on.

Topics arising in the sessions included: Health Care; Job Training and Living Wages; Elderly Issues; Safety, Security and Crime; Housing and Homelessness; Environmental Issues; Reconciliation across Boundaries of faith, race and economics; and Transportation, which is an important resource to make progress in other areas.

The area that stood out in every session was Youth issues. The recommendation by the Committee that organized the focus group sessions is that DCIA form two Work Teams on Youth:

Work Team 1 – Violence, Gangs, Juvenile Justice.

Work Team 2 – Education, Job Training, Skill Building, Leadership Development, Entrepreneurship.

The assembly approved the creation of these Work Teams and sign-up sheets were filled in.

The action planned is that each Work Team will meet and identify for its area:

a. Programs that are currently operating in Durham; and

b. Specific initiatives that can be selected by DCIA for Congregations to work together and make a difference for Youth.

8. Bob Newlin who chairs the Communications Committee asked people to let him know if they wish to be added to DCIA's Email list. Send your Email address to Bob at bob.newlin@duke.edu, or to David Winer at dwiner@nc.rr.com

DCIA has a new Brochure that is wishes to be displayed at its member Congregations and elsewhere.

DCIA's web site could be improved by someone with some experience in web site design. If you can offer this, please contact Bob.

9. David Winer, Executive Director, advised:

a. Vans or buses are needed to help transport children and families participating in the Special Olympics in Greensboro on March 18-20 and in Raleigh on June 3-5. If you have a van or bus available on one of these weekends, please call David at 688-2036 or Email him at dwiner@nc.rr.com

b. The next round of Seed Money Applications is approaching. The deadline is April 15. Please spread the word that interested new programs should apply and first contact Rev. Laura Benson at 682-2846 or laura@dihn.org

c. Note the flyer available that describes a Church Women United event at 10 a.m. on March 4 at Peace Missionary Baptist Church that will offer prayers written by women of Poland.

10. Several Prayer Requests were offered: James Wall, Vonda Buie's husband's uncle; Rodney Tibbets who is working for relief in Sri Lanka; Hamilton Garner; R&R Faith Team Partners; Bessie Jones; and Jessie Smith and others who are incarcerated.

11. Charles Byrd offered the Closing Prayer.

Minutes by: David Winer *** Check out the DCIA Web Site at: www.DCIA.org ***