In this life we cannot always do great things, but we can do small things with great love. – Mother Teresa
We invite every member and friend of the congregation to prayerfully consider engaging with a Watts Street Mission Group, in ways big or small.
You can learn about our WSBC Mission Groups and Community Connections in this Missions Brochure.
Here are some ways we can reach beyond our walls to love neighbor and care for God’s creation:
September/October Mission Baskets: NCCU Food Pantry
Items requested are shelf stable milk, canned foods (tomatoes-diced, pasta sauce, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, beef broth, corn, green beans, fruit, canned chicken, canned tuna), dry goods (wheat rice, oatmeal, pasta, cereal, beans, ramen noodles, nuts), baking items (flour, salt, brown sugar, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, yeast), hygiene products (soap, deodorant, feminine napkins, hand sanitizer, razors/shaving gel). Donations can be brought to the Mission Baskets outside the church library through October 31. Thank you for your support!
September Minute for Mission: BLK South/Grant Street Community
Our September 13 Minute for Mission appeal comes from Erin and Kendall Dooley, co-founders and co-directors of BLK South. BLK South seeks the development, vibrancy, and well-being of underserved, historically Black neighborhoods in the South through community development, cultural preservation, and spiritual formation. BLK South is rooted in Durham’s Hayti district, specifically with the Grant Street Community where they work alongside neighbors, churches, and long-time residents to support preservation, beautification, affordable housing, storytelling, asset-based community development, and neighborhood flourishing. To support this effort, checks should be made out to WSBC with “BLK South” noted in the memo line or consider the text giving or QR code options.
House Building in Honduras
After church supper on Wednesday, September 23, Steven Lingafelt will share a program about his recent house building trip in Hondorus. Please read about these efforts on our church’s website: Serve>International>Honduras House Build: wattsstreet.org/honduras-house-build
Creation Care Ministry
Resource on Recycling: Click on this link to learn how we can reduce our impact on God’s creation by maximizing options to recycle and decrease landfill waste in Durham, NC. This is a beautiful way to love our neighbors across time and around the world…especially our neighbors in Sampson County, home of the state’s largest landfill and a major source of methane emissions, groundwater contamination, and environmental injustice for local residents. Thank you, WSBC CCM for putting this resource together!
CCM Tip of the Month: Turn “lights out” to protect birds during peak migration, as they navigate by the night sky. Minimize outdoor lighting, and close blinds and drapes, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. For North Carolina, the seasons are September 10 to November 30, and March 15 to May 31. This Cornell Lab dashboard shows nocturnal bird migration patterns, including estimates of the total number of birds migrating, their directions, speeds, and altitudes: https://dashboard.birdcast.org.
Walltown Neighborhood Ministries
Watts Street volunteers are needed for sorting and bagging food (Monday, September 21 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) and driving for food deliveries (Thursday, September 24 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) The Food Bank, based at St. John’s Baptist Church, 917 Onslow St., serves over 100 food insecure seniors and disabled residents each month. Contact Bob Kruhm, (robertkruhm@gmail.com) for details or visit Walltown Neighborhood Ministries for more information.
Urban Ministries
A team of Watts Streeters provides the evening meal for guests at Urban Ministries on the third Thursday of each month. Our next date is October 15. To help with food prep, cake or brownie baking, food packing/delivery, or being on the serving line, please contact Greg Palmer at senorpalmer@gmail.com.
Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN) and Catawba Trail Farm
The next Watts Street Workday will be Saturday, October 10 from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. Come out for the whole time or join us for whatever time you can. Lend a hand with the work or just come learn about the farm’s fascinating history and present and experience the magic of simply being on the grounds. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a water bottle, and closed-toed shoes. If you have questions, contact Barb Rumer at barb.rumer@gmail.com.
Racial Justice Mission Group
Good News! Watts Street was recently selected for the “Churches that THRIVE for Racial Justice” grant in partnership with the Alliance of Baptists and Davidson College! Beginning this fall, we will join a cohort for this Lilly Endowment grant that runs for five years and will give us access to lots of resources, trainings, and educational events. Barb Rumer, Dorisanne Cooper, and Andrea Godwin are serving as our grant team members and they will attend a kick-off event in New Orleans in October.
Voices for Love in Action
The WSBC Voices for Love in Action mission group is seeking to listen to God’s Spirit and coordinate Christ-like responses to political policies that are cruel and harmful to God’s Beloved. If you would like to help us focus on LGBTQ+ Rights and Support, Israel/Palestine, Ukraine/Russia, Immigrants/Refugees, Racial Justice, Public Health, Public Education, Creation Care, Civil Discourse, Religious Liberty/Ending Christian Nationalism, Durham Community (Housing, Poverty, Violence, etc.) as well as Prayer/Spiritual Practice (to keep our work grounded in love) and Social Media/Messaging, please contact Kelly at kelly@wattsstreet.org or join us at our next meeting on Thursday, October 1 at 7 p.m. in Room 102. All are welcome!
Check out WSBC Voices for Love in Action Instagram where we spotlight resources for doing justice and to share the good news of building Beloved Community. Check it out and if you see a post that resonates with you, please share it!
Bridges for Freedom Protest
The Triangle Bridge Brigade is a peaceful protest for democracy held on the third Saturday of the month (September 19) from 9:30-11:00 a.m. This is part of a nationwide movement called Operation Overpass. Each bridge has a captain who has attended a safety training and will provide one or two large banners and at least one large American flag (reclaiming the flag as a symbol of “freedom for all”). To register or to learn more, contact Barb Rumer at barb.rumer@gmail.com.
Welcoming and Affirming God’s Beloved who are LGBTQ+
Mark your calendars for the Durham PRIDE Parade on Saturday, October 3!
Let Gaza Live/No War with Iran
This week, the musical artist Macklemore made headlines for speaking out on behalf of Palestine at two Ed Sheeran concerts in front of over 90,000 people. “I want to say Free Palestine loud and clear, so the people from Gaza, all the way to the occupied West Bank, know that we have not forgotten them…to all my Jewish brothers and sisters: criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide is in no way a criticism of you. My message is for peace: love for all, human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality…” After these remarks, Macklemore was kicked off the tour by concert promotors and stadium owners.
In the same week, the news reported that the US was preparing to sell 40,000 one-ton bombs to Israel for $2.8 billion dollars.
Munther Isaac, Palestinian Christian pastor, author, and theologian, said this week, “Instead of going after those responsible for the killing, starvation, and destruction, we go after those who expose it. Friends, saying no to genocide should not require courage, it should be basic humanity. History will remember who committed those crimes, those who enabled them, and those who remained silent. And it will remember those who spoke up.”
The WSBC Voices for Love in Action mission group encourages you to keep praying, to vote for elected officials who are committed to building the culture of peace, and to call on our elected officials (Representative Foushee and Senators Tillis and Budd) to completely halt the war on Iran and Lebanon, to support delivery of urgently needed aid to Gaza, and to prevent future weapon sales to Israel while it commits genocide in Gaza and oppression in the West Bank. Another helpful way to respond is to donate to MECA, the Middle East Children’s Alliance, which provides emergency assistance to families in Gaza.
Durham CAN (Congregations, Neighborhoods, and Associations)
The Durham CAN Clergy Caucus is working with Duke around three issues: increasing affordable housing on Duke-owned land, increasing youth summer jobs, and increasing the Duke liveable wage from $18 an hour to $21.90 an hour.
The Affordable Housing Team is negotiating with the City for at least 80 units of affordable housing in the old police station building. In addition, they are exploring affordable housing on properties owned by Durham Public Schools.
CAN is working with the City to increase the budget for organizations working with immigrants.
CAN is working on youth jobs for the summer and for technology equity in Durham Public Schools. Also conducting listening sessions on school bullying.
CAN is focused on violence Prevention. They are working with the city and county to set up a process to create a violence prevention plan for Durham (https://www.durhamnc.gov/5490/Violence-Reduction) with the City, County, DPS, Justice, Police, Sheriff, and nonprofits working together. Durham leaders will gather at a summit in May to decide upon the plan, and the Office of Community Safety will provide accountability.
Contact: Bob Kruhm (robertkruhm@gmail.com), Bill McCraw (wmccraw96@gmail.com), or Jan Williams (adams.williams@gmail.com).
Cards with a Purpose
Cards with a Purpose meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month to make cards to be sent to non-profits and others in the community. For more information, contact Lynn Odom at care4godsearth@gmail.com.
Pop Tab Collection for the Ronald McDonald House
Families of sick and injured children are not charged to stay at Ronald McDonald Houses and one way this service is funded is through the pop tab recycling program. Tabs from aluminum beverage or food cans can be dropped off in the special box near the Mission Baskets outside the church library.
Support for Scouting
Recent events, Scout Sunday and the annual Pinewood Derby, were big successes!
Watts Street is honored to sponsor Scout Troop 440 (grades 6-12) and Cub Pack 440 (grades 1-5). Scouting helps youth develop outdoor skills, self-confidence, leadership, citizenship, and a commitment to service. Scouting also has a strong youth protection policy which includes volunteer screenings and trainings. If you know children or youth who might be interested in joining OR if you would be interested in volunteering in any way, large or small, please contact Worth Lutz at worthlutz@mindspring.com. There is a particular need for Watts Street members to serve on the church’s Scout Committee.
Cub Pack 440 meets on Mondays from 6-7 pm.
Scout Troop 440 meets on Mondays from 7-8:30 pm.