Weekly News & Updates

FPCB Western NC Hurrican Relief Response: How you can help -

Give - Consider a financial gift to the FPCB Western NC Hurricane Relief Fund, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church or Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Links to online giving were in a special eblast sent to you this past week. If you cannot find that information, please contact callbright@fpcburlington.org.

Act - We are collecting Hygiene Kits for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance response in Western NC. Information will be in the eblast, Facebook, and bulletin with what to purchase, how to pack the kit, and where/when to drop off here at FPCB.

Pray - Continue your prayers for all those who were in Helene's path, for emergency responders, for volunteers trying to meet the many needs, and for those God is preparing to send there to help in the months and years to come.

Click here for hurricane relief updates by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. If you are curious about how you can serve in Western NC, now or in the future, please contact Charlotte Nance-Allbright (callbright@fpcburlington.org or 336-228-1703 x 223). 

Hygiene Kits for Western North Carolina

Many have asked what they can do to support the needs of residents in the mountains who have suffered extensive damage to their home, or have lost their home completely. There is an urgent need for hygiene items, and a very special way to assist is to help provide hygiene kits. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has published a list of items that are recommended for these kits. If you would like to help in this way, your participation is most welcome and much needed. Please see the recommended list and guidelines below. Our church wants to collect these quickly, during the next couple weeks, so that residents can receive them soon. A labeled container will be placed outside Charlotte’s office for drop-off of kits between now and Sunday, October 13th. Thank you so much for your participation!

Hygiene Kit

• One hand towel measuring approximately 15" x 28" to 16" x 32" (no fingertip, bath, dish towel or micro-fiber)
• One washcloth
• One wide-tooth comb removed from the package
• Must be sturdy with at least 6 inches of teeth
• No pocket combs or picks
• Rattail and combs without handles are acceptable
• One fingernail or toenail clipper removed from the package (either one is acceptable)
• One bath-size bar of soap in the original package
• One toothbrush in the original package
• Ten standard size Band-Aids

All items need to fit inside a one-gallon Ziploc type bag. Remove the excess air from the bag and seal before boxing.

Do NOT add any extra items or toothpaste. A tube of extended expiration date toothpaste will be added to each hygiene kit just prior to its final journey.

Please take a few minutes to be inspired by the Gratitude and Generosity Stewardship moment that was shared in worship on Sunday. By now you should have received a pledge card in the mail, we encourage you to prayerfully consider your support of the church’s mission for the coming year and return the pledge card to the church office or in the offering plate on Sunday. Thank you for your commitment as Good Steward's of God's Grace.

Brunch for New Members and Visitors 10/13

If you are a new member or have been visiting FPC, we invite you to a special brunch following worship on October 13th in Shive Hall. We will share a meal and fellowship together while learning more about ways to connect with the ministries of FPC. Childcare will be available for any families that need it. If you can attend, please let us know if you can attend by replying to this email or contacting Tracy Barker (reception@fpcburlington.org). We hope you can make it!

Online Member Directory

As you have (hopefully!) been aware, we have been in the process recently of updating the information that we have for our membership in our database, with the goal of making that information available for you on our website. We are excited to share with you that the directory is now live on the website.

You may ask how this is going to work, with questions about security and having this information out there on the internet. Fortunately, we are able to provide a secure platform where you will have complete control over your information. 

The process for you to gain access to your information is very simple, and it works like this: On our website, you will notice an additional menu item at the top of the home page, named “Member Directory.” When you click on that link, you will be taken to a page where you will see this:

You will notice the option below the fields for email and password that says “Need a login.” You will click on that link, and you will be taken to a page that looks like this:

Once you fill out this form (note that you will need to use your name and email address as it appears in our database), you will get a message that you have successfully established an account. You will also be sent an email that includes a link where you will create your own password to log in. No one but you will know your password!

Once you have done that, you should be able to go back to our website, click on the Member Directory link, enter your email and password (that you have just created), and you will have access to the directory, including the ability to make changes to your information.

As always, if you have any problems, contact the church office, or email me (communications@fpcburlington.org). We are excited to provide this option for our members. 

Blessings,

John

To be “salty” is to enhance flavor. As a “Salty Saint”, we enhance the flavor of life with each other in fellowship.

All Salty Saints in your 60s and 70s, mark your calendars for these upcoming fellowship opportunities, and encourage others to join! No rsvp is needed!

Please send your contact information to whl9663@gmail.com if you would like to be added to our list of Salty Saints

Thursday November 7

-Friendsgiving gathering at Greg and Wendy Lunsford’s home, details to follow

And here's some info about our service project:

We are proposing that, in addition to making monetary donations to any of the sites noted in today’s E-Blast to address the immediate need for funds in Western NC, we as a group answer the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance call for Clean Up Buckets. We are proposing that the Salty Saints create these buckets as outlined at the PDA website and bring them to the Salty Saints Friendsgiving gathering at the Lunsford’s home on November 7th. We will then take the buckets to church for subsequent delivery to PDA and Western NC. Alternatively, the buckets can be delivered to the church, room #402 by November 7th. Donations to cover the $3.00 processing fee for each bucket will also be accepted.

The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance website with clean up bucket details is:

https://pda.pcusa.org/page/kits/#bucket

Take Care of Yourselves and Each Other!

It seems that we are in the midst of a higher number of respiratory illnesses right now in Alamance County.

PLEASE remember to take precautions when you are ill or have been exposed to folks who are ill—we have many older and immune-compromised folks at FPC and we want to keep each other safe!

FPC Facility Security System

We are excited to announce that the installation of our new security system has been completed and is now activated in order to help ensure the safety of our church building and everyone who gathers here. This new system controls access to our doors, allowing us to better monitor and protect our facilities.

However, as with any new system, there may be a brief "learning curve" as we adjust to the changes. Some of you may experience slight delays when trying to enter the building for worship services, meetings, or other events. We kindly ask for your patience and understanding as we work through these adjustments.

To avoid any inconvenience, we encourage everyone to plan to arrive a little earlier than usual. This will allow plenty of time for entry and help us ensure a smooth experience for everyone.

We are grateful for your cooperation and for the grace you extend to our dedicated church staff during this transition.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to make our church a safer and more secure space for all.

If you would like to learn more about the new security system there will be an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about it on Sunday, October 13th at 11:15 am following the worship service in the Witherspoon room.

Stepping Up: Protect our Community as a Sunday Roamer

Consider helping us keep our campus safe by signing up to be a Sunday Security Roamer. Not sure what that is? Each Sunday morning we are asking one individual to roam the building to ensure that we do not have anyone in the building who shouldn't be there. Not sure what to do? We have a guide to help answer your questions. Also, serving in this role allows us to keep our staff person on the cameras. We appreciate your help in keeping our campus safe. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Should you have questions, contact Leanna Giles at (336)214-5769 or leanna.giles@gmail.com.

See available slots and sign up HERE.

Sign Up for Ushers Guild 2024

Please contact John Walton (336) 263-6512 or waltonjohn518@gmail.com for more information. SIGN UP HERE!

Flower Donation Form 2024

Please use the form to donate flowers for worship in the sanctuary. ACCESS THE FORM HERE

Did you miss the Small Group information? It is not to late to sign up. Check out fpcsmallgroups.org for more information about these opportunities:

• The Pointe and Take Root Socials

• Field Trips of Faith & Justice and 508 Partnership Poetry Class

• Soul Food; Thank you, Jesus; and Prayer Shawl Ministry

• Walk-n-Talk; and Furniture Ministry

Find where God is calling you to learn, grow, and get to know your church family.

Sunday school happens each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. Join an opportunity to learn and grow in faith!

Class Locations:

Adult Studies:

John Knox Room - John Knox Fellowship adult study - "Great Themes of the Bible"

Room 228 - Enrichment Class - "Understanding Christian Nationalism"

Room 203 - Take Root - "Feasting on the Word" & "Parables"

Children's Classes:

Room 101 - Nursery for infants through three year old

Room 223 - PreK & Kindergarten - "Wee Believe: We Belong to God"

Room 224 - 1st-5th Grades - Wonders of Worship - Field Trip led by the Children

Enrichment Sunday School Class



Everyone is welcome to attend the Enrichment Sunday School Class as we discuss Andrew Whitehead's book, American Idolatry, How Christian Nationalism Betrays The Gospel and Threatens The Church. Salem Presbytery has recommended this as a resource to gain insights into the threat of Christian Nationalism to the Church. We will meet at 9:00 am in room 228.

Furniture Ministry

Churchwide Furniture Ministry Workday - Saturday, October 12 at 9:00 am

Fall is in the air! And several families without basic home furnishings will be anxiously awaiting our arrival on our October workday this Saturday. In addition, we have much-needed donations to pick up. 

Help is needed loading and delivering furnishings, going out with the trucks to meet the families, and sorting, organizing and cleaning donations in the warehouse.  

Register by emailing (furnmin3@gmail.com) OR just show up on October 12 slightly before 9:00 a.m. for donuts, coffee and fellowship. If you will be bringing a truck, please indicate that when you sign up.

We hope to see you there! And thank you for your support! 

THE OCTOBER MISSION FOCUS IS CROSSROADS:

CrossRoads is the local nonprofit that offers free and confidential services to survivors and caregivers of survivors of sexual violence, child maltreatment, and human trafficking in the counties of Alamance, Caswell, and Person. These services include offering free access to resources. CrossRoads is in need of the following items to support this mission: Men's and boys’ personal care items (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, combs, brushes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, hair care products for African American hair, etc...), Women's and girls' personal care items (same as items listed for men, also in need of feminine hygiene products and products specifically for African American hair), Children's diapers of all sizes (including pull ups), Underwear of all sizes for boys and girls, Underwear of all sizes for women, Sports bras in all sizes, T-shirts and sweatpants of all sizes for children, women and men. Donations can be dropped off in the bin outside the CDC (black & white hallway) door or inside in the Welcome Center. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. 

Andrews Elementary Reading Buddies

Do you want to be greeted by a smile from a child at Andrew’s Elementary School? If so, volunteer to be a Reading Buddy at Andrews. Volunteers go once a week and spend 30 – 60 minutes with a child or a few children. Sometimes the children read to you or you work with them on sight word recognition. For more information contact Jin-Jin Blackburn, jblackb@hotmail.com, 336-260-0689.

The Food Pantry

Please bring non-perishable foods for the Food Pantry. Drop them off in the collection bins outside the CDC entry anytime during the week or when you come to worship on Sunday morning.

Let's FALL Into Walk & Talk Each Tuesday Morning!!



We will meet on the steps outside the chapel. We will NOT walk if it is raining.

As the temperatures go down a bit, it's time to make your way to FPC on Tuesday mornings.

Come join us—it’s a great way to get exercise and have some fellowship at the same time.

Questions? Contact Carrie Tuttle

ctuttle@fpcburlington.org

Tom Collins - Hospice Home 

Allison Keill - Cone - Surgery 9/25 

Willy Fisher - Home - hand surgery 10/2

Elsie West - Ashton Health - Room 901B

Mary Leighton Sellers - Hospice, at The Village at Brookwood — mother of Elizabeth Stanfill & David Sellers, & cousin of Joe McCutchen

On-Going Prayer Concerns…

Malissa Enoch - granddaughter of Eddie Lee Lipscomb - injury

Susie McKay - mother of Susan Kirkland

Sandy Surratt - mother of Leanna Giles

Paul Williams - brother of Joan Grady

Amanda Anderson

Chris Baker

Diane Barnwell

Perry Cornelius 

Laurie /Trevor Downs

Jo Birta Feroe 

Kelly/Jonathan Glenn

Barbara Higgs - Home - Hospice

JoAnn Hunt

Kathy/Peter Johnson

Mildred Massengill - Homeplace

Sue McCrone-Bradshaw

Barbara Rinker

Laura Skow 

Dean Vaughn

Christian sympathy is expressed to Rev. John W. Johnson and family at the death of his niece, Beth McLean, on October 1.

Congratulations to Charlie and Luci Mize on the birth of their son, Daniel James, born on September 29. The grandparents include Elizabeth and Bobby Mize.

Also:

If you would like to have your name taken off the prayer list or added, please contact

Carrie Tuttle ctuttle@fpcburlington.org.

Minister on Call: 336.228.1703, choose option #9

Fall is almost here – bringing invigorating cooler temperatures, football games, return of Sunday School, inspiring worship and music, AND pumpkin spice drinks and doughnuts!

Thank you in advance for keeping your church contributions up to date to ensure proper support for our fall programs and operations. Pledged giving helps us to recognize the abundant gifts we have received from God - and to use these gifts to serve and uplift one another.

Did you know – there are no limits or maximum amounts you can contribute over what you have pledged, so now is a great opportunity to leverage your 2024 investment portfolio growth and catch up on or exceed your 2024 pledge! 

We hope that you will commit to praying and asking: What is the next step God wants me to take in managing all God has entrusted to me?