From the Pastor/Head of Staff:

Dear friends,

           It has been three months. It has been three months since we have gathered in our worship space, shared hand clasps and embraces, lifted our voices in song and speech, and stood in clusters catching up and sharing stories of the week. I miss our worship. I miss the beauty of the sanctuary. I miss the music. Most of all, I miss you.

           These are hard times to be separated from one another. We are worried about one another, especially those who are sick, grieving, caregiving, or isolated and alone. You all have been finding ways to reach out to one another, though, through phone calls, emails, texts, letters, meals, Zoom meetings and classes. You have been holding one another in your prayers. We are still the Body of Christ, still the community of faith, even though we are living this out in ways we never could have imagined only four months ago. I am so glad to be a part of this community that cares so deeply for one another.

           These are also hard times as we grieve the recent unnecessary losses of black lives. We who are white have also become aware of the role we have played in our silence and inactivity. We have a long way to travel as we seek to recognize the ways our education, judicial, health care, economic, religious, and governmental systems have long leaned toward serving those who are white, while binding and holding down people of color throughout history.  We have a long way to travel as we work for change that brings justice and equity to all God’s children.

           My sermon this week considered the ways we are called both to action and to reflection. In the action/reflection model, we recognize that action alone, without refection on the meaning and purpose behind such action, can be meaningless. At the same time, reflection without action will not move us forward in the way God would have us go. Let us also remember that there are many forms of action and many forms of reflection. Not all of us can protest. Not all of us can write books. Not all of us are in a position to change policy. But we can all turn our hearts to God each day and invite God to guide us toward what we are able to do and what God calls us to do. Our reflection, our meditation, opens us up to hear the way God will lead us into action.

           Friends, in these pandemic days, many of us are tired. Our souls are weary. Our hearts are heavy. But we are not alone. God has never left us and will guide us in these strange and difficult days. God will comfort us in our grief and uphold us in our weakness. God will not leave us. God’s love surrounds us day and night. The psalmist sings:

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in God’s word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.” and “O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever.”

May you be surrounded by God’s steadfast love, and may your souls wait for God’s guidance as those who watch for the morning, knowing it will come.

Deep peace to you all,

Mindy

Thank you for your loving concern via phone calls, emails and greeting cards, plus your prayers. You helped to ease my heavy heart following the deaths of my sisters-in-law, Marlene and Barbara. I felt your love despite the distancing imposed by this pandemic we are enduring. I count my blessings for this caring FPC family and look forward to the time we can all meet together again.

With gratitude,  Shirley Frederick

Sunday, June 21

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Summer Sunday School

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

Sunday, June 28

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Summer Sunday School

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



Attention Committee Chairs and Moderators: The deadline for submitting your Annual Report summary for the 2019-2020 church year is July 15, 2020. Please submit your summary by email to Valerie in the church office. If you need to see a copy of your committee's report from last year, let Valerie know.

Join us on Facebook . . .

If you have a Facebook page, you can search for First Presbyterian Church Durham Music in the search bar and ask to join the group. Everyone is welcome to see the posts which will be of interest to people particularly interested in music.

FPC Choir Check-in

Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. - Kathy will send you the link. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Parkins. Looking forward to catching up each week!

Feeding Durham's School Children

Volunteer assistance is needed for the DPS Foundation Feast program. The foundation is partnering with local restaurants who are buying local produce to supply nutritious meals for school children and their families. Opportunities include: handing out food at schools, loading meals onto buses, and taking food (with no contact) to families. In addition, people can donate to the fund. Go to:  bullcityschools.org  and click on the link to COVID-19 response to sign up for volunteer opportunities.

Iglesia Emanuel Food Pantry - Please continue to help!

Our FPC congregation is earning gold stars for your wonderful, generous response to the call for support of the Food Pantry at Iglesia Emanuel! If you would like to help, know that your contribution will be greatly appreciated. Here are current options:

Make a financial donation by going to  emanueldurham.org , and click on “Donate.” 

Mail a check to Iglesia Presbyteriana Emanuel, 2504 N Roxboro, Durham 27704.

Purchase food items, preferably in bulk. Most helpful are:

You may deliver food items to Iglesia Emanuel on Monday afternoons, from 3 - 5, on Tuesdays, or drop them off at Margaret and Miguel Rubiera’s home, 3108 Chelmsford Drive. Contact  Miguel Rubiera  or  Margaret Rubiera  if you have questions . Thank you again for your loving commitment to help others.   

Volunteers needed at Urban Ministries of Durham

Those of you who have high school or college kids looking for a meaningful reason to get up early in the morning, suggest they come volunteer at Urban Ministries.

FPC's remaining schedule for June (sign up with Margaret Rubiera  ):

There are many openings for volunteers to help with breakfast, lunch or dinner shifts in addition to FPC's regularly scheduled ones. For these additional shifts, please contact FPC member  Jen McGonigle . Help is needed as follows: