September Mission Baskets: NCCU Food Pantry
Please help us alleviate hunger on campus this fall by restocking North Carolina Central University’s Food Pantry with non-perishable foods and hygiene products. The Food Pantry requests canned soups, fruits and vegetables (no Ramen noodles, please!), snacks, rice, pasta, cereal and can openers. In addition, toothbrushes, toothpaste, body soap, travel size deodorant, pads/tampons are needed. 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.
September Minute for Mission
On September 9, our own Dan Winn will talk about Faith Connections on Mental Illness, specifically their focus on education and advocacy for the mentally ill and their families in the context of faith communities. They strive to reduce the stigma that these individuals face because of their illness. They are committed to taking the knowledge they receive in their monthly programs out to area churches and other faith-based organizations. Checks may be made to WSBC with FCMI in the memo line.
Meals on Wheels – Tuesday, September 18
Help assemble and pack meals at Meals on Wheels of Durham. Meet at WSBC at 8:00 a.m. We carpool from the Urban Avenue parking lot to the MOW facility at 2522 Ross Road. We’ll return by 10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome! Please RSVP to Bob Kruhm (rkruhm@nc.rr.com) or call the church office to sign up.
Pride Parade
On Saturday, September 29, Watts Street is once again participating in the annual statewide LGBTQ celebration in Durham. All are welcome to join our group in the parade. Bring your lunch and join us for a picnic on the WSBC playground at 11 a.m. Then we’ll head over to Duke’s East Campus for the parade and return by 3 p.m. For information or “God Adores You” t-shirts, contact Gordon Whitaker.
Dementia and Well-Being
The WSBC Senior Adult Coordinating Council is hosting Carmelita Karhoff from “Dementia Inclusive Durham” on Tuesday, October 2, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., in the Fellowship Hall. Following an earlier program on the medical aspects of dementia, Carmelita will help us focus on enhancing the well-being of persons living with dementia. She’ll point us to resources in Durham and ways the faith community can offer support. This event is open to the community—please spread the word!
Resources Available on Mental Health
Faith Connections on Mental Illness has placed a standing file of folders/modules in the library containing information on mental disorders and aspects of these disorders. They also have info on Durham County mental health resources, along with recommended facilities in other parts of the state. They are available for perusal anytime the library is open. Please call Dan Winn with any questions or comments about this material.
Home Share Durham Do you have a spare bedroom?
Would you like to help reduce our city’s affordable housing crisis? Durham’s new Home Share program can: reduce housing expenses for both homeowner and renter, support companionship and increased security, and provide mutual assistance (errands, pet care, housekeeping). Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA) is bringing home sharing to Durham. Home sharing is a national, evidence-based model that has existed since the 1970s. Home sharing helps match people who are seeking housing with those who provide housing. Often, the home-seeker provides some in-kind service around the home for the provider as part of the homesharing arrangement, but this is not a requirement. Applications and more information are available. If you have any questions, please call (919) 688-2036 or email homesharedurham@gmail.com.