Minutes of the Board Meeting of
Trinity United
1. Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas welcomed the assembly. She introduced Rev. Duke Lackey, pastor at
Rev. Lackey thanked those who had prepared the lunch. Trinity UMC is celebrating its 175th
anniversary next year. It was the first
Rev. Lackey led the group in an opening prayer.
2. The DCIA Affirmation was read.
3. Guests were welcomed:
Rev. Joe Harvard introduced Esther Acolatse,
a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church who is working for First
Presbyterian Church.
Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas introduced many young campers
at the summer camp operated by
Kate Johnson is a student at UNC and with National
Student Partnership.
Pete Jones is with Westminster Presbyterian Church and
Habitat for Humanity.
Marcia Owen introduced Kevin Poorman,
student at
Milly Myers of Pilgrim United
Church of Christ introduced Rev. Lori Pistor as the
interim pastor there.
4. Announcements.
A. Rev. Joe Harvard on behalf of DCIA and himself expressed
deep and lasting gratitude for eleven years of outstanding service to
Rev. Benhase offered
appreciation for the wonderful colleagues he has had in
Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas thanked Rev. Benhase for his helpful service on the Families First
Advisory Board when it started in 1998.
B. Terry Allebaugh announced that the
Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in
5. Seed Money Committee
Charles Byrd, Chair, reported that this Committee
reviewed nine worthy applications and has made three awards of $2000 each to
6. YO:
David Winer handed out Fact
Sheets for this new DCIA initiative. The
project is making good progress, with many energetic and enthusiastic
volunteers. Please publicize the Fact
Sheet within your Congregation.
Bill Youngblood advised that an important factor in YO:
7. Honoring Rev. Haywood Holderness.
Rev. Holderness is retiring as Senior Pastor at
Westminster Presbyterian Church after 32 years of service. He was honored by speeches by Rev. Jimmie
Hawkins, Rev. Mel Williams, Pete Jones, Earline Middleton, Bishop Elroy Lewis, Dan
Hudgins, Rev. Joe Harvard, and his wife Mary Holderness. These warm tributes, with much affection and
humor, recounted Haywood's many contributions to many agencies including Cropwalk, Habitat for Humanity, Food Bank of Central and
eastern NC, Department of Social Services;
He was described as a man of great energy and passion; an
advocate for the poor and dispossessed; a dedicated family man; a wonderful
humorist; a great builder of trust in church and community; committed to the
least, the lost and the left out; a remarkable fundraiser without peer whose
version of Liberation Theology is to liberate people from their money; a
facilitator and enabler who helps people respond to human needs; a tireless
worker with no reluctance to get his hands calloused and dirty to serve the
poor; a wonderful presence whether he is chairing a Board or blessing a baby; one
of the most respected people in Durham; a catalyst who has joined together the
public sector and faith community in many projects; a lover of Scripture who
opens the Book to others.
DCIA presented to Haywood a gift certificate to Recorded
Books. David Winer
noted that this is symbolic of how Haywood increases value for others; he has
acquired several recorded books, and after hearing them gives them away to
start a long chain.of sharing. David also thanked Haywood for being an
inexhaustible well of joyfulness.
Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas and the young children with
her offered to Haywood a blessing, as he has been a blessing to so many
others. The children gave to Haywood the
Bible on CD.
Haywood, with his customary humility, expressed
thankfulness to the gathering.
8. Minutes from the Board Meeting of May 16 were approved, with
a correction to page 3 to the "Stroud family."
9. Prayers for those in need were offered to those who are
incarcerated, and all those affected by the situation involving the Duke lacrosse team and two young women.
10. Rev. Scott Benhase offered the
closing prayer.
Minutes
by David Winer