A MESSAGE FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Fellow FBC Members,

On behalf of the Finance Committee, I want to express our gratitude for your faithful giving throughout 2024. First Baptist Church is blessed to have members who consistently support the church financially year after year.

As we approach the final quarter of our church year, we look forward to joyful events like Toy Joy and Hanging of the Greens. This is a time of year when our attention becomes even more focused on the joys of worshipping and serving together. The Finance Committee remains committed to ensuring the church's financial health so that we can all enjoy such sacred events. 

As of the end of September, the church has collected $1,162,444.84 in revenue, which is 70.07% of our 2024 budget of $1,659,080.00. However, our expenses at this point total $1,230,055.18, which is 74.14% of our budget. The Finance Committee is grateful for all of the contributions to date, but we recognize that we as a church will need to make a strong push in our giving in the last three months of the year to meet our 2024 revenue goals.  

We acknowledge that the tragedy of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina has created an urgent need that many in our church are addressing through financial contributions. The church is also actively involved in Helene relief efforts, as evidenced by the generous donations of much needed supplies from church members and the $10,000 contribution from Day Mission funds. I know that First Baptist Church's response to Helene is only beginning, and that the church will continue to direct financial resources available to relief efforts. The Finance Committee asks that all of us remember our financial pledges to the church as we plan our year end giving.  

Our church members have a history of giving generously in the last quarter of the year, and we will rely on that generosity again this year to meet our 2024 budget. This budget represents more than just a dollar figure; it encompasses all the aspects of First Baptist Church that we cherish and that bring us closer together as a church family and to God.

We encourage you to prayerfully consider giving to our church as we approach the end of the year.

Very respectfully,

Ryan Willis, Chair of Finance Committee

CHURCH CONFERENCE TONIGHT

Our regularly scheduled church conference will be held Wednesday, October 23, at 6:15pm. 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. The remaining dates for church conference are November 20 and December 18.

Church conference agenda

Finance chair summary report

Finance report 

Draft minutes of September church conference

Proposed 2025 budget

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.

DR. JEMAR TISBY SPEAKING FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

We are honored to announce that Dr. Jemar Tisby will be making a stop at our church to promote his latest book, The Spirit of Justice. Dr. Tisby is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Color of Compromise; a public historian of race and religion; the co-host of the "Pass the Mic" podcast; and a nationally known speaker. Tisby travels the world delivering messages about the black experience with poignant depth and clarity. He's a storyteller, and is the CEO/co-founder of The Witness INC, a multimedia platform about race, religion, politics, and culture. Tisby earned his phD in history from the University of Mississippi where he studied race, religion, and social movements in the twentieth century.

The Spirit of Justice uncovers the narratives of those who have battled against racism and championed justice, offering valuable insights from their experiences, struggles, methods, and enduring hope. What motivates individuals to persist in the face of humanity’s darkest moments and demoralizing setbacks? What fuels their resilience? It is that spirit of justice, which rises "like a war horse," as Myrlie Evers-Williams powerfully stated—a deep yearning in the hearts of those who seek righteousness. Tisby sheds light on the "pattern of endurance" that has characterized the centuries-long fight for black freedom in America. Through a comprehensive historical exploration from the nation’s founding to the present, he provides real-life examples of those who stood against racism, detailing their actions, sacrifices, and all that they gained for themselves and their communities. For readers inspired by Tisby's call to action in The Color of Compromise, this book will motivate you to confront the complicity within the church and empower you to join the struggle for racial justice, regardless of the challenges ahead.

Mark your calendars for Friday, November 8, 7–8:30pm in our sanctuary for what will be an engaging, hopeful night detailing the continued struggle for racial justice in our country. This is a FREE event open to all, and we'll have Dr. Tisby's latest book for sale at a discounted rate. Childcare will be available for Pre-K and under—please email Lynn Lingafelt by Friday, November 1. Share this with your neighbors, friends, and community — it is not to be missed!

DEACON ELECTIONS

Per the bylaws, the election of deacons will take place during the month of October. Ballots will be available each Sunday in October and each member may vote for up to eight men and eight women. Beginning this Sunday, ballots will be in the library, the Gathering Room, the narthex, and in the Lewis Lobby; you may also obtain an electronic version from the website or later issues of Rose Window Weekly. The box for ballots will be on the long counter in the library. If you choose to mail yours in, please do so well before the end of the month. On Sunday, October 27, the tellers appointed by the chair will gather to count the ballots, and the chair and vice-chair will then notify those selected.

Click here for a deacon election ballot which has a list of deacons and their spouses who are not eligible based on the bylaws, as well as others who have asked not to be considered for election. Please give thoughtful and prayerful consideration as you participate in the deacon election process.

VOLUNTEER & DONATE TO TOY JOY

The Toy Joy team is hard at work preparing for the event on November 16, and as always, we rely on our church family and friends to make this special day happen for our guests. We are planning to serve around 300 families—up to 1000 children—again this year. Links to our Amazon, Target, and Walmart wish lists can be found below. We're happy to shop for you if you'd like to make a monetary donation instead (use the QR codes below or if you write a check, make it payable to First Baptist and put "Toy Joy" in the memo line). 



Amazon wish-list

Walmart wish-list

Target wish-list

If you would be willing to help at the event on November 16 or with our setup day, Friday November 15, sign up here. Questions? Contact Anne Cooke or any member of the Toy Joy team.

WESTERN NC DISASTER RELIEF COLLECTION

We are grieving alongside our neighbors in Western NC in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene. As we continue to hear from emergency personnel assessing damage and immediate needs, we know many of you are looking for ways to tangibly help and give.

If you would like to contribute financially to disaster relief efforts, you may do that through all of our usual online channels. Click here for Vanco and Paypal. If you prefer to write a check, please indicate "Disaster Relief" in the memo line. All of these funds will go directly to ongoing emergency response efforts with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

CROP WALK

The Greater Triangle Area CROP Hunger Walk is our October church-wide mission project and it starts and ends at First Baptist parking lot on Sunday, October 27. Funds raised support local agencies and the international work of CWS (Church World Service). Click here to see information about each of these agencies.

You can participate in our October Mission Project by walking and/or contributing monetarily. Walk day sign-in is at 2pm with the walk beginning at 3pm. You may join the FBC Team (no separate youth team this year) here.

Walkers this year are asked to donate $5 for the GTA Crop Walk t-shirt. This money is being used to pay for the 200+ disaster hygiene kits that will be assembled by walkers beginning at 2pm. So plan on coming to join with other walkers in putting together the hygiene kits. This will be a fun activity for children and adults! You may donate for your t-shirt HERE and on the credit card kiosk.

Another fun activity is to use the Calendar of Blessings to count your blessings each day during the month. You are encouraged to set aside an amount of money for each blessing and then donate it to the CROP Walk at the end of the month.

Please consider donating when you register. If not walking, you may donate to support any walker by going HERE and searching for the walker. You may also make a general donation to our team.

You may donate through the Vanco Online, PayPal, or the Credit Card Kiosk. If you prefer to write a check, please make it payable to FBC and write "CROP Walk" in the memo line and either place it in the offering plate or mail it to the Financial Administrator (FBC, 99 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, 27603). Donations for this year's Walk will be accepted through November 30.

THIRTY-NINERS RESUME WEEKLY GATHERINGS

Come join us Thursdays at 10:30am in the fellowship hall for interesting speakers, mission projects, and once a month, a program that's a little out of the ordinary. We also have an outing each month, but mostly we enjoy spending time together, learning something new and useful, and always ending with a meal. Come check us out before you are “too old” to get here.                            

OCTOBER 

24 Holiday monthly mission project: Toy Joy preparation 

31 Halloween Memories: trick-or-treat visit from the children of ITC, showing off their costumes and receiving candy from us.

NOVEMBER 

7 Water Pollution, Recycling and Our Drinking Water, Source-to-Tap with the City of Raleigh Educational Resources  

14 Southern Supreme Fruit Cake (1699 Hoyt Scott Road, Bear Creek, NC) shopping trip with lunch at Bestfood Cafeteria, 220 11th Street, Siler City (12 noon)

21 Meals on Wheels of North Carolina, Non-Profit Statewide Network 

28 NO MEETING FOR THANKSGIVING 

DECEMBER 

5 Holiday monthly mission project: write Christmas cards to home-bound members, make ornaments for Lewis Lobby tree

12 Baptists on Mission Disaster Relief and More with Richard Brunson, executive director 

19 Thirty-Niner family Christmas luncheon: bring a gift for White Elephant exchange 

26 NO MEETING FOR CHRISTMAS 

Jan 2 NO MEETING FOR NEW YEARS 

CENTERPOINT NEXT WEEK

October 23: Church Conference



October 30: This week's program will be the third and final session on the topic "How to Know a Person," and another opportunity for a contemplative walk.  

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

We would love for you to join us for a mid-week meal! The supper line is open each Wednesday night, 5:15–6:15pm. You may reserve your spot at this link on the website or by calling the church office. Please note that every person eating Wednesday night supper must check-in with our volunteer collection team before getting their meal. Even if you have pre-paid online, please check-in with our volunteer. We accept cash, checks, or credit cards.



Ages 0–3: Free

Ages 4-12: $4

Adults (over 12): $8

Family cap (over 3 people): $24

The menus for upcoming Wednesday night suppers are as follows (all meals come with salad and bread):

October 23: Smothered chicken with cabbage, pinto beans, and sweet potatoes; non-meat option: mock chicken

October 30: Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and corn; non-meat option: veggie meatloaf; kids: nuggets

November 6: chicken pot pie; non-meat option: mock chicken pot pie; kids: mozzarella cheese sticks

November 13: taco soup w/quesadilla; kids: taquitos.

November 20: meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans; non-meat option: roasted and seasoned portabella mushrooms with sweet potatoes topped w/cranberries and chunked avocado