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First Presbyterian Church
Bi-Weekly Newsletter
September 24, 2024
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IN THIS ISSUE . . .
Pastoral Letter
Joys / Concerns
Worship
Fall Faith Formation
Fall Fellowship Events
Service and Mission Opportunities
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PEACEMAKING SEASON IS HERE!
The 2024 Season of Peacemaking began Sunday, September 8. Check out FPC’s Peacemaking Banner/Quilt which is on display in Watts-Hill Hall through the end of September. The banner was prepared in 2009 and completed in 2010 to honor the 30th anniversary of “Peacemaking: The Believer’s Calling.” FPC adopted this commitment to peacemaking and affirmed this theme in 1983. The congregation chose and signed the squares. Sue Fricks assembled the squares into this banner.
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Pastoral Letter
Dear friends,
As we move into fall and settle into the rhythms that come with the changing of seasons, I am grateful for the seasons we have in the church. This month, we have been celebrating a Season of Peace. This is not one of our liturgical seasons, in the way Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter are. Instead, it is a season marked by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the weeks leading up to World Communion Sunday. During this time, we join with people of faith around the world for a time of growth, encouragement, challenge, inspiration, and education which invites us to consider our relationship to peacemaking and justice.
In our Faith and Community class this past Sunday, we had the privilege of hearing about the work of one of the PC (USA)’s peacemakers, Rev. Mia Umaña, in Costa Rica. For over 30 years Mia has worked with vulnerable indigenous communities in the areas of creation care, eco-justice, conflict resolution, and trauma therapy. She joined us for the Faith and Community class and for worship, along with her translator, Rev. Dr. Karla Koll, a PC (USA) Mission Co-worker in Costa Rica.
Mia’s presence with us during this Season of Peace reminded us of the way so many around the world are working for healing, peace, justice, and wholeness for all people. Hearing her speak Spanish reminded us of the many different nations and languages around the world (how easy it is to become US/English centered in our worldview!). Learning about her focus on gender violence, trauma care, and environmental justice inspired us to consider the ways we can raise our awareness of the needs of our own community and in the world.
The Season of Peace encourages us to consider the ways we are a part of a great network of people of faith around the world who battle injustice, break down barriers and dividing walls, advocate for marginalized communities, and work for the common good of all. The peacemaking work we do here, day by day, is joined with the work of faithful people around the world. We will not grow weary of doing good and bearing Christ’s message of love, justice, and peace throughout the world.
You can learn more about what other peacemakers have done and are doing around the world through a daily devotional here:
Thank you for all you do, often in ways that many will never know, to bring peace to our world.
With gratitude and love,
Mindy
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BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT: Congratulations to Lara Duffney and Art Baker on the birth of Hannah Susan Baker on September 18th. Mom and baby are doing well. If you wish to help them with meals, contact the church office for the link.
CELEBRATION: Poston Pritchett, son of Ed Pritchett, was inducted into the Riverside High School Athletic Hall of Fame inaugural class on September 21st. Poston, Class of 2003, was a star swimmer at Riverside, 5-time state champion, and 3-time All-American. Later, at the University of Texas, he was a captain of the swimming team. Poston lives in Kansas City, MO with his wife and two children.
CONCERNS:
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Mickey Velkey is having total knee replacement surgery this week.
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Phyllis Verhey is recovering at home following a brief hospital stay.
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Tony Brown began chemotherapy last week.
Click HERE to see more concerns.
The churchlife app can be used to locate address information for sending cards to individuals and families. You may also contact the church office if you do not have access to the app.
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Marsha Butler hosted The Things That Matter Book Group in her home on September 10th and Hendrika Vande Kemp led the discussion.
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Kathy Conner and Deborah Momsen-Hudson organized the annual First Friends beach weekend. It was held September 20-22. A total of 25 friends participated.
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Joe & Carlisle Harvard arranged for Daytimers to meet at Thai Cafe today. 25 persons, plus two staff, enjoyed lunch together.
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WORSHIP
Sunday, September 29
19th Sunday after Pentecost
11:00 a.m. Worship
Mindy Douglas, preaching
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Sunday, October 6
World Communion Sunday
Mindy Douglas, preaching
Organized by the National Council of Churches, World Communion Sunday is celebrated worldwide, demonstrating that the church founded on Jesus Christ peacefully shares God-given goods in a world increasingly destabilized by global market economies based on greed. It is fitting that on this Sunday, we will receive one of the Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Peace and Global Witness Offering encourages congregations to address the anxiety and discord prevalent in a broken and fearful world. Twenty-five percent of what we receive remains with our congregation for local efforts. Together, we make a difference. Let us gather around the Lord’s table and entrust our lives to the one who holds the world together, giving generously to the work and witness of Christ through the life of the Church. Specially marked envelopes will be available in each bulletin for this offering on October 6.
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FAITH FORMATION
FOR ALL AGES
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The Preschool Faith Formation class is for ages 3 years to 5 years. Each Sunday, there's free play, a story, a snack, and an activity!
The kindergarten-2nd grade Faith Formation class promises a fun story, big art, drama, and a snack!
The Godly Play class is for 3rd through 5th grades. Stories are presented visually with small props. The class is invited to consider "Wondering" questions as they reflect on the story that was presented. Check in for the week and prayer time ends the session!
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If your child is interested in taking part in Worship leadership, please let Lenore know! (l.champion@firstpres-durham.org)
MUSIC FOR CHILDREN
Children are welcome on Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:00 a.m. in the Godly Play Room to learn and sing songs.
Children, kindergarten -6th grade are invited to a time of music with Kathy Parkins in the choir room following worship (begins about 12:10 p.m.)
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FAITH & COMMUNITY CLASS
meets Sundays
9:45-10:45 a.m.
in Watts-Hill (Fellowship) Hall
Faith & Community begins the fall with the most important and difficult of topics – peacemaking and Gaza.
- On September. 29, we conclude this series with two friends of FPC. Rabbi Daniel Greyber of Beth El and Rabbi Matt Soffer of Judea Reform will share their perspectives on what has been happening in the war. Mindy Douglas will moderate/host these discussions, and questions are welcome.
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In October, we’re exploring the depth and breadth of what stewardship means. On Oct. 6 & 13, our Stewardship Committee will lead the way. On Oct. 20 & 27, we’ll use Walter Brueggemann’s book, Materiality as Resistance, to talk about stewardship of the body, time, and place.
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November brings FPC University, where church members share about the intersection of their faith and their occupation. We also welcome FPCer Jerry Postema on November 10 to talk about his new book, The Rule of Law.
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LECTIONARY CLASS
meets on Sundays
9:45-10:45 a.m.,
in the Daye Meeting Room
September 29: If God is in charge, what role do we have? Are there any situations in which, by our witness or our prayer or even a brave action like Esther's, we can have an important part to play?
October 6: Job was said to be "blameless and upright." What does it take to be blameless and upright? Is it a matter of enduring suffering, as Job did? Is it a matter of following the letter of every law? Is blamelessness something we can achieve on our own, or does God have something to do with it?
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JOURNEY'S CLASS
Sundays at 9:45 a.m.
in the Wilson Parlor
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On September 15, we began a discussion of Genesis by Marilynne Robinson led by Eric Wiebe with help from a few other members.
* In mid-October, we expect to begin a discussion of important sections of the Book of Acts. We are still compiling and discussing books and resources to guide this study.
* We hope to read and discuss Saving Jesus from the Church by Robin Meyers, and hope some members will help take a lead in this study, which will be later in the faith formation year.
* There are several topics that will only need a single Sunday. Examples include Conversion of the Jews by Phillip Roth; The Forgotten Radicalism of Jesus (NYT article, which includes a separate rebuttal); and, I was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me (podcast).
For more information on this adult class, contact Andy Henry, Eric Wiebe, or Paul Baldasare.
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MEANING IN THE MIDDLE
meets Sundays
8:00 p.m., via Zoom
(Link is sent in weekly email)
Every first Sunday, we will have a time of virtual fellowship, so we will ask for a leader to choose a game or some sort of fun activity for the group. On the other Sundays, we will be using the resource d365, a Presbyterian / mainline devotional to guide our discussion.
There is no reading or prep required, and our topics vary from week to week, so you won't have missed anything.
As we look toward October (yikes!), we are in need of leaders for our weekly Zoom discussions and our monthly in-person gatherings. The sign-up sheet for both is here. If you haven't already done so, please sign up for two weeks on the spreadsheet, and a giant THANK YOU to those who have already signed up.
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YOUTH CLASSES
High School Faith Formation – meets Sundays
9:45-10:45 a.m.,
right-side youth room
(and once in a month in the lobby
for a trip to Yonder Coffee)
The Confirmation teaching team (Heidi, Cris & John) is back, along with the fabulous Amy W. As chosen by the Youth Ministry Committee, sometimes, we’ll take a look at the day’s Bible passage and make Worship Bingo cards or do Mad Libs (The Extra Hour). Other times, we’ll read about a theological topic, like the Offering or Heaven, and figure out what it actually means for us (Crazy Talk). And once in a while, we’ll pull out The Bible Is Funny (Biblical Apples to Apples). We’ll always share about our weeks and have warm beverages (in the Youth Room or at Yonder Coffee).
Middle School Faith Formation – meets Sundays 9:45-10:45 a.m., left-side youth room
As we have the last two years, we’re using the Follow Me curriculum to explore themes like Do Justice, Live in Community and Do Not Fear. We’ve moved over a room this year, but we’ll still have donuts or other breakfast yummies each week. Veteran teachers Bob and Annie are joined by newbies (and children of the church) Almira and Ellie.
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We’re finding some new ways this year to connect across generational lines, over a delightful piece of toast.
For the first twenty minutes of the faith formation hour on these four days listed above in the graphic, different classes make new friends while they nosh.
Faith & Community and middle schoolers? Muffin besties!
Younger elementary school and Journeys? Cereal twins!
Lectionary and high school? Powerhouse Biblical scholars!
When the clock strikes 10:05, the visiting class will head back to its regular space.
| It is that time of year again, Trunk or Treat is nearly here! Please sign up to host a trunk via the QR code in the graphic above. There will be trunks, face painting, hot dogs and more! | |
FIRST ACTS
Playreading Group
All are welcome to join in to read
“Inherit the Wind.”
We will meet in the Wilson Parlor on Sunday, October 13, 4:00-6:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Susan Dunlap by email at sjd4@duke.edu or Mason Essif by email at masonessif@comcast.net.
Some copies of the script will be available but if you’re interested in purchasing your own copy, here’s a link: https://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.asp?key=1689.
Both the 1960 and 1999 movie versions are available to stream if you want further immersion in the play.
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Every Sunday between October 6 and Election Day, FPC will share information on how you can support voter mobilization efforts and Get Out the Vote.
In Beyond the Offering Plate: A Holistic Approach to Stewardship, we are called not only to speak, but to act, against systems of privilege and in solidarity with our neighbors hurt by systems of privilege. Working to get out the vote is a means to steward our privilege to work in solidarity with and for those who have been left behind. Please stop by our voter mobilization table after worship and checkout the bulletin board in the lobby to learn how you can connect with various nonpartisan efforts to ensure you and your family’s, friends’ and neighbors’ voices are heard during this election.
Links:
PCUSA Election Center: https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/PCUSA/ElectionCenter
Voter Ballot Information: https://www.vote.org/ballot-information/
PCUSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCUSAWashington
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Saturday, September 28
Music & Market Festival
12:00–4:00 p.m.
Lot 8 (215 E Parrish St) & Chapel Hill St Lot (326 E Chapel Hill St)
Concert Stage
12:00–8:00 p.m.
CCB Plaza (201 Corcoran St)
Food Truck Station
2:00–6:00 p.m.
Durham Central Park
(501 Foster St)
Sunday, September 29
Parade
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Duke East Campus
Campus Dr & Main St
Community Kickback
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Duke East Campus
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Volunteers needed
at Urban Ministries
Thank you to those of you who signed up to volunteer in September.
October dates are now available.
If you have any questions, please call, email, or text Jancy Johnstone:
jancyjohnstone@gmail.com
919.824.6489
SIGN UP HERE
If you cancel a date within a week of the day you signed up, please send Jancy a text so that she can round up another volunteer.
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IGLESIA EMANUEL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
FOOD PANTRY
We have an easy and wonderful way for you to give 2 hours of your time, right here in Durham. No need to pack your bags and travel, just come be part of the incredibly impactful ministry at the Emanuel Food Pantry! We love welcoming new volunteers, and are always grateful for donations of food, rice, beans, and financial support. To volunteer at the food pantry, simply click here and come join the fun! For more information, contact Margaret Rubiera.
TUTORING PROGRAM
Iglesia Emanuel’s tutoring program is looking for tutors! We offer 1:1 student to tutor ratios from kindergarten through twelfth grade, and tutors are paired with the same student for the entire year, which helps to foster a supportive and collaborative relationship between tutors and students. The focus here is on skill development through games and projects that are inspired by student interests, rather than homework help, so students (and tutors!) look forward to coming each week. No teaching experience is necessary. If you have interest in being part of this community as a tutor, we’d love to have you! For more information, please check out our website at www.emanuellearning.com or reach out to the director, Mimi Dunn at 304-553-3295 or by email: marydunn618@gmail.com.
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