BUILDING COMMUNITY. TRANSFORMING LIVES. ENGAGING THE WORLD. | | |
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The Rev. Bernard H. Boyd was a legendary professor a UNC Chapel Hill, chair of the chair of Biblical studies from 1950-1975; he taught a class entitled “Introduction to New Testament Literature” that was hugely popular with undergraduates. I did not know Professor Boyd (though his wife, Thelma, was on the Nominating Committee that called me to University Presbyterian Church as an Associate Pastor), but my father took that course in the 1960s. He still tells the story of the first day of that class, in an auditorium full of students, when, at the beginning of class, Professor Boyd asked each student to fill out an index card with their name, and the introduce themselves as they handed him the card. At the end of class on that first day, Professor Boyd greeted each student by name as they exited the auditorium. Sixty years later, my father still remembers - Professor Boyd knew his name.
Names are important. It's one of the first things that happened in creation- the naming of the animals of the ground and the birds of the air.
Isaiah reminds us (43:1)
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
And in the gospel of John (10:3b)
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
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It's a powerful thing having someone know your name, a gift of welcome we can both extend and receive. In the last two years we've received more than fifty new members; we're receiving new members in October, and in the coming weeks we'll be welcoming two new key staff members. And did you know that on any given Sunday we average more than 10 visitors in worship?
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As much as I wish we were all like Professor Boyd, it takes most of us (it most certainly takes me) longer to learn new names. Getting to know one another is just one step in how we connect as a church family. How can you be a part?
1) Introduce yourself.
Even if you've introduced yourself before or are pretty sure you know the person with whom you are speaking, introduce yourself again. This is particularly true with someone who is new. You are meeting one new person- they have hundreds to get to know!
2) Wear a name tag.
We have single-use adhesive name tags in the sanctuary and ministry center and permanent name tags are available to all members and friends. You can keep your name tag with you or store it on the board in the narthex of the sanctuary. Need a replacement or a new one? Just contact Dawn Inglis in the church office and she will take care of it!
3) Take the next step.
Ask a question. Maybe...
Where have you sense God's presence in the last week?
Who is someone who taught you about God?
Is there a joy or a concern in your life that I could add to my own prayers?
It's an exciting time in the life of First Presbyterian Church- because of what God is already doing in our midst.
Peace to you,
Anna Pinckney Straight
PS - Do you sensed a call to this kind of ministry? A great way to get to know people and be a force for hospitality is to serve as an usher. You can learn more and SIGN UP HERE!
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Imagine three young women and a boy from South America come to a strange country. They pass through overwhelming, busy airports in Houston and Charlotte, miss a flight, stay overnight, and finally arrive in tiny New Bern. They know no one who greets them, but there is a woman who speaks Spanish and offers BANANAS.
The greeters include a caseworker and interpreter from Interfaith Refugee Ministry and a few others associated with First Presbyterian Church including three women who speak Spanish.
Several weeks earlier the church Outreach Commission had committed to sponsoring a refugee family. After orientation from IRM, a welcoming team committed to at least ten sponsorship tasks: greet at the airport, set up a household with furniture and supplies, stock a pantry, prepare a welcoming meal, tutor in English, orient to the culture and community, and conversation.
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Then IRM learned of a family of four from Guatemala that the church might sponsor. If the church accepted there would be much to do in ten days. With summer travel season barely a month away, the welcome team accepted and prepared. Church staff found space and got the word out. Dozens of members offered to help.
The family missed the midnight flight from Charlotte to New Bern on May 11 and arrived about 12 hours later. About six persons including the IRM caseworker, Shwe Oo, welcomed the Hurtado family [Denia, 38; Nubia, 23; Sharon, 15; Miguel, 7]. We later learned that they were from Colombia but had spent four years in Ecuador before arriving in the USA. IRM obtained an apartment that was not ready, so they lived in an Airbnb for several days.
May 17 was full of furniture pickups and deliveries to the new apartment, while others brought household items, set up housekeeping, and prepared a welcome meal. Within days of arrival the church set up apps on their smart phones to help them learn English. Overall, about 50 people from the church helped by donating household and personal care items, food, furniture; preparing a welcome meal; hauling furniture; coordinating/communicating, tutoring, providing transportation, and community/cultural orientation. Beyond the initial welcome, at least ten people continued providing tutoring, transportation, and orientation in the weeks to follow.
Volunteers visited the family at least weekly often having deeper conversations with Spanish speakers. They also helped with shopping, visited the library, introduced bus service, toured the community, took kayak outings, attended local cultural events, and provided transportation to obtain state IDs, take state driver’s license tests, and open bank accounts. In addition to IRM classes in English, cultural orientation, and job orientation, the family participated weekly in the church’s English tutoring. Initially the family attended First Presbyterian but later moved to a Spanish language church services.
In August IRM helped place both Denia and Nubia at Dradura, a local factory that supplies parts for dishwashers for the local BSH/Bosch factory. Miguel and Sharon started school.
The Outreach Commission thanks the church volunteers and staff who responded so quickly and overwhelmingly to welcome the Hurtados and provide the things and experiences that they needed for a successful arrival and adjustment.
Tutoring for Hurtados and others continues in September. To volunteer contact Mike Murrie at mhmurrie@gmail.com.
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William Lee Hawkins Library News | |
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This month the library column is written by our "guest reader" Gayle Hardy in honor of one of her favorite AUTHORS (keeping with our theme for 2023) Timothy Keller, Presbyterian pastor and prodigious writer who died recently in New York City of pancreatic cancer. Thank you Gayle!
“The glory of God is available to you in the church in a way it’s not available to you anywhere else. . . . There is no more important means of discipleship than deep involvement in the life of the church.”
~ Dr. Timothy Keller
It was through a Sunday school class here at First Presbyterian that I first heard of Dr. Timothy Keller. I have since immersed myself in his ministry, books and podcasts. Dr. Keller spent his life researching, studying and speaking on the gospel and how, in his words, “The Gospel changes everything.”
Using extensive and varied resources (histories, philosophies, languages and literature, cultural and geographical studies, to name a few), Dr. Keller weaves scripture and Biblical teachings into the context of our modern world and demonstrates time and again, that the message of the gospel is as relevant and life changing as ever. His understanding of Biblical history and Hebrew culture answers questions I didn’t even realize were at the root of some of my deepest struggles of faith.
We are all on a journey. We are on that journey together. I believe there are times when our minds are open and ready to contemplate, ponder, and finally hear what our hearts need to hear. I am thankful that our church offers so many wonderful opportunities to explore and share our faith and that our library is stocked with so many powerful resources, including many by Dr. Keller. His books can be found grouped together in the shelves under 211KEL, or searched for by using “Timothy Keller” on the search bar under FORMATION and then HAWKINS LIBRARY through the church website. I encourage you to take advantage of these offerings and experience the joy and reassurance that the Gospel does, in fact, change everything.
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The Fall schedule begins September 10, 2023!
8:30 am: Worship
9:30 am - 10:00 am: Fellowship Cafe
9:40 am - 10:40 am: Sunday School for All Ages
11:00 am: Worship
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Wednesday, September 13
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
J. Murphy Smith Center
The first Fellowship Dinner of the fall is almost here and the Fellowship Commission is planning a delicious pasta dinner. There is no charge for the dinner, but donations are accepted.
In order to make sure we are prepared, please RSVP by Friday, September 8th at 5:00 pm.
RSVPs by clicking on the button below or by calling the church office.
See you then!
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If you are interested in a detailed calendar of upcoming Children, Youth, and Family Ministry opportunities, or volunteering, please reach out to Catherine Campbell, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry: catherine@firstpresnb.org | |
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Stephen Ministry Training - January, 2024!
If you are already a Stephen Minister and would like to help
or
If you are interested in learning more about Stephen Ministry
or
If you would like to apply to be a part of the upcoming training class,
please reach out to Anna Pinckney Straight.
What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is a complete system for training and organizing laypeople to provide one-to one care to hurting people in the congregation and community. There are three main groups of people involved in Stephen Ministry: Stephen Leaders are lay leaders, church staff, and pastors trained by Stephen Ministries St. Louis to direct their congregation’s Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained by their Stephen Leaders to provide care to hurting individuals. Care receivers are people who meet with a Stephen Minister to receive care while experiencing a difficult time in life. The name Stephen Ministry comes from Stephen, one of the first laypeople commissioned by the Apostles to provide caring ministry to those in need (Acts 6:1–7).
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When a disaster strikes, there are multiple ways to give to support and help and excellent organizations that are there helping immediately.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is there immediately, too, but their real work begins when most other organizations leave; the emergency is over and the hard work of rebuilding begins. If you would like to support this ministry in Hawaii you can designate your contribution to Disaster Relief-U.S. Wildfires (DR000165). You can give online HERE. You can also give by phone (800.872.3283), or you can send a check: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburg, PA 15264.3700.
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Reminder!
Please remember that we/First Presbyterian Church will never email or text you and ask you to purchase gift cards for a special need and tell you that we are not available to talk and ask you not to call. The only legitimate FPC email addresses end in firstpresnb.org and we always want you to call!
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Our first weekend snack build for Backpack Blessings got off to a roaring start. 965 students have been signed up for the supplemental weekend food kits so the need in Craven, Pamlico, and Jones Counties is real ...and yes, growing!
Ruth Powers, who heads up the ecumenical ministry, gave a special 'shout-out' to Food Lion and Aldi, as they remain great partners in supplying food at a low cost. Carolina East Hospital also drew praise as the largest entity supporting this critical ministry through funding and volunteers....several of which were there after pulling all night shifts at the hospital! Next up were the many church communities that participate...well over 23 as of now. And FIRST PRESBYTERIAN was singled out as a truly wonderful partner church who has been with them since their inception!
Our own Jane Dail continues to deliver food bins to our assigned school, as well as serve on the Board of Backpack Blessings...and joining in volunteering for this build were : Richard Rowe, Patti Fleming, Bob Little, Nancy Perdue, Anne Goldman, Karen Reed, Wendy Moeller, Linda Cleve, Chip and Linda Chagnon, Dru and Ken Wilkins, Carol and David Hale, Debby Lifer, Stas and Brenda Humienny, Trudy Martin with Lee and Holly, and Mike Moman. There will be many opportunities to participate this year so keep watching your emails for a chance to sign up to help with our next build.
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What is our "Gifts from the Heart" ministry? In 2014, our church started the Gifts from the Heart alternative gift giving program. This is an opportunity to give the gift of a monetary donation to a ministry of your choice in someone's name instead of a store-bought gift. This ministry also provides an easy way to simply make donations.
A few of the ministries that we have supported in the past include Merci Clinic, Coastal Women's Shelter, Backpack Blessings, UKIRK at ECU, Craven Literacy, First Presbyterian Preschool, and Camp Albemarle. During the month of December, a table will be set up during Sunday morning worship to make it easy to participate in giving. You will have the opportunity to purchase donation cards with envelopes in $10.00 increments to give to your chosen recipient. The cards provide an easy way to let a person know that you donated to a specific mission in their name. Remember: your donations will go directly to the ministry of your choosing. Cards will sell for $10.00 each. Children may purchase cards for giving for $5.00 each.
The Gifts from the Heart Ministry Committee is requesting input from our members for our three focus ministries for 2023. Do you have a ministry that is near and dear to your heart? Please email Julia Speight (juliawcs23@gmail.com) or Kim Avolis at (kkavolis@yahoo.com) with your suggestions. The deadline for your input is September 7th. All suggestions will be taken to the Outreach Commission. The Outreach Commission will make final decisions. Focus ministries help provide a direction for donations, but donations will not be limited to the three that are selected. Make your plans to participate!
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Women's Connection in Montreat - August, 2023 | |
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The annual Presbyterian Women's Retreat took place in Montreat, NC August 11th-13th. Attending were 13 women from First Pres who relished the cooler temps, the wonderful keynote address by Kate Bowler, some fascinating workshop offerings, and drawing closer together in fellowship with each other. We enjoyed making some new friends as well as seeing some familiar old friends....hello Whitney from Charlotte! A big bouquet of kudos goes to Stephanie Proctor, who cooked for almost the whole crew, and many thanks to our drivers: Carole DuBois, Wendy Moeller, Stephanie Proctor, and Kim Avolis. There were so many new ideas presented, and rich offerings in text and word. Ellen Crawford True did a phenomenal job holding us all together in her sermons (and rushing down the first night to personally welcome all from First Pres and tell us how lucky we were to have Anna Pinckney Straight as our pastor!). Margaret Aymer presented a truly insightful view of Hagar, from the Old Testament.
This is definitely worth putting on your calendar for next year: August 9 - 11, 2024!
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Contemplative Worship and
Prayer Group Luncheon
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The Wednesday Contemplative Worship and Prayer gatherings took advantage of the slower summer pace to gather for lunch at the home of Stacey Griffith. They enjoyed food, fellowship, and good conversation. They're looking forward to their first fall gatherings (September 13 at 12:00 and 5:00) with the Rev. Patrick Ryan! | | |
Thank you to Stacey Griffith for donating clothes from her extensive travels - the children love them and are looking forward to time in the fall when she is going to visit them to tell them about the places she has lived and the stories behind them! |
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Mark Your Calendars!
Wednesday, October 4 ~ 5:30 pm
Blessing of the Animals followed by a Fellowship Supper
Sunday October 22 ~ 2:00 pm
Rothermel Foundation Lecture
Featuring James C. Peterson, PhD
Human Gene Editing for the Good Life
Sunday, November 6
Celebrating the ministry of
the Rev. Lloyd Griffith during 11:00 worship
and after at a reception in the Session House
Sunday, December 3 ~ 9:40 am - 10:40 am
Advent Craft Fair!
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First Presbyterian Church, New Bern Staff
Anna Pinckney Straight - Pastor
anna@firstpresnb.org
Patrick Ryan - Associate Pastor
patrick@firstpresnb.org
Lloyd Griffith - Parish Associate
lloyd@firstpresnb.org
Catherine Campbell - Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
catherine@firstpresnb.org
Pat K. Rowlett - Director of Music
pat@firstpresnb.org
Daniel Sansone - Associate Director of Music & Organist
daniel@firstpresnb.org
Tim Elliott - Facilities Manager
property@firstpresnb.org
Dawn Inglis - Office Administrator
church@firstpresnb.org
Kerri Wheeler - Preschool Director
kerri@firstpresnb.org
Summer Hough - Financial Administrator
summer@firstpresnb.org
Louis Foye - Sexton
Richard Colflesh - Maintenance
property@firstpresnb.org
pastoroncall@firstpresnb.org
After office hours or on the weekend,
a good way to reach a pastor will be to
email the pastor on call.
Communications
comms@firstpresnb.org
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Share your News!
Have an article for the newsletter? Want an announcement placed in the bulletin? See something we should post on social media? Have photos of a church event to share? Email comms@firstpresnb.org to get your news shared!
Bulletin Deadline:
Mondays at 12:00 pm
Newsletter Deadline:
the 15th of each month at 12:00 pm
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Physical Address:
400 New Street,
New Bern, NC 28560
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1069,
New Bern, NC 28563
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Church Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
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