May 22, 2023

To: The NC House of Representatives, The NC Senate and the Governor

From: First Presbyterian Church, Durham, NC

Copy: Ed Johnson, Stated Clerk of New Hope Presbytery

Dear Legislators and Governor Cooper,

Article XI, section 4 of the Constitution of North Carolina reads as follows:

“Welfare policy….

Beneficent provision for the poor, the unfortunate, and the orphan is one of the first duties of a civilized and a Christian state….”

However, the State of North Carolina maintains a cash bail bond system that systematically exploits “the poor, the unfortunate,” in direct violation of the “first duty” as claimed in the NC Constitution.

The Constitution of the State of North Carolina continues to look to a Christian moral compass especially, but not exclusively, in regard to the treatment of the poor. In that regard, Christian Scripture clearly calls us to extend special compassion and consideration for the poor and needy.

The Constitution of the State of North Carolina continues to look to a Christian moral compass especially, but not exclusively, in regard to the treatment of the poor. In that regard, Christian Scripture clearly calls us to extend special compassion and consideration for the poor and needy.

a. “Open your hand to the poor and needy…” (Deut. 15:11).

b. “You shall not withhold the wages of the poor and needy laborers… You shall pay their wages daily because they are poor and their livelihood depends on them, otherwise they might cry out to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt” (Deut. 24: 14-15).

c. “Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him” (Proverbs 14:31).

d. “The Lord enters into judgment with the elders and princes of his people. It is you who have devoured the vineyard, the spoil of the poor is in your houses” (Isaiah 3:14).

e. Jeremiah contrasts the good King Josiah and the bad King Jehoiakim. The only criteria distinguishing them was that the poor benefited from the government of Josiah while Jehoiakim instead invested in cedar siding and gold trimming in his luxurious house. Jeremiah declares harsh condemnation on Jehoiakim: “Are you (Jehoiakim) a king because you compete in cedar? Did not your father (Josiah) eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy. Is not this to know me? says the Lord. But your eyes and heart are only on your dishonest gain, for shedding innocent blood, for practicing oppression and violence” (Jer. 22:15-17).

f. Jesus implores his disciples to benefit the poor, and to never exploit them for personal gain.

g. Jesus “unrolled the scroll and found the place that it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free…’” (Luke 4: 17-19).

h. “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled” (Luke 6:20-21).

i. “And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me’” (Matthew 25:40).

j. “We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us – and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees his brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help?” (1 John 3:17-18).

k. “They (the apostles in Jerusalem) asked only one thing, that we remember the poor…” (Galatians 2:10).

l. “But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you to court?” (James 2:6).

Fidelity to the NC Constitution then requires changes to the current cash bail system which exploits the poor. Considerable empirical evidence demonstrates that the cash bail system is inequitable and ineffective. The cash bail system requires pretrial defendants to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars to keep from going to jail. Because of economic challenges, a significant portion of these arrestees lack the 10%-15% non-refundable premium a bail agent charges, so they end up spending weeks and months in jail awaiting trial. Courts, often secured through bail bondsmen, typically result in low-income individuals agreeing to usurious borrowing terms to obtain funds. Several municipalities and states throughout the United States, and a few places in North Carolina, have successfully enacted other approaches to pretrial requirements for defendants accused of misdemeanors and some nonviolent felonies.

Additionally, the current bail bond system is more expensive financially to the State than the proposed changes offered by the NC House Bill 271.  Enacting NC House Bill 271 will save the state money.

Multiple studies, including the work of Jessica Smith, W.R. Kenyan, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Public Law and Government at UNC School of Government, report the need for change based on four problems with the current system: public safety (wealthier individuals can buy their way out of incarceration); costs to taxpayers; fairness; and racial and ethnic disparities.

WHEREAS, the vast majority of the jail population increase since 2000 was caused by the detention of individuals prior to trial (pretrial) of which 60% to 70% were classified nonviolent minimum-security;

WHEREAS, the Class Three misdemeanor cases addressed in NC House Bill 271 do not constitute a risk of flight;

WHEREAS, at least 70% of people held in local jails are not convicted of any crime;

WHEREAS, the inability to make cash bail extracts an untold human cost on the accused due to their loss of employment, housing and, often times, family support;

WHEREAS, there are proven instances of inadequate health care for incarcerated persons, death and injury suffered by incarcerated persons;

WHEREAS, bail set for people of color exceeds that for whites by 35%;

WHEREAS, three out of four criminal cases in state trial courts are for misdemeanors that, if proved, would result in fines and/or less than a year in jail;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Session of First Presbyterian Church of Durham, NC petitions the NC legislature to pass NC House Bill 271.  Additionally, the First Presbyterian Church petitions the Presbytery of New Hope to endorse the passage of NC House Bill 271.  The Session encourages the Presbytery to encourage each church session in the Presbytery of New Hope to adopt this resolution and to contact their state representatives and Senators.  Furthermore, that the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery convey this stand to every NC Representative, Senator, and the Governor.  The Stated Clerk is directed to communicate this resolution to the Presbyteries of Western North Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Salem, and Charlotte for consideration and adoption.

On Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit descending in a mighty rush of wind and flame to inspire the church’s proclamation of Christ’s rising and to empower its mission and ministry to the world.

11:00 AM Worship and Holy Communion.  The PCUSA Pentecost Offering will also be received which supports children, youth and young adults grow in their faith and share their faith, ideas and unique gifts with the church and the world.  We will also receive the Hunger for Change offering

Members are asked to wear red, orange, or yellow in celebration of the birth of the Christian church!  If you will be worshipping remotely, remember to assemble your elements (bread and cup) for communion prior to worship.   

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. 

“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.

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

Link to program

FPC held another community blood drive on Thursday, May 4. Over 20 units of blood were collected. Thank you!