In this issue you will find the following:

• Pastoral Letter
•  In Our Thoughts & Prayers/Thank You
• 2022 Capital Campaign  
•  Worship info
•  Faith Formation for Children
•  Youth Corner
• Faith Formation for Adults
•  Congregational Life/Fellowship Events
• Service & Mission Opportunities·       

From Pastor/Head of Staff

Dear friends,

How very good it was to be together with you on Sunday. These last two weeks since my mother-in-law Ellen O’Brien died have been hard and sad and surreal. You have been such a comfort to me and to Tim, with your cards, texts, emails, calls, flowers, food, and presence at her service at FPC. When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, how good it is to be reminded that we are not alone. What a gift to be reminded that God goes with us, and God’s love is shown most clearly through the love and care of family, friends, and the community of faith. The great cloud of witnesses has surrounded us during this time, and we are so very grateful for you all.

In the meantime, life continues around us. President Biden signed a bi-partisan gun safety bill this week, a small but important step forward. This act, however, was overshadowed when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a decision which has huge ramifications for women’s health and safety and the rights of women to make decisions about their own bodies. Abortion has always been a complicated issue for Christians, but the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ultimately sees it as an issue of women’s health and reproductive justice and has been clear in our stance on abortion as a moral issue for decades.

In the policy statement “Covenant and Creation: Theological Reflections on Contraception and Abortion,” approved by the General Assembly of the PC(USA) in 1983, we affirm (excerpts shared here with a link to the full document here):

Biblical faith depicts persons as stewards of life, heirs who are responsible for the care of God’s world. This responsibility leads persons of faith not only to an exploration of all of creation but also to efforts that maintain order, secure justice, and improve the quality of human life. Because human life, in the biblical sense, is much more than the perpetuation of physical existence, people of faith should commit themselves to improving its quality spiritually, educationally, and culturally as well as medically. This commitment will often necessitate difficult moral choices in the midst of conflicting values. . . .

Biblical faith emphasizes the need for personal moral choice and holds that persons stand ultimately accountable to God for their moral choices. The freedom to do what one judges most appropriate in an abortion decision is qualified by the fact that the purpose of such decision is the responsible exercise of stewardship. Even in the face of the most difficult decisions, of which abortion is surely one, the gospel assures us that we can trust in God’s Spirit to guide us in our decision. Furthermore, given the fact that such hard choices involve some unpleasant consequences whatever the decision, the gospel reminds us again and again of God’s grace, which is sufficient for us in spite of our limitations, and assures us that even if we err in misusing our freedom, God’s forgiveness restores us in covenant love. Only in the knowledge of such grace and guidance could we dare to claim the responsibility and freedom to use modern medical skill to intervene in the process of human procreation.



The Calvinist affirmation of conscience as one of the primary junctures at which the power of the Holy Spirit breaks through into human experience is grounded in both (a) the Old Testament call to human responsibility, as set forth in the biblical witness to God’s covenant with us, and (b) the New Testament assurance of the work of the Holy Spirit as our enabler and guide in the exercise of human freedom before God. When faced with significant moral choices, women and men who prayerfully consider the options set before them can be assured that they are empowered by the gracious work of God’s Spirit to make an appropriate moral choice. . . .

The church’s position on public policy concerning abortion should reflect respect for other religious traditions and advocacy for full exercise of religious liberty. The Presbyterian Church exists within a very pluralistic environment. Its own members hold a variety of views. It is exactly this plurality of beliefs that leads us to the conviction that the decision regarding abortion must remain with the individual, to be made on the basis of conscience and personal religious principles, free from governmental interference. Consequently, we have a responsibility to work to maintain a public policy of elective abortion, regulated by the health code, not the criminal code. The legal right to have an abortion is a necessary prerequisite to the exercise of conscience in abortion decisions. Legally speaking, abortion should be a woman’s right because, theologically speaking, making a decision about abortion is, above all, her responsibility. [1]

I hope you will take the time to read and study this theological statement and the additional materials contained below. The full policy statement begins on page 115 in the document linked below. I also recommend the book we studied in an online FPC class in early 2021, Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice, by Rebecca Todd (Toddie) Peters. Stay tuned for a time when we can gather for another discussion on this issue.

Nobody ever said that following Jesus would be easy or that the way forward would always be clear. We do, however, affirm the path of justice and seek to live in ways that treat all people as fully human, fully loved by God, and fully agents of their own bodies. “As Presbyterians and U.S. citizens, we have a responsibility to guarantee every woman the freedom of reproductive choice.” [2]

I am glad to be on this road of faith and life with you all.

Grace and peace to you all,

Mindy Douglas

[1] https://www.presbyterianmission.org/wp-content/uploads/8-covenant-of-life-and-covenant-and-creation-1993.pdf

[2] Ibid.

CONDOLENCES:  The love and concern of the congregation are extended to Cherrie Henry, Andy Henry , and Sam Henry on the death of Cherrie's father, Bob Barton. Bob died today (June 28). He had been diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumor several months ago and passed away at a hospice facility. Please keep the Henry family in your prayers.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the Henry home at this address:

Andy and Cherrie B. Henry

1407 Arbor Street

Durham NC 27707.

*******************

CONCERNS:

Franzi Rokoske, at Wake Medical Center, Raleigh, recovering from a serious fall

Paul Cornsweet        Kerry Holbrook       Jancy Johnstone         

George Kafula          Mitzi Lesher-Thomas    Katy Loebrich      

Phyllis Verhey         Carol Wills

Care Communities

Dubose Center at The Cedars, Chapel Hill: Arthur Clark

Durham Ridge Assisted Living: Phillip Herndon

Hillcrest: Julian Boswell, Walter Chambliss (Will’s dad), Maxie Honeycutt, Roger Kalthoff, Jim Wolfe

The Forest at Duke Health Center: Wes Carson

Family and Friends of the Congregation

Gladys Arrowood, mother of Al Arrowood

Greer & Jenn Brown, friends of Logan Tice

Nicky Clegg, granddaughter of Jeanne Hervey

Tom Cotton, friend of Michael Honeycutt

Mimi Cummings, mother of Drew Cummings

Susan Cyr, friend of FPC

Bill Estes, cousin of Judy Arrowood

Grace, Chris James’ great-niece

Doc & Theresa Huntley, parents of Lesley Curtis

Bea Martin, sister-in-law of Margaret Rubiera

Vivian Mast, friend of Josh Walters

Rosalind Mbugua, sister of Mercy Ndambiri-Curlett

Aaron Pritchard, friend of Kathy Parkins

Richard Smith, husband of Laura Casteel’s co-worker

Jim Vacca, father of Jamie Chambliss

John Wakefield, cousin of Vernon Neece

Deb Walsh, friend of Celia Dickerson

Alice Weicher, mother of John Weicher

Janice Faye West, mother of Randy Lang Howard

Chris Wood, stepfather of Sharon Hirsch 

I am still a resident of The Forest at Duke community.

Mary Ann Ruegg

2701 Pickett Rd Apt 2014

Durham NC 27705

My telephone number remains the same.

New Paraments, Communion Cloth and Quilt

You are encouraged to take a closer look at the newest green and white paraments, communion tablecloth, and quilt. See parament images here. Many of you contributed items that had some significant meaning in your life or your life in the church so don’t hesitate to search for them! There were some items that were too large for the paraments or the tablecloth, so Beth Taylor, who was our fabric artist, made a quilt so that they were not lost. The quilt is presently hanging in the church foyer.

On the backs of the paraments and communion cloth, there is a dedication that reads,

“Ruth and Russell Roberson--given in memory of their mothers:

Zenobia Teresa Cox Haislip and Myrtle Taylor Roberson

both of whom were quilters,

on the occasion of the 150^th Anniversary of the founding of

First Presbyterian Church of Durham, North Carolina,

December 31, 1871-December 31, 2021.

             Designed and sewn by Beth Taylor in Boone, NC and Schenectady, NY. Completed March 10, 2022”  

On the back of this 150th Anniversary quilt that was a GIFT from Beth Taylor, the dedication reads:

“Blessed Be the Tie That Binds. 

This piece is made in celebration of the members of this church— for all the saints who from their labors rest and for those who continue their labors of LOVE.  Remembering the small and big ways you have and will come together bringing memories, joys, concerns, your willingness to support, listen, learn, and forgive,

your compassion, hard work, your songs, prayers, time, gifts, and your faith as you live into hope and stand up for love.

 Designed and sewn by S. Beth Taylor

in Schenectady, New York, March 10, 2022. “

The Church office will be closed on Monday, July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Remember to celebrate this national holiday safely and responsively.

Sunday, July 3, 2022

 9:45 a.m. Faith Formation Classes for

Children's, Lectionary, and Journeys  

11:00 a.m. Worship

Mindy Douglas, preaching  

LECTIONARY CLASS

 Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m. 

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 July 3: Are you able to work miracles? Are you sure? What is the value of a miracle? "Let us not grow weary in doing what is right."

On July 10: How do you react to criticism? The prophet Amos had a harsh message of condemnation for the people of Israel. Jesus, in his time, often used gentler parables to make a similar point about the need to change our lives. How did their hearers respond? How would you?

Wilson Gunn will be leading the class on July 3, and Robert Brawley on July 10.

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.

A Meal Train has been set up for Stephen and Mary Berry following the birth of their daughter Emelia. Here's the link (https://takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=VDBV0033). They had asked that we wait until the end of June to set it up. Time flies and here we are! The first meal train slot is this Thursday, 6/30/22.  

The Things That Matter Book Group is planning to meet on Tuesday, July 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Hendrika Vande Kemp (5511 Grand Mesa Drive) if COVID numbers allow. We will discuss Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Please contact Hendrika if you plan to join us. We do not want to over fill the space. In preparation for the discussion, please think about which of Kimmerer's stories resonated with you the most.

FPC LANDSCAPING AND GARDENING WORKDAY

Saturday, July 16

8:00-11:00 a.m. 

FPC grounds

For details on the work to be performed, contact Barbara Buckley at 919-210-0482

 The Mt. Level Community Partnership for Racial Justice is sponsoring, “The Religious Right: Campaign Against Critical Race Theory, Voting Rights, and Values of the Common Good,” with Dr. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove on Sunday, July 10^th from 3:00 – 4:30pm.  He’ll be sharing from his latest book, Revolution of Values, which details how the religious ‘right” taught America to misread the Bible and reject our deepest Christian values.  This is a hybrid event, and you may choose to attend in person at Epworth United Methodist Church or Virtually. In person attendance is limited to the first 150 registrants, requiring social distancing and masks.

Here is the link to reach the page to register:

https://durhamcares.org/event/religiousrightcampaign/ding

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.