Summer Sunday School starts this Sunday, June 4! Each June - August, we give our regular Sunday School teachers time off and invite parents and the wider congregation to step into what we have planned for our children in the Nursery and Elementary Halls. This is a wonderful chance for the rest of us to engage in the important (and fun!) work of discipling and learning with our children. Please check out these opportunities and sign up by this Friday, June 2!
Freedom Schools Thursday Night Family Dinners
Blacknall has a unique opportunity this summer to support the 2023 Durham Freedom School sponsored by the Mt. Level Community Partnership for Racial Justice. We will prepare and serve Family Night meals for about 120 people on Thursday nights, June 29 - July 27. (Read the "INDY Week" article about the Durham Freedom School with a quote from our own David Dunderdale.)
We are seeking intrepid small groups, Sunday School classes, committees, or other Blacknall collectives to procure, prepare, serve, and clean up the meals at Epworth United Methodist Church (3002 Hope Valley Rd.). Meals should be ready to serve by 5:20 p.m. and cleanup should finish by 7 p.m. All expenses will be reimbursed. Learn more and sign up!
Kids 4 Kids Summer Reading Program Is Back!
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.
Seeking Household Items for Refugee Families
World Relief Durham is seeking donations of various household items: bath, bedding, kitchenware, cleaning supplies, etc., to supply refugee families resettling in Durham. See the full list. Please drop off your donations on the table in the Lower Atrium anytime on or before Friday, June 9. Please contact Andrea Tshihamba with questions.
Blacknall's New Choir Director
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.
Update From the PNC (5.24.2023)
Over the past few weeks, the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has been interviewing candidates for our next Senior Pastor. As Don shared in the Sunday morning services on May 7, we have been very encouraged by the conversations we’ve had with candidates.
At this time, we are no longer accepting applications. Please join us in thanking God for the work and witness of each person we have engaged with so far. Please pray for wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit as we enter this next phase of discernment. In the coming months, we will be having more in-depth conversations with a small number of candidates.
Thank you for all your prayers and support for the PNC and the search! Feel free to reach out with thoughts or questions at pnc@blacknall.org.
Refugee Apartment Setup This Sunday
Blacknall’s Good Neighbor Team will be setting up an apartment this Sunday afternoon on May 21. We could use 2-3 volunteers at the location. There will be no heavy lifting. If you would like to volunteer at the apartment, please call or text Andrea Tshihamba at (952) 334-9411. Also watch for the grocery cards on the table in the Lower Atrium on Sunday.
Sign Up Now for Summer Small Groups
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.
CCS at Duke Is Hiring
The internship program of the Consortium of Christian Study Centers (CCSC) provides training, development and coaching for recent graduates serving at Christian study centers for one year. The Center for Christianity and Scholarship at Duke University, a Blacknall-supported campus partner, has open positions. This is a full-time, paid internship that includes a vocational mentor and ongoing training with a cohort of other young professionals. A salary and housing are provided.
Latest Award Winners in the Blacknall Library
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.