Parish Announcements
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Featured | Around St. Philip’s | The Trees | Community News
Featured announcements
Thanksgiving Announcements Deadline: Wednesday, November 18 – Please submit November 27 Epistle announcements by November 18. Thank you! Submit an announcement
Sunday Forum: The Episcopal Church by the Numbers – This Sunday, November 8 • 10am • Parish Hall and Zoom – Do you ever wonder what happens to the numbers we gather for the parochial report that we send to the diocese (and on to the national church) each year? Recently, we’ve received a helpful analysis of the numbers and statistics for the whole Episcopal Church in 2025. What do the numbers mean about where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re headed? Gabe will lead discussion with plenty of time for questions.
Help Shape the Search for Our Next Bishop – Join a listening session, or take the survey – The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina has begun the search for its 13th bishop – and your voice matters. The Bishop Search Committee is inviting people from across the diocese to share their experiences, hopes, and priorities for the future of our church. Join a Holy Conversation: Beginning November 7, the committee will host 22 listening sessions to hear from members of the diocese. Some sessions are designed for specific groups, including youth. Find a session. Take the diocesan survey: Share your thoughts about the qualities and leadership our next bishop will need. Survey takes 15–20 minutes, must be completed in one sitting, and is available in English and Spanish. Take survey in English | En español
A Place to Call Home: Recording Link Fixed – Recently Ryan Smith, Durham’s Director of Community Safety, joined us to discuss Durham’s strategic plan to end homelessness. Ryan shared updates on the city’s efforts and outlined ways we – both as a parish and as individuals – can support this work. The recording link wasn’t working correctly in last week’s Epistle, but it’s fixed now. Watch the recording and view Ryan’s slides on the Forum Resources page.
Rite 13 Ceremony – Sunday, November 22 • 9am Worship • Parish Hall – The Rite 13 ceremony marks the beginning of the journey from childhood to adulthood, recognizing the gifts, challenges, and new responsibilities that come with adolescence. As our young people take this next step, we’ll celebrate who they are becoming and offer our support and encouragement for the journey ahead. Join us as we celebrate this important milestone in the lives of our young people.
United Thank Offering Ingathering – Sunday, November 22 – Join us for fall UTO Gratitude Day as we collect offerings at each service. The United Thank Offering invites us to grow grateful hearts and share those blessings to impact lives around the world. Stop by the parish hall display to learn about UTO’s global ministry and the grants it has funded. Your UTO blessings bless others! Every cent is distributed to support church ministry. More info on the UTO website
Thanksgiving Zoom Service – Thursday, November 26 • 10am • Zoom – Wherever you celebrate Thanksgiving, log on and join your church family that morning for a short Zoom service of prayers and Thanksgivings. (Stretchy pants encouraged.)
Around St. Philip’s
Host Social Hour – Our social hour after the 11am service is lay-led – it takes you to make it work! Hosts bring snacks, set them up, and hang around to talk to folks. You’ll have a great time! Sign up on the parish hall easel, or email office@stphilipsdurham.org to request a date.
Book Group: Uncle Tom’s Cabin – This Sunday, November 8 • 12:30pm • Parlor – Join the Book Group to discuss Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Whether you’ve read the book, listened to the audiobook, or watched an adaptation, come share your thoughts. All are welcome, even if you haven’t finished the book.
Meal Train for the Bak-Lors Family – Vanessa Bak and husband Will Lors recently welcomed new baby Grayson to their family. Join us in supporting them in adjusting to being a family of three by bringing them a meal. Bring a meal
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
Spread the Trees: Seed Collection with Project Pando – Wednesday, November 11 • 11am–2pm • The Trees – Come spend some time in the woods and gather acorns, hickory nuts, walnuts, and other seeds for Project Pando, which works to grow native trees! Along the way, learn more about the trees that make up our forest. Bring a lunch to enjoy around the fire pit. Free; drop in as you like. RSVP appreciated but not required. Learn more
Firewood & Chainsaw Work Day – Saturday, November 21 • 9am–12pm • The Trees – Join a crew for a morning of splitting firewood, clearing downed trees and brush, hauling logs, and good camaraderie at The Trees. All ages and skill levels welcome! Bring your own tools, gloves, and ear and eye protection. Please sign up so we know how many to expect. RSVP here
Green Friday at The Trees – Friday, November 27 • 1–4pm • The Trees – Skip the mall and spend the Friday after Thanksgiving in the woods instead! Bring the whole family for an afternoon of exploring trails, a woodland scavenger hunt, hot cider, and a cozy fire. St. Philip’s youth will entertain the kids while adults enjoy quiet time in nature. Free; drop in as you like. RSVP appreciated but not required. Learn more
Nature Journaling: Autumn Series – Fridays through November 20 • 10:30am • The Trees – Slow down, pay attention, and observe the coming of autumn through art and nature journaling. Sit beneath the trees and notice the changing colors, cooling temperatures, and activity of the animals as the season unfolds. No experience needed. Learn more
Community News
Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray – Saturday, December 5 • 3pm & 7pm • Hayti Heritage Center – Common Woman Chorus presents Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray, a dramatic cantata celebrating the life and legacy of Durham’s own Pauli Murray – civil rights activist, legal scholar, poet, and Episcopal priest. Composed by Steve Milloy with a libretto by Kim Hines, the work brings Murray’s words and story to life through music and storytelling. Presented in partnership with the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice, the performance invites audiences to reflect on Murray’s legacy and the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality. St. Philip’s is proud to sponsor these performances! Early-bird tickets $20 through November 6 ($25 afterward). Get tickets