OUTREACH IMMERSION EXPERIENCE ON JULY 29: Grow in knowledge and love for our nation’s farmworkers
It’s the second most important thing Jesus asked of us, but how can we truly love our neighbors as ourselves without even knowing them? To help us begin to know our neighbors, the Outreach Committee will be offering Immersion Experiences starting this summer. These events will offer opportunities to engage with our neighbors who may not be the members of our community that we interact with every day. We hope to promote a dialogue that will:
• nourish our capacity to reflect and break down stereotypes and assumptions,
• foster our capacity to form authentic relationships cross-culturally,
• heighten our awareness of our impact on other communities,
• cultivate a deeper respect and compassion among us for humankind as a whole, and
• strengthen our ability to love and serve our neighbors by understanding their experiences more deeply.
Our first experience will take place on the evening of July 29th when we will bring a meal and share fellowship with farmworkers in eastern North Carolina. We will take a van from St. Paul’s to a farmworker camp to see and experience how farmworkers live. Please see the website for more information and to sign up.
REFUGE FOR REFUGEES will be having a training session with a member from USCRI, the organization that Refuge for Refugees partners with in placing and supporting refugee families. Learn what services USCRI provides, how our ministry can best serve and support the families that we welcome, and any additional questions that you may have. The training will be Tuesday, July 12th at 6:30 p.m. in the youth wing. If Kids’ Club is needed, please contact Andrew Zawierucha at andrew.zawier@gmail.com.
COFFEE HOUR MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS: There is no coffee hour this week due to the Fourth of July weekend.
Next week Prayer Stitchers will be providing refreshments following the 9:00 a.m. service. This handiwork ministry – which includes knitting, crocheting, weaving, and quilting – welcomes adults, young people, and children as participants. They enjoy prayer and fellowship as they make items for persons in need.
ADULT EDUCATION – TWO OPPORTUNITIES: Today there will not be a film in the youth wing between the 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. services. Films in the NOOMA series will resume next Sunday. From the NOOMA series overview: “Jesus encouraged his listeners to search, to question, to wrestle with the implications of what he was saying and doing. He inspired, challenged, provoked, comforted, and invited people to be open to God’s work in this world. Wherever he went, Jesus started discussions about what matters most.” These films offer an invitation to us to search, question, and join the discussion.
Wednesday Night at the Movies, every Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. in the youth wing. Films from the series based on the book, A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years, will be shown throughout July. Narrated by Diarmaid MacCulloch, one of the world’s leading historians and Professor of the History of the Church at St. Cross College, Oxford University, the films take us to historical points of interest relevant to Christianity and Mr. MacCulloch discusses the evolution of the Christian faith and its four main forms: Orthodoxy, Oriental Christianity, Western Catholicism and Protestantism. Join us for these fascinating films. Bring a snack if you like!
MAY MATCH UPDATE AND GRATITUDE
Many, many thanks to the generous parishioners who contributed to the May Match Campaign. As of June 20, 2016, 112 parishioner families gave a total of $18,035 toward the May Match Campaign. The May “Matcher” responded with a wonderful donation of $17,165, bringing the May Match total to $35,200. Thank you to everyone for contributing!
DORCAS MINISTRY: What a giving parish we are. For the June 26 toilet paper collection for Dorcas Ministry with the cash and rolls donated we were able to provide the Food Pantry with 842 rolls. That’s fantastic! That’s almost a 17 week supply so you won’t see me asking again until October. Thanks again for your generosity. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or learning more about Dorcas Ministry, contact me at nfierke@bellsouth.net or call me at 919-467-8807.
The office will be closed Monday, July 4, and again Friday July 8.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
• Have you ever considered joining the Sunday School Teaching Ministry? If so, you are in luck as we have a few openings for Sunday School Teachers for the 2016-2017 school year, but only 4 spots remain so act quickly! Sunday School teachers work in teams of three, so you have every 3rd Sunday off. The lessons are fun and easy and the children are delightful! You can learn so much by explaining Bible Stories to children – but prior teaching experience is not necessary … just a love of God and children! As of now, Sunday School teaching openings are: 1 spot in 3 year olds, 1 spot in 3rd grade, and 2 spots in 4th grade. Please contact Christine Ingram to sign up or have your questions answered.
• Children’s Ministries is thrilled to announce the June 2016-May 2017 Children’s Collection beneficiary! Please join us in collecting for “A Note in the Pocket!” A Note in the Pocket provides new and like new clothing to children in need in Wake County. In addition to collecting funds, we will also be collecting new and like-new clothing and participating in clothing sorts a couple of times a year. And, we will also have a few “Socks and Undies Sundays!” Stay tuned for additional information about how you and your children can help with this new opportunity.
• Children’s Chapel will continue at the 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services all summer, with the exception of today, July 3rd, July 10th, and Labor Day weekends!
YOUTH
• “Shake It Up” Sunday, tonight 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Come join us for summer fun. We meet in the youth wing for milkshakes and fun activities. We may play games, watch some movies, try some art projects, or even go outside for Compline. It will be a fun relaxing time to stay connected through the summer. Come when you can!