News from Binkley Baptist Church

April 26, 2024

From Our Pastor

While I do not consider myself particularly musically inclined, I do often have a soundtrack of songs spinning around in my head. Some of those are earworms from the radio, some are from my favorite Disney movies, some are sparked by a phrase that reminds me of a song. But some are the songs I learned growing up in church. Probably my favorite childhood church song is the one based on I John 4:7-8. It is a simple reminder that our relationship with God is defined by how we love others.

Sometimes when we look at the world around us, the concept of loving others feels foreign in a culture of getting even and making sure we are prioritizing ourselves and those to whom we have a personal connection. Life feels out of context of what we see in Scripture - particularly in the teachings and life of Jesus.

Those of you who heard a little of what I shared at a recent Wednesday night supper, heard me refer to one of my favorite phrases found in The Message paraphrase of the Bible. It is in the story in Luke leading up to Jesus sharing the story typically known as “The Good Samaritan”. If you remember, a religious scholar has approached Jesus to find out what is most important. And it turns out that the scholar knows that it is all about loving God and loving our neighbor. And here is where my favorite phrase occurs (Luke 10:29) Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?” And this is where we hear the real question. I know God wants me to love my neighbor - but who is my neighbor?

I believe that Jesus’ teachings, understanding of God and Scripture, and his life clearly demonstrate that there are no exceptions. And I believe that we are all tempted to echo the religious scholar’s question on an ongoing basis and look for a loophole. We may also distort our understanding of love. What would it look like if we loved without loopholes? What does it mean to love others? And here comes the next earworm, “All we need is love…”

Together on the journey,

Amy

Make sure you are seeing ALL of the Friday Update!

When you receive the weekly email from Binkley, there's LOTS of great information,

but you may have to look at the bottom of the message for the words:

[Message clipped] View entire message.

If you see that message, click on the blue "View entire message" and the WHOLE of the Friday Update will suddenly become visible.

If you have questions about this, contact Donna at office@binkleychurch.org, and she will be glad to help you.

This Sunday at Binkley!

Mindful Parenting: Facilitated by Ty Hagler, Lisa Parks and Joey Powell in the Chapel. The class includes prayer, a brief check-in, a summary of the book or article being shared, and a discussion of prepared questions. Novice and experienced parents and caregivers – all are welcome to share laughter, support, and hope in the journey of parenting.

Sojourners Class: Facilitated by our Senior Minister, Rev. Dr. Marcus McFaul in the Fellowship Hall. This week's focus will be on the following articles:

https://sojo.net/articles/reconstruct/brenda-salter-mcneil-knows-why-we-re-fed-racial-reconciliation

https://sojo.net/magazine/april-2024/displaced-residents-are-getting-10000-not-state

Faith in the Company of Doubt. Herman Greene and Micheal Palmer lead a study of what it means to be a Christian in today’s world. How do we find meaning in the presence of doubt, a commitment to critical thinking, and a world of science? Join them for a thoughtful look at living the life of faith in today’s post-modern society. A hybrid class, it will be in the Lounge, and here is a link to the Zoom for people who would like to join from home:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84949882589

The Who, What, When, Where, Why of Reproductive Rights: A Spiritual Approach to the Abortion Issue, Part 2: Led by Nancy Davis in the Art Room (Room 17 , Preschool wing) there will be discussion and readings on the issues, guest speakers, and self-exploration of the feelings and myths surrounding abortion.

Children & Youth Activities

April 28

Children:

Courtyard, 9 am

Sunday School 9:45 am

Worship with Children 11 am

Binkley Tykes 3:30 pm

Youth:

Courtyard, 9 am

Doughnuts & Discussion 9:45 am

Worship 11 am

Youth join with other churches at New Hope Pres 12:30-3 pm

May 5

Children:

Courtyard, 9 am

Sunday School 9:45 am

Worship with Children 11 am

Youth:

Courtyard, 9 am

Doughnuts & Discussion 9:45 am

Worship 11 am

Youth and Young Adults Creek Cleaning 2pm

Contact Amy Armstrong for more information.

Worship

11 am

In-Person and Livestream

View the 11 am Service Order

View the 11am Service from Home

We will livestream the service at 11 am on our website, Facebook, and YouTube. You choose which platform works best for you. After the livestream has ended, you can view the service at your leisure on Facebook or YouTube.

The Binkley 411

Friday, April 26 William Barber Sermon

Rev. Dr. William Barber preaches TONIGHT at 7pm

at Pullen Baptist Church in Raleigh.

All area progressive Baptist pastors have extended this invitation to Dr. Barber. His sermon is entitled “The War, Genocide, and the Gospel.” We encourage you attend!

For those wishing to carpool we will meet at Binkley at 5:45

Wednesdays @ Binkley

Wednesday, May 8

5:30-7:15, Fellowship Hall

Dinner, Reading and Book Signing by author and Binkley member, J. Dana Trent.

Her latest book, which released April 16th, is Between Two Trailers: A Memoir.

Dinner will be provided by Karin and Linda.

MENU:

•Pulled Pork BBQ

•Veggie BBQ (vegan)

•Tailgate Cole Slaw (vegetarian )

•Carolina Vinegar-Based Slaw (vegan)

•Pig Pickin’ Snap Beans (vegan)

•Pickled Cucumber Salad (vegan)

•Deviled Eggs (vegetarian)

•Hushpuppies (vegetarian)

•Seasonal Fruit (vegan)

•Karin’s Blueberry Bread Pudding &

Cinnamon Pecan Bread Pudding

Please register by Sunday, May 5.

BETWEEN TWO TRAILERS: A Memoir

By J. Dana Trent

A powerful, unforgettable memoir about a girl who escapes her childhood as a preschool drug dealer in rural Indiana—only to find that no one can really “make it out” until they make peace with where their story began: home.

J. Dana Trent is an accomplished professor and award-winning spirituality writer, but here she’s putting her own story to page. Dana’s shocking childhood is one you might read about in a novel, not expecting it from someone with master’s degree from Duke.

Dana is only a preschooler the first time she uses a razor blade to cut up weed and fill dime bags for her schizophrenic father, King. While King struggles with his unmedicated psychosis, Dana’s mother, the Lady, a cold and self-absorbed woman whose personality disorders rule the home, guards large bricks of drugs from the safety of their squalid trailer. But when the Lady impulsively plucks Dana from the Midwest and moves the two of them south, their fresh start results in homelessness and bankruptcy. In North Carolina, Dana becomes torn between her gritty midwestern past and her newfound desire to be a polite southern girl, struggling to reconcile her shame with an ache to figure out who she is, and where she belongs.

This is a story that starts with an astonishingly traumatic upbringing in what’s considered flyover country, a place often overlooked by both the news cycle and prose. Similar in many ways to memoirs like Educated and The Glass Castle, BETWEEN TWO TRAILERS ultimately is a story that turns to one of forgiveness, to realizing that home is where the war starts, but also where you can find your own personal healing.

Dana writes, “A battlefield is, after all, a place. It’s dirt and people and weapons and stories. It’s wounds and rage. These pages are filled with the casings of blown-up lives. Herein is a true story, one that is at its best when uncovering healing in the very places where violence thrives. This is a book for anyone who thinks they can’t go home.”

In an early endorsement, NYT bestselling author of Wild Truth Carine McCandless writes, “In a striking narrative of childhood trauma survival, Between Two Trailers pulls you into every breathless moment with ‘Budgie.’ Readers that exhale while rising beside her will find hope in the sweet air of redemption.”

BETWEEN TWO TRAILERS is a stunning account of finding oneself amidst the trauma their surrounded by, and coming to peace and wholeness through rediscovering what home means.

About the Author

J. Dana Trent is a speaker, professor, award-winning spirituality author, and minister. A graduate of Duke Divinity School, she teaches world religions and critical thinking at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The fundraising campaign for upgrading the pipe organ and piano is underway. Please contribute as you are able, for every donation helps! You may use this QR code to reach Binkley’s website donations page. Or a check to Binkley with "Organ/Piano Upgrade"

in the memo line would also be gratefully accepted. More information is available from Mike Davis (mailto:jmd27312@gmail.com),

chair of the Music Committee.

2024 Spring

Binkley Open Golf Tournament

Tuesday, May 21

Where: Southwick Golf Course, 3136 Southwick Dr, Graham, NC 27253

Date & time: May 21 at 9:00 am

Cost: $40 which includes green fees, cart, lunch, range balls, and prizes

Payment: Pay by check to Larry McManus, Jr.

Just drop a check in the offering plate or by mail to: 103 Bella Rose Dr, Chapel Hill NC 27517

Reservations: Send an e-mail to larrymcmanus01@gmail.com or ccoble2@gmail.com to signal your participation so that we can prepare properly.

Players: Binkley members, attendees, friends, and all genders; it is an open to all event, just let us know in advance.

DEADLINE FOR CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS: SUNDAY, May 19

Binkley Senior Adult Ministry Opportunities

What a great time we had last Thursday as more than 20 of us gathered for fun with Amy, laughing our way through another game of Jeopardy. Many thanks

to Pastor Amy for creating and leading this delightful event for us all!

Did you know that BTW stands for "By the Way", NOT Bring the Wheelchair?

Did you know that Terry is from Iowa and Donna is from Miami? These are two of the questions we had today.

Thank you to all who participated.

Next up:

Spring Broadway

Sing-Along –

Wednesday, May 29, 10:30, Fellowship Hall

Sally and accompanist Mike Davis promise lots of spirited singing in this spring musical event.

Can the staff top Alvin and the Chipmunks’ Christmas song?!

Registration coming in May - you won't want to miss this!

Diane Eubanks Hill

Interim Minister with Senior Adults

diane@binkleychurch.org

Illuminated Journeys and

Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill invite you to

Contemplative Ireland - A Celtic Pilgrimage

April 25–May 9, 2025

View the information above or click this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VtA18ERMJcXhcXisxl62XIEIP_Zgh67d/view?usp=sharing

Binkley priority reservation deadline is May 25.

Greeters needed! Sign up through THIS LINK or contact Sheryl Scrimsher.

Our Wider Community

Click the links for more information

Support Binkley Preschool

Click HERE to learn the various ways you can support Binkley preschool through linking loyalty cards, purchasing from specific merchants, and purchasing holiday greenery.