Westminster Diaconate Board Minutes
March 11, 2007
Attending: Dorene Palermo, Bill McAvoy, Walt Beckwith, Bill Hatch, Holly Borden, Jim Joseph, Anne Vann, John Lockhead, Bill Burig, Nancy Safrit, Duck Rufty, Jeff Sutton, Scotti Harwood, Lynn Chesnut, Michael Reich, moderator, Bruce Capehart, co-moderator, Betty Berghaus, staff, Sally Keener, clerk.
Michael called the meeting to order, and Betty led the devotions reading from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 and A Book of Reformed Prayers, guiding us to consider Paul’s conversion to a newness in Christ as in Christ we are created anew. We have the gift of being new and now we should take care of one another, be ambassadors for Christ to do and speak for Christ. This is especially so in our roles as deacons.
Concerns/Celebrations:
These people were raised in concern and need our prayers: Sharon’s son is home from the hospital and is getting his diabetes adjusted; Alex’s son is back in the hospital. They need meals; contact Betty if you can help. Margaret Falkovic had heart surgery and is home recovering; Karl Humphries’ 13-year-old grandson is at home with Hospice care; Marion Draffin had her tonsils out and is recovering from mono; Sarah Reuning has shingles.
Celebrations were expressed for Paul’s recovery from heart surgery; he is conserving his strength, but returning to duties. Dorene celebrated the successful trip to the MS coast with 23 people from four churches and reported there are 600 houses in town still in need of repairs.
The Minutes of the February meeting were unanimously approved.
Bruce reminded us of the projects underway with YO:Durham and Durham Nativity School. A good summary appears in the minutes of the February meeting. Nancy reported that the director, Susan Blackman, has three sub-committees: recruitment, curriculum, internships & mentoring. Volunteers are needed in all three areas. People are needed to discuss their careers; present on a topic in the curriculum and provide internships after school during the school year. They are asking every DCIA congregation to support this project to provide support for a student’s costs or with mentoring teams of 4 to work with 4 students for 2 hours twice a month. In April and May volunteers are needed to review applications. YO:Durham will be the highlight of Minute for Mission on March 25th. Bulletin inserts will be provided.
Designated Offerings: the Diaconate had designated the Christmas Eve offering to YO:Durham and Durham Nativity School; the February special offering with the Presbytery meetings was dedicated to IHN; Ash Wednesday offering went to YO:Durham. Duke medical students will support Urban Ministries with a fund raiser.
Deacon Shelter Meal: Given the choices, the deacons voted on April 24th at the date of the second shelter meal supported directly by the deacons.
Habitat Housing Partnership Proposal: Habitat wants to build 32 houses on a new property in an entirely “green community.” A landscaping firm has donated time to help make this the first affordable housing in the country that is environmentally conscious. There will be a track and a children’s play areas. Trinity Avenue Presbyterian is asking Westminster and other churches to jointly sponsor and build a habitat house this summer. The cost is $50,000 to sponsor. Dorene asked the diaconate for $10,000 plus workers to help with Trinity Avenue Pres to do this environmental housing. Dorene made a motion that WPC would partner with Trinity Avenue Presbyterian and other churches, with TAPC as the leader, to sponsor and build a habitat house this summer by sharing the costs and providing workers. Betty and Dorene will take this to the Session. We will need a creative committee to present this to the congregation. Dorene will head a marketing committee, Michael, Alex and Betty will help, and Nancy said Alex would, too.
John L. reported that there are legal entanglements at Lake Kerr and Pres Pt., which may not be worked out by Memorial Day, but he is working on having an outing somewhere. Location to be announced.
Community Work Days are sponsored twice a year by the deacons to work at 2-3 sites for half a day on a Saturday. May 19th will be the Spring Work Day. We need to know a good project for those who stay at WPC, and Bruce will ask Barbara for suggestions. Everyone was asked to check with their agencies to identify good projects for this workday. There may be a project for Camp New Hope, but permits and Youth projects need to be worked out. Walt is working through those issues. There is no real need for work at Andover Apts, but we will check with Doug on that. We do have some additional money for the picnic area. Scotti suggested the DCRC; the shelter needs work. She will check on what we might do. Dorene will investigate a habitat site that needs landscaping.
Duck has envelops for those who want to sign-up to walk or sponsor someone. The Walk is April 1st at 2:30 and covers 4.3 mile. We are trying to top the silver from last year ($15,000). Sign-up is every Sunday. Betty and Lynn need sponsors.
Dorene has been meeting with this ministry. Northgate is host. Julio and his wife have been hired as Presbyterian minister, but it is a rocky start. Recently they opened the services to all and some of the original core members left over this policy. Attendance runs 18 or less on Sundays, so they are not in a sustaining mode. We must have a pastor or an elder on the Board to serve and organize and operational interface. They are reaching out by having musical worship services on Wednesday nights with an Hispanic band. Dorene asked Monica or the Youth might work with them before the Mexico trip to learn Spanish songs. Youth could go and listen at the Wednesday services and figure a way to work together for the mission trip. The February monthly report from this mission is at the end of these minutes.
Old/New Business:
· Bill M. reported a good sign-up to the Lenten Lunch; there will be plenty of chili and soup.
· Easter brunch will be served between services on April 8th.
· Jeff needs financial information from the Hispanic ministry. He has fact sheets from our agencies and invited anyone associated with an agency to get a copy.
· Michael reminded committee chairs to keep up with the notebooks so we will have historical records and legacy for future chairs.
· Global Missions: Walt will speak to the Session about support for Don Wehemeyer as the Presbytery has decreased its support making the Wehemeyers responsible for 80% of their operational costs and salary. The question is if QWPC will increase its giving from the current Sunday School offerings and if so to what amount. The point was made that we need to identify the amount of the shortfall.
· Easter Offering dedication: Half of this offering, as always, will go to One Great Hour of Sharing and the deacons are to designate the other half. Scotti had researched some ideas (Lakewood Y for at-risk kids after-school program; Prevent Child Abuse of NC which provides information and local parent education groups and support., child abuse and maltreatment center through UNC hospitals). DCRC was also suggested and the Habitat green project. After discussion the decision was to dedicate the offering to DCRC with specificity that it go towards youth programs, which is in line with the mission focus of the year.
Respectfully submitted: Sally Keener, clerk
Emanuel Hispanic Presbyterian Church of Durham-Chapel Hill
Rev. Julio C. Ramirez-Eve
Monthly Report
2/22/07
Define the Target (Evangelism)
We hosted a Valentine’s Day service and celebration in collaboration with the music academy. The event, which featured an original musical drama, was well attended by the congregation, music school participants, and other invited guests (close to 60 in all).
Martha organized two women’s coffee gatherings on February 8th and February 15th. The topic on February 8th was schools of choice, with the official DPS school choice DVD, applications, and the open house schedule. On the 15th, bilingual counselor Sarah Janssen of Catholic Social Services was scheduled to speak about healthy parent-child communication, but she cancelled due to illness. Julio gave a talk on the same topic, which was well attended and very well received. Sarah Janssen is scheduled to speak in April, and a yoga teacher will offer a free session for the women in May. Several new women have visited as a result of publicizing these meetings at Forest View and Club Boulevard Elementary Schools, and some have also begun participating in music school activities as a result.
Define the Purpose of the Evolving Congregation
(Christian Education and Worship)
Julio is beginning a weekly series of preparation classes for those interested in becoming members of the congregation, and there are at least four people who are planning to participate.
Care for the Congregation and Serve the Community
Martha has been helping congregation members, music school participants, and others in the Latino community to obtain information about the various magnet and year-round school options available within Durham Public Schools. She has helped several families fill out and turn in the applications in time for the upcoming deadline. Several families she helped with this last year have been very pleased with the schools to which their children were accepted, and they now are sharing their experiences with others.
In Julio’s absence (while at a conference), Martha accompanied a regular church attendee to bail his nephew out of the county jail after being picked up for DWI. She was able to provide support and translation, facilitating the release of his nephew until his court date.
Strengthen Connections w/Other Churches and the Community
Bilingual Talk Time was held on February 9th at First Pres. The theme for the evening was love and friendship.
On February 2nd, Julio and Guillermo accompanied music school band “Ensueño” and their family members to the immigration conference at Church of the Reconciliation, where they were invited to play for the assembled gathering. Julio also attended and led a breakout discussion group at the conference on Saturday.
On February 11th, Julio, Martha, and Guillermo and his band “Puerta Emanuel” played during the second Sunday luncheon after worship service at University Presbyterian Church. Virginia Joines arranged for their participation and provided publicity about the ministry and music academy on the tables.
On February 13th, Julio and Martha attended the Durham Public School Board Hispanic Kitchen Table Conversation, together with several Hispanic mothers and their children for whom they provided transportation. They both were trained and served as group facilitators at the event, which was attended by more than 300 people.
Julio participated in a planning meeting and a subsequent meeting with the Durham Police Department, with the purpose of expressing concern over the growing number of Hispanic residents being targeted as crime victims and learning about the police department’s plans to combat this situation.
Professional Development
Julio attended the Synod’s New Church Development conference in Richmond, VA from February 20th-22nd.