NCCF Diaconate 1 MEETING AGENDA AND MINUTES Meeting Date: 2 September 2017 Meeting Time: 07:30 am Location: NCCF- Library Recorder: Deaconess Lisa Ellsworth Facilitator: Deacon Bonner Alternate Recorder: Deaconess Paula Mata Meeting Purpose: Discuss General Issues Related to the Carrying Out of Diaconate Responsibilities Distribution and Attendee List: x Bonner, Ken (Chairman) Mata, Paula Mickel, Tiffany* x Campbell, A. Marc (Asst to Chairman) McFarland, Maurice Slater, Monique* Dyer, Kathy (1 st Asst to Chairman) Moore, Pam Slater, Perry* Johnson, Marlene (2 nd Asst to Chairman) x Nevels, Arthur Deacon Candidates x Stewart, Gregory (NCCF-NW Lead) Pearson, Maurice (Team Lead) Leonard Brooks RESERVED x Pipersburg, Leroy Diane Harris RESERVED Rose, Patricia (NCCF-NW) Doretha Ricks RESERVED Sadler, Dexter Timothy Ricks Sanderson, Arthur Marcella Stewart x Anderson, Dominique* x Sherman, David x George Sykes x Booker, Anne x Simmons, Teressa x Brown, Linda Smith, Douglas (NCCF-NW) Deacons Emeritus/Emerita x Carter, Velma Smith, Ira Allen, Rosie x Clark, James x Smith, Michael Manuel, Liz x Clark, Monica Smith, Teryl Stevenson, Bonnie x Coles, Valerie Stuart, Corey Terrell, Charley x Draughn, Precious Sutton, Laddine Terrell, Florence x Ellsworth, Lisa (Team Lead) Thompson, Chris (NCCF-NW) Flournoy, Anna (NCCF-NW) x Walker, William 30 # of Ordained Deacons Flournoy, James (NCCF-NW) x West Ros (Team Lead) 37 # of Certified Deacons Gorham, Edwin x Wilkerson, Cora 5 # of Deacons Emeriti x Goode, Pearl (NCCF-NW) x Wilkerson, Patricia 12 # of Deacons Inactive, sabbatical,etc. Harris, Edward x Wilkerson, Tony Harris, Harmony (NCCF-NW) Williams, Priscilla (NCCF-NW) 67 Total # of Deacons Harris, Paul (NCCF-NW) x Wilson, Darlene (NCCF-NW) Hosley, Art Cummings, James* Hosley, Nichelle Francois, Robert* Jackson, Lawrence Howard, Joe* Johnson, Johnnie Jackson, Riveian* x Keys, Raymond* Jones, Marvin* King, Debra Kennamore, Anthony* x Marbury, Darryl McCrary-Holland, Renee* X indicates that the member was present T indicates member present via teleconference *indicates member inactive/sabbatical/detailed out
NCCF Diaconate 2 Topic Allotted Time Responsible Devotion Opening Prayer/Scripture 10 min Deacon Bonner Deacon Bonner called the meeting to order and Deaconess Goode gave the opening prayer and blessed the food. The scripture reading was from Matthew 27:45, 51-54 and depicted the five (5) Miraculous Things that Happened when Jesus Died on the Cross: ii. Darkness came over the land. Matthew 27:45 iii. The Temple Veil that covered the entrance to the Holy of Holies, the actual dwelling place of God among the people, was torn from top to bottom. Matthew 27:51 iv. The earth shook and the rocks split. Matthew 27:51 v. Graves opened up and the saints came out and after the resurrection they appeared to many people. Matthew 27:52 53 vi. Many began to realize who Jesus really was, the truth revealed, they could no longer deny it. Matthew 27:54 Topic 1: Opening Comments 10 min Deacon Bonner Deacon Bonner explained that he presented those scriptures not for an in-depth discussion but to simply remind the Deacons how great and miraculous God is so that we don t forget or lose sight journeying through the mundane moments of life day in and day out. In these scriptures, the awesomeness of God and His wondrous power is displayed. Topic 2: General Diaconate Business Per the Agenda 20 min Deacon Bonner Women s Weekend. Women s weekend is 15-17 September and includes an Emerita Celebration for Pastor C on Friday, September 15 th. All members of NCCF are invited to come out and celebrate our dynamic Pastor. The attire for Friday is dressy casual and the colors are green, yellow, white and black. On Saturday, September16 th at the JW Marriott Resort, there will be wellness workshops and a benefit luncheon for the Wellness Center. The special guest is Ms. Vickie Winans. Please see brochure on the table in the atrium for more information. Sunday, September 17 th will be Girfriend s Sunday. Our guest speaker is Reverend Dr. Jessica Ingram. The colors worn on Friday will be worn throughout the weekend. Deacon Campbell will find out the types of offerings that will be collected during Friday s service to ensure adequate Deacon support for Finance. Transportation Support for Women s Weekend. Deacon Pearson got the drivers he need to help with transportation during Women s Weekend from Thursday Monday (14-18 September 17). If you have any questions, see Deacon Pearson. Shepherd s Call. Shepherd s Call is not scheduled for this month. Deacon Bonner will confirm. Schedule Clarity. Please disassociate the Wednesday schedule from the Sunday schedule. Treat them as separate schedules. Wednesdays are numbered according to the calendar. Be advised that the first Wednesday often comes before the first Sunday and sometimes there is a fifth Wednesday and no fifth Sunday. If you have any questions and/or need further clarity, see the Team Lead for the designated week. First Sunday Attire. Wearing Choir Dress on First Sunday has resumed. Please be cognizant about uncommon wrinkles in your vestments. Let s all be intentional about inspecting each other and making the necessary corrections when needed. Hurricane Harvey Donations. Please see the postcard on the NCCF website for instructions to donate items/funds to help victims of Hurricane Harvey. Hurricane Harvey Donation Collection Point of Contact. NCCF is requesting a Deacon to be the point of contact to take the items collected to the collection points. If you are willing to do so, see Deacon Bonner. Diaconate Support Teams. Teams have been formed to help meet the external needs of the Saints and internal needs of the new members. The teams will serve on a monthly basis to help the sick and shut in and to be paired with new members as their Deacon to answer their questions and point them in the right direction. The spreadsheet outlining the teams was emailed previously. If you have questions, see Deacon Bonner. Food Pantry Safety Support. The Food Panty needs safety support on Monday nights from 7:00 8:30 pm. One of the rear doors to the gym area does not lock properly and sometimes, people just wander through. Deacon Clark volunteered to serve as the Safety person for the food pantry on Monday nights. 4 S s of a Servant Leader Discussion. The Diaconate conducted its first corporate discussion of Pastor DeWayne Freemans teaching. Deacons Ros West and Tony Wilkerson were the facilitators. We will See Right, Serve Right, Submit Right and Sow Right. For highlights of the discussion, see page 4. Step Up for Blue September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness. The Diaconate saw a short educational public service announcement about Prostate Cancer and Mr. Douglas Ray spoke about Prostate Cancer Awareness. Deacon Sherman provided an information paper to those in attendance. Please see page 5 for highlights of the discussion and/or for more information go to www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer.html.
NCCF Diaconate 3 Topic 5: Diaconate Training Topic Allotted Time Responsible Party 60 min Deacon Wilkerson/ Deacon Campbell There was no formal Diaconate training scheduled for today. Topic 6: Diaconate Department Operations Updates 30 min Department Leads Licensing/Ceremonies (Deacon Edwin Gorham) Board of Directors (Deacon Maurcice Pearson) Events (Deaconess Ros West/ Pam Moore) Finance Scheduling (Deaconess Ros West) Mission Oversight (Deaconess Lisa Ellsworth, Marlene Johnson and Renee McCrary-Holland). Food Pantry/Clothing Boutique (Deaconess Linda Brown) Van Ministry (Deacon Maurice Pearson) NCCF-NW (Deacon Gregory Stewart) Diaconate Monthly Report (Deacon David Sherman). Topic 7: Action Items list 10 min The Deacons agreed to give $25,000.00 to the Women s Wellness Center which equates to approximately $146.00 per person. (Ongoing until achieved) Topic 8: Closing Remarks/ Adjourn 10 min Deacon Bonner In closing, Deacon Bonner informed the Diaconate that TLT Hope had 10 women who are Returning Citizens that would like to attend the women s conference. TLT has provided $600.00 and has asked that the Diaconate consider helping to raise the additional $350.00. Two Deacons volunteered to donate the funds. Deacon Bonner also asked that everyone continue to pray for Deacon Chris Thompson and his family who were rescued from Houston. We will not only pray but continue to stay in touch with him and help provide for their needs. Lastly Deacon Bonner asked that everyone keep Deacon Kennamore in prayer. He recently had surgery. However, during the procedure a crisis arose and it looked like he wouldn t make it. But, God! Deaconess Cora Wilkerson gave the closing prayer. Next Scheduled Meetings Date Time Location Facilitators/Recorder 30 September 2017 7:30 am NCCF Library* 4 November 2017 7:30 am NCCF Library* 2 December 2017 7:30 am NCCF Library* Note: * Location subject to change.
NCCF Diaconate 4 Diaconate Corporate Discussion 4 S s of a Servant Leader The basis of the discussion was Pastor DeWayne Freeman s book and teaching the 4 S s of a Committed Leader. For sake of discussion, Committed Leader was substituted for Servant Leader. Deacons Ros West and Tony Wilkerson were the facilitators. 4 S-s of a Servant Leader See Right Serve Right Submit Right Sow Right Some of the points presented for thought during the discussion were: Our perception of a thing will determine how we will receive from that person or thing. Our response is based on our perception. When our leader issues an edict, we should follow it and be careful how we respond to the request because others are watching us. Our heart has to be right in order for us to see right. However, if we don t see what s not right even in ourselves, we will not pursue getting our heart right. We must protect our spiritual sight. Realize that our perspective is truth to us. When we start seeing things in the Spirit, our life will accelerate. Learn to see from other people s perspective. The book, Three Little Pigs from the Wolf Perspective, was recommended to help us learn to do this. Don t be afraid to say that you disagree or see it differently. But remember that in the end, we are called to support our Leader s vision and strive to see it from their point of view. Good eyes come from good ears. Faith (seeing) comes by hearing. We can see farther if our faith is built up. The word of God will change our perspective and how we see things. As leaders, we are not only responsible for ensuring that we see right but that we tell right so that the people can see right. We can t wait to our hearts get right to see right because our heart is deceitful above all things and our feelings can t be trusted but if we commit to being obedient, we will arrive at seeing right. Scripture reference for this discussion was 1 Corinthians 2:14 16. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For WHO HATH KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE MAY INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.
NCCF Diaconate 5 Prostate Cancer Awareness September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Mr. Douglas Ray spoke to the Diaconate about prostate cancer at the request of Deacon Sherman. Some facts and statistics about Prostate Cancer are: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. Approximately I man in 7 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. But it can be treated successfully. The key is awareness and getting checked. African American men are 1.6 times more likely to get prostate cancer and 2 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than Caucasian men. Ways to help prevent this cancer is to eat healthier, exercise and reduce the amount of meat and dairy in one s diet. The American Cancer Society recommends that men learn everything they can about prostate cancer. The main risks are age, being African American and/or if a family member was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Not all prostate cancers are the same. Some are more aggressive than others. Know the symptoms. Symptoms include frequent urination and/or difficulty urinating. If a man is experiencing any of the symptoms, he should see his doctor and get tested. Because sometimes a man will experience no symptoms associated with his prostate cancer, it s important that he gets tested during his yearly physical and retested every 1 2 years. Mr. Ray ended his discussion by admonishing the men to stay alive by putting their pride aside and get tested. For more information go to www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer.html.