BUILDING COMMUNITY. TRANSFORMING LIVES. ENGAGING THE WORLD. | |
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After a bus ride, a couple planes, and a couple more buses, our Honduras Mission Team arrived at LAMB Institute's children’s home, just outside of Tegucigalpa. We were prompted by our guide to split up and sit among the children, jumping straight into the relational deep end. I sat towards the back with some of the older girls and watched our youth and chaperones spread out. You could feel the Holy Spirit fill the room and watch it drift in and out of the open air cathedral and play with the trees swaying to the worship band’s music. It was a very different style of worship then we are used to at First Presbyterian, and yet, the responsive readings felt very familiar, even if they were in Spanish half of the time. The buzz of children electrified the space. They bounced, wiggled, clapped hands, hugged, snuggled, danced, sang, and worshipped. Our people became one people, joining in the rhythm. We shared communion and prayer together and the worship came to a close.
Then an announcement was made - for lunch today we were going to have hamburgers!! A cheer erupted!! (It’s a rare day that the kids have hamburgers because of the cost.) AND ice cream!! Another cheer!! Later in the week, LAMB’s founding missionary, Suzi McCall shared with our team. She explained that with the hardships and devastation and immense grief and sadness most of these children have known too often in their lives, one of the things they do at LAMB is to celebrate the good moments. And to celebrate well - to play and eat and sing and dance.
Some of you may remember that I shared this story briefly in worship right after we returned from our trip in August. For the past few months, Suzi’s words have been living inside of me each day. During the darkest moments they shine a little light, reminding me to hope, and during the good they take me back to that cathedral on the hill, a heart filled to the brim with God’s joy.
Lessons like this one make a difference for one’s whole life. They shift our perspective, letting us see the world differently than before. If you would like to hear more about how members of the Honduras Mission Team were transformed, we invite you to come listen December 10 during Sunday School! They will be sharing stories from the trip and how their experiences have changed their daily lives.
Grace and Peace,
The Reverend Catherine Campbell
Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
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November 5
Celebrating the ministry of the Rev. Lloyd Griffith
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November 18
Camp Albemarle to Celebrate 70th Anniversary
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Camp Albemarle in Newport, NC, on the shores of Bogue Sound, will celebrate its 70th Anniversary on Saturday, November 18th with a 3:00 outdoor Worship and Sharing experience, followed by an evening dinner.
The Camp was established by the former Albemarle Presbytery, and continues to be supported by our Presbytery of New Hope.
The invitation reads, “We would love to see those who have been a part of our journey as campers, staff, or connected to camp in another way.
After the service, stay for a meal at sunset and bask in
the beauty of God's creation with us!
Our First Presbyterian Church bus will leave at 2:00 PM to carry interested folks to take part in this festive event. Following the celebration and meal we will arrive back at church around 7:00 PM. A donation will be accepted to cover the fuel cost. Steve Mabie will serve as our bus driver.
Only 14 passenger seats are available on the bus, so call the church office if you wish to reserve a seat. (252)637-3270.
Saturday, November 18, 2023 – 2:00 PM Departure.
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William Lee Hawkins Library News | |
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AUTHORS
For those of you who have been following along, you may be aware that our theme for 2023 in these newsletter articles has been AUTHORS. With apologies, I am veering off this month, because desperate times require desperate measures. The current desperation which has not escaped the attention of any of us has been the ongoing (as of October 15th, the day this is being written) horror in Palestine and Israel. I may be a tiny bit more invested in this than others; certainly I am more invested than I was even just a little over a year ago before I spent almost two weeks in the Holy Land with friends from New Bern on a trip learning about the geography and history of that place. Having had the privilege of that experience only increases the sense of helplessness as these weeks drag on. What can we, as faithful Christians who live literally on the other side of the world, do in this circumstance? Prayer, of course! But, maybe educating ourselves is the very next step. And, we have resources available to us, right on the shelves of the Hawkins Library on the 2nd floor of the Ministry Center. The recommended books for this month will be a short list of books in our library which address the history of that region and the nature of the conflict between the Palestinians and the Jews.
For your edification, may I suggest:
—The Wrath of Jonah: The Crisis of Religious Nationalism in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by Rosemary and Herman Ruether (291.1 RUE) - a deep dive into the “tortured and contested history of Israel/Palestine from Biblical times through the Diaspora, the development of Zionism, the creation of the modern state of Israel and the subsequent conflict with Arab and Palestinian nationalism.”
—The Body and the Blood: The Holy Land’s Christians at the Turn of a New Millennium by Charles Sennott (275.69 SEN) - a look at the difficult position of Christians trapped between Muslims on one side and Jews on the other. The book is described as “powerful and provocative” as it deals with “themes resonating today [akin to those] that convulsed the region at the time of Christ."
—Blood Brothers: The Unforgettable Story of a Palestinian Christian Working for Peace in Israel by Elias Chacour (279 CHA) - Chacour is considered by some as essential reading for those attempting to understand the Middle East, an author who writes from a Palestinian-Arab- Christian-Israeli perspective (yes, there are plenty of Palestinian Christians - including our tour guide, Mike, on my August 2023 visit to the Holy Land) with a deep love for Jews and Muslims alike.
I will say I have read none of these books and can not vouch for them personally and so am a little reluctant to offer them up for your reading given the difficult geopolitical tightrope which so many seem to be walking. My sense is that we are a congregation of concerned and intelligent folks who can listen to voices from many sides of the issue and land in places of faithful discernment as we are guided by the Holy Spirit. That is my prayer for any of you, should you choose to investigate these books this month, as it is for myself.
And, before I finish, Stacey Griffith reminded me also of I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity by Izzeldin Abuelaish, who was our Rothermel speaker about ten years ago. We feel this will be an important addition to our library and plan to have it on the shelves shortly. For the month of November, however, each of these books can be found on the big table in the middle of the library. I will resist the temptation to abscond with any of them before they are available to the rest of you. And, if you read any of these three (or four), please let me know your thoughts.
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Lunch Wagon Outing - November 9, 10:00 am | | |
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Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center
Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center
We will travel to Harker’s Island to visit the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center and the
Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center.
The displays show the Down East heritage and culture of NC’s coastal villages and its extensive collection of decoys. We will stop at the Spot Grill in Beaufort to get take-out lunches for a picnic at Harker’s Island under the shelter by the water. The Spot Grill is cash only.
We will meet at 10:00am in the church parking lot,
and return around 4:30pm.
Please sign up below or call the church office.
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In October we welcomed 18 new members! Each time we welcome new members we are reminded we are called to receive their prayers and assistance just as they will welcome ours. Together we journey towards God’s kingdom!
Casey and Matt Berube were welcomed by reaffirmation of their faith. They moved to New Bern just last year from Vermont because they were looking for a different climate - one with decidedly less snow. Matt works in the auto industry, managing sales for a dealership and Casey is working on transferring her insurance licenses to North Carolina.
Anne Blackwell was welcomed by reaffirmation of her faith. Anne moved to New Bern two years ago after living in Pine Knoll Shores for 25 years. She found First Presbyterian through our Wednesday Life of Prayer and Contemplative Worship classes.
Lexie and Mike Donlin were welcomed by transfer of their membership. Lexie and Mike are both natives of Annapolis, Maryland who moved to New Bern due to Mike’s career as a Marine aviator and have been able to keep their home base here for the last 15 years. Lexie is a civil attorney at Cherry Point who has also served on our First Presbyterian Church Preschool Board of Directors. Lexie and Mike are parents to Bailey, Georgia, and Oliva and Lexie is the daughter of Tim and Diane Elliott.
Brittany and Johnathan Grady were welcomed by transfer of their membership. Jonathan grew up in New Bern (and at First Presbyterian Church) and Brittany grew up in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. Brittany, a family physician with CCHC, and Jonathan made the move back to New Bern two years ago after spending several years on the family farm in Seven Springs. They are parents to sons Ralph and Jay.
Carol Hansen was welcomed by transfer of her membership. Carol and her husband moved to New Bern 23 years ago - they love boats and sailing and being on the water. They have one daughter and one son. Their son, Craig, has been in our prayers as he undergoes treatment for cancer.
Sally Hunt comes to us as a friend of First Presbyterian Church. She moved to New Bern to be closer to her family but due to her longstanding connections to her Presbyterian church in Texas she is maintaining membership there as well as being active at First Presbyterian Church, New Bern where she is already an active part of our Sanctuary choir!
Cindy Martin and David Shaw were welcomed by reaffirmation of their faith. David and Cindy first met and dated when they were in high school in the Philippines but did not reconnect until four years ago and it took a very short amount of time for Cindy to decide she wanted to move to New Bern so they could be together. David has lived in New Bern since 1986 and Cindy moved from Alexandria, Virginia where she was both a deacon and an usher in her Presbyterian church.
Kathleen McBride was welcomed by reaffirmation of her faith. Kathleen has lived in New Bern just over a year and found that First Presbyterian was a great deal like the church where she was raised, Wantagh United Congregation Church. Kathleen loves cycling and is also a school bus driver for West Craven High School.
John and Mary McCutcheon were welcomed by reaffirmation of their faith. Married for 43 years, John and Mary made their way to New Bern from California and Arizona, even living and traveling in their RV for three years. John is a retired engineer and Mary loves being outdoors with her hands in the dirt.
Garrett and April Perdue were welcomed by transfer of their membership and follow their daughter Mille in becoming members – Millie was a part of the confirmation class this past spring. Garrett and April both grew up in New Bern (April at First Presbtyerian) and decided to move home during the pandemic. They are parents to three daughters: Millie, Haddie, and Anna Lou.
Donna Roberts was welcomed by transfer of her membership. Donna moved to New Bern just over a year ago from Connecticut. She is an active member of our choir as well as the Fairfield Harbor Chorus. She has two adult children and four grandchildren.
Toni Small we welcomed by transfer of her membership. Toni has lived in New Bern for almost thirty years and was even able to convince her children and grandchildren to move to New Bern so she would not have to move to be closer to them! Among Toni’s many involvements she is an active volunteer at the Merci Clinic.
Mary Wilson was welcomed by reaffirmation of faith. A native of New Bern, Mary moved back to New Bern with her husband Robert in order to be closer to her children - they live just across the river. Mary’s sister is Barbara Francis and she is already an active member of the First Presbyterian Church choir.
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If you are interested in a detailed calendar of upcoming Children, Youth, and Family Ministry opportunities, or volunteering, please reach out to Catherine Campbell, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry: catherine@firstpresnb.org | |
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We’ve been busy in the music program, rehearsing for Fall, Advent and Christmas services. One theme of Advent is “Prepare the way” and it takes quite a bit of preparation for us! We are enjoying the talents of our new organist and Associate Director of Music, Daniel Sansone. He is multi-talented and easy going. He has jumped in with both hands and both feet (sorry for the bad joke!) and is assisting with all the choirs and has made my job so much more pleasant. We’re even teaching him some sign language!
There are many upcoming events that you should mark your calendar for:
- Monday October 23, 7:00 pm: Craven Messiah Chorus rehearsals begin. Contact Pat Rowlett if you are interested.
- Friday November 10, 7:00 pm: Organ concert by Daniel Sansone
- Monday, December 4, Messiah performed at Centenary United Methodist Church; 3:00 pm Open Rehearsal, 7:30 pm Performance.
- Sunday December 10, 6:00 pm Candlelight Service. Choirs of all ages present Advent and Christmas music.
Thank you again for supporting the Music Program.
Yours in Christ,
Pat Kerr Rowlett
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Pilgrimage to London, Canterbury & Iona | |
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I am grateful to report that we have all returned safely from this joyful adventure together. From Monday, September 25 to Tuesday, October 3, 2023, we toured many historic “thin places” in England and Scotland. A “thin place” is a moment of a religious experience when one feels tuned in to something much larger and more incomprehensible than oneself.
We experienced many and varied significant locations visited annually by thousands of pilgrims. We had a guided tour of Westminster Abbey. Late in the afternoon of that first day we participated in Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The next day we traveled to Canterbury to visit one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in England. This tour was followed by an unexpected visit to St. Martin’s Church, the oldest continuous Protestant Church in the world. On our last day in London, we visited St. Bartholomew the Great Cathedral which proved to be one of those quiet “thin places” in the clamor of a major city. From London we traveled out to Iona for four days in this birthplace of Scottish Christianity.
During this time together we practiced an ancient and deeper way of traveling. We followed a daily rule of life that encouraged us to place our lives before the Holy and keep vigil for signs of God’s Spirit as we traveled.
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This engaged form of spiritual traveling began with Morning Prayer in the Abbey inviting us to refocus our attention on God’s presence and action in all life. This change in focus was followed by a Morning Gathering with our group to review our plans for the day and grow in learning to travel lightly, letting go of trying to control and paying closer attention for signs of God’s Spirit present throughout the day.
At the end of the day following dinner, we held our Evening Gathering to review our use of time and reflect on the events and encounters that had been important. The day concluded with Evening Prayer in the Abbey resting quietly in God’s presence and action deep within.
But beyond these paths of pilgrims before us and the practice of this daily rule of life we experienced something joyful and purposeful in traveling with our group. Our travels and challenges were highlighted with wine before dinner in deference to our Episcopalian companions(!), quiet walks in a natural setting dotted with friendly sheep and “hairy coos” (cows), unplanned deep conversations filled with insights, and a supporting hand when the travel was difficult. All these connections contributed to experiencing for ourselves a transcendent presence that Jesus promised was here.
I am grateful for our church offering this pilgrimage and for these pilgrims participating in it:
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Jane Ashford, Cory Hunter, Barbara Bidwell, Beth Livingston, Mimi Dixon, the Rev. John McKinnon, Carole duBois, Jane Peele, Diane Elliott, The Rev. Kathy Peters, Tim Elliott, Mary Ringwalt, Melinda Fox, Helen Robinson, Polly Frank, Ann Rosar, Pam Gaskill, Linda Staunch, Dwight Grady, Teeny Tait, Cille Griffith, the Rev. Teddi Therkildsen, Mike Wofford, and Jon Vance
With sincere gratitude,
Lloyd Griffith, Guide
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Organ Recital - November 10, 7:00 pm | |
Presbyterian Women Update | |
Presbyterian Women will be hosting a Together in Thanksgiving Luncheon on Sunday, November 12, in the Session House following the 11 am worship service. Circle members will provide salads and desserts.
There is no charge for the luncheon but it is suggested that attendees contribute to the PW Churchwide Thank Offering. All women of the church are welcome to attend; no reservation needed.
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Sunday School Classes from October 22 – November 19
The Present Word
The Present Word is a Bible study for adults that dives deep into God’s Word and engages in a serious study of Scripture to discover its deeper meaning and its relevance for today. Taught by George Evans in the Session House Parlor.
Let’s Talk: Conversations on Life and Faith
Barbara Brown Taylor, Brené Brown, Ruth Haley Barton. Through a series of video interviews and podcast conversations, we ponder the intersection of life and faith and the surprising ways and places in which they merge. Facilitated by leaders in The Owl Room.
The Story, Old Testament
The Story condenses the Bible into 31 accessible chapters and sweeps you into God’s unfolding story from Genesis to Revelation. We explore how we are a part of God’s ever-unfolding story. Taught by Lana Brunk and Dick Betts in the Conference Room.
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Sunday, September 24th, The day of the New Bern CROP Hunger Walk, broke beautiful and mild. Leaders and volunteers met at 9:00 AM prepared to set up the CROP Walk on the parking lot across from the Riverfront Convention Center, instead of the traditional Union Point Park Gazebo. Saturday the park had been underwater courtesy of Tropical Storm Ophelia. When Rusty Cready and Steve Mabie of the Steering Committee noticed several Parks and Recreation workers cleaning up the park, they asked them if the park could be used for the CROP Hunger Walk later that day. “Check with the Boss Lady,” one of them said, motioning to a blonde woman busy picking up limbs and sticks. Sure enough, Department Director Kari Greene-Warren said as we approached her, “If you can put up with the remaining debris, you may go ahead with your CROP Walk” We assured her we certainly could manage with the park in its current stake, and thanked her for her concern and assistance in getting the park re-opened. Immediately we notified our Faith Connection Leader, Deacon Jim Hackett to spread the word – The Walk is on: 2:00 Registration, 3:00 Walk begins!
Within minutes of getting that way cleared, here came the tents and tables, banners and signs that, once set up, would make the CROP Hunger Walk HQ and Start / End point. And almost on cue, volunteers began to arrive to set everything up, including about a dozen New Bern High School – NJROTC Cadets, full of enthusiasm and youthful energy. In no time the Park area was transformed into the CROP Hunger Walk theatre. Route water stops and educational Passport Stations were also set up.
What looked like a “wash out” the day before, now looked ready to produce a first-class non-profit event! And so, it was…
The 2023 New Bern CROP Hunger Walk was the most successful Walk we have had in almost twenty years. “By every measurement,” stated Deacon Jim Hackett, President of Faith Connection, the Host Partner who produces the Walk, “This was our most successful Walk. The faith community, the volunteers, and the generous Sponsors should be proud of these efforts and these results.”
“WOW!!,” was the response of Roberta Smith, Area Director for Church World Service (CWS). “With these gifts more refugees will receive re-settlement assistance. People who have experienced tragedy through natural disasters, or from political conflict and warfare, will be cared for and a safe place will be provided. Because of New Bern’s efforts, children across the globe will receive medical care and life-changing educational opportunities. Because of the generosity in the New Bern community, women and men will receive micro-loans and grants to start a business, to plant a crop, or to raise family sustaining livestock. Lives will be changed, because of your compassion, good people of New Bern. Thank you!”
Here are the specifics:
First Presbyterian Church: 37 walkers and $5,652 in donations
(the #1 fund-raising team in New Bern!)
Total New Bern CROP Walk: 514 Walkers and
$53.637.43 in donations (including Sponsorships).
This is the most raised in nearly 20 years!
The work of RCS in New Bern and CWS globally is ongoing.
The next New Bern CROP Hunger Walk is scheduled for
Sunday, September 29, 2024.
Thank-you to who worked to make 2023 such a success!
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November Fellowship Dinner | |
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Don't miss out on this month's Fellowship Dinner! We'll be serving up the Thanksgiving classics. Be sure to RSVP as soon as possible.
November Fellowship Dinner
Thanksgiving Menu
Wednesday, November 8th
5:30-6:30
Smith Center Gym
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Mark Your Calendars!
Sunday, November 5
Celebrating the ministry of
the Rev. Lloyd Griffith during 11:00 am worship
and afterwards at a reception in the Session House
Sunday, December 3 ~ 9:40 am - 10:40 am
Advent Craft Fair! An all ages event!
Sunday, January 14 ~ 11:00 am
The Installation of the Rev. Patrick Ryan as Associate Pastor
with the Rev. John McKinnon, preaching
Want to know more? Visit the calendar page on firstpresnb.org
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First Presbyterian Church, New Bern Staff
Anna Pinckney Straight - Pastor
anna@firstpresnb.org
Patrick Ryan - Associate Pastor
patrick@firstpresnb.org
Catherine Campbell - Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
catherine@firstpresnb.org
Pat K. Rowlett - Director of Music
pat@firstpresnb.org
Daniel Sansone - Associate Director of Music & Organist
daniel@firstpresnb.org
Susan Mabie - Director, Resurrection Singers
Tim Elliott - Facilities Manager
property@firstpresnb.org
Dawn Inglis - Office Administrator
church@firstpresnb.org
Kerri Wheeler - Preschool Director
kerri@firstpresnb.org
Summer Hough - Financial Administrator
summer@firstpresnb.org
Louis Foye - Sexton
Richard Colflesh - Maintenance
property@firstpresnb.org
pastoroncall@firstpresnb.org
After office hours or on the weekend, will go directly to the pastor on call
Sarah Ross - Director of Communications
comms@firstpresnb.org
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Share your News!
Have an article for the newsletter? Want an announcement placed in the bulletin? See something we should post on social media? Have photos of a church event to share? Email comms@firstpresnb.org to get your news shared!
Bulletin Deadline:
Mondays at 12:00 pm
Weekly Word Deadline:
Mondays at 12:00 pm
First Edition/Monthly Newsletter Deadline:
the 15th of the month at 12:00 pm
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Physical Address
400 New Street,
New Bern, NC 28560
Mailing Address
PO Box 1069,
New Bern, NC 28563
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Church Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
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