FBC Raleigh News • August 29, 2023
AN UPDATE ON SECURITY
 
You may have noticed the return of Raleigh Police Department officers in recent weeks, but not on a consistent basis. There is a reason for this, but before naming that reason, it might be helpful to review our church’s decision about security and the process that informed it.

In response to the increase of threats to any gathering of people in our nation, including those at places of worship, we formed an Ad Hoc Safety and Security Committee which studied the matter for a couple of years. Protus3, a private security firm, did a thorough security assessment in 2019, and based partly on that assessment, our committee recommended that we hire off-duty RPD officers for three-hour time frames on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Our church in conference approved this recommendation on August 21, 2019 — not without reservations, given the sad reality about our culture this decision acknowledges, but in a desire to keep safe all who come to us for refuge and strength.

We began having officers here right after that decision, but COVID-19 changed our practice vis-a-vis security, as it did almost everything else. We did not meet for over a year, and when we started meeting again, far fewer people came to church, and we only opened one or two doors that we could monitor. So, we did not feel a need for security officers.

This year, however, things have changed again. We are slowly returning to a new normal with more people, more open doors, and issues that call for a return to RPD officers. We have adjusted the location of the officer on Sundays to the area recommended by the consultant — near the greeting station for Sunday School (what we call the throne). We are looking into placing security cameras in numerous locations that can be monitored by the officers. And at the request of clothing ministry leaders, we have added that time slot to our list of needs.

So, why do we not see an officer every week? Because the RPD is shorthanded and there are simply not enough officers available to fill all off-duty requests. Chief Patterson and her staff are working on filling all the department’s positions which will improve our possibilities for receiving help, but we are looking into private security firms that might be able to help.

It is one of the most difficult issues facing any church today. We want to be hospitable and welcoming to all, and we want everyone who comes into our space to be safe. It is difficult to do both in a world that has become increasingly violent. But we will continue to seek both goals as thoughtfully and prayerfully as we can. - Chris Chapman
SEPTEMBER
MISSION PROJECT

The mission project for September will be to support Toy Joy, which will be held on Saturday, November 11, and we are asking for money to purchase toys and needed supplies for this mission. Checks can be made out to FBC with "Toy Joy" in the memo line. For those who enjoy shopping online, there are links to wish lists on Amazon and Walmart below. Items purchased from those retailers can either be sent directly to the church for your convenience, brought to the church on our donation dates, or left in donation boxes in the church parlor. If you like to shop in person, take a look at the lists to see what we need most this year.

If you have any used toys, books, games, puzzles, or stuffed animals that are in great condition, with all pieces and parts, we would love to have them. The next donation days for used items, as well as newly purchased items, are September 24 and October 15, 12–3pm, in the fellowship hall. These will be the only dates we can accept and process used donations. Please do not leave used donations in the parlor collection boxes!
 
Check upcoming church publications for information on volunteering for the event—we love having the support of our church family and couldn't do this without your help! Questions? Contact Anne Cooke (cooke76@aol.com) or any member of the Toy Joy team.
 
YOGA CLASS

We are thrilled to begin offering a yoga class in our building beginning soon! Join us Tuesdays, 1:30–3:30pm, from September 26 until December 21 
(no class Thanksgiving week) in room 302.
Cost: $20/class or $240 for the 12-week session.
Please bring all of your own gear. If you have not been to this class, please email Julie Rosier to register.
5TH GRADE POOL PARTY

Last Tuesday, we had a pool party for our fifth graders, one last hurrah before they move up into the youth group. We were glad three of our six soon-to-be-youth were able to get together, compare notes on sixth grade orientation at school that same day, and get to know Michael and Sara Hood a bit more. We played in the pool, ate pizza and chatted around the table, and ended our evening with a short walk to my house for ice cream sundaes on the deck! I’m sure going to miss these considerate and caring leaders in our children’s department, but the youth group will be gaining the cream of the crop! -- Lynn Lingafelt
CHURCH CONFERENCE TOMORROW

Our regularly scheduled church conference will be held Wednesday, August 30, at 6:15pm. Please note that our prayer time will begin at 6pm, so the conference can begin on time. The Zoom link is below, as well as a call-in number for those who would rather join via phone. Our by-laws require 50 members in attendance (in-person and Zoom) in order to transact business. Please make plans to attend so we can vote on important matters for our church.


View via Zoom with this link, meeting ID: 850 6201 7518, passcode: wDefe3. 
To view the speaker throughout the presentation, click the three dots
on the right portion of the screen and choose "pin this video." 
If you would prefer to call in,
use 646-558-8656, meeting ID: 850 6201 7518 Passcode: 490422.
CENTERPOINT
THIS FALL
 
We are excited about the return of Centerpoint on Wednesday, September 6! While we enjoy the different rhythms of summer life, we always look forward to gathering again on Wednesdays, reconnecting with each other, and being challenged by creative programming for all ages. We will follow the same schedule as last year, which is listed below. After discussion among the ministerial staff and with deacon leadership and the Adult Ministries Council, we have decided to continue offering a Zoom option for church conferences, but not for regular adult programs. Adult programming will begin with a look at what has been happening with buildings downtown. Our own Bob Talley will start us off on September 6 with an update on changes with state government buildings.
Adult Wednesday Night Schedule:
5:15–6:15pm - Supper line is open
6:15–6:30pm - Prayer time and announcements
6:30–7:15pm - Adult program
(Zoom will be offered for church conferences)
Children's Wednesday Night Schedule:
5:15–5:45pm - Supper line is open
5:45–6:30pm - Children's music
6:30–7:15pm - Children's missions
We invite you to join us for a mid-week fellowship meal every Wednesday at 5:15pm. Reserve your spot at this link on the website or by calling the church office. The menus for upcoming Wednesday night suppers are as follows (all meals come with salad and bread):

August 30: Pork tenderloin with sweet potatoes and veggies; non-meat option: vegetarian meatballs; kids: mac-n-cheese
September 6: Chicken and rice with broccoli medley; non-meat option: mock chicken and rice; kids: nuggets
September 13: Spaghetti and green beans; non-meat option: veggie spaghetti; kids: spaghetti
September 20: Herb-roasted chicken with potatoes and corn; non-meat option: veggie patties; kids: pizza rolls
September 27: Chicken and shrimp stir fry; non-meat option: veggie stir fry; kids: spring rolls
RISE AGAINST HUNGER
MEAL-PACKING EVENT
 
We have the money to buy the supplies. We have the lunch to feed the volunteers. Now all we need is YOU to come help us pack 10,000 meals! Please make plans to join us on Sunday, September 17 at 12:15pm in the Fellowship Hall. The 10,000 meals we pack this year will bring our church record to 100,000 meals. What a great accomplishment we will celebrate, as we do our part to stop hunger here and around the world. But, we need 60 volunteers to help make it happen! Bring your family or bring a friend—all are welcome!
 
There’s a job for everyone. Standing, sitting, running (for the youngest) and even ringing the gong! The choice is yours. Please RSVP to Nancy Moore Phillips by Wednesday, September 13.
CLOTHING MINISTRY UPDATES

The repairs to our clothing ministry space are moving along as scheduled! Thus, we will reopen our clothing ministry to guests on Monday, September 11, at 10am as planned. To prepare for our reopening, we will once again start receiving donations at the back door clothing bin this Wednesday, August 30. If you have a large donation (more than 4–5 kitchen sized garbage bags' worth), please email Sabrina and she will schedule a time with you for drop-off.

TEMPORARY ENTRANCE TO THE SANCTUARY

The construction work to repair the front steps of our sanctuary is underway. Since the main sanctuary doors will be inaccessible for a few weeks, you may enter through the side entrance of the sanctuary, on the corner of Salisbury & Edenton Streets (pictured here, circled in yellow). As always, the back parking lot doors and the Edenton Street doors will be open for Sunday School, and locked at 11:05am. If you are coming in for worship after 11:05am, please use the side entrance of the sanctuary. We appreciate your patience as we make this necessary fix to our building! If you have any questions, please contact Wayne Hager.

BIBLE VERSES FOR DAILY USE
  • Wednesday, August 30: Psalm 8; Exodus 2:15b-22; Matthew 26:6-13
  • Thursday, August 31: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b; Exodus 2:23-24; Ephesians 5:1-6
  • Friday, September 1: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b; Exodus 3:16-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12
  • Saturday, September 2: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b; Exodus 4:1-9; Matthew 8:14-17
  • Sunday, September 3:Exodus 3:1-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b; Jeremiah 15:15-21 and Psalm 26:1-8; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28
  • Monday, September 4: Psalm 83:1-4, 13-18; Exodus 4:10-31; Revelation 3:1-6
  • Tuesday, September 5: Psalm 83:1-4, 13-18; Exodus 5:1-6:13; Revelation 3:7-13
DEACON ON CALL
August 27–September 2 • Jason Gardner (404-861-4259)
WEEK AT A GLANCE • August 29–September 6
Tuesday, August 29
5:30pm Mission leaders' dinner and meeting (301)

Wednesday, August 30
5:15pm Meal served (FH)
6:15pm Church conference (FH)
7pm Adult choir rehearsal (310/S)

Thursday, August 31
7am Band of Brothers (Zoom)
5pm Children's new year kick-off pizza and pool party (Lake Park pool)

Sunday, September 3
9:45am Sunday School
10am JBC worship and potluck (301/302)
11am FBC worship (S/YouTube)
Monday, September 4
Labor Day—church office closed
Clothing ministry closed until September 11

Tuesday, September 5
10am Staff meeting (CR)
10:45am WMU Group 2 (Springmoor)
1pm WMU Group 2 (Independence Village)
7pm Properties Committee meeting (Zoom)

Wednesday, September 6
5:15pm Meal served (FH)
5:45pm Children's music (301/307/311)
6:15pm Adult programming (FH)
6:30pm Children's missions (PS/CS)
6:30pm Handbell rehearsal (302)
7:30pm Adult choir rehearsal (310/S)

AAWC'S WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Each week, we post And Also with 'Cue's weekly schedule here in Rose Window Weekly as well as on our Facebook page to let you know our lunch schedule and if there will be outside events on the weekend for you to attend.

Come eat with us this week, August 30–September 1!

Lunch— church parking lot (11am-1:15pm)

AMONG OUR FAMILY

A link to the entire prayer list may be found below.
Please use your church directory for mailing addresses.

THE RECORD WE WROTE
As of August 25:
Current Week Revenue: $16,894.49
Month-to-Date Revenue: $69,073.85
Year-to-Date Revenue: $970,410.19
Month-to-Date Expenses: $109,203.50
Year-to-Date Expenses: $1,023,316.35
Heck-Jones: $3,205.00
To facilitate your giving to FBC, use the QR codes below to link to the website
for our main electronic giving, VANCO Faith, and the page that lists
all our e-giving options and instructions. 
Use this QR code to e-give
to FBC on line.
Use this QR code to e-give through
Paypal and other options.
SUBMIT A ROSE WINDOW WEEKLY ARTICLE

Do you have an article that you would like to include in the Rose Window Weekly? All information must be submitted by Thursday at noon, to be included in the following Tuesday's edition. Just fill out the Google form in the link below, and we'll make sure to include it in next week's publication. For any questions concerning the Rose Window Weekly, contact Jennie Herrick. Email Jennie here.