First Presbyterian Church Durham (North Carolina) is looking for an organized, diligent, responsive and motivated individual to support our mission in the role of full-time Church Administrator. Competitive salary and benefits provided. 3+ years of relevant administrative and/or supervisory experience required. Must be well-versed in use of accounting, communication/social media and database software. For more information and to apply, please see Announcement with full Job Description and reply with resume/references to [email protected].

God of grace and compassion, 

In these overwhelming moments of loss and devastation, we come to you with weary hearts that are both heavy and hopeful. We hold in our prayers and hearts all those impacted by the hurricanes, conflicts, and other disasters, and we implore for your mercy, peace, and healing to embrace our siblings all over the world. By your grace, bring comfort to those who are grieving, give strength to the exhausted, and provide shelter for those who have lost everything.

May your Spirit move in this, your creation, bringing peace amid the turmoil, and breathing hope into the places that feel broken. May your Spirit continue to be the quiet but constant reassurance that you are with your children and creation, even in the darkest moments, guiding us toward healing and restoration.

As we continue to see the news, we lift up the brave souls who are working tirelessly to rescue and assist. Give strength and wisdom for the tasks ahead. And stir our hearts, dear God, to step in with compassion, helping our neighbors, near and far, with kindness, love, and compassion.

In all of these disasters, we place our trust in your everlasting promises of your presence and care. Restore what has been shattered and lead us toward a path of renovation, peace, healing, and the renewing power of your always present Spirit.

We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

-Rev. Edwin González-Castillo, PDA Director

The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice will hold a grand opening and homecoming celebration on Saturday, September 7 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The center is located in Durham at 906 Carroll St. All are welcome.

You are invited to a special showing of the film Origin on Saturday, August 24.  FPC will host two screenings.  The first will be from 2:00-4:00, and the second screening will be from 6:00-8:00. A discussion will take place over a pizza dinner at 5:00 pm in Watts-Hill Fellowship Hall.

Origin is a highly acclaimed film and dramatic, poignant narrative that follows Isabelle Wilkerson’s inspiration and research while writing the book Caste: The Origins of our Discontent. The book topped the New York Times non-fiction best seller list.  The film Origin follows Wilkerson as she considers the ways in which caste operates through American racism from slavery through the modern day, anti-Semitism during WWII, and the caste system in India.  It explores the ways in which oppression and marginalization  of groups may be clothed differently in distinct moments of time and space, yet share the same insidious origins.  FPC’s Racial Equity Task Force invites you to watch this autobiographical film that is simultaneously disturbing, hopeful, and all together moving.  We hope we can also reflect on the questions the film raises and what it calls us to do.

Please sign up HERE and let us know your preferences if you’d like to join us for pizza.  We would appreciate a reply by Thursday, August 22, though you are welcome to come to either showing of the film without a reservation.

 Thursday, July 4 from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Stagville Plantation at  5925 Jock Rd, Bahama NC

Join fellow FPC members at the annual community reading at Stagville Plantation of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 July 4th address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July.”  The reading is outdoors from 10:00-11:30 a.m.  Bring a chair and your own copy of the address.  Link to the reading:

https://historicsites.nc.gov/news/events/frederick-douglass-community-reading-2024

Thank you to the 23 donors who showed up on Thursday, August 1 to give blood. You helped make our summer blood drive a success!

We will hold another blood drive on Thursday, November 7 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the church.

If you are healthy and it will be over 50 days since your last blood donation, please sign up to give. Most donations take about an hour.

Go online to schedule your appointment:

RedCrossBlood.org. FPC’s code is firstpres. 

Walk-ins are also welcome.

For more information on giving blood, contact Julie Whiddon (919-730-6673), FPC’s organizer and Red Cross volunteer.

The church office and day school will be closed on Wednesday, June 19 in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

Juneteenth Day (June 19th of every year) marks Major General Gordon Granger’s announcement of the abolition of slavery in Galveston, Texas on June 19th, 1865. His arrival came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, but was big news to those still enslaved in the state. However, freedom has never been a straight forward process. For many, proclamations and amendments were simply words. 

For those looking to research and share African American history during and after the Civil War, the Presbyterian Historical Society has a number of resources available including: 

African American History Blogs

Blog Posts

Topical Guides

Presbyterians and the Civil War

Presbyterians and Civil Rights

Collection Guides 

Guide to the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Missions for Freedmen Records

Guide to the United Presbyterian Church of North America Board of American Missions Dept. of Negro Work Records

Guide to the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Council on Church and Race Records

This Juneteenth, make learning about the history of emancipation (and the many events that followed) a core part of your celebration.

For more information on the resources held at PHS, contact [email protected].  

The Stewardship Committee is inviting all members to participate in an online Time & Talent Survey to connect members to ministries of our congregation. 

Please take 5 minutes to complete it using this link: https://forms.gle/Ts8UqmQUcfpr2rG37

Please submit your completed survey by May 21^st.

A paper copy of the survey is available for members who do not have online access. Pick up a copy from the table in the foyer. Please return your completed survey to the church (box in the foyer) by the requested deadline.

Link to view live stream service

On Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. a Service of Ordination will be held for Heidi Biermann in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, Durham. Heidi is being ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament by the Presbytery of New Hope.