WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

January 13 – January 20

Annual Meeting Update

The Annual Meeting scheduled for January 23, 2022 has been postponed. It will be rescheduled, most likely in February. We want to wait until the current surge of the Omicron variant of Covid has subsided. In the place of the January 23 meeting there will be a Congregational Town Hall accessible through Zoom. This will give the wardens the opportunity to update you on transition plans and to answer any questions you may have.

Click here for the Zoom link to the Town Hall. 

Help Support a Family of Afghan Refugees

St. Titus’ is partnering with St. Luke’s and St. Joseph’s Episcopal Churches here in Durham to support a family of Afghan refugees. We have not been assigned a family yet but have found a place for them to stay. It is a 2 bedroom apartment. We are currently not sure of the size and makeup of the family we will be getting. We can use your help to furnish the apartment and get our assigned family started. This link will take you to a list of needed items:  Durham Episcopal Resettlement Coalition: Household goods I can share (signupgenius.com) If you are able to provide any of the items on the list, please sign up.

Currently, Mawethu and Lisa Ncaca, Hannah Bowman, and Yvette Matthews are on the committee to help settle the family.

St. Titus’ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Office Hours

St. Titus’ offices will be closed on January 17 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Service Opportunities

2022 MLK Food Packaging Event: 
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022
Duke School for Children
3716 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705

Donations of fruit, cookies or chips to share with volunteers can be dropped off in the St. Titus’ kitchen! We need servers for this event. 

*Two Shifts:  9-11 a.m. and Noon-2 p.m.
 (Two shifts to allow for better social distancing.)

Other Service Opportunities and Programs:
Please see the Durham Congregations in Action website for other service opportunities. 

Gospel of Luke Class Invitation from St. Joseph’s

Later this month, New Testament scholar (and St Joe’s member) Joel Marcus will be teaching a one-off class session on “what we should be listening for all year in the Gospel of Luke.” St. Joseph’s has extended an invitation to anyone at St. Titus’ who would like to join. 

When:  Thursday, 27 January, from 7 to 8:30pm
What:  What to listen for in the Gospel of Luke this year
Taught by:  Joel Marcus, member of St. Joseph’s and Emeritus Professor of New Testament & Christian Origins at Duke Divinity School.
Why:  In the lingo of the church, we are currently in “Year C.”  That means that in our Sunday worship, we have been reading mostly from the Gospel of Luke since Advent began, and we’ll be mostly hearing from Luke on Sundays until next Advent. Joel will help us know what to listen for, including special Lukan emphases, such as the history of salvation and concern for women and the poor.  
Where:  we hope in the sanctuary of St Joe’s (1902 West Main St., Durham), but we may decide to move to Zoom — closer to the time, you’ll be able to find up-to-date location information at Events — Welcome to Saint Joseph’s Episcopal Church (stjosephsdurham.org),or email laurenwinnervicar@gmail.com for a location update

Join St. Titus’ Outreach Committee

The St. Titus’ Outreach Committee is expanding in number. The committee’s purpose is to review and make recommendations regarding St. Titus’ support of outreach efforts in our community. If you would like to be a part of the committee, please talk with Willette Crews, Chuck Hennessee, or The Rev. Sarah Woodard.

Valerie Colbert Vocational Diaconate Ordination Postponed

Valerie Colbert’s ordination to the vocational diaconate has been postponed due to COVID-19. We will update you when the new date has been scheduled. 

In our Parish

Condolences

We offer condolences and prayers for April Chavis and Ramon Holloway on the passing of April’s grandfather Willie Hunt.

Forward Day by Day Devotionals

Forward Day by Day: Forward Day by Day devotionals for February – April 2022 are now available for pickup in the church entryway. If you would like one mailed to you, please contact our parish administrator, Jack. 

Poinsettia Pick-up

Poinsettia’s are available for pick-up during church office hours for anyone who gave a poinsettia donation. 

Fraudulent Message Alert

Friends, please be on the alert for fraudulent messages. I will NEVER ask you to buy gift cards or money orders.  If you receive a text or email asking you to make a purchase for me because I’m busy or “in a meeting,” please do not respond to the message and, of course, don’t go and buy gift cards. If you can, please report the message as a scam. If you ever receive a text or email that you’re not sure is from me, please email me at st.titusrector@gmail.com to ask if the message is legitimate.

Faithfully,
Rev. Stephanie +

Community Ministry

C. C. Spaulding Elementary School

Needs

• Lunch Buddies for students K-5
• Trousers/undergarments (male and female) sizes 10/12/14/16
• Tutors
• Volunteers for Teacher Appreciation Week: May 2-6, 2022
• Mentoring

Food Drive at El Buen Pastor: Special Message from Deacon Sarah Woodard

Cancelled for January; resumes on February 5^th. 

On the first Saturday of each month (with occasional pop-up dates in-between), volunteers gather from 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.at El Buen Pastor in East Durham to sort and distribute food from the Food Bank of North Carolina. On average, approximately 100 people benefit from each food drive.

As partners with Igleslia El Buen Pastor and St. Luke’s, we share fellowship and food with those in need. We even give the bruised food to a goat farmer so that nothing goes to waste. The work is rewarding especially when we see the smiles on our neighbors’ faces as they leave with a carload of food.

We don’t take a vacation from this ministry just as hunger doesn’t take respite. We are responding to the needs of the world through this ministry and in our fellowship with one another. Check your calendars and join this group of dedicated volunteers who love and serve the Lord.

– Deacon Sarah Woodard

Monday, Jan. 17, 2022
Duke School for Children
3716 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705

Donations of fruit, cookies or chips to share with volunteers can be dropped off in the St. Titus’ kitchen! We need servers for this event. 

*Two Shifts:  9-11 a.m. and Noon-2 p.m.
 (Two shifts to allow for better social distancing.)

North Carolina Central University

Help Those Affected by Recent Tornadoes

If you’ve seen the news in the last week, it’s impossible to have missed the scenes of devastation from Kentucky and other areas in the mid-Mississippi Valley deeply impacted by recent tornadoes that have been called the most devastating in a decade. More than 90 people were killed, and thousands are now without a home.

If you feel called to help those affected, there are two great resources to direct you. As always, Episcopal Relief & Development is working closely with responders and other partners to provide relief where it’s most needed. Funds are what is most needed right now; if you are able, you can donate directly to their relief fund.

The Diocese of Kentucky was also deeply impacted and are working to respond, and they, too, share that financial support is what’s most needed right now. Please visit their website for updates, ways you can donate and additional information on what’s happening in the local region.

Donate to Episcopal Relief & Development

This Week at St. Titus’

However full the house, the hen finds a corner to lay in.
-Sierra Leone