All material copyright 2005.
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Durham, North Carolina
(919)489-4974
For staff e-mail call # above
or e-mail Gail
Comments, corrections and suggestions about this website are welcome.
E-mail Web
assistant
Diaconate Meeting February 10, 2008
Attendees: Jim Joseph, Gary Lehew, Bruce Capehart, Bill Hatch, Carol Kelly, Helen Tharrington, Dorene Palermo, Walt Beckwith, Sharon Barnes, Neal Nichols, Marty Warburton and Anne Vann. Shayne Ruffing was also in attendance during budget discussions.
Neal Nichols opened with a reading from Matthew 4:1-4. Neal discussed the history of fasting during Lent in the Catholic church and the concept of denying oneself as a means to being closer, more focused to God. He reminded us that we should give of ourselves so we can focus on what is needed to serve the church.
Celebrations: There will be a celebration of Paul Ransford’s service to the church on March 30th followed by a BBQ lunch.
The minutes were reviewed and one grammatical error corrected. Sharon Barnes made a motion to approve and Bill Hatch second. The minutes were unanimously approved with the change.
Budget Report: Shayne Ruffing addressed the Diaconate regarding the 2008 budget. Shayne gave an overview of the entire budget process. 2008 is the first year the church has a budget of $1 million. Approximately 25% of the overall budget goes to benevolences. The original requested budget was $1.043 million. With the committed funds and additional expected donations, the current budget is $1.024 million. The $18 thousand shortfall will be taken from: $8K from Presbytery donation, $5K from educational benevolences to support WPC youth entering seminary, and recommend $5K from Global Missions Project (note: there will be no Mexico Mission trip in ’08).
Shayne also noted that the church needs $200,000 for general building maintenance. A Comprehensive Campaign will be launched soon.
Committee Reports:
· Assimilation – The group is getting additional Time and Talent cards and will provide a printout of each category for the committee leaders. Please contact volunteers to show appreciation for their willingness to serve. Dorene has requested college ministry be added to the next Time and Talent cards. There was recently a dinner for the new members that went well.
· Congregational Care – The committee met in January to train the new care leaders. In addition, the committee is trying a new process for care leader assignment by month. The Congregational Care team will host an event at Dream Dinners on March 17th to stock the freezer for meals to be used for congregational care.
· Fellowship – The pancake supper was a success. The next event is the Lenten Lunch. Several members signed up to provide food or for organization of the event on March 5th.
· Global Missions – The committee is reviewing request for support for missions in Haiti, Tabasco area flood relief, and rebuilding of Union University in TN. The CROP Walk is Sunday March 16th.
· Local Missions –
o Please donate gently used books for Carl’s Books to honor the life of Josie Humphries grandson. The books will be enjoyed by children at UNC hospital.
o Habitat Update: Youth United school kids raised $50K for a new house, the 200th house in Durham will be started soon, and there are some opportunities for Youth to be involved in building trails and playgrounds with Habitat.
o Campus ministry update: Eileen McAvoy has secured donations from one additional church for NCCU, NCCU students will serve the April shelter meal, and there is a core group of students that have become really engaged in the college ministry. Dorene also reported that she, Eileen McAvoy, and Alyson Bosworth attended a one day training class focused on developed of boards for campus ministry. Carol Kelly reported that she has been involved in the campus ministry at UNC and things are going well with approximately 40 students at each meeting and over 75 students at the Thanksgiving dinner.
o IHN: IHN will be at WPC in March and June.
o Next Step Housing: Next Step Housing has partnered with Resources for Human Development. Next Step will be the location of choice for patients discharged from Butner. With this move, someone would always be onsite to manage the complex and it is likely the 12 apartments would stay full at all times.
o Threshold: Threshold has received a matching grant that provides additional support to the organization.
o Veterans: Bruce Capehart is working on a new program to address homelessness for the veteran population.
o Hispanic Ministry: The minister of the Hispanic ministry is still developing a community center atmosphere. WPC still needs someone to represent this organization.
o Camp New Hope: Camp New Hope is looking for additional board members. There will be a workday in mid-March to paint some of the shelters. There will be an auction in April.
o DCIA and Urban Ministries are both in need of a WPC representative.
Old/New Business
· Sally Cook has agreed to fulfill the vacant spot created when Scotti Harwood stepped down. The nominating committee will present Sally Cook to the congregation on February 17th.
· There was discussion in reference to alcohol use at camp outings. Due to a past incident, the youth and youth leaders will be asked to sign commitment forms for all overnight activities. In addition, state run campgrounds have “no alcohol” policies. These will be well published in upcoming promotions of the camp outings. One additional note is that the camp outings need to be well publicized to include all church membership.
· Meetings dates and times: Walt reported that it seems unlikely to find a compatible weeknight for the group. Carol Kelly requested moving the meeting to 5:30-7:30 to coincide with Youth. Bill Hatch stated that he preferred the current meeting time so he can go to the end of the Youth meetings. No decision was made.
· NCCU funding in the budget: Dorene Palermo made a motion to move $3,500 from the Environmental budget line to NCCU budget to support NCCU at the same level as Duke. Bruce Capehart second the motion.
· Shelter Meal: Bill Hatch stated the next Deacon shelter meal will be June 24th. Also, all but one month is covered in the schedule.
Neal Nichols closed with prayer at 6:45pm.
Respectfully submitted
Anne Vann