Westminster Diaconate Board Minutes
January 28, 2007
7:00 PM Room 105
Attending: Betty Berghaus, staff, Michael Reich, moderator, Bruce Capehart, co-moderator, Sally Keener, clerk, Walt Beckwith, Scotti Harwood, Bill Hatch, Jim Joseph, Anne Vann, Darren Skeen, Bill Burig, Bill McAvoy, Nancy Safrit, Sharon Barnes, John Lockhead. Jeff Sutton, Lynn Chesnut
Michael called the meeting to order and Betty led Devotions reading from Jeremiah 1:4-10 were Jeremiah was led to admit and accept his weaknesses and limitations for God will be there and in control and will equip him with the words he would need. Betty guided us to see that He will do the same for us as we answer a call to be Deacons, but we must listen for God’s Will. We must always work to discern His will. Betty also shared an old hymn, “God Is Working His Purpose Out” to reinforce the lesson and message.
Concerns/Celebrations: Scotti celebrated her 5-year anniversary! Nancy shared thanks for Susan Landis’ help with the Youth Group. Betty shared concerns for Cathy Reinhardt as she recovers from neck surgery; care leaders will be helping during her convalescence. Also, concerns for Judd Staples undergoing chemotherapy, but celebrations that treatments will be able to be cut back. Prayers also for Peggy Pederson having a lumpectomy, Princess Sheldon who is back in Duke Hospital, and Elena Cleary and her family with the death of Elena’s father. Morgan Currin will have surgery on January 30.
The December minutes were unanimously approved.
2007 Session Budget Changes and Fixes
If zeroed out, it means there are funds in these accounts and they just aren’t receiving additional funds.
Bruce reported that the budget came out better than expected. The session decided to make the budget fit to what was pledged, and after phone calls, more pledges came in. Now pledges and the budget match. Scotti said Ways and Means discussed that we are a church in transition. Some previous pledges have not pledged, but we are fairing better than most churches in transition. The only major cut came out of the Global Missions due to the fact that Global Missions has funds currently and the congregation is good about raising funds for specific Global Missions requests. Betty reported on the Session’s decision to allow Deacons to handle money within their domain. They were only considering new monies for 2007 without consideration of current monies in the funds. It was decided that the Deacons did not need to discuss the budget at each meeting.
Measurable Goals for support of Mission Focus to Durham Nativity School
§ Provide cultural enrichment experiences for the boys in the graduating class (or any boys – school officials will advise) such as an outing/tour of the Nasher, trip to the planetarium, tour of Cameron or Dean Dome, insider experiences to places they won’t get to otherwise, let your interests and access be your guide; introduce the boys to landmarks and interesting people
§ Provide academic mentoring, tutoring
§ Provide hands-on shared experiences (life mentoring) with one or small groups of boys (help with how to repair something as you work; include them in work projects for disaster relief or habitat project; bring them to an event at church; etc.
Regarding the other component of the Mission Focus, Nancy reported that YO:Durham successfully raised $30,000 matching funds. She highlighted the areas where our congregation can be actively involved include: stipends, speakers, instructors, field trips, and internships.
We need a Deacon representative for the Nominating Committee. This committee nominates church officers and this time will also nominate candidates for the PNC. Bill Hatch volunteered to be our representative.
Shelter Meals The deacons have been asked to accept responsibility for a second shelter meal each year (we currently serve the meal in December) and the diaconate voted to take on another meal. Rick Overholt will schedule the other month the deacons will cover. Rick wanted to know if he should put out information on how to conduct yourself when on the serving line. Bill H. reported that Rick had paid for the last shelter meal. The deacons voted to reimburse his expenses.
Sunday coffee receptions The Deacons (in fact, all officers) are asked to participate in the after-service coffees to greet visitors and mingle with members, old and new, as part of our role as representatives of the life and work of the church.
Sharon reported that the Gone Fishing band concert at Mt. Sylvan was a successful fundraiser for IHN.
Walt highlighted upcoming events: Feb. 21 – Ash Wednesday pancake dinner and 7 pm service; Feb. 24 – Presbytery meeting, 9:00am meeting, registrations beforehand, we need to set-up tables and chairs for lunch; Heavenly Ham will cater the lunch. A committee of the session is organizing the events. Feb. 10 – Father/daughter dance.
Bill reported that the next IHN visit will be Feb. 25.
Betty said we have inherited the socks from the Christmas drive, and she needs to know what to do with them.
At the DCIA dinner Alex Safrit talked about “teen teams building bridges.”