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Shenandoah
Living Waters Team Meeting Minutes
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Minutes Shenandoah Presbytery Living Waters Team Meeting March 17, 2007 The Living Waters Team met on Saturday, March 17, 2007, 10:00am, at the presbytery office. Members present included: Ron Knutson, chair Dan Woodworth Howard Simmons Mac Sterrett, team leader Doug Sensabaugh, staff 1. Ron opened the meeting and asked Mac to report on the status of the Baja and Guatemala installations. a. Baja – completion is on hold awaiting completion of Daycare center. Concern is what to do with waste water from processed water. Once Daycare center is complete and a sewer system is in place, it is expected the waste water can go thru the sewer system. The three concerns on this system: 1) where to dispose of waste water, 2) awaiting Daycare Center completion, 3) ROS system requires much more operator attention and IDT needs to address that issue with the team - Mac will check with Joannie this week while he’s at CWU about how Yucatan handles waste water concern - Expect to re-negotiate the Covenant with Baja this summer while there on house-build trip b. Guatemala – system installation is considered a successful install. Howard fixed some leaks when there in early 2007 for survey trip. System is used only for the mission and therefore, gets less usage than it was designed for. This causes need to run water through processing daily to maintain purity. Local government gave OK to distribute to the community, but Spring of Hope not yet doing that. Discussed a problem with a check valve which Mac will ask about at CWU this week. c. Guatemala 2007 installation plans – Mac, Dan & Rhonda made survey and circuit rider trip in January 2007 to search out sites for future installations. Visited 4 potential sites, did 2 surveys, and determined to have 2 viable sites: 1) Santa Catarina, 1st priority, 2) Tzanquacal. 2nd priority. Timing considerations from Spring of Hope being able to host teams suggest two opportunities to install – week of May 20th and week of September 23rd. Another group is looking at installing a LWW system in San Lucus with the Catholic church. Relations between the Catholic church and Spring of Hope are less than cordial at this point. But the team felt this has potential to encourage better cooperation in the future. 2. Future funding concepts – reviewed paper Ron created detailing 2007 work plan for installations. All agreed it was an excellent, well thought-out plan. Mac presented it to the Central Valley Mission Community with good discussions. No action taken yet by CVMC. - Mac is to meet with Bridgewater’s Mission Committee Monday, March 19, 6pm, to talk about an installation and to answer their questions. Doug suggested Massanutten might be interested in participating with them on a project. - All agreed that approaching the mission communities is the way to go initially 3. Finances at a glance- Ron reviewed the most current figures available: Jan '00 - Dec 06 World-Wide Ministries Clean Water Projects Water Projects Water Projects-Peacemaking Fnds $ 3,023.72 Water Projects-Undesignated 10,468.35 Total Water Projects $ 13,492.07 Water Project-Baja #1 5,728.57 Water Project-Guatemala #1 3,449.00 Total Clean Water Projects 22,669.64 TOTAL $ 22,669.64 It was noted that the first subtotal designated “Total Water Projects” is actually “Total Undesignated Funds.” 4. Ron reiterated goal of 2 systems installed in 2007. The team also agreed that we must make periodic reports to the presbytery about the work of the Living Waters Team. Annual reports will keep the projects before the presbytery and help maintain interest. Also discussed making the annual reports to council as well. - Asked for someone to report to Council on March 27th and to presbytery on May 8th. All will check schedules and confirm via email. Also need to set up display for the May 8 presbytery meeting focusing on Mission Fair. - Doug will request LWT to be on agendas for next Council and Presbytery meetings - Ron would like for each MC to provide a representative to LWT, if possible. Good goal to work toward. Suggested that we enlist Tom Hay’s support of the project to help motivate others to join the team. Mac met Terry Newland, synod exec, Synod of Living Waters who grew up with Tom. Terry shared that LWW is the largest single mission project of the PCUSA. 5. Ron has request from Synod PW representative Charlotte Hott, to have display and/or materials for their meeting in June. Ron will follow through on this. 6. Other Business – Ron announced that he is moving to Gettysburg, PA. After all the BOOs quieted down, we discussed what this meant for the team. Ron agreed to continue to help with organizing and being an ideas person, even from the far reaches of PA!. All are to begin thinking about another coordinator. 7. Next Meeting Date – September 15, 2007, 10:00 a.m. (note time change) Respectfully Submitted, Doug Sensabaugh, Secretery Pro Tem Minutes Shenandoah Presbytery Living Waters Team Meeting September 16, 2006 The Living Waters Team met on Saturday, September 16, 2006, 1:00pm, at the presbytery office. Members present included: Ron Knutson Dan Woodworth Howard Simmons Rhonda Richie Dawn Biggs Ramona Snaders Doug Sensabaugh The meeting opened with prayer led by Ron Knutson 1. Projects Updates. Baja System. Howard Simmons went with the Baja Mission Team in July 2006 and had a guided tour of the Water system there. He reported it was secure and in good shape. There was a discussion of the challenges of installing an ROS there: what to do with wastewater, connection with a potential sewer system that is to be installed for the day care center, what are the costs of these projects, and what is the cost to drill a deep water well there with a potential for better water. The Team agreed to continue watching the progress of the daycare center to determine the team’s next action. No action taken except to revisit this project at the next meeting in March 2007. Guatemala System. Dan Woodworth indicated the system was up and running when the team left, but that there has been virtually no communication with those using it since they left. Concern was expressed about communication with this project. Several opportunities for more information may be available: 1) Santizos are to be here in mid-October and there is a time to be able to meet and talk with them, along with their visit to Wayb 1st church, 2) a visit during the next follow-up trip. Discussions also focused on when to do the next trip there to inspect system and to take a circuit rider survey looking for other potential sites. Possible dates mentioned were early December or during the 1st quarter of 2007. 2. New Concept for future projects. Ron Knutson presented a new concept for our team on ways to find new projects. In consultation with Steve Young at Living Waters for the World, an overview of 3 potential locations were presented. They might possibly be done in cooperation with the Peace Corp or Habitat for Humanity entities already working in these areas. Some concern was expressed, however, about validity or energy from these groups for doing a LWW system at this time. Most agreed that we work through LWW to determine where we might go next. Several opportunities are available immediately to do survey trips with others already on the ground there for potential sites. Unfortunately, we are unable to react by the suggested Oct 3rd date. The team agreed that these are excellent opportunities to pursue as we are able. Recommendations: The team agreed with the proposed recommendations (see below) and were rather enthusiastic about the possibilities available. There was discussion about surveying these potential sites in connection with the return trip to San Lucas Toliman in December 2006 or 1st quarter 2007. Sponsorship: The team accepted an offer from Central Valley Mission Community (CVMC) convener Ramona Sanders, that CVMC become the first group to be approached to sponsor a system as a mission community. Plans were discussed to form teams of 2 people each to visit the mc meetings and the churches within the community to glean support for the new project. It is our hope that this would become the model for future approaches to other mission communities to sponsor water systems in areas determined to be in need by LWW. All team members present said they are prepared to assist with the presentations. Dawn Biggs, who attends Winchester 1st church, was also interested in approaching her church to partner in providing a water system as well. We discussed the challenges of approaching too many potential groups at once and agreed that these two would be all we would approach immediately. Funding: Discussions also continued regarding how to seek funding for these projects. Approaching mission communities as well as congregations could yield significant support, but the Team budget would also have to support these systems as well. With the general cost to be around the $15,000 range, the team agreed again that 2 systems a year with a total cost of around $30,000 is still where we need to stay for now. These figures do not necessarily include the follow-up maintenance trips. Other funding is available through presbytery-wide programs such as the Hunger program and the Peacemaking Offering for 2006. Potential income from Hunger fund may be in $4k-5k range. And Peacemaking may be in the $5k range in 2006. 3. Finances at a glance. (see below) The financial statement was discussed noting Total Projected expenses with the Baja and Guatemala systems as of Sept ’06 as $ 16,000 (c.a.) Total available funds as of Sept ’06 is $16,900. There are several contributions which may or may not be reflected in the total contributions which we are seeking to determine as soon as possible. Therefore, Rom was not totally satisfied that these numbers are accurate. There are still expenses from the Guatemala installation which have not been submitted by Spring of Hope Ministries, which may need to come out of these funds. 4. Future Presbytery Funding and Reporting. The goals continue to be 2 systems a year with the plan that we approach mission communities and individual churches for support. We reviewed the newly published brochure and copies were distributed to be used as we discuss the work of the LWT with potential sponsors. There was also mention that as soon as we have more concrete plans, regular reports to the presbytery would be a good way to keep interest alive there. There was also a continued discussion about the video presentation we needed. It was decided it was to be made on next visit to Guatemala. Perhaps at the time of a future installation, the team could take more videos of the construction. It is presumed we could then edit and tie the 2 parts together as though it were the same project. In the meantime we can use the 1st video. 5. Other Business: Ramona Sanders presented a check for $100 to the work of the Living Waters Team from the Restoring Creation House Church at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Their focus is on Restoring Creation issues and they expressed their support for the work of this committee in this tangible way. The team all thanked her and the house church for their generosity. 6. Next Meeting: March 17, 2007. We discussed potentially changing the day of the week, or the time of day. All present felt it should stay the same to enable attendance. Respectfully Submitted, Doug Sensabaugh, Secretery Pro Tem FINANCES AT A GLANCE SEPTEMBER 16, ‘06 Baja California, Mexico Dollars required to complete installation – ‘07/’08 Equipment – reverse osmosis system -- $6,000 Installation Team (2 people) 2,000 Future Circuit Rider Trips (’07/’08) – 2 people/2trips -- 4,000 Total $12,000 Funding presently available – 4 Cents a Meal $ 2,900 Loch Willow 700 Maury River Mission Community 500 Agusta Stone 1,000 Highland Agusta Mission Community 1,000 Total $ 6,100 Guatemala ($12,500 – installation completed --) Future Circuit Rider Trips (2 trips – ‘07/’08) Total $ 4,000 Funding presently available – (undesignated) Water projects $ 7,900 ** Lexington 500 Monterey 640 Hunger Funds 750 Member Gift – (RW) 500 McDowell 500 Total $10,800 TOTAL PROJECTED EXPENSES $16,000 TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDS* (as of Sept. 16,’06) 16,900 * subject to Presbytery reconciliation – end of Sept. ’06 -- ** includes Bethesda Ron Knutson Shenandoah Living Waters Team Coordinator [ Back ] LIVING WATERS TEAM COLLABORATION WITH LIVING WATERS FOR THE WORLD Living Waters for the World (LWW) through its network in Latin America provides our presbytery with opportunities for collaboration on “pre qualified” potential water purification projects. Presently there are projects in Guatemala, El Salvador and the Yucatan. THE YUCATAN In the Yucatan all systems require both water softening and reverse osmosis (ROS) processes due to water salinity. Given our present limited field experience with ROS and the additional equipment cost of about $6,500, it is proposed we delay consideration of any projects in this region until we have successfully completed our present program in Baja California. GUATEMALA Given our success with our installation at San Lucas Toliman (Guatemala) it is proposed that projects in this region be given priority in the near term. The most promising prospects are linked to the Peace Corps Healthy Schools project. There are 23 schools, which are interested to proceed with this program. One of the requirements is that each school have available potable water. Four schools have been identified as primary opportunities and water issue surveys are presently being conducted. An important fact is that three people from the LWW Guatemala network have completed the Clean Water U (CWU) course 103 and are locally available to assist with study and installation of these systems. Two of the schools are relatively close to Guatemala City. Habitat for Humanities Guatemala planning session later this year is believed to include up to 5 sites where water purification could be required. EL SALVADOR LWW connections are in collaboration with the Peace Corps. There are presently 4 survey sites beyond those currently underway. To get the ball rolling it has been suggested (Sept 11th) we hook up with an installation team presently working on a system at one of the survey sites. This would give us the opportunity to meet and get to know the Peace Corps personnel working on the project as well as possibly travel to an as yet unassigned site for introduction to the local people and possible initiation of work on a Covenant. Timing could be a temporary deterrent as Oct. 3rd has been suggested as a meeting date. Further communication could likely result in an alternate time which would be more satisfactory for our Team. RECOMMENDATIONS 1) It is proposed we enter a collaboration with LWW to identify prospective pre qualified sites where opportunities for our Team to study and possibly install a water purification plant may exist. 2) It is further proposed our Team immediately commence an investigation of specific current opportunities in Guatemala and that site surveys be undertaken at the time of our return trip to the San Lucas Toliman installation in early ’07. 3) It is also proposed we immediately begin direct contacts with appropriate persons in El Salvador to ascertain currently available water purification opportunities. Given suitable circumstances we would propose to proceed with the appropriate steps to survey the site. Provided water quality and other factors are satisfactory we would intend to enter into a covenant and thereafter to commence a water purification plant installation. In anticipation of probable pure water installations in ’07, the Team intends to begin identification of potential churches within our Presbytery which would be interested to be “primary sponsors” of projects in El Salvador and /or Guatemala. Supplemental financing will come from the Teams Financial Support Program planned to commence in the 4th quarter of this year. September 16, 2006 Ron Knutson, Coordinator Living Waters Team Shenandoah Presbytery Minutes - Living Waters Team Meeting Shenandoah Presbytery March 18, 2006 The Living Waters Team met on Saturday, March 18, 2006, 1:00pm, at the presbytery office. Members present included: Ron Knutson Dan Woodworth Braxton Garriss Anne Ross Howard Simmons Kim Heslep Doug Sensabaugh 1. The meeting opened with prayer led by Anne Ross, pastor, Elkton Pby church 2. Reports on recent meetings and trainings. Ron Knutson, coordinator for the Living Waters Team, reported on his recent attendance at the Reunion at Clean Waters U in Oxford, Mississippi. He learned about the background of the program, networked with many others involved in the program from all over the country, and learned about how others have sought sources of funding, sizes of water teams. A highlight of the session directed installation and training teams to involve the local communities in the whole process from survey to installation to H&H training. This should give them more ownership of the system and help with better maintenance of the system after the US teams leave for home. Howard Simmons just returned from attending Clean Water U where he was enrolled in the installation class sessions. He too affirmed the focus on training locals to care for the systems. 3. Updates on Upcoming projects Dan Woodworth reported on plans for the upcoming installation trips to San Lucus Toliman, Guatemala and Baja, Mexico. In Guatemala, they plan to install a system at the Spring of Hope Mission where his church, First Waynesboro, has been engaged in a mission ministry for over 13 years. The budget for this trip was reviewed as a means to learn more about the total costs for the Living Waters systems projects. ** Dan also reported that existing Living Waters network members located in the Guatemala region may be able to make the periodic circuit rider trips, saving us at least one trip to Guatemala. In Baja, the water system is planned for updating with the new ROS system during the House building trip in July 2006. Howard shared what he learned about the new ROS system, and how it has been simplified even more since Dan saw the system in late 2005. The budget worksheet was reviewed also for this trip. Plans are coming together to do the upgrade during the weeks of July 16 – 29, 2006, while two house building teams are in place. 4. Updates on Finances. Ron reported that the Bethesda and Lexington churches had pledged to support the Living Waters Team work by including support on their regular budgets. Both agreed to contribute $500/year each at this time with the possibility of more at a later date. This support was a direct result of presentations made by Ron and Kim. Ron would like to plan face-to-face meetings with every church in the presbytery to garner their support for the water projects. He suggested starting by meeting with each Mission community to secure meetings for each congregation represented there. 5. How to promote on-going support. Ron and Dan both agreed that it would be beneficial to create a dvd or cd presentation and a script from which anyone making the presentation may work to be sure all presentations are the same or at least cover the essential points to be made. Dan indicated Kim Holman will be taking a digital video camera on their trip to Guatemala to record the work of this team. This could be the basis for developing a video presentation. We could use this video at churches and mission community meetings. The date for completing this video and script was set for early fall, Sept 15 or earlier. Plan to kick off presentations in September-October 2006 using these materials. Ron has resource for developing a “professional” looking brochure for our use. He will also work to have this ready by the Sept time period as well. He requests copy for the brochure from all of the committee. 6. Purchase of digital video camera. This need was discussed and Doug agreed to take the request to the Communications Committee. The Living Waters Team agreed to contribute up to $500 toward this purchase, if necessary, to get the project moving. 7. Next Meeting. The next meeting was set for August 19, 2006, 1:00pm, at the presbytery office. Minutes - Living Waters Team Meeting Shenandoah Presbytery September 17, 2005 The Living Waters Team met on Saturday, September 17, 2005, 1:00pm, at the presbytery office. Members present included: Ron Knutson David Dickerson Dan Woodworth Mac Sterrett Rhonda Richie Anne Ross Howard Simmons Kim Heslep Doug Sensabaugh 1. Prayer and Introductions. The meeting began with an opening prayer and introductions telling a little about why members were there. Doug Sensabaugh volunteered to be the “secretary of the day” for this meeting. Ron Knutson, coordinator of the meeting told about his background and then moved ahead with reviewing the Agenda. 2. Team descriptions and Purpose. There was a discussion about the team purposes as set forth in the Agenda (Attached). There would be two components of the Living Waters Team: the Resource Team and the Installation Team. A description of the guidelines discussed follows. Resource Team: -Is the coordinating body responsible for identification of potential Living Water project opportunities in LDCs (less developed countries) using existing and potential future linkages within the Presbytery.Installation Team: -Performs the physical implementation of the Living Waters for the World purification systemsThe purposes for the Resource and Installation Teams were accepted as stated. 3. Formation of a Search Team. The need for this team was discussed as a high priority. It was discussed that the search and an education process begin with the mission communities to help them understand how the Living Waters Team can work with the churches to enable and expand their mission relationships. Ron asked for a volunteer to coordinate this team. No one was yet ready to step forward until there is more information about what this team would need to do. We were encouraged to pray. 4. Installation Team Report. Mac Sterrett, Installation Team Leader, lead the report on the background and status of the Baja installation. Living Waters for the World (LWW), whose system we use, reported there were 9 other systems around the world with similar issues to the one on Baja – high salinity and heavy metals. LWW reports the solution – Reverse Osmosis and Softening (ROS) – is now ready to solve these problems. Dan Woodworth, trained on the installation process, is registered for the next ROS class session at Clean Water U for March 2006. It was suggested that Ron and others may want to register for this or another course during this session. The costs for the ROS system would be in the area of $ 5,000. It would be added to the system already in place in Baja. Mac updated the team on costs to do an installation, start to finish. The figures are estimates and will vary based on the location of the install and several other factors. A “full install” includes a commitment to make a minimum of four trips to the site: survey; installation; and two subsequent circuit rider trips. With survey trip and developing the covenant, an installation trip and doing the full Health and Hygiene training, and the two circuit rider trips, costs would be in the area of $ 25,000 – 30,000 for 8-10 people, including the system and travel expenses. This includes about $1,000 per person for travel and meals. Future systems will include a 2-step process for source-water testing: 1) Field testing of the source water, and 2) samples sent to Murray State University in Kentucky where LWW’s testing process will be done. [Editorial note: since the meeting, Mac has learned that LWW is now using a commercial lab in Atlanta, GA, for the laboratory analyses.] Rhonda gave an overview of the Health & Hygiene process and experiences at Baja. That will be refined somewhat for the next installation. Dan Woodworth reported on a possible future system in Guatemala. This project is growing out of an existing relationship between the Waynesboro First Church and the Spring of Hope Ministries located in San Lucas Toliman. A detailed discussion continued about the relationships and about what group would be the covenanting body, should the project proceed. It was agreed that Shenandoah Presbytery would be the Partner in the covenant with Spring of Hope Ministries. Dan and Mac are traveling there in October to do the survey and to begin the process of developing a covenant. Dan will let the presbytery know what the next step will be. The whole team felt it would be good to get the whole presbytery involved in this new venture. 5. Steering Committee. There was discussion as well about the formation and purpose of this group. This would include representatives of the Search and Installation Teams, Presbyterian Women, Team Leaders from churches involved in projects, and representative from any churches financially supporting projects, and presbytery representatives. There was some question about whether this committee was needed, but in the end, all agreed that it had a very useful purpose in getting all the parties together for communications purposes. 6. It was suggested that the LWW information and projects updates be included on the presbytery website for easy access for all interested parties. It should include what we’ve done at Baja, and future plans coming. 7. The meeting concluded with prayer around 3:30pm with thanks to Ron Knutson for his diligence and expertise in getting the program going and organized. A date for the next meeting was set for March 2006. The specific day to be announced. Submitted by, Doug Sensabaugh Secretary of the Day September 29, 2005 |
| Water Project Team Meeting Presbytery Office, Harrisonburg October 31, 2004 On Sunday afternoon, October 31, the Water Project Team (those who were available) met at the presbytery office for the first time. Mac Sterrett, coordinator for the Water Installation Team, moderated the meeting. We heard about: * the Living Waters for the World (LWW) water purification model * the initial installation in Baja California, Mexico * the Presbytery's approach for support This was a time to ask many questions and to study together how this team might work together. We also discussed potential future installation projects - the pros and cons of specific locations. George Brandon, a veteran of three LWW projects sponsored through the Romney church, provided some valuable information about the systems and shared his experiences with installations in Haiti. We also heard a report from Bill Burslem, Winchester First, who spent three months in Ethiopia on a medical mission with the presbytery's mission partners, the Illubabor Bethel Synod (IBS) in Metu. He took an LWW water testing kit and brought back results from 6 potential sites where LWW systems might be installed. We were all impressed with the challenges inherent in this kind of work in a country such as Ethiopia, so far from the US and other developed cities. There does exist a strong relationship between the Winchester church and it's partner church, the Metu congregation, where a reasonable degree of success is possible. We talked about a possible time table for an installation in Ethiopia to be done in 2006 with further preparation work and a site survey to be done in 2005. Training of IBS staff would have to happen in 2005 so that the installation would be maintained once it was installed. A second installation in the Baja area near the first installation was discussed. That could be done during the summer of 2005, and could include members of the Water Project Team, for whom this would be their first installation. The necessity of a functioning Coordinating Team was discussed. This group would help fund raise, promote and communicate with the churches and the Installation Team about future projects. They might also connect churches with places needing projects. It was decided that we should create a list of churches with established mission relationships. These relationships could be hosts for future LWW projects. Doug Sensabaugh will help set up this team and seek the help of others from the Installation team initially. In the meantime, training will be setup for the Installation Team members, in preparation for a future installation. Mac Sterrett and Dan Woodworth will help coordinate this. Rhonda Richie will coordinate training for the Health & Hygiene part of the project. A lot of information was shared, a lot of questions were answered and some new ones were posed, and a clear and honest picture of the challenges of such a project were stated. We agreed there was much interest in this project across the presbytery, and there exists a possibility of more than one team in a year or two. Initially, however, we all agreed that getting several successful installations was essential and our top priority. A next meeting date has not yet been set. A survey of churches with established relationships will be requested and some research on the three LWW projects in India will be done to help inform a potential project in Ethiopia. Please listen for those in your congregations who might be willing to serve in the Living Waters Resource Team and pass those names to Ron Knutson at rcpwk@comcast.net . |