First Pres is participating in a CSA this summer so members can have access to a steady supply of fresh vegetables in partnership with a farmer of color, Sankofa Farms in Efland.  The CSA has been developed in collaboration with RAFI-USA’s Farm and Faith Partnerships Project, and with two other congregations, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Eno River UU Fellowship. 

Durham Co. CSA Summer Season Details:

• Sourced and facilitated by Kamal Bell and Sankofa Farms
• Six-week CSA [week of June 13 – week of July 18]
• $30 / weekly produce box delivery ($180 for a full share / $90 for a half-share)
• Payment will be available online on the Sankofa Farms website.
• Payment for the entire season is due June 6, and people can purchase week-by-week as well.
• Likely produce offerings include: cabbage, kale, redbor kale, chard, tomatoes, bell peppers, celery, carrots, squash, and okra
• Pick up at First Pres on Thursday afternoons from 4:00-6:00

FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact Tom Bacon (919-403-9683) or Larry Brockman (919-824-1579).

North Carolina Council of Churches · May 17, 2022 

by The Rev. Dr. Conrad Pridgen, Governing Board President-elect, Presiding Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2^nd Episcopal District and The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director, North Carolina Council of Churches

Words make a world and the world our words are making in this nation these days is pretty ugly. The Tops Supermarket massacre in Buffalo, N.Y., is the latest example of vicious words that were turned into violent action. The North Carolina Council of Churches stands with other Councils across the country denouncing the rhetoric that produces violence. We especially call on our elected officials in all parties, but particularly the two dominant parties, Democrat and Republican, to renounce such speech. We call on them to stop using violent language or innuendos toward violence.  Furthermore, we call on them to renounce violent language from anyone in their respective parties, censoring those in their party cohort if the behavior is not voluntarily checked.

Those who speak are not the same as the one who conducted a violent rampage and killed ten innocent people in Buffalo, N.Y. He is described as a lone gunman, but was he really?

Sharing in the responsibility for this crime are those who recklessly and irresponsibly teach and preach racist, false narratives on social media platforms and other various news outlets. They were not physically present at the Tops Supermarket, but the spirit of their rhetoric was present. They did not purchase the guns and ammunition; they did not aim the gun; but their fingerprints are on the murder weapon.  

Other hands were also on the gun May 14, 2022, at the Tops Supermarket.  Many of us condone the mean-spirited under-currents roiling our nation today. Those currents now surface regularly in violent rampages like the one we saw Saturday and again on Sunday. The hate-filled, mean-spirited talk, only slightly veiled, we hear from some candidates running for public office lends credibility to that which should be openly denounced—violence is not a political tool. These candidates were not physically present for these massacres, but the spirit of their rhetoric was present. Their fingerprints are on the murder weapons.  

Finally, other hands that were on the guns used this weekend are perhaps unwitting hands, but they are present all the same. These are the hands of you and me, the hands of those who see our country going down a path characterized by hate, violence, and fear; but remain silent. When we fail to speak out against the direction our country is going and the rhetoric that is taking it there, we bear some responsibility. We were not physically present in the places where violence occurred, but our silence creates complicity. Our fingerprints are on the murder weapons.

Each of us have the right and the responsibility to help determine what kind of country we want to live in.  If “hatefulness” is not the way you want to go, then speak up. We have a choice. When each of us vote today in North Carolina and again in November all over the country, we are voting for more than a candidate. We are endorsing their rhetoric and their tactics. We are deciding which words we want to support and what kind of world we want to live in. Words make a world. What kind of world do you want to live in?

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES The Council enables denominations, congregations, and people of faith to individually and collectively impact our state on issues such as economic justice and development, human well-being, equality, compassion and peace, following the example and mission of Jesus Christ. Learn more about our work here: www.ncchurches.org/about

Presented by members of the Durham-Chapel Hill Chapter of the American Guild of Organists

Friday, May 13, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. in the FPC sanctuary.

You will hear works by César Franck, Richard Webster, Marcel Dupré, Charles-Marie Widor, and Maurice Duruflé.

Enjoy the recital in-person (masks required) or live-streamed from wherever you are using this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/0wH00ywFB2o

Follow along the recital program here.

Beginning Sunday, July 24, masks are no longer required when in the sanctuary or other spaces at FPC. For you own comfort level, you can mask up or not.

We encourage those who are eligible to receive the vaccine and boosters to protect yourself and others from the newest and more contagious variant of the COVID virus, by getting vaccinated.

Our Afghan Refugee T-Shirt & Hat Fundraiser has been extended!

We are thrilled that the Youth Ministry Committee can extend your chance to get in on these sweet shirts and hats for another few weeks.  The new deadline is Sunday, May 22 – Confirmation Sunday. 

Please join the youth in this (stylish) ministry by purchasing a t-shirt, or a hat, or both! Each one costs $25.  (Note that there are separate links for ordering each.) Unlike last year, hats and shirts will be available for pick up at the church. 

Shirts (Love in the Heart of Durham FPC Shirts Custom Ink Fundraising)

Hats (Fabulous FPC Hats Custom Ink Fundraising) 

PLEASE JOIN US THIS SUNDAY!

Sunday, May 1 will be the final day we will celebrate the church’s sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary.  Worship begins at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary (and can be viewed online) with Mindy Douglas giving the sermon.

The communion cloth and paraments that were commissioned for this 150th anniversary will be seen for the very first time.

The 150^th Anniversary Committee has planned other activities for this day, including lunch (no cost) in the courtyard and in Watts-Hill Hall. 

At 4:00 p.m. in the FPC sanctuary, the Women’s Voices Chorus will present a spring concert.

This concert illuminates the inevitability of life challenges while celebrating overcoming fear with courage, adversity with resilience, and uncertainty with action.

Tickets are $17 for adults and $7 for children and students. Masks and proof of vaccination or negative COVID test result are required for admission table. Purchase tickets from WVC’s website: womensvoiceschorus.org and pick up at FPC (will call table). 

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, says the Spirit.  They rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Revelation 13:13)  

Linda (Lynn) McGregor Everett, wife of the late Judge Robinson Everett and mother of Rob, Greg, and Luke Everett, passed away on March 19, 2022, at Duke Hospital. Arrangements are by Clements Funeral Service, Durham.

The family has requested a Service of Witness to the Resurrection be held at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of FPC tomorrow (Friday, March 25).

For those who plan to attend the service, please be aware of the following:

PARKING: FPC’s parking lot will be reserved for the family and those with mobility issues. Additional parking will be available at St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church lot (403 E. Main, corner of Dillard and Main). From this lot, you can walk to FPC along Main Street. You should plan a few extra minutes to do this.

ELEVATOR: FPC’s elevator remains out of service so plan some extra time to navigate the stairs. We will have people available to assist you. To avoid the stairs, use the Main Street sidewalk entrance to the lower foyer.

MASKS are welcome but not required.

LIVE-STREAM: For family and friends who are not able to attend the memorial service, First Presbyterian has agreed to live-stream the service. You can watch the service at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow using this link: https://youtu.be/q96k-4CU2bM

Please continue to keep the Everett family in your prayers.