Durham Congregations in Action
(DCIA)

In a spirit of reconciliation and with gratitude for the gift of diversity, DCIA seeks to engage and empower people of faith to create a community of justice and peace through our common prayers and acts of compassion; and with prophetic courage to act as advocates for the dignity and well-being of all persons, recognizing that behind every human face is the face of God.

The next DCIA meeting will be 6:00 pm, Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 403 E. Main St. This evening meeting will be a celebration of the YO:Durham Summer Academy Graduation. Agenda is http://dcia.org/docs/aug08agenda.htm

YO:Durham Fall 2008 Newsletter web viewable: http://yodurham.org/documents/yodurhamnews3b.htm Printable (double sided, set flip pages up, fold into booklet): http://yodurham.org/documents/yodurhamnews3b.pdf or call DCIA for copies.

DCIA is concentrating on YOUTH with two major projects:

Teen Teams Building Bridges DCIA has initiated Teen Teams Building Bridges for the faith community. They bring together youths of 13 - 17 years of age to build bridges and relationships across boundaries of race, economics, faith and culture. Activities include enhancing communication skills, sharing faith traditions, and working together on a community project. This initiative is open to all youths in any congregation in Durham. Please contact Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas at mailto:res00blq@verizon.net or 560-8153.

YO:Durham The Year of Opportunity for Durham Teens will redirect high-risk teens from current hazardous pathways and afford them an opportunity to shape their future in positive ways. Based on a successful Boston, MA program, YO:Durham will serve teens who are at risk of criminal involvement and/or academic failure or suspension. Many hundreds of teens in our area are at risk and several community groups have identified helping teens turn their lives around as a pressing and immediate need. This program is an attempt by DCIA to address this growing problem. Details see http://www.yodurham.org.

Be sure that you and your congregation are a part!
If you would like bulletin inserts, they are at http://www.yodurham.org/Documents/bulletin%20insert.pdf
or call the DCIA office at 688-2036 or email Susan Blackmon at mailto:susanblackmon@yodurham.org

Upcoming events and opportunities for service

• Join in a Community-Wide Observance of National Children's Sabbaths® Weekend October 17-19, 2008
  Nationally Sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund, http://www.childrensdefense.org.
  Materials available: http://dcia.org/DOCS/Join in a Community.htm  
  http://dcia.org/docs/DOCS/CradleToPrison Pipeline PreventionActions.pdf  
  http://dcia.org/DOCS/Children's Sabbath CDF Toolkit_for_Faith_Communities.pdf
   
• Dear Peaceful People,
  Help Increase the Peace Program and Alternative to Violence Project.
  Have you wanted to participate in a HIPP/AVP workshop but were unable to commit to a full weekend?
  Well, we have a solution made just for you.   We are offering a full basic HIPP/AVP workshop tailored just for you.
  We will meet every Thursday evening from September 25th to November 13th, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM in the Friends Old Meeting House, 404 Alexander, Durham, NC.   You must commit to be there each session.   The fee will be $15 for youth and $50 for adults.   To register, please call Jim Williams 919-408-2000 or send me an email.   Please register by September 18th.  
  Peace,   Journeying Jim
  Workshop descriptions: http://dcia.org/docs/hippavp.htm
  Other workshops: http://dcia.org/docs/HelpIncreasePeace.htm
   
• Thanks once again to everyone who supported the 2008 Durham CROP Hunger Walk. Funds raised so far exceed $175,000. If you have money that you haven't turned in yet, please turn it in as soon as possible.
  An update on what the money raise so far is doing nationally and internationally:
  Church World Service (CWS) continues to support emergency responses to several current crises. In China, CWS support helps Amity Foundation continue to work in the aftermath of last month's devastating earthquake by providing emergency shelter to families and psycho-social support for displaced children. Local partners continue to face challenges in Myanmar (Burma) but have been able to provide aid to more than 280,000 individuals with CWS help. Emergency response personnel are working to determine needs and long-term support after record-setting rainfall in the Midwest.
  As always, 25% of the money raised will be returned to Durham Congregations In Action and distributed to local hunger-fighting agencies.
   
• Habitat for Humanity of Durham Habitour
  A Habitour is a one-hour educational session to learn how Habitat helps families in our community become homeowners. Attendees are treated to lunch at the Habitat office and shown a video of homeowners telling how changing their living circumstances improved their outlook and their children's lives. After the video, attendees are taken on a van tour of the neighborhoods where Habitat of Durham is currently building. During the tour, attendees can walk through a house, so they can see and hear firsthand how volunteers and future homeowners build Habitat houses.
  Habitours are great "lunch and learn" opportunities for faith groups, civic groups and professional organizations who are interested in learning how they can partner with Habitat to address the need for affordable housing. Space is limited to 12 people.
  The next Habitour is Friday September 26 at noon. To sign up, contact Mitzi Viola, Development Director at mviolat@durhamhabitat.org 
   
• Threshold is a rehabilitation program for adults with severe mental illness that has been serving the Durham community for 23 years. Threshold will be holding its annual Employers Dinner on Friday, September 12th. This is always Threshold's biggest event of the year, a "sit down" dinner with speakers, entertainment, and a dj for dancing afterward. This is, for many of our members, the only time of the year that they get to do what the rest of the world does - go out on a weekend evening, be served a nice dinner, and enjoy themselves. We hold this dinner at the downtown Marriott. While we do not have a dress code and welcome our members in their everyday clothes, this is, by virtue of its location, a "dressy" event. Many of our members, who receive less than $70 a month to take care of all of their personal care needs - toothpaste, deodorant, cigarettes, the occasional soda, AND clothing - cannot afford dressy clothes. We have had individuals who have really wanted to come, but who have refused because they think they will be out of place. Threshold is appealing to the community to help our members dress up for this event. Please go through your closets and find those suits and dresses that are too big or small, are a little out of style, or that you bought for some special event and know that you will never wear again. Larger sizes are especially needed. We are also looking for the accessories to go with them - the dress shirts, ties, jewelry, socks and shoes. You can clean out your closets, get a tax donation letter, and help make a member feel very special. Ask your neighbors, your church, your office and your community organizations if they can help. If you cannot get the clothing to us, we will come and pick it up. Call the Member Services Unit at Threshold - 682-4124 - if you have any questions , and thank you for helping our members enjoy their evening.
   
• SAVE THE DATE Saturday, September 20, 2008 Conference featuring green jobs expert Majora Carter to address a range of needs in Durham and elsewhere NC Central University 8:30 to 4:00. Details at http://dcia.org/docs/greenconf.htm.
   
• YO:Durham needs your financial support
  The Summer Academy has just begun. This is the most expensive time of the year for YO:Durham and it does not have a large reserve. If you or your congregation can help, now would be a great time! Call (919) 688-2036 or email susanblackmon@yodurham.org or dcia@dcia.org or mail your contribution to YO:Durham, 504 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham, NC 27701. And now you can contribute securely by credit card!  Click here to give.
   
• One World Market hosting our Annual Oriental Rug Event August 20 - 24, 2008. http://oneworldmarket.info/ecard2.htm.
   
• Dear Christian Leader, I want to share with you a paper (10 pages) I recently wrote on the church responding to lives impacted by crime and incarceration. The recent events in Raleigh (Triangle Mall, NC State University, and increased gang activity) demand a greater Church response to these areas of great need. I believe the Word of God provides the answer for responding to the crime crisis. The answer is Romans 12:21 (read it). I pray this paper will be helpful and please feel free to share (forward) with as many others as you are led. The time is now to overcome evil with good! Glorying in the Cross of Christ, Michael R. Smith, Sr., M. Div. Cross of Christ Discipleship Ministries Home Office - 703 580-8586 CP - 919 349-5686 www.crossofchristdm.org The paper is at: http://dcia.org/docs/Understanding PrisonMinistryFromaChristianWorldview.pdf

  Thank you for the article. It was well done. I wanted to mention that Lennie Spitale who is referenced in the article will be joining Christian Library International for our annual Author Dinner fundraiser, Tuesday October 21 in Raleigh. Tickets are $39 and include dinner. Please let me know if you would like more information or see our website.
  God Bless you all and the work you are doing!
  Kathleen Skaar Executive Director
  Christian Library International 3800 A Hillcrest Dr Raleigh, NC 27610 919 212-8122 www.cli-nc.org
   

• Responding To Climate Change Conference on August 23. Flyer http://dcia.org/DOCS/Responding%20To%20Climate%20Change%20Flyer.pdf and registration form http://dcia.org/DOCS/Responding%20to%20Climage%20Change%20Registration.pdf.
   
• Divining America: Religion in American History A humanities series presented by Durham County Library Please join the Durham County Library for Divining America: Religion in American History. This lecture series will explore many of the major religious movements and watersheds in American history from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Scholars from around the Triangle will invite you to learn, to think, and to discuss religion from a historical perspective. For more details and a schedule, see http://dcia.org/docs/diviningamerica.pdf
   
• The Durham Prison Resource Round Table (DPRRT), an all inclusive initiative, assists persons and families affected by incarceration(formerly, currently, or at-risk). The DPRRT seeks to strengthen communities by connecting the disconnected by improving housing, education and skills training, health services, employment,family and juvenile justice, and faith-based ministry. The group meets every 1st Tuesday of the month from 11-2 in the Fellowship Hall of Union Baptist Church, 904 N Roxboro St., Durham, NC. All participants are asked to bring a dish to bring to share with the group. Our meeting is divided into 3 sections: 1) networking and potluck lunch, 2) educational session about issues impacting prisoners, returning citizens and their families, and 3) subcommittee work on issues key to effective re-entry.
   
• YO:Durham Internships and Mentors Are Needed!!
  Year of Opportunity for Durham Teens (YO:Durham), one of the newest initiatives of DCIA, has begun their second year of the program. The program includes four components including the Summer Career Academy, Internships, Mentoring, and Service Learning Opportunities. YO:Durham is in need of your help! If you would like to provide an internship or mentor one of our students, please contact Susan Blackmon, Program Director, or Krystal Foxx, Mentor Coordinator at (919) 688-2036 or susanblackmon@yodurham.org and krystal.foxx@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
   
• Alliance of AIDS Services - Carolina News: July 2008 http://www.aas-c.org/aasc/newsletter_intro.html.
   
• Here is a link to the latest issue of Housing for New Hope News: http://housingfornewhope.org/uploads/media/Housing_for_New_Hope_News_-_June_2008.pdf. In this issue: A Daughter’s Gratitude and a Counselor’s Appreciation: Homeless Prevention and Presbyterian Urban Ministry. Please Join Us for Breakfast. If you have difficulty opening the link, please visit http://www.housingfornewhope.org, and click on “Recent News.”
   
• Greetings from the Center for Reconciliation! The latest Update newsletter is available online at http://www.divinity.duke.edu/reconciliation/pages/aboutus/update.html.
   
• On September 26, 2008, the Women’s Leadership Council will present its 2008 “Celebrate Women!” Awards to outstanding women leaders in the Triangle. The event will be held at Embassy Suites in Cary at 12 Noon. And, we will again be recognizing the accomplishments of three Young Teen Girls.
  To nominate: http://dcia.org/docs/WLCluncheonNominationForm08.pdf
   
• Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham's "Bulls Eye Prayer" for the peace and healing in our neighborhoods suffering from gunshots, violent injuries and deaths. You are invited to join in public prayer every two weeks to affirm God's presence and purpose of peace in Durham. Please meet us every other Saturday from 5:00PM-5:45PM. Details and locations at http://dcia.org/docs/BullsEyePrayer.htm
   
• Durham Together for Resilient Youth (TRY) has launched a Community Awareness Initiative funded by the Durham Center ( http://www.durhamcenter.org ), the local agency that manages publicly-funded mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services in Durham County . They would like to send you a powerful introduction to the latest thinking on substance misuse and addiction. This short presentation can help dispel some of the misconceptions about this disease that can keep people from getting the help and support they need. To receive a copy, please e-mail Wanda Boone at DurhamNCTRY@aol.com, call 919-491-7811or visit the web site: http://www.DurhamTRY.org
   
•  Think You Know the Facts Behind Child Poverty? Take a quiz from the Children's Defense Fund.
  CDF's Cradle to Prison Pipeline^® Campaign is a national call to action to stop the funneling of tens of thousands of youth down life paths that often lead to arrest, conviction, incarceration and even death. Poverty is the largest driving force behind the Pipeline crisis, exacerbated by race. Still, many of us are unaware of the facts behind child poverty in America. Did you know that a baby is born into poverty in America every 35 seconds? Did you know that almost 13 million — one out of every six — children in America live in poverty?
  Test your knowledge about child poverty in America by taking our quiz!
   
• CIS Communities in Schools Durham Newsletter featuring: Hurricanes support research-based summer reading program and Bank of America supports Durham READS http://dcia.org/docs/CISofDurham.htm
   
• Help Habitat Build Inventory

  The Habitat Hand-Me-Up Store in Durham’s Shannon Plaza sells furniture, appliances and household items that are in good condition. The store proceeds support building Habitat homes in Durham and Orange Counties. To schedule a time for free pick up of furniture and appliances call 403-8668 or visit www.habitathandmeups.org for store information.

  Habitat of Durham and Orange counties are now accepting donations of good building materials for a ReStore coming soon! These items could come from new construction, remodeling, demolition or your storage. To make a donation or for more information, contact Roxanne at rhall@durhamhabitat.org or 682-0516, ext. 113.
   

• Check out Habitat Happenings http://dcia.org/docs/HabitatHappenings.htm
   
• Do you shop at Kroger? Did you know you can help feed the hungry just by leaving your receipt at the door? For the past 30 years, Kroger has has donated over $200,000 in Kroger gift cards to help feed the hungry of Durham. All you have to do is drop your receipt at one of the 6 Durham Kroger stores as you exit. Kroger donates one-tenth of 1% of all receipts to the Durham Department of Social Services, which in turn distributes it to folks at Genesis Home and Urban Ministries shelter. Approximately $1500-$2500 is donated every 3 months. Wow!

  No need to worry about identity theft as the boxes are locked and the receipt only contains the last 4 digits of your credit/debit card number. The receipts are picked up by members of Pilgrim United Church of Christ, tabulated and then totals are sent to Kroger's regional offices.

  Please help spread the word!
   

• Check out the news at Meals on wheels: http://www.mowdurham.org/
   

• The Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham requests your faithful partnership.
   

• We at Communities In Schools (CIS) of Durham are interested in partnering with your church or faith community to help Durham’s youth succeed in school and prepare for adult life
   

• Gleaning opportunities almost always available.  For more information, Society of St. Andrew web site: http://www.endhunger.org/north_carolina.htm


 

• ONE The campaign to make poverty history
   

• Triangle Jobs with Justice has a listserve.  If you are interested, send email to trianglejwj@riseup.net


 

• The Durham Public Schools are seeking parent input.
   

• Scholarship availability for African-American students.

Items of interest from DCIA meetings and focus groups:

• Read Spencer Bradford's address and learn about his vision for DCIA http://dcia.org/DOCS/Triple Threats and Divine Response.htm

• Result of the Focus Groups - DCIA will concentrate on Youth

• About the Reconciliation & Re-entry (R&R) Ministry.

• Discussion of Justice during a DCIA meeting.

• DCIA and Public Education.

Durham Congregations in Action
504 W. Chapel Hill Street
Durham, N.C. 27701-3102
(919) 688-2036
DCIA@dcia.org

Last updated 8/16/2008 questions and suggestions to webmaster@dcia.org