FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DURHAM
"Downtown by history and by choice"
FPC Bi-Weekly Newsletter
October 20-November 2, 2020
From the Pastor / Head of Staff:

Dear friends,
           Don’t you love this weather?! I know I do, especially because it has given us more opportunities to safely meet with one another in outside groups – with masks and safely distanced, of course. How wonderful it is to see one another “in 3-D” as one parishioner called it. Even as I write, I am watching our new associate pastor visit with three church members in the church courtyard. What a gift!
           And speaking of our new associate pastor, she started this week! She has moved into her office and is beginning the wonderful work of getting to know a new congregation. She is so excited to be here and to join with you all in the ministries of compassion and justice that you continue actively to be engaged in. Her email address is [email protected]. I know she would love to hear from you if you want to send her a note.
           As much as I love this weather, I know it will not last for long. Many of you have asked me, “When do you think we will be together again?” I understand so well your longing, for I long for it myself. Never in a million years could we have imagined the losses we have endured in this pandemic. They are so many, and they have weighed heavily on our hearts, our minds, and our spirits. Our weekly gatherings for worship and study brought us courage, hope, comfort, and love for the journey. Each worship nurtured us, reminded us of God’s love and presence, and strengthened our spirits.
           As you know, however, the risk of transmission of COVID-19 is greatest indoors and in large groups (and, of course, without masks). In addition, though the virus might have little to no physical effects for some, others suffer greatly from it, and still others do not survive. The risk of gathering indoors as a congregation, even in small groups and wearing masks, is still too high for us to consider at this time. Sadly, until we have a vaccine that can protect people from getting the virus, we will not be able to meet inside.
           My heart feels so heavy as I type these words. None of this seems right, especially as we head into Advent and Christmas. We are meant to be together, to celebrate and laugh, to cry and mourn, to hope and dream. When we are kept apart, we are less than we should be. I know this and I grieve this loss as I know you do as well.
           We will get through this, though. I know that, and I know that we are not alone in the meantime. Our ancestors wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. They did not know what each day held. But they trusted that God would not abandon them, and that God would lead them through. We can do the same. By God’s grace and with God’s strength, we will get through this.
           I know it because God is our God, and we are God’s people. We have been from the beginning. We will be at the end. We will be for all eternity.
“The eternal God is our dwelling place and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27). Thanks be to God.
Peace be with you, friends, and much love,
Mindy
Sympathies:
The love and concern of the congregation are extended to the following:
  • Chris Sims, Kathy Colville, Gretchen and Karl Sims on the recent death of Chris' father, Richard Sims;
  • Jane Rourk and Caroline Rourk on the recent death of Jane's brother, Jay Davis, and the death of Jane's aunt, Barbara Smith.

Please keep these families in your prayers. Contact the church office for contact information for extending condolences.

Concerns:
  • Gwendolyn King, sister of Sybil King
  • Jane Rourk
  • Carol Wills
  • Meg Courtney, daughter of retired pastor, Bob Clark and (his wife) retired DCE, Mary Lee, who actively worship with FPC online
  • All those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

Care Communities:
Brookdale Durham: Julian Boswell, Becky Crockett
Croasdaile Pavilion: Bob Rankin
Dubose Center at The Cedars, Chapel Hill: Arthur Clark
Durham Regent: John Kerr, Ann Prospero  
Emerald Pond: Paul Cornsweet
Hillcrest Convalescent Center: Margaret Sims
Rose Vista Village /Kinston Assisted Living, Kinston NC: Phillip Herndon
The Forest at Duke: Fran Bryant

Family and Friends of the Congregation:
  • Brendan Bequette, family friend of Margaret & Miguel Rubiera
  • Peggy Boulden, mother of Dick Boulden
  • Brandon Burton, Walk-in Ministry client
  • Becky Evans, sister of Vernon Neece
  • Phil Goss, friend of the congregation
  • Peggy Mordecai, mother of Beth Eisenson
  • Shannon Putman, daughter of Mary Putman
  • Robert Reaves, husband of Floalice Reaves, friend of the congregation
Dear FPC friends,
I am so grateful for all of you who reached out with e-mails, calls, cards and prayers for my father Karl. I am grateful to say he is home and seems stable, after two surgeries, one ICU stay and four hospitalizations. He is grateful to have been in prayers so far away, from people he doesn't even know. If you ever wonder if those cards, calls and prayers matter, he and I can attest that they mean a great deal.
Blessings,
Laura Hanson

****************
Dear FPC Family,
Thank you all the many expressions of sympathy I received recently at the passing of my mom. She was a wonderful woman and still a joy to be around at 101 years old. The year of 2020 has been difficult for me; much unexpected sorrow. Yet I remain blessed and surrounded by a host of caring people. Thank you for being here for me again in so many ways. Your cards, phone calls, e-mails, virtual hugs, and prayers have keep me strong. Please continue to pray for me as I move forward without two beloved members of my family.
With love and gratitude,
Valerie McMillian
Meet FPC's newest family . . .
Chris and Emily James were received into membership by the Session on October 5, 2020. They joined FPC by reaffirmation of faith. On Sunday, October 18, Chris and Emily were welcomed in worship, and their son, Miles, received the Sacrament of Baptism. Chris and Emily just celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary! They live in Garner. Emily is an Army veteran, a licensed nurse and attorney, but she is currently a stay-at-home mom. She enjoys acting, singing, and fundraising for the arts. Chris is a software programmer. He grew up in Raleigh and enjoys playing tennis, flying stunt kites, watching sports, and DIY projects. Chris and Emily love taking long walks and bike rides with Miles and their two dachshunds, Benny and Lily. 
Opportunities to Meet Our
New Associate Pastor
Mitzi Lesher-Thomas


By now, you should have seen the video of our new associate pastor, Mitzi Lesher-Thomas introducing herself. That video came in an email a few weeks ago and can be accessed again here. We are so excited that Mitzi's first official day at FPC was Monday, October 19. One of the challenges Mitzi faces is getting to know you all in the midst of a pandemic when we don't see each other weekly on Sunday and in other in-person gatherings. We want to help her have a chance to meet you in small groups so she can get to know you better. To do that, we have put together several opportunities for people to meet her, either in a small in-person group at the church or in a virtual Zoom meeting.  To sign up, click on the link above and find an in-person or virtual time that works for you. These times are for gatherings the weeks of October 19 and 26. If all of the available slots fill up, we will offer additional gathering times the week of November 2. Stay tuned! 
Church Officers will meet virtually on Monday, October 26. Remember to get your committee reports and any action items in to Christyn Klinck (Clerk of Session) or Kathy Conner (Diaconate) by Thursday, October 22.
Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1. Remember to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday evening, October 31.
‌
Election day is November 3

Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Received by October 27
Return by mail: Postmarked by November 3
Return in person: November 3 by 5:00 p.m.

Early voting
October 15 - 31, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live

For more information, go to the Durham County Board of Elections site here.
asst-flowers.jpg
Donors Needed for Sanctuary Flowers 2021
To reserve a Sunday, please sign up here, or call the church office (919-682-5511). Guidelines for donating flowers for worship can be found here. The florist will take care of the delivery!
ROBERT DAYE IS RETIRING . . .
Our own Robert Daye will be retiring at the end of 2020 with over 43 years of service as sexton of our church.  We want to honor him in several ways. 

First, will those who wish to, offer a testimonial to your relationship with Robert? Many of the church groups have witnessed his patience and calm demeanor in making good use of the building. Do you have a story to tell? If you do but might procrastinate about writing it, please email or call and TELL your story.  We will write it for you. Feel free to email your story to Celia Dickerson. Send your comments by November 1, 2020.   

Do you have a picture to share? If so, will you scan and email it to Celia? We want as many visuals as we can collect.  Later in the year, we will ask for a shower of cards to Robert, thanking him.

The Session has approved a Love Offering collection for Robert. Please send your donation to Tom Bloom at the church office by December 10th. Make check payable to FPC. Memo: Robert's Retirement. We are looking forward to our congregational thanks to Robert for his many years of service.  
 
From the committee for Robert's retirement,
Celia Dickerson   Beth Stringfield   Kate Busa   Barbara Buckley 
Sunday, October 25
Reformation Sunday
Dedication of Pledges

Sunday School
The Children's (virtual) class begins at 9:00 a.m.
Adult (virtual) classes begin at 10:00 a.m.

Preaching: Mindy Douglas

Worship streamed at 11:00 a.m. via the church's website:
Sunday, November 1
All Saints' Sunday

Sunday School
The Children's (virtual) class begins at 9:00 a.m.
Adult (virtual) classes begin at 10:00 a.m.

Worship streamed at 11:00 a.m. via the church's website: https://firstpres-durham.org
Children's Sunday School
Contact Lenore Champion for class kits and links
to the Children's Sunday School classes
Class link
A Note from Lenore 

Hi Friends:  

Even though it is only October, we need to begin to think about our Christmas pageant. I know what you are thinking ... THAT'S CRAZY!

Luckily, we don't have to think too much. I just need volunteers and volunteer families that are willing to take on the CHALLENGE of taking a photo of one of the scenes in the Nativity story (the birth of Jesus story) and share the photo with me via Google photos. [EASY, right?]

Click I Want to HELP! and fill out the form!!

SO EXCITING!!
Breathe, pray, and sing!
Lenore
  • Faith & Community – We are finalizing details on a new discussion series. Stay tuned! Details will be provided in this upcoming Weekend Reminders email.

  • Journeys – Journeys will read and discuss Barbara Brown Taylor's An Altar in the World over the next several weeks. The book guides the reader to notice the things we experience outside of the church in daily life, to be aware of our senses, slow down and revere our world. Our October 25th class will start with the Introduction and chapter 1. Join via Zoom. Contact Andy Henry for more information.

  • Lectionary – Join us each Sunday for online discussion at 10:00, preceded at 9:45 by sharing of news and concerns. Join via Zoom. (For phone access (audio only), call 253-215-8782 ) If you need a copy of the handout of scripture readings or need the ID for the Zoom connection, contact David Smith.

  • Women’s Spirituality Group - Contact Leah Graves for the links to join us on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. for spiritual formation, following worship for a virtual lunch, and checking in with one another on Tuesdays - all three events via Zoom.

  • SCRATCH – Looking forward to seeing everyone at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings! Join via Zoom. This fall we are using "Home by Another Way" by Barbara Brown Taylor to guide our discussions. The book is a series of short sermons by Taylor that will walk us through the church year. The readings each week are short. We're going to set up the discussions so even if you haven't read the chapter, the leader will provide a short summary. If more info is needed, contact Emily Diy.
Contact John Weicher for link information
on YOUTH Sunday School classes and other activities
Congregational Events / Activities
Let's get together!
Saturday,October 24
Sunday, October 25

If you would like to host one of these fellowship gatherings, please contact Katy Barron
or Kathy Conner. 

Want to attend a gathering? 
Sign up here.
FALL BOOK STUDY
Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. beginning October 27

Attendees, please purchase your own copy of this book.

Click here to see ways to connect to this virtual class.

Mindy Douglas will lead the class.
The class is a Zoom conversation on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. through November 8. In addition to Joe Harvard and Mac McCorkle, conversation partners will be Jimmie Hawkins, Mindy Douglas, and Lakesha Bradshaw. Join us via Zoom.  Meeting ID: 884 7958 3043 / Passcode: 002609. Dial by your location: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) or +1 929 205 6099 US (NYC). Sessions are being recorded. Contact Mindy Douglas if you would like access to previous classes.
Winesdays Meeting ID: 975 6934 9009
Need Childcare?
Are you or someone you know looking for childcare? First Presbyterian Day School has openings! FPDS is a five-star program offering full- and part-time care to children ages six weeks to six years. Beginning this month, FPDS is expanding its offering to care for kindergarteners attending school virtually, which includes breakfast, lunch, and snack, as well as creative and recreational activities. FPDS is carefully following COVID-19 safety protocols for childcare centers. Subsidy vouchers are accepted for both programs. To learn more, email [email protected], or call 919-688-8685.
Support for Those Who Mourn

Growing thru Grief offers year-round support to people who have lost a loved one. Currently we are meeting on zoom each week. If you would like to attend, please send a request to [email protected]. Then we can send you the information. Everyone must register every week. We need to receive your inquiry by 8 a.m. on Monday for Tuesday’s session. We meet each Tuesday from 4:15-6:00 p.m., with a presentation plus small group discussion.

October 6 marks our seventh year and we will again offer our fall “Introduction to Grief” series. This is a six-week program that explores the journey through grief. William Holloman, manager at Duke HomeCare and Hospice, will lead these sessions.

October 27     Remembering
November 3   Important Events
November 10 Reinvesting in the Future
On November 17, Duke HomeCare and Hospice will present “Grieving the Holidays.”

Growing thru Grief is a free, open, confidential program sponsored by coalition of area religious and civic organizations to provide support and comfort to those who mourn. 
Service and Mission Opportunities
ANOTHER STORY FROM THE WALK-IN MINISTRY

There are times when we are challenged by limitations in Walk in Ministry that prevent us from assisting everyone financially. This story is about how volunteer John Mozart creatively found a way around this.
  John received a call from a young mother whose premature baby was critically ill in the NICU at Duke Hospital. The baby was facing multiple surgeries and the mother had been unable to work, spending most of her time at the hospital. Because of that, she could not pay her rent or other bills. She had gotten John’s number from another family he had assisted through FPC's Walk-in Ministry.
  As John talked with her he realized we would not be able to assist her because she lived outside of Durham County. Being unable to assist her was not an option so he called Mindy to see if she had any ideas or words of wisdom. She called a church in the mother’s community and asked if they could assist her, and they did! John also shared the story with his golfing friends and they took up a collection to help with her bills.  The baby had the surgeries, was in the hospital for 100 days and is now home with his mother, doing well.
  God’s goodness and grace is never ceasing. Thanks be to God.
Sign up (or sponsor a family!) for the 5 Factors (virtual) 5K -- a fun, healthy, and engaging opportunity for families!

Unable to convene in person this year for their family-friendly 5k, Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC) is hosting a 5 Factors (virtual) 5K race week with the goal of providing engaging virtual activities for families throughout the week of October 24-31!

For less than $5 a day, your family will be transported to virtual field trips, an escape room, a ghost story hour, a cooking class, as well as workshops and webinars all designed to keep families entertained throughout the week
.
Now more than ever, connections are incredibly important. You can give the gift of more than 20 race week activities to a family by paying for their 5 Factors (virtual) 5K registration. You choose a family, give us their email address, and we will send them a message indicating your gift. If you would like PCANC to select a family on your behalf, that is also an option!

Register today! Go to: 5Factors5K.com
HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS . . .
from the comfort of your own home —

Bag Rice and Beans for the Food Pantry at Iglesia Emanuel:
· Divide large bags of beans — black, pinto or red — or white rice into quart-size, freezer strength Ziplock baggies. 
· Fill the bags until almost full, leaving just enough room to close securely. 
· Large bags of beans or rice can be purchased at Costco, Sam’s Club, or El Camino, a Mexican food distributor located at 2314 Reichard St, Durham 27705. 
· Deliver the bags to Iglesia Emanuel on Monday afternoons between 3 and 5, or contact Margaret Rubiera for other options 
· Sign up at this link.  

Do a little cooking for Urban Ministries:
· Casseroles for breakfast, lunch or dinner (baked ziti, tuna, mac n cheese, etc.)
· Sandwiches in individual Zip-lock bags — no condiments, so they keep fresh longer. If able, please label bags according to ingredients, such as “turkey & cheese, or T & C.”
· Cookies or brownies in individual baggies, to go in the lunch bags. Everyone loves a touch of sweetness!
· Encourage neighbors or friends to join your efforts and deliver all the food at one time
· Deliver to the main door of Urban Ministries, 410 Liberty St, between 9:30 - 5:30, Monday - Friday

Make phone calls to Meals on Wheels clients:
· Give a quick call to home-bound senior citizens or disabled adults on Wednesday or Friday mornings to check on them and offer a much needed warm, human connection
· Contact Britt Barnes to sign up

You can safely lend a hand in person —

Food Pantry at Iglesia Emanuel:
· Sign up for a 2-hour shift on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday sorting and bagging food, unloading deliveries, loading boxes of food into cars
· Find your spot on the SignUp Genius and know you are making a huge difference in the lives of struggling families 

Urban Ministries:
· FPC provides volunteers multiple times a month to help prepare and serve breakfast or prepare lunch bags for hungry members of our community
· Breakfast shifts are the 3rd and 5th Fridays of every month, from 7 - 9 am
· Lunch bag shifts are every 3rd Monday and 4th Thursday, 9:30 - 10:30 
· Enjoy fellowship with your church friends while you serve our neighbors!
· Contact Jen McGonigle to sign up for the following shifts in October:
  • Friday, October 15, prepare breakfast and fill take-out boxes, 7 - 9 am
  • Monday, October 19, lunch bag prep, 9:30 - 10:30*
  • Thursday, October 22, lunch bag prep, 9:30 - 10:30* 
  • Friday, October 30, prepare breakfast and fill take-out boxes, 7 - 9 am

Deliver Meals on Wheels:
· Deliver boxes of nutritious frozen meals to home-bound seniors and handicapped adults every Monday
· Offer a friendly smile from behind your mask and encouraging words to brighten someone’s day!
· Contact Britt Barnes to sign up
STILL NEEDED: Cleaning and Hygiene Supplies
Our local food pantries continue to be flooded with requests for basic sanitation items. To answer this urgent need, Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA) launched a hygiene drive to keep our partner pantries fully stocked with the supplies Durhamites need. They are seeking the following items: 
  • CDC-approved disinfectant wipes or sprays (Lysol, Scrubbing Bubbles, Clorox)
  • hand sanitizer
  • empty spray bottles
  • paper towels
  • toilet paper
  • feminine hygiene products
  • hand and body soap
If you can donate any of these, they can be dropped off at any of these partner congregations, from which the supplies will be delivered to area food pantries for distribution to our Durham neighbors! 
• First Presbyterian Church
Mondays and Fridays, 9:00am-1:00pm.
305 E. Main Street
• Cole Mill Road Church of Christ
Monday through Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm.
1617 Cole Mill Road
• Antioch Baptist Church
Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00am-12:00pm.
1415 Holloway Street
• Pilgrim United Church of Christ
Tuesday through Friday, 8:00am-12:00pm.
3011 Academy Road
• Christus Victor Lutheran Church
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9:00am–2:00pm
1615 E. NC 54 Hwy

Thank you in advance for your continued support of this project!
The next church newsletter will be issued Tuesday, November 3. Please submit your articles to Valerie in the church office
by Sunday, November 1.