Minutes of the Board Meeting of Durham Congregations In Action

March 21, 2006

First Presbyterian Church

 

 

1.         Rev. Marilyn Hedgpeth welcomed the assembly and offered an opening prayer.

 

2.         President Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas opened the meeting, and Vice President Rev. Duke Lackey led the reading of the DCIA Affirmation.

 

3.         Guests were welcomed:

            Bonnie Griffin of St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

            Joyce Nichols of Mt. Zion Christian Church.

            Tabitha McEachin of Mt. Olive Holy Church and Communities In Schools.

            Bob Baker of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.

            Barbara Rothschild of UNC.

            Kerry Gorman of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

 

4.         Announcements:

A.        Vic Moore advised that Bishara Awad, President of Bethlehem Bible College and a Palestinian Christian, will be speaking at Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. on March 28 about Middle East issues.

B.        Kerry Gorman advised that there is a campaign to support legislation to divest NC assets in Sudan to inhibit genocide.  Such legislation has been introduced in 14 states, and is similar to the strategy that altered apartheid policy in South Africa.  Maryann Crea pointed out that this is an international issue on which we can act locally.  Congregations can urge people to sign a petition.

            It was agreed that DCIA will consider a Resolution on this matter at the April 18 Board Meeting.

C.        Barbara Rothschild, on UNC faculty at the Department of Social Medicine, is engaged in a project to generate dialogue with the faith community on issues surrounding genetic testing.  The feedback will be provided to Washington and help shape a local forum in September. She provided topics for people to indicate their level of interest, and opportunities for local discussion.  Please fill in and return the pertinent enclosures if you are interested in these issues.  Also, feel free to contact Barbara or Kristin Meyer at 966-3024, or check the website at http://genomics.unc.edu/cgf/

D.        Kaaren Johanson advised that The Volunteer Center and Leadership Durham are planning a Durham-in-Action Day in October.  Organizations will provide services for underprivileged people, such as haircuts, free coats, medical screening.  Congregations should please think about what service they might provide at this event.

E.        Jenny Shafer thanked everyone for the excellent turnout and support for CROPWALK last  Sunday.  Please get your donations in as soon as possible to help progress Durham toward its goal of  $175,000.

F.         Pastor Julio Ramirez-Eve advised of a free lunch on Sunday, March 26 at noon at Northgate Presbyterian Church to help people learn about programs of Emanuel Hispanic Presbyterian Fellowship and volunteer opportunities.

 

5.         Committee Reports.

A.        Bob Newlin said that to enhance Communications, please send to him your email address so you can be added to the email news list.

B.        Charles Byrd has given out some applications for Seed Money.  Please encourage people to ask for them by contacting him at 681-8294 or charles.byrd@duke.edu

C.        Rev. Bob Kaynor said that youth at St. Stephens' Episcopal Church and at First Chronicles Community Church are meeting and planning social and service activities.  They will be attending a Hip-Hop Mass at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in May.  Other youth groups are invited to join in their activities.  Contact Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas at 560-8153 or Rev. Kaynor at 493-5451.

D.        Maryann Crea advised that many DCIA are working on the Summer Youth Jobs Initiative approved at the February Board Meeting.  Please consider helping one of its committees: Partners and Stakeholders; Student Recruitment; Marketing; Corporate Sponsors/Grants; Congregational Support; and Jobs.

 

6.         Executive Director's Report.

a.         David strongly encouraged Congregations to learn more about Jobs for Life.  He is glad to come and speak to interested Congregations about it.

b.         DCIA would like a small group to brainstorm how we might energize more of  our current Congregational members to participate in DCIA activities, and recruit new Congregations.  If you can meet for an hour to help with this, please contact David at 688-2036 or dwiner@nc.rr.com

 

7.         Presentation by Grace Marsh on the Elna B. Spaulding Durham Mediation Center.

            Grace is Executive Director of Women-In-Action, and Director of this newly formed Mediation Center.  Rev. Mike Wendt, a Minister of Peace in the Lutheran Church, directed a Durham mediation center for many years but when Mike retired in 1999 that center was merged into Raleigh's operation for financial stability.  This led to the decline of its activities.

            Grace had a vision to revive the Center in Durham, and managed to get funding with the help of local legislators, particularly Mickey Michaux and also Jeannie Lucas.  She appreciated letters of support from DCIA and other local agencies.  The office is at 634 Foster Street.

            The Center has mediated 112 cases so far this year, and has recruited 27 volunteer mediators.  Along with resolving disputes that are often referred by courts, the Center has trained 102 young people in conflict resolution without violence, and peacemaking.  The Center was part of a meeting in which the Bloods, Crips and Folks together wrote a song about friends they have lost.

            The Center can help agencies with conferences and training.  Its basic principle is that if people can express their genuine needs and interests, they can, with good facilitation, find a peaceful resolution of a conflict.

            The Center has not significantly engaged Latino gangs yet, and is seeking Spanish-speaking mediators.

            Grace is glad to be part of the Summer Youth Jobs Initiative and will join the Steering Committee.

 

8.         The Minutes of the February 21 Board Meeting were approved.

 

9.         Bill Youngblood, Treasurer, discussed the Finance Report for February.  Income is lagging so far, and disbursements are on target.  He noted that approval of the Summer Youth Jobs Initiative and committing $20,000 in DCIA funds toward it means that DCIA's real net operating funds are $15,000.  With a shortfall currently running in the range of $3000 per month, this operating fund could at current trends be soon depleted.

            Member Congregations are urged to make their donations timely to DCIA.

 

10.       Prayers for Those in Need:

            For the healing and comfort of Colleen Anna, long-term Board member of Urban Ministries of Durham; Lee M. Goode, former school principal; Bruce Weatherbee; Tony Mosely, husband of Anna Lee Mosely.

            A former gang member who is on the streets with his pregnant girlfriend and two children, who need a place to stay.

            Calvary UMC's training for non-violent action.

            Latinos who need to be welcomed into the community.

            Participants and volunteers in DCIA's Summer Youth Jobs Initiative.

 

12.       Rev. Bob Kaynor offered the closing prayer.

 

 

 

                                                                                                Minutes by: David Winer     

 

 

 

***    Check out the DCIA Web Site at: www.DCIA.org    ***

Finding the Genome: Community Genetics Forum 2006

Possible Topics of Interest

 

Behavior and Genetics – As we identify the roles of more and more genes, we have started to investigate if there are genes that determine our behavior, for instance a ‘violence’ gene or a ‘faith’ gene.  Questions that might be asked would be: 

Is there a violence gene?  A faith gene?  A gay gene?

 

______

 

‘Designer’ Babies – Genetic testing and engineering may affect all aspects of child-bearing from pre-implantation testing (before the embryo is placed in the womb) to selective abortion to actual manipulation of the genome to produced desired traits.  Questions that might be asked would be:

How much can we test for in a fetus or baby and when can we test for those traits?

 

______

 

 

Race, Ethnicity, and Genetics - The Human Genome Project has shown that there is little genetic difference between the groups we traditionally identify as races.  How will the Human Genome Project affect group and race identification in the future?

 

_____

 

 

Ancestry Testing – Many people are becoming interested in having their DNA tested to discover their geographic origins many generations ago. 

How does ancestry testing work and how much can it tell me about my ancestors?

 

_____

 

Forensic Uses of Genetics – DNA testing of residue at crime scenes has changed the way we perceive the criminal justice system and evidence.  Television has popularized both the use of DNA testing at crime scenes and in such things as paternity suits. Questions that might be asked would be:

What sorts of material can you test at a crime scene?

How certain is a paternity test?

How certain is DNA evidence for a crime?

 

_____

 

Disease and Genetics – Everyday the news announces a discovery of a gene related to a common disease like diabetes or heart disease. 

 

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Genetic Information and Privacy – As more and more genes that identify diseases and predisposition to diseases are discovered, more genetic testing will enter the medical clinic.  We do not have a consistent policy to protect this information from insurers, employers, family members and other interested parties.

 

Feedback or questions?

Please email kristin_meyer@med.unc.edu or call 919-966-3204

FINDING THE GENOME: COMMUNITY GENETICS FORUM 2006

 

The Community Genetics Forum strives to engage the public in talking about issues raised by genetics and genetic research. Over the course of 2006, several events will take place throughout the Triangle in order to explore communities’ views and ideas about the ethical, social, and policy implications of genetic research  The project culminates with two separate conferences in September with keynote speakers Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, Debra Harry, Executive Director of the Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism and Dena Davis, Professor of Law at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. 

 

As we plan our community event for Saturday, September 16, at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, we are interested in addressing your views and questions about genetic testing and research for our community.   Some of those questions might be about privacy (is it possible to keep genetic information confidential, or do others have a right to know?), or behavioral genetics (is there a violence gene? if it’s in your genes, is it your fault?) or forensic genetics (should we collect DNA from everyone to solve crimes?), or ancestry testing (where do my ancestors come from? does having that information change who I am?) or disease related genetics (are genes more important in disease than what you eat, or where you live or work? what if we know the genes that cause a disease, but we can’t cure it yet?), or eugenics (should people be able to improve their genes, or choose the genes of their children?) or many other topics. 

 

If you had a chance to discuss genetics with an expert in the field, what topics would you like to discuss?

 

 

 

 

 

 

What questions do you have about genetic testing and research?

 

 

 

 

 

What concerns do you have about genetic testing and research?

 

 

 

 

 

Would you be interested in having a geneticist and ethicist come to speak to your congregation or group about any of these issues in a more in-depth manner?

 

If so, please leave a name and contact information.

 

 

 

You can return this form to kristin_meyer@med.unc.edu

 

Questions/comments:  Contact Barbra Rothschild or Kristin Meyer at 966-3024.

Please check out our website for further information and events:  http://genomics.unc.edu/cgf/

 

Sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, National Human Genome Research Institute, Parr Center for Ethics, Duke University’s Institute for Genome Sciences Program, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics as well as other supportive partners.