FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

"Downtown by history and by choice"

FPC Bi-Weekly Newsletter

January 24, 2023 Issue No. 2

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Letter from Pastor/Head of Staff

Dear friends,

I have some exciting news to share with you!

Last year, the Session approved a portion of the funds raised through our capital campaign to fund two mission components.

For the first mission component, we have been working with the organization RIPmedicaldebt (https://ripmedicaldebt.org/about/), a national non-profit that buys medical debt from collection agencies so that churches and groups like FPC might be able to pay it off for a fraction of the original debt. Through our Building Beloved Community Capital Campaign, we pledged $50,000 to pay off debt in Durham and counties in NC with the highest percentage population of Black and indigenous residents.

In the fall of 2022, First Presbyterian Church made an initial donation (phase one) of $20,000 to start a campaign. From friends in the community, we raised an additional $5,990. By the beginning of 2023, 5,020 people learned that their debt had been abolished. They received a letter letting them know that First Presbyterian Church (and friends) had paid their debt). That’s right. $25,990 abolished $5,011,085 for 5,020 in some of the poorest communities in NC! Click here to see details from the results of the first phase of this campaign. Your gifts did this!

In 2023, we will begin phase two of our partnership with RIPmedicaldebt. University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill designated their 2022 Christmas Eve offering to this effort and will contribute those funds to phase two of our Building Beloved Community Campaign. Hillsborough, White Memorial, and a congregation in Rocky Mount also have designated a portion of their outreach giving to this effort. What a difference you are making in the lives of people in NC! Thank you! Stay tuned for information about phase two so that you can invite your neighbors, family members, and friends to participate with us. Together we can abolish all the medical debt in NC!

I am also excited about the second mission component of our capital campaign – Iglesia Emanuel’s tutoring program. $50,000 out of what you donate to the campaign will go to fund the Iglesia Emanuel part-time tutoring coordinator for three years. Erin Nguyen began work in 2022 with the tutoring program and has already expanded the program to two nights and added tutors. Iglesia raised funds and remodeled their learning center recently. More tutors are always needed and welcome, as the waiting list is long. Tuesday and/or Thursday nights, 6:00-7:00 p.m. You can make a difference in the life of a child through this tutoring program!

Friends, FPC is bringing the light of Christ into the world in many hopeful ways. Thanks for all you are doing to live into Jesus’ call to us to love God, neighbor, and self.

Gratefully,

Mindy

SYMPATHIES: The love and concern of the congregation are extended to the family of Brenda Baggett Tarpley Forsyth of Creedmoor NC, FPC members who died January 11, 2023. A funeral service was held January 14, 2023 at Sossamon Funeral Home of Creedmoor. Interment followed at Maplewood Cemetery, Durham. Read her obituary here.

We also extend sympathies to John and Dawn Carsey Shelton on the death of John's mother, Karen Shelton, on January 22, 2023. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to the family at:

John and Dawn Shelton

1010 Pondfield Way

Durham NC 27713

CONCERNS:

Paul Cornsweet

Susan Cyr

Kerry Holbrook

Lee House

George Kafula

Parker Morton

Andy Widmark

Carol Wills

Franzi Rokoske: follow her journey via CARING BRIDGE.

Mitzi Lesher-Thomas: follow her journey via Caring Bridge: CARING BRIDGE.

Care Communities:

Croasdaile Pavilion: Dub Gulley

Dubose Center at The Cedars, Chapel Hill: Arthur Clark

Durham Ridge Assisted Living: Phillip Herndon

Hillcrest Convalescent: Julian Boswell, Maxie Honeycutt, Jim Wolfe

Family and Friends of the Congregation:

Blaine Ballantyne, friend of Jane Brown

Brooke, roommate of Heidi Biermann

Grace, Chris James’ great-niece

Pam Hanson, mother of Laura Hanson

Bob Lucas, friend of Fred and Jo Ann Moore

Karen Shelton, mother-in-law of Dawn Carsey Shelton

Jim Vacca, father of Jamie Chambliss

John Wakefield, cousin of Vernon Neece

As of 1/23/2023

Pledges: 140

Amount: $875,533.50

Percentage of Goal: 78.84%

Pledge Goal: $1,110,476.98

Needed $234,943.48

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2023

Intergenerational

Faith Formation Event

We will have ALL AGES in Watts-Hill Fellowship Hall for an intergenerational Faith Formation hour (9:45-10:45 a.m.) this Sunday, January 29. Activities will include opportunities for service, creativity, and FUN.

Journeys, Lectionary, and the MnMs Fellowship Sunday morning classes are invited to join us or meet in their classrooms as usual.

Worship at 11:00 a.m.

Esther Hethcox, preaching

Worship in-person in the sanctuary

or watch live stream via FPC's YouTube channel

Newly elected ruling elders and deacons (Class of 2026) will be ordained and installed during worship this Sunday.

NOTICE OF CALLED CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS

The Session of First Presbyterian Church has called a congregational meeting following worship this Sunday, January 29 for the purpose of establishing a Designated Associate Pastor position (this change for FPC’s relationship with Esther Hethcox is a recent requirement of the Presbytery of New Hope’s Commission on Ministry).

The Session has also called a subsequent congregational meeting for Sunday, February 12. At the February 12 meeting, the search committee will present Esther Hethcox as their candidate for the Designated Associate Pastor position. The Designated Associate Pastor position will be for two years. Esther will be ordained to the Designated Associate pastor role and will be eligible to apply for the future permanent Associate Pastor position.

Sunday, February 5, 2023

Faith Formation Classes (all ages)

9:45-10:45 a.m.

Worship at 11:00 a.m.

Mindy Douglas, preaching

Worship in the sanctuary

and live streamed via FPC's YouTube Channel

CHILDREN'S CORNER

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Faith Formation classes for children are held Sundays on the second floor of the education building from 9:45-10:45 a.m. (except on 5th Sundays). All children are welcome.

We will meet again on February 5th.

YOUTH CORNER

ADULT FAITH FORMATION CLASSES

The Faith and Community Class will participate in the the Intergenerational faith formation event on Sunday, January 29 in Watts-Hill Hall and begin a new topic of discussion on Sunday, February 5, 2023.

LECTIONARY CLASS

Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m. (year-round)

Join us each Sunday for discussion, as we meet both online and in person in the Robert Daye Parlor. The class will begin at 9:45, preceded at 9:35 by sharing of news and concerns, and will end at 10:45.

On January 29:

Is it the rich, the wise, and the powerful who are welcomed and honored in the kingdom of God? No, the rules are reversed: meekness, kindness, humility, and mercy are rewarded. Is this a message of foolishness in the twenty-first century?

On February 5:

Are you ready to take it to the next level? Are you ready to learn the secrets that are reserved for the advanced? The things you learned in the past, and the things you did in the past, aren't good enough now. "We speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden."

To join remotely via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89195306050

For phone access (audio only), call 253-215-8782.) If you need a copy of the handout of scripture readings, contact David Smith [davidjudysmith@frontier.com.]

If you need a copy of the handout of scripture readings, contact David Smith.

JOURNEYS CLASS

Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m. in the Wilson Parlor

[Led by Jerry Postema unless otherwise marked as JA (=Jerry Absent)]

January 8: John 15 – 16.15

January 15: John 16. 16 – John 17

January 22: John 18 (review John 12. 12-19)

January 29: [JA] Passion story in the synoptic gospels

Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22 and Luke 23.1-12

February 5: [JA] Crucifixion story in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23.13-56

February 12: [JA] Watch (in advance or in class) and discuss Charles Campbell’s (Duke Divinity School) sermon, Good Friday, 2012

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vCqPCoOP90

[John 19 read from minutes 27.26-30.30; Sermon 30.45 – 50.10]

February 19: John 19 (review John 16.29-32) and Walter Brueggemann, “Reading from the Day ‘In Between” sections I, III, IV (and quote from Buber at the end). [Reading to be supplied]

Remember that class begins at 9:45 a.m. sharp, and let us know if you want to join calls via Zoom before Sunday. Contact Andy Henry (919-599-9405) if you have questions about class content.

FEBRUARY POTLUCK

MnMs Fellowship will hold a Sunday Potluck on February 12 at 4:30 p.m. at the home of Lucie and Wayne House (615 Churchill Dr, Chapel Hill), Please bring a side dish to share. They will provide the main dish. Let them know you plan to attend. RSVP.

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

Membership Formation Gathering

Calling all Saints of FPC yearning to live out Christ’s ministry of hospitality!

This Sunday, January 29, Wilson Gunn and Esther Hethcox will be in the Daye Meeting room (East Parlor) following worship. This will be a time of dreams and action; reflecting on how to be a Beloved community to all who enter our doors and how to make this mission of Christ a reality.

Come join us! Refreshments (gluten free and vegetarian options) will be provided. Please contact Esther with any questions.

The Prayer Shawl Group will meet in the Wilson Parlor on Sunday, January 29 following worship, from 12 noon - 2:00 p.m. Contact Barbara Fish if you have questions about what is to be accomplished at this meeting.

Legacy Society Luncheon

FPC’s Legacy Society luncheon returns in-person on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Croasdaile Country Club. Rev. Tom Roberts will be the speaker. The Legacy Society is open to new members. For a Legacy Society brochure or information on joining, contact Tom Bloom (919-682-5511 x 216 or send email to: t.bloom@firstpres-durham.org). If you'd like to attend the luncheon, click here to reply to the EVITE.

$10 Amazon Gift Card to all donors!

Thursday, February 2, 2023

1:00-6:00 p.m. at FPC

in Watts-Hill Hall

Sign up online to donate blood at RedCrossBlood.org using code: firstpres or contact Julie Whiddon. For more information on donating blood, pick up a brochure from the table in the church foyer.

Primary contact/organizer: Julie Whiddon

Julie’s email: foxylady2642@yahoo.com

Julie’s phone number: 919-730-6673

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

CIRCLE AND BIBLE STUDY

Monday, February 6, 2023

10:30 a.m.

Robert Daye Meeting Room

Susan Dunlap will lead the Bible study.

WEEKLY BOOK STUDY

Led by Mindy Douglas

Discussion Schedule

January 24/25 – chapters 5-7

January 31/February 1 – chapters 8-9

February 7/8 – chapters 10-12

February 14/15 – chapters 13-15

Join the Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82972133680?pwd=cktmdUNZdXRSZ09NUkxhZklDTlkzQT09

SAVE THE DATE

First Friends February Potluck

Saturday, February 11 at 6:00 p.m.

hosted at the home of

Barbara Buckley and Scott Randall

3019 Annandale Rd, Durham

FLOWERS FOR WORSHIP 2023

Donors needed February 19

and Sundays in March.

Please sign up to donate flowers.

The flower ministry of FPC offers a meaningful way to donate flowers for the sanctuary in memory or in honor of a loved one, or in celebration of a special occasion. Each Sunday the flower arrangements bring the colors and beauty of nature to our worship service. Following worship, our deacons divide the flowers and deliver smaller arrangements to members who are ill, grieving, or unable to attend church, as a way of sharing with them a part of our worship service. Ninth Street Flowers creates the beautiful arrangements each Sunday at a cost of $65. If you would like to reserve a Sunday in 2023 to be a donor of flowers for worship in 2023, please sign up ONLINE using this link: FLOWERS FOR WORSHIP. Make check payable to FPC and memo "Flowers" and the date.

New Programs from Growing thru Grief

Growing thru Grief offers help and support to people grieving the loss of a loved one. We are a coalition of religious and civic organizations which have been serving people since 2013. We offer education and small group support each week.

Here is the schedule for January:

Jan. 24 Grief Shared is Grief Diminished, with Artie Hendricks

Jan. 31 Frogs in Cream, with Nell Noonan

We meet at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1200 West Cornwallis in Durham. Meetings are held each Tuesday, with registration starting at 4:00. First time attendees must show proof of COVID vaccination and booster(s). Masks are optional. We ask people to come at 4; the program begins at 4:30, and all will end by 6. Please contact admin@growingthrugrief.org if you have any questions.

SERVICE AND MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

The Food Pantry at Iglesia Emanuel is still going strong! We continue to serve an average of 600 families a week with abundant amounts of nutritious food. As we approach our 3rd anniversary of addressing the food security needs of our community, we give thanks for all the amazing support from our generous and energetic church family. Together, we have eased the financial burden for countless numbers of families, while providing them with lots of healthy food. We always welcome new volunteers and supporters! We guarantee that you will find this work to be rewarding, and that you will have fun interacting with new and old friends as you give your muscles a bit of a workout. Here is how to sign up to be part of this wonderful ministry:

To volunteer in person for a 2-hour shift, click https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f48aaad23a6fa7-iglesia
To bag rice and beans from home, or donate shelf-stable food, click here.
To make a financial donation, go to emanueldurham.org and click on Donate. Be sure to indicate that your donation is for the Food Pantry.
Mail a check to Iglesia Emanuel, 2504 N Roxboro, Durham 27704. Indicate “Food Pantry” on the memo line of the check.

Questions? Contact Margaret Rubiera.

Want to Serve on an FPC Care Team?

Care teams are being formed for three of our members. Members of a care team do a variety of things for their recipient to support them or help them find support. Care team members work together and support each other as well. Contact Susan Dunlap if you are interested in being on a care team in general, or on a team for a particular person, or if you have questions.