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First Presbyterian Church
Bi-Weekly Newsletter
November 5, 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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Pastoral Letter from Mindy | | |
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STEWARDSHIP 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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Stewardship Campaign for 2025
ends this Sunday, November 10.
11:00 a.m. Worship
Mindy Douglas, preaching
Sacrament of Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated during worship this Sunday November 10 for Theodore (Teddie) McCorkle, child of Chip and Allison McCorkle and grandchild of Mac and Wendy McCorkle.
Dedication of Pledges
Sunday, November 10 is pledge Sunday. Members will be invited to come forward at offering time and place their pledge card in an offering plate on the communion table. If you have already submitted your pledge (by mail or online), you can still come forward with a Pledge Status card (available in the bulletin). Thank you for participating in the pledging process.
Enjoy cake following worship!
The Stewardship Committee will be serving cake following worship in appreciation of the congregation’s faithful support of the mission and ministry of the church.
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CONCERNS:
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Eugene Brown is home after being in rehab at Croasdaile Village.
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Ann Huff is home following surgery.
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Eric Wiebe is home following surgery.
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Jim Gudaitis, husband of Christy Gudaitis, is preparing for bone marrow transplant.
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Jennifer Hervey, daughter-in-law of Jeanne Hervey is being treated for lymphoma.
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Linda Foster Momsen, mother of Deborah Momsen-Hudson, is recovering from surgery.
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Cherie Haines, sister of Vernon Neece, is hospitalized in Florida.
Click HERE to see more concerns.
New Address for Fred Callaway:
Pruitt Health Center
3100 Erwin Rd, Durham NC 27712
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
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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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. . . to Stephen Berry, Amy Dillon, and Lenore Champion for organizing our third annual Trunk or Treat event at the church on October 27. A good time was had by all.
. . . to Mickey Velkey who arranged for another Daytimers' Luncheon at Bennett Pointe Grill on October 22.
The Somethings enjoyed a retreat at the beach the weekend of October 25-27. Kudos to Esther Hethcox for making it happen.
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Sharing Worship beyond the Sanctuary
Friends, we are in need of folks to help expand our live streaming ministry staff.
Please contact Jody Maxwell (jodymaxwell3@hotmail.com) if you’re willing to support worship in this way. Jody is happy to train new folks.
Leftover Halloween Candy?
Kathy Parkins would love to have your leftover candy from Halloween for the children's music ministry sessions. Bring it to the church and leave it (labeled for Kathy) in the church office. Thank you.
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Worship
Sunday, November 17
John Weicher , preaching
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TO ELECT APNC
The Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, November 17 at the end of worship for the purpose of electing members to the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC). This committee will be charged with recommending a person to fill the ordained and installed Associate Pastor position, a position that will replace the designated associate pastor position currently held by Esther Hethcox.
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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.
Children's Music returns this Sunday following worship.
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
We meet on Sundays from
9:45-10:45 a.m.
in Watts-Hill Hall.
We welcome FPCer Jerry Postema this Sunday, November 10 to talk about his new book, The Rule of Law. The idea of the rule of law is so widely claimed, contested, and captured that we literally don't know what we are talking about. Jerry will offer a few insights about this fundamental ideal which currently is greatly imperiled. Jerry's book, Law's Rule recently was named best book in legal philosophy at an international conference in Seoul, South Korea.
| November brings FPC University, where church members share about the intersection of their faith and their occupation. For much of our lives, we live at the intersection of our faith and our profession. Lea Bingham and Gray Wilson will be our speakers on November 17. | |
LECTIONARY CLASS
Join us each Sunday at 9:45 in the Robert Daye Meeting Room for discussion of the lectionary readings.
November 10: Sometimes stories from the Bible seem remote to our lives, even if the words are familiar. There are no high priests offering sacrifices for us, and we do not know any scribes who wear long robes in the marketplace. We are not bound by customs requiring a man to marry his kinsman's widow. How can we find a message for our time in these stories?
November 17: We are only human, and we misinterpret even what we see and hear. If we misunderstand the motives of those around us, how can we begin to understand what God is doing in our world?
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JOURNEY'S CLASS
Sundays at 9:45 a.m.
in the Wilson Parlor
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This Sunday, November 10, we will continue on to the next generation of fraught, familial relations with the story of Jacob and Esau and roles Rebekah and Isaac play. This will be the start of at least two weeks on the story of Jacob. The focus of our readings for this upcoming week will be: Genesis 25:19-34, 27:1-45 and
Robinson pp126-127, 130-143
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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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)
| Middle School Faith Formation – meets Sundays 9:45-10:45 a.m., left-side youth room | |
If you’re a visiting friend (or new member!) and have questions like these, come join Pastor Esther for a time of conversation about Presbyterian theology, polity and worship. Come as you are—with all the small questions or big doubts. Following worship on November 10 and 17 in the Wilson parlor, light refreshments will be provided. | |
Free Yoga Classes
Jane Wettach is offering free yoga classes at FPC on
Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.
Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
All are welcome.
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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 many 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. A $10 gift card is available for all who donate blood.
We also need volunteers to assist donors after they have given blood.
The Red Cross provides food and drinks and all you need to do is
offer it to people and encourage them to eat and rink and sit for 15 minutes.
It is a pleasant chance to represent FPC and thank people for donating.
For more information, contact Julie Whiddon (919-730-6673), FPC's organizer and Red Cross volunteer.
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FIRST FRIENDS
NOVEMBER POTLUCK
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Saturday, November 9
at 6:00 p.m. at the home of
Joy and Mike Kerner
112 N. Riverdale, Durham
Bring a favorite dish to share & BYOB.
Contact Joy if you have questions.
joy.kerner@gmail.com
or 919-308-1501
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Save the Date!
All-Church Potluck
Saturday, November 16
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at FPC in Watts-Hill Hall.
Let us know you are coming by replying to the EVITE.
Bring a dish to share.
Come play games and fellowship
with your congregation!
Volunteers are needed
for set up and clean up.
Sign up via signupgenius.
For more info contact:
Deborah Momsen-Hudson
919-417-8664 cell
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FPC Recruiting for
Church Administrator
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Many of you know that our beloved Church Administrator, Valerie McMillian, is planning to retire at the end of this year. Although her shoes will certainly be difficult to fill, FPC is now looking for an organized, diligent, responsive and motivated individual to continue to support our mission in the role of new full-time Church Administrator. 3+ years of relevant administrative and/or supervisory experience are required and the individual must be well-versed in use of accounting, communication/social media and database software. FPC members/family should not apply but if you know of others who might be interested in the position, encourage them to visit the church's website and reply with resume/references to adminsearch@firstpres-durham.org.
Recruitment committee (David Sappenfield, Al Arrowood, Kathryn Lester-Bacon, Laurie Ray, Katy Ruark)
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You Are Not Alone:
A Caring Group
for People Living with Health Challenges
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. For more info, please contact Susan at sjd4@duke.edu.
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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.
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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BULL CITY FAIR TRADE - Opportunity to support Western NC
Here is an opportunity to get some holiday shopping started, to help provide a living wage to people living in over 40 different countries, and to support relief to those who have been devastated by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.
On Sunday, November 17, from 12 PM – 5 PM, Bull City Fair Trade will be open to members and friends of First Presbyterian Church, to shop and enjoy light refreshments. Ten percent of the sales during that time will be donated to our church. The Service and Mission Committee has chosen to donate all of these funds to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Helene relief.
Bull City Fair Trade (originally named One World Market) has been in Durham for 31 years as the only store that adheres to fair trade principles. The store employs one part-time and three full-time employees and is run predominantly by volunteers.
So, mark your calendars and stop by Bull City Fair Trade anytime between 12 PM and 5 PM on November 17 to shop. Please mention our church when you check out. The store’s address is 811 9th Street. There is a parking lot next to the store as well as on-street parking.
If you have never shopped at Bull City Fair Trade, you are in for a treat. It is a beautifully decorated store with a wide range of reasonably priced, hand made goods from all over the world, including pottery, baskets, textiles, jewelry, food, Christmas ornaments, and much more.
Bullcityfairtrade.com
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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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