A STAND FOR DIGNITY

On Sunday afternoon, October 11, over 100 people from many different faiths gathered in our sanctuary for a rally to “Stand for Dignity” organized by the Wake Interfaith Immigration Network. Our church was to serve as a backup location for the rally in case of inclement weather, but on Saturday it was decided to meet at FBC because rain was predicted. Indeed, just as program participants began arriving, a tornado warning blasted on numerous phones, with some choosing to briefly shelter in the clothing ministry area.

Attendees were most appreciative of the welcome they received. Members Sam and Linda Carothers, Joann Cooper, and Chuck Nichols served as greeters. Royce and Debbie Wilmschen ran audio equipment; Rodney Mobley made sure the appropriate doors were open and tables available; and Dr. Chapman ended the program with a brief history of FBC and memorable events in our sanctuary, and a benediction. Other members of our congregation attended and undoubtedly extended personal welcomes.

The program featured a vision of unity, not division. Leaders of several faith traditions spoke, setting aside differences to speak about shared values: the respect for all and dignity that all people deserve. Attendees joined in music and prayer; listened to the story of the family of Gabriel Johnson, a local Baptist minister who is now reunited with his family after a difficult period of detention; and shared ways that we can work together to make our nation a better home for all, including immigrants and refugees. Several WIIN partner organizations set up tables to provide information and volunteer opportunities.

A leader of WIIN noted that, ironically, those attending the rally at FBC rather than the Capitol grounds due to the bad weather were themselves refugees. He was appreciative that FBC, a church he had walked past many times but never entered, had welcomed them so fully. It was an afternoon in which our church shone in its effort “to extend hospitality to strangers.” (Romans 12:13) - Susan Nichols

A NEW WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL YEAR IN FULL SWING

The new year has started for FBC Preschool classes, and plans are underway for many fun and learning opportunities for the children enrolled. “I am looking forward to seeing our preschoolers grow and mature,” said Weekday Preschool Director Crystal Bacon. “Most of our little ones begin in our ones class and stay through Pre-K, so I get to watch them grow and learn so much each year!” Many hands-on learning opportunities are offered continuously in the classroom, and there are several field trips planned, including a trip to the Farmers Market in October and visits to many downtown museums and historical buildings.

“I am a big believer in experiential learning,” Crystal said. “Our students go to the science museum, history museum, Capitol building, and enjoy pizza-making, ice cream-making, and other hands-on learning opportunities. We like to be out in the community to see the wonderful diversity our world has to offer. These times are also important because we consider it our job to support and educate families as well as build a community. These field trips with parents are times for families to get to know one another and to bond… making our school family strong!”

Crystal said the school also welcomes volunteers to share their knowledge and expertise in the classrooms throughout the year. Volunteers have included Noel Tucker (preschool parent alumna) who visits every couple of weeks and leads art lessons for the students. Another volunteer, Jen Foster, visited in the past to provide a photography lesson. “We used to enjoy Miss Penny teaching Spanish every week before she passed,” Crystal said. “Fran Puryear’s dad came and sang to our kiddos several times, and her son did a drum circle with some classes. We could use a Spanish-speaking volunteer or people who would want to share a special gift or talent with our kiddos.”

Crystal said the FBC Preschool makes a significant impact on families served and everyone working with the program understands that the work is very important and meaningful. “We do not take lightly our role as an outreach ministry of the church” she said. “We currently have many students, including two refugee families, on full or partial scholarships. We have a very diverse group of students and families representing many different cultures and religious backgrounds.”

The preschool also works with Sharefish and Chuck Nichols in partnering with the preschool in Honduras in many ways. "Another thing I love is that we host Broughton interns each year who are studying child development,” Crystal said. “They come in and shadow our teachers and work with the kids, giving us the opportunity to train up the next generation of teachers! This job is so rewarding, and I am so grateful each day I get to be a part of this outreach."

FBC developed the program as a Mothers' Morning Out opportunity about 40 years ago, and Crystal has worked with the program for “19 years, going on 20.”  Typically, the preschool serves between 49–53 families each year. Most classes are full this year, with a couple of openings remaining in the ones class and the Pre-K class. For more information about the program, email Crystal. - Will Woodson

OCTOBER BOOK STUDY BEGINS TONIGHT

Join us tonight as we kick off our Centerpoint two-week book study on The End of Civility: Christ and Prophetic Division by Dr. Ryan Andrew Newson. Dr. Newson is the Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics at Campbell University. In this book, he explores how our modern understanding of civility has developed and offers Christians a framework for distinguishing between healthy and harmful calls for civility. He argues that the challenge is knowing when civility serves the common good and when it becomes an obstacle to justice. Context matters. Sometimes, calls for civility are used to silence necessary conflict and discourage those working toward a more just world. At other times, particularly when they come from people on the margins of society, calls for civility can help shape conflict in ways that lead to justice and liberation. We're lucky that Dr. Newson is a local, so he will be joining us to lead our book discussion beginning this evening, October 14 and 21 at 6:15pm in the fellowship hall.

TOY JOY IS COMING!

Toy Joy is happening on November 14 and as always, we count on our devoted church members and friends to make this special day happen for our guests. We ask that all volunteers inside the building be no younger than middle school age students. We'll be having a hospitality area in the rear parking lot (offering refreshments to our guests as

they finish their shopping) again this year that will be staffed by our elementary and preschool age children and their families. If you and your children would like to volunteer for a one hour slot, please contact Lynn Lingafelt.  

We do have a new opportunity for our current 5th graders and their parents this year. In an effort to give them some on-the-job training, we're offering them the chance to work a regular shift in the building with one parent who would stay with them the entire time. We hope that this will give them the chance to see how the process works before they become old enough to volunteer on their own next year. If you and your child would like to do this, please put both your name and your 5th grader's on the Signup Genius in your preferred time slot.

The SignUp Genius link will give you the option of signing up for the morning and/or afternoon session. If you're able to work both sessions, lunch will be provided. If you speak Spanish and can serve as a translator/shepherd, or need to have a job that doesn't require you to be on your feet most of the time, please indicate that in the comments. We will assign you to a specific task and let you know where you'll be stationed a few days before the event. There is also a need for volunteers on November 13 to come in and help set up, so that information will be on the signup as well.  

We do have one more gently used toy drop-off day which is this Sunday, October 18, in the fellowship hall from 9:30am–12:30pm. Please make sure that toys are clean and have all their pieces and parts; labeling games and puzzles as "complete" is very helpful. New toys are accepted that day as well, or you may check out the wish lists below and have the gifts shipped directly to the church. Don't like to shop or have the time to do so? The Toy Joy team is happy to shop for you with your check made out to First Baptist with Toy Joy in the memo line. Checks can be dropped off in the finance office.

Amazon wish-list

Target wish-list

Also, we'd be happy to receive your leftover Halloween candy this year to add to the food bags that each family will receive. You may bring your donations to the church on Sunday, November 1, or Wednesday, November 4, and place them in the donation bins in the cabinet in the Lewis Lobby.

The Toy Joy team is looking forward to your help this year as we work together to serve the families who will receive the Christmas presents that have been donated for their children. Questions? Please email Anne Cooke.

DEACON ELECTIONS

Per the bylaws, the election of deacons will take place during the month of October. Ballots will be available each Sunday in October and each member may vote for up to eight men and eight women. Beginning this Sunday, ballots will be in the library, the Gathering Room, the narthex, and in the Lewis Lobby; you may also obtain an electronic version from the website or later issues of Rose Window Weekly. The box for ballots will be on the long counter in the library. If you choose to mail yours in, please do so well before the end of the month. On Sunday, October 25, the tellers appointed by the chair will gather to count the ballots, and the chair and vice-chair will then notify those selected.

Click here for a ballot, which has a list of deacons and their spouses who are not eligible based on the bylaws, as well as others who have asked not to be considered for election. Please give thoughtful and prayerful consideration as you participate in the deacon election process.

OFFICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Over time, we have been fortunate to have many wonderful volunteers to work in the church office performing receptionist functions, answering the phone and responding to people who buzz at the door. But periodically, we have a need to ask for more help, and this is such a time.

It is a fairly straightforward yet critical role because these volunteers are the first contact many people have with our church, the first sign of who we are. Volunteers not only greet people who call or stop by the church in a warm and gracious manner, they free church staff to do other important work. And they become a vital part of the ministry team, inevitably closer to the staff and church family.

If you might be able to help us in this way or perhaps have questions about the role, please contact Jennie Herrick by email, call the office at 919-832-4485, or stop by the office. We deeply appreciate your consideration of this important role. – Christopher C.F. Chapman

FBC COLLEGE STUDENTS START BIBLE STUDY AT NCSU

FBC college students Jay Foster and Charlotte Phillips have started a Bible study at NC State University, and they are encouraging other students from NCSU and local colleges to join. The group meets every Thursday at 6pm in front of the Witherspoon Student Center on the State campus.

Jay said he and Charlotte, who were in the church youth group together, decided to start this Bible study because they wanted to stay connected to the FBC church community, and to their faith, while attending college. "We were sad and scared of the prospect of having no college ministry at all, as it has struggled for the past several years, so we took it upon ourselves to create one," he said.

Upon reading the recent article written about Frances Shell and her impact in creating and leading a college ministry, described in the most recent edition of First Foundations, some church members felt compelled to rekindle the same community for our current college-age members. Dorothy Holley has created a secret buddy program where participating college students receive letters from members of the church, whom they will then meet in person at the end of the year, to help them stay connected to our community

"They have helped a lot with the planning meetings, and Bob is currently leading our weekly bible study," Jay said, also crediting his parents (Jen and Derek Foster) and Charlotte's parents (Hope and Brett Phillips) for encouraging them to move forward with plans for the Bible study. Other supporters include Lynn Lingafelt and Jennifer Talley, who have provided meals.

So far, the group has met for four weeks and has included Jay, Charlotte, along with their friends from NCSU and friends from nearby Meredith College. "We are continually reaching out to other FBC college students as well, and we hope to grow the group as a whole as time goes on. But in short, anyone who wishes to come, FBC affiliated or not, is more than welcome," Jay said. "We are able to get consistent attendance from people that we invite, and we are optimistic that it will continue to be a viable endeavor."

While the group meets, laughs, and has hard conversations, they enjoy a meal together, graciously provided by church members on a rotating volunteer basis. If anyone wishes to assist in providing meals, help would be greatly appreciated! You can sign up here. The continued support for this endeavor is greatly appreciated by the current college students and those leading this program. Please feel free to contact Jay Foster with any questions you may have by phone (919-906-1824) or by email. - Will Woodson

CROP WALK 2026

The Greater Triangle Area CROP Hunger Walk is our October church-wide mission project and it starts and ends at First Baptist parking lot on Sunday, October 25. Funds raised support local agencies and the international work of Church World Service (CWS). First Baptist is a also primary sponsor of the GTA CROP Hunger Walk through the Day Mission Fund.

The Walk route is either a three-mile walk through Oakwood and back to the church or a shorter one-mile walk, also ending at the church. The thank-you gift for participating this year is a high-quality shopping bag. So you can walk (for the statement it makes, for community, and health benefits), donate to support local agencies and CWS financially (and they need it!) and raise funds from friends, family, co-workers, and fellow church members (increases YOUR support).

Please register as an FBC team member. (You may join the FBC Team here.) On Walk day, you will need to sign up at 2pm with the walk beginning at 3pm. Those who come at 2pm and shortly thereafter will be able to help us assemble over 200 hygiene kits to be distributed by CWS in disaster areas. The assembling goes fast!

Please consider donating when you register. Having your donation next to your name on the team encouragers other people to donate. If not walking, you may donate to support any walker by clicking here and searching for the walker, or you may also make a general donation to our team.

You may also donate through Vanco Online or use the credit card pad in the office. If you prefer to write a check, please make it payable to FBC and write "CROP Walk" in the memo line and either place it in the offering plate or mail it to the financial administrator (FBC, 99 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, 27603). Donations for this year's Walk will be accepted through December 31.

DECORATE YOUR TRUNK!

We need your help! The Social Committee is looking for 14 decorated trunks for our first-ever “Trunk or Treat” event. This can be individuals, families, Sunday School classes, friends, or whatever combination it takes to get a vehicle decorated for Friday, October 30 from 5:30-7pm. Decorations can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like, and you’re welcome to include a fun game or activity at your car, too! All participating cars should be parked and in place by 5pm so we’re ready for the festivities to kick-off at 5:30pm. Trunk-or-Treat cars will be located in the middle section of the church parking lot.

We are also looking for donations of cakes, pies, cookies, or cupcakes for our cake walk! If you are able to donate one of those goodies, please email Lynn Loomis.

And Also With 'Cue will be set up in their usual spot, serving up BBQ for dinner. In addition to trunk-or-treat, we'll have all the Fall Festival games, activities, crafts, and fun for all ages. Sign-up to decorate your trunk here!

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

We would love for you to join us for a mid-week meal! The supper line is open each Wednesday night, 5–6pm. You may reserve your spot at this link on the website or by calling the church office. Please note that everyone eating Wednesday night supper must check in with our volunteer collection team before receiving their meal. Even if you have pre-paid online, please check-in with our volunteer. We accept cash, checks, or credit cards. Click here to pre-pay for your meal via Paypal.



Ages 0–3: Free

Ages 4-12: $4

Adults (over 12): $8

Family cap: $24

The menus for upcoming Wednesday night suppers are as follows (all meals come with salad and bread):

October 14: chicken stir fry with rice and veggies; vegetarian option: veggie stir fry with rice; kids: pork egg rolls with rice and veggies

October 21: chili with baked potatoes with toppings (sour cream cheese chives, bacon bits); vegetarian option: vegetarian chili

October 28: baked ziti with garlic bread; vegetarian option: baked ziti (no meat) with garlic bread

THIRTY-NINERS WEEKLY GATHERINGS

Join us Thursdays at 10:30am in the fellowship hall for interesting speakers, mission projects, and occasionally, a program that's a little out of the ordinary.

We also have an outing each month, but mostly we enjoy spending time together, learning something new and useful, and always ending with a meal.

October

15: Play—Singin’ in the Rain, Sr. Cantey V. Sutton Theatre, Raleigh Little Theatre (301 Pogue Street); 2pm; meet at FBC at 1pm to carpool

22: Lunch outing—Captain Stanley’s Calabash Seafood (3333 S. Wilmington Street);

11:30 reservations; meet at FBC at 11am to carpool

29: Halloween Trick-or-Treat visit with Weekday Preschool and ITC

BIBLE VERSES FOR DAILY USE

• Wednesday, October 14: Psalm 97; 2 Kings 17:7-20; John 6:25-35
• Thursday, October 15: Psalm 99; Exodus 33:7-11; 3 John 9-12
• Friday, October 16: Psalm 99; Exodus 31:1-11; 1 Peter 5:1-5
• Saturday, October 17: Psalm 99; Exodus 39:32-43; Matthew 14:1-12
• Sunday, October 18: Exodus 33:12-23 and Psalm 99; Isaiah 45:1-7 and Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13); 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22
• Monday, October 19: Psalm 63:1-8; Exodus 40:34-38; Revelation 18:1-10, 19-20
• Tuesday, October 20: Psalm 63:1-8; Numbers 12:1-9; Revelation 18:21-24
• Wednesday, October 21: Psalm 63:1-8; Numbers 13:1-2, 17-14:9; Matthew 17:22-27

AAWC'S WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Each week, we post And Also with 'Cue's weekly schedule here in Rose Window Weekly as well as on our Facebook page to let you know our lunch schedule and if there will be outside events on the weekend for you to attend.



Week of October 14:

Wednesday — church parking lot, 11am–1pm

Saturday — Regency neighborhood in Cary, 5–7pm

AMONG OUR FAMILY

A link to the entire prayer list may be found below.

Please use your church directory for mailing addresses.



Prayer List • October 13

WELCOME, NEW MEMBER!

Peyton Desporte joined the church on Sunday, October 11, by statement of previous baptism and membership in another church. Welcome, Peyton!