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 2023-2024.
For a “glance” at what’s coming up, visit our Missions/Community Connections Google Calendar.
Here are some ways we can reach beyond our walls to love neighbor and care for God’s creation:
Minute for Mission
During worship on September 10, Sarah D’Amato brings our September Minute for Mission on behalf of the Durham Eviction Diversion program of Legal Aid NC. This program uses tenant education, legal advocacy, and rental assistance to prevent evictions and increase housing security for low-income renters in Durham County. Money placed in the offering plates and turned in to the church before September 27 support this mission. Checks should be made out to WSBC with “Legal Aid” noted in the memo line or consider the text giving or QR code options.
Mission Baskets
Our September/October Mission Baskets support the NCCU Food Pantry. Items requested are proteins (canned meat, stew, chili, beans, Nutella, nuts, trail mix), grains (rice, pasta, Ramen noodles, cold cereal, oatmeal, grits, granola), canned fruits/veggies, applesauce, dried fruit, vegetarian items, drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice, Gatorade), snacks (Pop-tarts, cookies, chips, Goldfish, crackers, peanut butter/cheese crackers). Donations accepted in the Mission Baskets outside the church library through October 29. Thank you for your support!
Pride Parade!
On Saturday, September 23, Watts Street is once again participating in the annual LGBTQ+ celebration in Durham. If you can join us, meet at WSBC at 9:30 a.m. We’ll head over to Duke’s East Campus to line up for the parade by 10:00 a.m. For more information or “God Adores You” t-shirts, contact Kelly Sasser (kelly@wattssttreet.org).
People of Faith Letter on the Death Penalty
In a state where nearly 80 percent of people identify with a faith tradition, including Governor Cooper, people of faith can be powerful voices for justice. Watts Streeters are invited to add your name to a letter to Governor Cooper, urging him to commute all death sentences to prison terms before he leaves office in 2024. The governor has broad power to address injustices in the criminal punishment system and the death penalty is clearly unjust, racist, and error-prone. Signatures for this letter from the NC Council of Churches and NC Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty are needed by September 28: http://bit.ly/NCPeopleOfFaithLtr
Urban Ministries of Durham
A team of Watts Streeters provides the evening meal for 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.
Walltown Neighborhood Ministries
Watts Street volunteers are needed for shopping on Wednesday, September 20 (10:45 am – 1:30 pm), bagging food on Monday, September 25 (11:00 am – 2:00 pm), and food delivery on Thursday, September 28 (11:00 am – 1:00 pm). The Food Bank serves 150 food insecure seniors and disabled residents each month. For more details, contact Bob Kruhm, at robertkruhm@gmail.com. You can also visit the Walltown Neighborhood Ministries web page to sign-up.
Religious Coalition for a Non-Violent Durham
The 31st Annual Vigil Against Violence will be held on the grounds of Elizabeth Street United Methodist Church (1209 N. Elizabeth St.) at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 14. We join the community and the Religious Coalition for a Non-Violent Durham in honoring and remembering 52 lives taken from us by violence in Durham County in 2022. Over 90% ended by gunshot wounds. Each one a tragic reminder of over 1,000 lives in 31 years, similarly snatched away and still powerfully missed. Each one an enduring, immeasurable loss to our community.
Durham CAN
The Durham CAN Candidates Assembly is Sunday, October 15 from 6-7:30 pm at Mount Level Missionary Baptist Church (316 Hebron Rd.). Durham CAN member institutions will seek to hold candidates accountable on affordable housing, gun violence, and public transportation. Contact Bob Kruhm, Bill McCraw, or Jan Williams for details.
Iglesia Emanuel Learning Center
Would you like to help people learn how to speak English? Iglesia Emanuel will be starting classes for adult learners of English on November 2nd. Classes for women will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 – 7 p.m., and classes for men will be held on Tuesdays from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Lead teachers and teacher assistants are needed. Shifts can vary. Materials and training are available. No experience required for assistant roles, but teaching experience needed for lead teaching roles. If interested, please contact Alicia Baucom at baucomalicia@yahoo.com.
Reality Ministries
Join Reality Ministries for Community Worship on Monday, September 25, 7:00-8:00 pm at Orange UMC (1220 MLK Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill). A family-friendly hour of worship led by Reality friends of all abilities. All are welcome!
Bull City Fair Trade
Bull City Fair Trade (formerly One World Market) is a fair-trade store located at 811 Ninth Street. It began in the fellowship hall of Watts Street Baptist Church 30 years ago.
On Saturday, October 7th, come support BCFT from 5-8pm. We’ll be dancing to Batalá Durham, enjoying global food, and learning about fair trade with Unique Batik! Be sure to get your ticket before slots run out: bit.ly/bcftfest.
Be sure to mark your calendars for “Watts Street Shopping Day” at BCFT after worship on Sunday, December 3. Come by the store (811 Ninth Street) for the WSBC discount or shop online at https://bullcityfairtrade.com for Fair Trade handmade crafts, clothing and artwork created by craftspeople from over 50 countries and regions of the US that are struggling economically.
Creation Care
Creation Care Youth Initiative: High school youth and their adult leaders from NC Triangle faith communities are invited to participate in the Youth Leaders Initiative (YLI) sponsored by ICCT and NC Interfaith Power & Light. For more information, please contact Liz Becker at ICCTliasons@gmail.com.
Twenty-two youth and their adult leaders participated in listening and planning sessions during the summer of 2023 so the youths’ interests and ideas about Creation care could help determine the direction of the YLI.
Creation Care Tip: Donate Eyeglasses, Hearing Aids, Cell Phones, Styrofoam and More! The Durham Lions Club will have a Collection Day on Saturday, Oct 7, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Lion’s Building, 1850 Hillandale Rd. Bring eyeglasses, hearing aids, cell phones (whether working or not), children’s books, clean plastic bags, and clean Styrofoam. You may place in the collection box on the front porch.
Support for Scouting
Watts Street is honored to sponsor Scout Troop 440 (grades 6-12) and is re-launching 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.