The church office will be closed on Monday, May 28

in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

Click HERE to see prayer concerns.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT: Congratulations to Abi and Derek Warmack on the birth of their first child. Cora Bissette Warmack was born April 15th. Andy and Cherrie Henry are overjoyed first-time grandparents, and Sam Henry, the new uncle.  

Thank you to the Fellowship Committee for organizing our All-Church Spring Fling on May 6. It was an intergenerational event with 60+ folks having a wonderful time of fellowship.

Thank you to those of you who gave blood during our May 4 blood drive. We collected over 20 units of blood.

Save the Date!

Our next drive will be August 3rd.

Age-graded faith formation classes for children are held on the second floor of the Christian education building from 9:45-10:45 a.m.

Faith and Community Class

Justice Involved

This May in Faith & Community, we’re spending time on being justice involved. Join us in Watts-Hill Hall from 9:45-10:45 a.m.

Lectionary Class

Join us each Sunday at 9:45 in the Robert Daye (East) Parlor for discussion of the lectionary readings.

May 21: Something is about to happen. We have heard the Easter messages and the Easter reassurances, but now the words are more disturbing: "The hour has come." "You will receive power." "Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal." What is it that is about to happen? How can we prepare ourselves for it?



May 28 (Pentecost): What gifts does the Spirit bring to you? prophetic powers? deep insight? fluency in other languages? Do you think your spiritual gifts could get you into trouble?

MnMs (Meaning in the Middle) Fellowship

We are in need of discussion leaders on Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings. If you're interested in leading, sign up here.

WEEKLY BOOK STUDY

Discussion

May 16/17

Part V - Hope

 Join this Zoom Meeting

Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m.

Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m.



 ZOOM LINK

Help retire medical debt in

North Carolina

In 2022, the Session of First Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC voted to set aside $50,000 from our capital campaign to help eliminate debt for our neighbors in NC who have been saddled with overwhelming medical bills. Our first of three campaigns raised $26,000 and paid off $5 million in medical debt in NC in Durham and other counties in NC. On May 1, 2023, we launched a second campaign which targets the counties with the greatest number of people of color in their boundaries (including Wake, Guilford, Forsyth, and Mecklenburg). 

Please share the link below with anyone who wants to eliminate medical debt for our eligible neighbors in NC.

Link to give: 

https://ripmedicaldebt.org/campaign/building-beloved-community/

Small Group Dinners

Are Coming

In response to our recent fellowship survey, FPC is forming dinner small groups. Dinner small groups are intergenerational, and all are welcome. The groups will meet six times a year, approximately, and we are hoping participants will commit to the group for one year. This will be a time for fun and fellowship. We will gather in homes or at church for potlucks or at restaurants.

Please sign up

 (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c4ca5ab2dab9-first2#/) for the times that you are interested in gathering and indicate the number of people. Groups will be formed and notified in the next few weeks. 

Sign up by May 28th. If you are willing to serve as a group coordinator for scheduling, please indicate in the comments. Please feel free to reach out to Deborah Momsen-Hudson: dmomsenhudson@gmail.com for more information.

Is landscaping your thing? If so, join with Barbara Buckley and other volunteers on Saturday, May 27 for a landscaping and gardening workday from 8:00-11:00 a.m.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE INSIGHTS WITH THE THRIVING CONGREGATIONS COMMITTEE

This campaign is only interested in collecting your perspective and insight. If you are not able to make any of the available dates, please email Janefrancesbrown@gmail.com to let her know. We are going to be scheduling more sessions in the Fall and want to gauge interest.

You should voice anything you think is vital to take First Presbyterian into God’s work for us, your insights, what you see, and are called to in your heart.

Thank you. CLICK TO SIGN UP!

9:45-10:45 a.m.

Sunday, May 21

The final Membership class in this current series for new members, inquirers, and anyone wanting to learn more about First Presbyterian Church will be held Sunday, May 21 at 9:45 a.m. in Room 205 of the CE building. The topic of worship will be discussed.

Sunday, May 21, 2023

7th Sunday of Easter

11:00 a.m. Worship

John Weicher, preaching

May 28, 2023

11:00 a.m. Worship

Mindy Douglas, preaching

Celebrate Pentecost by wearing Pentecost color on Sunday:

red, orange, yellow!

The Pentecost Offering which supports at-risk children, youth, and young adults, will be received. The local portion of this offering will go to Epworth Freedom School.

First Friends Potluck

Saturday, May 20 at 6:00 p.m.

at the home of

Mac & Wendy McCorkle

4811 Montvale Dr, Durham

Hosts are providing lasagnas (meat and vegetarian) along with non-alcoholic beverages and some beer and wine. Please bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share.

RSVP by EVITE

or to Wendy at 919-656-9912.

Day Timers’ Luncheon

Tuesday, May 23

12 Noon at Bullock’s Barbecue

3330 Quebec St., Durham

Please call, text or e-mail

Mickey to RSVP:

Marilyn.velkey@usa.net

601.750.3619 cell

Young Adults Pop-Up Lunch

The Somethings (young adults from their 20s-30s) will gather for a pop up lunch after worship at Bull City Burger on Sunday, May 28.We hope to see you there!

FELLOWSHIP SURVEY RESULTS

February 2023

Many thanks to all of you who filled out the Fellowship Survey. The Fellowship Committee wants to share with you the results HERE.

CHURCH OFFICE VOLUNTEERS

The church office is still in need of weekday volunteers. If you are interested in a half-day (4-hour) shift, sign up on the OPEN SHIFTS scheduler. To learn more about this important ministry, contact Sarah Wright at 919-218-7890.

COMMUNION SERVERS NEEDED

Would you like to help with communion during worship? We have need for communion preparers and servers (serving communion is not limited to elders and deacons!).  

Up-coming dates are:

May 28 and June 4.

Sign up using this link.

July - December 2023

Sign up here.

If you are interested but would like to have more information or some instruction before volunteering, please contact Mary Ann Compton (919-363-8822).  

MEDIA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

 The audio and video streaming consoles at the back of the sanctuary are operated by volunteers, and we need more. The equipment may look intimidating, but training and mentoring is provided. If you’re not afraid of technology and are interested, please speak to one of the operators on any Sunday. Middle school and high school youth are particularly welcome.

HEAD USHER NEEDED

ON 5TH SUNDAYS

Are you willing to be a head usher on 5th Sundays? We only have four of these Sundays lor the year. The next one is July 30. If you have no experience, totally fine, we have a document of instructions and it is not a difficult task. Esther Hethcox is happy to walk through the duties with you. You can reach out to Esther with any questions. 

SHARING WORSHIP FLOWERS WITH THOSE WE LOVE

Visiting someone after worship? Please take them a bouquet, courtesy of the FPC Diaconate! About 10 minutes after worship--after you're done shaking the preacher's hand!--please head to the kitchen to pick up a beautiful bouquet of flowers, arranged by the Deacons. Please tell the Deacon arranging the flowers who you are taking them to, so we don't take duplicates. Thank you for spreading the beauty of God's creation--these flowers bring joy to those unable to attend worship, recovering from illnesses, 

grieving, celebrating or simply in need of the reminder they are loved by their church and God. Please email Brianna Bennett or Esther Hethcox with any questions. Thank you!

SERVICE & MISSION

FRESH VEGETABLES AVAILABLE FROM

SANKOFA FARM

First Presbyterian, through the Creation Care Committee, is once again participating in a community supported agriculture (CSA) project with Sankofa Farms in Orange County.

HOW IT WORKS:

The boxes of vegetables will be delivered to First Pres every Thursday afternoon, beginning May 18, and be available for pickup between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. in the church foyer. This cycle will run for six weeks, from May 18-June 22. Other pick up options include Thursday evenings at Westminster Presbyterian from 6:00-7:30, and Saturday mornings at the Hillsborough Farmers Market from 8:00-12:00.

THE COST: $35 per week for a full share and $25 for a half share. 

For the full six weeks it is $210 for a full share and $150 for a half share. 

Shop for vegetables: www.sankofafarms.com.

If you have questions, feel free to contact Tom Bacon,

George or Johanna Bernhardt, Cris Rivera, or Larry

Brockman.

Volunteers needed. Contact Jen if you can serve.

Jen McGonigle

202-421-5870

MAY DATES (FPC Commitments)

• Friday, May 19th prepare and serve breakfast, 7 - 9am (4 volunteers needed)
• Thursday, May 25th prepare lunch bags, 9:30-10:30am (3 volunteers needed)

 ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY:

• Monday, May 22nd  flexible hours to assist with donation sorting (1-3hour block)

Links here for other UMD opportunities:

 https://umdurham.org/volunteer/