The Binkley Weekly Update
October 23, 2026
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From Our Executive Minister:
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Happy Friday, Binklers!
I hope you've enjoyed this beautiful week of cool fall weather and are planning to join us for worship on Sunday.
I'll be preaching on a beautiful, familiar text: Matthew 22:34-46. It's the text in which Jesus sums up the law and the prophets into the most important commandments: Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Sometimes preaching a familiar text can be daunting. Is there any new word to say about it? What new thing might God be hoping for us to notice in the text or in its application for us today?
This week I've been paying closer attention to the questions asked around these two great commandments. The religious leaders ask Jesus: "What is the greatest commandment?" It's a good question, one that we are still asking today as we try to order our spiritual and religious practice and doctrine. How do we prioritize what matters in our faith? Jesus's answer might sound simple on its face but it certainly isn't easy.
Later Jesus asks them his own question: "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?" It's a curious conversation with people who know and love the holy texts, mainly because, quite frankly, what does it have to do with anything???
I won't give you any spoilers. Come Sunday to learn more.
Love,
Rev Kelsey
PS- We have had a number of needs arise lately in the congregation and the Pastor's Discretionary Fund has dwindled some. If you find it in your heart to give to help replenish it as we approach the holidays, I would be deeply grateful.
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Together in Transition Update
Gratitude
Thank you! We are so grateful for your engagement in the Church-wide Conversations, in which you have shared your hopes, concerns, and needs for this time of transition. As Transition Team Co-Chairs, we appreciate your time and thoughts. If you have additional insights that you haven’t been able to share or items you want to discuss further, we genuinely invite you to reach out to Jessica and Katie via transition@binkleychurch.org. Your involvement in this process is valuable and appreciated - it is necessary for our success as a Church. We are here to listen.
Next Steps
- The Transition Team is working with the Leadership Team and HR Committee on the final draft of the Interim Minister position posting and hope to have the position posted within the next couple of weeks.
- The Transition Team is coordinating with the Diaconate and Staff to ensure we support our congregation in pastoral care.
- After meeting weekly for six consecutive weeks, the Team will not meet the week of October 24 to prioritize reviewing your feedback and posting the position. We will resume meetings the first week of November.
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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Ty Hagler and Remy Vincent are leading an intergenerational “Doodles
and Discussions” class of indefinite duration in the Art Room. Adults,
children, and youth are welcome.
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Joint adult Sunday School Program on “Fragmentation,
Separation and Erasure in Palestine.” Burhan
Ghanayem, Chair of Voices for Palestine, will present on
“Realities for Lasting Peace”; Alaa Hammoudi, Rotary
Peace Scholar and founder of Daughters of the Land
Mutual Aid, will present on “Life in Palestine—A
Personal Story”; and Micah Hughes, Associate Director
of Middle East and Islamic Studies at UNC, will present
on “the Impact of the Israeli/Palestine Conflict on UNC
and our community.
This class will meet in the Fellowship Hall
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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:
This Sunday, the Bluejay Class will discuss our talents and how we use them. We will read The Parable of the Talents from the Spark Story Bible (Matthew 25:14-30), followed by the book The Smart Cookie by Jory John. Together, we will discover why the characters in both stories did not use their talents. However, the character in The Smart Cookie finally did use his. We might wonder if the man in Jesus' Parable of the Talents learned his lesson and used a talent if given another opportunity.
The art/craft activity will focus on gifts and talents given us. Since muffins have proved to be a popular snack with the children, we will have them again for our snack.
| | Children & Youth Activities | | |
October 25:
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 1:
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. | |
Future Town Park and Street Named in Honor of Howard and Lillian Lee.
See the announcement here.
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Constitution revisions meeting October 25 following Worship in the Fellowship Hall
The Constitution Working Group is recommending that select changes to the Constitution related to the search for Church leaders be approved ahead of the full constitutional revision review to allow the transition process to move forward using the new guidelines. The recommended changes are primarily for Article II The Church Staff. The changes are shown in this document in purple.
Most of the recommended changes were first suggested by the 2019 Constitution Working Group. They involve creating a small committee to establish and support the search committee. The search committee will be a smaller committee. In addition to those suggested changes, the Transition Team suggested codifying "Senior Clergy Leadership" as the term we use in the Constitution to refer to the person or persons who are responsible for leading ministry at Binkley. In the constitution it will replace "Minister" or "Senior Minister." It will give the Transition Team and search committee greater flexibility in identifying the next leaders for our church.
The Church Council approved these recommended changes at their October 19 meeting. Following the congregational discussion on October 25, a Church in Conference meeting will be called to approve the changes. If you have comments or suggestions regarding these changes, please contact the moderator, Alice Glover, or a member of the Constitution Working Group (Nancy Cheek, Laura Davidson, Mark Walters, or Libba Wells)
| | A well-meaning recycler has been leaving a full bag of lids and caps monthly in our recycling containers at Binkley. Unfortunately this type of recycling is not available in roadside pickup. These would need to be taken to plastic recycling at the dump. Please do not leave lids in our recycling bins at the church. Thank you. | | |
Recent article in the Daily Tar Heel about Binkley's Medical Debt Relief fund.
| | This photography exhibit will come down at the end of October. Don't miss your chance to look around and enjoy the beauty. | |
Binkley Senior Adult Ministry Updates
from Diane Eubanks Hill, Minister with Senior Adults
Earlier this month, when the mornings were beautifully warm, 9 of us 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.
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. Lunch will be provided by Alpaca. Watch for registration information.
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! Many thanks to our Minister of Music Sally Molineux for once again planning and leading this annual Binkley event! Watch for registration information.
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.
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We have November dates available!
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The Service of Ordination for our Director of Children and Youth Ministry - Claire Dillashaw is set for Friday, October 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Watts Street Baptist Church, 800 Watts Street, Durham. We hope many Binkley folks will attend this joyful service. All who attend, including the children, will be invited to come forward to offer Claire a blessing. Parents, you may wish to encourage your children by suggesting they simply touch Claire, or say something simple to her like "God bless you." or "I love you." A reception will follow. Please contact Sharlene Meisner if you'd like to offer a contribution to this reception. (sharlene5meisner@gmail.com).
| 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. | | |
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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