ISSUE SIXTEEN OF

FIRST FOUNDATIONS

The new issue of our First Foundations magazine is hot off the press, and ready for you to read! Magazines are currently available in the Lewis building lobby by the elevators. There are also copies of the magazine located at all entrances to the sanctuary for you to grab on your way out of worship. Feel free to get an extra copy for a neighbor who might like to know more about who we are, as we continue to reach beyond our walls. We are so grateful for all of our contributors (in order of their articles) — Leah Reed, Holly Cook and Jeff Hobart, Chris Chapman, Claire Willmschen, Crystal Bacon, Amy Galvan, Rebecca Sasser, and Cara Lynn Vogel. A special thanks to our First Foundations magazine team that makes every publication come to life — Jen Foster, Anne Bullard, Claire Willmschen, and Leah Reed. You may access this issue on the church website, along with previous issues of our magazines. If you would like to receive a copy of First Foundations in the mail, please email Deborah. We hope you enjoy reading about Flourish from a wide range of voices from our community of faith!



BWIM DOCUMENTARY SCREENING & POTLUCK DINNER

We are thrilled to announce an FBC screening of Baptist Women in Ministry's newly released documentary Midwives of a Movement. This powerful documentary delves into the inspiring journeys of women who fearlessly spearheaded a movement advocating for increased visibility and empowerment of women within the SBC during the tumultuous 1970s and 1980s. Undeterred by formidable challenges, these trailblazers exhibited remarkable bravery, carving out new paths for the progression of women in ministry and leadership roles within the Baptist community, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to shape the landscape even after four decades.

Mark your calendar and join us on Sunday, August 11, from 5:30–8pm in our fellowship hall. We'll have a potluck dinner followed by a screening of the documentary, and a Q&A with BWIM's Executive Director, Dr. Meredith Stone. Childcare will be provided for pre-k and under; please email Lynn by August 4. Troy Dye will be serving up some delicious baked chicken, but we'll need side dishes and desserts from you! Sign up to bring a dish for the potluck dinner here! For questions, email Leah.



TRIVIA SUCCESS!

Thank you to everyone who gathered on Sunday evening for our first official trivia night! We had a delicious potluck dinner followed by a rousing, slightly competitive round of trivia. Congratulations to the team I Just Came for the Food, which won the grand prize of the evening! A special thank you to our social committee for providing set-up and beautiful table decorations. Stay tuned — we might just do this again!

JULY MISSION PROJECT

Caring Connections Ministry is a mentoring program dedicated to supporting women in the greater Raleigh area who may be grappling with feelings of isolation and being overwhelmed due to various challenges such as poverty, substance misuse recovery, re-entry after justice involvement, or underemployment. Their primary goal is to empower women by providing them with the necessary tools and skills for self-sufficiency through personalized mentoring relationships that offer unwavering support, inspiration, and guidance. Each participant is matched with a dedicated mentor who serves as a source of encouragement, accountability, and direction, aiding them in the journey towards independence and hope for their future.

For our July mission project, we are collecting child- and youth-sized underwear for the children of the women in this program. If you would rather give money, we're collecting donations to purchase sports bras for the daughters of participants. Please place all new, packaged underwear in the Lewis Lobby drawers. Cash or checks may be sent directly to church designating "July mission project," in the memo line. For more information about Caring Connections, please visit their website.



FELLOWSHIP FUND UPDATE

In December of 2023, we started an official partnership with Edenton Street UMC and First Presbyterian Church, providing financial assistance for our neighbors in need. Through this partnership, individuals submit an application through our website and it goes to all three churches. Ministers from each of the three congregations sit down each week and go over the applications, and each congregation agrees to help a certain number of people. We split up the names and each church uses its individual budget to help whomever they can that particular week. The three churches work from a combined database, and we only help an individual family once a year. Our church has made the commitment to pay full bills for families to lessen the inevitable burden of the family having to go around to multiple sources collecting the remaining amount.

Since January 2024, our church has been able to provide rental and utility assistance for 37 families amounting to $64,435! Because of faithful giving to the Fellowship Fund, you have made this possible. The vast majority of these families were facing evictions, and your gifts have kept them in their homes, and off the streets. During these past six months, we have seen a dramatic increase in applications, resulting in more need and less funding. To conserve what funding we have left, we have chosen to take a summer break on contributing to the weekly effort of helping families. First Presbyterian and Edenton Street UMC have continued, and we hope to resume in early August depending on our funding.

The overwhelming need in our city can sometimes feel insurmountable. There are many days where this work feels, as Mother Teresa says, "like a drop in the ocean." But I'm reminded over and over again through talking with individual families, about the desperate need for this work. To these 37 families, your gifts have changed their world.

We collect donations for the Mike Morris Fellowship Fund on the first Sunday of each month, however you may give to this offering any time! We are deeply grateful for the faithful monthly gifts that have allowed us the privilege of walking with these families during some of their darkest days. For questions about the Fellowship Fund, please email Leah.

WELCOME, NEW MEMBER!

Kathie Sidner joined by transfer of letter from Redeemer Presbyterian Church

in Raleigh on July 14. Welcome, Kat!