The Binkley Weekly Update
November 6, 2026
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From Our Executive Minister:
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Happy Friday Binkley Family,
This week we are so pleased to welcome our own Amy Leigh Brown to the pulpit. She'll be preaching from an apocryphal text, The Wisdom of Solomon. I'm excited to hear her thoughts on a text many of us will be unfamiliar with. She'll be exploring the topic of wisdom and spiritual transformation. Part of the Christian life is walking and growing in wisdom our whole lives long. Wisdom isn't a quality we possess, it's a skill we put to practice in our lives and in our relationships.
One of the most beautiful sources of wisdom we have is found in our faith community-- with its diversity of perspectives and its deep well of experience. As we move through this period of transition, supporting one another and ministering to each other, I pray that we will remember this truth: everyone has something to teach us, from the youngest to the oldest members.
Next week is what we call our "Walk of Faith Sunday," or more commonly, Pledge Sunday. It'll be a time to consider our commitment to this beautiful community and to listen for God's voice leading us toward how we may faithfully respond. Please consider how your pledge, your time, and your talents can strengthen Binkley as we do the important work of seeking God's will and direction in 2027 and beyond.
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 Transition Team has wrapped up seven listening sessions, engaging more than 35 Binkley members and friends in the group sessions. If you have not had the opportunity to connect with us in a listening session, individual conversation or over email - or you have an additional thought - we continue to be available and have a NEW way for you to share your thoughts:
We now have a Together in Transition Dropbox in the Narthex, where you can drop anonymous feedback any time. We will check this box at least once a week.
As always, we genuinely invite your engagement. Reach out to the team via transition@binkleychurch.org if you want to discuss anything further.
We heard from you, and here’s what we heard…
- 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
Your involvement in this process is valuable and appreciated - it is necessary for our success as a Church. 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 8 will be on Chapter 4 – the Creation Stories. 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:
"Frequently, adults can be heard to say: ' Oh, I wish I were a child again! I would have no cares!' Actually, children do have cares, and even worries. The Bluejays Sunday School Class this week will be talking about their cares and worries. The children will listen to the words of Jesus in Matthew 6: 24-34 in which Jesus tells us not to worry because God takes care of us. Then, we will talk about how to keep from worrying. Next, the book The Good Egg, by Jory John will be read. In this story the Good Egg learns to enjoy his life more by not worrying.
Snack will be deviled eggs!"
| | Children & Youth Activities | | |
November 8:
Children:
Chapel @ 9
Sunday School @9:45
Worship with Children@ 11
Youth:
Chapel @ 9
Sunday School@ 9:45
Worship @ 11
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November 15:
Children:
Chapel @ 9
Sunday School @9:45
Worship @ 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. | | |
Recent article in the Daily Tar Heel about Binkley's Medical Debt Relief fund.
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Binkley Senior Adult Ministry Updates
from Diane Eubanks Hill, Minister with Senior Adults
Earlier this month, we gathered on my porch for brunch and to reflect on our reading of Parker Palmer’s On the Brink of Everything. Sharing our thoughts about this book provided a great opportunity for nourishing connections with our Binkley friends. The Planning Team is in the process of considering the next book for focus. Please feel free to offer suggestions to a member of the Team. I am considering 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.
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 on November 9. 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.
| More about Kristin Bradley-Bull here. | |
Save the Date! The Binkley Alternative Gift Fair and Holiday Party is set for Sunday December 6, following the 11am worship service. Open to the community and other faith partners, we have dozens of vendors (and excellent causes to support), festive music and food. Give the Gift that Gives back!
The Medical Debt Relief Working Group is collecting holiday apparel and new or gently used decorations that will be used to support the Marcus McFaul Medical Debt Relief Fund. (contact Carol Miller for more information, cmillerlong@gmail.com or 202-378-7662).
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5 Calls
Make your voice heard.
5 Calls is the easiest and most effective way for U.S. constituents to make a political impact.
For more information, and to start calling,
here is the website:
https://5calls.org/
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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. | | |
Ecumenical Prayer Opportunity
The Chapel of the Cross Centering sprayer Group is offering an opportunity for silent prayer this weekend. Centering Prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer which deepens our relationship with God, the Indwelling Presence. If you long for a deeper relationship with God, if you are attracted to silence, or if you want to experience the fruit of the Spirit in your daily life in new ways, please join us for an in person Centering Prayer gathering. This gathering will include time for fellowship, a brief introduction to Centering Prayer, two silent prayer sessions and Lectio Divina. All are welcome, and no prior experience is needed. Please contact Janet ONeal for more information (text 919-880-2509).
Centering Prayer
at The Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church
We will meet in the Choir Room located on the 3rd Floor
Saturday, November 7, 2026
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
9:00 - 9:30 Fellowship
9:30 - 10 First Silent Prayer
10 - 10:30 Lectio Divina
10:30 - 10:45 Break
10:45 - 11:15 Second Silent Prayer
11:15 Closing Prayer
11:30 Adjournment
Parking is available and free on weekends at the Morehead Planetarium Lot adjacent to the church. Thank you
ALL are Welcome!
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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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