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First Presbyterian Church
Bi-Weekly Newsletter
October 8, 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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Friends,
Welcome to October—a season where we are invited to reflect upon the newness of seasons, the goodness of our lives and joy of harvests. You—like myself!—may be eyeing this month through the lens of how many pumpkin patches you can visit and how many festive foods you can consume.
I am always amused with how much joy October brings. On my tik tok feed I see people decorating their homes in auburn hues and breaking out their coziest sweaters to watch their favorite nostalgic fall movies. Here in Durham our mornings signal a change as well—the air is crisp and mild, the humidity of the summer is becoming a thing of the past. Praise God!
I am reminded on this day of the psalmists’ words, where they speak of God saying, "you crown the year with your bounty” (Ps. 65: 11) and go on to offer descriptions of beautiful harvests and awe-inspiring landscapes. The psalmist is experiencing their own October joy, as they ponder the works of God in seasons that invoke feelings of change and newness.
We are entering a season that reminds us of the glory of God—and how God has crowned our lives with love. As you go forth into these autumn days, I hope you can find the energy to model the posture of the psalmist—to sit in moments of stillness among the busy list of things to do and places to be. I hope you reflect—like the psalmist—upon the moments of your story where God has crowned a harvest of love in your life. And most of all, to know that among all that your story holds, that God loves you abundantly (Ps 65: 5).
In love,
Pastor Esther
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Sympathies: The love and concern of the congregation are extended to Jeanne Hervey on the death of her brother. Joe Rudigier died September 24 at his home in Tucson, Arizona at age 93.
Concerns:
· Eugene Brown is scheduled to have knee replacement surgery this week.
· Kathy Parkins is scheduled to have eye surgery this week.
· Logan Brown, son of Chris and Meredith Brown, will have surgery on October 14.
· Jim Gudaitis’ leukemia has returned. He will have a bone marrow transplant in November.
· Becky Carpenter, classmate of Susan Cyr, in rehab at Duke Regional Hospital following a stroke and testing positive for COVID.
· Claire Su’s dad has been diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia (lives in Taiwan).
· Everyone in western NC is in our prayers following the devastation from Hurricane Helene.
Temporary address for Kerry Holbrook beginning October 10:
Kerry Holbrook
Dominion Hospital C/O TraumaSci Unit
2960 Sleepy Hollow Road
Falls Church, VA 22044
Care Links (Caring Bridge / Meal Train)
Jen McGonigle -
https://www.caringbridge.org/site/a74e583d-8154-11ef-9c55-d7bddae9f4b6
Mitzi Lesher-Thomas -
https://www.caringbridge.org/site/18dcd901-d212-32b3-8953- ed0d0913a750?utm
Franzie (and Keith) Rokoske - https://www.caringbridge.org/site/c2a4c259-81fd-38fa-bfb6-16e45a237b81?utm
Baker/Duffney (new baby) Meal Train - www.TakeThemAMeal.com/PAJX4983
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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Associate Pastor Nominating Committee FAQ
On recent Sundays, you have seen an insert in the bulletin calling for nominations for a new Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC). We are collecting nominations so that the Nominating Committee can put together a slate of names of people who will serve on the APNC to work through the process required by the Presbytery of New Hope to install a permanent associate pastor. This has raised questions that Mindy hopes to answer here in this FAQ section.
Read more at Frequently asked questions (and answers) about the APNC.
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Pledge statements for the third quarter were mailed on Friday, October 4. When you receive yours, please check it carefully for accuracy. Please contact Tom Bloom with any questions.
You may view your contribution records on-line via AccessACS (NOTE: contributions cannot be viewed on the ChurchLife app on your smartphone).
The link is www.secure.accessacs.com/access/login.aspx. You will get the following log-in screen which uses the same credentials as ChurchLife. Please contact Tom if you need to sign up for ChurchLife or re-set your credentials.
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Once you are logged in, click on MY GIVING HISTORY for a list of current or prior year contributions. To see your pledge amounts, click on to see a complete contribution statement. Please note that your Capital Campaign pledge amount is for all years of the campaign; contact Tom to verify your year-by-year payment plan. NOTE: While you are logged in, you can also click on MY COMPLETE PROFILE and update your contact information.
Tom Bloom
Business Administrator
t.bloom@firstpres-durham.org
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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.
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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FPC Non-Partisan Canvassing Event
A chance to go out in pairs to knock on doors, encourage people to vote, and let people know about early voting opportunities, voter registration, and poll locations.
Who? FPC members and friends
When? Sunday, October 13, 2024
What time? 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. (lunch provided)
Where? We will eat together (sign up via EVITE) and be trained in Watts- Hill Hall. We will be given addresses and areas to cover and sent out in pairs.
How? We will be trained by Jonathan Riley, organizing director of the Durham Progressive Democrats. He will give us a 45 minute training on how to do this non-partisan canvassing. Materials will be provided. We hope pairs will be able to canvass for 1-2 hours.
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NATIONAL CHILDREN'S SABBATH
Sunday, October 13
11:00 a.m.
Worship and Baptism
Esther Hethcox, preaching
Bibles will be presented to
3rd graders during worship.
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Sunday, October 20
Mindy Douglas, preaching
Stewardship Season Begins
THEME:
"Rooted in Faith,
Growing in Service,
Living in Love"
Psalm 1:3
"That person is like a tree
planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers."
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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. Lenore Champion leads this time with children.
No music for children
following worship on
Sundays, October 13
and October 20.
Children, kindergarten -6th grade are invited to a time of music with Kathy Parkins in the choir room following worship each Sunday (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.
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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
October 13: We know that God gives good gifts to us. But sometimes it seems that God demands that we give up things that are dear to us. Is suffering or poverty required?
October 20: It takes a lot of nerve to stand before the Lord and make demands. How would you expect the Lord to respond?
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JOURNEY'S CLASS
Sundays at 9:45 a.m.
in the Wilson Parlor
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* In mid-October, we will begin a discussion of important sections of the Book of Acts.
* 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.
We will need 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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FIRST ACTS
Play Reading 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.
“Inherit the Wind” is the story of the Scopes “monkey trials” of 1925 – which explores many of the human emotions and conflicts on display in today’s public discourse. The focus is on what is being taught in our schools. Back then it was evolution (“evil-ution”), today it might be gender identity or CRT. The issues might change but reactions are the same.
Local politics become national, especially when a former presidential party nominee takes up the banner and it’s covered “live” by the new medium of radio.
Please join us as we together read the play, take on the characters, and enjoy a little “drama.”
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 topic.
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Free Yoga at FPC!
Does gentle stretching, intentional deep breathing, gradual strength building, and increasing balance sound appealing? If so, you are invited to join a free yoga class for seniors at FPC. Classes will be held at FPC on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. Both classes are targeted toward seniors who are looking for a gentle yoga experience. The Friday class is especially suited for people who have little or no experience with yoga. Jane Wettach, who has recently become a certified yoga instructor, leads the classes. If you want to attend, or get more information, contact Jane at janewettach@gmail.com or 919-612-8396.
| 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! | |
COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE
Thursday, NOVEMBER 7, 2024
from 1:00-6:00 p.m.
at FPC - Watts-Hill Hall
Go online to RedCrossBlood.org
and use code firstpres to schedule your appointment. We currently have all spots to fill. If you are healthy and it has been over 50 days since your last blood donation, please come out to donate today. Most donations take about an hour, so book your appointment, roll up your sleeve, and become a part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross.
For more information, contact Julie Whiddon (919-730-6673), FPC's organizer and Red Cross volunteer.
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First Presbyterian serves meals 2 to 3 times each month to individuals staying in the UMD Community Shelter and to our unsheltered homeless and extremely low-income neighbors.
We assist with breakfast on the 3rd, and 5th (if there is one) Fridays of each month. Volunteers work from 7am to 9 am and make sandwiches for bag lunches on the 3rd Monday and 4th Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Thank you to the UMD volunteers who made lunches and prepared and served breakfast in September: Laurie Williamson, Andy Henry, Tom Bacon, Johanna and George Bernhardt, Jane Williams, Carl Rist, Jean Cary, George Danser, and especially to MaryJo Keenan, who filled in at the last minute.
If you are interested in helping with this ministry, please contact Jancy Johnstone at 919.824.6489 or jancyjohnstone@gmail.com
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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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You Are Not Alone:
A Caring Group
for People Living With Health Challenges
Some of us live with ailments that come and go, but they never completely go away. It may be a painful condition such as arthritis or frequent headaches, or it may be fibromyalgia, Parkinson's or long COVID. These can be very challenging, and it is often hard to share them with other people. If this describes you, you may be interested in a place to find conversation, support, prayer, and fellowship with others who face similar challenges. We are starting a group that will provide these things, facilitated by Susan Dunlap. We will begin with meeting on October 14, 21, 28, with the possibility of continuing the group further if desired. For more information, please contact Susan Dunlap, sjd4@duke.edu.
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Join us to honor
and remember 51 lives.
All taken from us by violence in Durham County during 2023. Over 88% ended by gunshot wounds. Each a tragic reminder of more than 1000 lives in 32 years, similarly snatched away and still powerfully missed. Every one an enduring, immeasurable loss to our community.
Join us Saturday, October 12 at 10:00 am on the grounds of Elizabeth Street UMC (1209 N. Elizabeth Street) for a ritual of sacred attention to these named, loved ones. For the 32nd time, we offer this Annual Vigil Against Violence as a space to unite in public mourning for the inequitable human toll of our violence.
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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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