A letter from Donna Mutter, Officer Nominating Committee Chair

Dear Blacknall family,
 
On Sunday, February 16, the congregation will meet to elect five elders and six deacons to the Class of 2022 church officers. Voting will take place at both services.
 
The Nominating Committee has undertaken a thorough process to discern God’s will for those entering leadership positions at Blacknall. We have been delighted to witness the work of the Spirit through recommendations from the congregation, prayerful and serious consideration by the folks we approached, and these nominees’ willingness to serve Christ and his Church in this way. We are grateful for all who participated in the process. 

Below is some information on each of the nominees. We have seven nominees for the five elder positions that are open, and six nominees for the six deacon positions that are open. Of course, each of those nominated will need to receive a majority of the votes cast in order to be elected.
 
As we cast our votes, it is important to bear in mind the standards that the Lord has set for office-bearers in His church. They are to be “of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3), eager and able to lead God’s flock by example (I Peter 5:3), and people who are known for their integrity and spiritual leadership (I Tim. 3:1-13). Essential characteristics for deacons and elders are a spirit of servanthood and mature judgment.
 
We encourage your attendance on February 16 and your prayerful consideration of these nominees prior to casting your vote. We all take seriously our responsibility in this process as we seek to carry out God’s will in the selection of officers.

In Christ,
Donna Mutter, Committee Chair
 
The Nominating Committee: Ashley Weinard (vice-chair), Matt Bridges,  Julie Bryce, Kip Coonley, Barb Eyster, Ken Kernodle, Brett McCarty,  Susie Meghdadpour, Dare Nicholson, and pastors Goodie Bell and Allan Poole, ex officio. 

Deacon Candidates

I have been married to Sue since 1984. We moved to Durham from Syracuse in 1985 so I could take a job with the US EPA. We started coming to Blacknall in 1989. There's a lot to like about Blacknall: the order of worship (singing, creeds, confession, sermons, communion); Sunday school; small groups. Weekly communion reminds me of Christ's sacrifice and how we are united as a community at Blacknall and with the Church throughout the ages. I enjoy ushering, the BAT team, and working with Habitat for Humanity. I came to know the Lord with Sue's help when I was 22. I found that life can only be meaningful through knowing Him, and even though I usually don't know what direction to go, I know He does. My gifts seem to be more in "hands-on" things like building and property, but I'm open to trying areas where the Lord may lead.

From the Heidelberg Catechism (mentioned in a recent Sunday school class): What is your only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.

I’m a native of Durham, and was raised attending Episcopalian churches in town (mostly Saint Phillips downtown, where me & Lisa were married in 1989).  With my parents’ and Thomas Cranmer’s help, the Holy Spirit planted some seeds of faith in the hard ground of my soul that only began to have a chance to bear good fruit when later in college I cried out for rescue from a God who I wasn’t entirely confident was there, and was pretty sure wouldn’t want to have anything to do with me if He was.  His response was immediate, profound, and enduring: replacing despair with peace, giving me a heart of flesh rather than stone, and then gradually over time gifting me with many friends and experiences that have illumined a path towards a deepening confidence of His presence alongside me.

Among those gifts, none has been greater than my wife Lisa, with whom I celebrated three decades of marriage last May.  We’ve been blessed with four great kids (Nate, Clara, Ben & Isaac), and continue to marvel at how talented and unique each of them are.  Attending Blacknall since August of 2008, we’ve had the great blessing of becoming involved here with things like Sunday Schools, Habitat for Humanity of Durham, Reality Ministries, the North Street community, and the Durham Ministries Team, among others.  At no time has the Blacknall community been more important to us than upon the loss of our oldest son Nate four and a half years ago, and we’ll always be grateful for the love & support that this church continues to extend to our family.

I don’t know that I’m especially qualified to serve as a deacon at Blacknall, but will be glad to so if you’ll have me.  As an architect, I like to fancy that I know a little more than average about buildings and such, and I also really like people for the most part, both things which might be helpful for the role.  I served as a deacon previously at another church in town, and as far as I could tell that turned out fine…

After arriving in Durham in 1974 (and subsequent to hospitality extended by Blacknallites) I found myself at Blacknall my very first Sunday. Since then, whenever I have lived in North Carolina (30 of the past 45 years), Blacknall has been home. Kneeling for confession (didn’t expect that in a Presbyterian church) is a good illustration of how Blacknall seeks to be a faithful Christian witness, while recognizing that no one tradition has a monopoly on the right way to worship and serve Jesus the Christ.

Jesus is Lord, Savior, and friend. As the one “through whom all things were made,” Jesus has authority over all creation, including me. Through his sacrifice on the cross, he saves us/me from our sins which allows us/me to have a right relationship with God. Within that relationship, Jesus is the “friend that sticks closer than a brother”, who through the Holy Spirit guides us/me through the ups and downs of this life, and into eternal life.

There is work to be done. (For example, think deacon-on-duty.) It was 1979 when my last term as an active deacon finished. So, “it’s about time,” is one perspective for why I should be willing to serve again. Considering both the Fall and the Second Law of Thermodynamics, it takes significant work/energy to maintain and build up our life together. Only by God’s grace and in humility can such work go beyond being a than a less-than-break-even proposition, to instead be a means for moving one another forward and for bearing enduring spiritual fruit.

My wife Keri and I began attending Blacknall in 2009, when Ruby was a year old.  Being part of Blacknall’s rich musical and Scriptural worship, surrounded by others also seeking to live into the Body of Christ, gives me a feeling of belonging and peace.

Jesus is my everything: my Lord and my God, Provider, Savior, Redeemer, Strength, Healer, Friend.  His Spirit of Love works though me in peacefulness, gentleness and service to others.

I have enjoyed working with the large social events, feeding congregational gatherings and serving our community. 

My parents have been members at Blacknall since before I was born, so I’ve been coming to church here my whole life. Since moving back to Durham after college, I’ve been a part of the young adults group, spent time in the nursery, and with the elementary schoolers, and I especially love hanging out with the middle schoolers in our youth group! Growing up here has given me a strong knowledge of Jesus, and his deep love for me. So many people in our congregation have played a big part in my life, as I continue to learn more about Jesus, and I know that this place is one of the biggest reasons why I am who I am. Because I’ve spent so much time around Blacknall, I know a lot of the ins and outs of the building, and how things run. I also tend to step in when it comes to cleaning up and fixing things- especially in my time with the middle schoolers! During the week, I’m either working construction or farming, and I spend my free time working on my cars, playing with flowers, or hanging out with my family!

I initially started attending Blacknall in 2013 after finishing my graduate degree as my then-girlfriend, now wife Katie and I wanted to start settling in the Durham area. More recently we have both been making efforts to get more involved and have been enjoying the young adults’ Sunday school, exploring ways to serve through World Relief, and assisting with church events.  I work as a consultant in the pharmaceutical industry and enjoy spending time hiking, rock climbing, and on projects around the house.

I grew up in a Christian home, but only started pursuing and deepening my faith in college through on-campus ministries and small groups. I believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and savior and that it is through grace alone that we are saved. 

I am most excited about getting to know more members at Blacknall and deepen my connection with the community. The more people I’ve gotten to know at Blacknall, the more it feels like home, and I look forward to taking this opportunity to serve and make others feel as welcome as I have.

Elder Candidates

I’ve attended Blacknall with my wife Alicia for just over 25 years, long enough for our two daughters to have grown into young adults. I am also a pediatrician and teacher at Duke who tends to find rejuvenation in family time, biking, and hikes in the forest.

While at Blacknall I’ve mainly been involved in adult discipleship ministries, most recently teaching in Table Talk and with the young adults. But I have learned from others more than I have ever taught. Blacknall has brought people into my life who have challenged my sense of vocation, as well as stood by our family during hard times.

My discipleship journey has taken many unexpected turns. God has sent many reminders that there is terribly little I can do apart from His grace. Jesus continually challenges me to think and act in different ways, and to live as part of a community formed by the resurrection.

I believe that every one of our members has been called to help heal one small part of the world’s brokenness. The best kinds of discipleship ministries, I believe, help us to discern our role in this story by touching both our minds and hearts.

I trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and seek to love and worship the Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - each day. I am grateful for the grace God has shown me in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus; God’s forgiving love sends me into a broken world to help build the peace, justice, and joy of God’s Kingdom. For the last 11 years, I have worshiped at Blacknall, where I’ve experienced many gifts and blessings as I’ve joined this Kingdom community in Durham. I’ve been a student and intern here, experiencing rich, vibrant spiritual formation. As a young adult, this community has come alongside and loved me as I’ve gotten married and begun a career. Put simply, Blacknall’s community has helped sustain me as I’ve made Durham home. As an elder at Blacknall, I would hope to focus on the following areas: 1) prayer and support for the people and ministries at Blacknall that sustain such a rich community; and 2) devoting even more time to Blacknall’s relationship with the city of Durham, partnering with other churches and ministries in the work God has called us to in this city.

We moved to the Triangle in 1986 and our plan was to stay 2 years…… but the Lord had other ideas. 31 years later….we’re still here! As we settled into life and careers we moved to Bahama (10 miles north of Durham). We live on a small farm, where we raise and show livestock.  (That has to be a first at Blacknall!) We have 3 sons, who grew up at Blacknall. Empty nesters! Not sure if that is good, but I know the grocery bill will decrease and I will no longer have to ask, “Hey, who finished all of the milk?”

My educational training is in Agronomy with a specialization in Turfgrass Management. I’ve worked in several areas of turfgrass management including research, nursery production and the home lawn service industry. I’m usually asked 2 questions……what is an Agronomist and can you help me with my home lawn? Agronomy is the science of soil management and crop production, and yes, I would be glad to give you advice on improving your yard. For the past 15 years, I’ve coached a boys’ varsity basketball team, the Durham Flight, which participates in the North Carolina Homeschool athletic league. Kay and I homeschooled our children…..she was the “brains”…. I handled P.E.

We’ve been members at Blacknall since 1990. Along the way, we taught Sunday school, helped with middle school youth group, ushered, Families Moving Forward, various committees. I served 2 terms on the diaconate including 3 years as chairman.

Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. He is my Rock and Redeemer. I am a sinner in need of His grace and mercy on a daily basis. His promise of forgiveness and mercy is the foundation of my life and I am His child, a new creation, and have been given the gift of eternal life through His Son.

I am a professor in Duke's Department of Computer Science. My wife Melissa and I have attended Blacknall the last 19 years, and have been blessed with two children during that time: Abigail, 16, and Andrew, 14.  But I first started coming to Blacknall as a Duke freshman, so I've been in the pew for about 23 years, all told. Blacknall is where, during college, I grew to accept for myself the faith into which I had been reared as a child. Here, I found a place where I was welcome to ask hard questions and encouraged to discuss ideas, not only about Christian faith itself but also about how we, as followers of Jesus Christ, should live out our faith in the world. The rich faithfulness of the Blacknall community, to God and to one another, is one of the things that Melissa and I most appreciate, and from which we and our children most benefit. I hope, under the guidance of the Spirit, to nurture and deepen that sense of congregational community, out of which we, individually and collectively, can pursue our mission to serve the Lord, each other, and the campus, city, and world.

My husband and I first came to Blacknall in 2003 as a young married couple. We eventually had two children and Blacknall grew to become the center of our life in Durham. I love many things here – the worship each week; the ways I am challenged to grow and think and reflect; the way that our children are loved and known - but perhaps most of all I love the genuine community here that loves me and encourages me as we try to follow Jesus together. 

Jesus is my Lord and the foundation of my every day, my every moment.  The beauty of His story reshaped history and it reshapes me continually.  I often think of the hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour” in relation to my faith as I stumble down the road after Jesus. I have received continual grace along the way and I am grateful for each new day. 

I love the greater Church and I love Blacknall. As a former social worker, connection and belonging are often on my mind. I love drawing people in and connecting them to others and to ways that they can serve and grow. I love thinking about our life together and how that witness moves out into the community around us. As an elder I would enjoy working and encouraging us to think about how we can best reflect Christ to each other and to our neighbors.

I grew up attending Blacknall, and after a few years away, my husband, Brian, and I returned to Blacknall 16 years ago. I have loved many things about Blacknall over the years! I find that the community and servant-mindedness of Blacknall is life-giving and has encouraged me in my faith. Our church family has walked alongside me, supported me, encouraged me, and loved me well through times of trial and times of joy. I’m thankful that I am able to love others, grow spiritually, and “do life” as a member of this vibrant community. One of the absolute highlights of my week, as well as one of my favorite parts of the Blacknall community, is spending time with the 4th and 5th grade girls’ Sunday school class!

My relationship with Jesus grows deeper and more intimate as I grow more and more aware of my desperate need for a Savior. Mercifully, as this awareness grows, I also grow more aware of His deep love for me and His unfathomable grace offered to me. My heart’s desire is to know Him more deeply with each passing day.

If chosen to serve as elder, I believe I will bring the ability and desire to listen well to others. I believe that in order to fulfill our church’s mission to be an outpost of the kingdom of God, we must first listen well to each other, to those in our community, and to the stories of others around the world. I have a heart for knowing others and prayerfully encouraging them to use the gifts they have been given by God to serve others in community.

The Reeder-Hayes clan has been part of Blacknall since 2004, when this community embraced Mark and baby Ben as they settled into a new home and state while I worked excessive (insane?) hours as a medical resident. While our family has been through many changes since then, we’ve continued to cherish Blacknall’s willingness to “welcome the stranger,” to bring together Christians from varied faith backgrounds, and to minister well in a congregation where coming and going is a way of life.  After 15 years, a lengthy tenure for a Blacknall family, we truly feel as though we’ve been here forever! I would describe my life in Christ as somewhat the same – an awareness that we are all strangers, welcomed into God’s family through his passionate reaching out, not through our own entitlement or “specialness.” My faith journey is a daily struggle to remember this identity as a stranger who has been adopted and loved, to avoid getting too big for my britches (as my Alabama forbears would say), and to fulfill my purpose of reaching out to the next stranger in turn with God’s invitation to be known and loved. I am excited to represent the perspective of Blacknall families raising children, and to help ensure that our strategic decisions and programs reflect our shared desire to welcome the many new faces who encounter Blacknall each week, whether they fit easily into our midst, or need a helping hand to find a place in this constantly changing community of strangers.