In this issue you will find the following:

• Pastoral Letter
•  In Our Thoughts & Prayers/Thank You
• New Member Profiles
• Session and General Assembly News
•  Worship info
•  Faith Formation for Children
•  Youth Corner
• Faith Formation for Adults
•  Congregational Life/Fellowship Events
• Service & Mission Opportunities·       

From Pastor/Head of Staff

Dear friends,

On Sunday, the weekly lectionary gave us the text from Luke 11:1-13. In this text, the disciples see Jesus in prayer and when he finishes, the disciples ask him to teach them how to pray. In response, Jesus gives them the words we know as the “Lord’s Prayer,” a prayer many of us learned from memory as children and pray every Sunday. As important as this prayer is, however, I think the most important part of this sermon comes at the end when Jesus says, “how much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

My sermon from Sunday (linked here, begin at the 19:28 minute mark) asks some hard questions about prayer - answered and unanswered prayer - and the role of prayer in our lives. It asks hard questions about Jesus’ command to “ask, seek, and knock” and leaves us wondering about the times we have asked, and even begged, and found our prayers unanswered, at least in the way we expected or hoped they would be answered (including my own journey through the doubts that have come when I have felt my own prayers unanswered). But not all answers to prayers come in the way we think they should. God’s answers to our deepest prayers are more complex and more transforming than we could ever imagine when we first sit down to pray. Our vision is (often) limited to what we know and understand. God’s scope of love extends far beyond that, though. God’s love extends far beyond even the world as we know it. I do not believe that this means that bad things are “God’s will.” I do not and cannot believe God wills bad things - cancer, natural disasters, accidents, mental illness, violence, war - to happen. This is not in God’s nature. But I do believe that God never abandons us, weeps with us, and ultimately has us always in the palm of God’s hands for our eternal lives of peace and joy. 

So dear friends, as you find yourselves in that dark valley, please do not hesitate to reach out to God in prayer. Open yourselves to the ways God will share the Holy Spirit with you and give you courage, strength, hope, and peace - no matter what you are facing. We are not alone, friends. We are not alone.

May God’s grace, mercy, and peace be and abide with you today and always.

Mindy 

Sympathies: The love and concern of the congregation are extended to John Weicher and family on the death of John’s mother. Alice Weicher died July 16 in DC. The family will hold a memorial service in August and the interment will take place in Cincinnati.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

John and Laurie Weicher (Lucy and Tate)

5828 Bayberry Lane

Raleigh NC 27612

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Caroline Pritchett is recovering at home from a stroke (November 2021) caused by a cerebral aneurysm and successful surgery (July 2022) to remove the aneurysm.

Jane Williams, home after a brief hospital stay

Lee House, three-year-old son of Wayne and Lucie House, undergoing medical tests

Franzi Rokoske is at Wake Medical Center, Raleigh, following a serious fall. 

Follow her health journey via CARING BRIDGE.

Mitzi Lesher-Thomas is on short term medical leave from duties as our associate pastor.  Follow her health journey via Caring Bridge: CARING BRIDGE

Paul Cornsweet            Kerry Holbrook         Jancy Johnstone     

George Kafula           Katy Loebrich               Phyllis Verhey     Carol Wills

Care Communities

Dubose Center at The Cedars, Chapel Hill: Arthur Clark

Durham Ridge Assisted Living: Phillip Herndon

Hillcrest Convalescent Center: Julian Boswell, Walter Chambliss (Will’s dad),

                                                      Maxie Honeycutt, Jim Wolfe

The Forest at Duke Health Center: Wes Carson

Family and Friends of the Congregation

Gladys Arrowood, mother of Al Arrowood

Bob, friend of Fred and Jo Ann Moore

Nicky Clegg, granddaughter of Jeanne Hervey

Tom Cotton, friend of Michael Honeycutt

Mimi Cummings, mother of Drew Cummings

Mark Dille, son-in-law of Jo Ann and Fred Moore

Grace, Chris James’ great-niece

Roger Kalthoff , husband of Jane Williams

Vivian Mast, friend of Josh Walters

Paul Nordhaugen, partner of Gordon Campbell 

Aaron Pritchard, friend of Kathy Parkins

Jim Vacca, father of Jamie Chambliss

John Wakefield, cousin of Vernon Neece

Deb Walsh, friend of Celia Dickerson

Janice Faye West, mother of Randy Lang Howard

Chris Wood, stepfather of Sharon Hirsch 

FPC welcomed and introduced recent new members Susan Cyr, Rebekah Jakel, and Sarah Wright during worship on Sunday, July 17. Click here to learn more about these new members.

FPC Session Digest . . . 

In their meeting on June 27, 2022, the Session of First Presbyterian Church:

1)     Shared prayer, reflections, and joys and concerns.

2)     Approved the resignation from the Elders Class of 2023 by Leslie McDow.

3)     Approved the motion from the Personnel Committee that Mitzi Lesher-Thomas be provided with compensation of 40% of her salary in addition to her pension and health insurance fees for the duration of her 90-day short term disability leave. The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pays 60% of effective salary during temporary disability.

4)     Approved the motion from the Property Committee to repair damages to the sanctuary roof.

5)     Approved two motions from the Service and Mission Committee.

a.      That FPC endorse the Policy Priorities of the Poor People’s & Low Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington and to the Polls

b.     That FPC ask the New Hope Presbytery to endorse the same.

6)     Approved the motion that the Covid Team be asked to give specific guidelines to the Session for a mask mandate for FPC.

7)     Elected Julie Whiddon and Johanna Bernhardt to attend the July 26, 2022, meeting of New Hope Presbytery at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh.

Curious to know what decisions were made at the 2022 PC(USA) General Assembly? Copies of the Outlook summary are available from the table in the church foyer. 

Masks welcome but not required in worship as of July 24, 2022.

Some members may choose to remain masked, while others may attend worship without them. We hope that all will feel welcome. We also want to assure you that we will continue to monitor available data for indications that we should return to a “masks required” policy; we know that these policy changes can be disruptive, but they may be necessary in the future. 

Sunday, July 31, 2022

 9:45 a.m. Faith Formation Classes  

11:00 a.m. Worship

Joe Harvard, preaching  

Guest soloist: Ginger Jones-Robinson, soprano

LECTIONARY CLASS

 Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m. (year-round)

Join us each Sunday for discussion, as we meet both online and in person in the Robert Daye Parlor. The class will begin at 9:45, preceded at 9:35 by sharing of news and concerns, and will end at 10:45.

On July 31: In this week's Gospel reading, Jesus criticizes those who are greedy and accumulate earthly goods: "One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Are we, in our affluent society, condemned by these words?

On August 7: How much faith do you have? Do you have faith to leave your home and family in order to claim a promise? Do you have faith to believe that sins can be forgiven and relationships restored? Do you have faith that the master will come home soon?

To join remotely 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.

Sign up to Donate Blood!

Our local blood supplies in area hospitals remain critically low. FPC is holding another community blood drive on Thursday, August 4 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at FPC in Watts-Hill Hall!

To sign up, go online to RedCrossBlood.org and use code firstpres or use the RAPIDPASS donor App to save time! Please invite family, friends, and coworkers to support this downtown area drive. Last minute donors are also welcome as walk-ins. For more information on becoming a blood donor, contact Julie Whiddon at 919-730-6673.

Jane Austin Returns to FPC

Tuesdays, August 2, 9, 16

MANAGING YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM

DURING A TIME OF STRESS

Jane Austin has agreed to return during the month of August on Tuesdays for 45-minute coaching sessions on dealing with stress and trauma.  

You are invited to sign up here for a 45- minute, 

one-on-one session with Jane. 

Sessions will be held in the Wilson Parlor. 

If additional sessions are needed, contact Valerie in the church office (919-682-5511 x 215).

Donors Needed for Worship Flowers

We have Sundays available in

August, September, and October. 

You can find instructions on how to donate flowers

and what Sundays are open at this LINK.

FIRST FRIENDS POTLUCK

Friday, August 26 - gather at 6:00 p.m.

Hosted at the home of

Mac and Wendy McCorkle

4811 Montvale, Durham

Hosts will supply barbecue, sandwich buns, and slaw from Q-shack. People can bring sides and dessert. You can also choose to BYOB.

RSVP to let Wendy know you are coming and what you will bring. wendy.mccorkle@gmail.com, or 919-656-7153.

FIRST FRIENDS ANNUAL BEACH TRIP

WHEN: Friday, September 16 at 4:00 PM

to Sunday, September 18 at 11:00 AM  

WHERE: An awesome beach house on the ocean in NC

Planning to join us? Click here to respond to the Evite.

If you wish to receive an EVITE, contact Valerie in the church office.

QUESTIONS: Deborah Momsen-Hudson

919-417-8664 

In-person Growing thru Grief meetings are continuing at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1200 West Cornwallis in Durham. Meetings are held each Tuesday, with registration starting at 4:00. First time attendees must show proof of Covid vaccination and booster(s). Any masking requirements will be posted at the church. The program begins at 4:30 and all will end by 6:00 p.m.



Here is the schedule for August:

August 2:        “An Unpredictable Journey: Beyond the Stages Theory of Grief,” with Aaron Klink

August 9:        Eloise Jordan is the speaker

August 15:      “Six Needs of Mourning,” with Mike McCloud

August 23       “Grief Support Turned on Its Head: A Companioning Approach to Grief and Loss,” with Mandy Murphy

August 30       Tim Auman is the speaker

Please contact admin@growingthrugrief.org if you have any questions.

Thanks to everyone who is comfortable volunteering! 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.

A Little Muscle + Big Heart = Wonderful Volunteer!

Summer is here, and with these warmer months come plenty of opportunities to volunteer, to help build our Beloved Community. The Food Pantry at Iglesia Emanuel continues to serve an average of 650 families every week. We are totally volunteer run and would welcome new (and returning) faces to be part of this vital ministry. Please consider signing up for a 2-hour shift any Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. We work hard but have lots of fun in the process of providing healthy food for struggling families. If you are 14 or older and willing to put your muscles to work, join us! Young people 12 and older, with a responsible adult, are also welcome. To sign up, simply click here. Contact Margaret Rubiera  with any questions.

The City of Durham Wants Our Input . . . 

The Durham Splash & Play Project  will bring new or updated recreational and aquatics facilities to East End Park, Long Meadow Park and the former Wheels Fun Park location. We are focusing our efforts on connecting with residents in the neighborhoods around East End and Long Meadow Parks to ensure the updates better reflect the wants and needs of the community. Your place of worship is in the area, and we would appreciate your help spreading the word to your congregation and encouraging all that care about East Durham to speak up. 

There are a few ways to participate. We have created a two-minute survey that can be completed online. We hope you can complete this request by August 2^nd. The second phase will begin in August and by September, we will have conceptual designs to share for additional input. P lease don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Kate Collins, Engagement Specialist