Westminster Diaconate Board Minutes
February 11, 2007
7:00 PM Room 105
Attending: Bruce Capehart, co-moderator, Walt Beckwith, Bill Hatch, Jim Joseph, Anne Vann, Bill McAvoy, Nancy Safrit, Sharon Barnes, Jeff Sutton, Lynn Chesnut, Duck Rufty, Holly Borden, Louise Holland, Dorene Palermo
Bruce called the meeting to order and Jeff led Devotions.
Concerns/Celebrations: Lynn celebrates that Feb. 12 is the first anniversary of meeting Campbell. Thank you was extended to Sharon for taking the notes for the minutes. Prayers were requested for Betty’s daughter who leaves this week for her Peace Corps assignment and for Darren S. in Hickory with his parents who aren’t doing well.
The January minutes were unanimously approved.
2007 Mission Focus [Durham Nativity School and YO:Durham] Update: Bruce reported progress to involve the whole congregation in the Mission Focus. He said that the collection boxes will be used for Durham Nativity School supply needs as often as necessary through May. Those needs will be listed in the newsletter and on the website. The first drive has already appeared in the newsletter and is posted on the website. The next opportunity for congregational involvement will be a call for Friday Volunteers who would share a skill or talent with approximately ten middle school boys at the school for an hour one Friday or a series of Fridays, as their time permits. Volunteers for this initiative could bring their expertise and experience to teach practical skills (how to repair something, wire a lamp, build a widget, etc.), domestic skills (how to cook something; fix a toilet, anything!) or arts and crafts (make a macramé plant holder, make a bird feeder, use your imagination), or technology skills. Volunteers are needed for these enriching experiences Fridays, 3:30-4:30. It was noted that one of the service projects the boys are doing is building ramps for inner-city homes that have handicap needs. Bill M. said comments were made today about how good the bulleting board looks, and that it will be a nice visual for when the Presbytery is here. Nancy S. reported that YO:Durham will be up and running this summer. There will be an academy starting June 18. They will be looking for teams of mentors which will be a year long commitment.
INH Update: Sharon reported IHN currently has $35,000 in reserve. In 2006 IHN provided 2,590 nights of shelter and 7,770 meals to 22 families.
Jeff Sutton reported that several financial report statements have arrived as requested from diaconate benevolences, but haven’t been given out. Jeff will follow-up.
Ash Wednesday Pancake Supper: Bill sent around sign-up sheets. We will not have to buy as much as anticipated because of leftovers.
Presbytery Visit: Activities for the visit are going well.
Crop Walk: Duck and Anne reported the Crop Walk is scheduled for April 1. They will be setting up tables for participation and sponsorships in March.