Join Us at the 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.
October 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.
October Minute for Mission
On October 14, Austin Maynor will be speaking about Peace Cathedral in the Republic of Georgia. A progressive Baptist group influenced by the liturgy of the Georgian Orthodox church, it is also the only LGBTQ+ affirming church in the Republic. They operate a daily soup kitchen for those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Austin will talk about their deep commitment to the work of peace and justice in Georgia and the rest of the world. Please write checks to WSBC with “Peace Cathedral” on the memo line.
Learning about “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. 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! Please contact kelly@wattsstreet.org if you plan to participate.
Doing Justice with Watts Street
Many of us are finding the weekly congregational advocacy emails to be tremendously helpful as we seek to put our faith into action! Every Wednesday an email is sent out with some education and a few highlighted actions around a certain area of social justice. If you’re interested in joining your voice in collective efforts with the Watts Street community, email advocacy@wattsstreet.org or sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway. Special thanks to Amy Armstrong, Rachel Sauls, and Dorisanne Cooper for their leadership with this effort.
Interested in Cub Scouting?
Watts Street sponsors Cub Pack 440 and we’re actively recruiting boys and girls ages 7-10 and adult leaders for a growing group! We are hosting a “Blast Off!” Cub Pack Interest Meeting on Monday, October 1 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. We’d love for this program to be a strong outreach to the community – so please spread the word! If you’d like to know more, please contact John Rublein, Worth Lutz, or Kelly Sasser.
Durham CAN
Durham CAN confirmed the next Public Assembly will be held Saturday, October 27, at First Presbyterian Church, 305 E Main Street. The focus will be on proposed changes to the current criminal justice system. All Durham judicial candidates along with the new district attorney and new sheriff will be invited to participate. There will be a Souls to the Polls event following the public event. Watts Street has committed to having twenty-five members in attendance. Contact Bob Kruhm (rkruhm@nc.rr.com) to sign on.
Hurricane Florence Response Opportunities
Our hearts are aching for people across North Carolina and South Carolina who have been impacted by Hurricane Florence and the subsequent flooding. Thank you for your prayers and anything you can do, big or small, to offer support to our neighbors in this time of tremendous need. Visit the church website for details on how you can donate money, supplies, or time. If you have interest in serving on a volunteer work team this fall, contact Kelly Sasser.