May/June Mission Baskets – Hope Bag Initiative
The Interfaith Prison Ministry for Women (IPMW) provides reentry Hope Bags to approximately 300 women per year being released from prison. Providing these essentials of daily living allows the women to focus on rebuilding their lives. We will be collecting socks (they request colorful, low athletic type), full size toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, unscented body wash, and lip balm for the IPMW to use in their bags. Please leave your donations in the mission baskets in the side foyer near the sanctuary or in the Fellowship Hall. Contact David Heist (david.heist@gmail.com) with questions.
May Minute for Mission
On May 13, we welcome Sandi Kronick to share information about our Minute for Missions partner, SEEDS. SEEDS is a two-acre urban garden and kitchen classroom in the heart of Durham. SEEDS develops the capacity of young people to respect life, the earth, and each other through growing, cooking, and sharing food. Checks may be made to WSBC with SEEDS in the memo.
“Seeing White” Sunday School Series
The Missions Committee is sponsoring an elective Sunday School series for those interested in exploring the history of race and power in the United States. The series, led by April Walton and Paula Januzzi-Godfrey in the Chapel starting at 9:45 a.m., will draw conversation from the podcast, Seeing White. Although it is not necessary to listen to the full episode, for the first class, we encourage participants to listen to “Turning the Lens” (part 1). Here is a link to the podcast (tune in from your smart phone or computer): http://podcast.cdsporch.org/seeing-white/. For questions or to join the class email group, contact Allyn Meredith: allyn.meredith@gmail.com or, find us on Facebook: WSBC Compassion in Action.
Ending Gerrymandering in NC
The League of Women Voters will present information on nonpartisan legislative redistricting 7 p.m., May 3, at Watts Street Baptist Church. The program is cohosted by Beth El Synagogue. LWV leader Brenda Rogers will discuss creating fair maps for electing legislators. All are welcome! Use the door from the Urban Ave. parking lot.
Support Durham Latino Community
Watts Street pledged ten people from our congregation to attend a public dialogue of the Latino community with Durham County sheriff and school board candidates. At the March meeting of Durham CAN, delegates agreed to support the North Carolina Congress of Latino Organizations event at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, 504 West Chapel Hill Street, Sunday, May 6, 3:30 to 5 pm. The Latino organization is seeking equality in access to quality education for immigrants and to decriminalize the treatment of immigrants. Contact Kelly Sasser or Bob Kruhm if you plan to participate.
Fresh Food for a Good Cause!
Do you believe that fresh food should be available to everyone? Do you also want fresh food for you and your family? Farmer Foodshare is partnering with Reality Ministries to offer you a box of locally grown fresh food every 2 weeks, plus recipes and tips. Sign up for Community Food Share by emailing Katy at katy@farmerfoodshare.org. Questions? Contact Cari Furiness.