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The WattsLine November 2017
All Saints Day We celebrate All Saints’ Day in worship on Sunday, November 5, when we remember and give thanks for our loved ones who died since last year’s All Saints’ Sunday. We light candles in memory of the following: Russell Ames, Jr, Frances Barrett, Caroline Brame, Les Dunbar, Margaret Gregory, Bonnie Griffin, Rubyleigh Herndon, John Hudson, Dot Jacobs, Gene Johnson, Augusta Kirkland, Betty Lallier, Betty Nelson, Helen Parks, Cliff Price, Carol Reeves, Karl Stevenson, Beth Upchurch, Bill Upchurch, Martha Young, and Milly Young.
Thanksgiving Service Tuesday, November 21 Thanksgiving week we pause to give thanks together. On Tuesday evening, we gather at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall for soup, followed by communion around the tables in a brief intergenerational Thanksgiving service. Join us for this time together! No supper reservations needed.
Contribute to the Fall Bazaar!
• If you are able to sew, do wood-working, make hand-crafted items, create artwork, share photography, roast peanuts, can pickles, bake cakes or other sweet treats, we’d love to have your support! Please contact Jennifer Martin, Karin Oliver, or Kelly Sasser.
Prepare Food for the Concession Stand!
• If you can make a pot of Brunswick Stew or Butternut Squash soup, make sandwich fillings (chicken salad, pimento cheese), or bake (scones, coffee cake, brownies/cookies/cupcakes), please contact Debra Freeman, Deanna Branscom, Nancy Lehman, or Tiffany Husack.
Bring your Yard Sale Donations!
• Clean out your closets and bring in your quality items (but no clothing donations, text books, or professional/medical books, please).
• Donations can be brought to the church beginning Sunday, October 29. (Youth will be available to help you unload cars after church on this day.)
• Last day to bring donations: Thursday, November 2. Questions? Contact Steve Ritz or Kris Arges.
Spread the Word!
• Post Fall Bazaar/Church Yard Sale fliers in your neighborhoods, work places, and favorite stores
• Share about the sale on your neighborhood list-serves
• Invite family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. to the sale
• Contact Jim Arges or Maggie Chotas for paper fliers and email content.
Volunteer on the Day of the Sale!
• Work a shift in the concession stand, the Bazaar, or the Yard Sale area! Contact Kelly Sasser if interested.
• Greet guests and offer hospitality to all who come through our doors on this special day.
• And of course, come shop ‘til you drop!!!
Thank you for your support!!!
Ways to Help with the WSBC Fall Bazaar and Church Yard Sale!
The 40th annual Watts Street Fall Bazaar is Saturday, November 4! Proceeds support Hurricane Relief, the Good Shepherd Window restoration, and our Youth Summer Mission Experiences. This is a fun and exciting event for the church and the community. We’d love to have your help to make this event a huge success:
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Looking Ahead to Advent • Sunday, December 3: Advent I – Hope. Hanging of
the Greens at 5:00 p.m. Children arrive at 4:30 p.m. for crafts.
• Saturday, December 9, 8:30 – 10 a.m.: Teacher Appreciation Brunch at Diane Hill’s home. 9:30 – Rehearsal, Children’s Christmas Pageant.
• Sunday, December 10: Advent II – Peace. Service of Remembrance and Hope, 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 13: Children’s Christmas Pageant at 6 p.m., followed by supper.
• Sunday, December 17: Advent III – Joy
• Sunday, December 24: Advent IV – Love. 4:00 p.m. – Candlelight Christmas Eve Service; 6:00 p.m. – Love Feast
No Sunday School on December 24 or 31.
Service of Remembrance and Hope As families gather for the holidays, the tough work of grieving often becomes more painful. All who grieve, whether the loss is recent or several years ago, are invited to the Service of Remembrance and Hope offered by the Deacons on Sunday, December 10 at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel. This informal service includes readings, prayers, hymns, and an opportunity to offer tribute to those whom we grieve. In addition, the deacons make available a variety of Care Notes, addressing topics related to grief and loss during the holidays. These resources are found in the front foyer.
Love Feast Volunteers Needed: We need volunteers for the Love Feast, to be held at 6:00 PM, on Christmas Eve Sunday December 24th. Approximately 15 couple volunteers are needed (30 people) to serve in the Love Feast. No experience required. If you are returning volunteer or first timer you are welcome. Please look for the signup board that will be available in various areas throughout the church in the next coming weeks. You can also sign up by calling this year's coordinator, Mack Wilkins at 919-638-1074 or email at [email protected].
It’s Candle Wrapping Time! We need all available men and women to wrap 500 Love Feast candles. Beginning November 6, we meet every Monday at 9 a.m. in room 104-A, and continue until we finish the job. For more information, contact Becky Dodson (919-471-1832).
WSBC Advent Reflections Once again, WS Adult Education Ministry is offering an Advent devotional resource, written by and for WS members, with art work provided by our children.
Thanks to John Burton-Crutchfield for editing and collating, and to all adult, youth and children who made contributions. The booklets will be available in the foyers by late November. Pick up a copy for your household, or access it on line at www.wattsstreet.org.
Stewardship Report On October 29, the members and friends of Watts Street Baptist Church rededicated ourselves to the church’s mission on Pledge Sunday, reminding ourselves of our many connections to each other, our neighbors, and to the needs of our beautiful and historic building. Many pledges have already been submitted. If you still need a pledge card, they are available in the sanctuary at each pew or you may call the church office. You may also submit your pledge online at the church's website - visit http://wattsstreet.org/give/pledge-card. Contact David Rhoades or David Smith, co-chairs of Stewardship, for further information. And look for regular updates on our progress in your Watts Street Weekly throughout the fall and Advent seasons.
Wednesday Night Supper and Community Weekly Wednesday nights continue at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy time with your friends around the supper tables. At 6:00 p.m. we begin community time, then move on to age-level events: choirs for children, Youth Service Learning for youth, and For the Living of These Days for adults in the Chapel led by Dorisanne Cooper.
Please make reservations in the Friendship Register by the Sunday prior, or by contacting the church office by Monday before noon. Children 3 years through 5th grade: $3. Youth and adults: $7. Family cap: $24. Children under 3 eat free.
Music ministry for children in preschool, and for those in kindergarten and first grades, begins at 6. (Please invite families with young choir children to move to the front of the food line.
(Continued on Page 3)
News Briefs
Page 3 November 2017
Memoir Writing Group Forming We all have a story to tell. Come join Watts Street friends in telling yours. We will write, share and support each other in this Memoir Writing Group led by writer and church member Maggie Ellis Chotas. An interest meeting will be held on Thursday, November 2, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., room 104-A. Come ready to write! The class will meet on the following Thursdays, 7 to 9 p.m. at the church: December 7, January 11, February 8, March 1, and April 12. If interested, please contact Maggie (919-801-4748, [email protected]) and/or come to the interest meeting on November 2.
Mark Your Calendar! Remember to move your clocks back Saturday night, November 4. This is also a great time to check the batteries in your smoke alarms.
Baptist Peace Fellowship Dinner A free dinner will be hosted by Pullen Memorial Baptist Church on Saturday, November 11, 2017, 6:00 p.m., at 1801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27605. Learn about the Baptist Peace Fellowship, their work and how you can be inspired, informed and hopeful about the work being done to promote effective peacemaking. For more information and ride-sharing to Pullen and back, please contact Gordon Whitaker or Fran Langstaff.
November/December Mission Baskets The mission baskets in the side foyer and the Fellowship Hall collect donations to help two Durham Public Schools as they meet students' needs: current new or barely used chapter books, non-fiction, or picture books, post it notes, dry erase markers, Ticonderoga #2 pencils, and white/colored copy paper (for teachers and classroom libraries at Merrick-Moore Elementary); hats, gloves, any size solid color t-shirts, deodorant, toothbrushes/paste, and other toiletries (for guidance department at Southern High School). Contact David Heist ([email protected], 919-475-8367) with questions.
November Minute for Mission Michelle Old from the Diaper Bank of North Carolina will present the Minute for Mission on November 12. The mission of the Diaper Bank is to promote and protect the dignity of each resident by working with established family-support organizations to distribute diapers and hygiene products to low income families. Learn more about this work and ways to help at www.ncdiaperbank.org.
Peace & Reconciliation Movie Night See "The Second Cooler" on November 17. Why do we have so many undocumented immigrants? Hear from economic refugees from Mexico and beyond to understand the challenges they faced to come to the US. (Trailer at https://vimeo.com/58581371.) Showing and discussion 7:00 p.m. in room 102, sponsored by Peace and Reconciliation Mission Group. Discussion follows.
Young Adult Ministry College students and young adults, we’d love to help you make connections at Watts Street! Join us for lunch at the Q-Shack on Sunday, November 19 at 12:15 p.m. For details on upcoming events, visit www.wattsstreet.org or contact Blanche Williams ([email protected]) or Kelly Sasser ([email protected]).
Walltown Community Thanksgiving Service, Sunday, November 19, 3 p.m. We’ll gather for worship with our sister churches and community partners from the Walltown Neighborhood for a Thanksgiving Worship service and Food Drive for the Walltown Neighborhood Food Bank. Katie Crowe, pastor of Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church, will be our preacher this year. The service will be at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church at 917 Onslow Street. Please bring a bag of non-perishable items or toiletries to donate to the WNM Food Bank which serves 90-100 families each month.
Meals on Wheels Day On Tuesday, November 21, WSBC Missions Committee and Senior Adult Coordinating Council offer another opportunity to assemble and pack meals at Meals on Wheels of Durham., 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome to participate. We carpool at 8:00 a.m. from the Urban Avenue parking lot to the MOW facility at 2522 Ross Road. RSVP to Bob Kruhm ([email protected]) or call the church office to sign up.
News Briefs (Continued from Page 2)
November Worship at Watts Street
November 5—All Saints’ Sunday Dorisanne Cooper preaching November 12 Dorisanne Cooper preaching November 19 Dorisanne Cooper preaching November 26 Diane Eubanks Hill preaching
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Sunday Ministry Volunteers November 5 Greeters: Emily Joiner, Karoline Johnson & Zac Barker Ushers: Robert Berry, Joe Gary, Bob Hellwig,
Steve Ross, Alan Williams Ministry Coordinator: Hope Durack Nursery: Dawn Eberhard, Shanessa Pride, Open Toddlers: Karen Barber, Georgia Chotas, Will John Preschool II: Wanda Burton-Crutchfield, Open, Emma
Hitchings Preschool III: Maggie Chotas, Judi Powell, Nick Chotas Lock up: Joe Gary Sound System: Evelyn Ritz November 12 Greeters: Jay & Nancy Freeman, Pat Revels Ushers: Robert Berry, Joe Gary, Bob Hellwig,
Michelle Roach, Steve Ross Ministry Coordinator: Mack Wilkins Nursery: Shanessa Pride, Michelle Roach, Kacey Reynolds
Schedler, Open Toddlers: Brian or Jenny Barrier, Emily Joiner, Kate Patillo Preschool II: Billy Price, Open, Max Husack Preschool III: Scott Job, Ted McDaniel, Philip Patillo Lock up: Worth Lutz III
Sound System: Eva Irmy November 19 Greeters: Joe Gary/Marsha McKinley, Bob & Diana Jackson Ushers: Robert Berry, Maggie Chotas, Joe Gary,
Steve Ross, Alan Williams Ministry Coordinator: Amy Armstrong Nursery: Shanessa Pride, John Rublein, Tina Ward,
Aria Oliver Toddlers: Melissa Harrell, Open, Evelyn Ritz Preschool II: Ashlee or Brian Crews, Joy Turner, Open Preschool III: Amy Rublein, Elizabeth Sasser, Henry Mitchell Lock up: Zac Barker Sound System: David Tatum November 26 Greeters: David Goodman, Lisa & David Rhoades Ushers: Robert Berry, Robb Damman, Bob Hellwig,
Steve Ross, Ann Stickel Ministry Coordinator: Esther Soud Parker Nursery: Anne Claire Broughton, Shanessa Pride, Amy Sauls,
Emily Holloway Toddlers: Kristi Giemza, Samuel Gunter, Hannah Sauls Preschool II: Matt Hanchey, Allyn Meredith, Sarah Hanchey Preschool III: Lizzie Ellis-Furlong, Open, Aria Oliver Lock up: Tim Cline Sound System: Mike Killam
2017 Annual Church Picnic
Page 5 November 2017
Wednesday, November 1 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’
Meeting 1:00 p.m. Movie Matinee:
Murphy’s Romance 5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts 5:05 p.m. Rhythm & Coos 5:30 p.m. Supper 6:00 p.m. Children’s Music and
Worship Labs 6:15 p.m. Youth Service/
Learning 6:15 p.m. Bazaar Set-up 6:30 p.m. Adults: For the
Living of These Days 7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Thursday, November 2 5:30 p.m. Yard Sale Pricing/
Sorting 7:00 p.m. Memoir Writing
Group Interest Meeting
Friday, November 3 9:00 a.m. Bazaar Set-up Saturday, November 4 8:00 a.m. Bazaar and Youth
Yard Sale Sunday, November 5 – All
Saints’ Day Daylight
Saving Time ends
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship – Dorisanne Cooper preaching
12:10 p.m. Children’s Light Bearer Training
12:15 p.m. Worship and Music Committee
3:00 p.m. Youth Choir 4:00 p.m. Youth Bonfire at the
Lutz Farm Monday, November 6 9:00 a.m. Candle Wrapping 1:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 7:00 p.m. Adult Education
Ministry Committee 7:00 p.m. BSA Tuesday, November 7 6:30 p.m. Children’s Education
Ministry Committee 7:00 p.m. Building & Grounds
Committee Wednesday, November 8 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’
Meeting 5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts 5:05 p.m. Rhythm & Coos 5:30 p.m. Supper 6:00 p.m. Children’s Music and
Worship Labs 6:15 p.m. Youth Service/
Learning 6:30 p.m. Adults: For the
Living of These Days 7:00 p.m. Reality Ministries
Mission Group 7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Thursday, November 9 7:15 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 10:30 a.m. Art of Aging
Gracefully 7:00 p.m. IT Committee Saturday, November 11 8:30 a.m. CBFNC Children’s
Mission Day Sunday, November 12 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship – Dorisanne
Cooper preaching 2:30 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal 4:00 p.m. Youth Choir 5:00 p.m. New Member
Gathering at Diane Eubanks Hill’s home
5:00 p.m. Youth Recreation 5:30 p.m. Youth Supper and
Youth Group Monday, November 13 9:00 a.m. Candle Wrapping 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’
Meeting 12:00 p.m. Worship Planning 6:00 p.m. Personnel Committee 7:00 p.m. Youth Education
Ministry Committee 7:00 p.m. BSA Tuesday, November 14 6:30 p.m. Missions Committee Wednesday, November 15 5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts 5:05 p.m. Rhythm & Coos 5:30 p.m. Supper 6:00 p.m. Children’s Music and
Worship Labs 6:15 p.m. Youth Service/
Learning 6:30 p.m. Adults: For the
Living of These Days 7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Friday, November 17 7:00 p.m. P&R Movie Night:
The Second Cooler Sunday, November 19 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship – Dorisanne
Cooper preaching 12:15 p.m. Young Adult
Ministry Lunch at Q-Shack
2:30 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal
4:00 p.m. Youth Choir 5:00 p.m. Youth Recreation 5:30 p.m. Youth Supper and
Youth Group Monday, November 20 9:00 a.m. Candle Wrapping 1:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 7:00 p.m. Denominational
Relations 7:00 p.m. Treasurers Meeting 7:00 p.m. BSA Tuesday, November 21 8:00 a.m. Meals on Wheels at
MOW Facility 11:00 a.m. Sr. Adult
Coordinating Council 12:00 p.m. Book Club: Under
the Wide and Starry Sky
5:30 p.m. Soup Supper and Communion
7:00 p.m. Deacons Meeting Thursday, November 23—
Thanksgiving Church Office closed Friday, November 24 Church Office closed Sunday, November 26 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship – Diane
Eubanks Hill preaching
2:30 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal 5:00 p.m. Youth Recreation 5:30 p.m. Youth Supper and
Youth Group Monday, November 27 12:00 p.m. Worship Planning 1:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 7:00 p.m. Stewardship
Committee 7:00 p.m. BSA Tuesday, November 28 7:00 p.m. Church Council Wednesday, November 29 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’
Meeting 5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts 5:05 p.m. Rhythm & Coos 5:30 p.m. Supper 5:45 p.m. Youth Service/
Learning at Diaper Bank
6:00 p.m. Children’s Music and Worship Labs
6:30 p.m. Adults: For the Living of These Days
7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir
Calendar
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Christmas Lunch: Tuesday, December 12 WSBC Fellowship Hall, 12 Noon
• Catered by Bullock’s
• Plenty of Parking
• Lots of room for all who want to come
• Great food, and…
• We can sing as loudly as we wish! Enjoy a buffet of barbecue, fried chicken, vegetables, plus homemade desserts. We’ll also enjoy music and lots of Christmas carols. To reserve your spot, get a check for $10 to the church office by Sunday, December 3. See you there!
Teacher Appreciation Brunch: December 9 Thanks to the teachers of adults for your faith ministry of teaching! Because we are grateful for you, the Adult Education Committee invites you and your family to the Teacher Appreciation Brunch on Saturday, December 9, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m., at the home of Diane Eubanks Hill. So that the Committee can plan the menu, please let Diane know of your plans regarding this event ([email protected], 919-688-1366).
Noon Book Club The Noon Book Club meets on Tuesday, November 21 in room 104-A. Emily McCoy (919-489-0483, [email protected]) serves as coordinator. Drop-ins are always welcomed to this lively conversation! The book for November is Under the Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan.
Ongoing ‘Drop-in’ Groups for Adults Several ongoing groups are offered for Watts Street adults. You may drop in on any of these groups at any time.
• Men’s Breakfast gathers on Thursday, November 9, 7:15 a.m., Elmo’s Diner. See Dick Chorley ([email protected], 919-286-1645) with questions.
• The Art of Aging Gracefully, an ongoing conversation about the gifts and challenges of aging, gathers Thursday, November 9, 10:30 a.m., room 104-A. Participants have opportunity to tell their stories and to hear the stories of others. David May (919-493-2289) serves as coordinator.
• Movie Matinees: First Wednesday Movie Matinees continue, offered by the Senior Adult Coordinating Council and open to all, in room 102 at 1:00 p.m. Enjoy the movie, along with popcorn and soda, as well as time with your friends! On November 1 we enjoy Murphy’s Romance, the story of Emma, a divorced woman with a teen-aged son who moves into a small town and tries to make a go of a horse ranch. Murphy is the widowed town druggist who steers business her way.
Adult Ministry News
Celebrate with our Nonagenarians!
We invite you to connect with and celebrate with our nonagenarians who have birthdays this month:
Jean Husack, who turns 92 on November 3. Her address is A304, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Pkwy., 27705. Mary Lucy Cherry, who turns 94 on November 30. Her address is 4 Appleton Place, 27705.
Birthday Wishes
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Children’s Mission Offering Challenge On Children’s Sabbath, all first –fifth graders should have received envelopes with $10 from the Missions Committee along with information about the Mission Offering Challenge. Children are invited to invest or spend the money on a mission project of their choice and then share a report in The Watts Line on how they used their mission money. Please contact Esther if you have questions.
CBFNC Children’s Mission Day “Love God. Love Others.” is the theme for the CBFNC Children’s Mission Day. On Saturday, November 11, children in 1st – 5th grades travel to Zebulon Baptist Church in Zebulon, NC to spend the day learning how to share God’s love through mission projects and activities. We’ll meet at 8:00 a.m. and return by 4:00 p.m. that afternoon.
Light Bearer Training Children ages 3rd – 5th grades are invited to attend Light Bearer training after worship on November 5. We will meet at 12:10 in the sanctuary.
Advent Worship Leadership During Advent, children have a special role in our worship services. Elementary age children help carry in the light and different pieces of the crèche each week. If your child would like to participate please contact Esther.
Thank you.... ...To the volunteers who helped with our First Graders Education classes –Wanda Burton-Crutchfield, Elizabeth Sasser, Laura Webb-Smith and Mary Elizabeth Hanchey. Save the Date November 5 Light Bearer Training November 11 CBFNC Children’s Mission Day December 3 Advent I – Hanging of the Greens December 9 Rehearsal – Children’s Christmas Pageant December 13 Children’s Christmas Pageant
A more detailed 2017 Children’s Ministry Calendar is online at www.wattsstreet.org
Children’s Ministry News
Children’s Sabbath
Thank you to the children who served as worship leaders on Children’s Sabbath. It was a joy to hear your voices lifting up prayers, praising God, singing, reading scripture, making promises to baby Mark, and providing the Prayer of Gratitude. Thanks also to the children who served as ushers, light bearer, and provided cover art for the bulletin.
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Thank You! Thank You! • to Zac Barker, Karoline Johnson, Emmi Felker-
Quinn, Kyle Painter, Elissa Rumer, and Clark Godfrey for serving as small group leaders at Sunday night youth group. We really appreciate you!!!
• to the 15 Watts Street youth and adults who gleaned tons of sweet potatoes at YAM JAM at First Fruits Farm on October 7. The harvest was plentiful and it was like “Nature’s Easter Egg Hunt” out there! Best of all, lots of fresh produce went out to soup kitchens and food banks across the state.
• to Kira Arges, Georgia Chotas, Marco Hovey (and family), Clark Godfrey, Adam King (and Eleanor) for dining at Only Burger on October 16 for the “Neighbors Feeding Neighbors” event supporting the Durham CROP Walk!
• to Grey Lehman, Henry Mitchell, Kate Patillo,
and Philip Patillo for helping with the Stewardship Breakfast on October 22.
• to everyone who helped serve the meal and provide child care for guests at Families Moving Forward on October 25.
• to everyone who participated or helped with the Scavenger Hunt for Red October on October 29.
Fall Bonfire at the Lutz Farm Sunday, November 5 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Join us for lots of recreation in the “Field of Dreams”, a tasty chicken-n-dumplings supper, and a cozy fire under the stars. Bring a blanket to sit on and be sure to wear layers! (Check your email for driving directions.)
Youth Service/Learning at the Diaper Bank Wednesday, November 30 Help wrap and prepare diapers for distribution through this amazing ministry! We’ll leave from the church at 5:45 p.m. and return by 8:00 p.m. Be sure to eat supper beforehand!
Youth Ministry News
Have a Favorite Recipe? We Want to Hear from You! As a fund-raiser in response to the recent hurricanes (Harvey, Irma, and Maria), the Watts Street youth have decided to create a new church cookbook. (The last edition, “Watts Cooking Now?” was published in 2000.) If you have favorite recipes to share, please submit your name, a title for your recipe, a list of ingredients, and preparation instructions to [email protected]. You can also turn recipes in to the church office. Deadline for submission is Sunday, November 19. We hope to have the cookbook ready for sale the first week of December as the perfect Christmas stocking stuffer!
Page 9 November 2017
THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH -- “Every Member a Minister” CHURCH STAFF
Sue Alexander Assistant Secretary Tom Bloom Organist Dorisanne Cooper Senior Minister Sherrill Figuera Office Manager Mary Elizabeth Hanchey Director of Children’s Music Ministries Diane Eubanks Hill Minister with Adults Esther Soud Parker Minister with Children and Their Families Kelly Sasser Minister with Youth and Their Families Bobby Sturdivant Custodian Cara Valenti Youth Choir Director Melody Zentner Director of Music Ministries
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Durham, NC
Permit No. 450
Watts Street Baptist Church
800 Watts Street
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919-688-1366
Fax: 919-688-7255
E-mail: [email protected]
WattsLine: [email protected]
Website: www.wattsstreet.org
NEXT WattsLine DECEMBER
ARTICLES DUE BY NOVEMBER 15
Mailing Address Label 1 Mailing Address Label 2
Mailing Label Address 3
From Dorisanne Cooper
It wasn’t what I expected. I was at a two-day seminar for clergy on “Dismantling Hate and Bias.” It was a big picture kind of event with leadership coming from community organizers and researchers who study trends and patterns in churches as they work to live out social justice. Their experiences ranged from organizing clergy on local and national levels to being present on the streets themselves in places of violence and poverty. I’ll be honest, I was secretly hoping for something straightforward at the end of it all—a to do list of sorts, maybe a “Here’s how this needs to work” roadmap or a “Here’s how you have the most success” chart. Instead what I heard was a lot of talk about relationships—about interpersonal and intrapersonal work; talk about not only asking the questions of who we’re calling the powers and principalities of the world to be and how to change, but also asking in the process who we must be and how we must change as well.
It wasn’t linear. It was messy. It was filled with reflection and introspection and how much social justice work has itself changed in only the last few years. This work is not easy or clear for anyone right now and the church is no exception. In fact, these national faith-rooted organizations talked about the unavoidable clumsiness of how this work needs to happen. They themselves have experienced that vulnerability in doing the work they are calling for church communities to do as well—look at your personal practices, look at relationships with one another, build relationships with those who are different from you, but don’t think that the relationships with those in the pews with you can be taken for granted. It was a lot to take in. And I found my heart and spirit soaring in response.
Maybe you weren’t expecting that to be my next sentence. But I couldn’t help it. So much of what I was hearing during those days was reflected in the planning conversations we have been having at Watts Street this year. So much of what they talked about convinced me anew that where we’ve put our time and energy—into a combination of vulnerably looking at our relationships with one another and our relationships with our neighbors—are worth the wilderness that it can sometimes be to try and navigate these areas well, what it means to celebrate connections we have and subsequently commit to what it means to go deeper and broader within them.
On Saturday, October 28, your Church Council is going to spend the day together in retreat with all of the conversations, focus group materials and research that has gone on this year at Watts Street. We’ll be building on the foundation of the vulnerable work that we’ve all done this year. We’ll be listening for and planning out next steps, tending to the ways that we need to work on the action we’re called to take in the world and on practices of community that will sustain that action for the long term, and yes, creating that to do list at last. I look forward to sharing the next steps with you. And then living them out together.