This Sunday at Binkley
August 4, 2019
Communion Sunday
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Simply Summer Worship
9:45 am, Lounge
Summer Choir Rehearsal
9:50 am, Choir Room
Worship
11:00 am, Sanctuary
Marcus McFaul preaching
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Regularly at the Diaconate meeting I ask our deacons to look over the list of individuals and families in their specific care. I ask that they visualize the faces in their flock and call to mind the situations members are facing. Needless to say it's a vast and wide spectrum of the human condition. The gamut ranges from deaths in families to new jobs; from dealing with chronic pain to experiencing the joys of love; from finding meaning in ministry to anguished disappointment with church and culture.
The national crisis, and its accompanying headlines (not just daily but now hourly), has become so debilitating that we are tempted to forget that our shared journey together still means tending to the care of souls. We can (and I believe must) speak boldly and clearly around issues of justice, protest policies and actions which demean and dehumanize the Imago Dei of every human being, and stand against the grotesque incivility occurring in public life. Silence is not an option. And we also are called to mend and tend human hearts, minds, and souls.
This week I read an article in Sojourners magazine by Kendra Weddle entitled "
Balancing Vigilance and Wellbeing in a Age of Heightened Political Anxiety
". Weddle begins the article with these words: "
I think we all need therapy,” one of my friends recently wrote. And it’s true, of course. Numerous reports, including Dana Milbank’s “President Trump actually is making us crazy,” have pointed out that since the 2016 election there has been an increase in mental health challenges including depression, stress, grief, anxiety, and sadness. According to Megan Cerullo’s recent article for the New York Daily News, doctors have added a new name to their lexicon: President Trump Stress Disorder. Symptoms include insomnia, hypervigilance, and an inability to detach from the 24-hour news cycle."
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She recommends several strategies to cope, such as 1)
unplug from non-stop media
(key word non-stop) 2)
learn something new
(get Art Aylsworth to teach you to play the fiddle) 3)
respond in new ways
(cook a meal and take to a family) 4)
cultivate a sense of wonder
(Fred Craddock always recommended "going marveling" at least once a day in your neighborhood) and 5)
change the conversation,
as Weddle writes: "
vary topics in your conversations like: What are your fears about aging? What is your first memory? What is a belief you used to have but no longer accept? Brené Brown says the result of being vulnerable with trustworthy people is greater intimacy. In this day of increasing loneliness,
taking friendships to another level is the best medicine money can buy."
Yes!
I would add:
the importance of giving attentiveness to sisters and brothers in our care.
Go and find your pictorial directory. See the faces of folk who've either lost parents to death recently (Chon Shoaf, Megan Highsmith, Jane Walters, Erik Butler) or family members (Kimberly Eastman Zirkle and Franklin Zirkle, Peggy Kinnaird, Sandra Johnson, Mable Strowd, Adams Wofford, Tim Ross, just to name a few). See the ones who are soon off to their first year of college (Emily Bradshaw, Colby Rabalais, Avery Jenkins). Surgeries, marital stress, unemployment/financial concerns, moving into assisted living, grief, medical diagnoses, aging in place, finding balance in work, family, and play, the scope of such a list is limitless.
When you receive the bulletin make sure you look at the Prayer Concerns. Then pray. Then, where possible, express your care in tangible ways. You may need to turn off CNN or MSNBC to do so. Check on a neighbor. Call a friend.
On Sunday we celebrate communion and I will preach a sermon from the book of Hosea entitled "
Covenantal Compassion: When Marriages (and Metaphors) Need Help."
Hosea's aim is emphasize that no matter what, God's force and stubborn love won't let go of us. As last week, hear Darrell Adams sing another appropriate hymn
"O Love That Will Not Let Me Go."
Let's not let go of each other in times like these either. See you Sunday.
With much affection for you,
Your Pastor,
Marcus McFaul
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This Sunday will be our second meeting of the Summer Choir. Anyone who would like to help lead the service by singing with the choir is invited to come - including all ages, experiences, and ability levels. Our first Summer Choir date was great fun, and we hope that others will join in the excitement.
If you would like to sing, just meet in the choir room (located behind the organ pipes) at 9:50. Music and bulletins will be ready for you. We won't wear robes, so come in the clothes you'd wear for church.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Kyle or any Chancel Choir member. We hope to see you there!
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I want to offer my sincere thanks to everyone who attended the Hymn Sing, Ice Cream Social, and Choral Scholar Fundraiser, "Where the Music Began," last Saturday night in Gerrard Hall. It was an incredible evening for Binkley, as we returned to the original site of our church, some 60 years after first meeting there. To hear Dr. Seymour and Matthew Ripley-Moffitt speak about the early days of our church, to sing together, and to share an evening of laughter and memories was a truly special experience.
Thanks to everyone who helped with the event, including those who arranged the silent auction, the musicians who played, our excellent speakers, and the those who served ice cream. It was a huge undertaking, and it was such a success due to the involvement of so many dedicated and talented Binkley members.
I am also thrilled to announce that the initial count indicates that we raised around $9,000 for our Choral Scholar Program! This will allow us to fund this important and impactful program for another year. Thanks to the church for your incredible support.
-Kyle
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Binkley Night at Durham Bulls
Saturday, August 10, 6 pm,
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Something for everyone! Picnic, singing, fireworks, and baseball. A picnic dinner is included with your ticket price of $20. Hot Dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken breast, mac & cheese, potato salad, potato chips and drinks. Picnic starts at 6 pm and food will be available until 8 pm. We have the entire Pinnacle Bank Picnic Area behind the Visitors Bench dugout. It’s covered and has ceiling fans! We’ll also be singing the national anthem, so stay tuned for details on how to participate. Get your tickets after worship on Sunday from Larry McManus and Charles Coble.
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The Yard Sale is fast approaching!
Click
here
to get all the details on how you can DONATE | VOLUNTEER | SHOP
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!
Download the two documents linked below and share with your neighbors or post a flyer at your favorite coffee shop! There will be hard copies available after church this Sunday. You can also help us spread the word on social media by sharing our Facebook event.
(Please note--it is illegal to put anything in your neighbor's mailboxes. You can put the outside the mailbox or at their door.)
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Flowers for the Communion Table
There are four more opportunities left in 2019 to provide flowers for the communion table. Providing flowers is a great way to honor or commemorate a loved one or special event in your life while beautifying our worship space. Dates available are August 18 and 25, and October 13 and 20. Please contact [email protected] to claim one of these dates.
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Memorial Service Details
The memorial service for Carl Henley will be on Saturday, August 24 at 2 pm. Please continue to be in prayer for his family during their time of grief.
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Click the links below for more information on each event.
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August 8, Community UCC, Raleigh, NC, 7 pm
Judith Glixon, a former Asheville resident who was once the principal cellist with the Asheville Symphony and the Brevard Chamber Orchestra, is returning to NC to perform a series of solo cello concerts highlighting the urgency of climate change. Proceeds will support the work of the Creation Care Alliance of WNC, a program that empowers faith organizations to act on climate change. Click
here
for details.
Fabric for Rosa
Our friend Rosa, who is in Sanctuary at Church of the Reconciliation, is looking for fabric to sew aprons and other items. If you have spare fabric, please contact
Ashley Nissler.
Link your grocery store loyalty cards to BPS.
Here's how.
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Church Office Hours
Mon.-Thurs.
8:30 am - 4 pm
Friday
8:30 am - 3 pm
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Publication Deadlines
Submissions for the September
Newsletter are due by:
August 19
Submissions for the weekly bulletin and Friday Update are due by:
Wednesday Noon
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The Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church
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