As the weather turns cooler and the leaves on the trees begin to turn to their golden and red colors, it seems that all of North Carolina breaths a sign of relief! The intense heat and thick humidity of summer have lost their grip on our days. The beach bum days of July and August have moved to a rhythm of work and school that is more even, more regularly paced. This year, the onset of fall has been different, with COVID still in our midst and children still not vaccinated. But the fall has brought with it hints of hope – a vaccine for children on the near horizon, the approval of booster shots for more of those at greatest risk, an antiviral pill. The news of all of this gives us hope for decreased risk at school for our children, safer work environments, and the possibility of travel and connection for everyone.

This gives me hope for our own community and the opportunities we have to gather. I continue to long for the full participation of people of all ages. I continue to dream of the day we will all be together again. I don’t know when, or how, or even if, but I trust God to be with us in the meantime, along the way, until . . .

God is with us in the meantime, and in the meantime, we continue to do the work God has called us to do. Our work at Iglesia Emanuel continues in full force, feeding hundreds of families each week. The Walk-in Ministry continues to provide emergency assistance to those in need. Our Durham CAN team has been active in criminal justice reform, eviction reform and working to help Durham distribute ERAP (emergency rental assistance) funds. We have started two refugee teams with Church World Service (CWS) to help support current and arriving refugees. We have a workday this Saturday to help ensure safe and affordable housing for members of our community. We continue to serve food at Urban Ministries. And I could go on and on. If you are interested in participating in any of these ministries (or want to know about other ministries), please let me know.

This Sunday, we kick off our fall stewardship season and ask for your financial support for our 2022 budget. Your pledge, and your gifts of tithes and offerings, ensure that we are able to continue the ministries above, as well as ministries of worship and education, fellowship and caregiving. These ministries nurture and equip us to serve God in our community as we share the light and love of Christ.

As you receive these stewardship materials, I hope you will prayerfully consider how you might be able to support the many ministries of First Presbyterian Church. This is our church. We are the God’s people – sharing love in the heart of Durham. What a blessing.

Thanks be to God for you and for the ongoing witness of love here at First Presbyterian Church.

With love,

Mindy

CONDOLENCES

The love and concern of the congregation are extended to:

Eric & Kelly Stowe Boggs, Thomas, Catherine and Barbara on the death of Kelly’s father, Carl Stowe;
Jeanette & Brian Castle on the death of Jeanette’s father, James Thomas Webb;
Jo Ann & Fred Moore on the death of Jo Ann’s aunt, Emma Wilson;
Valerie McMillian on the death of her aunt, Everlyn Bass.

MEMORIAL SERV ICES will be held in the FPC sanctuary as follows:

for Henderson & Jane Rourk and Christopher Michael Whitworth on Sunday, October 24 following worship;
for Margaret Sims on Saturday, November 6 at 1:00 p.m.

CONCERNS:

Lori Griffin’s baby, Teagan Rose, was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia. Lori is the niece of Jeanne Hervey.
Michael Garcia, grandson of Carol McKnight
Linda Foster-Momsen, mother of Deborah Momsen-Hudson
Roger Kalthoff, husband of Jane Williams
Paul Cornsweet
Kerry Holbrook

Click here for more CONCERNS

OFFICER MEETINGS

The FPC Session (ruling elders) and Diaconate (deacons) will meet on Monday, October 25 via Zoom. Check your email for how to connect.

Remember to post committee reports and submit agenda items by Friday, October 22.

Stewardship Season begins . . .

Sunday, October 24

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mindy Douglas, preaching

2022 THEME:

Justice and Joy

WORSHIP SCHEDULE - Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

In-person in the sanctuary

(masks required and social distancing recommended)

and online (live) via FPC's YouTube channel

Sunday, October 31

Our 150^th Church Anniversary Celebration

continues with Guest Preacher Jan Edmiston

On Sunday, October 31, we will welcome The Rev. Jan Edmiston to the pulpit. Jan was born, raised, and educated in Chapel Hill, NC, where she grew up in the University Presbyterian Church and earned her undergraduate degree from UNC. Jan attended Andover-Newton Theological School in Newton-Centre, Massachusetts and was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament. Jan was elected Co-Moderator at the 222^nd General Assembly of the PC(USA). She is currently serving as the General Presbyter for the Presbytery of Charlotte.

Holy Communion - Sunday, October 31

For those in person: After the words of institution have been said over the elements, our elders and two of our ministers will process the elements to the courtyard. You are invited to follow them, maintaining a safe distance between one another. In the courtyard you will be given a piece of bread and will pick up a cup of juice. We will partake together at the direction of one of the ministers.

For those at home: We invite you to have bread or a cracker and juice, water, or wine for the sacrament of holy communion. As the in-person congregation processes to the courtyard, Kathy Parkins will play the organ and then one of our pastors will invite you to partake of the elements in your home.

Custom Paraments for

150^th Anniversary Celebration

As part of First Presbyterian Church’s 150^th anniversary celebration, we have commissioned Beth Taylor to create four new paraments and a new white communion tablecloth. Her idea is to include small items in these pieces that are important to you and your family. If you would like to contribute an item, please bring it to the church no later than Sunday, October 31, and leave it in the box labeled for these items. Please note that the items cannot be returned and may not appear as you donated them, as they may need to be altered for inclusion. We are excited about these new paraments for our sanctuary and will dedicate them on February 13, 2022.

CHILDREN'S FAITH FORMATION

This fall, classes for PreK-5th grade will be held via zoom from 10:00-10:30 a.m. through at least October to ensure our children stay safe! Click here to go to class.

Signup to receive Children's Weekly news

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FAITH FORMATION FOR ADULTS

FAITH & COMMUNITY CLASS

The Faith & Community is taking a break. As we navigate this latest stage of the pandemic, we are learning where our best points of community, connection and faith formation are as a congregation, and which tried and true stalwarts might need a time out until things shift. This fall, we’ve learned that Faith & Community is one of those that could benefit from a time out. There will be occasional F&C events this fall – stay tuned – but for the moment, we encourage everyone to participate in other adult faith formation opportunities – Love Is the Way Book Group, the Lectionary Class, Journeys, Meaning in the Middle, and Becoming.

***New Schedule***

WOMEN'S SPIRITUAL FORMATION CLASS

The Women's Spiritual Formation Sunday morning class is now meeting the first and third Sundays of every month at Susan Dunlap's house (1527 Hermitage Court) at 12:45 p.m. Contact Susan to learn more about the topics being studied.

BECOMING

Join us on Sunday mornings from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. for a hybrid gathering (masked, in person, in the fellowship hall) or on Zoom. We'll gather for prayer and begin Dr. Lisa Wolfe's series Uppity Women of the Bible as we consider Ruth, Song of Songs, Judith and Esther.

We will also meet Wednesday, October 20 at Hi-Wire Brewing from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

LECTIONARY CLASS

Sundays in the Robert Daye Meeting Room (East Parlor) and via Zoom at 9:30 a.m.

The class will begin at 9:40, preceded at 9:30 by sharing of news and concerns, and will end by about 10:30.

On October 24: Does God have more important things to do than listen to our prayers? In our readings for Sunday, there are two examples of people who made their requests loudly and persistently. What response did they receive? "I sought the Lord, and he answered me."

On October 31 (Celebration of All Saints):

How many saints do you know? What are their lives like? What are the rewards of sainthood? Are you interested in applying for the position?

CLASS ZOOM LINK

For phone access (audio only), call 253-215-8782. If you need a copy of the handout of scripture readings, contact David Smith.

MnMs CLASS

(formerly the Scratch group)

Sundays at 8:00 p.m. via Zoom

ZOOM LINK

If you'd like to lead the discussion for a future week, the sign-up sheet is here.

As always, we'd love to have you join, whether or not you've had time to listen to the podcast, and new faces are always welcome!

JOURNEY'S CLASS

We meet on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Wilson Parlor and via Zoom.

ZOOM LINK

Journeys will continue discussion of chapters from “The Difficult Words of Jesus: A beginner’s guide to his most perplexing teachings” by Amy-Jill Levine. All are welcome to join and having done the book reading is not required for joining the discussion. Andy Henry, Eric Wiebe, and Paul Baldasare are class leaders.

YOUTH CORNER

LINK TO MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASS

We’re hybrid, so join in person (Youth Room on the left) or via Zoom, Sundays, 10-10:30 a.m.

LINK TO HIGH SCHOOL CLASS

We’re hybrid, so join in person (Youth Room on the right) or via Zoom, Sundays, 10-10:30 a.m.

Did you know Montreat has a conference just for collegians? Built on youth conference DNA, it’s an aged-up experience for those asking different questions and grappling with new (and old) issues of faith and life in today’s world. If you know a college-aged person (or are one yourself), who might be interested in participating, please reach out to John Weicher (j.weicher@firstpres-durham.org). (And who isn’t going with their campus ministry already.) The theme this year is What’s Next? It’s January 2-5, 2022, and we can make it affordable for those who want to go.

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

WORKDAY at FPC

Saturday, October 23 from 9:00 a.m.-12 Noon

*** THIS WORKDAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED.***

Rebuilding Together of the Triangle -

FPC Workday

Saturday, October 23

FPCERS, please join us for a volunteer workday to replace siding for a homeowner near Old Oxford Highway in Durham. We will replace damaged Masonite siding with fiber cement siding on three sides of the house. Some trim will be replaced as well. We will also paint the new siding and trim and will need lots of help. This will be our first repair workday since the pandemic started. All work is outdoors and we will wear masks. We request that volunteers be fully vaccinated.

We are using an online signup that divides the day into two shifts, but feel free to work all day. We will not finish in one day, so the RTT staff will complete the remaining work. The link to the signup page: FPC VOLUNTEER SIGNUP. We ask that volunteers be at least 16 years old.

RTT will provide all tools, but it is fine to bring your own hand tools and tool belt. Water and snacks are provided, but not lunch. First-time volunteers are welcome since we need to expand our pool of mission trip workers.

Please call Tyler Momsen-Hudson with any questions at (919) 697-1898 or email Tyler at: tylermmh@embarqmail.com.

Sunday Morning Custodian Needed

First Presbyterian Church, an active, caring, and inclusive church in downtown Durham, is looking for a custodian for Sunday mornings (building and grounds preparation, security, and event set-up and clean-up). The position is

5 hours a week. Pays $16.92 an hour. Hours are approximately 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with some flexibility required. A criminal background check will be conducted. A full job description is available here . If interested, please send application letter and résumé (including contact information for two references, preferably from the two immediate past employers) to sunday-sexton@firstpres-durham.org. Church members and active friends of the congregation are not eligible.

Weekly Book Group

Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m. AND Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.

All sessions via Zoom - Link to class

We conclude our study of Love is the Way this week - October 19/20.

We begin INSPIRED on October 26/27.

See full reading list and schedule below.

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News from Growing thru Grief

Jane Williams will conclude the six-week series on the Introduction to Grief on October 19. Growing thru Grief meets year-round, except for major holidays. Here is our schedule for the rest of the month and into November:

Oct. 25 The Path Ahead, by William Holloman (Duke HomeCare & Hospice) and Bill Dahl

Nov. 2 Using Humor to Adapt to Loss, by Margaret Albert of Duke HomeCare & Hospice

Nov. 9 Grief and Joy as Traveling Companions, by Terry Allebaugh

Nov. 16 Surviving the Holidays, joint session with Duke HomeCare & Hospice

Nov. 23 Hope, by Gates Vrooman

Our meetings begin with a presentation about a part of the grief process and then we break into small groups for conversation and sharing. With the pandemic, we are meeting on Zoom, though we hope to return to in-person meetings. To register, contact admin@growingthrugrief.org by 8:00 a.m. on the Monday before the meeting.

Growing thru Grief is sponsored by a coalition of religious and civic organizations; there is no charge to attend.

SERVICE & MISSION EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Save the Date!!

Saturday, November 13, from 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon

Iglesia Emanuel, 2504 N Roxboro St.

Let’s come together for fellowship, fun and service — all in one morning!

So what will we be doing? Why, bagging lots and lots of rice and beans for the Food Pantry, of course!

This is a family friendly event. School age children are welcome to come with their parents. Weather permitting, we will have tables set up outside. All you need to do is show up with a bit of energy and enthusiasm, and put those nimble fingers to work!

More details coming soon……

Did you know?

Volunteers have been the “essential workers” for the Iglesia Emanuel Food Pantry from the beginning of the pandemic, making it possible for us to provide large amounts of nutritious food to over 500 families every single week.
Volunteers work 2-hour shifts every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
We need more volunteers! The tasks vary by day. Most require only a little stamina and a caring heart, others need more muscle.
Can you give 2 hours of your time? Sign up here to be part of this wonderful ministry.
One fun way that you could help support our hard-working and dedicated volunteers would be to take some yummy treats or drinks on Wednesday mornings. Everyone needs and appreciates a boost now and then! To sign up, click here , and scroll down to the Wednesday opportunities. Thank you, thank you!!
Contact Margaret Rubiera with any questions.

New COVID prevention/spread guidelines are now in place. If you are fully vaccinated, contact Jen McGonigle to sign up for one of FPC's regular time slots each month, or call Jen at 202-421-5870. If you have interest in serving at Urban Ministries at other times and in other ways, click VOLUNTEER.