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The WattsLine Volume 52, No. 9 September 2016 Watts Street Baptist Church Durham, NC NC Pride Parade September 24 Again this year, our Peace and Reconciliation mission group will have a float in the annual statewide LGBTQ celebration in Durham. All are welcome to help decorate the float and join the parade. We expect a large group of walkers in addition to those riding the float. Sept. 24 schedule: 9 a.m. float preparation WSBC Urban Ave. parking lot; 11:30 picnic on the playground; 1 p.m. parade begins on Main Street by East Duke Campus. For information or “God Adores You” t-shirts call Gordon Whitaker (919-918-3659). Sunday, August 28 is Welcome Sunday Adult Sunday School Fair 9:45 in the Fellowship Hall. Enjoy a light breakfast and conversation with your friends, while you discover the rich faith formation opportunities for adults! Children and youth are promoted to new classes. First graders receive Bibles in worship. Final Eat Dessert First follows worship. Thanks to the Deacons for these times of conversation and community. Annual WS Picnic, Saturday, October 1 You’ll not want to miss this fall’s picnic at the Lutz farm, 4:00 7:00 p.m. with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. on October 1. Lots of fun, good conversation, delicious food. This year, please bring a main dish or a side dish to share, plus chairs or blankets, and outside toys for the kids. Please alert the church office, or your deacon, if you need a ride. Take Cole Mill Road and turn right on Pleasant Green Road. Travel 3 miles. Turn left on Buck Quarter Road (marked by balloons). The picnic site is just over ½ mile down Buck Quarter Road; signs will indicate parking. If you need assistance with parking, pull up to the picnic site and toot your horn. In case of rain (NO way!), come to the church fellowship hall. From the Stewardship Committee September heralds the next change of seasons in our journey together as a faith community. As autumn dawns, the rhythms of Summer shift to the familiar rhythms of back-to-school, back-to-work and back to a new church year of activity, reflection, and service. Amidst the energy and excitement that comes with this season of new beginnings, we are also called to think and plan for the coming calendar year. This is a time to once again contemplate Watts Street Baptist Church’s mission and purpose in the world, and to think prayerfully about the resources each of us can bring to the table in order to accomplish that purpose together. The Stewardship Committee hopes to spark a conversation this fall that ultimately will help each of us wrestle with the hard task of taking stock of the resources we’ve been blessed with - whether time, talent, or money - and then rising to the call to be a wise steward of those resources. Each member of the 2016-17 Stewardship Committee stands ready to help answer your questions or offer resources as you think about the year ahead and the spiritual and practical aspects of stewardship and our life together as a church family. The other members of this year’s Stewardship Committee team are Cari Furness, Bob Landers, Wayde Marsh, Emily McCoy, Diana Jackson, David Smith, and Janene Thompkins. Stewardship Sunday, where we offer our pledges for the coming year, will be October 30. David Rhoades ([email protected]), Stewardship Committee Co-Chair

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The WattsLine Volume 52, No. 9 September 2016 Watts Street Baptist Church Durham, NC

NC Pride Parade September 24 Again this year, our Peace and Reconciliation mission group will have a float in the annual statewide LGBTQ

celebration in Durham. All are welcome to help decorate the float and join the parade. We expect a large group of

walkers in addition to those riding the float. Sept. 24 schedule: 9 a.m. float preparation WSBC Urban Ave. parking

lot; 11:30 picnic on the playground; 1 p.m. parade begins on Main Street by East Duke Campus. For information or

“God Adores You” t-shirts call Gordon Whitaker (919-918-3659).

Sunday, August 28 is Welcome Sunday

Adult Sunday School Fair 9:45 in the Fellowship Hall.

Enjoy a light breakfast and conversation with your

friends, while you discover the rich faith formation

opportunities for adults!

Children and youth are promoted to new classes.

First graders receive Bibles in worship.

Final Eat Dessert First follows worship. Thanks to

the Deacons for these times of conversation and

community.

Annual WS Picnic, Saturday, October 1 You’ll not want to miss this fall’s picnic at the Lutz farm,

4:00 – 7:00 p.m. with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. on

October 1. Lots of fun, good conversation, delicious

food. This year, please bring a main dish or a side dish to

share, plus chairs or blankets, and outside toys for the

kids. Please alert the church office, or your deacon, if you

need a ride.

Take Cole Mill Road and turn right on Pleasant Green

Road. Travel 3 miles. Turn left on Buck Quarter Road

(marked by balloons). The picnic site is just over ½ mile

down Buck Quarter Road; signs will indicate parking. If

you need assistance with parking, pull up to the picnic site

and toot your horn. In case of rain (NO way!), come to

the church fellowship hall.

From the Stewardship Committee

September heralds the next change of seasons in our journey together as a faith

community. As autumn dawns, the rhythms of Summer shift to the familiar

rhythms of back-to-school, back-to-work and back to a new church year of activity,

reflection, and service.

Amidst the energy and excitement that comes with this season of new beginnings,

we are also called to think and plan for the coming calendar year. This is a time to once again contemplate Watts

Street Baptist Church’s mission and purpose in the world, and to think prayerfully about the resources each of us can

bring to the table in order to accomplish that purpose together.

The Stewardship Committee hopes to spark a conversation this fall that ultimately will help each of us wrestle with

the hard task of taking stock of the resources we’ve been blessed with - whether time, talent, or money - and then

rising to the call to be a wise steward of those resources.

Each member of the 2016-17 Stewardship Committee stands ready to help answer your questions or offer resources

as you think about the year ahead and the spiritual and practical aspects of stewardship and our life together as a

church family. The other members of this year’s Stewardship Committee team are Cari Furness, Bob Landers,

Wayde Marsh, Emily McCoy, Diana Jackson, David Smith, and Janene Thompkins.

Stewardship Sunday, where we offer our pledges for the coming year, will be October 30.

David Rhoades ([email protected]), Stewardship Committee Co-Chair

Page 2 The WattsLine

News Briefs

Weekly Wednesday Night Suppers resume August 31 The supper line opens at 5:30 p.m. Make reservations

in the Friendship Register by the Sunday prior, or by

contacting the church office by Monday before noon.

Please indicate if you wish a permanent reservation.

At 6 p.m. we begin community time. Beginning on

September 7, music ministry for children in preschool,

and for those in kindergarten and first grades begins at

6 p.m. (Please invite families with young choir

children to the front of the food line.) At 6:15 p.m.,

following the 6 p.m. community time, children in 2nd

– 5th grades go to music, youth gather for Youth

Service Learning, and adults are invited to a

conversation, or to contemplative worship on the 3rd

Wednesday. Please note the earlier 6:15 p.m. starting

time for after-supper programs. On August 31, all

ages are invited to remain in the fellowship hall for an

action-packed variety show, The Watts Street Tonight

Show, with our host Jimmy Urban Avenue! Other

Wednesday night offerings for adults:

September 7 – Budget discussion

September 14 – Durham’s Step-Up ministry,

preparing adults and youth for productive lives

September 21 – Contemplative Worship in the

Chapel with Samuel Gunter

September 28 – Reserved for conversations around

the tables

New Sunday School Opportunity A new Sunday School class, Kingdom of God, will be

offered, beginning September 4. Meeting in room 217,

this class will incorporate various experiential and

interactive ways to encounter the messages in

scripture. We hope to nurture those who learn

differently and all who prefer or enjoy learning

through storytelling, art, music, and different forms of

prayer, no matter age or ability. Join us to experience

and embrace the diversity in God’s kingdom. For

more information, contact Cari Furiness

([email protected])

Fall Watts Street 101 Offered Watts Street 101, a series of three conversations about

the life and ministry of Watts Street Baptist Church, is

set for September 11, 18 and 25, from 9:45 to 10:45.

Church staff and lay leaders will meet with visitors and

recent new members. Children and youth are

encouraged to go to Sunday School during this time.

To learn more about the congregation, we invite you to

attend these conversations, offered by our Deacons.

September/October Mission Baskets The mission baskets, located in the side foyer and the

Fellowship Hall, collect donations of food and gift

cards for Walltown Neighborhood Ministries Food

Pantry. Their program has been flooded with phone

calls and referrals from the Walltown community due

to the changes in the Medicaid, Medicare and the NC

Food Stamp program. Please see the list of items

needed next to the baskets. Call Bill McCraw (919-

493-2725) with questions.

September 11 Minute for Mission Our very own Tate and Olivia Arges will present the

Minute for Mission on September 11. They were

summer missionaries in Cincinnati, OH this summer

and will share reflections from their experience on

behalf of Alliance of Baptists "Bridges of Hope"

projects. https://issuu.com/allianceofbaptists/docs/

bridges_of_hope_new/1

Out and About On September 17, Diane Hill will host our gathering of

Watts Street’s LGBTQ members and their friends for a

potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. Bring

food and drink to share. Questions? Call Gordon

Whitaker (919-918-3658).

Join Us for Fall Church Workday, October 8 Please come out for the Fall Church Workday on

Saturday, October 8, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Spend time

outside in good company while we work to beautify

and improve the grounds of the church. Outdoor tasks

include raking leaves, weeding beds, spreading mulch

and trimming shrubs. Workday is a great opportunity

to get to know other church members and your church

building. If you have questions, email B & G chair

Tim Cline ([email protected]).

Fall Church Meeting – October 9 On October 9 we gather in the fellowship hall

following worship for lunch and the Fall Church

Meeting. No reservations required. Business to be

addressed following the meal includes committee

reports, introductions of new members, discussion and

final approval of the 2017 church budget, and

discussion of a proposed long-range planning process.

WSBC Fall Bazaar – Can You Help? The 39th annual Watts Street Fall Bazaar is set for

Saturday, November 5! If you are able to sew, make

handmade craft items, donate artwork or photography,

bake cakes or other sweet treats, or work the

concession stand, we’d love to have your support.

Contact Jim Arges or Kelly Sasser with questions.

Proceeds support the (Continued on Page 3)

Page 3 September 2016

Sunday Ministry Volunteers September 4

Greeters: Emily Joiner, Rebeca Olmedo

Ushers: Sam Beasley, Robert Berry, Joe Gary,

Steve Ross, Alan Williams

Ministry Coordinator: Hope Durack

Nursery: Shanessa Pride, Dawn Eberhard, Barbara Rumer

Toddlers: Georgia Chotas, Kacey Reynolds Schedler, Open

Preschool II: Emma Hitchings, Open, Open

Preschool III: Maggie Chotas, Judi Powell, Open

Lock up: Worth Lutz III

Sound System: Eva Irmy

September 11

Greeters: Jay & Nancy Freeman, Juliana Caldwell

Ushers: Sam Beasley, Robert Berry, Joe Gary,

Steve Ross, Alan Williams

Ministry Coordinator: Mack Wilkins

Nursery: Shanessa Pride, Ginny Wiggins, Open

Toddlers: Brian or Jenny Barrier, Emily Joiner

Preschool II: Billy Price, Open

Preschool III: Ted McDaniel, Scott Job, Open

Lock up: Alan Williams

Sound System: David Tatum

September 18 Greeters: Joe Gary/Marsha McKinley, Bob & Diana Jackson

Ushers: Sam Beasley, Robert Berry, Joe Gary,

Steve Ross, Alan Williams

Ministry Coordinator: Amy Armstrong

Nursery: Shanessa Pride, John Rublein, Open

Toddlers: Wanda Burton-Crutchfield, Amie Gray Koch,

Evelyn Ritz

Preschool II: Brian Crews, Joe Heflin, Joy Turner

Preschool III: Emily McCoy, Elizabeth Sasser, Open

Lock up: Tim Cline

Sound System: Mike Killam

September 25

Greeters: David Goodman, Lisa & David Rhoades

Ushers: Sam Beasley, Robert Berry, Joe Gary,

Steve Ross, Alan Williams

Ministry Coordinator: Esther Soud Parker

Nursery: Anne Claire Broughton, Emily Holloway,

Shanessa Pride, Amy Sauls

Toddlers: Elizabeth Forshay, Kristi Giemza, Open

Preschool II: Matt Hanchey, Allyn Meredith, Open

Preschool III: Lizzie Ellis-Furlong, Aria Oliver

Lock up: Mack Wilkins

Sound System: Logan Wilkins

Good Shepherd Window restoration and our Youth

Summer Mission Experiences.

Young Adult Ministry College students and young adults, we’d love to help you

make connections at Watts Street. For details on

upcoming events, visit www.wattsstreet.org or contact

Blanche Williams ([email protected]) or

Kelly Sasser ([email protected]).

Contribute to the Advent Devotional Resource Remember enjoying the Advent devotional resource last

December? Another is planned for this year, offered by

WSBC Adult Ministries. Adults and youth are invited to

write a reflection for the 2016 resource. Specific

instructions will be available later in September. Please

let Diane Hill know of your interest in contributing.

Children will be invited to contribute art work.

New Ministry Opportunity When Sunday morning flowers are left at church, a group

will gather on Monday morning to put the flowers in

small vases to be distributed to our homebound members.

To assist with this ministry, contact Emily McCoy

([email protected], 919-489-0483). Vases needed, bud-

size and smaller.

Girl Scout Troop 1676 Are you a girl in 1st or 5th grade? Do you enjoy crafts,

singing, camping, and generally having fun? If so, please

consider joining Girl Scout Troop 1676!

We meet during the school year at WSBC in the Scouting

Room (Rm 213) on 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.

Daisies (1st graders) meet from 1:30-2:30pm, and Juniors

(5th graders) meet from 3:00-4:30pm, with occasional

special outings and camping trips. For more information,

please contact Erin McClain at ([email protected],

919-604-1632).

Reminder: Night Meetings in the Building? If your group meets in the church building at night,

please be sure to turn out the lights in your room, as well

as in the hallway, as you leave. Be especially careful to

turn the AC off. Thanks for helping us make wise use of

energy and money!

News Briefs (Continued from Page 2)

September Worship Schedule

Dorisanne Cooper is preaching each

Sunday in September.

Page 4 The WattsLine

Calendar Sunday, September 4 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship–Dorisanne Cooper preaching Monday, September 5 HOLIDAY—Church Office Closed 7:00 p.m. BSA Tuesday, September 6 6:30 p.m. Children’s Education Ministry Committee 7:00 p.m. Building & Grounds Committee Wednesday, September 7 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’ Meeting 1:00 p.m. Movie Matinee: The American President 5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts 5:30 p.m. Supper 6:00 p.m. Children’s Music and Worship Labs 6:15 p.m. Adults: Budget Discussion 6:15 p.m. Youth Service/Learning 7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Thursday, September 8 7:15 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 10:30 a.m. Art of Aging Gracefully 7:00 p.m. Information Technology Committee Saturday, September 10 9:00 a.m. Training for Volunteers with Children and

Youth Sunday, September 11 9:45 a.m. Watts Street 101 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship–Dorisanne Cooper preaching 12:15 p.m. Worship and Music Committee 4:00 p.m. Youth Choir 5:00 p.m. Youth Recreation 5:30 p.m. Youth Supper and Youth Group Monday, September 12 10:00 a.m. Sewing Group 1:00 p.m. Worship Planning 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 6:00 p.m. Personnel Committee 7:00 p.m. Denominational Relations Committee 7:00 p.m. Youth Education Ministry Committee 7:00 p.m. Faith Stretchers 7:00 p.m. BSA Tuesday, September 13 6:00 p.m. Budget Prep Committee 6:30 p.m. Missions Committee 6:30 p.m. Watts Street Garden Club Wednesday, September 14 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’ Meeting 5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts 5:30 p.m. Supper 6:00 p.m. Children’s Music and Worship Labs 6:15 p.m. Adults: Durham’s Step Up Ministry 6:15 p.m. Youth Service/Learning 7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Friday, September 16 4:15 p.m. Children leave for Camp Willow Run 5:00 p.m. Youth leave for YMCA Blue Ridge

Assembly

Sunday, September 18 9:45 a.m. Watts Street 101 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship–Dorisanne Cooper preaching 12:00 p.m. Information Technology Committee 2:30 p.m. Children return from Camp Willow Run 4:00 p.m. Youth return from YMCA Blue Ridge

Assembly Monday, September 19 10:00 a.m. Sewing Group 1:00 p.m. Worship Planning 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 7:00 p.m. Peace & Reconciliation Mission Group 7:00 p.m. Treasurers 7:00 p.m. BSA Tuesday, September 20 11:00 a.m. Sr. Adult Coordinating Council 12:00 p.m. Book Club 7:00 p.m. Deacons Wednesday, September 21 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’ Meeting 5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts 5:30 p.m. Supper 6:00 p.m. Children’s Music and Worship Labs 6:15 p.m. Adults: Contemplative Worship 6:15 p.m. Youth Service/Learning 7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Thursday, September 22 7:15 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 10:30 a.m. Art of Aging Gracefully Saturday, September 24 9:00 a.m. NC Pride Parade Float prep Sunday, September 25—Ordination Sunday 9:45 a.m. Watts Street 101 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship–Ordination Sunday, Dorisanne

Cooper preaching 4:00 p.m. Youth Choir 5:00 p.m. Youth Recreation 5:30 p.m. Youth Supper and Youth Group Monday, September 26 10:00 a.m. Sewing Group 1:00 p.m. Worship Planning 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 6:30 p.m. El Salvador Mission Group 7:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee 7:00 p.m. BSA Tuesday, September 27 6:30 p.m. Watts Street Garden Club 7:00 p.m. Church Council Wednesday, September 28 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’ Meeting 5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts 5:30 p.m. Supper 6:00 p.m. Children’s Music and Worship Labs 6:15 p.m. Adults: Conversation around the tables 6:15 p.m. Youth Service/Learning 7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Thursday, September 29 6:00 p.m. Youth Nursery/Second Hour Training at

Frankie’s

Page 5 September 2016

Storytelling Trip – Jonesborough, TN October 3-4 –Join us on a trip to Jonesborough, the

oldest town in Tennessee and home of the International

Storytelling Center. We will hear renowned storyteller

Donald Davis twice on Tuesday. Cost for lodging and

storytelling tickets - $110. Each person responsible for

meals. Please contact Blanche Williams

[email protected] or 919-383-1932 for

details and to make a reservation. Reservation deadline

is August 31.

Visit the Chihuly Venetian Glass Exhibit Alamance Art Center, September 13, Tuesday Travel with your Watts Street friends to nearby Graham

and enjoy the work of Dale Chiluly, the most celebrated

glass artist of our time. The exhibit, the only one on the

east coast, is free. All of the pieces are from the George

R. Stroemple Collection.

Meet at church at 9:00 a.m., travel in cars to Graham to

enjoy the exhibit. Each group will decide about lunch.

So that we can arrange for transportation, please register

with the church office by Friday, September 9.

Noon Book Club Resumes in September The WS Noon Book Club resumes meeting on

September 21. Emily McCoy (919-489-0483,

[email protected]) serves as coordinator of this

group which meets on the third Tuesday of each month.

Drop-ins are encouraged. The books selected for the fall

are:

September – Road to Character by David Brooks

October – Laughter as Sacred Space by Ted Swartz

November – Between the World and Me by Ta-

Nehisi Coates

Medicare Confusion? Get Accurate Info! Gina Upchurch, Executive Director, Senior PharmAssist,

will speak to WSBC seniors and caregivers on Thursday,

October 13 about how to prepare for the annual

Medicare Health & Drug Benefit Enrollment Period

(October 15-December 7). She will also touch on the

political season and potential Medicare changes. Senior

PharmAssist is a non-profit health advocacy

organization that focuses on medication assistance and

Medicare insurance counseling, including how to select

a Part D drug plan that saves you the most money while

avoiding potential hassles. Come for the presentation at

11:00 a.m. and stay for complimentary lunch. Please

make lunch reservations by Sunday, October 9.

October 30: Being Mortal Video Sponsored by Watts Street, Duke University Medical

Center, and the Resource Center for Women in Ministry

in the South.

Join us for this screening and discussion of the PBS

program “Being Mortal” and be part of a national

dialogue taking place that asks the question “Have you

and your family had the tough conversations and

planned ahead?” The documentary film “Being Mortal”

delves into the hopes of patients and families facing

terminal illness. The film investigates the practice of

caring for the dying and explores the relationships

between patients and their doctors. It follows a surgeon,

Dr. Atul Gawande, as he shares stories from the people

and families he encounters. When Dr. Gawande’s own

father gets cancer, his search for answers about how to

best care for the dying becomes a personal quest. After

the screening, you can participate in a guided

conversation.

Please note: The film will be shown at 12:45. Lunch

will be available for WS participants immediately

following worship in the fellowship hall. Please make

lunch reservations with the church office by Wednesday,

October 26.

December 13: WS Christmas Lunch Once again, by popular demand, we’ll gather in the

fellowship hall to celebrate the season! Mark your

calendars now so that you don’t miss this event.

Small Group Opportunities for Adults Faith Stretchers – This reading and discussion group

meets on the 2nd Monday of each month from 7:00 to

8:30 p.m. in room 104-B. Our conversations are based

on a book selected by the group. It is our hope that each

book we read together will encourage spiritual growth

and community. New members are welcome! Contact

Debra Freeman ([email protected]).

Other Ongoing “Drop In” Groups for Adults Several on-going groups are offered for Watts Street

adults. You may drop in on any of these groups at any

time.

Men’s Breakfast gathers on Thursdays, September 8

and 22, 7:15 a.m., Elmo’s Diner. See Dick Chorley

([email protected], 919-286-1645) with questions.

The Art of Aging Gracefully, an on-going

conversation about the gifts and challenges of aging,

gathers Thursdays, September 8 and 22, 10:30 a.m.,

room 104-A. Participants have opportunity to tell

their stories and to

Adult Ministry News

(Continued on Page 7)

Page 6 The WattsLine

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 pop corn and soda, as well as time with your friends!

On September 7 the movie will be The American President, a romantic comedy-drama about a US president in

love with an environmental lobbyist.

Adult Ministry News (Continued from Page 6)

DENOMINATIONAL RELATIONS CORNER Our very own Tate and Olivia Arges will present the Minute For Mission on September 11th on behalf of the

Alliance of Baptists. Tate and Olivia were summer missionaries in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our loose offering that day

will support the Alliance’s “Bridges of Hope” projects. https://issuu.com/allianceofbaptists/docs/

bridges_of_hope_new/1

Other September events with our Baptist partners

Sept. 8-11, Spirituality gathering, Alliance of Baptists, Live Oak, FL

http://allianceofbaptists.org/NewsAndEvents/event_detail/1033

Sept. 18, 4 p.m., “As You Go” gathering, CBF-NC, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church near Chapel Hill. http://

www.cbfnc.org/events/upcoming-events-/as-you-go

2016 Year-to-Date Financial Report

Actuals thru Budget thru Ahead /

(Behind)

July 31, 2016 July 31, 2016 Budget

Income 496,864 496,942 (77)

Expenses 451,577 495,801 (44,225)

Excess /

(Deficit) 45,288 1,140

As of July 31st, we have received $77 less than we

would expect at this point in the year to fully support

our 2016 budget. In this same period, we have spent

$32,885 less than our budget would have indicated.

We have paid our Missions budget through April, and

if expenses remain low and revenue continues at the

same level or higher we will likely pay an additional 1

-2 months of Missions obligations in early September.

Children’s Music Ministry

KinderPraise, Praise, and Alleluia Choirs: Wednesdays

after supper

Calling all children, birth

through 5th grade!

We are TUNING up for a great year

of music and worship education beginning September 7!

Please make sure you are on the

Children’s Music Ministry Google group e-mail list!

Please be in touch with Mary Elizabeth Hanchey

([email protected]) with questions!

Page 7 September 2016

Children’s Ministry News

First Graders – Bibles and Worship Classes On August 28, all first graders

receive Bibles in worship and are

introduced to the congregation.

The First Graders Worship

Preparation class begins September

11 and continues through October 9.

Children leave worship with the

preschoolers and meet in the library

to learn how and why we worship

God. We’ll explore the church year, communion,

baptism, prayer, hymns, scripture, offering, and more.

Please encourage your child to attend each Sunday to

gain a better understanding of worship. See Esther for

more information.

Thank you... Twenty children and sixteen adults from Watts Street

visited the Beth El Synagogue in August. We are

grateful to KrishaSong Parkey Miller for hosting us and

providing a rich experience for each of us. We saw a

wooden Mezuzah at the doorpost with a tiny scroll of the

Shema inside. We wore Kippahs on our heads to show

respect before entering the Synagogue, we learned about

wearing and kissing prayer shawls, we saw the Torah up

close, and learned about Jewish festivals and holidays,

and much more. Thanks to KrishaSong for introducing

us to the Jewish faith.

Dayspring Special thanks to our to our Dayspring Summer Sunday

School volunteers who led our children through the

summer curriculum focusing on the Spirit and the early

church. We are grateful for the leadership of Margaret

Alexander, Jenny Barrier, Anne-Claire Broughton,

Maggie Chotas, Wanda Burton-Crutchfield, Becky

Dodson, Hope Durack, Lizzie Ellis-Furlong, Elizabeth

Forshay, Anna Kirby, Emily McCoy, Kendall

Newswanger, Karin Oliver, Luke Oliver, June Perry,

Amy Rublein, Barbara Rumer, Elizabeth Sasser, Kacey

Reynolds Schedler, Erich Smith, Laura Webb Smith, and

Rebecca Viverette.

Children’s Fall Retreat September 16-18

Camp Willow Run, Littleton, NC

We meet at 4:15 p.m. on Friday

afternoon and return by 3:30 p.m. on

Sunday. Pray for our children and

chaperones as they spend time in Bible

study, worship, and recreation during the weekend at

Lake Gaston.

CBFNC Children’s Mission Day On Saturday, November 12, children in 1st – 5th grades

travel to Zebulon, NC, to spend the day learning about

missions and how to care for others. More information

to follow – in the meantime Save the Date!

Save the Date Aug 28 First Graders Receive Bibles

Sept. 10 Volunteer Training

Sept. 11-Oct. 9 First Graders’ Worship Classes

Sept. 16-18 Fall Retreat – Camp Willow Run

Oct. 16 Children’s Sabbath

Nov. 12 CBFNC Children’s Mission Day

Dec. 10 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

Dec. 14 Children’s Christmas Pageant

A more detailed 2016 Children’s Ministry Calendar is

online at www.wattsstreet.org.

Training Event for New Volunteers with Children and Youth Saturday, September 10, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the library

Lunch and childcare provided (please make a reservation)

The training guides us to understand the importance of the WSBC volunteer policy and how to implement it, with

special attention given to safe supervision of the children in our care, first aid, recordkeeping, screening forms, and

reducing the risk of child abuse. For more information or to RSVP please contact Esther ([email protected]).

Note: This event is for volunteers who have not yet attended a training event. To read our church’s Volunteer

Policy and other helpful information, visit the church website at www.wattsstreet.org.

Page 8 The WattsLine

Youth Ministry News Youth and Parents Potluck and Fall Kick-Off Sunday, August 28, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the

fellowship hall.

Bring a covered dish and let’s kick off the upcoming year

of youth ministry at WSBC!

Welcome Sixth Graders! Following the Sixth Graders Night Out and the Welcome

Sixth Graders Party in August, we are pleased to

officially welcome the “Class of 2023” into the youth

ministry! Richie Freeman, Sarah Hanchey, Max Husack,

Henry Mitchell, Abby Old, Kate Patillo, Rowan Perz-

Edwards, and Will Price: thank God you are here!!!

On Sunday, September 11, we will present each of you

with a Student Bible during the morning worship service.

As you get older, you’ll want to dig deeper into the

scriptures and grow in your faith journey. Your church

family and youth group are committed to helping you

along the way. Hope to see you on the 11th!

Fall Sunday Night Youth Schedule Begins September 11! 4:00 p.m. – Youth Choir

5:00 p.m. – Guaranteed Recreation

5:30 p.m. – Youth Supper

6:00 p.m. – Small Groups

6:30 p.m. – Large Group (singing, theme discussion,

announcements, games)

7:15 p.m. – Dismiss

September 4 – No evening activities (Labor Day

weekend)

September 11 – Regular schedule

September 18 – No evening activities (Youth Fall

Retreat)

September 25-October 23 – Regular schedule

2016 Youth Fall Retreat! September 16-18

YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC

Cost: $80 (scholarship money available)

$40 deposits and forms are due in to Kelly’s box (in the

copy room) by Sunday, September 4. The information

flier and the health/liability forms will be available at the

Youth Parents Meeting on August 28 and then on Kelly’s

office door, as well the church website:

www.wattsstreet.org.

.

Continuing the “Culture of Peace”… Cal Pipil, one of the youth centers sponsored by our sister

church, Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel, in El Salvador, has

new leadership. Please pray for the new director,

Vanessa Vanegas, as she meets the challenges of this

vital work to reach the teenagers with a culture of peace

and offer an alternative to gang violence. Cal Pipil

provides a safe, friendly place with a variety of classes in

art, music, silk screening, and math tutoring. Recently

our youth joined efforts with the student community there

to paint colorful, new murals (Vanessa is pictured above

with Marco Hovey).

Page 9 September 2016

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 Interim Director of Children’s Music Ministries Diane Eubanks Hill Minister with Adults

Esther Soud Parker Minister with Children and Their Families

Troy Pickens Interim Youth Choir Coordinator Kelly Sasser Minister with Youth and Their Families

Bobby Sturdivant Custodian

Melody Zentner Interim Chancel Choir Director

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

OCTOBER

ARTICLES DUE BY

SEPTEMBER 15 Mailing Address Label 1 Mailing Address Label 2

Mailing Label Address 3

One of the many roles each of us has in our church family is guiding children in our faith. From the time a baby

is introduced and dedicated in the church we make a covenant with the baby’s family to support them in the nurture

and care of their child. As a church family we want children to know they are cared for and loved by each person

they come into contact with – Sunday School teachers, Second Hour Ministry volunteers, choir leaders, youth

volunteers, VBS leaders, camp chaperones, and many, many others in our church family. As a church we covenant

with families to guide children in the understanding that God’s love and the love of our congregation is for each one

of them.

There are many ways each of us can welcome and nurture children in our church family. Introduce yourself to

new parents and learn their children’s names. As first graders begin staying in the entire worship service, offer

words of welcome and speak to them each week. Encourage and reassure parents, especially when children of all

ages are a bit wiggly and talkative during worship. Ask children how school is going, learn about their interests -

sports activities, music lessons, pets, etc.

Be open to learning from children who freely express themselves, especially in worship. Consider the light

coming into the service, the sounds of the trinity chimes, the organ prelude, the first hymn, and the prayers – watch

the children’s faces as things happen in worship. They are sometimes mesmerized by these and other parts of the

service. Children learn by doing, by watching, by participating, by listening - and sometimes it’s all going on at the

same time. They are often very busy during worship, yet at the same time are able to take in quite a bit of what’s

going on.

Consider other ways to connect such as writing notes to children or parents to follow up on conversations. Or

praying for children, their families, and schools to have safe and welcoming learning environments, kind and

nurturing teachers.

And certainly we can all share our personal faith stories with our children. It might mean talking about your

childhood experience in church. Such as, how you were introduced to the congregation, what is was like to be

baptized, your favorite Sunday School teacher, how you sang in the choir when you were young, your favorite Bible

stories or Bible characters. We may never know the positive impact each of us has on the children in our church

family unless we try to connect and share our faith.

Esther Soud Parker