Festival of the Bean

Sunday, Oct. 14, 3:30-7pm | Camp Chestnut Ridge, Efland, NC

Please join us for our 12th Annual Festival of the Bean fall picnic and chili cook-off. Come and enjoy good food, good fellowship, hayrides, games, and s'mores 'round the campfire. If you plan to enter your chili for competition (& we hope you do!), please bring by it 4 p.m. in a crockpot along with a ladle for serving and any condiments specific to your chili. Be sure to give your chili a fantastic name (names should not indicate who made it).The competition categories are Traditional, Vegetarian & Spicy, and the overall winner will be declared Lord or Lady of the Bean.If you are not bringing chili, please bring cornbread or some other side dish to share. 

SCHEDULE
  3:30 - Festival begins, check in chili for competition
  4:00 - Cut-off time for entering chili for the judging
  4:15 - 4:45 - Chili tasting and judging
  4:00 - 6:00 - Hayrides & games
  5:00 - Baptism of Sam Yin
  5:15-6:00 - Dinner & 'smores at the fire pit 
  6:15 - Announcement of the winning chili (Lord or Lady of the Bean)
  6:30 - Clean up 

Questions? Contact Stefanie Tokiyama

Women's Contemplative Prayer Morning

“In Your Light, We See Light"
Becoming Aware of God's Presence

Saturday, October 20, 9-11:30 a.m. | Upper Room

Register here

Anne Storelli and Frauke Schaefer will facilitate scripture reading, guided solitude time, and group reflection with an opportunity to respond through journaling, drawing or other artistic expressions. Victoria Shields from Mt. Level Missionary Baptist Church will help, and women from Mt. Level Missionary will join in, feel free to invite a friend as well. Bring your Bible and journal, or purchase a journal at the event ($4 each). Art supplies will be provided for those who desire them. If you have a particular art medium that you would like to share, feel free to bring it with you. We pray your soul will be refreshed by your time with the Lord! 

If childcare is needed, contact Traci Hoover by October 15.  If you have questions, please contact Frauke Schaefer.

Hurricane Florence Recovery

As we thank God that we were spared much of the worst impact of HurricaneFlorence here in Durham, we also remember our neighbors in the eastern part of the state and in surrounding states who were devastated by this storm. If you are feeling led to give financially to help care for these neighbors, let us recommend to you four of the many organizations that will be involved in the response to this disaster. All four have an excellent track record of effectively offering help in these times of great need.

• The American Red Cross

• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

• Samaritan’s Purse

• NC Disaster Relief Fund

 
On their websites the Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse also have opportunities to volunteer to help our neighbors, if you are interested. If you are interested in being a part of a team from Blacknall who might volunteer in Eastern North Carolina, please contact David Dunderdale.
 
In addition, let us not forget our most important response, to pray for our brothers and sisters, our neighbors, in this time of need.

Fall Sunday School Begins

Sunday, September 9, 10 a.m.

All children will move up to their next grade level. Rising 4 year olds/Bugs will join the first part of the worship service for the first time and rising third graders will receive Bibles. Adults, now is the time to try out a new class! View classes here.

Women's Retreat Registration

November 9-11, 2018 | Valle Crucis Conference Center

Register Here

Let's meet in the mountains to worship, play, converse, hike, rest and pray together.  The focus is cultivating calm and stillness in storms, drawing on Jesus' experience with them. 

Cost | $155 (scholarships available) 

Heidi Stern | Speaker

A friend to many at Blacknall and a counselor in Cary, Heidi has been practicing Clinical Social Work since graduating in 1991 from UNC-CH School of Social Work. Her areas of clinical specialty include working with individuals who have a history of past sexual, emotional, physical and/or spiritual trauma. She also works with people who struggle with issues related to depression, anxiety, grief, life transitions, marital and/or family conflict, and spiritual concerns. In her personal life, Heidi enjoys spending time with family and friends (including 3 dogs and a cat), watching ACC basketball, swimming, walking, reading, going to the beach, and drinking coffee.

Amy Lett, Jamie Turnage & Susan Mullins | Worship Leaders

View Brochure for more details. 

Questions? Contact Diane Felton   

Table Talk Registration

Wednesdays, September 19-November 7 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.

REGISTER HERE

Table Talk is an educational series featuring dinner, fellowship, and learning programs for all ages. Excellent teachers from our community plan exciting classes on how we can walk more faithfully in the way of Jesus. A highlight of Blacknall's life together! A tasty, nutritious meal will be available in the Fellowship Hall, with vegetarian and gluten-free options. 

Read about classes here. 

 

Labor Day Weekend Brunch Potluck

Sunday, September 2, 10 a.m. | Fellowship Hall

Bring a tasty treat to share; coffee will be provided. Sunday School classes will not meet.

Congregational Budget Meeting

Sunday, August 26, 10 a.m. | Sanctuary

The session has called a meeting to receive the budget for fiscal year 2018/2019, to approve changes in terms of call for our pastors, and to pray together for the year ahead. Children and youth Sunday School classes will meet. No adult Sunday School classes will meet. 

Women's Bible Study Registration

Thursdays, 9:30-11:15 a.m., September 13-December 6

Register Here

Join us as we study the Book of Isaiah for the full academic year. Each Thursday morning will include worship, teaching, fellowship, and small groups.  

Childcare is provided for birth through age 4.  The registration fee is $40 for the whole year, or $20 per semester. Scholarships are available. Hope to see you there! Feel free to invite a friend.  

Marriage Course Registration

Thursdays, September 20-November 8, 6-8:30 p.m.

Register here

An 8-week series for couples who want to invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. The course is designed to help couples build strong foundations, learn to communicate more effectively and resolve differences well. Each week you will fed a delicious meal at an intimate table for two, listen to a practical talk, and have time for private discussion between you and your partner. Childcare is available. 

Marriage Course Testimonial from Matthew Tay & Emmeline Thor – “We'd like to invite every married couple in Blacknall to attend the Marriage Course. The course provides practical tools for each couple to improve their marriage, including communication, conflict resolution, and how to love each other better. More than 50 couples have now attended the course at Blacknall, and have all found the course to be beneficial. We have had couples on the course with great marriages who felt that they grew even closer on the course. We have also had couples who were separated who decided to take the course together and sat and talked and laughed with each other and worked together at restoring their relationship. Emm and I have gone through the course 5 times now, and each time we still learn something new to apply to our marriage. Meals are provided, and all communication is private between you and your spouse - you'll be seated at a  table for two, and you won't have to share anything that you discussed. There will also be childcare available. Please allow the Marriage Course Team to bless you.”