March 29, 2019
This Sunday at Binkley
March 31, 2019
Morning Celebration
9:00 am, Lounge

Sunday School
9:30 am

 Worship
11:00 am, Sanctuary
Marcus McFaul preaching
Youth Group
6 pm, Sunroom/Lounge
From Our Pastor
I spent yesterday at the North Carolina Council of Churches Legislative Advocacy day in Raleigh learning about prospective bills to be discussed during the upcoming session; bills that intersect with important aspects of a life of faith. As with all good day-long conferences you must selectively choose a limited number of workshops to attend.

Here are the three from among many wonderful options I choose:

Environmental Protection  with Susannah Tuttle of NC Interfaith Power and Light
Immigration challenges in North Carolina  with Gail Phares of Witness for Peace
Curbing Gun Violence  with Becky Ceartas of North Carolinians Against Gun Violence

Bookmark those websites right now and see how you might participate in their programs.

All three sessions were stimulating and addressed important on-going work of advocacy and action here in the state and nationally. Additionally, each presenter made us aware of bills to come before the Legislature that demand our attention; from fracking to wind/solar technologies of clean energy, from immigrant rights and ICE enforcement in every NC county, from bump stocks, open-carry, assault weapons to extreme risk protection laws (also known as red flag laws). Other sessions covered topics including Election integrity and gerrymandering, Voter ID, Opiod laws, and farm workers rights.

Here are a couple of things you can easily do today:

The U.S. House has passed H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. This is long overdue. Nearly 40,000 people died from gun violence in 2017—the highest number in decades.
Requiring background checks for every gun sale is a critical step in reducing gun violence. We need your help to make sure it becomes law.  
We need you to call Senators Burr and Tillis to ask them to support SB 42, the senate version of HB 8.
- Senator Burr -202-224-3154
- Senator Tillis - (202) 224-6342

March 2, 2017 marked the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Berta Cáceres, the beloved Honduran Indigenous and environmental rights leader, and the Berta Cáceres Human Rights in Honduras Act was re-introduced to continue the call for justice.
The Berta Cáceres Act is a landmark bill introduced by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) and currently co-sponsored by 60 Members of the House of Representatives.
The Berta Cáceres Act has found immediate and broad support including endorsements by the AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club, the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), and over a hundred other faith, labor, environmental, and human rights organizations.
Berta’s family and organization COPINH immediately applauded the action and praised the leadership of these Members of Congress.
The bill states: “The Honduran police are widely established to be deeply corrupt and to commit human rights abuses, including torture, rape, illegal detention, and murder, with impunity” and that the military has committed violations of human rights. Therefore, the bill asks that the United States suspend all “…security assistance to Honduran military and police until such time as human rights violations by Honduran state security forces cease and their perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The violent crackdown on anti-fraud protesters in the wake of the November 26th, 2017 elections have made the Berta Cáceres Act more urgent than ever. Honduran security forces have been implicated in the deaths of more than 30 people since the elections, as well as systematic torture, forced disappearances, and massive criminalization of the people who are exercising their fundamental rights to free expression and assembly. That US taxpayer dollars are paying for this brutal repression, and US companies are profiting from it, is unconscionable. Contact your Representative!

We have long-supported the strong efforts of the North Carolina Council of Churches for good reason---they bring together persons, congregations, and denominations of good faith to address policies and laws affecting the safety, health, and future of our citizens.I was delighted by Susannanh Tuttle's definition of Interfaith Power and Light's mission as " NCIPL connects the faith voice of North Carolina around climate change, encouraging mitigation of the effects and resilient communities through its programs and engaging in the public policy process by advocacy with compassion. We speak for what we love and take action for the future of our children and the children of all species."

Advocacy with compassion---what a beautiful phrase. In this Year of Compassion at Binkley, may it be so.

Sunday i will be preaching the familiar (too familiar?) parable of Jesus found only in Luke of the prodigal son (Luke 15). The sermon will be in a style different than usual; four perspectives from the parable's characters. I hope to see you this Sunday in worship.

With much affection for you,
Marcus

The Binkley 411
WOMEN’S GROUP TO BEGIN AT BINKLEY
Saturday, Mar. 30, 2-3:30pm, Sunroom  
As a follow-up to our January meeting and Samoan circle conversation on women’s experiences of sexism and patriarchy at Binkley, we feel that more time is needed for women to speak and share in a safe space. This is important work for all of us, and we want to listen and learn from each other. As our consultant, David Brubaker, so truthfully said in the Reference Team Report, “I would urge more conversations about power and gender in your congregation. As in the broader society, Binkley has not yet achieved full equality between women and men.” (November, 2018)
  • Are you a woman looking for a place that’s safe to voice your personal thoughts and experiences about sexism and patriarchy at Binkley?
  • Are you a woman who is sometimes unsure of how to respond when experiencing sexism at Binkley?
  • Would you like to help transform Binkley into a place of equality and mutual respect for women?
  • Are you a woman who would enjoy and benefit from being with other women to listen and speak our truth, to support each other in our journey to learn how to find and use our voices, to become stronger, more assertive and also open-hearted people? 

We believe it is time. Systemic sexism is part of our patriarchal society, it benefits many of us and is alive and well at Binkley just as it is in our culture at large. #ChurchToo
 
Please come! We need your voices, experiences, ideas, suggestions for change, and leadership.
~Linda Bourne, April Kemper, Caryl Price, Susan Rogers
Adult Sunday School Classes
9:30 am
Join us on Sunday morning, March 24, 9:30-10:30 for an adult Sunday School class. There are a variety of opportunities to choose from, and each class is open to newcomers!

Mindful   Parenting,  Lounge:  This week, Christine Jernigan will be facilitating the conversation.

The Bible and The New York Times , Sunroom:  Dr. McFaul will facilitate a conversation around the following articles:

Finding Myself on a Journey , Chapel:  Meredith Bratcher guides this Bible-based experiential learning and life reflection class. This Sunday, the passage to be considered is Luke 15:1-3, 11b-22.

It’s Not Just One Way , Room 17:  Each week in this class, an individual or couple shares their spiritual journey with the group.

English as a Second Language and Christianity , Room 18:  Bo Lloyd leads the class in an engaging study of Christian faith, while also helping participants improve English vocabulary and fluency.
Congregational Conversation on Proposed Church Sign
POSTPONED
The committee tasked with developing a plan for a new church sign shared comments from the congregation with Church Council and suggested a listening opportunity for the congregation. The Council agreed and the leadership team had previously planned a session for listening on March 31   after worship.  That session has been postponed due to organizational logistics.   A listening opportunity will be rescheduled after Easter. 
Please use this time to read the information provided in the links that follow and prayerfully consider the needs of the church. In April there will be time to share your perspectives and listen to those of others as a compassionate community of faith.   If you would like to review the preliminary proposal from the sign committee and review the comments received from the church, please click here for more information.
Wednesday Night Series:
Apr. 3, 5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall
One Breath at a Time: A Skeptic’s Guide to Christian Meditation. The fifth installment of this six-part series led by Dana Trent. For full details, please check the March newsletter. Check ‘Event’ in the Friendship Register or RSVP to the office by Monday, April 1 at noon. Dinner is $7 for adults, $4 for children.

Can't make it on Wednesdays or want to enrich your meditation experience even further? Click here for a free Lenten Guide from Dana.
Men of Binkley
Saturday, Apr. 6, 8:00 am,
The Egg & I Community Room
All Men of Binkley and friends are welcome for breakfast and Fellowship. Dutch treat. 1101 Environ Way, Chapel Hill, 27517.
There are several Lenten Opportunities still available to you throughout the 40 days of the season: a study of Richard Rohr's Breathing Underwater , a prayer class led by Meredith Bratcher and Stephanie Ford, and a 6-part series on Christian meditation led by Dana Trent.

It's too much to list here, so click here to get details on everything!

New Lenten Offering for Students:
Compline
Tuesdays during Lent,
beginning March 19, 8 pm, Chapel
All graduate and undergraduate students are invited to gather in the chapel each Tuesday evening during Lent for Compline. Offered at the close of day, Compline is an ancient prayer service that directs the heart toward God as the body prepares for evening rest. Our services will include poetry, scripture, responsive readings, and a guided prayer. The service will begin at 8PM and will last for about half an hour. Please contact Austin Maynor with any questions.
In the Light of Self-Compassion: Women’s Retreat
May 3-5, 2019 – Salter Path, NC 
Join Binkley women (and invite friends) for a weekend to renew body and spirit at the beach. We’ll consider practices of self-care physically, spiritually and mentally. Laughter is sure to be on the menu. The Trinity Center is our host, and May is a lovely time to be at the seaside. Registration forms are available at Stephanie Ford’s door. 
Crop Walk Report
Many thanks to walkers and donors in last Sunday’s Crop Walk! Twenty Binkleyites walked, including two pastors (Marcus and Dale), and eight teens. Four of us walked the short course and the rest walked the entire four plus miles. A Binkley member even made sure water bottles were recycled and banana peels recycled. This was a great turnout especially because UNC was playing in the NCAA tournament as we marched! The preliminary number on money raised by Binkley was $2,186. That amount will increase as on-line contributions and some late donations are added to the total. Great work!
Binkley is a Cool Congregation!
Binkley is among five churches in the nation chosen as a Cool Congregation by Interfaith Power and Light in recognition of our recycling and composting efforts. Click here to learn more, and be sure to thank Linda and Karin for helping us achieve this honor!


March Challenge
For the Beauty of the Earth
The Fine Arts Committee will be featuring a very special art exhibit in the Sanctuary during the entire Season of Lent, from March 1 until after Easter. The exhibit, titled For the Beauty of the Earth, will feature over thirty paintings of nature by local artist, Joan Meade.
To the side of each painting will be a quote or saying by poets and other authors. The Earth Ministries Challenge is to ask viewers of the exhibit to comment in writing on what they have seen and read. At the end of the exhibit, near the Baptistery, will be a large glass container and some paper, on which we encourage everyone to write comments that are expressive of thoughts and feelings evoked by the exhibit.
It is the hope and challenge of the Earth Ministry Team that all ages, members and visitors, will take the opportunity to really ‘take-in’ all of the paintings and share their impressions in writing. We, in turn, will share many of the comments in Friday Updates while the exhibit is on display in the Sanctuary.
Reception planned for guest artist Joan Meade
Sunday, Apr. 7, Post-Worship, Narthex
 Join guest artist Joan Meade at a reception in the narthex following morning worship on April 7. Mrs. Meade is the landscape and seascape painter whose works are featured in our lovely Lenten art exhibit,  For the Beauty of the Earth.  She will be available to discuss her work and answer questions about it.

The reception on April 7 is sponsored by Binkley’s Fine Arts and Fellowship committees. Light refreshments will be provided. To see more of Mrs. Meade’s work or to contact her, go to  www.joanmeade.com .
Our Wider Community
Click the links below for more information on each event.
Garden Day at South Estes Housing Community: An Opportunity for Binkley Gardeners:
Saturday, Mar. 30, 9 am
We will gather to work with the people of the housing community to plant seeds and small plants for this year’s garden. Please bring whatever seeds and plants and tools you need. We are especially interested in planting peppers, okra, and cabbage. We can also use more fertilizer and top soil. If anyone has a tiller and the means to bring it with you, please do so. The South Estes Public Housing Community is located on South Estes Drive Extension, across US 15-501 from University Place. For information, please contact Paul Lindsay, plindsay2@aol.com , 919-604-1699.

Sat. Mar.30, 5-8pm, Imbibe Bistro, 108 Henderson St, Chapel Hill

The Orange County Board of Commissioners have proclaimed March as Skip the Straw Month. Click here to learn more about how you can be involved.

Sunday, Apr.7, 3-5pm, Southern Human Services Center (behind the Seymour Senior Center)

April 5, 2019, St. Thomas More Catholic Church
Click here for more information.


Sunday, April 14, 2019 at 2 PM – 5:30 PM, Kehillah Synagogue, 1200 Mason Farm Rd

Friday, Apr. 26-Sunday, Apr. 28. Calvary Baptist Church, Wash. DC Theme: What is Liberty Without Liberation? Visit allianceofbaptists.org for details and registration.

April 29-May 2, Baltimore, MD

June 21-23, Virginia Beach, VA

Peace in Our Land: Toward a World Without Violence
July 15-20, 2019, Cali, Colombia

Link your grocery store loyalty cards to BPS. Here's how.
Revised November 2016
Church Office Hours

Mon.-Thurs.
8:30 am - 4 pm

Friday
8:30 am - 3 pm
Publication Deadlines

Submissions for the May
Newsletter are due by:

April 15

Submissions for the weekly bulletin and Friday Update are due by:

Wednesday Noon
The Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church
 | 919.942.4964 | office@binkleychurch.org | binkleychurch.org