What is more American than Thanksgiving Day? Family, friends, and guests gathered around the table enjoying turkey and amazing side dishes; conversations reflecting on God's many blessings; a walk in the crisp fall air; or playing a fun board game. Blacknall’s Deep Common Journey partner International Students Inc. (ISI) is ready to connect you with Duke international students who are eager to share Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 24) with a local household. The sign-up deadline is Nov. 18. Contact ISI staff Ginger Ehmann with questions.
The Women's Retreat: Valle Crucis
By Traci Hoover
As an awkward middle schooler (we called it “junior high” back then), I found myself in a church youth group that planned a fall retreat just a two-hour drive from my hometown in the North Carolina foothills. That place was Valle Crucis. That weekend we did what middle schoolers do on youth retreats: roasted marshmallows, went on hikes, snuck out on the fire escape, square danced, and took turns soaking in ancient claw-footed bathtubs (well, maybe that is not something middle schoolers normally do on retreats!). I can’t remember if I went on more than one retreat there as a teenager, but my memories are so vivid I feel certain I must have, or maybe it was just the kind of place that left that deep of an impression.
You can imagine my surprise and delight when in the fall of 1992 I started attending Blacknall and learned that their Women’s Retreat happened each November at Valle Crucis!…
Another Fantastic Festival of the Bean!
The Women's Retreat: Grow Deeper in Community, Together
By Jenny Witman
I am still relatively new to Blacknall, so while many faces I see on Sunday mornings are starting to feel familiar, many are not yet linked to names or stories. After a season for all of us of being remote with COVID, and perhaps especially for those who, like me, are new to the church, the Women's Retreat will be a wonderful opportunity for all of us to become more connected and for each of us to feel like we are surrounded by our people.
The Women's Retreat: It's Worth Wearing a Nametag
By Katie Reeder-Hayes
For my first five years at Blacknall, I was a Women's Retreat skeptic. I was sure it was nice for other people, but I wasn't a "retreat person." As a mom of young kids, I felt guilty about time away from them, and too tired to contemplate figuring out anything new that involved registration and a map. As a woman in the workforce, I didn't attend weekday women's ministry events and felt like an outsider to this event that other women seemed unnervingly enthused about. As an introvert, I was terrified someone would force me to wear a nametag and play icebreaker games. But at the urging of the unforgettable Amy Rowell (extrovert extraordinaire), I reluctantly signed up in 2006. Well into my second decade, the Women's Retreat now goes on my calendar months in advance.
I've been to the retreat in so many conditions -- excited, optimistic, exhausted, sad, and wounded…
Care Packages for Global Workers
The International Ministry Team is wanting to put together some care packages for some of our global workers. For instance, Woody McClendon recently completed 10+ years as president of JAARS. He and Mary are preparing for a sabbatical soon. we want to celebrate with them and give them some items to bless them on their sabbatical. Think of Durham related items, Blacknall related items (such as books we are studying in a Sunday School Class), or things that otherwise would bring joy. Please drop any items you'd like to contribute off this Sunday in the church office.
Youth Ministry Update & Survey
—This survey is now closed.—
A team has been formed to consider new ways of staffing and supporting Blacknall's flourishing middle and high school ministries. Team members include: Bethany Bonnemere, David Dunderdale, Brandon Fain, Peter Gerend, Susan Kinghorn, Brian Mitchell, Roxanne Van Farowe, Ashley Weinard, and Serena Whisenhunt. The team will share their recommendations with the Session in late fall, with the hope of starting a search for new youth ministries staff in the new year.
The team would love your feedback on how the church is meeting the needs of our children, particularly if you are the parent of a middle or high school student. Please complete this short survey by October 16. Contact Ashley Weinard (aweinard@gmail.com) if you have questions or suggestions.
StepUp Durham Seeks a Development Director
Congregational Survey Results
While the full Mission Study Report is not yet complete, interested folks are welcome to view the Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT) survey results. These results will be distilled and included in the Mission Study report.
BYG Starts Sunday Night!
Blacknall Youth Group (BYG) starts this Sunday, Sept 11! We'll meet in the Youth Room every Sunday from 5:00-6:30 p.m. to play games, study the Bible, pray, and worship. All 6th-12th graders are welcome!
Parents are also invited to stay for a parents' meeting led by Dave Dunderdale in the Parlor from 5-6 p.m. Dave will talk with parents about plans for this year, as well as discussing ways we can support one another as parents.
Contact Kat Burgett, Interim Youth Ministry Associate, with any questions.
Racial Justice Alabama Pilgrimage (Apply by Sept. 30)
The Mt. Level Community Partnership for Racial Justice is hosting a racial justice pilgrimage to Alabama from March 27-31, 2023 (during Durham Public Schools' spring break). Participants will visit various historical sites of the civil rights movement. Blacknall has been invited to participate. Space is limited and the partnership is seeking diverse representatives across age, race, and partnership church affiliation. To create a more intergenerational experience, we will prioritize the application of any adult who plans to bring with them a youth between the ages of 12 - 22 years. Applications are due by September 30.
As a church-based partnership, the pilgrimage will incorporate worship, prayer, and scripture—seeking wisdom to process what is learned, faithfully. For more information and to apply, please go to the online application. Questions can also be directed to Erin Miller.
Opportunities to Serve at Blacknall!
Looking for a place to serve at Blacknall? Check out the volunteer hub on Blacknall’s website. Whether you’re into decorating, singing, storytelling, or just hanging out with the cool kids (our middle/high school students, obviously!), we have a place for you to serve at Blacknall! There are also low commitment—but critical— positions that we need to fill.
Children’s Sunday School Kickoff & Promotion Sunday is September 11
School Year Sunday School Kickoff and Promotion Sunday is September 11. Parents, children, Sunday School teachers, and friends, please join us at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall to hear what is new and ongoing for our Children’s Sunday School classes for this academic year. The Children’s Sunday School serves children in grades kindergarten through 5th. Hope to see you there!
On Promotion Sunday all children and youth move up to their next grade level and fall Sunday School begins. Second and third graders will also receive Bibles in the worship services as they transition from Children’s Worship to worship in the sanctuary. And, we will also welcome our four year-olds to participate in the Children’s Blessing for the first time during the worship services that day.
Reality Ministries Volunteer Gathering
Blacknall’s Deep Common Journey partner Reality Ministries is hosting a Volunteer Gathering on Monday, August 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. for both current volunteers and those who are interested in volunteering to learn more about what Reality is all about! The gathering will meet, weather permitting, in the parking lot of Reality Ministries (916 Lamond Ave., Durham, NC 27701). You may contact Blacknall member Taylor Brennan at taylor@realityministries.org with any questions.
Slate of Nominees To Be Voted on This Sunday
We are pleased to announce the slate of nominees for the Officer Nominating Committee to be voted on at this Sunday’s Congregational Meeting. The nominees are Maria Bradshaw, Margaret Frothingham, Brian Mitchell, Tanya Moore, and Christian Pikaart. There are five nominees and church members may choose up to five individuals on their ballots. Please note that you must be a member and attend in person to vote.
Summer Reading Program Closes a Chapter With Great Results!
Blacknall’s KIDS 4 KIDS Summer Reading Program ended with a bang. Blacknall kids read a grand total of 337 books this summer! That means the Blacknall Library will donate 34 books for kids at Families Moving Forward. Kids, we'll celebrate the awesome results of your reading in Sunday School on August 28. Thanks for being part of helping other kids be able to read great books. Keep reading!
Nursery Sign-Up Sheet Is Now Open! (Closes August 31)
The September-December Nursery Schedule Sign-Up Sheet is now open! Please login to Services and block out the dates you are unavailable to serve and/or sign up for your preferred date(s). We are asking all nursery workers to sign up for at least ONE date during this fall period. The sheet will close on August 31.
If you are a Blacknall member who did not opt out of Member Nursery Service, you will be assigned your date(s) if you do not choose any by August 31.
August 29: Day of Prayer & Fasting for the Senior Pastor Search
The Session has designated a day of prayer and fasting for the Blacknall community on Monday, August 29 as we enter into a critical time in our Senior Pastor search. We invite you to prayerfully consider fasting on that day, then joining the elders and deacons in the Community Room from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. for worship and prayer (the time normally set aside for 5th Monday Prayer).
Welcome Kat Burgett, Blacknall’s Interim Youth Ministry Associate!
We are excited to announce the hiring of Kat Burgett as our Interim Youth Ministry Associate. We are excited about this addition to our staff as Kat will help to coordinate our youth ministry during this interim period while we seek to fill the youth pastor position. Kat is scheduled to start August 28.
BSF Offering a Men's Fall Bible Study at Blacknall
Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), a Blacknall partner, invites all men to a weekly, fall Bible study beginning Mon., Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. The study, “People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided,“ will unpack a fascinating period in Israel’s history across 15 books, from its split into two nations, through dozens of kings and prophets, and ultimately to the heartbreaking exile into Babylon. The group will meet at Blacknall in the Fellowship Hall.