FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DURHAM
"Downtown by history and by choice"
FPC Bi-Weekly Newsletter
May 4 - 17, 2021
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Letter from Pastor/Head of Staff: |
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Dear friends,
We are making progress! More and more people are getting vaccinated, numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are decreasing, masks are no longer required for small outside gatherings, and people are feeling safer as they move about Durham and beyond. We are moving in the right direction!
Our COVID-19 Advisory Team has given guidelines to the Session that will allow for us to gather again – in person, inside – by the end of June. In the meantime, we are working to make sure that when we do gather again, we will have the best safety protocol in place for those ready to return to in-person worship. We are also working to ensure that those who remain at home will continue to have a meaningful online worship experience with us live at the 11 a.m. hour on Sundays.
I hope that you will take advantage of opportunities we are making available for outdoor fellowship gatherings in May and June. It is good to see one another in real time and space!
Our staff, Session members, committee members, and tech volunteers are working hard to get things in place for a safe and joyful regathering. If you are interested in helping to implement our regathering plan, please let me know! (Mindy). Thank you for your patience as we make steps in this hopeful direction for our community.
If you are eligible but have not already been vaccinated, I hope you will be able to do that soon. If you have concerns about this and would like to discuss vaccination with one of our COVID-19 team members or with me or another pastor or staff member, please let us know. We would be happy to help answer questions or address concerns in a safe and welcoming space without judgment or pressure. We are in this together!
Please continue to pray for all God’s people around the world who face significant illness and death from this virus and lack resources to fight it.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:1, 14)
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Concerns:
Deb Walsh, friend of Celia Dickerson
Recovering at their homes:
Kerry Holbrook
Margaret Sims
Care Communities:
Brookdale Durham: Julian Boswell
Croasdaile Pavilion: Bob Rankin
Dubose Center at The Cedars, Chapel Hill: Arthur Clark
Durham Ridge Assisted Living: Phillip Herndon
Emerald Pond: Paul Cornsweet
Hillcrest Convalescent: Walter Chambliss, father of Will Chambliss
The Forest at Duke: Fran Bryant
The Laurels of Chatham County: Ann Prospero
Family and Friends of the Congregation:
Carolyn Bonner, wife of Deborah Momsen-Hudson’s coworker Al Bonner
Flora Estrella, a relative of Beth Stringfield and Cris Rivera
Grace, Chris James’ great-niece, suffering from a degenerative condition
Phil Goss, a friend of the congregation
Peggy Mordecai, mother of Beth Eisenson
Ed Overton and wife Abby, friends of Doug Butler
Shannon Putman, daughter of Mary Putman
Carlton Round's mother who is fighting cancer; Carlton is a friend of Li - Chen Chin
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Youth Fundraiser for Iglesia Emanuel |
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Pandemic life at FPC has taught us two very important fashion lessons. One is that quality masks can say a lot about a person. And the other is from style icon Kathy Parkins – socks complete any ensemble. Building on those lessons, the youth of the church are holding a socks and mask fundraiser. The rainbow socks feature the Durham skyline, while the masks add the phrase “Love in the Heart of Durham.” All proceeds go to benefit the food pantry of Iglesia Emanuel, whose ministry has been vital to the Durham community during these last 14 months.
Between now and May 23 (Pentecost Sunday), please click on the links below to order a FPC mask and/or FPC socks. We are using the vendor Custom Ink, and because of the pandemic, we’ve chosen to have items delivered directly to you (instead of picking them up at the church building) for a small shipping fee.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to John Weicher. Thanks for your support.
Love in the Heart of Durham,
The Youth Ministry Committee
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Faith Formation/Sunday School Summer Plans
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Our last “regular” Sunday for spring will be May 23.
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On May 30 (Memorial Day weekend), there will be no Faith & Community, nor children’s classes, nor youth classes. There will be an in-person event for collecting and assembling hygiene kits for our friends at Urban Ministries. (The time and specific nature of this is still being sorted out.)
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Our Children's summer schedule starts June 6, as we move to a singular children’s class.
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The summer Faith & Community class will have 6 weeks led by the Anti-Racism Task Force (June 6 - July 11), followed by 5 weeks of The Black Church, the documentary by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (July 18 - August 15).
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We will kick off the fall (in some form) on August 22, with a possible evening event that Sunday night.
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Durham Public School starts on Tuesday, August 24.
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Sunday, May 9, 2021
6th Sunday of Easter
11:00 a.m. Virtual Worship
Mindy Douglas, preaching
Sunday, May 16, 2021
7th Sunday of Easter
11:00 a.m. Virtual Worship
Susan Dunlap, preaching
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Children's Faith Formation classes are virtual . . .
to the Parents' weekly email
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Class begins at 10:00 a.m. Join via Zoom or by phone access.
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Adult Lectionary Class
Join us year-round as we discuss the lectionary texts for the day at 10:00 a.m., preceded at 9:45 by sharing of news and concerns.
On May 9: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." Can love be commanded, especially love as profound as that?
On May 16: Do you belong to the world? Which is more real for you, the world of work and health and politics and daily concerns, or the world of God's truth? Or is there a difference?
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 actual ID for the Zoom connection, contact David Smith.
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Women’s Spirituality Group: Contact Leah Graves for the links to join this class at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays for spiritual formation, and/or following Sunday worship for a virtual lunch together, and checking in with one another on Tuesdays - all three events via Zoom.
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SCRATCH: We're back on for our usual meeting time, Sundays at 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. We are currently discussing chapters in "Home by Another Way" by Barbara Brown Taylor. Join via Zoom. New faces always welcome!
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on YOUTH Faith Formation classes and other activities
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Spring/Summer
Book Study
Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m.
Mindy Douglas leads the study. Click here to join the study via Zoom.
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Three First Friends events
to enjoy in May!
All outdoors and if it isn’t raining.
Thanks to the hosts. Look for a signup genius. 12 people max for each gathering.
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BACKYARD BBQ
Friday, May 7
Come at 6:00 p. m.
to the home of
Wendy and Mac McCorkle
Hosts will provide Q-Shack bbq, slaw and drinks. Please bring sides or dessert.
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DINNER on the DECK
Saturday, May 15
from 5ish - 7ish p.m.
at the home of
Kim and Jon Abels
We’ll provide grilled
main dishes and dessert and welcome salads and side dishes.
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PICNIC POTLUCK
Saturday, May 22
starting at 5:30 p.m.
at the home of
Jane Wettach
and Paul Baldasare
We will provide ham biscuits; guests should bring “picnic” sides or dessert.
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As part of our ongoing recognition of the importance of our stewardship of the earth, the Service and Mission Committee and the Creation Care Committee will be holding a Durham Clean Up Day on Saturday morning, May 8, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. We will be cleaning up Long Meadow Park on Liberty Street, just a few blocks east of the church, in collaboration with Keep Durham Beautiful. All ages are welcome to join us, and it's a great way to safely socialize with other members of the congregation while doing something worthwhile for our community. Gloves, trash bags and grabbers will be provided, or you can bring your own. Since we won't be able to have sign-up sheets at church as we normally would, just contact Tom Bacon to let us know you would like to join us.
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POP-UP EVENT
Play, Pray, and Plan
Saturday, May 8
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Camp New Hope
(Scratchers / young adult families invited;
come as you can, leave as you must)
9:00 a.m.
Bring your coffee (or just a clean cup) and enjoy some conversation
10:00 a.m.
Join us for a child friendly devotion at the amphitheater by the lake
10:30 - 11:45
Lenore Champion will provide some programming for children, while adults have time to reconnect and plan for the upcoming year
11:45 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Pack your own picnic and plan to hang around and enjoy some fellowship time at camp.
Questions: contact Mitzi.
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The Things That Matter Book Group
will be meeting by Zoom on Tuesday, May 11, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. Marsha Butler will lead the discussion and Marcia Lorimer will handle Zoom. It should be a very interesting discussion. New readers are welcome. Contact Marcia for access to the discussion.
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May is Faith Climate Action Month
Join FPC's next monthly Creation Care meeting on Thursday May 13 at 7:00 p.m. for a group discussion on how regenerative agriculture has the potential to rebalance our climate, replenish our vast water supplies, and feed the world.
VIEW the current Creation Care Committee newsletter.
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Grounds Workday at FPC
Saturday, May 15
(weather permitting)
9:00 a.m. - 12 Noon
Come prepared to do some pruning, weeding, and planting
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Spring Fellowship Opportunities
FPC is full of people with a rich variety of interests. From birding to book discussions, beer tasting and backyard gardens. Check out the variety of opportunities to meet someone new, indulge a curiosity, or connect with other enthusiasts.
Please note - out of love for one another and in accordance with CDC and COVID Team guidelines we continue to limit the size of gatherings and ask that you mask and stay socially distant.
Some events involve food or drink - this is permissible as long as appropriate distance is maintained. Check out all the opportunities and sign up here to connect with other FPC'ers. One final note - some offerings begin at a member's home - these addresses will be sent to those who have signed up closer to the date of the event.
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Bringing It Home
Racial Equity Team Webinar
Thursday, May 20
6:30-8:30 p.m.
The Racial Equity Team of New Hope Presbytery will host its 4th webinar, “Bringing it Home,” on Thursday, May 20 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Webinar will focus on phases of becoming anti-racist congregations, the tools for intentional change, and the transforming power of the Spirit via storytelling. Testimonials will come from Vernon Cooper and David Remington of Hillsborough Presbyterian Church and Rev. Reynolds Chapman, executive director of DurhamCares. Register now!
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Volunteers needed at Urban Ministries
For years, FPC has committed to provide volunteers to help prepare and serve meals at Urban Ministries of Durham. Even through the pandemic, members of FPC and those connected to us, have faithfully showed up as volunteers. If you are fully vaccinated and itching to serve again, please know that you are needed. As always, only volunteer when you are comfortable doing so.
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Multiplying the Blessings
At the Iglesia Emanuel Food Pantry, we see miracles every week. We prepare for 550 families. 590 families show up, and there is enough food for all.
Come, be part of the miracle at 2504 N Roxboro. Join other volunteers for a 2-hour shift, bag rice and beans from home, donate food, or give a financial donation. Together, we will continue to spread God’s love throughout our community in this most tangible way.
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To sign up for a 2-hour shift, click here
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To bag rice and beans from home, or donate food, click here
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To make a financial donation, go to www.emanueldurham.org and click on “Donate.”
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The next church newsletter will be issued Tuesday, May 18. Please submit your articles to Valerie in the church office by Sunday, May 16. |
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