The Binkley Weekly Update
November 13, 2026
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From Our Executive Minister:
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Happy Friday Binklers!
This Sunday is our Walk of Faith Sunday here at Binkley, which is our Pledge Sunday. As we look ahead to making the budget for 2027, your pledges help guide our planning for everything from our support of our global ministry partners to our building maintenance initiatives! Please prayerfully consider what pledge you might make for 2027 so that we can ensure the strong future of our ministries in the days ahead.
The theme of this year's stewardship campaign has gone hand-in-hand with the focal scriptures prayerfully chosen by our stewardship chair, Reverend Sheila Sholes-Ross. I'll be preaching on these this Sunday. One of them is Proverbs 3:5-6, a familiar text to many of us:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
In my church upbringing, I have heard this text misused or poorly interpreted to insist that the listeners "lean not on their own understanding," but instead lean on their pastor's understanding. The verse often made an appearance when someone was asking a pesky question that nobody knew how to answer! I see this text as doing the opposite: not discouraging questions, but actually discouraging easy answers.
For Binkley in a time of leadership transition, it's an especially poignant reminder that, though we may not know where the path ahead is leading us, we can trust the One walking it with us. We don't have to know exactly what the future holds in order to take the next faithful step.
I look forward to our time together.
Blessings,
Rev Kelsey
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Together in Transition Update
Interim Minister Position Posted
Tell your friends, share with your networks - the Interim Minister position is now posted. We invite applicants at this time and will review candidate materials on a rolling basis until filled. The posting can be found at http://binkleychurch.org/jobs and we ask candidates to submit their resume and cover letter to careers@binkleychurch.org.
In addition to the Binkley website, we are working to share the position across multiple Divinity School listservs to reach alumni, as well as with the Alliance of Baptists, Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, Center for Congregational Health, the Interim Ministry Network, and American Baptist Churches of the South and Transition Ministries. We encourage you to share with your networks!
We will soon start reviewing applications and preparing the interview structure. We are working with the HR Committee throughout to ensure our process is thorough and aligns with the Binkley standards.
We heard from you, and here’s what we heard…
In case you missed last week’s announcement, we wanted to share the primary themes shared in the listening sessions last month. The following five themes emerged from your hopes, concerns, and needs during this time of transition:
- Nurture community connection, care, and healing
- Support and protect staff capacity
- Foster youth, young adults, and intergenerational growth
- Desire for clarity in the transition process and communications
- Stewardship of financial and institutional health
To nurture community connection, care and healing for our congregation, your Transition Team will offer a time of worship on Sunday evening, November 29th, to acknowledge the transitions in our personal lives, in church community, and in our world. This service will allow us space and time to acknowledge what has been and look ahead to what is to come. We hope to create a space where together we offer our hopes, concerns, needs, and gifts for Spirit’s healing, nurturing, and transforming love.
If you have not had the opportunity to connect with us or you have additional thoughts, we continue to be available. Send us an email, stop us at Church, drop a note in the Together in Transition Dropbox in the Narthex. Your involvement in this process is valuable and appreciated - it is necessary for our success as a Church. Reach out to the team via transition@binkleychurch.org if you want to discuss anything further and please continue reading Together in Transition each week for updates as we move forward faithfully, thoughtfully, and together.
Transition Team
Jessica Stokes, Co‑Chair
Katie Cartmell, Co‑Chair
Nancy Cheek
Kevin Ramer
Carol Ripley-Moffitt
Matthew Ripley-Moffitt
Elizabeth Stroop
Binkley Leadership Team
Kelsey Vincent, Executive Minister
Alice Glover, Moderator
Alan Brown, Moderator‑Elect
Sue Wallace, Diaconate Chair
Roal Carlson, Diaconate Chair‑Elect
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CHRISTIAN FORMATION AT BINKLEY
Programs this Sunday
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Herman Greene and Mike Hawkins will continue their eight-week class based on Marcus Borg’s Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking
the Bible Seriously but Not Literally. The class on November 15 will be onChapter 5 – the Pentateuch. This class meets in the lounge.
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Ty Hagler and Remy Vincent are leading an intergenerational “Doodles and Discussions” class of indefinite duration in the Art Room. Adults and youth are welcome.
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Appeal for Adult Sunday School Leaders
Do you have an idea for a future Sunday School class? Would you like to lead a class?
If so, please contact Herman Greene, leader of Binkley Adult Christian formation at hfgreenenc@gmail.com or 919-480-0787 (m).
Areas for classes include Christian education, Life Skills, Spirituality/Art/Writing, Spirituality, and Current Events.
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The Children's Sunday School Lesson This week:
The Bluejays Sunday School Class will be learning what Jesus said about his followers being like salt and light. We will read Matthew 5: 1-12 from the Spark Story Bible. We will also read the book First Day Critter Jitters, by Jory John. In this book the characters become like salt or light to each other. We will conclude the lesson by having a conversation about how we can be like salt and light, too. Snack will be salty pretzels!
| | Children & Youth Activities | | |
November 15:
Children:
Chapel @ 9
Sunday School @9:45
Worship @ 11
Youth:
Chapel @ 9
Sunday School@ 9:45
Worship @ 11
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November 22:
Children:
Chapel @ 9
Sunday School @9:45
Worship with Children @ 11
Youth:
Chapel @ 9
Sunday School @9:45
Worship @ 11
| | Please remember to wear your name tag on Sundays! If you need a new one, there is a sign up on the welcome desk, and Beth Ann with get it made by the following week. | | | Worship @ 11:00 am, In-Person & Livestream | | | We will livestream the service at 11 am on our website, Facebook, and YouTube. You choose which platform works best for you. After the livestream has ended, you can view the service at your leisure on Facebook or YouTube. | |
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Binkley Senior Adult Ministry Updates
from Diane Eubanks Hill, Minister with Senior Adults
Following our October brunch and book discussion, the Senior Adult Planning Team is now in the process of considering the next book for focus. Please feel free to offer suggestions to a member of the Team. One possibility: Exuberance: The Passion for Life by Kay Redfield Jamison - one of the most fascinating books I've ever read! Has anyone read this book? Let me know what you think.
Be sure to take note and mark your calendars for upcoming events offered by Binkley’s Senior Adult Ministry. Remember that anyone interested, no matter the age, is invited to participate. Feel free to invite friends!
Aging in Community led by April Kemper gathers next at 10:30 on Wednesday, November 18 in the Sun Room. At this gathering you are invited to share one thing for which you are grateful. If you’d enjoy bringing a food item to share, please feel free to do so. Contact April with questions or ideas (aek913@gmail.com). Drop-ins are always welcome.
New Diagnoses and Treatments for Alzheimer’s - Wednesday, December 2, 11:00 a.m., concluding with lunch. Plan now to join this conversation with Duke geriatrician Mitch Heflin, MD. We are grateful to Dr. Heflin for his willingness to share his time and expertise with us. It’s time to make lunch reservations here or by calling the church office. (919-942-4964) by Monday, November 30. The meal will be provided by Alpaca, and a $10 contribution is suggested.
2026 Christmas Sing-Along – Wednesday, December 16, 10:30 a.m. Join this time of joyful singing and connections with your Binkley church family, followed by the always scrump-dilly-icious lunch provided by Karin and Linda! Please make your reservation for this meal here, or by calling the church office (919-942-4964) by Monday, December 14. A $10 contribution is suggested for this meal. Many thanks to our Minister of Music Sally Molineux for once again planning and leading this annual Binkley event!
The Senior Adult Planning Team meets next in January. All events offered by Binkley’s Senior Adult Ministry are open to anyone interested, no matter the age. Questions or ideas? Contact a Senior Adult Planning Team member: Ann Brock, Tonya Hamm, Buck Horton, April Kemper, Denise Laux, Craig Meisner, Elizabeth Perry, Betty Prioux, Sheryl Scrimsher, Dennis Will or Diane Eubanks Hill, Minister with Senior Adults.
| Waiting List Only is available for the Quiet Weekend. All Slots Filled. | More about Kristin Bradley-Bull here. | |
Join with people of faith around the world for a simulcast showing of “Last Christian in Bethlehem,” a new film featuring the lived experiences of Palestine’s remaining 50,000 Christians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This film shares the sights, sounds, struggles, and steadfast faithfulness of a sacred pilgrimage. Hosted in Bethlehem with featured guests, our presence at this viewing lets the Palestinian community know they are not forgotten, nor abandoned.
Binkley Fellowship Hall
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Our Wider Community
Click the links for more information
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Support Binkley Preschool
Click HERE to learn the various ways you can support Binkley preschool through linking loyalty cards, purchasing from specific merchants, and purchasing holiday greenery.
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IFC Newsletter available here. | | |
Submissions for the December Newsletter are due by:
November 16th
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Submissions for the weekly bulletin and Friday Update are due by:
Wednesday at Noon
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