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:
“Sounding the Call” for Watts Street Mission Groups
We invite every member and friend of the congregation to prayerfully consider engaging with a Watts Street Mission Group this year, in ways big or small.
You can learn about our 2022-2023 WSBC Mission Groups and Community Connections in this Missions Brochure.
From there, we hope you will complete the WSBC Mission Groups and Community Connections Interest Form.
Completed forms can be sent to kelly@wattsstreet.org.
Responding to the Jackson, MS Water Crisis
The situation in Jackson is both a humanitarian crisis and an example of systemic racial injustice. The WSBC Missions Committee has designated funding to support local African-American churches who are sending an 18-wheeler full of bottled water to Jackson. A few strong hands are needed on Monday, September 19 at 10 a.m. to meet at Costco, pick up the bottled water, and deliver to Lattisville Grove Missionary Baptist Church (near Hillsborough). If you are interested in helping, please contact Kelly Sasser at kelly@wattsstreet.org.
September Minute for Mission: UCAN
During worship on September 11, Delphine Sellars offers a Minute for Mission on behalf of Catawba Trail Farm and Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN), whose mission includes providing access to open green spaces to those who face systemic disparities and inequities and to empower community members with access to resources to grow their own healthy food using sustainable practices in a supportive environment. Checks should be made out to WSBC with “UCAN” noted in the memo line or consider the text giving option.
Environmental Justice Webinar
Monday, September 12 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Join the Racial Equity and Creation Care Ministries to explore the impacts of environmental racism and how we can grab the near edge of this massive problem. Delphine Sellars joins as a guest to share about the work at Catawba Trail Farm. Hear about how to support this local justice work to restore the potential of our communities. Webinar Zoom link: https://bit.ly/wsbc9-12-22
Support for Scouting
Watts Street is honored to sponsor Scout Troop 440 (grades 6-12) and is preparing to re-launch 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.
Interested in joining Cub Scouts? After a long break due to the Covid pandemic, Pack 440 is re-launching! An interactive information meeting will be held for children (grades 1-5) and their families on Monday, September 19 at 6:30 pm in the Urban Ave. parking lot.
NC PRIDE Parade is September 24
We’re hoping for a great Watts Street turn-out as we communicate our desire to welcome and affirm all of God’s beloved children by once again marching in the parade with streamers, colorful t-shirts, signs, and a decorated truck! Lisa Rhoades and Clay Chandler will be our coordinators on this day. We’ll gather at WSBC at 9:30 a.m. and then walk over to Duke’s east campus where the parade forms and begins at 10:30 a.m. There will be lots of booths and festivities to enjoy throughout the festival. If you would like a “God Adores You…and so does Watts Street Baptist Church” t-shirt, please contact kelly@wattsstreet.org. Shirts are $10 and will be available after worship on September 18.
Celebrating Walltown
On Saturday, September 24 from noon-3 pm, Watts Street will join partnering churches to support 25 years of community service at the Annual Walltown Street Reach celebration. Come out to St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, 917 Onslow Street for an afternoon of food, music, games, crafts, silent auction, and more. Watts Street will host a tent serving homemade desserts along with arts and crafts demonstrations as well as music by Ron’s Band! If you are willing to donate desserts or demonstrate your creative arts, contact Bob Kruhm for details at 919-699-6226 or robertkruhm@gmail.com. Donations for Walltown Neighborhood Ministries can be made online at: http://www.walltownneighborhoodministries.org/.
Walltown Food Bank Volunteer Opportunities: Watts Street volunteers are needed on three dates in September to serve over 150 vulnerable seniors and disabled residents who receive groceries and home supplies each month. Volunteers are needed for shopping on Wednesday, September 21 (10:45 am – 1:30 pm), sorting/bagging on Monday, September 26 (11 am – 2 pm), and delivery on Thursday, September 29 (11 am -2 pm). Please contact Bob Kruhm, (robertkruhm@email.com, 919-699-6226) for details or sign up at https://www.walltownneighborhoodministries.org/food-ministry-sign-ups.
Bull City Fair Trade
You’re Invited to Celebrate Bull City Fair Trade’s 30th Birthday! Saturday, October 1 from 5:30-7:30 pm at 811 Ninth Street with the So Good Pupusas food truck, sweet treats, drinks, and music from Ron’s Band. Watts Street is the founding organization of Bull City Fair Trade (formerly One World Market), a store that sells crafts from artisans in developing countries at fair market prices.
Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope
On October 3-5, we have reserved a pilgrimage session for 20 Watts Streeters to learn more about the history of Durham. DurhamCares leads this opportunity to discover how our spiritual journeys are connected to the place we live. Participants will meet with local leaders and learn the stories and histories of the area’s Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities. Join us for this transformative experience connecting Durham’s story, your story, and God’s story. Sign-up information will go out Monday from the church office. The cost is $150/person, but scholarships are available. Sign-up begins next week. For more information, contact Barb (barb.rumer@gmail.com) or Dorisanne (dorisanne@wattsstreet.org).
Our September/October Mission Basket collection supports the Parktown Food Hub, a community-based partnership aimed at building relationships and reducing hunger and food insecurity in South Durham. Parktown gives out a ton of fresh produce but they have asked us to re-stock their pantry with non-perishable items like canned fruit, canned vegetables (other than corn or green beans), Ramen noodles, and Cup-a-Noodles. Please no glass containers. Donations can be dropped off in the Mission Baskets outside the church library by October 23. Thank you for your support!
Prophetic Imagination: A Series for Churches that THRIVE for Racial Justice
Series begins Tuesday, September 13 at 7 p.m.
First session: “Knowing the Biblical Story – Being in the Story”, Dr. Susan Shaw
To learn more or to register, visit
https://allianceofbaptists.org/events/prophetic-imagination/.
Do You Have a Passion for Peacemaking, Advocacy, and Community Justice?
A new mission group is gathering energy and listening for God’s spirit around how Watts Street members can use our voice to build Beloved Community and live into the quote by William Sloan Coffin, “The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love”. The next gathering for this new mission group will be on Wednesday, October 5 at 6:30 pm in the Watts Street chapel. For more information, contact Kelly Sasser at kelly@wattsstreet.org.
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.