August 14, 2019

Dear friends and fellow disciples,

Things continue to move forward with the Fellowship Hall building project. We've been avoiding the building as the asbestos folks do their work, and I’ve been practicing parking in the very back of the lot and walking around to the preschool entrance to the Mission Center. As this project progresses, I'm learning a lot about things I don’t usually understand very well, which makes me all the more grateful for our gifted Building Committee. You are in good hands with the management of this important project! 

Later this month, trees and shrubs around the Fellowship Hall will be removed, and construction fencing will be installed. Demolition is scheduled to begin on August 21. The construction will require us to change our parking and entrance/exit patterns on campus, and we’ll have information about this to you very soon. Onward!
Immediate Need: Volunteers for Haiti Trip
Pat Gunter and Helen Harrison are traveling to Haiti on September 28-October 5 and are in need of a couple of helpers to help in the education programs there. One person is needed to serve as a teacher’s assistant for a beginners' class in Microsoft Word and Excel. The students will be recent high school graduates. Also needed is a person who can make simple sewing machine repairs while in Haiti. If you think you might be interested, please contact Pat Gunter today (919-724-9459).

Can’t go to Haiti, but still want to help? Our Haiti Education Mission Team is working to bring tablet technology to outfit a second elementary school in Haiti. If you’re interested in purchasing a tablet for the program, please contact Dorene Palermo.
School Supply Drive for Githens Middle
The Neighborhood Missions Committee is continuing to collect school supplies to support students in need at Githens Middle School. There are just a few more days to contribute before it's time to deliver the supplies to Githens so they can be given out to the students. Donations can be placed in the yellow bin in the Mission Center. Any and all school supplies are needed.  Contacts : Jim Young, Carolyn Davidson , Amy Stanfield

Attention, All Who Love to Sing
The Chancel Choir welcomes all singers for a brand new season, which begins next month. All voice parts are needed,  most especially sopranos . The new season begins Thursday evening, September 5. Join them in the Music Room at 7:30pm for singing and refreshments as friends old and new gather. Rehearsals take place on Thursdays, 7:30–9:15pm, and Sundays at 10:00am in the Music Room.  Contact : Monica Rossman
A New Year of Learning Awaits: Rally Day is September 8
We’re just a few weeks away from kicking off a brand new year of Christian education. Don’t miss Rally Day on Sunday, September 8! With the Fellowship Hall project underway, we’ll be doing things a bit differently this year.
  • 8:30am - Worship (Back to 2 services!)
  • 9:45am - Open House and Meet-the-Teachers for Children and Youth in their classrooms
  • 10:15am - Presentation of Fall Adult Christian Education programs
  • 11:00am - Worship
  • Noon - Fellowship Luncheon on Calhoun Cabin grounds – Food provided!
  • 5:30pm - WPC Youth Group Kick-Off
NEW Fall Elective: “Gospels That Didn’t Make the Cut”   
Speaking of learning, I’ll be teaching an elective this fall, and I’m really excited about it! Did you know that there are thirty or so additional early Christian writings that can be classified as “gospels” (meaning they portray something of the life and ministry of Jesus) that didn’t make it into the Bible? Some we have in whole, some only in fragments. Some tell us stories of Jesus as a child, some are filled with sayings Jesus is reported to have shared with his disciples after the resurrection. Join me for a four-week exploration of these profound and strange texts. The class begins on Sunday, September 15, at 9:45-10:45am in Room 205 and continues through Sunday, October 6.  
A parting thought....It's the time of year when we're beginning to gear up for the start of school. I know our year-round friends are already back in session, and the pace of many of our lives will shift in the coming weeks. Know I'm praying for you all as we prepare for a new year. Also, please add to your prayers the teachers and staff who educate the children of our community and more specifically, for the families who will receive the supplies we've donated to Durham Nativity School and will soon deliver to Githens Middle. Blessings on all of our preparations!