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Support the CSA Project with Sankofa Farms
May 19, 2023 First Presbyterian, through the Creation Care Committee, is once again participating in a community supported agriculture (CSA) project with Sankofa Farms in Orange County. The boxes of vegetables will be delivered to First Pres every Thursday afternoon, beginning May 18, and be available for pickup between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. in the church foyer. This cycle will run for six weeks, from May 18-June 22. Other pickup options include Thursday evenings at Westminster Presbyterian from 6:00-7:30, and Saturday mornings at the Hillsborough Farmers Market from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. The cost is $35 per week for a full share and $25 for a half share. For the full six weeks it is $210 for a full share and $150 for a half share.
IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE:
Go now to the Sankofa Farms website, and once there, click on “Shop”. Pay at checkout.
The website is www.sankofafarms.com.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, feel free to contact Tom Bacon, George or Johanna Bernhardt,
Share your insights with the Thriving Congregations Committee
May 19, 2023 
First off, there is no ‘ask’. You will not be asked to do or volunteer for anything beyond attending this session. This campaign is only interested in collecting your perspective and insight. If you are not able to make any of the available dates, please email [email protected] to let her know. We are going to be scheduling more sessions in the Fall and want to gauge interest.
Click HERE to sign up for an upcoming listening session.
We will take notes at each session and analyze contributions to hear from many voices to:
- reflect on our current work and priorities
- discern any needed information
- inform our next long-range plan.
It is important that our leaders, staff, and planners hear from our beloved community as they consider our next steps. We will send a short list of questions for reflection for anyone who signs up and we will also review them at the listening session. Don’t let not being able to do “homework” keep you from signing up.
You should voice anything you think is vital to take First Presbyterian into God’s work for us, your insights, what you see, and are called to in your heart.
NOTE: We do want to avoid using this time to bring up complaints, list what other churches are doing, all potential options for ministry or random suggestions. If you have ideas, concerns or complaints please do arrange an appointment with a person associated with that area. After the session we can help you identify the right person.
Rev. Jimmie Hawkins returns to FPC to preach April 30 and discuss new book on May 1
April 24, 2023 
“You can’t talk about Jesus without talking about justice.” – Jimmie Hawkins, Director, PCUSA Office of Public Witness
April 30, 2023 Worship – 11:00 a.m. – Sanctuary
Jimmie Hawkins will give the sermon: “What Have We Done?”.
May 1, 2023 Lunch and Learn Event 12 Noon in Watts-Hill Hall
Lunch and Learn
Jimmie Hawkins will lead a discussion on his new book: Unbroken and Unbowed: A History of Black Protests in America.
Lunch boxes available for $10. You must order in advance HERE.
Copies of Jimmie’s book will be available for $25. There will be a book signing at the end of the event.
Creation Care Weekend, April 29-30
April 24, 2023 
| Join us for these Creation Care Weekend activities.
1) Guided Forest Bathing Experience – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 29th What to Expect We will gather at the Bobby Ross Jr Shelter (Gate C) of Duke Forest, off 751. Through a series of carefully crafted invitations, we will focus on our senses to develop a rich connection to the forest. This is a slow, mindful way of being in the forest. Before there were written scriptures, people came to know God through Creation. Nature is sometimes referred to as the “first testament.” We will surely encounter God as we gather together! Sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EABAC28A75-fpccreation Rev. Laura B. Hamrick, Your Forest Therapy Guide Laura is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. She has served in a variety of ministry settings from United Methodist churches, to Sabbath Life, a creation-based ministry for clergy, and currently, the Duke Clergy Health Initiative. She is a certified forest therapy guide through the Forest Therapy School. 2) Family Hike on the Shepherd Nature Trail – 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 29 We will meet at the Bobby Ross Jr Shelter (Gate C) of Duke Forest, off 751. Beth Stringfield and Cris Rivera will lead a leisurely walk on the 0.8 mile self-guided Shepherd Nature Trail. There is interpretive signage to learn about this teaching forest along the way. Please bring your own water bottle and use bug spray and sunscreen as appropriate. Sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EABAC28A75-fpccreation (For anyone doing both Saturday activities, you are invited to bring a picnic lunch/snack. We will have a cooler.) 3) All-Church Creation Care Fair! – 9:45 a.m. Sunday, April 30 – Watts Hill Hall Join us in learning how you can partner in the caring of God’s Creation! Friends from the Creation Care Committee and Christian Education will join representatives from Keep Durham Beautiful, Don’t Waste Durham, RAFI, and Eno River Association with information and activities for all! All faith formation classes are invited to gather together in Watts-Hill Hall from 9:45-10:45 a.m. 4) Anytime Film Screening! Living the Golden Rule: Just Transition to a clean energy economy. Join Interfaith Power and Light’s Faith Climate Action Week’s Film Screening of Current Revolution – Screen this film series on America’s energy transition anytime at this link. For more about FPC’s Creation Care Committee: /stewardship-of-creation/ To join the FPC Creation Care listserve [email protected], contact Cris Rivera |
Women’s Voices Chorus Presents “My Soul Is Awakened”
April 24, 2023 
On Sunday, April 30, 2023, 3pm at First Presbyterian Church in Durham, Women’s Voices Chorus will present My Soul is Awakened which includes repertoire conveying themes of renewal, transformation, enlightenment, and self-realization through the lenses of varied cultures, languages, and musical styles. Women composers of note featured on this concert include Elizabeth Alexander, Marjan Helms, Susan LaBarr, Marie-Claire Saindon, Joan Szymko, Sarah Quartel, Gwyneth Walker, and Lana Walter.
Buy tickets here: https://womens-voices-chorus.square.site/product/april-2023-my-soul-is-awakened-/38?cs=true&cst=custom
Maundy Thursday Worship
April 06, 2023 
Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Link to live worship
Worship with Holy Communion and Stripping of the Chancel
Susan Dunlap, preaching
A service to commemorate Jesus’ last supper with his disciples.
Children are welcome in worship.
YOU helped save someone’s life!
April 05, 2023 
FPC held another community blood drive on Thursday, May 4. Over 20 units of blood were collected. Thank you!
April 1, 2023 – Ordination & Installation of Esther Rose Hethcox
March 31, 2023 
Join us on Saturday, April 2 as Esther Rose Hethcox is ordained and installed as as Designated Associate Pastor. Following the service, a tea party reception will be held in Watts-Hill Hall.
Parking will be available at the church for persons with limited mobility (GPS address: 300 E. Liberty St.) and at the new parking deck located at the corner of East Liberty and Queen Streets. Enter the deck from Queen Street.
The service will be live-streamed here for those who are unable to attend the service.
Follow the service using this online bulletin.
MCPHERSON LECTURESHIP – MARCH 26-27, 2023
February 14, 2023 
We are excited to announce our 2023 McPherson Lecturers, Drs. Catherine Barsotti and Robert Johnston. Rob and Cathy will join us on March 26 and 27 for several events, all of which are open to the public (see below for dates and times). Their topic for the weekend is “Finding God in the Movies.” We invite you to mark your calendars so that you might be able to attend and to share this with your communities so that they might join us as well!
Rob and Cathy have written several books, including God in the Movies: A Guide for Exploring Four Decades of Film, Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue, and God’s Wider Presence: Reconsidering General Revelation. They teach at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
We look forward to having you with us as we learn from Cathy and Rob!
Grateful to be partnering with you in faith, life, and ministry!
Mindy Douglas, pastor
SCHEDULE
Sunday, March 26
3:00-4:30 p.m.
McPherson Lecture
Topic: What do Christians see when they see a film?
Monday, March 27
9:00-10:30 a.m.
Clergy & Youth Leader Breakfast and Training
Topic: God’s Wider Presence based on a book that Rob wrote a few years ago, which is rooted in film viewing and how that might be an occasion for people to encounter God. Rob and Cathy will make a Biblical case for the Spirit’s revelatory presence outside of the church and without direct reference to Christ. Reservation for breakfast.
Events are free, open to the public and will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Durham NC.