Honoring Juneteenth

June 19, 2025

Juneteenth is a sacred moment in our shared history. As we pause to reflect, we are called to face our nation’s past with honesty and humility, and to recommit ourselves to the work of justice, healing, and unity.

Here is a list of events on and around that weekend to celebrate Juneteenth in Durham.

The church office will be closed June 20th in observance of this holiday.

July 4 – August 8

The annual “Fill That Bus!” school supply drive is here! Every year, we count on the community to restock our shelves with the classroom essentials our Durham Public Schools educators need to fuel their students’ success.

Last year, Crayons2Calculators distributed over $129,000 worth of supplies—reaching 96% of Durham Public Schools teachers across 59 schools. And demand is only growing. Teachers are still spending hundreds of dollars out of pocket to make sure students have what they need. Your support fills that gap. Your support sparks learning.

We proudly serve every school in Durham Public Schools, providing everything from pencils and notebooks to art supplies, paper, and more. Drop off supplies from July 4-August 8 in the marked bins in the church foyer! List of most needed supplies. You can also always make a financial donation to support this work.

Thanks for supporting our public school community!

Our summer book discussion begins June 1 with How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and in Faith by Marianne Edgar Budde. This inspiring book invites us to reflect on moments that shape our courage and deepen our faith.

Though this is part of our Faith Formation series, we warmly welcome members of the wider community to read along with us at your own pace—or consider joining us for a session. Come be part of the conversation and grow with us this summer.

June 8 – 15

The Worship and Arts committee is excited to showcase the wide range of talents of our FPC members and friends at the FPC ART FESTIVAL from June 8-15. Word is spreading about the all-ages show and it is shaping up to include photography, paintings, sculpture, and furniture. Representing the daintiest entry so far, one of our members has agreed to share her beautiful handmade reproduction medieval buttons. We hope to exhibit an exceptional variety of visual arts and crafts so please consider connecting with us to share your talents. For more information, you may contact:

• Floalice Reaves at [email protected]
• Alice Raney at [email protected]

Tuesday, May 13 | 9:00am – 12:00pm

Interfaith Voices for Reproductive Freedom (IVRF) is sponsoring an advocacy day along with other faith-based and progressive groups at the NC General Assembly. FPC is a member of IVRF. Training will be provided in advance; all are welcome to attend. This will be an important opportunity to show that people of faith support reproductive freedom and gender affirming healthcare, and also show that we reject state funding for evangelical crisis pregnancy centers. Please carpool, wear clerical clothing or anything identifying you as a member or leader of your faith group (FPC t-shirt, hat, etc). Please contact Melva Okun with questions at [email protected]. RSVP here.

We welcome to the pulpit on March 30, Dr. G. Wilson Gunn, Jr. 

Dr. Gunn grew up in Arkansas, matriculated at Davidson College (BA), Duke University (MDiv and ThM) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (PhD).  He served pastorates in North Carolina and Virginia for 20 years before entering executive service in Grace Presbytery (NE Texas area).  From March 2004 until retiring in October 2018, he served National Capital Presbytery as General Presbyter.  Presently Dr. Gunn is an International Coaching Federation Certified coach, consults with Church Judicatories and he serves as the Coordinator of the Presbytery Leader Formation Program.  He and his wife Pam have four children (Lisa, Daniel, Ben, and Jasper), three grandsons (Jacob, Josh, and JJ) and a granddaughter, Penelope.