Blacknall Arts — our in-house songwriting and recording initiative — is excited to announce the release of “Living Water.”

As I was reflecting on how Scripture references water as an agent of new life, I was drawn into the narrative of John 4 and the picture painted in Psalm 1. The Psalm 1 imagery of a tree growing strong and bearing fruit because it is planted next to the stream offers a beautiful picture of the flourishing that I hear in Jesus’ words in John 4:14, “…The water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

The release includes two different versions of the song, artwork by Blacknall little ones Elias Fine and Pax Reagan (and exchange student Gonzalo Pérez-Salvador), and features the musical talents of Kate Van Farowe, Hannah Taylor, Nat Stine, Sarah Lapp, Kat Burgett, and Wen Reagan. “Living Water” is now available on all streaming platforms.

We are now accepting applications for the position of Director of Children's Ministries. The job description — written after careful consideration of our church's needs and with invaluable input from our current Children's Ministry leaders — has been approved by the Session and is now posted on the employment page. It also will be shared with various churches, colleges, and universities. Please pray for the members of the Search Committee (pictured left to right): Jeff Connolly, Pam Pennigar, Bethany Bonnemere (chair), Goodie Bell (ex officio), Kathy Mitchell, and Peter Cvelich as they undertake this important work. Direct any questions and/or applications to employment@blacknall.org and include “DCM Position" in the subject line.

The LCs are Blacknall’s fellowship group for older adults. Anyone between the ages of 50 (“L”) and 100 (“C”) is invited to join this group. Every Wednesday morning, the LCs meet from 10:30 a.m. - noon for fellowship and Bible study. We are currently meeting on Zoom with occasional in-person meetings.

Now is a great time to join the LCs! We are just beginning a study on Ken Bailey’s, “Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels.” Bailey uses his 30 years of experience as a missionary and scholar living in the Middle East to illuminate the cultural background behind many Gospel stories. Bisharah Libbus is facilitating this study. Bisharah is from Lebanon and was neighbors with Bailey for several years. He brings his own insights to augment those of Bailey.

If you would like to join this group, please email Pastor Dave Dunderdale or join through Church Center.

The Sunday School class schedule for the fall is now posted on Blacknall's website. The semester begins on Sunday, September 10.

Most of our Adult Sunday School classes will continue with studies they started during the summer or a prior semester. You can Jump right into any of these classes. If you have never attended any of these studies, there is no reason to hesitate, please come!

The 30s, 40s, & Friends class will host a unique offering for the fall called, "Following Jesus: Explorations on Politics & Race in Today's World.” Anyone is welcome to attend this class that will meet in the Sanctuary. It is a two-part class: Kaitlyn Schiess will lead the first part and Steve Hinkle, Paul Tshihamba, and Jeff Baker will lead the second.

The Sunday School topics and locations for Children and Youth are also updated on our site. The Nursery will remain in the Fellowship Hall until the repairs and renovations to the Nursery Hall are completed later this fall.

We look forward to learning with you and deepening our discipleship together at 10 a.m. every Sunday this fall!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Congregational Meeting on Sunday to receive the budget and approve the “Terms of Call” for our pastors. If you were not able to make it, we encourage you to review the report presented by Pete Gerend, elder and Session representative to the Finance Committee. (You must be logged in to Church Center to view this report on the “Links” page.) You can also find a hard copy of the FY23/24 budget, along with printed Session minutes, in a new location: on the whiteboard next to the Church Office (corrected from the announcement in Life Together).

In this Mission Minutes video, Dan Kronstad talks about Blacknall's Deep Common Journey partnership with International Students, Inc. (ISI). Dan serves as the Triangle Area Director for ISI and he is a Blacknall member and Elder.

Don't miss these opportunities to bless the nations without needing to leave your own backyard. To get involved with this ministry to international students in the Triangle, please visit volunteers.site and select the "Volunteer" dropdown menu.

By Sarah Lapp

At 4:30 on a Wednesday morning, 30 middle schoolers and nine leaders gathered outside Blacknall to load a coach bus; by 5:15, we were Florida-bound for The Great Escape. Twelve hours later, we arrived at Southwind Camp energized by the excitement of being with over a hundred other middle schoolers at a summer playground paradise. Our days were filled with pool parties, volleyball, paddle boarding, jumping into the lake, the Screamer swing, disc golf, and making friendship bracelets. Each night we returned to our mercifully air-conditioned dorms and crashed into our bunk beds, looking forward to waking to another fun-packed day.

BY LIZ SHIVELY

“We are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

I was in Lowe’s one day when I saw it: a front door, ready for delivery. Nope, I didn’t need the door — but the box! Oh, what we could do with that box! I had to tell Beth Solie about it.

Beth and I began planning for Art Camp in January. This year’s camp would take its inspiration from the giant artworks of Frank Stella. He doesn’t work alone, and neither would our campers. When we work together, we can make bigger (and better) art. But Stella and his team paint and sculpt with wood, metal, and fiberglass. We needed something lightweight, affordable, and plentiful.

A number of books clubs are revving up for the summer. Don’t miss your opportunity to engage with your fellow Blacknallites on such interesting topics as Beth Moore's memoir (women's), transformational encounters with God's love (women's), reconnecting with stories from our childhood (co-ed), and the problems and promise of global missions (co-ed). There is also a book club for high schoolers that is also a baking club!

The durations of the book clubs range from a single night to six weeks/sessions. Check out all the details in Church Center where you can request to join a group.

When you start making summer plans for your kids, put reading at the top of your list. Here’s the Blacknall twist: When your kids read with us, they can help other kids enjoy reading too!

All summer long, we see how many books our kids can read. Kids of any age are eligible to read — or be read to! Based on our grand total in August, we'll give books to our Deep Common Journey partner, Families Moving Forward. Last year, we read 337 books and donated 34 books. Let's beat that this summer! And to tie in with kids' Discovery Weeks, when kids read books about missionaries, they get a special sticker with double credit.

Stop by the library to sign up. The first day to record books is June 11. Start browsing the children's books in the library.

We’re thrilled to announce that our own Nat Stine has accepted the Blacknall Choir Director position! With nearly three decades of work leading church choirs and a Masters in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern California, Nat brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the position, as well as a wonderful personality and a warm, pastoral heart.

We also offer thanks for the leadership and expertise of Donna Mutter and Susan Mullins who have helped shepherd our choir through the last year of transition.

Sign up now for the summer session of small groups! There are several gatherings of 8-12 people where you can form new and deeper friendships, study scripture together, and pray for each other. Please try to register by Sunday, May 28 or as soon as possible. Most small groups kick off in early June.

Looking for your next book to dig into? Christianity Today magazine does some of the work for you with its 2023 book awards. You'll find award-winners (or finalists) and other hot reads in the Blacknall Library. From theology to missions to fiction, we've got you covered. Don't have an account yet? Stop by any Sunday morning between services. ​We're located at the lower atrium entrance on Perry Street. Or email us at library@blacknall.org.