From the Pastor/Head of Staff

Dear friends,

 As we move into another week facing the threats and challenges of COVID-19, I want you to know how much I and the rest of the staff are holding you in our prayers. We know that everyone has been affected in different ways – children at home, semesters online, trips cancelled, weddings postponed, jobs lost, rhythms changed, isolation enforced. Some are lost in loneliness while others have embraced the new time to engage with family members. Everything is different. 

           This morning I shared a blog post by a Presbyterian pastor in Shreveport, LA, Chris Currie. In it, he reminds us that while everything has changed, everything also remains the same, particularly God’s abiding love for us. We are not left alone in these changes and challenges. Rather, we are surrounded by a love that accompanies us, envelops us in grace, and invites us to places deep in our spirit where we can find peace. Click here to read the post.

           Though these days are vastly different than our days were only a month ago, they remain the same in that we need one another. We need to talk about life and our fears with those we love. We need to laugh together about silly things. We need to play together, even from a distance. And we need to reach out to those who need to hear a friendly voice and a word of support and hope. 

           We have put together a phone tree to allow us to stay in touch with each other. Many of you have volunteered to make calls. Others should be receiving calls in the next week or so. Take the time to get to know the person on the other end of the line. Now is the time to build relationships with those we have not known before and strengthen relationships we are already in. 

           I will hold office hours (via Zoom) on Wednesdays from 2-4. You can speak to me privately at that time, if you like, or join a group to chat. There will be a “waiting room” for folks to hang out in if I am speaking with someone else. Please stop by if you like. The link is below in this email.

           We are also sharing in this email ways you can help those in need. This is important moving forward as jobs are lost, food is not as available to our school children, and sickness touches so many. Please help as you are able.

           Friends, we are the church.  Being the church looks different these days, but in that we reach out in the love of Christ, build community with one another, love our neighbor, and find our strength and hope in God, being the church is the same. Thanks be to God.

            May God be your strength and your courage in the days ahead.

With love,

Mindy 

Virtual "Office Hours" with Pastor Mindy Douglas

Wednesdays, beginning March 25, 2020 via Zoom.

Mindy will be available to chat with individual members between 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. To reach her during this time, click Zoom APP or open Zoom and enter the Meeting ID: 257 889 231 .

These virtual meetings with Mindy will be one-on-one (or group) conversations with audio only or audio with video. When you "Join the meeting" you will be placed in the waiting room until called. This helps keep conversations confidential. Call Mindy if you have trouble making the Zoom connection work: 919-260-5107.

Congratulations to Michele Miller-Cox, Executive Director of First Presbyterian Day School, for having her article, "In the Rush to Improve Early Childhood Education, Don’t Forget the Educators," included in a New America compendium last week. The article originally appeared in Education Week, and can be found here.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

See Ways to Give for the many options available to pay pledges, make donations, and give to special offerings. The option to give to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering (received annually on Easter Sunday) is now available on the website for contributions. Thank you for your continued generous giving to the church while we practice social distancing.

See Ways to Help for a list of some of the opportunities available to assist our Durham community partners and neighbors in need. Please support them as you are able.

The effects of the coronavirus pandemic brought a need to best determine how we proceed with our search for FPC’s new Associate Pastor.

 

With respect for these challenging times and concern for all of us who are dealing with this new reality, we are moving along by continuing our weekly meetings via Zoom, email, and telephone.

 

Our commitment is to keep the congregation updated. Click TIMELINE to see where we are in the overall process.

 

FPC’s Ministry Information Form (MIF) has been posted to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Church Leadership Connection. This gives potential candidates access to learn about our church and the competencies we are seeking in our next Associate Pastor.

 

Interested individuals are now posting their Pastor Information Forms (PIF) and we are doing our initial review of what has been received to date. Our committee has developed a thorough evaluation criteria and that criteria enables us to perform a uniform review of applicants.

 

We continue our plan to broadly make available our position specifics to encourage the broadest range of diversity in applicants. Individuals and groups who have relationships within and outside our Presbyterian communities and institutions of faith guide us in this important aspect of what you have entrusted us to do. 

 

We have a visual timeline as to our goals and where we are in the process. Our latest timeline is attached to this report. 

 

We as members of the APNC welcome your comments, suggestions, and prayers. Our email through which you can contact us [email protected]

  

Sincerely,

Laura Hanson

Michael Honeycutt (co-chair)

Marcia Lorimer (co-chair)

Keith Merritt

Griffin Momsen-Hudson

Cris Rivera

Amy Wilson

APNC Committee  

Sunday, March 29

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Sunday School (Virtual classes begin at 10:00 a.m.)

11:00 a.m. Worship (Live Streamed)

Mindy Douglas, preaching

Each Friday, the congregation will receive an email with information on how to attend (connect to) "virtual" Sunday School classes and Sunday morning worship. You are also encouraged to visit the church's website where the latest links to worship (live-streamed via YouTube) and study opportunities via (Zoom) will be posted.

Winesdays on Wednesdays Fellowship

The First Presbyterian Fellowship group has decided to start doing weekly Virtual Winesday Happy Hours beginning tomorrow March 25 at 5:30. Regular attendees to the Coop have been sent a link to participate via zoom. You can join the gathering by connecting via Hangouts Meet: meet.google.com/rce-oymm-hfe  . Join by phone: +1 319-449-2941 (PIN: 283670966). Contact Laurie Williamson to be added to the group's listserv.

The 46th Durham CROP Walk has not been cancelled but is now considered a “virtual walk.” We will continue to raise money to support CROP walk; the easiest way to support at this time is to make a donation through our team page ( WALK) .  For more information on other ways to support this virtual walk, contact Jody Maxwell.