The Weekly Word at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Crossing the Stages of Life

This Sunday, our daughter, Erin, will graduate from Davidson College. Just writing that statement seems hard to believe, if I’m completely honest. It seems like only yesterday that we were taking her to orientation in her first-year, and choking back the tears as we said goodbye to our first-born on the lawn at the front of the campus. Now, on that same lawn four years later, she will receive her diploma as a graduate of the school that three generations before her in her family have attended: her father (me), her grandfather (my father), and her great-great uncle, Jay Ostwalt, who also was a professor at Davidson.

Marking milestones like this are significant for all of us, and it has led me to much reflection – which I think is more commonplace as I get older! I remember Debbie giving birth to Erin at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, and the joy that brought us as the two of us became three. I recall the generosity of the father of my best friend from Davidson, who gave us $500 on the occasion of Erin’s baptism, a gift which was the seed money for her 529 College Savings account, which through years of sacrifice and contributions, allowed us to make this weekend a reality. I recall her love of learning throughout all her schooling, the science projects her mother and grandfathers helped her with, and the joy she found in music to balance her academic pursuits. I remember the incredible teachers she had along the way in Pike Township in Indianapolis, who inspired, challenged, and affirmed her passion for learning. I remember the countless college visits – I think we visited at least 8-9 schools – which led her to make her first choice as Davidson. I recall the growth she has experienced in her four years at Davidson: following her passion for science and music; forming deep bonds of friendship; broadening her horizons and understanding of the world; being motivated to be an agent of change to lift up those who are not in the place of privilege she recognizes she has inherited.

I’m not going to lie – I don’t feel like I’m old enough to have a child who is graduating college! But I think that is the usual reaction we feel as adults as time continues its relentless march. There is much that brings me great pride in this occasion, to be sure. There is also much that reminds me of how all of God’s children deserve the opportunities Erin and her classmates have received. What am I doing to give voice and opportunity to the children of our community for the education and growth they need to be agents of change and hope in our world? Will I be open to the voices of this generation as they mold and shape our world? Perhaps those are questions we all should be asking ourselves as people of faith and disciples of Christ.

Our family is grateful for your love and support as we gather this weekend for this milestone in our lives. And we celebrate all of those who are walking across the stages of their life at this time of the year, and we pray God’s grace be with them all as they lead us into our collective future.

With a full and grateful heart,

Frank

THIS SUNDAY AT WBPC

Sunday School for All Ages – 9:30am

Worship Service – 10:30am – Click HERE for the bulletin.

@The Table Worship – 5:00pm – The Zoom link may be found on the bulletin that’s available for download HERE .

Youth Group – 12:00pm – Kayaking on the Neuse

Please click HERE for the Christian Education brochure.

SUNDAY SCHOOL/CHILDREN'S CHAPEL

There will be NO Sunday School nor Children’s Chapel on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, May 29. The nursery will open at 10:15 that day. There WILL be Sunday School on the following Sunday, June 5. Beginning on June 12, Sunday school classes and Children’s Chapel will be on summer hiatus.

CALLING ALL GRADUATES

We rejoice in honoring our graduating High School and College seniors, as well as those earning graduate degrees! If you know of anyone in our church family who is a graduate, please send a note to admin@wbpresbyterian.org with their name, degree, the school from which he/she is graduating, and any future plans. We need this information by May 27. We will recognize these graduates at the June 5 worship service. They are invited to wear their caps and gowns to the service. The CE committee invites the congregation to join us for a reception in the graduates’ honor to be held in the Columbarium immediately after the worship service.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

VBS planning is off to a great start! We only need one more adult - someone to assist with crafts that week (June 13-17 from 9am to noon). Please email Blythe (blytheclifford@gmail.com) or Allisen (lettography@gmail.com) if you are willing to help. Also, remember, VBS is free and open to kids ranging in age from preschool to 5th grade. Attendees can register HERE.

CPR/AED CLASSES – SIGN UP BY MAY 31

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training will be held (in-person) here at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church in the Parlor on the 2^ndfloor of our education building.

Two separate classes will be offered:

Monday, June 27, 2022 from 9:00am to 12:30pm (8 participants max)

Tuesday, June 28, 2022 from 5:30pm to 9:00pm (6 participants max)

This is an American Heart Association (AHA) Program that will be taught by a trained nurse. It is designed to provide you with the skills to perform CPR and use an AED. An updated AHA Guideline book is included in the cost of the course. The cost is $65/person and the certification is good for 2 years. Deadline for signing up for one of these offered classes is May 31, 2022.

To register and for more information, please contact Suzanne Smith (919-606-5988 or suzanneosmith64@gmail.com).

PICK UP YOUR WBPC T-SHIRT!

The Youth Fellowship fundraiser t-shirts are in! If you ordered t-shirts, you can pick them up outside the Sanctuary on May 15 following worship. Reminder, it's $20 per shirt (but larger donations are always welcome). If you forgot to place your order ahead of time, there will be a limited number of extra t-shirts on sale after all preorders have been distributed. Contact Anna (youth@wbpresbyterian.org) with any questions or to arrange a different pick-up day.

2022-23 YOUTH COUNCIL APPLICATIONS – DUE MAY 15

Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors: The Presbytery of New Hope Youth Council is accepting applications for next year's group! "Youth Council (YC) is a group of youth and adults from churches throughout the Presbytery of New Hope who are dedicated to serving God through their local churches and the presbytery. The YC attends training and planning sessions to prepare for leading 2 weekend retreats (middle school retreat in the fall and a high school retreat in the spring). Youth must complete 9th grade by fall of 2022 to apply. You can learn more about Youth Council and see what they've been up to during pandemic times HERE."

2022-23 Youth Council Application

2022-23 Youth Council Reference Form

Applications and references are due May 15. For more information or a reference letter, please contact Anna (youth@wbpresbyterian.org).

MISSION OUTREACH

Presbyterians Engage in God's Mission: “Mission Co-workers in Haiti” Click HERE to learn more.

MISSION MARKET UPDATE

Thank you to everyone that attended and helped out at our Mission Market and Craft Fair. We had a great turnout and raised over $3200 for the missions of WBPC and the charities we support. We also had a chance to learn more about these great charities. Our blood drive resulted in 12 donations that will save lives!

If you missed the event and want to support our charities, please click HERE to complete a form. Payment can be made online or mailed or dropped off to the church office. Also, consider making a donation to support our preschool on the same form. Your generous support of our missions is so appreciated.

DO YOU HAVE EXTRA WHEELS?

Is there a car that you are no longer using? Do you know of an older adult no longer feeling confident about driving? The unused vehicle in any condition is urgently needed by Wheels 4 Hope. This nonprofit repairs and cleans donated vehicles and makes them available to waiting families who must being receiving services from a partner organization and pay $500 for the car. A vehicle is vital for stable employment. Please share this information with friends and neighbors. A used car can be a life saver.

THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

The Prayer Shawl Ministry at Western Boulevard is alive and well. Heartfelt thanks to all who have donated shawls as they are a wonderful and well appreciated gift when given. Recipients know they are truly surrounded in prayer when they receive one. We encourage anyone who wishes to contribute to continue to do so. We would also like to remind all who want to contribute that there are four bins of available thread in the closet where the shawls are stored so please feel free to look and see if there is anything you would like to use. Again thank you for this labor of love. If you have questions, please call Deacon Martha Barrick at 919-851-2249.

Baby Ministry Needs Baby Blankets

Calling all crochet/knitting masters! We are having a lot of fun making prayer shawls and now we have another fun project -- baby blankets! The Baby Ministry wants to present these blankets to babies who are baptized in our church. We have a few patterns you can use and instructions on the type of yarn to use (soft!). We only need a few each year. Please email Yevonne if you are willing to make one of these special gifts from our church (ybrannon@gmail.com or 919-244-6243). Once completed, you may leave your blankets in the church office.

BIBLICAL JUSTICE FORUM – MAY 16

Biblical Justice Forum is beginning a new study: Acting Against Racism, curriculum accessible HERE. On May 16, we will discuss pages 7 - 10, "How do we know Black lives matter to God?". BJF meets via Zoom on Mondays at noon to 1:30pm. Click HERE for participating in Monday's meeting via Zoom. If you would like/willing to volunteer for one of the lessons (study questions included in the curriculum), please contact Sandy Irving (s-dirving@earthlink.net).

EVANGELISM: OUTREACH & INCLUSION MEETING – MAY 12

The committee will meet Thursday, May 12 at 1:30pm in the Parlor. We welcome anyone who wishes to attend. We will be talking about how the social media of WBPC might tell our story to persons seeking a church home. Questions? Contact Becky Burmester at 919-395-1373.

SPRING MOVIE ON THE LAWN – MAY 14

Join your WBPC friends on Saturday, May 14 for a dinner of "Walking Tacos", popcorn, slushies and a screening of the Pixar Classic, CARS. Bring your picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and cooler of church appropriate beverages and enjoy a relaxing evening under the stars.

This is a community event so please invite friends, neighbors and co-workers!

Dinner will be served at 6:30pm with the movie to start around 7:45pm or when it's dark enough. Please RSVP for dinner HERE by the end of today and kindly note any dietary restrictions.

Hope to see you there!

STAFF/MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:

VAN-ANTHONEY HALL

Our incredible @TheTable Worship Leader, Van-Anthoney Hall, was interviewed by Greensboro News and Record on his passion for music and poetry. Click HERE to read the article.

JIMMY WADE

Our loyal member and Property Committee Chairman, Jimmy Wade, will be recognized Sunday, May 22, for the Outstanding Older Adult Recognition Award by the Presbytery of New Hope's Older Adult Network! Recognition service will be held at First Presbyterian Church located at 153 North Church Street, Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The service will begin in their sanctuary at 3pm and refreshments in their Fellowship Hall will follow. All are welcome to attend. Please call the church office to RSVP by Tuesday, May 17 (919-851-4713). If you are unable to attend and wish to see Jimmy being honored, you can view the service via YouTube HERE.

DO WE KNOW YOUR NAME???

Who are you? Could a visitor know your name? When someone visits a church no matter how FRIENDLY the people are, names are challenging. Please wear your name tag. If you do not have a church name tag, please contact Quentesa in the church office at 919-851-4713 or email at admin@wbpresbyterian.org.

ARE WE MISSING YOU?

Your church family wants to take your picture for our online directory. We have an ambitious goal: a current picture of every member. We have plans to visit every shut-in to take pictures using the professional background. Please plan to get your picture taken on May 15 following worship. Pictures are taken in Pastor Frank’s office. If you're unable to attend worship, please contact Becky Burmester at 919-395-1373 to arrange a “we come to you photo.” Please don’t be among the missing!

DIVORCE CARE

If you are considering separation or divorce, don’t try to go through it alone. Connect with a DivorceCare group either in person or online. You’ll find caring people who understand the issues you face and practical counsel for decision making and managing stress. Contact DivorceCare HERE or speak with a Deacon or Elder for a list of several groups that meet in The Triangle area, churches or online.

PRAYER CHAIN REQUESTS

If you have a prayer concern, please contact Frank Mansell (frank@wbpresbyterian.org), Marcia Bennett (sen1969@hotmail.com), or Betty Dean (betdean@nc.rr.com) and request that it be added to the Prayer Chain. Please note that any confidential prayer requests will not be added to the Prayer Chain.

STAFF VACATION PLANS

Frank Mansell will be on vacation May 14-16 – he and Debbie will be in Davidson for the graduation of their daughter, Erin, from Davidson College. During this time, please contact John Bayne (919-954-2076) or one of the Deacons in case of a pastoral emergency.

Quentesa Pierce will be on vacation May 13 & 16 – she will be in Ithaca, New York for the graduation of her friend from Cornell Law School. The church office will be staffed by volunteers those days.

Please refer to the Calendar if you have questions about meetings. If you want to reserve a room, please email admin@wbpresbyterian.org. If you have photos from Church events this year, please share them with us. You may upload your pictures directly to our shared Church album by clicking HERE.

MILESTONES

Happy belated birthday Larry Shelton (May 3)!
Happy 48th Anniversary Larry and Judy Shelton!

If you would like your birthday included on the monthly birthday list, please update your personal information on Realm or contact the church office.

Click HERE for May birthdays!

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