Dear friends,

Last night at its monthly meeting, the Session heard a report from the COVID-19 Task Force (appointed in the spring – Lesley Curtis, Karen Romines, Kathy Colville, and Howard Eisenson) recommending that the current guidelines for operating during a pandemic remain in place until November 1, All Saints’ Day. Like you, I grieve the fact that this pandemic is still with us and continues to change our lives in significant ways. At the same time, I am grateful for the wisdom of this team that seeks to minimize risk for us all. I know that our current situation will not last forever and I hold on to the hope of seeing you all gathered side by side, singing, praying, laughing, talking, and worshiping together. 

In the meantime, these guidelines allow for small outdoor gatherings where people are masked and separated from one another by at least 6 feet. Though indoor gatherings are still considered too risky, the task force encourages groups to find ways to safely meet in person in an outdoor space. The youth have been on a bike ride and have other safe activities planned for their fall kickoff. We also had a drive through children’s Sunday School kickoff this past weekend that was fun and safe. Other small groups have gathered outside with masks to catch up and see one another in person. If you have other ideas, I would love to hear them! Feel free to give me a call 919-682-5511 or drop me an email to share your ideas.

           

Friends, if there is one thing this pandemic has made abundantly clear, it is that we need each other. We need one another to calm our fears, help us breathe, give us hope, and make us laugh. We need each other to encourage us in our creativity, strengthen our resolve when it begins to falter, lift our eyes when they fall discouraged, and remind us who we are as a friend in Christ, a child of God, a beautiful human being, and one worthy of love. We are the Body of Christ and apart from each other we are less than we should be. It is when we are together that we are strong and full of life and ready to work for God’s kingdom here on earth. How important during this time that we are separated physically that we maintain and nurture the spiritual connections God has given us in the safest ways we can.

As we continue to find ways to connect with one another, I pray God’s presence will be with us, that we will be comforted by the knowledge that we are not alone and that this will not last forever. As you journey through this week, may you find joy in the simple things of life –

-       the voice of someone you love on the phone,

-       a renewed connection with a long-lost friend,

-       the sight of a breeze rustling the leaves of the trees,

-       the smell of freshly baked bread,

-       the laughter of a baby passing by in a stroller,

-       the smile in a stranger’s eyes,

-       a psalm, or a poem, or a song that seems to be written just for you.

In all these things, may you glimpse the light of Christ in your lives and may you bring light to someone along your way. May God be with us all.

With love and hope,

The love and concern of the congregation are extended to Susan Buck & Lenore Champion, Alex, Jackson, Kayla and Megan on the death of Susan’s mother, Ruth Buck on August 17^th in Durham after a long illness and decline.

We also extend our love and concern to Parker and BJ Morton on the sudden death of their son, Peter Morton, on August 20. He was 53 years old and a father of two. Peter was baptized and confirmed at FPC.

Durham NC 27705.

Linda Barenchi, tested positive for COVID-19 virus

Joe Harvard, recovering after a toe amputation at The Forest

Dan Hudgins, recovering for surgery

Wil James, recovering from surgery

Carol Wills, recovering after a time in the Emergency Department

Care Communities:

Brookdale Durham: Julian Boswell, Becky Crockett

Croasdaile Pavilion: Bob Rankin,

Dubose Center at The Cedars, Chapel Hill: Arthur Clark

Durham Regent: John Kerr, Ann Prospero  

Emerald Pond: Paul Cornsweet

Hillcrest Convalescent Center: Mickey Velkey; Peggy Mordecai, mother of Beth Eisenson

Rose Vista Village /Kinston Assisted Living, Kinston NC: Phillip Herndon

The Forest at Duke: Fran Bryant

Family and Friends of the Congregation:

Brendan Bequette, family friend of Margaret & Miguel Rubiera

Jennie Bodkin, sister of Mindy Douglas

Peggy Boulden, mother of Dick Boulden

Becky Evans, sister of Vernon Neece

Phil Goss, friend of the congregation

Shannon Johnson, daughter of Mary Putman

Robert Reaves, husband of Floalice Reaves, an active friend of the congregation

On August 24, 2020, the FPC Session accepted the invitation from the PCUSA to be identified as a Matthew 25 church. Learn more here. As a Matthew 25 church, FPC pledges to focus its work and ministry in one or more of these areas:

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The Sacrament of Baptism was celebrated for Ruby Elizabeth Gentithes on Sunday, August 9 during worship. The baptism was held at the Gentithes' home and viewed live via FPC's YouTube channel. John Weicher officiated and Amy Wilson was the presiding elder. Ruby is the 13-year-old daughter of George and Annie Gentithes.

The church office will be closed Monday, September 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. We pray you will have a safe holiday observance.

Sunday, August 30, 2020.

please let Mindy Douglas know.

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

Worship streamed at 11:00 a.m. via the church's website: https://firstpres-durham.org

FPC is seeking two additional volunteers to help with our social media platforms, Zoom, and live-broadcasting tasks as the pandemic continues to keep us from holding in-person gatherings. Persons who are comfortable with the more technical aspects of using Facebook, YouTube, and producing live broadcasts, are preferred. Please contact Mindy Douglas if you can assist.

FPC's Pandemic Cookbook is done. Thanks to everyone who shared recipes. Click here to view the cookbook.

This July and August, FPC held listening sessions for Durham Congregations, Associations and Neighborhoods (CAN) in Zoom meetings attended by 23 members of our congregation. These meetings were designed to identify the issues that our congregation is concerned about that we are willing to work on with other members of Durham CAN, stories about why these issues matter and how folks are willing to get involved. Durham CAN is based in institutions and organizes across faith traditions, race and socioeconomic class with concern for families and a tradition of faith and democracy.

·       Gun violence,

Use of School Resource Officers instead of Social Workers and School Nurses in our public schools,

·       Lack of sidewalks and safe crosswalks, particularly in low income neighborhoods,

·       Gentrification and tear-down of low income housing

·       Living wages

·       Transportation, light rail

·       Criminal justice reform, including cash bail

Congregation members that participated also volunteered to participate on the First Presbyterian Durham CAN Core Team or on action teams already in place through CAN. We’ll be sharing more about how you can get involved this fall in the Faith and Community Class.  If you have questions, contact Susan Dunlap.

If you would like to attend any of these sessions, please send a request by email to [email protected]. Then we can send you the information. Everyone must register every week. We need to receive your inquiry by 8 am on Monday for Tuesday’s session. We meet each Tuesday from 4:15-6 pm, with a presentation plus small group discussion.

Click Learn more and register

There is no denying what history makes clear: Systemic racism in America is deeply entwined with the history of the institutional church. Even today, the church must look at our complicity — which at times has been overt, and other times the product of mere silence. The good news – and there is good news – is that church is in the business of redemption and prophetic imagination. That means that the church can lead toward a more just world that truly resembles the realm of God.

Contact Margaret Rubiera or Jen McGonigle

Dear FPC friends,

Since we are well aware that not everyone is comfortable at this point volunteering in person at UMD, but you still care about helping our neighbors, we have some easy options for staying involved. If you can find some spare minutes and enjoy being in the kitchen, think about whipping together some of these goodies:

To make it more fun, you might encourage neighbors or friends to join your efforts (from their own kitchens, of course!), and then deliver at the same time. You may deliver your food to the main door of Urban Ministries, Monday - Friday, from 9:30 - 5:30. This has been an immensely challenging time for the UMD staff, so any extra help we can give them would be a huge blessing. Any amount of sandwiches, cookies, etc that you take would be wonderful.

Thank you all so much for your continued commitment to serving others! Let Margaret Rubiera know if you have any questions. 

Since the outbreak of COVID in March, volunteers from FPC and other churches have joined forces with Iglesia Emanuel to pack and distribute large boxes of fresh and staple food every week to families in need of assistance. Financial and food donations play a huge part in the ongoing success of this ministry. To volunteer on site, click here: Iglesia Emanuel COVID-19 Food Bank Signup Genius. To make an online donation, click here. For questions, contact Margaret Rubiera at [email protected].

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