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Bi-Weekly Newsletter
March 11, 2025
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IN THIS ISSUE . . .
Pastoral Letter
Joys / Concerns
Worship
Winter Faith Formation
Winter Fellowship Events
Service and Mission Opportunities
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Pastoral Letter
Dear friends,
Click here to read Pastor Mindy Douglas' report to the congregation regarding the 2022 Building Beloved Community Capital Campaign and an update on the building and renovation plans.
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January and February Session Digest
Click here to read 5 accomplishments from the Session!
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2025 Pledges Update
As of Feb. 23
Pledges: 193
Amount: $1,089,685.07
Percentage of 99.01%
Pledge Goal: $1,100,538.07
Needed: $10,853.00
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As April approaches, we invite you to help beautify our sanctuary with flower donations for Sunday Worship. If you feel led to contribute, please sign up below for a date to provide fresh arrangements in honor or memory of a loved one.
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We extend our love and concern to:
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Sarah Cunningham and Zach Czajkowski upon the death of Sarah's grandfather who passed away last week.
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Keith and Franzi Rokoske upon the death of Keith's father, Tom Rokoske on Sunday, March 9th.
Additional concerns can be found here.
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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. | |
Memorial Services
We gather in faith and remembrance to honor those who have passed.
Bill Hendrickson
March 15 at 3:00p.m.
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Sunday, March 16, 2025
2nd Sunday in Lent
11:00 a.m.
Mindy Douglas, preaching
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Sunday, March 23, 2025
3rd Sunday in Lent
11:00 a.m.
Bobby Williamson, preaching
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Children are welcome to join Lenore Champion and others on Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:00 a.m. in the Godly Playroom to learn and sing songs.
If your child is interested in taking part in Worship leadership, please let Lenore know!
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After Worship . . .Children, aged kindergarten-6th grade, are invited to a time of music with Kathy Parkins in the choir room. We begin around 12:10 p.m. | |
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Both middle school and high school classes are off on March 16, because of the Youth Beach Retreat. They'll be back on March 23, at 9:45 in their respective halves of the Youth Room.
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Middle School - God Lifts up the Lowly, with Ellie Dilworth & Annie Gentithes
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High School - Temptations & Lent, with John Weicher & Cris Rivera
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Journey's Class
9:45 a.m. in the Wilson Parlor
We are currently reading and discussing the New Testament Book of Acts of the Apostles and will be using from time to time as a resource the Interpretation Series—ACTS: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching by William H. Willimon. All are welcome to join.
March 16 Assignment:
- Acts 17:16 through 19:20
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Interpretation Series: pages 142-148
For more information please contact Andy Henry, Eric Wiebe, or Paul Baldasare.
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Lectionary Class
Sundays at 9:45 a.m.
March 16: We'll join Faith and Community for an introduction to BibleWorm podcast.
March 23: McPherson Lecture
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Faith & Community Class
9:45-10:45 a.m. in Watts-Hill Hall
As the McPherson Lectures approach, we'll spend two weeks in Faith & Community learning about our scholars and their work...
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March 16: Our 2025 McPherson Lecturers, Amy and Bobby, are the creators and presenters of a podcast called BibleWorm, in which they dig deeply each week into a passage of scripture from their two perspectives. David Smith and Lea Bingham will lead a discussion of two of the lectionary passages for that day, using some of BibleWorm's approach and playing a few clips from the podcast.
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March 23: It's a big day! Our McPherson Lecturers, Drs. Amy Cooper Robertson & Robert Williamson, Jr. will be speaking on The Economics of Loving Your Neighbor. Click here for more information.
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March 30: Every Monday & Thursday, our neighbors from around Durham stop by for assistance, support and a listening ear. Join us in Faith & Community for the latest about our Walk-In Ministry, from FPCer Marie Sappenfield.
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Meaning in the Middle
Sundays 8:00 p.m., via Zoom
(Link is sent in weekly email)
We are 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 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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There are so many different ways to mark this Lenten kairos time. If you are looking for a Lenten discipline, we suggest a few of the following devotional options here. | | |
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Lenten Devotions
The Last Days of Jesus
Monday - Friday
March 5 - April 18
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March Yoga
led by Jane Wettach
Yoga will be offered at FPC on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Classes are in Room 201 of the Education wing. Please let Jane know by Tuesday at noon if you will attend Wednesday's class, and by Thursday at noon if you will attend Friday's.
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LGBTQIA+ Mardi Gras Brunch
Saturday, March 22
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Join us for King Cake, Beignets, Café Au Lait, Beads, and great company. Costumes optional!
We'll come together at Cris and Beth’s House for a day party to remember. If you plan to attend RSVP to Cris by email at mcrisrivera@gmail.com.
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Durham CROP Hunger Walk
The annual CROP Hunger Walk is March 23, and First Pres has a terrific group of walkers, including Shirley Frederick, Caroline Rourk, Andy Henry, Jane Williams, Karolyn Mangeot, Jody Maxwell, Candace Gunn, and Tom and Ellen Bacon.
(Read More Here)
Go to the link below and support one or more of the First Pres walkers and help us reach our goal of raising $6,000.
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FIRST FRIENDS
New Members Are Always Welcome!
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First Friends is a fellowship group of folks that usually meet on weekend evenings, pretty much monthly. All are welcome! Most of the group is 50+. We have potlucks in homes, at church, or out on the trails and we have a famous (infamous?) annual beach trip in September. Check out our Spring events below!
We hope new members will feel free to come and join for good conversation, pretty good food, and building the community of Christ.
Feel free to reach out to Deborah or Christyn for more information.
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Deborah Momsen-Hudson
919-417-8664
dmomsenhudson@gmail.com
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Christyn Klinck
919-475-3369
cfklinck@gmail.com
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Saturday, March 29
Join us for a hike at the Occoneechee Trail, in Hillsborough. Hosted by Catherine Dumas. Connect with Catherine here.
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Saturday, April 12
Join us for a Potluck at Jane Wettach & Paul Baldasare’s home. Connect with Jane here.
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Saturday, May 17
Coffee Klatch (am) at Cherrie & Andy Henry’s home. Connect with Cherrie here.
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Come to the table
April 10 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Come to the Table is hosting a conversation with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove entitled "Food & Myths That Divide," which will tackle the power of narratives and how they can both uplift and harm communities. Wilson-Hartgrove will explore how myths have been used to stigmatize and oppress poor people and people of color and will offer insights into how moral fusion can serve as a transformative solution. Register now for this conversation at First Presbyterian Church (305 E Main St., Durham, NC 27701) on April 10th from 7-8:30 p.m.
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