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Westminster Presbyterian Church
Durham, North Carolina
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Diaconate Meeting January 13, 2008
Attendees: Louise Holland, Jim Joseph, Gary Lehew, Bill Burig, Darren Skeen, Sarah High, Helen Tharrington, John Lockhead, Dorene Palermo, Bill Hatch, Walt Beckwith, Neal Nichols, Sharon Barnes, Lynn Chesnut, Anne Vann
Bill Hatch opened with a devotion from Glimpses of Glory titled “Happy All the Time?”. Based on Philippians 4:1-7, the devotion reminds us to be joyous even when we are not happy. Being joyous is not grounded in the pursuit of happiness but we can always be joyous that we belong to God.
Concerns: Julie Beckwith is home. She is on antibiotics and is improving daily. Kathryn Bunch’s son-in-law died in Iraq last week.
The minutes were reviewed. Dorene Palermo made a motion to approve and John Lockhead second. The minutes were unanimously approved.
Committee Reports:
· Local Missions – The Habitat Presbyterian home is finished and the family enjoyed Christmas at their new house. Students from NCCU went to Pass Christian for a mission trip. The trip was funded by the Global Missions committee.
· Global Missions – The committee met last week to review organizations and update contacts. Eno River Church has invited members to join them for a mission trip to D’Iberville the third week of February. Additionally, Trinity Church will have a mission trip to D’Iberville in March.
· Congregational Care – Six new care leaders have been recruited and there will be a meeting this Tuesday for training. Kay Wellemeyer has started as the volunteer Parish Nurse. She plans to publish some information regarding the program to church members. Additionally, there will be a church assessment to see where her time should be focused.
· Assimilation – no report
· Fellowship – December was busy with Advent Potluck and Christmas Eve Potluck. There was a trip to historic Stagville during December that approximately 8 members attended. There is a meeting Monday night to plan Lenten activities, possibly a cookout event for the spring, and some small group activities.
NCCU Campus Ministry
Last month Eileen McAvoy requested the Diaconate to provide a $5,000 donation to NCCU and to increase the budget for NCCU from $2300 to $5,000. Duke and NCCU have similar budgets and similar number of students served; however, Duke get more funds from WPC and also has more churches providing donations. The $5,000 one-time donation will keep NCCU program funded while the Board improves fund raising efforts. Dorene assured the Diaconate that financial issues from the past have been addressed. In addition, Barbara Fletcher has volunteered to assist with payroll and taxes. John Lockhead made a motion to provide the $5000 from the Westminster Fund. Bill Hatch second and the motion was unanimously approved.
Regarding increasing the budget line from $2300 to $5000, it was decided to defer this decision to a later date when finalizing the budget.
Old/New Business
· Share Your Christmas -- WPC took 128 names this year which seemed to work well. The event was a big success.
· IHN – Guests were here for a short week following New Years. The week went well and there were new volunteers this week. IHN will be here again April 6-13.
· Shelter Meals – The January shelter meal will be an all-church event and has had a good sign-up. There are four months for 2008 that do not have a group to cover. Each shelter meal cost approximately $300. Bill will contact church groups to find volunteers. Also, Dorene will see if NCCU students can help serve one meal in April. The Deacons will likely serve in April or May. Bill made a motion to request from the Session a dedicated offering to fund the shelter meals. Walt second and the motion was unanimously approved. Reminder to the Deacons to send Barbara Fletcher $20 for the December shelter meal.
· Meeting times – Walt requested feedback from the group regarding meeting during the week. The initial feedback was that weeknights would be logistically more challenging. Walt asked that everyone review their calendars to discuss at a later date.
· Deacon’s Corner in the newsletter – Bill will submit information regarding Shelter Meals for the next newsletter.
· Website – please submit information for committees to Sam Bryan for the website.
Betty closed with prayer at 6:30.
Respectfully submitted
Anne Vann