This Sunday at Binkley
June 24, 2018
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Early Worship
9:45 am, Lounge
Worship
11:00 am, Sanctuary
Marcus McFaul preaching
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Peace & Justice
Post-worship, Library
Earth Ministries Picnic at
Binkley and Hike in Battle Park
Post-worship, Peace Plaza/Battle Park
VBS Volunteer Meeting
4:30 pm, Sunroom
VBS Kickoff
6:00 pm, Lounge
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ABCUSA General Secretary Sends Letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions
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A letter has been sent to Jeff Sessions, in response to his remarks which cited Romans 13 as justification for practices such as separating children from their parents in immigration cases. After discussion with the Board of General Ministries at its meeting in Green Lake, Wis., June 13-15, Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, ABCUSA General Secretary, wrote to Mr. Sessions. The text of the letter follows.
Download a PDF of the letter here
.
June 15, 2018
Mr. Jeff Sessions, Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Dear Attorney General Sessions,
I am writing to you today on behalf of the 5,000 congregations and 1.3 million members of the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA). As General Secretary, I serve as the national pastor of the denomination. ABCUSA has a long and distinguished record of service in welcoming immigrants and refugees to communities throughout the United States.
The American Baptist family would like to communicate our deep concern over the unjust immigration policies of the United States government, and in particular, the unconscionable separation of children from their parents on our southern border. As a fellowship of Christ-followers who recall the trials of the child Jesus and his parents, who fled from persecution in their homeland to another country (Matthew 2:13-18), we adamantly oppose separating children from their relatives.
A just society can fulfill its fidelity to its own laws and border security without resorting to such unwise and harmful practices;
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instead, we urge that compassion, fairness and family-affirming policies characterize our response to the plight of families on our borders. We note that destructive practices such as the separation of children from parents place a serious burden on our law enforcement agents and officials, who in carrying out such policies find their own consciences ethically compromised and troubled.
Furthermore, we strongly disagree with your erroneous appropriation of the New Testament (in particular, Romans 13) to justify inhumane and unjust governmental actions. No responsible Christian theologian would assert that Romans 13, or any other passage in the Bible, supports the horrific separation of children from parents that we are witnessing at the present time. In fact, both the Old and New Testaments call those who believe in God to welcome refugees and immigrants with open arms and friendship, with loving care and concern, and with the willingness to assist others in enjoying the prospects of a future based on hope and opportunity.
Accordingly, American Baptists wish to express our sincere hope that the separation of children and parents will immediately cease. We urge Congress and the President to approve and implement without delay more compassionate and just immigration policies and procedures. As the leading law enforcement official of our government, it is your privilege and responsibility to lead such an effort. Thank you for considering our position.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, General Secretary
American Baptist Churches USA
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Alliance of Baptists:
Statement on Families Separated at the US-Mexico Border
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Quilts Needed for VBS
We are in need of old quilts for a VBS project. If you have some to donate, please bring them this Sunday and leave them at Stephanie Ford's office.
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This year, our focus turns to worship and its enlivening place in our spiritual journeys as individuals and as a faith community. Brad Berglund, author of
Reinventing Sundays
, as well as a gifted musician and minister, will be our guide. All ages will appreciate Brad’s personal, creative, and engaging style. There will also be time for nature hikes, arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt, outdoor games, and a yearly tradition: a delightful talent show on Saturday evening. All talents welcome! Please contact Stephanie Ford if you have questions. The retreat begins Friday evening and concludes on Sunday morning; 4 meals and 2 nights.
Registration forms available
HERE
or at Stephanie Ford’s door. Deadline is July 10.
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Picnic at Binkley and
Hike in Battle Park
Sunday, June 24, Post-Worship
As part of Earth Ministries’ June Jaunt Challenge, immediately following the 11:00 a.m. church service, hikers are encouraged to gather in the Peace Plaza area to enjoy a
Bring Your Own Picnic
lunch fellowship and to prepare for the hike into Battle Park adjacent to the east side of the UNC campus. Bring a change of clothes and shoes – or dress very casually for church!
By 1:30 we will drive up to the Park Place parking lot, which is on the corner of S. Boundary St. and Park Place. From there we walk across the street to the entrance of the Battle Park OWASA Access trailhead. This route is 1 mile and would require about an hour to walk very leisurely. There are some interesting natural and historical elements that will be featured on this hike.
A second option is available for those who wish a shorter and very easy hike into Battle Park. This will be to take a short walk to Forest Theater and take the circular .4 mile Sourwood Trail. It is a pretty hike into an old growth forest. Some may wish to do both hikes.
Binkley members and friends who have other luncheon plans should be at Park Place by 1:45 to join in. Buck Horton and Charles Coble will be leading the hikes.
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Binkley T-Shirts
Binkley T-shirts are for sale again this year. We hope everyone who plans to attend Binkley Night at the Durham Bulls on July 28 will purchase one, as well as anyone else who wants one! Shirts are $12 each, due at time of order.
Order deadline is June 25.
Shirts will be delivered by July 23 to the church for pickup.
Order forms will be in bulletins June 10, 17, and 24, or you can download one
here
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IFC Community Kitchen News
Every fourth Wednesday of the month, two terrific Binkley volunteer crews prepare a hearty lunch and dinner for approximately 75 hungry friends at the Community KItchen (corner of Rosemary and Columbia). David Resnik has been a skilled leader for the dinner crew for many years but he is moving and must turn over the reins to a new leader. Many thanks to David for helping God's children with nutrition and fellowship. Now God is calling someone new to lead the Dinner Crew. Is that person you? I sure hope so. Tom Fewel, Sue Wallace, Sarah Colwell, Sherri Davis and other Dinner volunteers are eager to work with you. Contact Dale Osborne is you are ready to put on an apron and serve.
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Click the links below for more information on each event.
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Opportunities for Kids and Youth (OKAY)
a partner of IFC, supports programs that serve low-resource families in our community so children can have some activity during the summer. Church members and friends are encouraged to volunteer and/or donate supplies. Suggested programs: RENA Community Center (919-918-2822), June 25 to August 3; El Centro Hispano (
[email protected]
), July 23 to July 27; Food for the Summer at IFC takes lunch & activities to housing complexes all summer (919-960-1163,
foodforthesummer.org
). The OKAY Coordinator is our own Connie Gates,
[email protected]
Link your grocery store loyalty cards to BPS.
Here's how.
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Church Office Hours
Mon.-Thurs.
8:30 am - 4 pm
Friday
8:30 am - 3 pm
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Publication Deadlines
Submissions for the July Newsletter are due by:
June 20
Submissions for the weekly bulletin and Friday Update are due by:
Wednesday Noon
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The Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church
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