FPC Bi-Weekly Newsletter 06-27-23

First Presbyterian Church

Bi-Weekly Newsletter

June 27, 2023 Issue 13

Pastoral Letter

Dear friends,

Why, I heard someone ask, does the church need to participate in Pride month? Why do we need to show our support for trans-youth? Why does the church need to get involved in things like this that are so political?

Here is my answer: I believe the church has a responsibility to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Jesus defines neighbor as the one who is in need (poor, beaten, robbed) or has been judged and tossed aside by culture (lepers, the blind and lame, tax collectors, prostitutes), or is the “other” (Samaritans). We participate in Pride month because there are too many places in our world and in our nation where our LGBTQ+, or “queer” neighbors are not welcomed. Beyond that, there are too many spaces where our LGBTQ+ neighbors are scorned, ridiculed, and even detested. To be queer is to know that there are people who think you are an abomination against God. To be in a same-gender relationship is to experience the hatred of some against you. To be gender non-conforming is to feel the stares, glares, and judgment coming down upon you in public places. Some who are LGBTQ+ have been disowned by their families. Many are treated as sub-human and denied rights that others receive. This dehumanization has intensified over the last several years and the church must not be silent. Jesus would not have been silent.

We participate in Pride month because God has called us to be a safe place where all God’s children might gather to worship God and be recognized in their full humanity. We lead a trans-youth pride rally because we have trans youth in our congregation, in our neighborhood, and in our city who are feeling that the world is telling them they are less than human. We gather to see them as God’s creation, made in the image of God.

We recognize Pride month in worship in order to express to our siblings in Christ that they matter – to us and to God. We rally and march in parades for the same reason – to stand beside our siblings in recognition of their full humanity and to celebrate God’s image in their lives.

I hope that, if the tables were turned, my LGBTQ+ siblings would do the same for me. In fact, I know they would. This is how we are the church to one another. Thanks be to God.

With love for you all,

Mindy

The church office and Day School will be closed on Tuesday, July 4

in observance of

Independence Day.

WORSHIP NEWS

Sunday, July 2

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

11:00 a.m. Worship

Esther Hethcox, preaching

* * * * * * * * * *

Sunday, July 9

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

11:00 a.m. Worship & Communion

John Weicher, preaching

This summer, the children's class will meet from 9:45-10:45 a.m. as a one-room schoolhouse on the second floor of the CE building, room 208. The theme is "Journey with Jesus." Parents and youth are invited to assist. Sign up HERE.

Faith and Community Class

Lectionary Class

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

July 2: Is there a reward for a righteous life? Do we live faithfully in order to gain that reward? Or is righteousness its own reward?

July 9: Much that we read in scripture is difficult to understand, and even what we think we understand is not always reflected in our lives. How can we do better at living what we believe?

Journey's Class

You are invited to join the Faith & Community or the Lectionary class this summer.

MnMs (Meaning in the Middle) Fellowship - Summer Plans

We encourage the 9:45 a.m. in-person class to attend the other adult classes being offered this summer.

8:00 p.m. Zoom Time

We will be taking the month of July off.

We'd love for folks to plan some spontaneous pop-up in-person activities throughout the summer. Share ideas and details with Mary Berry and Emily Diy.

YOUTH CALENDAR

SUMMER 2023

Massanetta Middle School Conference – July 18-21

Montreat Youth Conference

– July 23-29

Caregiver Needed

(paid position)

We are in need of an additional childcare provider for our children during worship on Sunday mornings. Interested persons should contact our new coordinator Courtney McMillon, or Lenore Champion.

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 the July 16 session, please email Jane Brown (janefrancesbrown@gmail.com)

to let her know. We are going to be scheduling more sessions in the fall and want to gauge interest.

In these listening sessions 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!

Help retire medical debt

in North Carolina

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/

SERVICE & MISSION

Volunteers needed. Contact Jen if you can serve at Urban Ministries.

Jen McGonigle - 202-421-5870

UMD opportunities:

https://umdurham.org/volunteer/

Condolences: The love and concern of the congregation are extended to the following:

Shirley Frederick and family on the death of her sister-in-law, Margaret Frederick of Endicott NY, on June 27.
the family of FPC member Rosemary Seve. Rosemary had recently returned to Kenya seeking treatment for ovarian cancer. We received word that she died there over the weekend.
Scottie Seawell, Erin, Rachel and Lauren Boyle on the death of Scottie's husband and Erin, Rachel and Lauren's father, Phil Boyle. Phil passed away on June 24. Expressions of sympathy can be expressed to the family at the following address:

Scottie Seawell and family

106 Weathervane Dr

Carrboro NC 27510.

Arthur Jr., John, and Claiborne Clark on the death of our dear member and their father, Arthur Clark, on June 22. Expressions of sympathy can be expressed to the family at the following address:

Claiborne Clark

4200 Livingstone Pl

Durham NC 27707.

Laura Hanson and David, Vera, and Guy Cecelski on the death of Laura's mother. Pam Hanson passed away on June 17. Expressions of sympathy can be expressed to the family at the following address:

Laura Hanson and family

1502 Bivins Street

Durham NC 27707.

Concerns:

Dennis Tiede, nephew of Mary-Jo Keenan, has stage IV colon cancer .

Click HERE to see other prayer concerns.

Cherrie and Andy Henry hosted a First Friends breakfast potluck at their home on June 17.

Cris Rivera and Beth Stringfield hosted those in the congregation who identify as queer at their home on June 17.

Jim and Christy Gudaitis hosted the Weekly Book Discussion Group in a potluck at their home on June 20.

Mickey Velkey arranged another Daytimers' Luncheon at Bennett Pointe Grill earlier today (June 27).

PARAMENTS DURING ORDINARY TIME

In the long season of Ordinary Time, stretching for about six months between Trinity Sunday in late spring and Advent in late fall, the liturgical color is green. You will see that color in the stoles of the pastors and choir members and in the paraments that hang from the pulpit and lectern. As part of our 150th Anniversary celebration, we commissioned the creation of new green paraments, along with white paraments and a white communion tablecloth, from fabric artist Beth Taylor. The funds for this work were donated by our dear members Ruth and Russell Roberson in memory of their mothers. The paraments were displayed and dedicated during the 150th Anniversary commemoration on Sunday, May 1, 2022. You will see the green paraments on the pulpit and lectern for the remainder of this year’s “green season.” We are grateful to Ruth and Russell for their generous gift.

THINGS THAT MATTER

BOOK GROUP

Our next book group gathering will be on Tuesday, July 11, at 7:00 p.m. Jane Williams will be hosting us at her home, 2804 Ashland Drive in Durham. Dale Gaddis will be leading a discussion of Riverman by Ben McGrath. If you haven't already, please let Jane know if you will be attending.

FIRST FRIENDS SCHEDULE

JULY 15 -hosted by Kim & Jon Abels

AUGUST 19 - hosted by Deborah & Tyler Momsen-Hudson

SEPTEMBER Beach Retreat- TBA

Stay tuned for details and links to the EVITES.

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 Wrigh t at 919-218-7890.

USHERS NEEDED

We are in need of ushers on Sunday mornings, especially on the second Sunday of the month. Contact Esther Hethcox (e.hethcox@firstpres-durham.org) if you would like to serve. Training is available if you have not ushered before at FPC.

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!).

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.

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!