We welcome to the pulpit on Sunday, July 21, the Reverend Jimmie Hawkins.  Hawkins, the former pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Durham, accepted the call to serve as the new director of the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness to Washington, D. C. office in January 2017.  He has a background in the area of youth ministry, having served as program director of Presbyterian Camps in North Carolina and Virginia.  He has pastored congregations in the New Hope Presbytery and Peaks Presbytery. Hawkins is committed to ecumenical relations and has advocated on issues of social justice before congressional and state legislative leadership. His board participation includes Union Presbyterian Seminary, Church World Service, and National Council of Churches.  Prior to moving to Washington, he provided leadership to the Moral Monday Movement and the North Carolina NAACP. He is known as a strong advocate for justice and for speaking truth to power wherever he serves. In addition to preaching for us on July 21, he will also lead a discussion on chapters 9 and 10 of “Just Mercy” in the Faith and Community Class at 9:45.

You are invited to purchase needed school supplies for the Crayons2Calculators organization again this year. The drive runs through Saturday, August 17. The list of most needed supplies is provided below. We are also collecting dry erase markers and 3-hole punched zippered pencil pouches for Merrick Moore school in Durham. Thank you for your support.

*** Top Needed School Supplies for Crayons2Calculators***

Hand sanitizer

Clip Boards

Tissues

Sharpies

Colored Markers

Scissors (student & adult)

Colored Pencils

No. 2 Pencils

Dry Erase markers

Mechanical Pencils

Construction Paper

Tape (clear, masking, duct)

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Monetary contributions are also accepted to purchase large ticket items like scientific/graphing calculators. Checks should be written to Crayons2Calculators and given to FPC.

Over the summer, the Faith and Community adult Sunday School class has been reading and discussing Bryan Stevenson’s book, Just Mercy, as part of Pastor Mindy Douglas’ sabbatical on “Breaking Down the Dividing Walls: Truth-telling, Reparations, and Racial Equity.”  The study will conclude this Sunday, August 18 with a panel discussion that will include persons from the community with knowledge of and experience with mass incarceration and the redemptive potential of justice and mercy.  Click here for the study schedule. All are welcome.

An introduction to Bryan Stevenson, the author of Just Mercy and the Founder/Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, can be found here.

HBO released a documentary about Bryan Stevenson recently. It can be viewed here free of charge for 30 days.

On July 7th, JaQuan McGhee shared his personal story with the class and showed part of the documentary about his life, Leaving Anacostia. View the entire documentary about JaQuan’s life here.

Sunday, June 16 – You are invited to “Dine with Dad” at FPC following worship.  Make a reservation for your family by completing the meal reservation slip in the worship bulletin and placing it in the offering plate, or respond to the EVITE.  Donations will be received to offset the cost of the meal.  All are welcome.

Join us on Sunday, June 30 at 11:00 a.m. for worship as the congregation engages in an old-fashioned hymn sing. Music will be provided by world-renown, award-winning mandolin player, Tony Williamson. Following worship, we will picnic outside under the crepe myrtles and enjoy more music.  All are welcome to bring side dishes and a blanket or lawn chairs!

The Shallowford Presbyterian Church of Atlanta’s Youth Choir is presenting a FREE CONCERT in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian, Durham on Thursday evening, June 13, at 7 pm.  The theme is “Peace, Hope, & Unity,” and the music will consist of youth choir anthems, world music, and gospel music, with some scripture and spoken parts, weaved throughout.  The Chapel Choir is directed by Shallowford’s Director of Music, Emily Floyd.

Are you interested in membership with First Presbyterian? Do you want to know more about this church?  Membership Inquiry classes are in progress each Sunday morning through May 19 during the  Sunday School hour (9:45-10:45 a.m.) in the Wilson Parlor.  For more information on how to become of a member of this church, contact Marilyn Hedgpeth at [email protected] or call the church office: 919-682-5511.