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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
"Downtown by history and by choice"
Bi-Weekly Newsletter
December 14, 2021 - Issue 24
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Contact Valerie in the church office if you encounter missing or non-working links in this newsletter. | |
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In this issue you will find the following:
- Pastoral Letter
- In Our Thoughts & Prayers
- Thank You Notes
- Year-End Giving
- Stewardship Update
- Worship info
- Faith Formation for Children
- Faith Formation for Adults
- Youth Corner
- Congregational Life/Fellowship Events
- Job Openings
- Service & Mission Opportunities
- Community Invitations
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From the Pastor
Dear friends,
This past Sunday we celebrated the third Sunday of Advent, known as “Gaudete Sunday.” Gaudete means “rejoice.” On this Sunday, we remember the call to rejoice in the Lord always, even in the midst of the wilderness periods of our lives, even in the midst of this Advent in-between time when we know that Christ has come, and we know that Christ will come again to bring in the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom of peace, hope, joy, and love.
As we remember God’s call to rejoice, even in these challenging times, I share with you this poem from Jan Richardson.
Blessing to Summon Rejoicing (from Circle of Grace by Jan Richardson)
When your weeping
has watered
the earth.
When the storm
has been long
and the night
and the season
of your sorrowing.
When you have seemed
an exile
from your life,
lost in the far country,
a long way from where
your comfort lies.
When the sound
of splintering
and fracture
haunts you.
When despair
attends you.
When lack.
When trouble.
When fear.
When pain.
When empty.
When lonely.
When too much
of what depletes you
and not enough
of what restores
and rests you.
Then let there be
rejoicing.
Then let there be
dreaming.
Let there be
laughter in your mouth
and on your tongue
shouts of joy.
Let the seeds
soaked by tears
turn to grain,
to bread,
to feasting.
Let there be
coming home.
May your Advent be filled with the deep joy that gladdens your hearts with gratitude for God’s never-ending grace and promises for a world made new.
With love to you all,
Mindy
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CONDOLENCES:
The love and concern of the congregation are extended to Johanna and George Bernhardt on the death of Johanna's brother, Daniel Cheney, on December 6th in Greensboro.
CONCERNS:
Harold Dunlap has received a cancer diagnosis.
Mark Higgins is having foot surgery this week.
Conrad Carter is recovering from the COVID virus
Paul Cornsweet
Kerry Holbrook
Bobby Erwin, friend of Mindy Douglas
Jim Brown, father of Chris Brown
Mimi Cummings, mother of Drew Cummings
Roger Kalthoff, husband of Jane Williams
Vivian Mast, friend of Josh Walters
Paul McCombs, friend of the Walk-in Ministry
Ellen O'Brien, mother-in-law of Mindy Douglas
Richard Smith, husband of Laura Casteel's co-worker
Jean Vollrath, friend of Jean Cary
John Wakefield, cousin of Vernon Neece
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CONGRATULATIONS to Katie Becker
On December 8, 2021, FPC member Katie Becker graduated with a Master of Arts in Global Security and Borders from Queen's University, Belfast. Her studies in Northern Ireland were funded by the Hillary Rodham Clinton Award for Peace and Reconciliation, a full-tuition scholarship awarded to one woman from the U.S. annually. Upon graduation, Katie received a school-wide award for best academic performance. Her master's dissertation explored issues related to transition and interpretation for asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border, focusing on asylum seekers who speak indigenous languages from Mexico and Central America.
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Dear First Presbyterian Church, Durham
Greetings in Christ! We wanted to thank you for your generous gift to the Presbyterian Reformed House of Studies (PRHS). This has been a year of transitions as we have returned to in-person gatherings here at the Div School and also as we transitioned to new leadership with Matt Floding's retirement. We give God thanks for the blessings of returning to fellowship in person and for the blessing of folks like you who help to keep the PRHS running and our students flourishing! We look forward to continuing to partner with you in the future.
In Christ,
Alberto La Rosa Rojas
Advisor to the Presbyterian/Reformed House of Studies
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Dear caring church family,
Thank you for the comforting prayer support, as well as the altar flowers, due to my recent hospitalization. I am definitely recovering from a traumatic time. It is such a blessing to be the recipient of prayers.
Warmly,
Linda Foster Momsen
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Contributions statements are being mailed soon to all those who had pledge balances as of November 30. Timely payment of pledges by December 31 will allow First Presbyterian to pay its end-of-year bills promptly and to meet its benevolence obligations for 2021.
Please remember that the church must receive your charitable contributions by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 31, 2021; or the gift must be postmarked by December 31, 2021, if mailed, to be deductible on your 2021 taxes.
If you wish to make a contribution by credit card, this may be done through the parish’s website (www.firstpres-durham.org) at any time. To be deductible on your 2021 taxes, please initiate the gift by Wednesday, December 29. On-line contributions scheduled for December 31 will not reach us in time.
If you wish to make a donation through a gift of stock, please notify Tom Bloom, Business Administrator (t.bloom@firstpres-durham.org) as soon as possible.
Members aged 70 ½ + who own an IRA may be able to make a tax-excludable gift directly to First Presbyterian and have that gift satisfy any required minimum distribution for this year. Please contact your IRA administrator ASAP if you wish to consider this giving option for tax year 2020.
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STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN UPDATE
As of December 12, we have received 140 pledges, totaling $807,759.80 representing 75.63% of our campaign goal.
Thank you to all who have already pledged. If you have not yet, please, return your pledge card in the mail or make your pledge at our website online. Thank you for building justice and joy in the heart of Durham.
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FPC Holiday
Schedule and Reminders
The Church Office will operate on the following schedule during the Christmas
and New Year's Day holiday weeks:
- Monday, December 27 - Office is Closed
- Tuesday, December 28 - Office is Closed
- Wednesday, December 29 - Staff on call / working from home
- Thursday, December 30 - Staff on call / working from home
- Friday, December 31 - Staff on call / working from home
- Monday, January 3 - Office is Closed.
Church Newsletter Schedule
The last newsletter for 2021 will be issued Wednesday, December 29.
The first newsletter for 2022 will be issued Tuesday, January 11.
Please submit your news to Valerie in the church office
by Monday, December 27, and Sunday, January 9.
Weekend reminder emails will continue to be sent on Friday afternoons.
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Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 19
9:45 a.m. – Faith Formation for Adults, Confirmands, and Youth
10:00 a.m. – Active Advent Faith Formation for Children
11:00 a.m. – A Service of Lessons and Carols
ATTENTION PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN:
There is no sermon this Sunday.
There will be A Time with the Children
and it will occur early on in the service.
The PC(USA) Joy Gift Offering will also be received.
By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, you honor God’s gift of Jesus Christ by providing assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need. Your offering also helps in developing our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Specially marked envelopes will be available in worship this Sunday for your donation.
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Caroling and Sweet/Savory Treats
On Sunday, December 19, join us for an evening of caroling, fellowship, and a sweet /savory exchange.
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Bring sweet or savory treats, individually packaged to share/exchange.
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At 4:00 p.m. we'll gather in the courtyard to share our favorite carols.
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At 4:30 p.m. we'll share some caroling with our neighbors. (If you don't feel comfortable walking to nearby Urban Ministries or Families Moving Forward, you're invited to the fellowship hall where we'll be getting ready for the sweet/savory exchange.)
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At 5:00 p.m. we'll all gather in the fellowship hall to exchange goodies and share favorite Christmas memories or traditions.
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Christmas Eve Worship
The story of the birth of the Christ Child is celebrated in a pageant video, and also in word and song, and the service concludes with communion by candlelight.
An offering will be received to support Welcome Baby of Durham.
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Sunday, December 26
First Sunday after Christmas
John Weicher, preaching
All Faith Formation classes are cancelled on December 26.
Worship is at 11:00 a.m. in-person and live-streamed.
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The Christmas pageant video is complete! This Sunday kids
will enjoy time on the playground from 10:00-10:45 a.m..
No Children's Faith Formation classes will be held on Sunday, December 26 or Sunday, January 2. Children's classes will resume in-person on Sunday, January 9.
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FAITH FORMATION FOR ADULTS | |
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LECTIONARY CLASS
Sundays in the Robert Daye Meeting Room (East Parlor) and via Zoom
9:45 a.m. ZOOM LINK
The class will begin at 9:45, preceded at 9:35 by sharing of news and concerns, and will end by about 10:45.
On December 19 (Fourth Sunday of Advent): The good news of Christmas is that God chose to come to us in human form. Blessed are those who believe that there was, and will be, a fulfillment of what was spoken by the Lord.
This class will not meet on December 26.
For phone access (audio only), call 253-215-8782.) If you need a copy of the handout of scripture readings, contact David Smith.
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MnMs CLASS
(formerly the Scratch group)
Sundays at 8:00 p.m. via Zoom
ZOOM LINK
- December 19 - regular meeting
- December 26 - no meeting
- January 2 - no meeting
- January 9 - first meeting of 2022 and we'll start our new book (TBD)
New faces are always welcome!
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JOURNEY'S CLASS
We meet on Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
in the Wilson Parlor and via Zoom.
ZOOM LINK
On Sunday, December 19, Journeys will continue discussion of chapter 6, Your Father the Devil, and the afterword from “The Difficult Words of Jesus.” The class will also discuss topics to cover after the holidays.
All are welcome to join and having read the book is not required for joining the discussion. Andy Henry, Eric Wiebe, and Paul Baldasare are class leaders.
We will not meet on December 26 nor January 2.
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LINK TO MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASS
We’re hybrid, so join in person (Youth Room) or via Zoom, Sundays from 10-10:45 a.m. Our last class for 2021 is this Sunday, December 19. We will resume this class on January 9.
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The high school faith formation class has ended for 2021. CONFIRMATION CLASS meets in person on Sundays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the youth room. Our last class is December 19. We will resume this class on January 9. | | |
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PARADE WATCH from the steps of FPC
FPC will be supporting this year’s parade, but not as marchers. You are invited to park at the church and gather in front of the sanctuary (Main Street steps) and cheer on friends and neighbors who will be participating. The parade will be held this Saturday, December 18 and begins at 11:00 a.m. FPC will provide hot chocolate (bring your own mug and a blanket).
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First Friends SAVE-THE-DATE
First Friends New Year's Hike
WHEN: Sunday January 2, 2022
beginning at 2:00 p.m.
(with a rain date of Sunday, January 9)
WHERE: Brumley Nature Preserve North (3798-3400, Old NC 10, Durham, NC 27705). Many distance options.
Led by Eric Wiebe and Cynthia Shimer
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Things That Matter Book Group
The Things That Matter Book Group will meet on Tuesday, January 11 at 3:30 p.m. at the church (Watts-Hill Hall) to discuss Mad Moon written by FPC's very own Alissa Miles. . Mary-Jo Keenan will lead the discussion.
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Part-time Job Opportunities at FPC | |
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Audio-Visual Technical Director Needed
FPC is looking for a part-time, non-exempt Audio-Visual Technical Director of worship Production. The position is 10 hours a week, including Sunday mornings. A full job description is available here. If interested, please send application letter and résumé (including contact information for two references, preferably from the two immediate past or current employers) to AVTechnical@firstpres-durham.org. NOTE: Church members and active friends of the congregation are not eligible to apply.
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Sunday Morning Custodian Needed
FPC is looking for a custodian for Sunday mornings (building and grounds preparation, security, and event set-up and clean-up). The position hours are approximately 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with some flexibility required. A criminal background check will be conducted. A full job description is available here. If interested, please send application letter and résumé (including contact information for two references, preferably from the two immediate past employers) to sunday-sexton@firstpres-durham.org. Church members and active friends of the congregation are not eligible to apply.
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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. | |
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Growing thru Grief meets year-round, except for major holidays. Here is our schedule for the month of December:
Dec. 21 To be announced, by Mike McCleod
Dec. 28 Looking Back at Grief, by Bill Dahl
Our 4:00 pm meetings begin with a presentation about a part of the grief process and then we break into small groups for conversation and sharing. With the pandemic, we are meeting on Zoom, though we hope to return to in-person meetings. To register, contact admin@growingthrugrief.org by 8:00 a.m. on the Monday before the meeting.
Growing thru Grief is sponsored by a coalition of religious and civic organizations; there is no charge to attend.
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