Parish Announcements
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Around St. Philip’s | The Trees | Community News
Featured announcements
Sunday Forum: Plenty Good Room in the Budget – Sunday, September 13 • 10am • Parish Hall & Zoom – Think you know where St. Philip’s money goes? Come put your knowledge to the test – game-show style! Explore where our money goes, what our shared resources make possible, and what the budget tells us about who we are and what we value. Along the way, we’ll connect the numbers to the people, ministries, worship, fellowship, and spaces that make up the life of St. Philip’s – and discover what it takes to make Plenty Good Room for the work God is calling us to do together.
Pledge Season Has Begun! – Our fall stewardship campaign is underway, and we’re already off to a strong start: 20 households have already pledged more than $120,000 toward the life and ministry we’ll share in 2027. Thank you! How has St. Philip’s made room for you? Our pledges help us keep making that room for one another – sustaining the life we share while making room for new people and new possibilities. Please prayerfully consider your pledge for 2027. You can pledge online anytime or return your pledge card to the church. Pledge online
Find your place at the Ministry Fair – Sunday, September 20 • 10am • Parish Hall – What are you curious about? Where might your gifts find a home? Come explore the many ways to get involved at St. Philip’s at our Ministry Fair. More than 18 parish ministries are already signed up, along with some of our community partners – so whether you’re looking for a new way to serve, connect, learn, or simply meet people, there’s plenty to discover. Expect food, games, and fun for all ages! Ministry leaders: Not sure whether your ministry is included? Contact Sue Guptill (sueguptill@icloud.com).
Interested in Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation? – Bishop Jennifer visits St. Philip’s November 15 – The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, assistant bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, will visit St. Philip’s on Sunday, November 15. During her visit, she’ll offer confirmation, reception into the Episcopal Church, and reaffirmation of baptismal vows. Interested in confirming your faith, being received into the church, or reaffirming your baptismal vows? Let us know! Confirmation classes will meet Sundays from 1–2:15pm, October 11–November 8. Email Gabe at gabe@stphilipsdurham.org.
Baptism Opportunity: All Saints’ Day – Sign up by October 1 – St. Philip’s will offer baptisms on All Saints’ Day, November 1. If you’re interested in baptism for yourself or your child, please fill out the online baptism information form. Contact one of our clergy with any questions you have about baptism. Fill out baptism interest form
Celebrate Durham Pride – Saturday, October 3 • 10am Eucharist at St. Joe’s • Parade at noon – Celebrate Pride with St. Philip’s and Episcopalians from across Durham! The day begins with the Pride Eucharist, a service of worship, communion, and queer joy at St. Joseph’s, with our own Gabe Lamazares celebrating. After worship, we’ll head to Duke East Campus to march together in the Durham Pride Parade. Come for the Eucharist, the parade, or both. More details coming soon.
Around St. Philip’s
Register your child or youth for 2026-27 formation – A new year of Sunday formation has begun! Sunday formation meets from 9:50–10:50am. Please fill out a new registration form for each child so we can plan for the year ahead. Register for children’s & youth formation | Register for children’s choir
Book Group: Theo of Golden – Sunday, September 13 • 12:30pm • Parlor – The Book Group kicks off its fall reading with Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, an uplifting novel about a stranger who arrives in a small Southern town and quietly sets out to make a difference in the lives of the people he meets. All are welcome – and don’t worry if you haven’t read or finished the book. Come as you are! Get the book
Engage! Living Waters – Wednesdays, September 9–30 • 6:30pm • Library & Zoom – During the Season of Creation, we’ll explore the water that surrounds and sustains us – its origins and movement through our planet, its place in human cultures, and its many meanings in our faith. Join us to read, listen, discuss, and pray together.
Does your ministry or organization need outreach funding? – Applications due October 2 – Does your ministry or organization need funds to serve others in the year ahead? St. Philip’s Outreach Committee is accepting 2027 funding requests from ministries within St. Philip’s and from community organizations. You don’t need to have received funding from St. Philip’s in the past to apply. Apply online, or pick up a paper application at front desk. Apply online for outreaching funding
Statewide action with Durham CAN – October 17–18 • Triangle area – Durham CAN and partner organizations across North Carolina are planning a major statewide action to engage with candidates for statewide office ahead of the November election. Durham CAN has pledged to bring 700 people. Save the weekend for now – the exact day and time will be announced soon. Interested in attending? Contact Donna Hicks (djhicks@mac.com).
Events at The Trees
The Trees is St. Philip’s satellite property, 50 acres of wooded land with a beautiful mid-century-modern facility nestled amidst the rolling hills just outside of Durham. Learn more about The Trees
Nature Journaling: Living Water – Fridays, September 4 – October 2 • 10:30am • The Trees – Slow down, pay attention, and spend some time with the natural world this Season of Creation. Over five Fridays, we’ll explore the creek at The Trees and the web of life it supports through nature journaling inspired by this year’s theme, Living Water. Each gathering will offer prompts for observing and creating, including experimenting with water in our art and considering how we can help nurture this creekside habitat. No art or journaling experience needed. Learn more
Rhythms of Sowing Shalom – Saturday, September 12 • 9am–12pm • The Trees – What might it look like to approach racial healing by becoming more attentive to God’s presence within us and among us? Join facilitator Afrika Afeni Mills for an experiential workshop exploring how God calls us into healing where race has shaped our stories, relationships, and communities. Through scripture, storytelling, reflection, and contemplative practice, participants will be introduced to Sowing Shalom – an invitation to cultivate healing, belonging, and Beloved Community through soul-anchored practices. $25; free for Spiritual Direction Network members. Registration required. Register here
Community News
Free outdoor screening: My Name Is Pauli Murray – Friday, September 11 • 7pm • Durham Central Park – The Museum of Durham History hosts a free outdoor screening of the award-winning documentary My Name Is Pauli Murray, exploring the life and legacy of the Durham-raised Episcopal priest, activist, and legal scholar. The screening is part of the Museum’s current exhibit on the origins of Durham Pride. Learn more
Help keep Durham’s food pantries stocked – Everyone Eats. Durham Week • September 12–20 – One in seven Durham residents – more than 45,000 people – is food insecure. Everyone Eats. Durham, a coalition of 15 local food pantries, is working together to meet the growing need. Consider making a gift to help keep pantry shelves stocked and ensure our neighbors have enough to eat. Learn more & donate
Take part in NC Climate Week – September 28–October 2 • Online & Golden Belt, Durham – St. Philip’s is participating in NC Climate Week, and you’re invited to join in! Choose from four days of free virtual workshops exploring practical climate action – including reducing waste, EV ownership, understanding utility bills, climate equity, and community responses to extreme heat. Then, on October 2, gather in person for the NC Climate Week Summit at the Golden Belt Cotton Room in Durham. Explore workshops & register
UMD Fall Festival – October 3 • 11am–3pm • Urban Ministries of Durham (410 Liberty St) – Come enjoy food trucks, games, music, trunk or treat, prizes, pumpkins, face painting, a raffle, and a kids’ costume contest! Proceeds benefit Durham’s largest public homeless shelter. For sponsorship or exhibiting information, contact sfilter@umdurham.org.
Are you registered to vote? Double check. – Registration deadline: October 9 – Election Day is approaching! Take a moment now to make sure your voter registration is active and your information is up to date. If you need to register or correct an issue, the deadline is October 9. Check your voter registration
Walk in the Footsteps of Paul –11-day Pilgrimage • April 6–16, 2027 • Greece & Turkey – Parishioner Bill Batson shares an invitation to join a pilgrimage following the journeys of the Apostle Paul. The trip includes Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Metéora, and a three-night Greek Islands and Türkiye cruise. Group rates guaranteed through October 5. Learn more & register