The WattsLine Volume 52, No. 8 August 2016 Watts Street Baptist Church Durham, NC

Youth-led Service of Thanksgiving Sunday, August 14, 11:00 a.m.

(Youth meet in the sanctuary at 9:00 a.m.)

Through songs, readings, prayers, and reflections, the

Watts Street youth will offer thanks to God and share

with the church family about their experiences at the

PASSPORT youth missions camp in Danville, VA, the

senior high experience in El Salvador, and service-

learning projects right here in Durham. Thanks be to

God for a “Wild and Precious” summer of service and

spiritual growth!

Welcome Sunday is August 28 This year we celebrate Welcome Sunday and Christian

Education Sunday on August 28. Children and youth are

promoted to new classes. All adults are invited to the

Fellowship Hall at 9:45 for the Adult Sunday School

Fair. (See article above.) In worship we welcome first

graders. Following worship we enjoy conversation at

Eat Dessert First.

Wednesday Night Suppers Resume August 31

Weekly Wednesday nights at Watts Street resume

August 31, when the church family gathers for supper

and conversations around the tables, starting at 5:30.

Please make reservations in the Friendship Register by

the Sunday prior, or by contacting the church office by

Monday before noon. Children 3 years through 5th

grade: $3. Youth and adults: $6. Family cap: $20. At

6:00 p.m. we begin community time. Music ministry for

children in preschool, and for those in kindergarten and

first grades begins at 6. (Please invite families with

young choir children to move to the front of the food

line.) Following a community time of prayers,

celebrations and announcements, children in 2nd–5th

grades go to music, youth gather for Youth Service

Learning, and adults are invited to a conversation offered

on a variety of topics, usually in Room 102. On the third

Wednesday of each month, Samuel Gunter leads

contemplative worship in the Chapel. These age-level

programs begin on the 7th. On August 31, all ages are

invited to remain around the tables for an action-packed

variety show, The Watts Street Tonight Show, with our

host Jimmy Urban Avenue!

Other September Wednesday night offerings for adults

include

September 7 – Budget Discussion

September 14 – Information on Durham’s Step Up

ministry, preparing adults and youth for productive

lives

September 21 – Contemplative Worship in the

Chapel with Samuel Gunter

Watch the WS Weekly for other Wednesday night

offerings for adults.

Fall Watts Street 101 Offered Watts Street 101, a series of three conversations about

the life and ministry of Watts Street Baptist Church, is

set for September 11, 18 and 25, from 9:45 to 10:45.

Church staff and lay leaders will meet with visitors and

recent new members. Children and youth are

encouraged to go to Sunday School during this time. To

learn more about the congregation, we invite you to

attend these conversations, offered by our Deacons.

Do you ever wonder what goes on in some of the Sunday

School classes? Maybe you’ve considered finding your

place in a class, but don’t know where to start. Maybe

you’ve been in a class, but have considered checking out

another group.

The Adult Education Committee often hears from new

members, and even longtime members, that finding a

class can be daunting at times. We have many

meaningful offerings during the Sunday School hour and

would like, once again, to give our church family the

opportunity to talk with leaders in order to make

connections and learn more about individual classes.

With these goals in mind, we offer our second annual

Sunday School Fair for adults on this year’s Welcome

Back Sunday, August 28.

Come to the Fellowship Hall at 9:45. Enjoy a light

breakfast while you learn more about offerings and

connect one-on-one with teachers. Class teachers and

representatives will be present for conversations and to

showcase sample curriculum.

Even if you’re absolutely, positively settled in your class,

we hope you’ll come to enjoy this time for conversation

with others in our congregation, to learn what’s going on

around you, and to enjoy breakfast treats! (Did I say

Krispy Kreme donuts?)

Adult Sunday School Fair – August 28

Page 2 The WattsLine

News Briefs

From the Stewardship Committee

STEWARDSHIP Preparing the Way

David C. Smith, Co-Chair

As the process of focusing on our church’s budget and

hopes for next year is coming up very soon, we ask

that you begin considering what you could do to be a

part of our work TOGETHER. We do so much as a

collection of individuals in nearly every aspect of our

lives, and this church is for many of us where we go to

nourish our spirit and to sustain a community of

believers in the grace and love of Christ. We speak in

big ways and small through our support to the

community outside our doors and within the many

walls of our church and homes.

When I think about our work as the Stewardship

Committee, I realize that I sometimes approach it with

some trepidation. It feels surely like Matthew in his

prior job before he decided to take up the call, or

Joshua standing outside the gates of Jericho. But we

all know that what needs to be done is necessary, and

that drives us as a group to ask, educate and facilitate

how Watts Street Baptist Church can be what we

TOGETHER choose to be.

If you have any feedback or thoughts as we begin to

plan, please do not hesitate to contact any member of

the committee: Cari Furiness, Diana Jackson, Bob

Landers, Emily McCoy, and David Rhoades.

Director of Music Ministries Update At a called church meeting on June 29, the following

were elected to serve on the Director of Music

Ministries search committee: Ginny Chorley, Clark

Godfrey, Diana Jackson, Nancy Lehman, John

Rublein, Dick Rumer, and Blanche Williams.

Dorisanne Cooper will serve ex officio. The charge to

the committee from Church Council is “to recruit the

best candidate for the position of Director of Music

Ministries and present that candidate to the

congregation for its approval, as specified in the

Church Bylaws.” The committee work has begun

meeting and is preparing for ways to consult the

congregation in the coming weeks.

Young Adult Ministry College students and young adults, we’d love to help

you make connections at Watts Street. For details on

upcoming events, visit www.wattsstreet.org or contact

Blanche Williams (blanche.williams50@gmail.com)

or Kelly Sasser (kelly@wattsstreet.org).

Final Wednesday Night Potluck Game Night Remember that we gather for the final Potluck Game

Night on Wednesday, August 10, at 5:30 p.m. Bring a

dish or two to share, and your favorite board game.

(Others will be provided.) Thanks to Barbara and

Dick Rumer for coordinating and setting up for these

gatherings! Regular Wednesday Night Suppers

resume on August 31 (see above).

New Sunday School Class Offered: Kingdom of God A new Sunday School class will be offered, beginning

September 4. Meeting in room 217, this class will

incorporate various experiential and interactive ways

to encounter the messages in scripture. We hope to

nurture those who learn differently and all who prefer

or enjoy learning through storytelling, art, music, and

different forms of prayer, no matter age or ability.

Join us to experience and embrace the diversity in

God’s kingdom. For more information, contact Cari

Furiness (cs.furiness@gmail.com).

Thanks for the Forums! Thanks to all who led and all who participated in the

Forums for Adults in July – to Maggie Chotas and

Wanda Burton-Crutchfield for their thoughtful

leadership of The Spiritual Child: Cultivating Space,

and to the WS members who made the rich and

engaging presentations in Scriptures that Guide or

Transform My Life: Fran Langstaff, Laura Webb

Smith, Jonathan Sauls, Pat Revels, Debra Freeman,

Judy Berry, Mitch Heflin, Amy Armstrong, and Bill

Salyers. Watch The WattsLine for news about the

March 2017 Forums for Adults.

August Mission Baskets The mission baskets, located in the side foyer and the

fellowship hall, collect school supplies for teachers

and students in Durham Public Schools.

Crayons2Calculators serves the educational and

creative needs of students in the Durham Public

Schools by providing free school supplies to teachers.

Questions? See Susan Brooks (919-730-7644).

Chancel Choir Returns The Chancel Choir invites you to join them this fall.

Rehearsals resume Wednesday, August 10, 7:00 p.m,

and the choir returns to Sunday mornings on August

21. A highlight this fall will be “Elegy” by Dan Elder

for All Saints’ Sunday. Please contact Melody Zentner

(mjzent1955@gmail.com) for more information.

August 14 Minute for Mission Ellen Andrews of Church World Service will give the

Minute for Mission. Church World Service locally

helps to resettle refugees in our area. Please give as

generously as you can.

(Continued on Page 3)

Page 3 August 2016

Sunday Ministry Volunteers August 7

Greeters: Emily Joiner, Rebeca Olmedo, Open

Ushers: Sam Beasley, Robert Berry, Steve Ross,

Alan Williams, Joe Gary

Ministry Coordinator: Hope Durack

Nursery: Shanessa Pride, Open, Dawn Eberhard

Toddlers: Open, Kacey Reynolds Schedler, Georgia Chotas

Preschool II: Open, Judi Powell, Emma Hitchings

Preschool III: Maggie Chotas, Janie Judd, Kyle Nichols

Lock up: Worth Lutz III

Sound System: Logan Wilkins

August 14

Greeters: Jay & Nancy Freeman, Juliana Caldwell, Open

Ushers: Sam Beasley, Robert Berry, Steve Ross,

Alan Williams, Joe Gary

Ministry Coordinator: Mack Wilkins

Nursery: Shanessa Pride, Ginny Wiggins,

Rebecca Viverette,

Toddlers: Emily Joiner, Brian or Jenny Barrier,

Preschool II: Billy Price, Open, Addison Oliver

Preschool III: Ted McDaniel, Scott Job,

Lock up: Tim Cline

Sound System: Evelyn Ritz

August 21 Greeters: Joe Gary/Marsha McKinley, Bob & Diana Jackson,

Ilse Styles/Ken Rhoads

Ushers: Sam Beasley, Robert Berry, Steve Ross,

Alan Williams, Joe Gary

Ministry Coordinator: Esther Soud Parker

Nursery: Shanessa Pride, John Rublein, Open,

Toddlers: Wanda Burton-Crutchfield, Amie Koch,

Evelyn Ritz

Preschool II: Laura Webb Smith, Brian Crews, Joe Heflin

Preschool III: Lizzie Ellis-Furlong, Open,

Lock up: Alan Williams

Sound System: Mike Killam

August 28

Greeters: Greg Palmer, Lisa & David Rhoades,

David Goodman

Ushers: Sam Beasley, Robert Berry, Steve Ross,

Alan Williams, Joe Gary

Ministry Coordinator: Amy Armstrong

Nursery: Shanessa Pride, Anne Claire Broughton,

Amy Sauls, Emily Holloway

Toddlers: Kristi Giemza, Open

Preschool II: Matt Hanchey, Allyn Meredith,

Preschool III: Elizabeth Sasser, Emily McCoy, Aria Oliver

Lock up: Ken Rhoades

Sound System: David Tatum

August Eat Dessert First Event The final Eat Dessert First event of the summer is

planned following Sunday worship on August 28. Enjoy

cookies and lemonade, along with time for conversation.

Make connections with new folks and strengthen existing

friendships! Thanks to our deacons for sponsoring these

events.

Minute for Mission Collections Update Thank you for your generosity and support of our

monthly Minute for Mission. Recent collections were as

follows: $614 in April for Partners for Youth

Opportunities; $836 in May for HELP; $841 in June for

Urban Hope in Walltown; and $464 in July for One

World Market.

One World Market Comes to WSBC! You may now order coffee, chocolate, and olive oil, all

fair trade products, at WSBC, to be delivered to WSBC

on the first Sunday of the month! Order forms are

available in the fellowship hall. Orders for September

need to be placed in the Missions Mailbox in the office

by August 20 and picked up on September 4. For more

information contact Katie Westermann at OWM 919-286

-2457, or Paula Januzzi-Godfrey at januzzip@gmail.com.

Safety & Hospitality Committee Church Council formed an ad hoc committee to review

how our church welcomes people into our building and

the steps we take to make sure everyone remains safe.

This includes greeting people for Sunday morning

activities, allowing outside groups to responsibly use the

building, reviewing safety plans (e.g., key security, bad

weather procedures).

The group’s work continues, but certain changes will go

into effect soon. Beginning August 28, welcoming

efforts will be on two doors: the main entrance to the

sanctuary on Watts Street, and the glass double doors off

the Urban Avenue parking lot. The doors at the Watts

Street parking lot (near Dorisanne’s office) and at the

Urban Avenue steps will remain locked, however, these

doors can be used to exit the building at any time. The

committee also recommends an annual fire drill for all

Sunday School classes.

The committee is composed of Wanda Burton-

Crutchfield, David Goodman, Lou Rollins, and Dick

Rumer (chair), with Esther Soud Parker as staff liaison.

Mark Your October Calendars

Saturday, October 1, 3:30 p.m. – Annual WSBC

Picnic at the Lutz’ farm

Sunday, October 9, following worship – Fall Lunch

and Church Meeting

News Briefs (Continued from Page 2)

Page 4 The WattsLine

Night Meetings in the Building? If your group meets in the church building at night,

please be sure to turn out the lights in your room, as

well as in the hallway, as you leave. Be especially

careful to turn the AC off. Thanks for helping us make

wise use of energy and money!

Church Council Minutes of the Church Council monthly meetings are

posted on the bulletin board in the hallway across from

the kitchen.

2016 Year-to-Date Financial Report

Actuals thru Budget thru Ahead / (Behind)

Jun 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Budget

Income 423,291 425,950 (2,659)

Expenses 392,087 424,973 (32,885)

Excess /

(Deficit) 31,203 978

As of June 30th, we have received $2,659 less than we would expect at

this point in the year to fully support our 2016 budget. In this same period,

we have spent $32,885 less than our budget would have indicated. We

have paid our Missions budget through April, and if expenses remain low

and revenue continues at the same level or higher we will likely pay an

additional 1-2 months of Missions obligations in early August.

Page 5 August 2016

Calendar Monday, August 1 10:00 a.m. Sewing Group 7:00 p.m. BSA

Tuesday, August 2 7:00 p.m. Building & Grounds Committee

Wednesday, August 3 8:40 a.m. Youth Service/Learning at Food Bank 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’ Meeting 1:00 p.m. Movie Matinee: Friends for Life

Sunday, August 7 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship–Dorisanne Cooper preaching 5:00 p.m. Youth Group at Patillo home

Monday, August 8 10:00 a.m. Sewing Group 1:00 p.m. Worship Planning 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 6:00 p.m. Personnel Committee 6:30 p.m. El Salvador Mission Group 7:00 p.m. Denominational Relations Committee 7:00 p.m. Youth Education Ministry Committee 7:00 p.m. Faith Stretchers 7:00 p.m. Adult Education Ministry Committee 7:00 p.m. BSA

Tuesday, August 9 6:30 p.m. Watts Street Garden Club 6:30 p.m. Missions Committee

Wednesday, August 10 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’ Meeting 11:00 a.m. Youth Service/Learning Reality Ministries

5:30 p.m. Potluck Game Night 6:30 p.m. Youth Sunday Prep 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir 7:30 p.m. Budget Prep Committee Meeting

Thursday, August 11 7:15 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 10:30 a.m. Art of Aging Gracefully 7:00 p.m. Reality Ministries Mission Group 7:00 p.m. Information Technology Committee

Saturday, August 13 9:30 a.m. Children’s Education Ministry Committee

Sunday, August 14 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship–Youth Sunday 12:15 p.m. Worship and Music Committee 5:00 p.m. Youth Group at Durham Bulls Game

Monday, August 15 10:00 a.m. Sewing Group 1:00 p.m. Worship Planning 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 7:00 p.m. Peace and Reconciliation Mission Group

7:00 p.m. Treasurers 7:00 p.m. BSA

Tuesday, August 16 7:00 p.m. Deacons

Wednesday, August 17 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’ Meeting 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir

Thursday, August 18 5:30 p.m. Youth Service/Learning Urban Ministries

Saturday, August 20 9:00 a.m. Adult Education Planning Retreat

Sunday, August 21 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship–Diane Eubanks Hill preaching Chancel Choir Returns 5:00 p.m. Welcome Sixth Graders Party

Monday, August 22 10:00 a.m. Sewing Group 1:00 p.m. Worship Planning 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 7:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee 7:00 p.m. BSA

Tuesday, August 23 6:30 p.m. Watts Street Garden Club

Wednesday, August 24 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’ Meeting 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir

Thursday, August 25 7:15 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 10:30 a.m. Art of Aging Gracefully

Saturday, August 27 9:30 a.m. Deacon Orientation

Sunday, August 28—Welcome Sunday 9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School Fair 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship–Dorisanne Cooper preaching 12:15 p.m. Eat Dessert First 5:00 p.m. Youth and Parents Potluck/Fall Kick-Off

Monday, August 29 10:00 a.m. Sewing Group 1:00 p.m. Worship Planning 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 7:00 p.m. BSA

Tuesday, August 30 7:00 p.m. Church Council

Wednesday, August 31 10:00 a.m. Staff Ministers’ Meeting 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Suppers resume 7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir

Page 6 The WattsLine

Storytelling Trip – Jonesborough, Tennessee October 3–4 — Join us on a trip to Jonesborough, the

oldest town in Tennessee and home of the International

Storytelling Center. We will hear renowned storyteller

Donald Davis twice on Tuesday.

Trip Cost: $22 for 2 storytelling tickets, October 4 at

11:00 a.m. and at 2:00 p.m.

$88 per room at AmericInn, breakfast is

included.

Participants responsible for all other meals.

Please contact Blanche Williams blanche.williams50@

gmail.com or 919-383-1932 for details and to make a

reservation. Reservation deadline is August 31.

Medicare Confusion? Get Accurate Info! Gina Upchurch, Executive Director, Senior PharmAssist,

will speak to WSBC seniors and caregivers on Thursday,

October 13, about how to prepare for the annual

Medicare Health & Drug Benefit Enrollment Period

(October 15-December 7). She will also touch on the

political season and potential Medicare changes. Senior

PharmAssist is a non-profit health advocacy

organization that focuses on medication assistance and

Medicare insurance counseling, including how to select

a Part D drug plan that saves you the most money while

avoiding potential hassles. Come for the presentation at

11:00 am and stay for complimentary lunch. Please

make lunch reservations by Sunday, October 9.

Noon Book Club Resumes in September The WS Noon Book Club resumes meeting on

September 21. Emily McCoy (919-489-0483,

emmccoy@nc.rr.com) serves as coordinator of this

group which meets on the third Tuesday of each month.

Drop-ins are encouraged. The books selected for the fall

are:

September – Road to Character by David Brooks

October – Laughter as Sacred Space by Ted Swartz

November – Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi

Coates

October 30: Being Mortal Video Enjoy a sandwich lunch following worship, then view

the Being Moral video featuring Atul Gawande. An

opportunity for guided conversation will follow. Open

to all ages. Watch for details.

Small Group Opportunities for Adults Weavings Group – Meets twice a month on selected

Wednesdays from 10:30 to 12 noon to discuss article

about Christian life and spirituality found in Weavings:

A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life. Contact

Blanche Williams (919-383-1932) for more information.

Faith Stretchers – This reading and discussion group

meets on the 2nd Monday of each month from 7:00 to

8:30 p.m. in room 104-B. Our conversations are based

on a book selected by the group. It is our hope that each

book we read together will encourage spiritual growth

and community. New members are welcome! Contact

Debra Freeman (debra_cole_freeman@hotmail.com).

Other Ongoing “Drop-In” Groups for Adults Several on-going groups are offered for Watts Street

adults. You may drop in on any of these groups at any

time.

Men’s Breakfast gathers on Thursdays, August 11

and 25, 7:15 a.m., Elmo’s Diner. See Dick Chorley

(rchorley@nc.rr.com, 919-286-1645) with questions.

The Art of Aging Gracefully, an on-going

conversation about the gifts and challenges of aging,

gathers Thursdays, August 11 and 25, 10:30 a.m.,

room 104-A. Participants have opportunity to tell

their stories and to hear the stories of others. David

May (919-493-2289) serves as coordinator.

Movie Matinees

First Wednesday Movie Matinees continue, offered

by the Senior Adult Coordinating Council, and open

to all in room 102 at 1:00 p.m. Enjoy the movie,

along with pop corn and soda, as well as time with

your friends! On August 3 the movie will be Friends

for Life. Amazon review: A man with a broken

heart… 4 orphaned wolves... and the act of kindness

that saved them all.

Adult Ministry News

We invite you to celebrate WS seniors

who have achieved the age of 90 or beyond!

August birthdays: Jewell Simpson whose birthday is on August 16. Her address is 2512 Wilbon St., 27704

Bill Upchurch who turns 94 on August 16. His address is 2701 Pickett Rd., Olson 261, 27705

Beth Upchurch who turns 94 on August 18. Her address is 2701 Pickett Rd., Olson 261, 27705

Page 7 August 2016

Children’s Ministry News

Sunday School Teachers There are several teacher openings for our new Sunday

School year, beginning August 28. Please consider

joining us in this important ministry to our children.

Each age group has a teaching team which allows you to

share the commitment with three other teachers, rotating

Sundays throughout the year. If you are interested in

teaching Children’s Sunday School in Fall 2016/ Spring

2017, contact Esther Soud Parker.

Second Hour Ministry Would you like to get to know our youngest children?

Each week, nursery to kindergartners are nurtured and

loved in Second Hour Ministry. It takes at least 32

volunteers a month to make this happen. Would you

consider joining our team of dedicated caregivers?

Contact Esther to volunteer.

First Graders Bibles On August 28 first graders are introduced during the

worship service and given a new Bible from the church.

Please welcome these children into the worship service.

Remember, it’s okay if they wiggle and ask questions

during worship. We too can learn from young children

as they experience the awe and wonder of worship.

Children’s Fall Retreat September 16-18

Camp Willow Run

All 3rd – 5th grades are invited to a fun weekend at Lake

Gaston to explore Bible stories, worship, create fun

artwork, play games, swim, fish,

canoe, etc. We even sleep in train

cars! Brochures and forms are

available on the children’s table in

the preschool area. Registration is

due August 7. Sign up by turning

in checks ($115.00 made out to

WSBC) and all forms to Esther.

Save the Date August 28 First Graders receive Bibles

Sept. 10 Volunteer Training

Sept. 11- Oct. 9 First Graders’ Worship Classes

Sept. 16-18 Fall Retreat – Camp Willow Run

Oct. 16 Children’s Sabbath

Nov. 12 CBFNC Children’s Mission Day

A more detailed 2016 Children’s Ministry Calendar is

online at www.wattsstreet.org.

PASSPORTkids!

We had an awesome time at camp with our friends!

Through Bible study we pondered the question, “What do

you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Time at Converse College included a scavenger hunt at

the Bali night market, learning about Tina and Jonathan

Bailey – CBF field personnel in Bali, an Olympics

themed Rec Party, a Variety Show (with our own Olivia

Kirby Johnson playing the piano and Sarah Hanchey

singing a solo), creating a beautiful worship banner,

leading worship, kickball, ultimate Frisbee, basketball, a

slip ‘n slide, and much more. We are especially grateful

to our chaperones – Jacob Birkhead, Mary Elizabeth

Hanchey, and Luke Oliver for their leadership and care

for our children at camp.

Training Event for New Volunteers with Children and Youth Saturday, September 10, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Library

Lunch and childcare provided (please make a reservation)

The training guides us to understand the importance of the WSBC volunteer policy and how to implement it, with

special attention given to safe supervision of the children in our care, first aid, recordkeeping, screening forms, and

reducing the risk of child abuse. For more information or to RSVP please contact Esther (esther@wattsstreet.org).

Note: This event is for volunteers who have not yet attended a training event. To read our church’s Volunteer Policy

and other helpful information, visit the church website at www.wattsstreet.org.

Page 8 The WattsLine

Youth Ministry News Senior High “Experiencing El Salvador with Emmanuel” At this writing, 16 senior high youth and adults from

Watts Street are spending the week with Iglesia Bautista

Emmanuel, our sister church in San Salvador. Please

pray for our group as we travel, assist with painting and

renovation projects, learn about Oscar Romero and the

history of El Salvador, visit with our scholarship students

in Alegria, and worship with our brothers and sisters in

Christ at Emmanuel. The group returns on Thursday,

July 28.

“This Wild Life” at PASSPORT 2016! Our week at the PASSPORT Youth Missions Camp was

AMAZING!!! You guys were ALL IN with the Bible

Studies, Mission Projects, Parties, and Worship

Experiences and we got a wonderful dose of what “This

Wild Life” (that God has given us) is all about. Thanks

so much sharing your energy and love so freely

throughout the week. Can’t wait for us to share our

stories with the congregation on August 14.

A few highlights:

A fantastic staff of Bible Study/Mission Site leaders,

worship leaders, and recreation coordinators!

Great songs this year! “My Lighthouse,” “Psalm 62,”

“This Wild Life,” “Thrive,” and “Where Can I Go?”

Seeing lots of friends from previous PASSPORT

camps…and seeing so many of them want to hang out

with you guys!

Participating in a wide variety of experiences on our

mission sites: cleaning, painting, landscaping, sorting

donations, renovating homes, interacting with kids,

supporting local ministries, and learning from all

kinds of folks!

Representing us on the stage during Morning

Celebration (Lily Lehman won the “Lip Sync”

contest, Georgia Chotas won the “Shake It Off”

contest, and Ryon Hovey won the “Dancing with the

Stars” contest, just to name a few!)

Getting wet and messy at the World Wide Games Rec

Party on Monday night!

Dancing the night away AND winning the costume

contest at the “Wild, Wild Vest, I mean, West” party!

Swimming, hiking, and playing on the beach at Fairy

Stone State Park, and enjoying a tasty Bojangles feast

courtesy of Bob and Dowlene Branscom!

Wearing our awesome T-shirts in the volleyball

tournament. Some say it’s better to look good than to

play good!

Cheering on Addison Oliver and Aria Oliver as they

sang “Lost Boy” in the Thursday night variety show!

Talking, praying, laughing, and crying (!) at Church

Group Devotions each night.

Participating in fun free-time options: basketball,

Frisbee, Capture the Flag, Board Games, and bandana

-rama!

Serving as worship leaders during the week: Ben

Jakes, Lily Lehman and Marco Hovey.

Watching a whole bunch of you in the “Question of

the Day” videos

Celebrating our honor campers: Georgia Chotas, Joe

Heflin (week), Addison Oliver (week), Aria Oliver,

and Evelyn Ritz.

And HUGE thanks to our awesome chaperones:

Sarajane Alexander, Karin Oliver, and Mack Wilkins.

These dear saints drove/navigated vans, took care of

us, sat with us in the ER, played games with us,

helped with lots of little things behind the scenes, and

made the whole camp experience possible for us.

Thank you all so much!!!

WSBC Fall Bazaar – Can You Help? The 39th annual Watts Street Fall Bazaar is set for Saturday, November 5! If you are able to sew, make handmade

craft items, donate artwork or photography, bake cakes or other sweet treats, or work the concession stand, we’d

love to have your support. Contact Jim Arges or Kelly Sasser with questions. Proceeds support the Good

Shepherd Window restoration and our Youth Summer Mission Experiences.

Page 9 August 2016

Summer Service/Learning Opportunities Wednesday, August 3 – Food Bank. We’ll help sort

or prepare food donations for distribution. Meet at

WSBC at 8:40 a.m., we’ll volunteer from 9:00 to

12:00 p.m. and then go get some lunch. We’ll return

to WSBC by 1:15 p.m. Bring $ for lunch!

Wednesday, August 10 – Reality Ministries. We’re

providing lunch for 65-80 people at Reality’s

summer camp program. We’ll meet at church at

11:00 am, prepare the meal at WSBC, share the meal

at Reality, and return by 1:45 p.m.

Thursday, August 18 – Urban Ministries. We’ll meet

at the church at 5:30 p.m., serve the evening meal,

and return by 8:00 p.m. Space limited to five youth.

If you can help, please sign up with Kelly.

Thank You! Thank You! …to our Sunday night “Summer Tour of Homes”

hosts: Elizabeth Sasser, Fran Langstaff, Erin and

Worth Lutz, Amy and Jonathan Sauls, John and

Nancy Lehman, Lloyd and Sara Patillo, Clay and

Laura Holloway, and Janie and Jere Judd. Thanks to

each of you for your generous hospitality!

…to Grey Lehman for designing our new WSBC

Youth Group T-Shirts! T-shirts are free for WSBC

youth and volunteers and are on sale to the general

public for $10. If you’d like one, contact Kelly

Sasser!

…Nick Chotas, Ben Jakes, M. Jakes, Marco Hovey,

Grey Lehman, Evelyn Ritz, Jack Sendlinger and

Jenny Leinbach for helping out at the SEEDS

community garden. It is AMAZING to see what all

SEEDS is doing for the community through

gardening, education, and more. It was a hot day but

we got to water the entire garden, pull weeds, and

play with the chickens

.…Kira Arges, Georgia Chotas, Joe Heflin, M. Jakes,

Evelyn Ritz, Karin Oliver, and Jennifer Ritz for some

good hard work at the Diaper Bank on June 29. It

was hot in the warehouse but y’all were working like

a finely oiled machine! Afterwards, we treated

ourselves to equally efficient and quality service at

Chick-fil-A!

Youth to Durham Bulls Game Thanks to our good friends, Jere and Janie Judd, we have

tickets to the Durham Bulls game on Sunday, August 14.

We’ll meet at the front gate at 5:00 p.m. and conclude by

7:30 p.m. If you’d like a ticket, sign up with Kelly...it’s

first come, first serve! And if you see Jere and Janie, be

sure to tell them THANK YOU!!!

Youth and Parents Potluck and Fall Kick-Off Sunday, August 28, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the

fellowship hall.

Bring a covered dish and let’s kick off the upcoming

year of youth ministry at WSBC!

Welcome Sixth Graders! We’re looking forward to getting to know you and

hope you’ll jump right in to the WSBC Youth

Ministry!

Sixth Graders Night Out: Wednesday, August 17.

Meet at El Rodeo (Brightleaf Square) at 5:30 p.m. and

we’ll conclude at 6:30 p.m. This will be your chance

to ask questions about Sunday Night Youth

Fellowships, Youth Sunday School, Youth Retreats

and Camps, etc. You’ll need to bring $ for supper

(and tip!).

Welcome Sixth Graders Party at Sunday Night

Youth Fellowship, August 21, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

with pizza supper. Come get to know the youth group

and get ready for tons of fun!

Presentation of Student Bibles to Sixth Graders: Sunday, September 11, during the morning worship

service.

August Worship Schedule

Sunday, August 7 Dorisanne Cooper preaching, 2 Kings 5:1-14

Sunday, August 14 Youth Sunday

Sunday, August 21 Service of Hymns, Diane Eubanks Hill

preaching, Luke 13:10-17

Sunday, August 28 Welcome Sunday-Dorisanne Cooper

preaching, Luke 14:1, 7-14

Youth Ministry News (Continued from Page 8)

Page 10 The WattsLine

THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH -- “Every Member a Minister”

CHURCH STAFF Sue Alexander Assistant Secretary

Tom Bloom Organist

Dorisanne Cooper Senior Minister

Sherrill Figuera Office Manager

Mary Elizabeth Hanchey Interim Director of Children’s Music Ministries Diane Eubanks Hill Minister with Adults

Esther Soud Parker Minister with Children and Their Families

Troy Pickens Interim Youth Choir Coordinator Kelly Sasser Minister with Youth and Their Families

Bobby Sturdivant Custodian

Melody Zentner Interim Chancel Choir Director

NON-PROFIT ORG.

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Durham, NC

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Watts Street Baptist Church

800 Watts Street

Durham, NC 27701

Phone: 919-688-1366

Fax: 919-688-7255

E-mail: sherrill@wattsstreet.org

WattsLine: sherrill@wattsstreet.org

Website: www.wattsstreet.org

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“Behold I am doing a new thing.” This is the scripture verse from Isaiah 43 that’s on one of

our worship banners. I’ve had it going through my head a good bit lately. Perhaps because I’m

working my way back into engagement and energy and life. Perhaps because I’m also working on

new patterns of health and vitality. Perhaps because I’m deeply anticipating some new things at

church this Fall. That last part is what I’m working on these next few weeks—turning again toward

plans for conversations the Church Council will work on about our future. Turning toward shaping

those experiences in exciting ways. Imagining what new patterns we need to explore together for

engagement with the neighborhood and world around us. Imagining how we might tend to our

building and embrace it as one of our best ministry assets. Imagining how and what we’ll discern

together. Imagining what surprises and excitement might be discovered in the process.

There is no doubt that the world around us needs some new life. New ways of thinking—new

ways of both understanding and fighting injustice. You know as well as I do that the church is not an

automatic participant in the bettering of the world. But we can be. Watts Street has an amazing

history to build on in this regard. And in the midst of a world that feels like it’s in an endless loop of

chaos right now, it’s more important than ever that we continue finding the right voice and presence

of God’s hope, for ourselves and our neighbors. There is no group of people with whom I would

rather be on this journey than you—those who have both the history and the vision, the identity and

the hunger to find the paths of transformation and hope God longs for us to travel. May God’s “new

thing” continually find its way among us.

Dorisanne Cooper

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