October 15, 2026

Greetings!

At our Congregation Staff Retreat this weekend, I will lead the staff through a Bible study in the book of Ephesians. Some theologians have described Ephesians as the constitution of the Church. It’s one of the best explanations in the Bible of what the Church is supposed to be and do.

So, what is the Church supposed to be? Throughout the letter to the Ephesians, Paul uses several images to describe the Church: a family, a body, and a building. Something these three things have in common is that each of them is one thing, made up of many individual and diverse parts, working together for a purpose.

And what is that purpose? To glorify God. “Glory” in the Bible refers to God’s real, powerful presence showing up in the world. So, to glorify God means to reveal God’s presence, to reveal the reality of God’s powerful love at work in the world.

As a church, then, according to Ephesians, The Congregation at Duke Chapel is a body (a family, a building) made up of many individual and diverse parts whose purpose is to glorify God together.

What does it look like for the Congregation to glorify God in a practical, day-to-day sense? It looks like children gathered in a circle to learn the stories of our faith. Youth cutting out pictures from magazines to describe how each of them has been created in God’s image. Adults with open Bibles discussing what it means to be the Church. Hundreds of strangers and friends participating in communion on a Sunday morning. People cooking and serving lasagnas to those in need. Gathering on Zoom to discuss what God and others are teaching us through an author’s insights and experiences. People of all ages spending a few days together at a retreat center to have fun, learn, and worship God. These are all opportunities for us to be transformed into Christ’s likeness so that we can reveal God’s love to one another and the world.

As we continue through our stewardship campaign, “A Future with Hope,” remember that we are all part of this body. Your contributions of time, money and energy make it possible for us to fulfill the purpose to which we’ve been called. Thank you for considering how you can invest in this work of glorifying God through the ministries of the Congregation over the coming year.

Blessings,

Mindy Erdmann

Pastoral Assistant for Youth and Young Adults

JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR THE CONGREGATION'S ANNUAL PICNIC!

Join us this Sunday, October 18, from 4–6 p.m. at Piney Wood Park (400 E. Woodcroft Parkway, Durham) for an afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun!

The Fellowship Committee will provide a taco spread featuring beef and chicken, hard and soft tortillas, rice, beans, chips, salsa, guacamole, and queso.

You’re welcome to bring a dessert to share, but it’s entirely optional. We also encourage everyone to bring a reusable water bottle to help reduce waste. We’ll have jugs of water available for refills.

Delilah will lead an activity for children, and there’s a playground for them to enjoy, too!

Come hungry, bring the family, and spend the afternoon connecting with your Congregation community. Whether you’re catching up with familiar faces or making new friends, we look forward to seeing you there!

OCTOBER BACK PEW COLLECTION

SEEDS is a two-acre urban garden and kitchen classroom in the heart of downtown Durham. Founded in 1994 by beloved congregation member Brenda Brodie, SEEDS empowers youth to respect life, the earth, and one another through growing, cooking, and sharing food. The organization offers summer camps, high school internships, and field trips.

Please consider supporting SEEDS during our October Back Pew Collection. Items from their wish list are especially helpful, and you may choose to purchase from Amazon or another retailer.

Donations will be collected this Sunday, October 18.

View the SEEDS Wish List here.

ADULT FORUM

Adult Forum welcomes a variety of guest speakers who share thought-provoking presentations and discussions on topics ranging from biblical studies and current social issues to mission work. Join us in person in Westbrook, Lower Level Room 0012, or online via Zoom.

To learn more about our upcoming speakers and their topics, please use this link.

October 18: Dr. Meredith Riedel, a scholar of the history of Christianity - "Hope for Today" (Psalm 16:9).

ADULT BIBLE STUDY

Join us for our ongoing 8-week study exploring Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, including Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. What do we do with our Christian faith when surrounded by neighborhoods of chaos? Join us for a discussion on God and meaning as we explore these ancient texts and their relevance for our lives today. The Adult Bible Study is led by Congregation intern Jia Cummings. Class meets in person in Westbrook 0012 and by Zoom.

A FUTURE WITH HOPE STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

Jeremiah 29:11: For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

First, a huge thank you for the many gifts to the Congregation of your time, talents and financial resources during our fiscal year ended June 30th! The Congregation ended its accounting year in good standing thanks to your generosity, with financial gifts received totaling just over $389,000.

As we enter our 2027 stewardship campaign season, our current fiscal year financial giving for the quarter ended September 30th is approximately $105,000, inclusive of a significant one-time financial gift. Thus, this year’s 3-month giving is significantly greater than at the same point last fiscal year. The graph below compares first quarter giving over the last 4 years:

The sole source of the Congregation’s financial support is the generosity of its members and friends. The Congregation receives no monetary support from Duke University or any of its endowments.

Gifts may be made:

• Online via the link at the end of this newsletter, or

• Via check made payable to The Congregation at Duke Chapel and (1) placed in the offering plate or (2) mailed to The Congregation at Duke Chapel, Box 90974, Durham, NC 27708.

2027 pledges:

• Online at https://congregationatdukechapel.breezechms.com/form/4032a03439

• Alternatively, by 2027 pledge cards available on Sunday mornings (1) at Chapel entrances, (2) in the adult education area, or (3) by email request to the Congregation office at congregation@duke.edu.

Generous God, guide each of us to consider a financial commitment that reflects our faith, expresses our gratitude, and meaningfully supports A Future with Hope. Amen.

YOUNG ADULT FELLOWSHIP RETURNS OCTOBER 19!

We’re excited to welcome back the Young Adult Fellowship at the Congregation! Beginning Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., and continuing the first and third Mondays of each month, young adults are invited to gather in the kitchen of the Chapel basement for an evening of food, fellowship, and faith formation.

Dinner will be provided, and all who consider themselves young adults are welcome! Whether you're looking to build new friendships, deepen your faith, or simply find a place of connection and community, we hope you'll join us.

For questions or more info, contact the Congregation office (congregation@duke.edu), Jia Cummings, or Kate Courtney.

HEAVENLY HUGS HAT MINISTRY

As part of Winter Gifting from Heavenly Hugs Hat Ministry, these knitted items have been mailed to World Vision/Knit For Kids: nine sweaters, and five baby blankets with matching hats. Many thanks to Claudia Haskins for organizing this effort. If you knit or crochet and would like to contribute to this ministry, please contact Tamela Davis.

GOOD NEWS! ALL FOOD BANK VOLUNTEERS SLOTS ARE FILLED

Thank you to everyone who signed up to serve with the Congregation at Duke University Chapel at the Food Bank CENC on Saturday, October 24, from 9:00–11:30 a.m. We’re excited to have a full group of volunteers ready to help sort and pack food for local families experiencing food insecurity.

Each volunteer shift helps provide more than 160 meals for our neighbors in need, and we’re grateful for everyone who signed up to make a difference!

HELP SERVE DINNER AT URBAN MINISTRIES DURHAM

Join the Congregation on Wednesday, October 28, as we prepare and serve dinner for our neighbors at Urban Ministries Durham. This monthly outreach is a simple but meaningful way to offer a warm meal, fellowship, and care to members of our Durham community.

There are several ways to get involved:

Cook: Prepare and deliver 1–2 party-size lasagnas, each serving approximately 12 people. Lasagnas should be delivered to 410 Liberty Street by 5:15 p.m. Our goal is to collect 18 lasagnas to help meet the growing need at the end of the month.

Serve: Volunteer from 6:00–7:00 p.m. to help serve dinner. We need six volunteers, and teens are welcome to participate!

Donate: Support the meal by contributing toward the cost of a lasagna. A lasagna serving 12 people costs approximately $15. Every contribution helps us provide a nourishing meal to our neighbors.

Ready to volunteer or sign up to cook? Sign up here.

Questions or would like to donate? Contact Nancy Wawrousek.

Thank you for helping us extend hospitality and compassion to our Durham neighbors!

SAVE THE DATE - CONGREGATION OVERNIGHT RETREAT

Join us June 4–6, 2027, at Caraway Conference Center for a special weekend away filled with fellowship, connection, and time together as a congregation. All ages are welcome!



Stay tuned for more details and registration.

JOYS AND CONCERNS

Ann King: Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she prepares for an upcoming surgery.

Sydnor Patrick: Now at home following a brief hospitalization and gallbladder surgery.

Hugh Knapp: At home recovering well from heart procedure.

Kimberley Caulfeild: At Duke Hospital following a stroke on 10/3.

Layne Baker: Remains in Pettigrew Rehabilitation Center.

CHECK OUT EACH COMMITTEE'S MEETING

Committee Meetings listed below are open to all who wish to attend

Stewardship & Finance Committee

📍 Via Zoom

The Stewardship & Finance Committee meets on the Tuesday before the 3rd Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Education Committee

📍Chapel Kitchen

The Education Committee meets every 4th Sunday after worship at 12:15pm in the Chapel Kitchen.

Visitation & Care Ministry

📍 Congregation Office

The Visitation & Care Ministry meets every other month.

Administration Committee

📍In Person and via Zoom

The Administration Committee meets the 1st Tuesday of the month immediately following in person and via Zoom.



Fellowship Committee

📍Congregation Office

The Fellowship Committee meets every 1st Sunday immediately following worship in the Congregation Office. The next meeting is Sunday, November 1.

Mission & Outreach Committee

📍 Chapel Kitchen

The Mission & Outreach Committee meets every 1st Sunday immediately following worship in the Chapel Kitchen. The next meeting is Sunday, November 1.

Racial Equity Group

📍 In person and via Zoom

The Racial Equity Group meets the 1st Thursday of every month. Please contact Mindy for meeting location and with any question.

eNEWS SUBMISSION REMINDER



All committees’ completed eNews submissions are due to Kirsten Ford by Monday at 5:00 PM.