News from Binkley Baptist Church

October 4, 2019

This Sunday at Binkley

October 6, 2019

Morning Celebration

9:00 am, Lounge

Sunday School

9:30 am

Worship

11 am, Sanctuary

Marcus McFaul preaching

World Communion Sunday

Bulletin & Announcements

Hand Bell Choir

4:30 pm, Choir Room

Youth Group

6:00 pm, Sunroom/Lounge

From Our Pastor

Scatter-shooting and wondering...

Have your halloween or fall outdoor decorations melted in the 100 degree weather? Warmer rising ocean levels worldwide, rainforest wildfires in the Amazon, Icelandic glaciers thawing, compromised ecosystems in North America resulting in the loss of 3 billion birds...what climate change?

"The pumpkins are coming, the pumpkins are coming," cried Paul Revere, in anticipation of the Binkley Pumpkin Sale. While your neighbor's pumpkins have all heat combusted on their front porches, get yours here at the church starting Saturday afternoon, October 12th, when the temps might be in the low 80's!

Why is sciatica such a pain in the butt-ica?

Tarheel football coach Mack Brown won praise from many when he chose to go for a two point conversion to take the lead late in the game last Saturday against top-ranked Clemson. From the comfort of my living room I advised against it. Pastor Jim Pike, from his stadium seat, also was against it saying, "I wanted overtime and free-football." Oh, and yes Wake Forest fans/alums, we know your Demon Deacons record is 5-0.

Whatever happened to the principle and practice of balance and separation of powers? Asking for a U.S. populace.

So far, we've covered weather, sports, medicine, seasonal promotional sales, current events...finally this, from my hometown...

The hug seen around the world occurred on Wednesday in a Dallas, Texas courtroom when the brother of shooting victim Botham Jean chose to hug the killer, former DPD officer Amber Guyger. You're familiar with the case I know.

The white officer claimed she mistook his apartment for her's late one night, killing the 27 year old native of St. Lucia. Botham's brother, Brandt,18, addressing his brother's killer said from the witness stand, " If you truly are sorry...I know I can speak for myself, I forgive you. "

Then he asked the judge if he could hug Guyger. After that tearful embrace, the female African-American judge stepped down from the bench and hugged the former officer, then proceeded to give her a Bible. Reactions to every moment of that drama have run the gamut of emotions, as one would expect. Various perspectives (racial, economic, cultural, religious) offer different responses which makes it difficult to give any final and complete assessment of the sentencing (she got off light in my opinion) to the judge's active engagement with Ms. Guyger. Allison Jean, mother of both sons, said it well: " I'm proud of you my son, Brandt. Your load is lighter," She added, " Regardless of the views of the spectators, walk with God always. Forgiveness is for the forgiver and it doesn't matter what the forgiven does with it."

She called on the Dallas police force to change, "There is much more to be done by the city of Dallas," Allison Jean said. "The corruption that we saw during this process must stop." In 2015 after the Mother Emmanuel shooting Roxanne Gay spoke truth with these lines: " Black people forgive because we need to survive...We have to forgive time and time again while racism or white silence in the face of racism continues to thrive." Anger at injustice and soulful forgiveness walk alongside each other, both resolved to work for justice and reach toward peace...in the way of Jesus, as our mission statement says it.

This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. The table will be set. Come at once and find your seat at the banquet.

With much affection for you,

Your Pastor

Marcus

Practicing Compassion

"Love your neighbor as yourself."

(Mark 12:31, Lev. 19:18)

“If you don’t love yourself, you cannot love others. … If you have no compassion for yourself then you are not able of developing compassion for others.” – The Dalai Lama

All great spiritual traditions emphasize that growing in compassion must include practices to love ourselves.

Each day this week, practice self-love: direct compassion for one thing that you didn’t do as well as you’d hoped and express gratitude for one thing you were able to do for yourself.

The Binkley 411

Adult Sunday School Classes

You are invited this Sunday, October 6, 9:30-10:30 am, to participate in an adult Sunday School class. There are a variety of wonderful opportunities to choose from, and each class is open to newcomers!

Jesus Deported , Lounge: Jesus’ own family fled as refugees to Egypt, and the Hebrew prophets spoke out against the mistreatment of the foreigner. Weekly, Micheal Palmer considers the plight of foreigners in our own country with biblical eyes.

Mindful Parenting, Sunroom: This week, Kara Richards-Baker will be facilitating another engaging conversation. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and all who care for children and teens welcome!

Twisted Christian Messages , Chapel: Fred Downs, a church historian, will lead a discussion on the concept of salvation, with the title " Are You Saved? For What? From Whom? "

The Book of Job , Room 17: Teacher Joe Templeton writes: “Last Sunday, week three, we talked about Chapter 1 in Job. This week Templeton is struggling with what should follow Chapter 1.”

The Way of the Pilgrim, Room 15: This week, facilitator Susan Ketchin considers the idea of the Celtic anam cara or soul friend, and its deep kinship to the land and sea. There will also be music for meditation from the Scottish Isles.

Easy English Bible Study , Room 18: Bo Lloyd leads the class in an interesting study of Christian faith, which also helps participants improve English vocabulary and fluency.

Nature Walk: This Sunday! Buck Horton and Charles Coble will lead a one-hour walk into the Mason Farm Preserve behind Finley Golf Course beginning at 1:30 pm. This is an easy, family-friendly walk into a close but relatively unknown biological and historical preserve. (Come down Mason Farm Road and turn into Finley Golf Course, drive behind and through the parking lot on the backside and you will come upon signage to the preserve on the right and follow the short road into the preserve. We will have additional signs as well.)

ECO SUNDAY: October 13: Bring to church ink cartridges, medications, wine corks, and guitar strings that you want to be responsibly discarded. The Earth Ministries crew will make sure your unwanted items are disposed of properly.

Wednesday Night Series

Oct. 9, 5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

Acting to Stop and Prevent Torture

In 2005, as head of North Carolina Stop Torture Now , Christina Cowger began exposing in North Carolina's role in the CIA's secret rendition-to-torture program. When no investigation was forthcoming, Christina and others moved to establish the North Carolina Commission of Inquiry on Torture in 2016. Hear about their actions to prevent further such rendition flights! Check ‘Event’ in the Friendship Register or contact the office no later than NOON on Monday, Oct. 7 to make your reservation. Dinner is $7 for adults, $4 for children.

Living the Journey

A Group for Young Adults

Wednesday Nights, 6-7:00 pm, Room 15

Are you 18-22 and have finished high school? Perhaps you know of a young adult who might enjoy a group with caring peers. Whether you or the person you know is attending college, taking a gap year, or discovering this time in a unique way—this group offers a warm welcome. Each Wednesday night, Ellin Porterfield will guide a conversation about the questions that are importantat this significant moment in life. There will be a little fun, too, for good measure! All are invited to enjoy a delicious meal from 5:30-6, free for 18-22 year olds, in the Fellowship Hall, before the group begins.

YOGA is coming to Binkley!

Sponsored by Health Ministries

Thursdays, 10/10, 17, & 24, 11/7 & 14, 5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

Led by Jill Simon. Cost is $10 per drop-in class. No yoga experience required. Bring a yoga mat, towel, water and loving kindness towards your body. All are welcome. Contact Tonya Hamm with any questions.

Binkley-Barbee’s Racial Reconciliation Reboot

Join us on Thursday, October 10, at 6 pm at the K&W cafeteria with our sisters and brothers from Barbee's Chapel for dinner and conversation. We welcome all folks who are interested in greater dialogue around racial issues that impact us locally and nationally.

And, mark your calendar for Sunday, October 20, as we will carry on our tradition of combined worship with Barbee’s Chapel. Binkley members are encouraged to attend worship at the Barbee’s Campus (5916 Barbee Chapel Rd) and stay after for a wonderful meal provided by our hosts.The worship service at Barbee’s will begin at noon. For those who cannot make it to Barbee’s Chapel, we will hold regular 11 am worship at Binkley.

Memorial Service Details

The memorial service for Carolyn Kozelka will be held on Friday, October 11, at 4:30 pm in the Carolina Meadows Lecture Hall. Please continue to keep her family in your prayers during their time of grief.

The Pumpkins are Coming!

The 3rd annual Binkley Pumpkin Fundraiser will be October 12 – October 31. Proceeds will benefit the Music Program and various Binkley Outreach Committee projects. This is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to connect with our community in a fun and friendly way. If you can volunteer some time to cover pumpkin patch sales, please sign up online at bit.ly/binkleypumpkins or after worship on Sunday. We also need help unloading the pumpkin truck on October 12 from 9 am-noon. Contact Roal Carlson for more information.

Planning Meeting for Humanitarian Crisis Response

Sunday, Oct. 13, Post-Worship, Fellowship Hall

Please bring a bag lunch. Dessert and drinks will be provided. We will follow-up on the great idea-generating meeting that was held on September 22. Your input is essential as we work to advocate for and support people who are marginalized, and being treated unjustly and inhumanely. All are welcome!

2019 Men of Binkley Retreat

October 18-20, 2019 Trinity Center, Salter Path, NC

“Wendell Berry & Beloved Community." Facilitated by Rev. Don Durham ( CBFNC ministry partner Healing Springs Acres near Denton, NC). Registration and full payment of $240/double or $280/single is due no later than Sunday, October 6, 2019 . This will be a fun and enriching experience, so please sign up asap! See Charles Coble or Larry McManus for more information.

Save the Date!

Binkley Quiet Weekend, Dec. 6-8

Practice self-compassion and prepare yourself for a more peaceful Advent by joining the Binkley Quiet Weekend. December 6-8 (4:00 Friday thru lunch Sunday) at the beautiful St. Francis Prayer Center north of Greensboro. More about registration soon. For more information, contact Janet O’Neal or Lori Cahill .

Our Wider Community

Click the links below for more information on each event.

Craft Sale and Pupusas: A Fundraiser for Rosa

Sat., October 5, 9 am-3pm, Church of the Reconciliation

Come support Rosa and international artisans. Details here.

KidSCope Needs Teachers

KidSCope serves as a full-day daycare on the Binkley campus, and has openings for full and part-time teaching positions. Click here for more information.

Support Binkley Preschool

Binkley Preschool has openings in the four-year-old classes for this fall. Contact Kim Buckley if you are interested. (Tel 919-968-1427)

Link your grocery store loyalty cards to BPS. Here's how.