Recent Updates 10-15

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 10/14/2007

 

Attendees:  Walt Beckwith, Neal Nichols, Carol Kelly, Helen Tharrington, Darren Skeen, Bill Burig, Bill Hatch, Sarah High, Rob Wilgus, Gary Lehew, Jim Joseph, Anne Vann, Louise Holland, Sharon Barnes, Holly Borden, Bruce Capehart, Betty Berghaus, and Lynn Chesnut

 

Walt Beckwith opened the meeting at 5:10pm.  Betty shared a meditative devotion with scripture from Isaiah 40 and listening to the song “Now the Green Blade Riseth”.  During concerns and celebrations, Betty shared that Hazel Gaddis passed earlier that morning.  Walt read a thank you note to the Deacons from Michael Reich.

 

Parish Nurse

Kay Wellemeyer presented information regarding her desire to start a Parish Nurse position at WPC.  Kay discussed that the church has a responsibility toward healing.  WPC currently has programs to care for the congregation such as medical supplies, Stephen Ministers, and Congregational Care committee but Kay would like to expand this with a Parish nurse position.  Kay proposes that she would volunteer 10 hours/week for approximately 2 years (during the search for a new pastor) to get the program going and hopes that one day it may become a staff position.   Discussion points include:

  • Malpractice:  Kay does have her own malpractice insurance.  She also pointed out that she cannot provide nursing prescribed by a doctor but rather can teach people to do what they can do for themselves, advocate for the patient, and help find resources needed.  
  • Confidentiality:  As a volunteer, all files would be Kay’s personal files.  If this becomes a staff position, files would then belong to the church.  Kay has identified an office above the organ that she could use, would use her own computer, and would need a cabinet that locks for files.
  • Start Up Cost:  Kay does not anticipate significant expenses.  She would like to see a line item on the budget for the position.  Anne Vann stated the 2008 budget does request a line item of $500 for congregational care.
  • Advertising:  Kay would utilize existing forums such as newsletter and mailings.  She would post hours that she would be on premises.  She would like to start with elder care and screenings.

Walt Beckwith made a motion that $500 in the budget for Jobs for Life be redistributed to Parish Nursing.  The motion was approved.  Anne Vann made a motion that Kay begin the Parish nurse position.  The motion was approved.

 

Minutes/Budget

The minutes from the September meeting were reviewed and approved.  The status of the budget was reviewed.

 

Deacon Responsibilities

Open positions on the Deacon responsibilities chart were reviewed. 

  • Fellowship:  The group discussed the importance of getting people together in small groups to get to know each other.  Betty stated Holly Schmidt has expressed interest in helping lead this committee.  Darren Skeen and Rob Wilgus agreed to Co-Lead this committee. 
  • Local Missions:  Neal Nichols agreed to co-chair the committee with Dorene Palermo.  Carol Kelly agreed to be on the board of UNC Campus Ministry.  Bill Hatch will represent Urban Ministries.  There was discussion of asking Rick Overholt to represent Threshold and Nancy Safrit to represent DCIA.  Bruce Capehart will champion a new Veteran’s Program.  We still need someone to represent Hispanic Ministry.
  • Global Missions:  Helen Tharrington will co-chair with Holly Borden.  Helen will also lead CROP Walk efforts.
  • Mission Focus:  Begin thinking about what may be the focus for next year.

 

Old/New Business

  • Walt reported the Hispanic ministry has requested use of the church van and a driver for 10/18, 11/1 and 11/6.  Walt will contact Michael Reich and Bill McAvoy to see if they may be able to help with this transportation request.
  • Community Work Day – Bill Hatch proposes the work day by November 10th.  He is looking at potential sites such as Habitat, New Hope, etc.   Betty will review the potential to use the Minute for Mission one Sunday to advertise.
  • Sharon report IHN has a fundraiser 11/3 at Judea Reform.  The dinner is $50/pp and there is a basket raffle.  WPC will raffle a basket created by Holly Schmidt
  • Jim Joseph asked for help on November 10th to set up tables for Stewardship Sunday.
  • Walt asked Bill Hatch to set up a Deacon calendar to keep track of the many activities of the Deacons.

 

The next meeting will be November 11th at 5:00pm.  The December 9th meeting will begin at 4:30 in order to allow the deacons to attend the Christmas potluck and sing-along on the same evening.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Anne Vann