Minutes of the Board Meeting of Durham Congregations In Action

November 15, 2005

Parkwood United Methodist Church

 

1.         Rev. Nancy Ferree-Clark welcomed the assembly.  She introduced Rev. Robert Kretzu.

            Rev. Kretzu has been with Parkwood UMC about a year.  He is grateful for the many helpful activities of Bob Newlin as Treasurer of the Church and a leader within DCIA.

            Parkwood UMC received a rural Church award several decades ago, but is in an area that was recently annexed to the City of Durham and has become very diverse by race and ethnicity.  The Congregation is diverse in theology.

            Rev. Kretzu led the group in applauding the three women who prepared and served the meal, and offered an Opening Prayer.

 

2.         The DCIA Affirmation was read.

 

3.         The Minutes of the DCIA Meeting of October 18 were approved.

 

4.         Maryann Crea, Treasurer, gave the Financial Report.  Donations to DCIA from Member Congregations are about $7000 behind last year at this time.  As Congregations prepare budgets for 2006, please consider the impact of DCIA on the community and keep DCIA in your thoughts.

 

5.         Guests were introduced:

            Jennifer Frye of North Carolinians against Gun Violence (NCGV).

            Trudy Wagoner of St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

            Keith Daniel of Congregation at Duke Chapel.

 

6.         Announcements:

            A.        Keith Daniel is also Director of Pathways, which helps undergraduates and recent graduates at Duke find their calling in identifying a life of service.  He advised of funding by the Lilly Endowment, such as for clergy sabbaticals.

            B.        President Rev. Nancy Ferree-Clark thanked Rev. Laura Benson for her enormous contributions to Interfaith Hospitality Network and DCIA and wished her well in her move to PLM Families Together (formerly Pan-Lutheran Ministries) in Raleigh.  Laura is grateful for the opportunity to work with many good people in Durham.  She said that she was sustained by the phrase from the DCIA Affirmation: "behind every human face is the face of God."

            C.        Rev. Kate Spire of Peace Covenant Church Of The Brethren announced that her Church is joining DCIA.  This Church is part of the Quaker-Mennonite tradition  that connects people through peace and reconciliation.

            D.        Jennifer Frye advised that NCGV  is sponsoring with Calvary Ministries of the West End a "Peace Toys for War Toys Exchange."  On December 8, from 6 – 8 p.m., toys can be exchanged at Lyon Park, 1313 Halley Street.  The free event includes a pizza dinner, music, magic show, and door prizes.  Email address: websafenc@intrex.net, or call 403-7665.

            E.        Rev. Haywood Holderness related how Westminster Presbyterian Church has helped Hurricane Katrina victims.  Over 60 very dedicated volunteers from the Church went down to the Gulf to organize and feed other volunteers and displaced people.  They worked 16 hours daily for a week.  TROSA provided an 18-wheeler and 3 drivers to transport supplies which was a big help.  Church members also donated $67,000 for relief efforts.  The volunteers benefited as much as the residents.  More information is at www.wpcdurham.org

            F.         Donna Smith of Urban Ministries of Durham  advised that today is RSVVP day.   She has a list of restaurants that are donating 5% of receipts to Urban Ministries and other non-profits.  So eat dinner at one of these fine establishments this evening.

 

7.         Rev.  Laura Benson, Chair of the Seed Money Committee advised that the SMC is reviewing 7 worthy applications and hopes to provide checks to awardees in December.  For the next cycle, applications need be in by April 15.

           

8.         Kaaren Johanson advised that Youth Work Team 2 is meeting November 21 at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church.  Current projects are to form an ongoing interfaith teen group for discussions and community projects, and hold a House Meeting for teachers.  Pastors are asked to identify teenagers and teachers who might participate in these activities. 

            Maryann Crea advised that the Youth Work Team 1 is focusing on a "Summer of Opportunity" that would give 40 teens a 6-week summer experience of a professional work environment and skill-building, followed by 46 weeks of developmental internships.  This project has worked successfully in Boston, MA and requires a large commitment by many community segments: Congregations, Business, Schools, Non-Profits, Government.  The planning process is starting.

            Both Youth Work Teams have a good core group of committed people, and would welcome more volunteers.  Anyone interested should contact Kaaren, Pebbles or Maryann.

 

9.         Bob Newlin, Chair of the Communications Team, asked the assembly for feedback:

A.        How many have visited the DCIA web site?  About 40%.

B.        How many are on the email address list?  About 80%.

C.        How many have passed on DCIA news items to their Congregation?  About 20%.

D.        How many have sent news items of interest to Bob for publication?  About      15%.

People are encouraged to be more active especially on items C. and D.

 

10.       Jenny Shafer, Kaaren Johanson and Joe Moran presented on behalf of CROPWALK interesting information and awards for 2005.  A summary follows.

 

            Durham is the 3rd highest CROPWALK in money raised out of several thousand walks nationally.  Charlotte is 1st, and Greensboro is 2nd.  Joe Moran deserves special accolades for having the top 3 in his region.

 

            Over its 31-year history, the Durham CROPWALK has raised over $2.3 million dollars for hungry people.

 

            Joe Moran presented to DCIA a facsimile of a check in the amount of $39,500 – the amount that is coming back to food-providing agencies in Durham from the 2005 walk.

 

            Joe Moran advised that about 840,000 people in the world go to bed hungry every night.  They walk everywhere, just to survive.

            Jenny and Bob Newlin read the following dialogue about them and us:

They eat rice.  We eat skittles.

They walk for food.  We go to the drive-thru.

They may not have shoes.  We wear Nike brands.

They wonder when they will eat again.  We snack constantly.

They drink dirty water.  We drink branded bottled water.

They worry about having enough clothes.  We worry about the brand name.

They toil in the sun.  We turn on the air conditioning.

They wish they could go to school.  We hope and pray for snow days.

They walk for just about everything.  We walk to make a difference!

 

Sneaker Awards

Business

Gold – Kelly Services - $500.00

 

Non-Profits

Gold – Housing for New Hope - $1220.35

 

Schools

Silver – Kestrel Heights School - $510.50

Gold – Duke School for Children Middle School - $2517.00

 

Small Congregations

Silver – Parkwood UMC - $3,032.00

Gold – Resurrection UMC - $3,568.96

 

Mid-Size Congregations

Silver – Triangle Presbyterian Church - $6,736.00

Gold – McMannen UMC - $7,845.00

 

Large Congregations

Silver – Westminster Presbyterian - $8,180.00

Gold – Immaculate Conception Catholic Church - $9,168.32

 

Invidual Members of the $1,000 club:

            The Finke Family (St. Paul’s Lutheran Church) - $1000

            Dan Read - (Durham Friends Meeting) - $1045

            Helen Smith - (McMannen UMC) - $1050

            Pete Massey - (McMannen UMC) - $1,100

            Marlon West – (Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church) - $1,113

            Betty Jane Upchurch – (Aldersgate UMC) - $1730

            The Hall Family – (McMannen UMC) - $2,895 in memory of their daughter, Vanessa

            Kenzie Brannon – (Westminster Presbyterian Church) - $2915

            And… Susan Cafferty of Resurrection United Methodist Church has a lifetime achievement of raising more than $20,000 for CROPWALK.

 

Additional Honors

            Many Congregations increased their giving over previous year.  Judea Reform Congregation merits special mention, having increased its total amount raised by 900%.

 

            Rev. Jimmie Hawkins has been nominated and placed on the National Board of Church World Service for CROPWALK.  Jimmie has faithfully served Durham's CROPWALK for many years.     

 

            Please mark your calendars: The 2006 CROPWALK will be March 19.

           

11.       David Winer, Executive Director, provided a proposed change to the DCIA By-laws to expand the Executive Committee.  This will be voted on at the December 13 Board Lunch Meeting.

            David advised that DCIA's Interfaith Storytelling Group had a very good 3rd  session last week.  Stories were told by Margaret Smith, Julia Webb-Bowden, Jennifer McGovern and David.

 

12.       Prayers for Those in Need:

            For two babies born to IHN families, at 24 weeks and at 28 weeks.

            For Abby, who received a new heart.

            Thanks for your prayers for James Hawkins, who is doing well.

            For Rev. Anne Hodge-Copple in her new role as rector at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

 

13.       President Rev. Nancy Ferree-Clark offered a Closing Prayer.

 

                                                                                                Minutes by: David Winer     

 

Next Board Lunch Meeting: December 13, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

 

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