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Westminster Presbyterian Church
Durham, North Carolina
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Diaconate Meeting December 9, 2007
Attendees: Jim Joseph, Gary Lehew, Bruce Capehart, John Lockhead, Darren Skeen, Bill Burig, Bill Hatch, Marty Warburton, Dorene Palermo, Walt Beckwith, Neal Nichols, Sarah High, Helen Tharrington, Holly Borden, Louise Holland, Anne Vann
Betty opened the meeting at 4:40 with a reading from Anne Weems titled “Kneeling in Bethlehem”.
Concerns: Vicki Skeen’s brother-in-law is under Hospice Care. Ron Hawkins gave bone marrow to his brother, Diane Kelly broke her ankle and required surgery, Bruce Cunningham’s father passed away, Carl Boxberger’s sister is seriously ill with cancer, Jane Caldwell’s father passed away, and John Lockhead’s pet dog passed away Friday.
NCCU Campus Ministry
Eileen McAvoy met with the Diaconate to request additional funds for NCCU Campus Ministry. She requests the budget for NCCU campus ministry be increased to $5,000 annually and also a one time donation of $5,000 from the Westminster Fund. NCCU Campus ministry currently has funds to support the organization through June 2008. This one time donation would support the organization while they find additional avenues for funding. Campus minister Linda Parker has been at NCCU for 4 years and has increase the core program from 2 people to 25 people. The ministry impacts many more people in addition to the core group. The money is used to allow Linda to offer programs on campus as well as mission trips. The NCCU campus ministry budget is $70K. $48K is funded by the Presytery, University Church funds $5K, and Covenent $2.1K plus office space. The board plans to appeal to additional local churches and well as churches outside Durham for funding. In addition, they are planning the fist ever fund raiser – a jazz dinner for next year. John Lockhead asked about past issues of accounting issues; Dorene explained that in the past there was a period where the expenditures were not well tracked but she is now the treasurer and has set up improved tracking. In additional, Barbara Fletcher is advising the organization on financial matters. The diaconate will consider this request at the next meeting.
Durham Center for Child and Family Health
Mark Schmidt provided information on the Center for Child and Family Health. This organization provides a full range of services to children and their families who are victims of violence, trauma, or abuse. Statistics show that 97 percent of seriously traumatized children will not have treatment services available to them. This organization works with police and clinicians in recognizing children at risk and providing early intervention. As we work with organizations we currently support, we should keep this organization in mind as a resource for assistance.
Food Bank of Eastern NC
The Food Bank of Easter NC has requested additional funds to offset rising fuel cost. Marty Warburton recommended we provide $3,000 from the Westminster fund. Dorene second the recommendation and it was approved.
The minutes from November were reviewed and approved.
Other Business
· Most of the gifts have been returned for Share Your Christmas. John requested a few helpers to finish loading the trailer after the meeting
· Assimilation would like to do a Minute for Mission in January regarding time and talent sheets
· Congregational Care – the Parish Nurse program begins in January
· Local Missions – the December shelter meal with be December 22nd. Rick and Bill Hatch will prepare the meal. Servers are needed that evening.
· Global Missions – The Alternative Gifts Fair was a success. There were over $1,000 donations to organizations. In addition, the One World Market will give 10% of the sales to the Global Missions committee.
Betty closed with prayer at 5:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Vann