Parish Announcements
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Featured | Around St. Philip’s | The Trees | Community News
Featured announcements
Associate Rector Transition – After six years, Gabe’s time of ministry with us is coming to a close. We will have a Celebration of Ministry for Gabe on November 15, which will be his last Sunday at St. Philip’s. Join us after both the 9:00 and 11:00 services to give thanks for Gabe’s time with us and wish him well in his new adventures in Spain. This will be a busy Sunday, as the Bishop will be visiting and we will be celebrating Confirmations. Don’t miss it!
We are pleased to announce that we have hired our next Associate Rector, the Reverend Jonathan Pucik. Jonathan will be joining us on Monday, November 9 and having some time to overlap in the office with Gabe. His first Sunday will be November 22. Read more about Jonathan and help us to welcome him in the coming weeks.
Sunday Forum: A Place to Call Home – Sunday, October 25 • 10am • Parish Hall and Zoom – Ryan Smith, Community Safety Director for Durham, will present an update on Durham’s strategic plan to end homelessness. Learn what steps have been initiated to implement the plan and ways that we as a congregation and as individuals might help to make it happen.
Support our J2A pilgrims with poinsettias – Help our youth get to Ireland, and brighten your home with a gift for the holidays! J2A is selling locally grown poinsettias in red, white, pink, and marble, with 100% of proceeds supporting their upcoming pilgrimage to Ireland. Order by November 1; pickup is December 5 at St. Philip’s. Order online
All Saints’ Day: Remembering beloved dead – Sunday, November 1 • Bring photos for the ofrenda – On All Saints’ Sunday, we remember the great cloud of witnesses who surround us – the saints of the church and our own beloved dead. This year we’re enhancing our tradition of displaying photos of loved ones with an ofrenda, inspired by the colorful altars created for the Day of the Dead in Mexico. With marigolds, colorful paper decorations, and photos of our beloved dead, we’ll create a beautiful space for remembrance in the parish hall. Bring photos of departed loved ones to add to the ofrenda this day. The display will be prominent during the 9am service and will remain up throughout the morning. Consider writing your name on the back of your photo.
Submit names to All Saints’ Necrology – by Monday, October 26 – All Saints’ Sunday (November 1) is a day we remember our loved ones who have entered into life with God. Click below to submit names of your deceased loved ones to be read aloud on All Saints’ Sunday. Submit names to necrology
The Best of Enemies: Dramatic Reading & Dinner – Friday, November 6 • 6–8:30pm • Parish Hall – In 1971 Durham, civil rights activist Ann Atwater and white supremacist C.P. Ellis were bitter enemies – who eventually became unlikely friends and allies while working together on school desegregation. Join the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee for a dramatic reading of The Best of Enemies, with dinner and table discussions. What has changed since 1971? What hasn’t? Adults and teens are welcome; youth participation is encouraged. Content note: The play includes racial slurs and uncomfortable language. Parents may wish to discuss this with their teens beforehand. RSVP by Monday, November 2. RSVP to Best of Enemies
Around St. Philip’s
Meal Train for Bak Family – Vanessa and Will Bak 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. https://mealtrain.com/28z3me
Styrofoam Recycling Drive – October 14–November 1 • Parish House – Keep it out of the landfill! Bring your clean, dry Styrofoam cups, egg cartons, take-out containers, and more to St. Philip’s for our fall recycling drive. Please, no packing peanuts or dirty items. Learn what to bring
Chalice Bearer & Lector Training – Sunday, November 1 • 12:30pm • Church – Would you like to take a more active role in worship at St. Philip’s? We’re looking for new volunteers to serve as chalice bearers, who assist with the distribution of Communion, and lectors, who read scripture during worship. Whether you’re ready to volunteer or simply curious about what’s involved, join us for a brief training after the 11am service. The training will last less than an hour. Interested? Email ncron271@hotmail.com.
Election Day Prayers – Tuesday, November 3 • 8:30am – 4pm • Church – The church will be open for prayer during office hours on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Beginning with Morning Prayer at 8:30am, the church will be open until 4pm. Come pray for healing and unity in our country and offer up your worries and hopes to God. And don’t forget to vote!
Join a St. Philip’s dinner group – Looking for an easy way to get to know fellow St. Philippians beyond coffee hour? Dinner groups meet monthly at restaurants or in members’ homes, with no agenda other than enjoying a meal and getting to know one another. Groups will be formed based on participants’ schedules and preferences. Questions? Email Amanda Joan Smith at youngfarnleydragon@gmail.com. Sign up for a dinner group
Engage! Listening to the Saints – Wednesdays, October 7–28 • 6:30pm • Library and Zoom – On Wednesday evenings in October, join us in reading short excerpts from different saints to see how their words might support us on our journey of faith. With no reading to be done beforehand, come to one session or all of them.
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
Wonder with Nature Retreat – Saturday, October 24 • 9:30am–1:30pm – In The Trees’ sixth monthly contemplative retreat, we’ll explore the gentle contemplative practice of forest bathing – or a meditative walk in the woods. We’ll connect with ourselves and the wonder of the natural world through simple sensory activities, noticing what is being released and the new spaces being created during this season of change. Poetry, meditation, journaling, creating, and time to wander will be offered. Guided by Elizabeth Newman, certified forest bathing guide. Sliding scale: $30-95. Register here
Care Provider Rest Day – Thursday, October 29 • 10am–3pm – Those who spend their days caring for others are invited to a day of rest and renewal at The Trees. Come for yoga, forest bathing, nature journaling, or simply time to rest beneath the trees. The day honors Dr. Jacqueline Harris and her years of caring for others in our community and beyond. Event flyer| RSVP here
Nature Journaling: Autumn Series – Fridays, October 9–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
Souls to the Polls – Sunday, October 25 • 1pm – Join Durham CAN and local faith communities for a march to the polls! Gather at 1pm at either Monument of Faith Church (900 Simmons St.) or St. Joseph AME Church (2521 Fayetteville St.), then head to NCCU Law School (640 Nelson St.) to vote. A Party at the Precinct, sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha, follows from 1–5pm.
Early Voting Happening Now – The 2026 General Election is Tuesday, November 3, and early voting is underway through Saturday, October 31. This year’s ballot includes races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, state legislature, judicial offices, and local offices. Durham County voters can cast their ballots at any of ten early voting sites. Same-day voter registration is available during early voting with proof of residence, and remember to bring an acceptable photo ID. More info | Early voting sites | Sample ballot
St. Philip’s at the Pauli Murray Pilgrimage – Saturday, October 31 • 10am–noon • Lyon Park Community Center – Explore Durham’s connections to the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray at this free, accessible indoor pilgrimage. St. Philip’s is one of five historic stops represented, and parishioner Meg McCann will be at our table sharing stories of Murray’s connection to St. Philip’s, both as a child and after her ordination. Free; register by October 22 to get a Pauli Murray bandana! Get your free ticket
Save the Date: Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray – Saturday, December 5 • 3pm & 7pm • Hayti Heritage Center – The Common Woman Chorus presents a dramatic choral work 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 to life through music. St. Philip’s is proud to sponsor these performances! More details to come.