In this life we cannot always do great things, but we can do small things with great love. – Mother Teresa
As we wade through these days of “social isolation”, many of us are thinking about ways we can continue to care for our neighbors who are most vulnerable. Click on the link below for the latest updates on where Watts Street is engaged:
WSBC Casserole Ministry
THE NEED: The WSBC Casserole Ministry supports Urban Ministries of Durham. The challenge is to make twenty 9×13 pans to be delivered on the 3nd Tuesday of each month. The due date this month is April 20. Pans and copies of the recipes are available in the outer office and may be picked up at your convenience.
DONATE: Go to this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080444AAA62CA7FC1-urban5 for sign-up and the recipe. Any questions, contact Emily McCoy (mccoy6320@gmail.com).
Thanks so much for all who so generously support this ministry.
Urban Ministries Durham
VOLUNTEER IN PERSON: A team of Watts Streeters provides the evening meal for 200+ guests at Urban Ministries on the third Thursday of each month. Our youth are currently covering food packing and delivering. To help with grocery shopping, food prep, or cake or brownie baking, please contact Greg Palmer at senorpalmer@gmail.com.
Diaper Bank of NC
THE NEED: The April Missions Basket recipient is the Diaper Bank of North Carolina. There is an immediate need for unopened diapers size 4, 5, 6, 4T-5T pull-ups; menstrual pads (not liners or tampons); XL, 2XL & 3XL pull up adult Incontinence products, and baby formula (liquid and powder types). Please be on the look-out for these items when you go grocery shopping. Donations can be left at the front desk of the church office or visit their Amazon Wishlist to see other commonly needed items: https://amzn.to/317xYcH).
Other ways to support DBNC:
- Become a sustaining donor through the Circle of Change program: https://ncdiaperbank.org/circle-of-change
- Donate child/adult products and period products in-person! Drop-off at the Durham warehouse under the covered loading dock (Monday through Thursday 10-2).
- Volunteer outdoors with strict COVID-19 safety precautions: https://activategood.org/operation-bare-necessities/
Bull City Fair Trade
THE NEED: If you are not familiar with Bull City Fair Trade (BCFT), it began as One World Market in the fellowship hall of WSBC 27 years ago. The store is unique and with our support, it changes the world each and every day. BCFT is the only fair trade, non-profit store in Durham! Your purchases make a big impact in creating opportunities and sustainable jobs around the world.
CONTACT: Questions? Ask any of these WSBC members, who also serve on the BCFT board of directors: Jan Williams, Steve Booth, Paula Januzzi-Godfrey, or Melissa Godwin.
DONATE/SHOP: http://www.bullcityfairtrade.com/shipping-delivery.
CROP Hunger Walk
THE NEED: While there will not be one large community CROP Hunger Walk this year, each organization is encouraged to design their own event to help raise awareness and resources to reduce hunger in Durham and around the world. On Sunday, April 18, at 2 pm, Team Watts Street will walk from the WSBC parking lot to Duke Chapel and back. Check out this video message from our WSBC team captains, Sarah Hanchey and Henry Koonce.
VOLUNTEER OR DONATE: To join or sponsor Team Watts Street, click HERE. It’s easy to set up a fund-raising page. From there, just email your family and friends the link to your page and those who want to give can donate securely online! Questions? Contact Sarah or Henry at wattsstreetyg@gmail.com.
Building the Beloved Community
THE NEED: To express your interest at any level, great or small, in the work of Building the Beloved Community through racial equity and inclusion, please contact Barb Rumer by phone or text: 919-215-7736, or email: barb.rumer@gmail.com.
Black Lives Matter
THE NEED: This evolving section is dedicated to providing a wide variety of specific action steps we can take to work towards racial justice in our community and in the United States. Please feel free to share additional resources with the church ministers.
#BlackLivesMatter – click here for a comprehensive and frequently updated list of very specific petitions to sign, organizations to donate to, suggestions for calling/emailing elected officials to demand justice, etc.
75 Things White People Can Do for Social Justice – We know that not everyone at Watts Street or viewing this website is white, but this article is intended to assist anyone in doing the work of understanding racial inequities in the United States and includes many educational, advocacy, and action ideas for people of any race. We hope that you will take some time and see how one of these resources might help us all continue to do the work for a more just world.
Anti-Racism Daily – Subscribe for a daily email with an urgent and tactical action you can take to practice anti-racism each day
Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources
A list of Educational Resources on Racial Reconciliation
Anti-Racism Resources from the Baptist Peace Fellowship
Video: Systemic Racism Explained
Don’t have resources to donate? Simply watch videos to generate financial support for Black Lives Matter
Donate to NC Community Bail Fund of Durham
Support African-American owned businesses in Durham
