Minutes of DCIA Board Meeting

November 18

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

 

1.         Rev. Ben Rouse welcomed the assembly and introduced host Pastor Scott Benhase.  Rev. Benhase offered an opening prayer.  He mentioned the partnership of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church with Urban Ministries of Durham.  The church has developed a program for children residing at the Shelter to dine at the church.  There are more than 20 children now residing at the Shelter.

            The church has been in Durham since 1878.  It considered relocating to suburbia in the mid-1990’s, and re-affirmed its commitment to downtown.

 

2.         The DCIA Mission statement was read in unison.

 

3.         The minutes of the October 21 Board Meeting were approved.

 

4.         Maryann Crea, Treasurer, reported that finances are in good order.  Pledge cards have been sent out to Congregations requesting their pledges for next year.

 

5.         Welcomed as guests were: Mary Jane Wiethe from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, John McCann from the Durham Herald-Sun, and Mary Catherine Hinds from CROPWALK.

 

6.         John Alles of Congregation at Duke Chapel advised of Family Health Ministries, a local agency which oversees communities in Haiti.  This Ministry is offering a holiday card to support health care, education, housing and food for children in Haiti.

            Rev. James Malloy announced a training session for the Reconciliation & Re-entry [R&R] Ministry on November 20, 6 – 9 p.m.  James is also spending time in jail to support donations for muscular dystrophy.

            Lori Khamala of the National Farmworkers Ministry thanked those who supported efforts against Taco Bell in support of farmworkers.

 

7.         Rev. Joe Harvard advised that the Nominating Committee will present a slate of Officers for 2004 at the next Board Meeting.  Anyone interested, please contact Joe at 682-5511.

 

8.         Jenny Shafer and Kaaren Johanson presented Golden and Silver Sneaker Awards for high achievement in CROPWALK 2003.  Awardees were:

Large Congregations:

            Gold – Aldersgate UMC          Silver: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Small Congregations:

            Gold – Pilgrim United Church of Christ Silver: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Non-Profits:

            Gold – Housing for New Hope        Silver: YMCA Indian Princesses, Huron Tribe

Schools:

            Gold – Duke School for Children, Middle School

            Jacob Boehm received a Special Recognition Certificate for raising more than $11,000 over the last three years as the primary recruiter for this school.

            Jenny read the names of 25 organizations who increased their pledges over the prior year.

            Jenny also led the assembly through a stimulating exercise to help understand the lack of health resources in third world countries aided by CROPWALK.

 

9.         Executive Director’s Report by David Winer

            David asked that all Congregations consider participating in the R&R Ministry.  He noted that we often offer prayers for those incarcerated; this Ministry provides the opportunity to offer good deeds as well.

            At a recent Health Summit, many organizations in Durham agreed to focus on Obesity, Fitness and Nutrition.  These are areas in which a Congregation can make a big difference with a small effort.  David is seeking 3 congregations to link with local experts who can devise individualized, sustainable programs for a group of congregants or neighbors.

            A small group met to discuss priorities for DCIA, and much progress was made.  Thanks to Kenny Dalsheimer (JRC), Bob Jackson (WSB), Ed Karolak (CDC), Marcia Owen (LUMC), Judy Schlegel (SPL) and Helen Smith (McMannen UMC) for participating.

 

10.       Lloyd Schmeidler gave an update of Urban Ministries of Durham.  UMD has 86 beds for men and 26 for women, and space for 9 families.  UMD also provides food and clothing and limited rent assistance.  It has a Recovery Program with a capacity of 30.  Fees are $5 - $8 per night, with stays up to 6 months.  The number of homeless people keeps increasing, and meals served are up 25%.  Congregations provide about 15% of UMD’s budget, for which UMD is very grateful.  Lloyd provided handouts and an 8-minute video is available.

 

            11.       Prayers were offered for Catherine Smith, Evelyn Mattern, Eulalia Cherry, Tim Deck, and Jessie Smith and others incarcerated.

 

12.       Rev. James Malloy offered a closing prayer.

 

 

Lloyd L. Watkins, Sr., Secretary                                                          

 

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: THE NEXT DCIA BOARD MEETING IS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 AT 11:45 A.M. AT MCMANNEN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.