FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

"Downtown by history and by choice"

FPC Bi-Weekly Newsletter

January 11, 2022 - Issue 1

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JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

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In this issue you will find the following:

Pastoral Letter
In Our Thoughts & Prayers
Worship info/ 150th Anniversary Celebrations
Faith Formation for Children
Youth Corner
Faith Formation for Adults
Congregational Life/Fellowship Events
·Stewardship Corner
Service & Mission Opportunities·

From the Pastor/Head of Staff

Dear friends,

On Sunday night our Associate Pastor Mitzi Lesher-Thomas posted a journal entry on her CaringBridge website. I share with you a portion of that journal entry here.

Mitzi wrote:

"Whether it is our parents, our teachers, mentors, friends, churches, or neighbors, people have been pouring into us. We are standing on a foundation. It should come as an incredible relief. Our only job is to build on what we’ve been given, and, even then, even our gifts we can trace back to the creativity, generosity, and foresight of others. Thank God we are a group project." - Kate Bowler

Indeed. Thank God we are a group project and thank you to family, friends and church communities that have and continue to pray. Thank you for the smiles that come in the form of cards, texts, and funny pictures. Thank you for sharing some of your most valuable resource - that of time, to read and comment with words of support. Thank you for voicemails and for understanding that we love hearing from you even if we don't always reply or call back. Thank you for your patience with this process and your love. And while Troy and I can't say "thanks" enough - we know there's other information to be shared.

On Friday we learned I have a glioblastoma, grade 4 that is diffuse, infiltrative, and inoperable due to size and location. On Tuesday, Jan. 11th, I'll have additional scans which will be used to create a 'landscape' of the tumor and form a mask which will remind me not to move during radiation. Duke Radiation Oncology will begin working on calculations at a level of precision I can't even imagine. By the end of the month I'll begin a 6 week (plus a few days) course of combined radiation and chemotherapy.

[T]he treatment tends to be so well tolerated that, to a person, everyone on the oncology and radiation oncology team encouraged me to continue doing everything I want to do and feel I have energy to do. So, in conversation with Mindy, we've agreed I'll return to participating in work, and worship in particular, on Jan. 16 assessing and adjusting as needed as I get further into treatment. Driving will even be a possibility after a time of adjusting to a new dosage for my current medication.

At this point, I'm not sure what else to say as there are always more questions than answers. Troy and I (with help) are looking into all our options and exploring every possibility. AND we have the utmost confidence in our team at Duke. So, I'll try a new thing for a wordy preacher and sign off with someone else's wise words and our deepest gratitude for your presence with us on the journey.

"I am no masochist, and I surely have no martyr complex, but I do believe that the only way out of deep sadness is to go with it and through it. ... I wonder if the only way to spiritually hold suffering—and not let it destroy us—is to recognize that we cannot do it alone." - Richard Rohr

Many of you have already reached out to learn how you can help Mitzi and her family during this time of treatment. Thank you. I am in conversation with Mitzi and her husband, Troy (also a pastor), about what they need and how our community might be able to respond. For now, there is a meal train sign-up (MEAL TRAIN) to help during this time. I will let you know as other opportunities to support them arise. Thank you for your kindness and compassion during this difficult time.

On Sunday, we read the first two verses from Isaiah 43, a passage that assures us of God’s presence and protection, even in the most difficult of times. May these and other words from scripture bring you peace and comfort in these challenging days.

But now thus says the Lord,

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

²When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and through the rivers,

they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

We move forward in faith.

We move forward in hope.

We move forward in love.

We move forward together. With God.

We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

With gratitude for you all,

Mindy Douglas, Pastor/Head of Staff

CONCERNS:

Gerald Arrowood, brother of Al Arrowood, in Hospice care

April Cain & James Evans, sister & brother-in-law of Kathy Parkins,

Gera Fleming, mother of Christyn Klinck, recovering from surgery

Chris Irwin, cousin of Linda Barenchi, preparing for heart surgery

Home:

Paul Cornsweet

Harold Dunlap

Kerry Holbrook

Mitzi Lesher-Thomas

ADDITIONAL CONCERNS

It is through your support that our Walk In Ministry continues to respond to the financial and emotional struggles of our neighbors who are suffering during this pandemic. Calls are still coming in daily and the team continues to answer and prayerfully work to assist those who call.

A brief report from 2021: Your Walk In team is still mostly working from home. There is a presence at the church on Monday mornings, and until the church is reopened fully this will remain the same. It is our goal to work at the church entirely as soon as possible. We have decreased our hours to Mondays and Thursdays, 9-3. There are still five Walk-in volunteers as well as the church staff who respond to calls for help.

Last year we assisted 543 families/individuals with rent or utility payments for a total of $75,000. This was made possible through your gifts as well as donations from other churches and individuals in the community. We serve as advocates by working directly with other agencies and making referrals as needed. We called approximately 140 families who live in Durham Housing Authority facilities to be sure that they knew they qualified for Emergency Rental Assistance. Folks who receive eviction notices are connected to Legal Aid. If they are hungry or need clothing we connect them to other agencies and sometimes deliver goods to their doors.

A few messages from those we assisted:

"In Jesus name we thank you;"

"Thanks for the boxes for my kids. We can use it."

"They told me you would help."

"Thanks for what y'all do to help our clients pay their rent."

"Thank you and bless your ministry."

"You have given hope to many!"

Submitted by Marie Sappenfield

Pictorial Directory

Ready for Distribution!

The church’s pictorial directory has been updated. It has a new cover and contains some new photos and corrected contact info of members.

Hard copies of this directory will be mailed this week (at no charge) to members who do not have access to a computer or email.

Those of you with an email address on file with the church office will receive an electronic (PDF) copy via a separate email. You can also request a paper copy from the office. The cost is $5.00, and your copy will be printed upon request for pick up from the church or delivery by US mail. Call the office for more details.

We encourage members to use the ChurchLife app for the latest member information between directory updates.

FPC returns to virtual worship beginning this Sunday, January 16 and until further notice.

In case you missed reading the email this past weekend, here is the January 8, 2022 Letter to the Congregation from Mindy announcing the need to cancel in-person worship and return to online worship from home.

Organized on New Year’s Eve 1871, First Presbyterian Church has been a beacon of Christian faith and hope where “cross the crowded ways of life” in downtown Durham for 150 years. We are pleased and excited that former pastors and associates are returning to the pulpit this month as our sesquicentennial church anniversary celebration continues on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m.

January 16 – Cherrie Henry

January 23 – Sam Miglarese

January 30 – Lori Pistor

Worship will be live streamed. Click WORSHIP

from the church’s website opening page to watch worship live.

Sunday, January 16

3rd Sunday in Ordinary time

Worship online at 11:00 a.m.

Cheryl Barton Henry, preaching

Cherrie was raised in Douglasville, Georgia, where she was baptized and confirmed at age 12 in the First Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Rhodes College with a BA in Religious Studies and received her Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary. Ordained in 1987, Cherrie has served as an Associate Minister of Education (First Presbyterian Church, LaGrange, GA), a Co-pastor (Calypso, NC), and as the Presbyterian Campus Minister at Duke University (1995-2010). Most recently she was part-time Pastor to Efland Presbyterian Church (Efland, NC) and part-time Parish Associate for Young Adults at First Presbyterian in Durham. She also teaches spiritual formation at Duke Divinity School. Cherrie is trained as a Stephen’s Ministry Leader and has certifications in K-6 public school teaching (Campbell University), nonprofit management (Duke University) and spiritual formation (Columbia Theological Seminary). Her family includes husband Andy Henry, daughter Abi Warmack and son-in-law Derek Warmack, and son Sam Henry.

Sunday, January 23

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Worship online at 11:00 a.m.

Sam Miglarese, preaching

In December 2019 Sam observed his 75th birthday and 50th year of ordination. He felt these milestones deserved a pause, so Sam honorably retired from ministry after nearly 14 years of service as Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian. Since that retirement on December 31, 2019, Sam has continued working at Duke University as the Deputy Chief Administrator to the Vice President for Durham and Community Affairs, a position in which he is responsible for the overall successful management of Office operations. From 2016-2020 Sam was Assistant Vice President of the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership (DDNP). Prior to that, he was director of DDNP for 10 years. Sam came to Duke and Durham in August of 1999 from South Carolina, where he had served for 28 years in full-time church administration. With a Doctorate in Theology, Sam is also an adjunct member of the Religious Studies Department and the Program in Education. He served as co-editor for The Long Shadow of Vatican II, a book that was released in September 2015. Sam is married to Sheila Miglarese who is an active member of FPC.

CHILDREN'S FAITH FORMATION

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Zoom Link for all children's classes

Until further notice, all children's classes will meet via Zoom.

There will be an outdoor option for Pre-K--3rd grade, led by Amy Sanchez. This option will run from 9:45-10:45. The general format will be:

Story
Check-in
Prayer
Play on playground

***Note: if it is raining, we will NOT be able to have this outdoor option***

YOUTH CORNER

MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASS LINK

This class meets via Zoom, Sundays beginning at 9:45 a.m.

CONFIRMATION CLASS LINK This class meets via Zoom, Sundays beginning at 9:45 a.m.

FAITH FORMATION FOR ADULTS

The Faith and Community Class

is on a winter break.

LECTIONARY CLASS

9:45 - 10:45 a.m. (ZOOM LINK)

Our class will meet remotely, not in person until further notice. Our discussion begins at 9:45 a.m., preceded by sharing of news and concerns at 9:35, and we’ll end at 10:45:

On January 16:

What does it take for someone to recognize and believe that God is at work? Does it take a miracle, on a small or grand scale? Or is it just a matter of spiritual discernment?

On January 23:

What makes the words of the Bible different from those of any other book? Is there some great power in the reading and hearing – and understanding – of God's word?

Join us via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/194508837).

For phone access (audio only), call 253-215-8782.) If you need a copy of the handout of scripture readings, contact David Smith.

JOURNEY'S CLASS

We meet on Sundays

9:45-10:45 a.m. ZOOM LINK

We are presently meeting remote (via Zoom) and not in person.

On January 16^th Journeys will discuss the 23-minute commencement speech by David Foster Wallace titled “This is Water.” The speech can be found here.

On January 23, Journeys will begin a nre discussion; Reynolds Price’s Letter to a Man in the Fire: Does God Exist and Does He Care? Journeys participants are encouraged to use online or local bookstores source to get this book.

As always, you can participate without having completed the assignment and classes start at 9:45AM. We are meeting by Zoom only at this link: https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/9128525675.

For more information on this class, contact Andy Henry.

MnMs CLASS

(formerly the Scratch group)

Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ZOOM LINK

We are discussing "Preaching the Luminous Word" by Ellen F. Davis

New faces are always welcome!

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

WINTER BOOK STUDY BEGINS TODAY...

January 11 - March 2 2022

6:15 on Tuesday nights and 11 a.m. on Wednesday mornings.

This is an eight week study.

HOW THE WORD IS PASSED (Book Review)

by Clint Smith

If you need help getting a copy, please let Mindy know!

Here is the Zoom link (it will be the same each week, so save to your calendar if you can): ZOOM LINK.

View the discussion SCHEDULE HERE.

STEWARDSHIP CORNER

Recycling home items

This time of year, many of us clear out unwanted household items to make way for new, or just because we have no further use for them. Some items can be repurposed—like craft projects and toys.

Here are area nonprofits that accept your serviceable discards. If in good condition, let someone else love them! Take your items to the site to donate. Scrap Exchange requires an appointment, made on-line.

Alas, some things we keep too long and must be discarded in your waste bin. Make the call and do not force the non-profit to pay for it to go to the landfill. If something like a grill needs to go, call the City of Durham One Call and request a pickup.

Durham County official site: Club Blvd, toward the east, is the county waste facility. They ask you to bring your hazardous items—paint, aerosols, any chemicals, and put in the designated site for them to dispose. There is an electronics swap shop—not open recently.

Check HERE to see a table of non-profits and addresses and what type of discards they accept.

SERVICE AND MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

MLK Day of Service Opportunities

Interested in a service opportunity for your family on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? Here are two ways you can be engaged in service in our community:

In honor of MLK Day, and in response to his call to service, let’s have a FOOD DRIVE!! Over 600 families continue to come to the Iglesia Emanuel Food Pantry every week. As a congregation, we can help our neighbors during these complicated, challenging months. We are focusing on the two food items most needed: canned protein (tuna or chicken) and cereal. Drop off your contributions at FPC any day THIS week, or by Monday afternoon, January 17. Better yet, take them directly to Iglesia Emanuel, 2504 N Roxboro, between 2 and 4 on Monday, January 17. Thank you for your generous support of this ministry! Questions? Contact Margaret Rubiera.
Signup required: Keep Durham Beautiful is offering opportunities for picking up litter around Durham on Monday, January 17, from 1:00-3:00 in the afternoon. This is a family friendly way to help beautify Durham and protect the health of our watersheds by removing litter from park grounds, creeks, and streets. Keep Durham Beautiful will have several concurrent cleanup locations. Address and meeting instructions will be sent for the location you select. Use the link below to sign up and select a site.

https://keepdurhambeautiful.org/events/mlkday2022

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Book Harvest is collecting books at Central Park on January 17

From 1:00-4:00 p.m., celebration-goers can munch on free popcorn from Mad Popper, read and listen to poems written in real-time by the Poetry Fox, and hobnob with the Durham Bulls’ Wool E. Bull and other well-known mascots. The fledgling bibliophiles can also indulge their inner artist with crafts and activities courtesy of Scrap Exchange, take in a performance by the Bouncing Bulldogs jump roping team, and bite into warm donuts from Mr. A’s Beignets. All attendees will receive new string backpacks full of children’s books for free as well.

MORE INFO ABOUT BOOK HARVEST

Thanks to everyone who is comfortable volunteering! Please see below the January times and let Jen know if you can assist for any of them. The Food Pantry slots below are all filled at this time.

Monday, January 17th prepare lunch bags, 9:30-10:30am
Friday, January 21st, prepare breakfast and fill take-out boxes, 7 - 9am
Thursday, January 27th, prepare lunch bags, 9:30-10:30am

ALTERNATE TIMES:

Thursday, January 13th, prepare breakfast and fill take-out boxes, 7 - 9am (3 volunteers needed)
Wednesday, January 26th, prepare lunch bags, 9:30-10:30am (3 volunteers needed)
Saturday, January 22nd, prepare dinner and fill take-out boxes, 5-7pm (2 volunteers needed)

Links here for other UMD opportunities:

https://umdurham.org/donate/casserole-recipes.html

https://umdurham.org/assets/files/Recipes-English-and-Spanish-Final-081214.pdf

There are also some other opportunities (hygiene kits/etc.) and they can be found at the link below: https://umdurham.org/get-involved/opportunities.html

COVID prevention/spread guidelines remain in place. If you are fully vaccinated, contact Jen McGonigle to sign up for one of FPC's regular time slots each month, or call Jen at 202-421-5870.