Dear Blacknall family,
You may have missed these monthly newsletters over the summer as we gave our full attention to other forms of communication in light of our circumstances. But thanks to the great work of Mary Grimm, we are reinstituting this means of being in touch as our separation from one another continues.
How could we possible have imagined the shape of late Spring and Summer, now into the months of Autumn? Someone generously described me as “knocked back” by the challenges; I am glad I wasn’t quite knocked out. But our team at the church has worked creatively and faithfully through all this, and we continue to adapt and tweak as our season apart drags on. I owe them a deep debt of gratitude. We have heard similar notes of thanks for many of you.
In recent weeks the three pastors, aided by some other ordained folks, have sought to provide communion to the worship groups who are meeting out of doors. Each week I pack my sacramental bag with chalice and paten, bread and wine, and a sufficient number of what are called “Celebration Cups”, and make rounds to two worshipping groups. Historically, this traveling parson has been more associated with the Methodists than the stodgy Presbyterians who require the people of God to come to us! But we have heard, and felt ourselves, that our commitment to the weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper has become a vital part of our weekly worship, and we continue to try to find ways to provide participation in the body and blood of Christ to members who so desire. And so we have taken to “horseback” and are heading into the fields and backyards of our gathered community where we find them, in a variety of adaptive ways, attending to the worship of the Triune God. And it has been a vital point of connection not only to one another, but a reminder that the Lord meant for us to be together, and not apart. Even while we long to be reunited, and especially with those who are, for reasons of vulnerability, even more isolated, we are grateful that the Holy Spirit can overcome the limits and griefs imposed on us by COVID 19.
Adaptive change. If we ever needed to be open to that, it’s now. I was reminded of the apostle Paul who thought he had a pretty good sense of the Lord’s direction in his life. But he was stymied in his plans and redirected, with great effect (Acts 16.6ff.). And Paul isn’t alone. Throughout Scripture the Lord invites his people to trust him as he redirects them onto paths they would not have chosen if left to themselves. The greatest example of this is actually seen in the cross itself, a path that brought Jesus to his knees. But means and ends are united, and while the path of suffering seemed mysterious at best, and horrific to all, the Lord asked his Son to walk in obedient trust. The result was beyond imagining, the first and crucial (a word derived from “cross”) step in the recreation of the cosmos, and its reconciliation with its Redeemer.
All this to say again that the Lord is not surprised by the events that are taking place in our world, nor are we beyond his reach and redemption. In the meantime, let us gather as we can, attend to his Word, his Table, and his world, those around us, in loving trust and faithfulness.
Allan
Reflections on Foster Care
A photo of the Coonley family
By Nisrine Pineo & Isela Coonley
Nisrine: We have been a licensed foster family with Durham County for several years. Early in 2019, two young siblings came to live with us and have been with us since then. When the Department of Social Services discovers abuse, neglect, or dependency in a family, children are sometimes removed from their family and enter the foster care system. They are placed with a foster family, who cares for them until they can safely return to their family or be adopted.
There are currently more than 400,000 children, aged 0-21, in foster care in the United States. In many counties, there is a shortage of foster families available to receive these children. As a result, children are sometimes placed out of their county, farther away from their birth family, or in group homes. Being a foster family has been challenging. My son, Zavier, shares that, “if you don’t know where the kids are going to end up, it’s harder to take care of them.” He’s right! But, I can also say with confidence that it has felt very rewarding to do work that has such a huge impact on the kids. If you, as a single person or a family, are interested in finding out more about what it means to be a foster family or support foster families in our community, I am happy to talk with you.
I’m grateful that Isela Coonley was recently willing to share with me about her experience. An excerpt of our conversation is below.
Nisrine: Could you tell us a little bit about your experience with the foster care system in Durham?
Isela: I was 13 months old when I was placed in Durham County's foster care system due to an abusive family situation. Initially, I was taken to an emergency foster care family for two weeks before my birth family arranged for a kinship placement. I spent about a month in the kinship placement before that too became unsafe. At this point social services contacted my future parents (Kip and Sarah), who had been licensed and waiting for several months. After about three weeks with them, they learned that another kinship placement had been arranged. I was transitioned to that fourth home for one night, but cried for most of that night. Because my birth father had visited while I was in the Coonley home and saw that I was happy there, he asked my mom (Sarah) if it would be ok for me to go back. My parents were delighted to bring me home again! After a few more complications, I was finally adopted as a three-year-old in 2008. My birth father died in a car accident while I was still in foster care and my birth mom was deported back to Mexico. I have had very sporadic contact with my birth mom, but we have tried to keep in touch.
Nisrine: What characteristics should a foster family have?
Isela: There are many characteristics that families should keep in mind when considering foster care. Some of the ones that come to mind at the moment are to be open to people coming and going, to be a safe haven for any foster kids, and to set a good example knowing that this is an opportunity to show children another way. Although it's sometimes hard, being positive and encouraging can help. It can also be really sad, to see a kid have to go through such difficulties. Parents should know how to guide kids through learning about their past.
Nisrine: Is there anything else that would you like people to know about foster care?
Isela: Foster care can be hard, but rewarding because you know you’re helping families out when they need it. And of course, it impacts the kid’s life, to have a family who will love them. It’s helpful to know that there are people out there who will give their time and energy for a short-term or long-term relationship with these children. People go through hard times and make bad decisions sometimes, and foster parents can help provide much needed care and stability in these situations.
There are kids right here, right now that need your help who would definitely benefit from a loving family who will help them through a little portion of their lives.
Congo Initiative Radio Station
By David Dunderdale
As part of Blacknall’s ongoing Deep Common Journey with Congo Initiative (in Beni, DRC) Blacknall gave $10,000 to help refurbish the community radio station that CI operates. The equipment in the radio station had broken down and through this gift from Blacknall our friends in Beni were able to buy a new transmitter, repair the broadcast antenna and restart broadcasting.
This radio ministry is an important part of the work of CI in Beni. It provides needed health and community education as well as proclaiming the message of the Gospel to the entire Beni community. If you are interested in hearing more about this Deep Common Journey or would like to get involved in working within our congregation to deepen this partnership, please contact Kim Dunderdale.
Women's Retreat
OCT. 16-17, DURHAM, NC
In-person & virtual options REGISTER HERE
We’re looking forward to this year’s Women’s Retreat right here in Durham, NC! Our speaker for the retreat is Jennifer Hagin and our focus will be Resilience.
Find details on the Women’s Retreat page here.
Weekday Morning Scripture Reading
Mondays-Fridays, 8-8:20 a.m.
A group of Young Adults will gather for a short welcome, reading aloud for 15 minutes, and a short prayer as we head off into our days. We would love to have Blacknall friends of all ages join us. For zoom details, contact Justin Rasmussen.
The Betty
The Betty | Keeping Christ in the Story
REgister Here
Thursday, Oct. 1, 7-8:30 p.m.
Outdoors, on the lawn of Cory Pikaart
The Betty is an effort to create a space for women to bear witness to the amazing/head-scratching/wonderful/impossible/painful/glorious/joyful work of God in our lives. This fall’s Betty will be an open-mike event that’s socially distanced and safe in number. We invite 7-8 women to share a reading, recite a poem, do a comedy sketch, or tell a short story about their conversation with God during the pandemic in 5 minutes or less. Humorous content encouraged!
If you're interested in being at the mike, please contact Lauren Holahan.
This event is limited to 25 guests. Please RSVP so we know you are coming and can send you some confirmation details.
Invitations to Pray
Do you want to make a difference in our world? Then pray. Do you want to make a profound difference in our world? Then pray with others.
You are invited to join others over zoom for prayer -
Sunday, September 13
4 p.m. - Pray for all of our missionaries and for the spread of God’s Kingdom around the world.
6:30 p.m. - Pray for our friends with Congo Initiative (one of Blacknall’s Deep Common Journeys)
Every month our mission partners in Congo and around the world tell us that the fact that Blacknall gathers together to pray for them is the best gift we give to them. Please join in giving this gift.
Women's Bible Study Fall 2020
Registration | Please register by Sept. 6 for small groups
Please join us in "Discovering Hope In The Psalms" together. Online audio teaching begins the week of September 21. Schedule restrictions have prevented many of you from attending our Thursday morning studies but this semester will be flexible with audio teaching and various times for small in-person or Zoom groups.
Contact Tana O’Keefe, Women’s Bible Study Committee Chair, with any questions.
Gather Virtually
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP | 8:45, 10, 11:15 A.M.
Join a gathering over Zoom to go through the Blacknall liturgy together. Contact hosts for more information.
Sundays at 8:45 a.m. | Contact Steve Hinkle
Sundays at 10 a.m. | Contact Stefanie Tokiyama
Sundays at 11:15 a.m. with Young Adults & Friends | Contact Julie Leyva
SUNDAY SCHOOL | 10 A.M.
Participate in a Sunday school class through a regular telephone call or Zoom computer link! The following classes are meeting and would welcome your participation. To receive a zoom link, reach out to the group contact person.
Growing in Grace
Class Leader: Paul Immanuel
Topic: In depth study of the Gospel of John
Teaching style: discussion
Contact: Paul Immanuel, 919-489-0321Reading Scripture Together
Class Leaders: John Hamilton and Michael Whisenhunt
Topic: A study of Romans
Teaching style: reading of assigned scripture passage before class and discussion of this text together.
Contact: John Hamilton, 919-599-351930s, 40s, & Friends
Class Leaders: Matt Bridges, Maggie Holland, Tanya Moore, Alicia Ramos, Roxanne & James Van Farowe, et al
Topic: Stories from class members about encounters with God and scripture
Teaching style: 5-10 minute story followed by discussion in small groups
Contact: Roxanne Van Farowe
WEEKDAY MORNING SCRIPTURE READING
Mondays-Fridays, 8-8:20 a.m.
A group of Blacknall members gathers for a short welcome, reading aloud for 15 minutes, and a short prayer as we head off into our days. We would love to have Blacknall friends join us. For zoom details, contact Justin Rasmussen.
LC’s (Senior Adults)
Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
A time of connecting, studying scripture, and prayer. For zoom details, contact Dave Dunderdale.
Friday Fasts
Last Friday of the month, 5 p.m.
You are invited to continue fasting and praying on Fridays during lunch over the next few months. In this time of fasting we are continuing to ask God to reveal what he is doing in each one individually, what he is doing in the Church, in our nation, and in the world. It is a time of prayer for individual and corporate repentance, particularly around the issue of racism. 5 p.m. Zoom Debrief the last Friday of every month.
Mimi Every | Condolences
Share a memory & condolence
Mary Ann (Mimi) Every peacefully passed away on July 27, 2020. A celebration of Mimi's life will take place at a later time when all of the community who loves her are able to safely gather.
The family requests, that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Blacknall Church, Your Choice Pregnancy Center Clinic, or Durham Rescue Mission. Read Mimi’s obituary here.