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·       

Practicing “Church” by Kathy Parkins, Minister of Music

    I know how to practice. I have spent most of my life practicing music. I was drawn to the keyboard like bees to honey. I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t aware that there was an ineffable force pulling me to wake up at 5 in the morning or insisting that I stay long into the night at my little church in Appalachia to practice. Sometimes I forgot that I was practicing and was just aware of being in the presence of the Creator.

    There is a spiritual classic called “The Practice of the Presence of God” written over three hundred years ago in France by “Brother Lawrence.” Brother Lawrence had a spiritual awakening one day when he realized that he could turn his attention to the experience of the Divine not only at prayer, but while he was doing the dishes. It was a matter of practice and habit. Discipline and Disciple are inextricably linked, aren’t they?

    When I traveled to two music conferences this summer that included many church services as part of the program of study, it struck me that I was out of practice when it came to experiencing church. I’m so used to thinking about what is coming next, or worrying about whether the basses will come in, or whether the sopranos really learned the notes or if I can get through measure 38 in the Postlude, and did I remember to send that music to the trumpet player, that I had totally forgotten how to just sit through church and let the words and beauty of the music just wash over me. “Tuning in” to the sacredness of this time was something that I wasn’t accustomed to. I had to intentionally practice listening and focusing and being in the moment.

    I am currently reading a book called “The End of Email” (fat chance!) which reminds us that our current fragmented interruptions during the day are not intrinsic to the wiring of our brains. It makes it almost impossible to engage in anything in a deep manner.

    11:00 on Sunday morning is a blessing to all of us. Let me remind us all to listen intently to the words we say and sing, and pray. When else during the week are you told how much you are loved and faithfully watched over, and reminded that the promised future will be better than anything we must endure during this life? And, as my buddy John Weicher reminds us, that God is always with us. We are not in the boat alone. Let’s all keep practicing.

Kathy 

SYMPATHIES: The love and concern of the congregation are extended to Jane Williams and family on the death of her husband. Roger Alan Kalthoff died August 5 at Duke Hospital. There will be a “Celebration of Life” gathering on Saturday, August 27, at 11:00 a.m. at Marie and David Sappenfield’s home (6 Pearse Wynd Road, Bahama NC 27503). Please call (919-801-1610) or e-mail Marie (dlsmd@aol.com) if you plan to attend. All are welcome.

Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Jane at the following address:

Jane Williams

2804 Ashland Drive

Durham NC 27705.

Please keep Jane and the family in your prayers.

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CONCERNS:

Lee House, three-year-old son of Wayne and Lucie House, undergoing medical tests

Franzi Rokoske is at Wake Medical Center, Raleigh, following a serious fall. 

Follow her health journey via CARING BRIDGE.

Mitzi Lesher-Thomas is on short term medical leave from duties as our associate pastor. Follow her health journey via Caring Bridge: CARING BRIDGE

Paul Cornsweet     Kerry Holbrook    Jancy Johnstone    

George Kafula      Katy Loebrich       Jo Ann Moore     

Caroline Pritchett     Carol Wills

Care Communities

Croasdaile Pavilion: Dub Gulley

Dubose Center at The Cedars, Chapel Hill: Arthur Clark

Durham Ridge Assisted Living: Phillip Herndon

Hillcrest Convalescent Center: Julian Boswell, Walter Chambliss (Will’s dad),

                             Maxie Honeycutt, Jim Wolfe

The Forest at Duke Health Center: Wes Carson

Family and Friends of the Congregation

Gladys Arrowood, mother of Al Arrowood

Bob, friend of Fred and Jo Ann Moore

Nicky Clegg, granddaughter of Jeanne Hervey

Tom Cotton, friend of Michael Honeycutt

Mimi Cummings, mother of Drew Cummings

Grace, Chris James’ great-niece

Vivian Mast, friend of Josh Walters

Sydnor Patrick, friend of FPC

Aaron Pritchard, friend of Kathy Parkins

Jim Vacca, father of Jamie Chambliss

John Wakefield, cousin of Vernon Neece

Deb Walsh, friend of Celia Dickerson

Janice Faye West, mother of Randy Lang Howard

Chris Wood, stepfather of Sharon Hirsch 

FPC holds successful Blood Drive!

Thanks to everyone who supported our Red Cross community blood drive last week. We met our quota collecting +20 units of blood. We are especially grateful to Julie Whiddon and her core of volunteers who worked the drive.

SAVE THE DATE!

Our next blood drive will be held Thursday November 3.  

FPC's "Sound Guy" retires . . . 

On Sunday, July 31, FPC celebrated John Fricks who is stepping down as our "Sound Guy," a volunteer position he has held for nearly 30 years. In addition to receiving this t-shirt we will honor John with a donation in his name to a favorite mission group in the Congo. Thanks, John. We are grateful for all your good works.

Sunday, August 14, 2022

 9:45 a.m. Faith Formation Classes  

11:00 a.m. Worship

“Talkin’ ‘bout the weather”

Cris Rivera, preaching 

Cris Rivera (they/them/ellx) is currently in the Masters of Public Theology program at Union Presbyterian Seminary and has served FPC as an elder, deacon, faith formation instructor, ad hoc parish chef, and current facilitator of the FPC Creation Care subcommittee. A former retail food buyer, documentary videographer, nonprofit auditor, and accounting instructor, Cris serves on the board of the RCWMS and is currently the senior operations manager at Durham Public Schools Foundation, after serving as Finance Manager for Student Action With Farmworkers and Finance/HR Manager for Durham Co-op Market.

Cris and their partner Beth Stringfield joined the church in 2004 shortly after the renovation of the sanctuary and the parade back across Roxboro from Trinity UMC. They are thrilled to be preaching from what one long-time member thought was a much too big pulpit. 

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 August 14: In this week's readings, both Jesus and Isaiah talk about weather forecasting. Are you in a spiritual drought? Do you know what caused the change in the weather? Do you see any clouds on the horizon with a promise of refreshing rain?

On August 21: How would you respond to the presence of God? The young Jeremiah, given a heavy mission, responded with feelings of inadequacy. The Israelites at Sinai responded with terror. But the crowd who witnessed Jesus' acts of healing rejoiced.

To join remotely via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/194508837. 

 (For phone access (audio only), call 253-215-8782.)

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

MANAGING YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM

DURING A TIME OF STRESS

Jane Austin has agreed to return during the month of August on Tuesdays for 45-minute coaching sessions on dealing with stress and trauma.  

You are invited to sign up here for a one-on-one session with Jane. 

If you wish to request additional sessions, contact Valerie in the church office (919-682-5511 x 215).

Donors Needed for Worship Flowers

We have Sundays available in  September and October. You can find instructions on how to donate flowers and what Sundays are open at this LINK.

FIRST FRIENDS POTLUCK

Friday, August 26 - 6:00 p.m.

Hosted at the home of 

Mac and Wendy McCorkle

4811 Montvale, Durham

Hosts will supply barbecue, sandwich buns, and slaw from Q-shack. People can bring sides and dessert. You can also choose to BYOB.

RSVP to let Wendy know you are coming and what you will bring. wendy.mccorkle@gmail.com, or 919-656-7153.

FIRST FRIENDS ANNUAL BEACH TRIP

WHEN: Friday, September 16 at 4:00 PM

to Sunday, September 18 at 11:00 AM  

WHERE: An awesome beach house on the NC coast.

Planning to join us? Click here to respond to the Evite by August 15.

If you wish to receive an EVITE, contact Valerie in the church office.

QUESTIONS: Deborah Momsen-Hudson

919-417-8664 

In-person Growing thru Grief meetings are continuing 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). Any masking requirements will be posted at the church. The program begins at 4:30 and all will end by 6:00 p.m.



Here is the remaining schedule for August:

August 9:        Eloise Jordan is the speaker

August 15:      “Six Needs of Mourning,” with Mike McCloud

August 23:       “Grief Support Turned on Its Head: A Companioning Approach to Grief and Loss,” with Mandy Murphy

August 30:       Tim Auman is the speaker

Please contact admin@growingthrugrief.org if you have any questions.

Light a Candle:

A Concert to Prevent Gun Violence 

Sunday, August 21, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

FPC is invited to join with Judea Reform Congregation members and the wider community to offer music, silence, and reflections as well as suggestions of action steps to work against the tide of gun violence in our community. Attendees are required to be vaccinated and masked. Contact Allan Friedman if you would like to sing with the event's choir and for more information.

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.

A Little Muscle + Big Heart

= Wonderful Volunteer!

Summer is here, and with these warmer months come plenty of opportunities to volunteer, to help build our Beloved Community. The Food Pantry at Iglesia Emanuel continues to serve an average of 650 families every week. We are totally volunteer run and would welcome new (and returning) faces to be part of this vital ministry. Please consider signing up for a 2-hour shift any Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. We work hard but have lots of fun in the process of providing healthy food for struggling families. If you are 14 or older and willing to put your muscles to work, join us! Young people 12 and older, with a responsible adult, are also welcome. To sign up, simply click here. Contact Margaret Rubiera  with any questions.