BUILDING COMMUNITY. TRANSFORMING LIVES. ENGAGING THE WORLD. | | | | |
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This fall, we've begun a wonderful journey: the Narrative Lectionary. What is a lectionary? Put most simply, a lectionary is the method you use to choose the scripture readings for each Sunday. For the last several decades the Revised Common Lectionary has been the one most mainline churches have used, but in 2010 Luther Seminary and Working Preacher introduced the Narrative Lectionary and it has been growing in popularity as more churches give it a try. In the Narrative Lectionary (using their words) The texts include the major episodes in Scripture arranged in a narrative sequence to help people see Scripture as a story that has both coherence and a dynamic movement:
- From September to mid-December the preaching texts begin with the early chapters of Genesis, move through the stories of Israel’s early history, the exodus, the kings, prophets, exile, and return.
- From Christmas to Easter there is sustained reading of one of the four gospels.
- From Easter to Pentecost the texts are chosen from Acts and Paul’s letters.
You also might have noticed that, on many Sundays, I've been reading from a different version of the Old Testament/the Hebrew Bible, by Robert Alter. We typically use the New Revised Standard Version, a translation worked on by dozens of scholars in collaboration with one another. In my opinion, the NRSV is still the most accurate, but sometimes it's helpful to hear other words, even if only remind us of the patterns of language in the text that have become overly familiar. Hearing new words can help us understand God in new ways.
Having introduced a couple of new things, I am struck with what is lovely and familiar: being back into the routine of fall with two worship services with Faith Formation in between. Have you found a place where you can inhale the love of God? Have you found a place where you can exhale God's love? If you haven't and want some help finding one or both of these things, I hope you will be in touch.
See you soon!
It is good to be together,
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At a Session meeting on the morning of September 21 we received seven new members by Reaffirmation of their Faith and they were introduced at the 11:00 am worship service. Welcome!
Sean Casselberry was born in Rotterdam, Holland and raised in Cardiff, Wales. He moved to Oregon as a young adult to work alongside his father in a construction business, a vocation that recently led him to New Bern. A construction superintendent, Sean worked on the renovation/transformation project of the train depot in Maysville and is currently working on a stormwater pump system in Carolina Beach.
Rachel Walker grew up in New Bern and attended First Presbyterian Church preschool, later attending Parrot Academy and graduating from the Epiphany School of Global Studies. Most recently she graduated from Craven Community College with a degree in nursing and she now works at Carolina East Medical Center in Pre-Op and Post-Op. Sean and Rachel just moved into a home at Lake Tyler with their dog, Ziggy.
Holly Gagnon moved to New Bern from Tampa, Florida two years ago and first found First Presbyterian Church through our online worship while she was still in Florida. Since moving to New Bern, Holly has become active in both the Resurrection Singers and the Sanctuary Choirs, Presbyterian Women, and the New Bern Women’s Club.
Donna Harmatuk moved to New Bern several decades ago and this has been the place where she has raised her family and established her career. As a realtor, (she’s the Donna in “Donna & Team New Bern”) she says she is in the business of sharing her love of New Bern with others. Donna is mom to Rachel, a professional violinist and director of New Bern Suzuki Strings, and Will who also works in real estate.
John and KK Mella have lived in New Bern for the last three years and were just married this past May. John is a native of Chicago and KK is a native of Greensboro (who attended Camp Don Lee as a child). They met at the University of Florida where they were both studying to become Physical Therapists, KK receiving her Doctorate in 2022 and John receiving his in 2023. KK works in the Craven County Schools and John works at Carolina East Medical Center.
Brooke Moeller moved to New Bern from her native Savannah, Georgia three years ago with her husband, Brooks (already a member of First Presbyterian Church having grown up here), and their sons Bridges and Banks. A teacher at Parrot Academy as well as cheer coach, she is also just two classes away from earning her masters degree in education.
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OCTOBER 5 - NOVEMBER 23
Adult Education: Faith Formation
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Jesus and the Twenty-First Century: Navigating Today’s Big Issues Faithfully
The people in the times of Jesus likely could not imagine many of the things we encounter daily in 2025. And yet, much of what was at the center of events in the 1st century (fear, hope, faith, division) are the same. Looking to what Jesus taught and faithfully lived, what does it mean to be faithful in the 21st century? In this class we will engage in conversation around some of the big issues facing us, asking what is God's path and how do we put that first?
This class is led by Anna Pinckney Straight and meets in the
Session House from October 5 - November 23 from 9:40 am - 10:40 am.
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OCTOBER 25
Haiti Reforestation Partnership
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Thirty-five years ago, a group of First Presbyterian Church, New Bern members began to wonder what they could do to help in Haiti. What was formed was a vibrant, active group of folks committed to a faithful living-out of God's kingdom both here and there. That vision is still going strong as the Haiti Reforestation Partnership.
The Haiti Reforestation Partnership has spent the last 35 years growing both trees and future generations in Haiti. With more than 17.5 million trees planted, there is much to celebrate! You are invited, whether you’ve been part of the journey or are just learning about it now.
Join them on October 25 from 5:00 - 8:30 pm at the DoubleTree Hilton in New Bern.
One of the featured speakers will be First Presbyterian Church's own Winston Dixon, who has been there from the very beginning.
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OCTOBER 26
Rothermel Foundation
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Join the Rothermel Foundation on Sunday, October 26th, as Mark Gerson discusses his latest book, “God Was Right—How Modern Social Science Proves the Torah is True.”
In God Was Right, entrepreneur and Biblical teacher Mark Gerson explores the truth of the Torah by examining it as a practical guidebook for living, addressing questions about how to lead a fulfilling life. Gerson argues that the Torah’s teachings align with the modern social sciences, offering insights on everything from relationships and personal growth to social phenomena like peer pressure. Through this lens, he demonstrates how the Torah’s wisdom is not only timeless but also relevant to contemporary issues, from happiness and education to the complexities of modern life. God Was Right provides an accessible and profound exploration of how the Torah can guide us toward living our best lives.
Please join us on Sunday, October 26 at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church to learn more about how modern science proves the Torah is true.
Rothermel Foundation presentations are free to the public and last approximately 1 hour followed by a short question-and-answer session with the presenter.
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Pick up a paddle and join in on the fun! Mark your calendar for the opportunity to get moving, meet new friends, and enjoy a little friendly competition at the J. Murphy Smith Center (508 Middle Street).
Every Thursday:
- Pickleball - 2:30 pm
- Beginner Pickleball - 5:00 pm
Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new to the game, all are welcome to be part of the fun!
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NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
Two Lunch Wagons Trips!
| | Come join our Lunch Wagon trips in November and December for a great time and even better fellowship. Use the SignUp Genius links below or call the church office to sign up for either trip. | | |
NOVEMBER 14
Camp Lejeune Memorial Gardens
Walton's Distillery
Jacksonville, NC
We are planning a trip to Jacksonville to visit the Camp Lejeune Memorial Gardens and to Waltons Distillery. Admission is free. We will eat lunch at the Carolina Ale House following our tour of the memorial gardens.
There are five memorials: Beirut Memorial, Montford Point, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Landowners’ Memorial, and a beam from the World Trade Center 9/11 disaster. The gardens walkway is less than ½ mile in length. There are benches along the walkway. After lunch, we will have a tour and tasting of whiskey and moonshine at the Walton’s Distillery.
The bus will leave the front parking lot at 9:30 am. We will return around 4:30 pm. Nancy Perdue is the contact person (252-670-4868).
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DECEMBER 12
Ava Gardner Museum
Smithfield, NC
We are planning a trip to Smithfield to visit the Ava Gardner Museum. Admission is $11.00 per person. You will pay the money when you get on the bus. We will eat lunch at the Cracker Barrel following our tour. If time permits, we may also stop at DeWayne’s, a garden and gift shop.
The bus leaves the front parking lot at 8:30 am. We will return around 5:00 pm. Nancy Perdue is the contact person (252-670-4868).
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DANIEL SANSONE
♫ Music Notes
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The First Presbyterian Church Concert Series continues on Sunday, November 2nd at 4:00 pm. Director of Music and Organist Daniel J. Sansone will perform an organ recital on the Fisk Organ (opus 89).
Featured on the program will be works by Johann Sebastian Bach, César Franck, Felix Mendelssohn, and Ned Rorem.
For further information please visit our website or call the church, 252-647-3270.
Free admission and open to everyone!
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Craven Messiah Chorus
The Craven Messiah Chorus begins rehearsals for the December 8 performance of Handel's most famous oratorio on Monday, October 20 at 7:00 pm. Rehearsals are held in the Sanctuary of Centenary United Methodist Church.
Singers need to provide their own G. Schirmer score, available at Fuller's Music.
For information, email Pat Rowlett at pat@firstpresnb.org.
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WENDY MOELLER
William Lee Hawkins Library
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One of the on-line literary magazines that I read has been referring recently to the “end of the summer reading season.” As I write this, the summer is rapidly coming to a close, and as you read this October First Edition in three or four weeks, we will already be well into a new year of Faith Formation classes. I am going to take this opportunity, if I may, to remind you of some of the great books which were presented in our summer Read This Book Faith Formation class.
The five mentioned below have already been donated to the library and are ready for checkout. No need for FOMO (fear of missing out) or, as I call it, FOAL-TTP (fear of arriving late to the party)! Each will be patiently awaiting your arrival, your perusal, and hopeful checkout there on the big table, in the middle of the Hawkins Library, on the second floor of the Ministry Center.
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All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley (708.147 BRI), presented by Stacey Griffith
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The Sisters of Sinai: How Two Lady Adventurers Discovered the Hidden Gospels by Janet Soskice (225.0922 SOS), presented by Lee Ann Smith (one of our friends from First Baptist)
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If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg (248.4 ORT) presented by Gayle Hardy
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Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (128 FRA) presented by Winston Dixon
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Reading Genesis by Marilynne Robinson (222.110 ROB) presented by Wendy Moeller
Each of these spoke in specific and deep ways to the faith of the presenter. A follow-up conversation with the presenter about the reasons they particularly loved their selected book should eradicate any lingering remnant of FOMO. In the meantime, pay attention to any books this fall and winter season which speak deeply to you in your life of faith, and maybe next summer we will have the opportunity to hear from you should Read This Book roll around again.
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OPPORTUNITY
Advent Devotional
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This Advent, we warmly invite the members and friends of First Presbyterian Church—that’s you!—to contribute a short devotional to our very own Advent 2025: Waiting, Watching, Welcoming, Wonder. From November 30th through January 6th, each day will feature a reflection of 350 words or less, written by someone in our church family. You’re invited to sign up for one special day and share your voice.
Together, we’ll create a living, breathing Advent devotional—one day, one reflection, one heart at a time. Your words will guide our community as we journey through this season of hope, anticipation, and awe. We have 38 spaces to fill. We ask that you offer a written meditation upon Scripture passage assigned for that day that is no more than 350 words in length.
This is a chance to enter into Advent as a community, to reflect on God’s promises, to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming, and to marvel at the wonder of God at work in our lives. Join us, and let’s make this Advent a shared experience of faith, reflection, and joy.
We ask that you sign up below and submit your written mediation to
Patrick Ryan at patrick@firstpresnb.org no later than Monday, November 10.
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OPPORTUNITY
Stephen Ministry
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Be a Light in Someone’s Darkness: Become a Stephen Minister
Do you feel called to walk beside others during life’s hardest moments? Are you searching for a meaningful way to share Christ’s love and compassion? If so, we invite you to consider serving as a Stephen Minister. First Presbyterian is looking for three or four men and women that are interested in becoming Stephens Ministers to help serve our congregational family.
What is a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are caring Christian volunteers trained to provide confidential, one-to-one support for people facing life’s challenges. Members of the congregation; and the wider community, can find encouragement and hope through the care of a Stephen Minister. This ministry walks alongside individuals facing struggles such as the loss of a loved one, serious illness, divorce, job loss, or other predicaments.
Training & Commitment
To prepare for this ministry, you’ll receive 50 hours of practical, Christ-centered training held on Monday evenings from January through May. This training equips you to provide high-quality emotional and spiritual care.
Commissioning & Service
After completing training, you’ll be commissioned as a Stephen Minister and paired with care receivers in need of support. Your ministry will involve walking alongside them with compassion and confidentiality, offering strength through presence and prayer.
Who Can Serve?
We’re seeking individuals who:
- Have a heart for caring and service
- Can attend all training sessions
- Commit to serve for at least two years after commissioning
- Participate in ongoing supervision and support groups
If you’re ready to begin this journey in January 2026, contact: StephenMinistry@firstpresnb.org for details on how to apply.
Step into this rewarding ministry and become a source of comfort, faith, and hope. Your path as a Stephen Minister begins here.
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Our Presbyterian Women’s Circles are once again in full swing, but it’s not too late to join us if you wish.
Our monthly outreach project for October is paper products for Coastal Center for Hope and Healing (Coastal Women's Shelter). Circle members may bring items such as paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, tissues, paper plates, napkins, feminine hygiene products to their October meetings.
There is a collection box in the office workroom. You do not have to be a Circle member to donate!
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STACEY GRIFFITH
Backpack Blessings
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Another successful 'Build' to prepare weekend snack bags for our Craven, Jones, and Pitt school children from K through 9 who are 'food insecure' was completed this week. Our numbers, sadly, have continued to escalate and we prepped snack bags for 1047 children in our 3 target counties.
Many willing hands and hearts are needed for this monthly activity and, as always, we are so very grateful for the many First Presbyterian Church members who responded.
Kudos to Priscilla and Stan Van Horn who continue to serve several times during this series, as well as Wendy Moeller, Beth Paul, Nancy McAden, Judy Paquin, Nancy Perdue, Sheila Orth, Linda Staunch, Anne Goldman, Kim Avolis, Olivia Peterson Ann Griffin Hall, Pam Gaskill, Mary Lynne Keener (who brought along 13 others!), John Pyburn, Susan Rousa, Charlene Terrill, Bob Little, Patti Fleming, and Kirsten Sonstegard. As always Jane Dail serves as a Board Member, works builds, and delivers First Pres. bins to our target school.
All this would not be possible without the generous staff support we receive, and the monies, prayers, and willing hands and hearts that our membership brings faithfully to this important ministry! Thank you all!
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Children, Youth, and Families | | |
If you are interested in a detailed calendar of upcoming Children, Youth, and Family Ministry opportunities, or volunteering, please reach out to
Catherine Campbell, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry: catherine@firstpresnb.org
| | First Presbyterian Church, New Bern Staff | | | | |
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Anna Pinckney Straight - Pastor
anna@firstpresnb.org
Patrick Ryan - Associate Pastor
patrick@firstpresnb.org
Catherine Campbell - Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
catherine@firstpresnb.org
Daniel Sansone - Director of Music
daniel@firstpresnb.org
Pat K. Rowlett - Associate Director of Music
pat@firstpresnb.org
Susan Mabie
Director of Resurrection Singers
Tim Elliott - Facilities Manager
property@firstpresnb.org
Dawn Inglis - Office Administrator
church@firstpresnb.org
Kerri Quick - Preschool Director
kerri@firstpresnb.org
Summer Hough - Financial Administrator
summer@firstpresnb.org
Morgan Stephens - Director of Communications
comms@firstpresnb.org
Louis Foye - Sexton
Richard Colflesh - Maintenance
property@firstpresnb.org
Stephen Ministry
stephenministry@firstpresnb.org
pastoroncall@firstpresnb.org
After office hours or on the weekend,
a good way to reach a pastor is to
email the pastor on call.
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Share your News!
Have an article for the newsletter? Want an announcement placed in the bulletin? See something we should post on social media? Have photos of a church event to share? Email comms@firstpresnb.org to get your news shared!
Bulletin Deadline:
Mondays at 12:00 pm
Weekly Word Deadline:
Mondays at 12:00 pm
First Edition/Monthly Newsletter Deadline:
the 20th of the month at 12:00 pm
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Physical Address
400 New Street,
New Bern, NC 28560
Mailing Address
PO Box 1069,
New Bern, NC 28563
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Church Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
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