The Weekly: March 27, 2020
FEATURED
Video Message from Pastor Jennifer

What is Essential? Love is essential!

Pastor Jennifer reminds us of our call as Christians to the essentials.
- Love God - Love our Neighbors - Love Ourselves -
Please email one of the pastors   with suggestions or ideas about how we can best support you during this time. We want to know what you need. We are with you and for you.

UPDATES

We will continue to worship via live stream .  
- The ministry team is working creatively and collaboratively to provide digital experiences for Holy Week and Easter.

- Our Conference Bishop has  issued the following guidance :  
"I urge you to continue the compassionate practice of not gathering for worship, funerals, weddings, studies, and other groups for the next two months."

All  formation groups including Sunday Sunday School, Youth Group, and Small Groups will continue virtually.  
- Many existing groups have already transitioned to virtual gathering!
- Your ministry team is working creatively to offer new opportunities for digital formation and engagement.

Your Ministry Team will continue their work even as we adhere to local "stay at home" orders. 
- Many staff will work regularly remotely while utilizing the resources of the office for "essential" activities such as pastoral care and religious services.
- The best way to reach your Ministry Team in this time of remote work is  by email  while those with immediate pastoral care needs can call Pastor Heather at 919-218-2129.

All committee meetings  will continue virtually
- Ministry team members will reach out to Committee chairs with instructions for facilitating a virtual meeting.
CONNECT
Cairn Crawl

This week we invite you to go for a walk and collect rocks. Then create a cairn in a place where you have experienced the fruit of God’s Spirit along this wilderness way; a place where you have experienced love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Write words of encouragement on the stones so that those who come across your cairn may be uplifted during this wilderness season.

Post a picture and story about your cairn to Facebook and tag @dukememorialumc . Or send it to office@dukememorial.org
Centering Time with Your Pastors

We invite you to gather with us online for 30 minutes of prayer.
Mondays at 8:00 am | Wednesdays at 12:00 noon | Fridays at 5:00 pm 

We will be using  Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, Enuma Okoro, and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove as our guide.

To join us, go to  dukememorial.org/formation on the days and times listed above.
No need to RSVP. For more information, email Pastor Kris
Virtual Poetry Formation Group

Sundays, March 1-April 5 | 7:30 pm

We are going to try something new and different this Lent, a virtual small group that will take a closer look at the Wilderness poems designated for each week of Lent through the lens of Lectio Divina.
Please join us! More information and instructions to join at dukememorial.org/lent.
Adult Spiritual Formation

Adult Spiritual Formation continues … in a new way!
In scripture we are reminded, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). So in this season of increasing physical disconnection, we want to create space to stay connected spiritually and emotionally, to encourage and build one another up.

We have added to our church website links for each small group to “gather” virtually. The link is unique to each group AND can be used at the usually scheduled time AND at any other time the group chooses.
You can find our smalls groups and online links at: dukememorial.org/formation
Resources for Parents and Children

Pastor Jennifer has created and compiled a list of resources for parents and children including daily schedules, coloring pages, education materials, and more.
SERVE
COVID-19 Response | Serving

Visit our COVID-19 Response page for an up-to-date list of opportunities to support our congregation and community through our trusted organizational partners.
Durham CROP Walk

Your financial gift is important now more than ever…. The April 5th CROP Walk will now be hosted online! "Walkers and Sponsors are still needed -  register and donate online . (team name: Duke Memorial UMC)
CAMPAIGN FORWARD | UPDATE
The Transformation Begins

Thank you all for your faithfulness in giving of time, patience, and money for this transformation that will provide a safe and welcoming space for members and our community to share the love of Christ. Even while life at church has changed significantly over the past two weeks, this important work of transformation continues.
WELCOME STATEMENT
As our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to love and accept every person, Duke Memorial United Methodist Church welcomes into our life together those of every age, race, ethnic background, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or socioeconomic status, educational background, and physical or mental ability. In our commitment to the reconciliation of all persons as beloved children of God, we celebrate our diversity and recognize the sacred worth and dignity of all. We invite you to join us in our faith journey toward discipleship in Christ with mutual respect, understanding, and love.