Minutes of the Board Meeting of Durham Congregations In Action

October 18, 2005

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

1. Rev. Nancy Ferree-Clark welcomed the assembly. She introduced Rev. Thomas Colley.

Rev. Colley advised that St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is 82 years old in Durham. Building renovations are ongoing. There is currently a sale of pumpkins outside to raise money for hurricane relief.

The Lutherans recently passed Eucharistic sharing with the Methodist Church, and are seeking full communion and fellowship.

Rev. Colley led the assembly in a lovely song of devotion, mentioning that Luke teaches us to sing in Chapter 1. The song was accompanied on piano by Diane Archer, Youth Minister.

Rev. Colley offered an Opening Prayer, seeking for us to be a community of reconciliation, with justice and peace.

2. The DCIA Affirmation was read.

3. The Minutes of the DCIA Meeting of September 20 were approved.

4. Maryann Crea, Treasurer, gave the Financial Report. Donations to DCIA are lagging in the Fall, as often happens. Congregations are asked to please make their donations by December 31. The Budget calls for a transfer from Operating Funds for Expenses in the amount of $10K, which has not yet occurred.

5. Guests were introduced:

Nick McCoy, Coordinator with the Hurricane Task Force.

Carolyn Titus, Assistant City Manager.

Vicar David Ramirez, a divinity student and Campus Chaplain at Duke for the Lutheran community.

6. Announcements:

Joe Moran announced Alternative Giving for the Holiday Season sponsored by Church World Service is to provide funds for Afghan and Pakistan refugees who were devastated by the recent earthquake that killed many children. A brochure was provided.

Joe Moran also advised that James Hawkins, son of Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, continues to progress well in recovering from meningitis and is back home.

Maryann Crea advised that Immaculate Conception Catholic Church had an Alternative Giving program that raised $8K for youth organizations.

Kenny Dalsheimer of Judea Reform Congregation advised that he is leading a Youth Media Project that is recruiting teens from the faith community to participate in focusing on Durham’s civil rights history. This Project will help youth to learn from the past and reflect on current civil rights issues. Please contact Kenny with names of youths who might be interested.

Rev. Scott Benhase advised that Robin and Linda Williams are performing at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church with all proceeds going to Urban Ministries of Durham. The Williams’ are often on Prairie Home Companion and have been outstanding for 30 years. Scott said: “They are better than the Stones – and beer and wine will be available, because we are Episcopalians.”

7. Kaaren Johanson advised that both Youth Work Teams are meeting and progressing. Work Team 1 is meeting November 1, and Work Team 2 is meeting October 20. One proposed project is to form an ongoing interfaith teen group for discussions and community projects. Anyone interested should contact Kaaren or Maryann Crea.

8. Bob Newlin advised that the Communications Team welcomes more members. Please let Bob know if you would like to be added to the email list, or have news items of general interest to the faith community.

9. Rev. Laura Benson announced that she is leaving Interfaith Hospitality Network after 8-1/2 years to become Executive Director of Lutheran Families Homeless Together in Raleigh. She is very thankful for the privilege of working with DCIA and IHN. As Chair of DCIA’s Seed Money Committee, Laura advised that 6 worthy applications have been received and decisions on them will be made by December 1. Kaaren pointed out that Laura was recently highly honored by the Inspirational Award from the Women’s Network.

10. The Durham County Interfaith Hurricane Task Force presented on their activities.

Laura Benson advised that the immediate needs of emergency services for evacuees of Hurricane Katrina transcended the capacity of any one agency or congregation. Representatives from the County and DCIA and affiliated agencies wanted to be systematic and draw on expertise within the community to use resources to help effectively and efficiently. A major objective is to provide a response that is sustainable, since many evacuees will be staying in Durham for many months or permanently. The Task Force is also mindful of the importance of continuing to meet needs of those who have already been in Durham as well as those newly in crisis.

Helping the evacuees has a spiritual foundation in Scripture, which in Hebrews calls on us to be hospitable, and many times in the Torah says that we should be compassionate to the stranger.

Carolyn Titus advised that the Task Force is a partnership of the City Government and the faith community. The City has trained professionals and policy manuals for reacting to emergency needs, but these plans do not typically extend to a sudden influx of 300 evacuees.

Evacuees were provided debit cards, and with help from the American Red Cross and DSS two social workers were hired to identify people and their needs. Nick McCoy was hired as the coordinator to link evacuees with resources. He has worked with refugees overseas such as Armenians.

Nick McCoy advised that primary needs include housing, furnishings and food; and other important needs are employment opportunities, transportation and child care. Families are beginning to reclaim self-sufficiency, but need ongoing support to sustain their recovery. And each week, additional evacuees from the Gulf are coming to Durham, most of whom have no homes to which to return.

Please call 683-8476 if you or your congregation can help. You can also use email: hurricanerelief@firstpres-durham.org

Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas mentioned that last night she made a camcorder interview of a family from Louisiana seeking refuge; they have lost everything. Kenny Dalsheimer is helping Pebbles to make the interview into a movie that all can see.

11. David Winer gave the Executive Director’s Report.

The DCIA Interfaith Storytelling Group will meet at noon on Wednesday, November 9 at the DCIA office at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church. Please contact David if you are interested. Last month we heard stimulating stories from Dilys Hale, Ginny Chorley, Carol Ayres and David.

Jobs For Life has begun in Durham. DCIA had a good presentation on this program a few months ago from Rev. Skip Long and James Robeson III, under its former name of National Jobs Partnership. Two churches in Walltown have started this program, Northside Baptist and St. John’s Baptist. Three DCIA congregations are also partnering: Covenant Presbyterian Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church and Judea Reform Congregation. Congregants from these 3 have great enthusiasm and energy as they embark on this program to help people with low education, job skills and experience to increase their capacity to find and keep a good job. If any other congregations are interested, David is glad to link you with helpful resources.

12. Prayers for Those in Need:

For families relocating from the hurricane.

For Rev. James Knuth, who is recovering from illness.

13. The Closing Prayer was led by David Ramirez.

Minutes by: David Winer

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