In this life we cannot always do great things, but we can do small things with great love. – Mother Teresa
Here are some ways we can reach beyond our walls to love neighbor and care for God’s creation:
Support for Refugee Families
Our May/June Mission Baskets collection supports refugee families through Church World Service in Durham. We have an ambitious wish list of items to collect for 15 household supply baskets and hygiene kits. If you can help in any way, please sign up here. Or, if you’d prefer to donate money and let a member of the Missions Committee shop for you, please contact Deanna Branscom or Susan McCraw. Please bring items to the baskets in the hallway near the nursery/church library by Sunday, June 19. At the end of June, our youth will assemble the kits and deliver to Church World Service. Thank you for your support!
Urban Ministries of Durham
A team of Watts Streeters provides the evening meal for 200+ guests at Urban Ministries on the third Thursday of each month. To help with grocery shopping, food prep, cake or brownie baking, food packing/delivery, please contact Greg Palmer at senorpalmer@gmail.com.
Creation Care and “Rewilding”
The May Minute for Mission supports the “rewilding” efforts of three local environmental organizations, the Triangle Land Conservancy, the Eno River Association, and the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association. “Rewilding” means re-establishing the balance between the human world and the rest of nature. In March, the WSBC Creation Care Ministry held a webinar on “rewilding” with guest speakers from these organizations. A link to the webinar video is available upon request to laura.webb.smith@gmail.com. Checks should be made out to WSBC with “Rewilding” noted in the memo line or consider the text giving option (see below).
Durham CAN
Our congregation is committed to sending 10 delegates to the Durham CAN Candidates Forum this Sunday, May 15 at 6:00 pm. The location is Monument of Faith Church, 900 Simmons Street, Durham. Please show your support by attending this public action to hold candidates accountable. A primary focus is on tenant rights and affordable housing issues. Contact: Bob Kruhm, 919-699-6226, robertkruhm@gmail.com) or learn more at https://www.durhamcan.org/.
Project Abundance Update!
The teachers at Glenn Elementary School on E. Geer Street were treated well during Teacher Appreciation Week thanks to the generosity of Watts Street. Lunch and breakfast were served two days of the week and teachers received bags full of treats that included a gift card to help purchase much needed supplies. The recognition of teachers at a Title I school that does not have a PTA to support teachers was appreciated by the staff and administration. Thanks go to Eloise Williamson, Anne Drennan, Amy Rublein and Emily McCoy for planning and implementing these events.
El Salvador Connection Opportunity
A group of Watts Streeters is helping via Zoom with English classes at the high school affiliated with Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel, our sister church in San Salvador. If you’d be interested in participating once a week (classes are on Thursdays and Fridays) or as an occasional substitute, contact kelly@wattsstreet.org.
Durham Tenants Legal Power Fund
The WSBC Missions Committee has been learning about the growing eviction crisis in Durham. The Durham Tenants Legal Power Fund helps tenants pay the appeal bond and gives them an opportunity to appeal their eviction status. The WSBC Missions Committee has designated $1,500 to this fund and invites individual members of the congregation to contribute. Click here to learn more about why this fund is so important and where to mail your check.
Ukraine Relief
On April 9, a group of Watts Streeters had an opportunity to meet with representatives from Saint Sophia Ukrainian Catholic Church in Garner, NC. After we reached out to their congregation to offer prayers, solidarity, and financial support for Ukraine Relief, they responded by asking if they could come and share with us about their church and culture and also teach us how to make Pascha, a special sweet bread that Ukrainians bake only at Easter. It was a beautiful, Spirit-filled morning of sharing and learning! During Holy Week, Debra Freeman and Diane Eubanks Hill prepared loaves of Pascha so we could give out pieces to our congregation on Easter Sunday in solidarity with Ukraine and in celebration of the risen Christ.
In addition, the Missions Committee initiated an Easter Sunday Offering for Ukraine Relief. Thanks to a generous response from the congregation and the $1,000 designated from the Missions budget, we collected a total of $4,800 to split between World Central Kitchen (food) and Doctors Without Borders (medical). Our July Minute for Mission offering will specifically support Baptists in Ukraine. We continue to keep the Ukrainians and the Russians in our prayers and lean on God to make a way towards an end to this terrible crisis.
Durham CROP Walk
Despite the pollen, it was a glorious day for the CROP Walk on April 10! Thanks to everyone who joined or supported “Team Watts Street” – we raised $5,685 for hunger relief efforts in Durham and around the world! Very special thanks to Sarah Hanchey and Henry Mitchell for presenting the Minute for Mission on behalf of the CROP Walk and to Liz Becker and Susan McCraw for providing lunch for our walking team!