First Presbyterian Church – Durham, North Carolina

McPherson Lectureship

Sunday, March 23 & Monday, March 24

“Loving Your Neighbor in a Fearful World”

The McPherson Lectureship is dedicated to enriching the faith and life of First Presbyterian Church as well as the Durham, NC community. This lectureship is made possible through an endowment initially given to FPC by the McPherson family in memory of lifelong members Dr. and Mrs. Samuel D. McPherson, Sr, and Dr. Samuel D. McPherson, Jr. It was established in 1999 by Mrs. Margaret “Peaches” McPherson (wife of Dr. McPherson, Jr.) and her family. Following Mrs. McPherson’s passing in 2018, the lectureship now also honors her life of service and generosity. Former lecturers have been John Kuykendall (1999), J. Barrie Shepherd (2001), Beverly Gaventa (2002), Tom Long (2003), Joanna Adams (2004), Charles Kimball (2005), Nicholas Wolterstorff (2006), Joseph L. Roberts, Jr. (2007), Richard A. Lischer (2008), Stephen A Hayner (2009), Barbara Brown Taylor (2010), Leighton Ford (2011), Martha Moore-Keish (2012), Samuel L. Adams (2013), Emilie M. Townes (2014), Ron Cole-Turner (2015), Douglas F. Ottati (2016), Miroslav Volf (2017), Starsky D. Wilson (2018) and Mary Louise Bringle (2019), Wallace “Macky” McPherson Alston III (2021/2022), Robert Johnston and Catherine Barsotti (2023), and Willie James Jennings (2024).

2025 Author Bios

Robert (Bobby) Williamson, Jr., PhD, is Margaret Berry Hutton Odyssey Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church, USA, he was the founding pastor of Mercy Community Church and currently serves as Theologian in Residence at Canvas Community, both welcoming all people, especially those living on the streets, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He earned a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Emory, a post-graduate diploma in Jewish Studies from Oxford, a master’s of divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, and a bachelor’s degree from Clemson. He is the author of The Forgotten Books of the Bible: Recovering the Five Scrolls for Today (Fortress Press, 2018).

Amy Cooper Robertson, PhD, is Director of Lifelong Learning and Music at Congregation Or Hadash in Sandy Springs, Georgia. She studied Jewish texts and language at Harvard Divinity School and later at Emory, where she earned a PhD in Religion/Hebrew Bible. In Atlanta and in Cambridge, MA, Dr. Robertson has taught Tanakh, Judaism, Biblical Hebrew, and critical thinking and writing to undergraduates and graduate students. She is the author of several articles, including “Kohelet Teaches Us to Live for Today: Unexpected Wisdom for the Real World from Ecclesiastes.”

Together Drs. Robert Williamson, Jr. and Amy obertson produce BibleWorm, a weekly podcast in which they consider a passage of biblical text from their respective faith traditions. Starting from a place of friendship, trust, and love, Amy and Bobby find new and deeper meaning in these ancient, holy words. The BibleWorm podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast apps.

Acts of Reparation Showing

March 2, 2025 at 5:00pm | FPC Watts-Hill Hall

Join us for a viewing and discussion!

ACTS OF REPARATION follows two friends as they explore what reparations means to them. Selina, who is Black, and Macky, who is white, have been friends and filmmaking partners for 25 years. Genealogy nerds, they travel south to reclaim and reckon with their roots. In the process they move from awkward outsiders toward belonging to broad kin networks who come along for the ride.

From kitchen tables to porches, lost cemeteries to discovered diaries, their journeys lead to unexpected opportunities that transform their friendship, families and communities. In Monroe, Louisiana, Selina gathers stories from a sisterhood of her great aunties who together sleuth to uncover the buried tales of their ancestors. In Penfield, Georgia, Macky challenges generations of his kin to dismantle privilege they
inherited from enslavers and support Black leaders nearby. In Acts of Reparation, we see every day Americans become the change they want to see in the world.

Prayer for Fire Victims in California

God, our refuge and our strength, you are an ever-present help in trouble.

You see the devastation caused by the California wildfires. You hear the cries of those suffering loss. You know the fear and anxiety and exhaustion of those waiting, hoping, helping as they watch the fires burn.

For those forced to abandon their homes and shelters in search of safety, we pray for your guidance to find places of rest. For those called to fight the fires, we pray for your strength to persevere. For those ministering to the injured, we pray for your wisdom and guidance to heal. For those mourning loss, we pray for your comfort. For those accompanying others, near or far, we pray for your upholding. For those still in danger’s path, we pray for your protection.

Now and in the days and weeks to come, we trust that you are present. You have promised that even in the darkest of valleys, you will never leave nor forsake your children.

God, our refuge and our strength, you are an ever-present help in trouble. As your incarnate presence brought hope to those in need, may the Church, your body, be the presence of help and hope in Los Angeles County and beyond.

In the name of Christ Jesus,
Amen.

The Rev. Jihyun Oh is Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and Executive Director of the Interim Unified Agency.

FPC Holds Community Blood Drive

Our next drive is February 6, 2025.

Recruiting for a new Church Administrator

First Presbyterian Church Durham (North Carolina) is looking for an organized, diligent, responsive and motivated individual to support our mission in the role of full-time Church Administrator. Competitive salary and benefits provided. 3+ years of relevant administrative and/or supervisory experience required. Must be well-versed in use of accounting, communication/social media and database software. For more information and to apply, please see Announcement with full Job Description and reply with resume/references to [email protected].

Hurricane Helene Prayer

God of grace and compassion,

In these overwhelming moments of loss and devastation, we come to you with weary hearts that are both heavy and hopeful. We hold in our prayers and hearts all those impacted by the hurricanes, conflicts, and other disasters, and we implore for your mercy, peace, and healing to embrace our siblings all over the world. By your grace, bring comfort to those who are grieving, give strength to the exhausted, and provide shelter for those who have lost everything.

May your Spirit move in this, your creation, bringing peace amid the turmoil, and breathing hope into the places that feel broken. May your Spirit continue to be the quiet but constant reassurance that you are with your children and creation, even in the darkest moments, guiding us toward healing and restoration.

As we continue to see the news, we lift up the brave souls who are working tirelessly to rescue and assist. Give strength and wisdom for the tasks ahead. And stir our hearts, dear God, to step in with compassion, helping our neighbors, near and far, with kindness, love, and compassion.

In all of these disasters, we place our trust in your everlasting promises of your presence and care. Restore what has been shattered and lead us toward a path of renovation, peace, healing, and the renewing power of your always present Spirit.

We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

-Rev. Edwin González-Castillo, PDA Director