Fellowship Friday - October 30, 2020

And before you know it, October comes to a close. I don't know about you, but it seems to be the adage similar to living with a newborn: The days are long but the weeks are short.

On Wednesday as I listened to another press conference with the governor about the state of the state and all going on with COVID, they rattled off what number day it was that we have been in restrictions of some sort...and it was well into the 200's. With that earworm I felt a pang of grief and sadness, thinking: what have I/we been missing? What could we be doing? What should we be doing? That "devil on my shoulder" was quickly countered by the "angel" saying, "Don't 'should' yourself to death...you are right where you need to be."

My Siblings in Faith, we are living in a very difficult time. There are many things for which to feel anxious and grieve: the loss of time, the loss of plans made, the shifts in the upcoming holidays, the election next week, the cultural divides playing out on tv daily. But each of us is right where we need to be right now.

We are apart now so that, when we do come together, we can all gather safely. The session affirmed the recommendation of the Getting Back to Normal Task Force, agreeing that we should not consider coming back together inside for worship until at least January. So yes - that means that Christmas Eve celebrations will look different this year. And yes - that is also something to grieve.

Rev. Dr. Jill Duffield, current editor of The Presbyterian Outlook and soon-to-be head of staff at First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, commented that this year's All Saints' Sunday is one that is particularly important. In her weekly editorial, she writes, "I know I need space to both mourn and rejoice with abandon, lamenting death but also celebrating the gift of life. I need All Saints' Day this year because I need that great cloud of witnesses to speak from the grave and tell me that there is more than meets the eye this year. God's liberation comes after the plagues. Weeping lingers for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

May we set aside this Sunday's worship service and recognition of All Saints' Sunday as one that allows for us to hold in tension both grieving and rejoicing. And for those who are grieving for whatever reason, I leave you with this prayer from my friend and colleague, Rev. Jo Owens:

I look forward to "seeing" you for worship with communion this Sunday and afterwards for the Food Drive! And don't forget to set your clocks to Fall Back!

Until then,

Pastor Kathryn

Sunday (Virtual) Worship Information

Worship via Zoom requires a password - please see below.

Sunday worship is available though Facebook Live and Zoom.

Worshipping via Zoom allows for worship participants to, at the least, see each other during worship, should a participant join through computer. Zoom also allows for worship participants to join by phone, should they not have access to a computer.

To join by phone, there are six options to call:

+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

When you dial in you will be asked for a meeting ID number: enter 847 7231 7808. The password is: 658602. Depending on the time you dial in, you may not hear anything to start with. When the Prelude begins, you will hear audio.

To access worship by Zoom via computer, please click here. (If you'd prefer to access the worship service through the Zoom website, please enter Meeting ID 847 7231 7808 - the password is: 658602.)

To access worship by Facebook Live, please click here.

Don't forget - you can access this week's bulletin via the church's website or by clicking here.

THIS Sunday, November 1st

Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 1, at 2 am. Make sure to “Fall Back” and set your clocks back an hour or you’ll be early for worship!

All Saints Sunday – a day in our worship calendar when we recognize and celebrate those whom we love who have died.

Communion will be celebrated during worship – please make sure to have bread and juice on hand to fully celebrate in the meal together.

Food Drive and Pennies for Hunger collection will take place immediately following worship until noon. Please plan to drop off canned goods and nonperishable items (including Mac and Cheese, Canned Fruit, and Peanut Butter) for Greensboro Urban Ministry and change for Salem Presbytery’s Pennies for Hunger.

A meeting of the Congregation of Fellowship Presbyterian Church will be held Sunday, November 8, 2020 during the 9:30 AM worship via Facebook Live and Zoom, 2005 New Garden Road, Greensboro, NC, for the purpose of electing Elders.

– Julie Davis, Clerk of Session

Roof work begins next week. Crews will work to re-shingle the sanctuary and make other roof improvements beginning November 2nd. A majority of the cost is covered by insurance. The church will spend $11,000.00 to cover costs remaining. Building funds are on hand to cover our cost, but your gift to replenish the fund would be greatly welcomed.

New Member Class Forming!

Do you consider yourself a part of this Fellowship Family but have never "officially" joined? Do you know someone who you think would like to be a part of this Fellowship Family? Thanks to the virtual nature of our worshipping community, you do not have to live in Greensboro to be considered part of this great family of faith. The first of the New Member classes will be Wednesday, November 4, from 6:30-8 pm via Zoom. If you would like more information, please contact Jeanie Harrison or Carol Morgan, co-chairs of the Outreach Committee or talk to Pastor Kathryn.

Women's Bible Study Update

Fellowship’s Women’s Bible Study new study, Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado began October 6th via Zoom. This is a twelve-week study which will be split by a break for the holiday season. Each participant is encouraged to purchase her own study guide ($7.55) AND book ($12.56) for this series. All women are invited; if interested, please contact Mimi Carter.

Text Link

This year as in the past, Fellowship will be providing a Thanksgiving feast for 10 refugee families in Greensboro. In order to welcome these new residents of Greensboro we will deliver food items that are both traditional American Thanksgiving foods as well as foods they are most familiar with.

The items listed below may be donated before Friday, November 20:

Jasmine rice

Potatoes

Onions

Vegetable Oil

Garlic

Because much of what is needed requires purchase just prior to delivery, you may also provide monetary donations so the Mission Committee can make those purchases like turkeys, fresh fruit, and other vegetables. Please label your contributions "Thanksgiving Feast." Thank you!

Beer and Hymns: the next installment of Beer and Hymns is next Sunday afternoon at Oden Brewing Company from 3-4:30 pm. Entirely outdoors at their location (804 W. Gate City Blvd), participants are asked to bring their own seating and wear facemasks. The event will also be streamed through Facebook Live. For more information, please visit the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/greensborobeerandhymns/

Chef Traci Rankins, the newest member of our Fellowship Family, is a world-class chef. She is selling scratch-made pumpkin pies for this fall season in time for Thanksgiving. Each 9-inch pie is $25 plus tax and will be delivered on Saturdays in November and on Wednesday, November 25th, in time for Thanksgiving. Please call or email Traci directly at (336)337-8682 or email her.

Traci is donating 10% of all of sales directly to the church!

Creative Hearts & Hands is having a special holiday fundraiser. Holiday-themed facemasks with filters and a wire nose-bridge will be available from Nora Burleson for $5 each. Proceeds will go to the Creative Hearts & Hands Fund. Please call Nora at (336)375-5518 to order your masks. Pick up and payment will be through the church office.

Masks make great stocking stuffers for 2020!

Worship and Building Use Update – October 27, 2020

Part 1: Worship

With the Fellowship Family's health in mind, in conjunction with the CDC, World Health Organization, and Gov. Roy Cooper's office, the Session decided that virtual worship will continue through the current streaming platforms through at least the month of December - Session will reevaluate at its December meeting and make its decision on a month-to-month basis. Not only will worship continue to be available through Facebook Live, but will also be streaming through Zoom, should members of the Fellowship Family want to see each other.

Part 2: Building Usage

As of September 28^th, the church will allow approved meetings with groups of 25 or less, with the following requirements:

Everyone who comes into the building MUST wear a mask
Each meeting must be approved by the church office.
The meeting room and restrooms are the only areas that are available. It is recommended that one person utilize the restroom at a time
Each meeting must have a host, who is responsible for:
Preparing the room
Asking all attendees the following health questions, which must each be answered in the negative:
Have you been around anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19?
Do you have a fever or felt feverish in the past 14-21 days?
Do you have shortness of breath or other difficulty breathing?
Do you have a cough?
Are you suffering from other flu-like symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset, headache or fatigue?
Have you experienced a recent loss of taste or smell?
Have you traveled to any regions affected by COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
Taking attendees’ temperature (touchless thermometer is available at the front door with the check-in sheet)
All attendees will complete a sign-in sheet which will be kept in a notebook on the welcome kiosk outside the Day School Office.
Explaining the requirements of attendance.
Cleaning the room after the meeting (cleaning supplies available in the meeting rooms)
Hosts will need to inform attendees that they may bring their own bottled drinks, but they must take the container home with them. No food or drink may be provided.
The staff of FPC continue to work hard in the office. Should you need to come to the office to speak with any of them, please plan to abide by the same guidelines as for groups, including wearing a mask and signing in at the kiosk outside of the Day School's office door.

Should you have any questions regarding the session's decision, please contact Julie Davis, Clerk of Session, or Pastor Kathryn.

This Week’s Events

November 1, 9:30am: All Saints Worship with Communion on Facebook Live and Zoom
November 1, 11am-12pm: Greensboro Urban Ministry & Pennies for Hunger Offering Collection
November 2, 6pm: Outreach Committee via Zoom
November 2, 7:30 pm: Worship Committee via Zoom
November 3: Election Day. Please vote. Call the church if you need a ride.
November 3, 6:30pm: Women’s Bible Study via Zoom
November 4, 7am: Men's Faith Exploration Study @ Panera Bread (Lawndale)
November 4, 6:30 – 8pm: New Member Class via Zoom
November 5, 9am & 1:30pm: Meyler Oil in the Fellowship Hall
November 8, 9:30am: Worship on Facebook Live and Zoom
November 8, 11am-12pm: New members meet with Session via Zoom
November 8, 3-4:30 pm: Beer and Hymns at Oden Brewing Company (and via Facebook Live)

Congregational Cares and Concerns

Pray for Joyce Berger, Kandee Spain's mother, recently diagnosed with dementia.
We pray for those who have been affected by COVID-19. Several folks in our congregation have extended family members, nieces and nephews, diagnosed with positive Covid tests. This includes Bill Sweet’s cousin, Dee Pickering, who is recovering at home in Kansas City; Linda Ueland's nephew Justin Tubb, quarantined at home in Greensboro.
Nancy Baughman is awaiting test results.
Terry Anderson extensive foot surgery went well. She is home recuperating and is expected to be off work for 2 weeks, after that the doctor will determine if it will extend as far as 3 months to heal properly.
Carol Morgan continues to improve from back surgery.
Bruce Weaver is receiving treatment for bone cancer.
Prayers for our homebound: Ruth Trace and Lea Groves.
Carrie Simpkins, and her children Nola, Fin, Brooks and baby Hutch are recovering from serious injuries sustained in a horrific car crash. Carrie is Corky Cotter’s daughter and niece to Donna Steele.
Continued prayers are sought for: David Wood, Gwen Flowers, Dorothy Archambault, Ruth Steele, Tim King family, Bill Roane, and Roe Roe Tucker.
We continue to pray for essential workers – doctors, nurses, police, emergency personnel, custodial crews, grocery employees, and others who continue to put themselves at risk for the sake of the community’s success.
We pray for those across the country who are affected by racial injustice and events that occur because of it.
We pray for those across the country recently affected by storms and wildfires.