In this issue you will find the following:

• Pastoral Letter
•  In Our Thoughts & Prayers
•  Worship info
•  Faith Formation for Children
•   Youth Corner
• Faith Formation for Adults
•   Congregational Life/Fellowship Events
• ·Service & Mission Opportunities·       

From the Pastor/Head of Staff

Dear friends,

I cannot begin to fully express my joy at seeing so many of you in person in worship these last few weeks! As the numbers of people testing positive for COVID and people in the hospital declining, more of us are feeling safer about gathering in person and it is SO GOOD to see you! That said, I know many of you have underlying conditions that still require you to stay at home. We miss you and hope things will improve to such a level that you will feel safe gathering in worship with us again sometime soon. In the meantime, I am glad we have the option for you to worship with us from home.

Moving into spring also brings us much joy. We watch the signs of new life around us – daffodils, Lenten roses, and early blooming trees. The increase in birds and bunnies, combined with warmer and longer days, cheers our spirits, and chases the blues away. These are helpful things!

In our church calendar, we are in the season of Lent. We started this season with Ash Wednesday and the sign of ashes on our forehead, marking us visually as God’s people, created for life together, dependent upon God for all that is good. We embrace God’s creative power in our lives, acknowledge our own sinful nature, remember our mortality, and give thanks for God’s eternal promises to us in Jesus Christ.

I hope that, as we journey to the cross together, you have found a group that inspires you to study, reflect, and grow as a person of faith in community with others (if not, check out the myriad of opportunities shared in this newsletter!). We learn from Jesus as he preaches, teaches, heals, and points us to God the Creator, Parent, and Sustainer of us all. We learn about our humanity, yes, but we also learn of God’s grace and unending love for us all. We learn that God is all we need (God is enough for our lives) and that we are enough (by virtue of our createdness) to be fully loved and embraced by God. Repeatedly, Jesus points us to God, reminds us of our “enoughness” and invites us to be bound to God and to one another in love that (ironically) frees us to flourish and to be whole in that love.

When we accept that we are enough to deserve God’s never-ending love, we are freed to love God and others with abandon, without enmity, without strife. This Lent, I invite you, through prayer, study, fasting, meditation, and worship, to hear God’s message in Jesus of your full acceptance. God created you. God called you. God sent Jesus to live with you, to die for you, to free you from sin, to give you new life, and to defeat the power of death. Accepting this love frees you to love without hesitation, without judgment, without limits. May your Lent be filled with such acceptance – and with such love.

May Christ be our guide,

Mindy

Congratulations to Rebecca Harvard Barnes who has been named the new interim Director of Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA) replacing out-going director, Spencer Bradford.

Sympathies: The love and concern of the congregation are extended to Fred and Jo Ann Moore on the passing of Fred's uncle. The Rev. Kenneth Boyer died March 2 at the age of 91 at his home in Black Mountain, NC. He was married to Sylvia Boyer, who passed away last fall. He was a retired PCUS/PCUSA pastor and missionary to South Korea.

Added this week:

• Nicky Clegg, granddaughter of Jeanne Hervey
• David Jackson and son, Cameron Jackson, friends of Linda & Conrad Carter

Maxie Honeycutt is recovering from hip surgery at Hillcrest Convalescent (No calls or visitors at this time.) Cards may be sent to Maxie at:

Maxie Honeycutt

Hillcrest Convalescent Center - Room 1302

1417 W. Pettigrew St

 Durham NC 27705

Paul Cornsweet     

Harold Dunlap    

Kerry Holbrook

Jancy Johnstone

Mitzi Lesher-Thomas

Katy Loebrich

Spring Forward

Daylight saving time begins at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 13. Don't forget to move your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday, March 12.

Sunday, March 13

Second Sunday in Lent

Mindy Douglas, preaching

Sunday, March 20

Third Sunday in Lent

Nora Tisdale, preaching

Those of you who are comfortable doing so are encouraged to join us in-person for faith formation classes at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Masks are required and social distancing between family groups is encouraged.

The option to watch worship online (live) is also available. Just click WORSHIP from the homepage of the church's website.

LOVE WINS

Book Discussion

Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m.

All who are becoming more curious, more faithful, and looking for conversation partners, join us Sunday mornings via Zoom as we discuss Rob Bell’s book LOVE WINS: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.

ZOOM LINK

For more info,

contact Mitzi Lesher-Thomas.

Upcoming (and on-going!)

Fellowship Opportunity

Beginning Thursday, March 17

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Each third Thursday of the month we'll gather for a relaxed time of fellowship. No RSVP needed, all ages welcome, light munchies provided and more food available from J. Lights Market & Cafe if you want to make it your dinner or enjoy Two Roosters Ice Cream for dessert!

Someone from FPC will always be there so come when you can, leave when you must. 

FPC SPONSORING WORKSHOPS

INTRODUCTION TO MANAGING YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM

DURING A TIME OF STRESS

Speaker: Jane Austin, Coach, Spiritual Director, and SEP

(Click here to read Jane's bio.)

Thursday, March 10, 7:00-8:30 p.m.



Sunday, March 20, 3:00-4:30 p.m.

(The workshops will be held outside at FPC, weather permitting.)

You are invited to attend a workshop presentation on how the nervous system operates under stress and how it can be supported during trauma. After attending a workshop, you are encouraged to sign up here for a 30- minute, one-on-one session with Jane.

No fee to attend. Love offerings accepted.

LENTEN and SPRING BOOK STUDIES

March 8 - April 13

ZOOM LINK.

View the SCHEDULE HERE.

Creation Care Committee Meeting

Barbara Buckley will be leading a discussion on future grounds and landscaping plans including the possible pollinator/wildlife habitat garden on the Main Street side. New folks interested in this project are encouraged to join us! We will meet via Zoom this Thursday, March 10 at 6:00 p.m. Here is the ZOOM LINK. for the meeting.

Landscaping and Grounds Workday

Join Barbara Buckley and others who love to beautify the grounds of FPC in another grounds workday at FPC on Saturday, March 19 from 9:00 a.m. -12 noon. Reach out to Barbara by phone (919-210-0482) about the work to be done. so you can arrive prepared with your own tools and gloves.

2022 McPherson Lectureship

March 27-28, 2022

Last winter McPherson Lecturer Macky Alston visited First Presbyterian's Faith and Community Class, promising to return for a full lectureship when it was safer to gather. He shared a preview of his current documentary film project, Acts of Reparations, a collaboration with Selina Lewis Davidson, in which they explore different ways communities are engaging in conversations and activism to heal the effects of slavery and racism. 

On Sunday, March 27, he returns to FPC to continue this conversation. We hope you will join us when he leads the Faith and Community class, 9:45-10:45, in an exploration of what it means as individuals to live into our values. At 11:00 he will lead worship service, asking what it means for the church to live into its values. In the afternoon from 4:00-6:00, Macky will be joined by Vanessa Hawkins (New Hope Presbytery Transitional Stated Clerk) and Alonzo Johnson (National Coordinator of the Self-Development of People for the Presbyterian Church USA), who will engage us and the congregation of Covenant Presbyterian in considering what it means to work towards a racially repaired world. All are welcome. 

There will be a breakfast with area clergy and seminarians on Monday, March 28, 9:00-10:30 a.m. at FPC in Watts-Hill Hall. Those attending this breakfast must make a reservation here.

March 1 began both a new month and the Growing thru Grief spring “Introduction to Grief” series titled “When Hearts Break: Navigating the Landscape of Loss.” Heidi Gessner will be leading this six-week series on zoom:

           March 15: Who am I Now? Identity and Roles

           March 22: I’m Not Sure I Can Do This: Coping with the Pain of Loss

           March 29: The Wisdom of My Torn Heart: Remembering through Writing

           April 5: Where Do I Go from Here? Finding Meaning

Everyone who attends needs to register each week. Contact admin@growingthrugrief.org by 8:00 a.m. on the Monday before the meeting if you’d like to join us.

Heidi Gessner is an Ordained United Church of Christ Minister who served as the Palliative Care Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator for UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill for nearly 20 years. Heidi provided emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families, as well as the hospital staff. She’s facilitated grief support groups for many years – both talking and writing groups.

As the primary family caregiver for her mother with Advanced Parkinson’s Disease, Heidi stepped away from the hospital a few months into the COVD Pandemic to help with her care. Since then, Heidi’s continued her grief work in the community, as well as working privately with individuals. She cultivates transformative living by exploring creative and practical ways to integrate loss and find meaning.

Heidi’s also focusing on her wedding business, Weddings by Heidi, coaching engaged couples and officiating their weddings.

Grief and joy, it seems, are two sides of the same coin.

Finding Comfort & Hope

March 18-20, 2022

Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, NC

Join us at Montreat Conference Center in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. We are offering this weekend retreat for those who are grieving the death of a loved one.

Led by the Faith & Grief team of grief support educators who have experienced their own grief journey, this weekend retreat provides you with a safe venue to explore the dynamics of your grief. The retreat includes presentations on the nature of grief, small group discussions, and spiritual practices designed to promote comfort on your grief journey.

We will observe all health recommendations and we are limiting the number of participants at this retreat.

Scholarships are available from FPC for members wanting to attend. Contact the church office (919-682-5511) if you have interest in carpooling.

For more info about the retreat and to register to attend, go to https://www.faithandgrief.org/montreatretreat/

To register please complete the two steps below:

Step 1: Complete the Participant Registration Form

Participant Registration

Retreat Early Bird Participant Fee $169/ per person, if you register by February 28th, 2022.

Step 2: Make Your Room Reservation at Montreat

Make Room Your Reservation

Room Accommodation including Meals

Single Room $231

Double Room $292

Tutoring at Iglesia Emanuel

The rooms of Iglesia Emanuel are buzzing every Thursday evening from 6 - 7 with 18 students and their tutors happily at work! As a result of the pandemic and extended school interruptions, the students who come to our center are even more behind academically than they were 2 years ago. Although we may not be witnessing miracles, we are seeing considerable progress, renewed self-confidence, and an eagerness to learn. Their happiness when they leave each week is infectious! If you are interested in joining us as a weekly tutor, or a substitute, please reach out to Margaret Rubiera. 

We also realize that, in order for this program to expand and reach more children, it is time for us to hire a part-time, bi-lingual director. There is great potential for the Iglesia Emanuel Learning Center to make a significant, positive impact on the lives of Hispanic children who want to succeed academically. Please see the job description here, and help us spread the word about this exciting new opportunity. 

IGLESIA EMANUEL Food Pantry — still going strong!

There are numerous ways you can be a part of this vital ministry:

• Donate food — canned protein (tuna or chicken) and cereal are most needed
• Bag rice or beans from home. Sign up here.
• Provide financial support — always welcome! We use all financial gifts to purchase fresh vegetables, eggs, milk, fruit, and other essential items. Donate at emanueldurham.org 
• If you have the time and stamina, volunteer in person. Sign up here.

SAVE THE DATE: June 18, 2022

FPC's Racial Equity Task Force and the Service and Mission Committee are helping to fill a bus on June 18, 2022 to the Poor People’s Campaign March and Rally in Washington DC. You can sign up to go on the bus or you can support someone going on the bus who cannot afford to pay their full way (cost is typically $100). Click here for more information about the rally. Your support is appreciated.

Launched in 2018 with an historic wave of nonviolent civil disobedience, the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is a national campaign to address the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation + denial of health care, militarism & the war economy, and the false moral narrative of religious nationalism.

Drawing on the history of moral fusion movements, the Poor People’s Campaign is

made up of over 40 state coordinating committees, over 200 partner organizations

and thousands of religious leaders, bringing together the nation’s 140 million poor and low-income people across race, ability, religion, gender and sexual orientation, region, and issue. Alongside faith leaders, organized labor, advocates, activists and other people of conscience, the Poor People’s Campaign seeks to address these injustices and revive the heart and soul of our democracy, with an agenda rooted in the needs and priorities of the 140 million, as well as our deepest Constitutional and moral values.

Thanks to everyone who is comfortable volunteering!  COVID prevention/spread guidelines remain in place. If you are fully vaccinated, contact Jen McGonigle to sign up for one of FPC's regular time slots each month, or call Jen at 202-421-5870.

Links here for other UMD opportunities:

https://umdurham.org/donate/casserole-recipes.html

https://umdurham.org/assets/files/Recipes-English-and-Spanish-Final-081214.pdf

There are also some other opportunities (hygiene kits/etc.) and they can be found at the link below: https://umdurham.org/get-involved/opportunities.html.