May 8, 2013

What does God require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. — Micah 6:8

A couple of weeks ago, a colleague shared a prayer

with me written by Sister Mary Lou Kownacki of the

Catholic Peace Movement. I want to share it with you

and offer a few reflections.

Once they saw a star that pointed to a promised land,

to a land of peace, peacemakers set out to follow that

star.

It is both a joyful and arduous journey.

Sometimes the star shines brightly, the promise seems

certain, and the pilgrims can sing, “How beautiful are

the feet of those who bring God’s peace.” Often the

star disappears, clouded over, hidden from view, and

the pilgrims grope blindly, grow discouraged, get

weary, give thought to settling down, to forgetting the

promise of peace.

One thing is certain: all pilgrims need nourishment to

sustain the journey. An occasional oasis for the spirit

is essential, a time to feast on the refreshing waters,

the rich food of the spirit, in order to get strength to

continue the pilgrimage through darkness, star-shine

or not.

Today, at our Wednesday lectionary group we read

John 17:20-26, the gospel reading for this coming Sun-

day. This text is known as the “high priestly prayer” —

Jesus’ prayer for his disciples after he had shared his last

meal with them. The prayer is complex enough, even

convoluted enough, that we can forget that it is a prayer.

In some ways, in fact, it sounds more like a command-

ment — to be one; or more teaching — this time about

Jesus’ relationship with God; or even more promises —

that they will one day be where Jesus is going and share

his glory. But at heart it’s none of these things. It’s a

prayer. It’s the prayer of one person praying for others,

others whom he loves.

Jesus senses the disciples’ anxiety, confusion, and

fear, and so he prays for them. He knows they can bear

no more, and so he prays for them. He knows he will

soon leave them, and so he prays for them. And as he

does, and whether or not they understand everything he

says, he tells them that they do not have to do everything

or even understand everything. He tells them that he is

there to support him, that they are not alone, and that

they are valued and loved. It is a powerful moment.

Over the past two weeks, I have received numerous

emails from many of you, my colleagues and friends

with the message: I am praying for you. I never quite

know what someone means when they say those words.

But I can say that over the last days, I have been grateful

for prayers. More than anything, hearing those words

have given me a sense of comfort and of feeling loved. I

have not felt alone. I never thought I would say these

words, but in these difficult days following the tragic

death of one of our members I have felt the power of

prayer.

At the close of our time today, I asked the lection-

ary group what difference it might make in our lives if

we knew that someone in our church was praying for us

every day. Would we feel more deeply connected?

Would we feel more loved and less alone? It wasn’t a

question that called for an answer. It was just a thought.

I said recently in a prayer service that I don’t really

understand how prayer works. And as odd as that might

sound coming from a preacher, it is true. But I am con-

vinced that when we pray for one another it does make a

difference. One thing is certain: all pilgrims need nour-

ishment to sustain the journey.

An occasional oasis for the spirit is essential, a time

to feast on the refreshing waters, the rich food of the

spirit, in order to get strength to continue the pilgrimage

through darkness, star-shine or not.

Prayer, I am more and more confident, is a power-

ful gift we can give to one another and to our world. It is

one way that we can love and value each other and say

to another, “You are not alone.” I leave with you these

last two thoughts about prayer. The first is by Soren

Kierkegaard: “Prayer does not change God, but it

changes [the one]

who prays.” The

other by Mahatma

Gandhi: “Let every-

one try and find that

as a result of daily

prayer he/she adds

something new to

life, something with

which nothing can

be compared.

—Nancy

The One Who Prays

PullenNews: May 8, 2013

Pullen People Pages 2-3

Adult Education Pages 4-5

Pullen Youth Page 6

Pullen Children Page 7

Pullen Missions Pages 8-9

Pullen Partners Page 10

Pullen Views Page 11

Summer Calendar Page 12

5/8/13 2

Ins ide Pul len — Pu l l en Peop le

Deadlines for Newsletters and Bulletin Updates

Next deadline for PullenNews: Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Deadline for Sunday Update announcements: Every Tuesday by noon

Please submit your articles and announcements to David Anderson via mail, his office

box, or send as a Microsoft Word document attached to your email to

news@pullen.org. PullenNews articles should not exceed 500 words;

Update articles should not exceed 200 words.

Pullen Staff

David Anderson (x220)

Community Ministry Coordinator

danderson@pullen.org

Laura Foley (x217)

Minister with Youth & their Families

lfoley@pullen.org

Janice Hocutt (x211)

Organist

Sylvanda Judd

Custodian

Lisa Kazmierczak (x224)

Administrator

lkazmierczak@pullen.org

Nancy Petty (x215)

Pastor

npetty@pullen org

Larry Schultz (x219)

Minister of Music

lschultz@pullen.org

Libby Stephens (x212)

Minister with Children &

their Families

lstephens@pullen.org

Cathy Tamsberg (x214)

Associate Pastor

ctamsberg@pullen.org

____________

Church Office

919/828-0897

Church Fax

919/833-9364

Church Web Site

www.pullen.org

Twitter

@PullenChurch

Facebook

www.facebook.com/PullenChurch

Podcast

feeds.feedburner.com/PullenBC

Correction: Donating Stock to Pullen Memorial Baptist

The Finance Committee recently announced new procedures for making stock

gifts. In error, Charles Schwab was listed as the company selected to handle those

transactions. Morgan Stanley is the correct investment firm.

If you are considering giving stock to Pullen, the following steps that will help

you achieve your intent:

1. Notify the Finance/Administrative Specialist of your intent to donate stock

by mail or email to finance@pullen.org.

2. The notification should include the name of the stock(s), the number of

donated shares, and how you want your donation designated (General

Fund, pledge, Capital Campaign, etc.).

3. You or your broker will need to contact Morgan Stanley directly by call-

ing 919-877-2400. Contact the Finance/Administrative Specialist for the

church’s account information if needed.

4. Morgan Stanley will immediately sell your donated stock. They will notify

the Finance/Administrative Specialist once your stock is sold and issue a

check payable to the church.

5. Valuation will be up to the donor and the donor’s tax advisors. Pullen can-

not provide tax advice or a valuation for tax purposes.

—Finance Committee

Sandy Scurlock — Sandy was born in UNC Hospi-

tal March 12, 1965. He remained in Chapel Hill and

attended Chapel Hill High School. Sandy left North

Carolina and lived in New York City for a few years

before coming back to the Triangle. In recent years,

he has attended Wake Tech Community College.

Sandy had been attending Pullen for a while before

joining March 17.

Charlie Burgess — Charlie is from southeast

coastal Georgia: Brunswick and Saint Simons

Island. He went to school at the University of

North Florida, earned a Master of Business Ad-

ministration degree and graduated with hon-

ors. He moved to Raleigh six months ago, and

joined Pullen on March 17. He currently works

at a local restaurant in a management training

program. He enjoys gardening, working out and

playing the piano.

3

Ins ide Pul len — Pu l l en Peop le

5/8/13

Pullen People

We grieve with:

Jane Rhudy in the death of her grandmother. A memorial service was held May 4 in Charlotte.

Pam Wood in the death of her father. A memo-rial service was held May 5 in Cary.

We celebrate with:

The Hope Center at Pullen, which celebrated its work and ministry during the annual Rais-ing Hope Dinner May 5. We give thanks for the Hope Center’s clients, volunteers and staff.

Calling all Parents of Children and Youth

In order to garner feedback for use in program planning for

the fall, our education staff needs all parents of children and

youth at Pullen to join us in Finlator Hall for a conversation on

Sunday, May 19, following the worship service. Lunch will be

provided.

This gathering will be a very important discussion of the

scheduling of programs for children and youth, so the partici-

pation of all parents is needed. Please let Libby Stephens

(lstephens@pullen.org) or Laura Foley (lfoley@pullen.org)

know if you will attend so we can plan for the meal. We will

also offer childcare for children and activities for youth.

Whether your child or children participate in Sunday

school, Wednesday night activities, choirs, or special events,

we need you to tell us what will maximize participation in our

ministries with children and youth. Please plan to join us!

—Education Staff

Meet the Pullen Staff: David Anderson

David Anderson initially

joined the staff of Pullen

as the part-time Commu-

nity Ministry Coordinator

in 2011.

Following Gretchen

Stabler’s resignation in

2012, Pullen needed

someone to assume the

publication duties of her

job. Fortunately, David’s

prior experience in jour-

nalism was exactly what

Pullen needed. In 2013, David became a full-time Pullen

staff member with the addition of responsibility for Pullen

publications.

In addition to his Pullen staff responsibilities, David

has met all of the requirements for the Master of Divinity

degree from Campbell University and will graduate May 10.

David’s dual roles at Pullen are clearly identified in his

recently published goals for 2013:

Community Ministry

Community Ministry includes the back door bag

lunches, Wiley-Pullen Tutoring (an outreach to at-risk chil-

dren at Wiley Elementary School), Support Circles

(recruiting, training and facilitating small groups of

Pullenites to work with a family in poverty with a goal to

self-sufficiency), and keeping Pullen connected to the wider

community by creating opportunities for Pullen members to

gain personal experience in a variety of community pro-

grams and projects.

Publications: Print & Electronic

David’s print responsibilities include, publishing the

weekly worship guide and Sunday Update and the twice-a-

month PullenNews. Although Pullen has long had a web

site, David is charged with revising and making it more

navigable so that Pullenites find it easier to locate informa-

tion and for the public to see an attractive and inviting web

site with information about Pullen, it’s history and ministry

for social justice clearly visible and other information easily

accessible. David also is responsible for Pullen’s presence

and information on Facebook and Twitter, as well as keep-

ing the information on each current and relevant.

David’s 2013 goals for his Pullen responsibilities were

recently published in a special edition of the PullenNews,

dated March 25, 2013. Blessed is Pullen to have someone

on staff with the qualifications for the many and varied re-

sponsibilities David has in his dual roles.

David, wife Kristen and son Sam-

uel live in Benson. David com-

mutes to Raleigh and Kristen to

her school in Angier.

You can contact David at dander-

son@pullen.org or at 919-828-

0897x220.

—Jack Lemmons

Thank You From the Personnel Committee

A HUGE thank you to all the staff, volunteers and members

of the Pullen community who jumped in and did what

needed to be done to help with Jamie Hahn’s visitation and

memorial service and who have offered their support to all

who have been impacted by this tragedy. No one can be

adequately prepared to provide the love and care the Pullen

family is known for under the intense public scrutiny these

tragic events have generated. You handled it all with grace

and dignity and make us proud to be a part of this Pullen

community that loves kindness and walks humbly with God.

—Kathy Perkinson, Personnel Committee

Congratulations, David!

David Anderson, our Community Ministry Coordinator and Communications Specialist,

will receive a Master of Divinity degree from Campbell University School of Divinity on

Friday, May 10, at 7:00 PM in the D. Rich Auditorium. We congratulate David on reaching

this milestone and give thanks for his ministry among us.

For more information, contact David or Cathy Tamsberg at ctamsberg@pullen.org.

Pu l l en Programs: Adult Education

5/8/13 4

Spring Wednesday Night Series Wraps Up

We have a few Wednesday evenings left to gather in Finlator

Hall for good food, fellowship, and interesting programs. Din-

ner is served from 5:15 PM to 6:00 PM. The cost is $6 for

youth and adults, and $3 for children in kindergarten through

5th grade. The family maximum is $20. Reservations are not

required. The Children’s Choir rehearsal begins at 5:45 PM

for children in 2nd grade through 5th grade. Younger children

may participate in Music Discovery at 6:00 PM. The program

hour for adults is 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Youth begin their check-in

at 6:15 PM.

May 8 — Gay Marriage and the U.S. Supreme Court

As we await a decision on California’s Proposition 8 and the

Defense of Marriage Act, Maxine Eichner from the UNC Law

School will join us to talk about what we might expect from

the justices and the implications of their decision. Professor

Eichner’s teaching interests include sex equality, family law,

legal theory and torts. She writes on issues at the intersection

of law and political theory focusing particularly on family

relationships; social welfare law and policy; sex equality; and

the relationship of the family, the workplace, and market

forces.

May 15 — Children’s Choir Celebration

Celebrate the singers in Pullen’s Children's Choir as they

share music and experiences from their choir year and Raise a

Song festival. The program will be held in the Chapel and will

be followed with cookies and lemonade on the terrace.

May 22 — Abandoned Allies

On our final Wednesday evening of the school year, film di-

rector Camden Watts will join us as we view Abandoned Al-

lies, her documentary film about the Montagnards who served

as American allies during the Vietnam War. It explores the

history of these tribal people, how they supported the U.S.

Special Forces during the war, and what has happened since

then. Now, more than 40 years after the war ended, both

American and Montagnard soldiers open up about what took

place and how it will affect future generations.

Each of these programs offers us an opportunity to en-

rich our understanding and deepen our faith. We hope you

will join us!

—Wednesday Night Committee

Sabbath Sunday Gathering

May 26, on the Terrace

Second Wednesdays This Summer

This summer we will again gather once a month for dinner

and a program to help us stay connected while our regular

Wednesday activities take a break. This year it will be the

second Wednesday of June, July, and August. We’ll do dinner

together as usual at 5:15 and then the program will begin

about 6:15 PM (not 6:30!!). Our adult program schedule looks

like this:

June 12 — Protecting Our Oceans

ACID TEST: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification, a

film produced by the National Resources Defense Council and

narrated by Sigourney Weaver, will introduce our discussion

of the need to

protect our

oceans. Like

global warm-

ing, ocean

ac id i f icat ion

stems from the

increase of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere since the

start of the Industrial Revolution. Following this 22-minute

film, Dr. Dave DeMaster, Professor in the Department of Ma-

rine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at N.C. State University

will expand our knowledge of the impact of global climate

change on the oceans we North Carolinians love so much.

July 10 — Stop Hunger Now

Stop Hunger Now is an international

hunger relief organization located in

Raleigh that coordinates the distribu-

tion of food and other life-saving aid

around the world. Its Operation Share-

house program is a volunteer-based

effort through which participants

package high protein, dehydrated meals for use in crisis situa-

tions and which provides a highly nutritious meal to support

school feeding programs in schools and orphanages around the

world. On this Wednesday evening, the Operation Sharehouse

Mobile Unit will come to Pullen so that our children, youth,

and adults can pack meals in Finlator Hall. We will operate on

two shifts so more people can participate. More details will be

forthcoming.

August 14 — To Be Announced

Plan to join us for these informative Wednesday evenings to-

gether. Please remember that we do need dinner reservations

for summer Wednesdays by noon on the preceding Monday

(June 10, July 8, and August 12). More details about activities

for children and youth on these summer evenings will be

forthcoming.

—Wednesday Night Committee

In the Library: Pullen LGBT Commu-

nity Recognized by Two Authors Have you stopped by the Pullen Library lately? On the in-

side cover of Unfinished Lives, author Stephen V. Sprinkle

writes “To the Pullen LGBTQ Group: Blessings on your

work for justice.” Author Jimmy Creech writes in his book

Adam’s Gift, “For the Pullen LGBT Family & Friends:

Blessings Always!”

Copies of these two books will be donated to the

Pullen Library by the Pullen LGBT Committee.

—Brenda Rozar

5 5/8/13

Summer Reading Series at Pullen

On the Third Tuesdays this summer, we will gather again

for our book series. The three books chosen for our summer

reading touch on important aspects of our life together. Join

us in Poteat Chapel at 7:00 PM for great conversation and

reflection.

Journey to the Common Good

by Walter Brueggemann

Tuesday, June 18

Respected author and theologian Walter

Brueggemann turns his discerning eye to

the most critical yet basic needs of a world

adapting to a new era, an era defined in

large part by America's efforts to rebuild

from an age of terror even as it navigates

its way through an economic collapse. Yet

in spite of these great challenges, Brueggemann calls us to

journey together to the common good through neighborli-

ness, covenanting, and reconstruction as he distills this chal-

lenge to its most basic issues: where is the church going?

What is its role in contemporary society? What lessons does

it have to offer a world enmeshed in such turbulent times?

The answer is the same answer God gave to the Israelites

thousands of years ago: love your neighbor and work for the

common good. Brueggemann considers biblical texts as

examples of the journey now required of the faithful if they

wish to move from isolation and distrust to a practice of

neighborliness, as an invitation to a radical choice for life or

for death, and as a reliable script for overcoming contempo-

rary problems of loss and restoration in a failed urban econ-

omy.

The Language of Flowers

by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Tuesday, July 16

Our July selection will help us better un-

derstand why the Hope Center at Pullen

now serves youth coming out of our foster

care system. After a childhood spent in the

foster-care system, Victoria Jones is un-

able to get close to anybody, and her only

connection to the world is through flowers and their mean-

ings. Now 18 and emancipated from the system with no-

where to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping oth-

ers through the flowers she chooses for them. But an unex-

pected encounter with a mysterious stranger has her ques-

tioning what’s been missing in her life. And when she’s

forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must

decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second

chance at happiness.

Finding Sanctuary

by Abbot Christopher Jamison

Tuesday, August 20

In a book that grew out of a BBC TV series about life in a

monastery, Abbot Christopher Jamison suggests the teach-

ings of St. Benedict are a tool for everyday life. St. Benedict

wrote his Rule for monastic living 1,500 years ago when he

was abbot of Monte Cassino, the monastery

that sits atop an inspiring mountain to the East

of Rome. The name, “The Rule of St. Bene-

dict,” often misleads people into thinking that

Benedict wrote “a book of rules.” In fact, he

wrote insights for Christian living with practi-

cal suggestions for daily practice. The insights

still guide people today and many of the rules

have been adapted to local conditions as Bene-

dict requested. This book explains how St. Benedict’s wisdom

can be applied to busy modern lives, and how sanctuary,

peace, and insight can be achieved by people living inside and

outside of monasteries.

The Abbot’s voice is tuned especially for those who are

not sure what they believe, but are looking for ways to find

spiritual space and peace in the busy and often confusing mod-

ern world. This simple book contains profound wisdom for

busy American life.

—Cathy Tamsberg

Summer Sunday School Begins June 9 In the rapidly changing world we live in, it is easy to feel

overwhelmed. Struggles in our economy and politics, at-

tacks on public education and the environment, advances in

technology and health care – all of these stretch us as we try

to respond as people of faith.

This summer our topic for adult Sunday school is

“What’s Trending? Keeping Faith in a Complex World.”

Each week we will hear from a speaker who will update us

on current trends. We’ll consider economics/employment,

ecology, technology, education, health care, politics, and

religion. Then we’ll conclude by considering how trends in

these areas impact our faith and values.

During these weeks you can expect to hear our own

Mark Nance, assistant professor at NCSU, speak about po-

litical trends. Mike Amburn, product manager for the cus-

tomer portal at Red Hat, will update us on technological

trends. Pam Silberman, CEO at the Institute of Medicine,

will be here to talk about health care. Allen Freyer, policy

analyst at the Budget and Tax Center of the NC Justice Cen-

ter, will discuss economic and employment trends. Other

speakers are being added to the list with the full schedule

available soon.

If you’re new to Pullen, know that all of our adult Sun-

day school classes are combined for eight weeks in the sum-

mer as we explore a topic that crosses the interests of the

various Sunday school classes. The dates for this year’s

sessions are June 9, 16, 23, and 30, July 14, 21, and 28, and

August 4. We will skip July 7, the Sunday closest to the

July 4 holiday. The time is 9:45-10:45 AM with the adults

meeting in Finlator hall.

If you can attend the entire series, please do. But know

that each of these sessions will stand alone and provide

valuable information and discussion of critical topics in our

day. We hope you will put summer Sunday school on your

to-do list for June, July, and August. It’s a great time of

fellowship and learning for our Pullen family.

—Adult Education Committee

Pu l l en Programs: Adult Education

Pu l l en Programs: Youth Pu l l en Gather ings

5/8/13 6

Spring Yard Sale Postponed The Pullen Youth will not have a fund-

raising yard sale this spring. There will

be a large yard sale in 2014 to help raise

funds for the youth Cuba trip. Please

save any items you plan to donate until

that time.

—Laura Foley

Register Now for 2013

Youth Summer Events

Registration for Youth Summer events

runs through May 15. Registration

forms are available for download

online, or you may pick up a hard copy

outside Laura Foley’s office. Scholar-

ships are available!

In Our Own Backyard: For rising 7th,

8th, and 9th graders only, this two-

night, low-cost camp held at the church

provides work and education that allow

youth to help understand and meet the

needs of others in their own commu-

nity. In Our Own Backyard runs from

June 12 to 14 and cost $45.

Baptist Youth Camp: Held each year

over the week including July 4 at Camp

Laurel Ridge in the North Carolina

mountains, Baptist Youth Camp brings

youth together from several Alliance of

Baptists churches to experience rich

curriculum, create meaningful worship,

and form long-lasting friendships.

Camp runs from June 31 to July 5 and

cost $350. A $50 deposit is due May 15

and the balance is due June 16.

Hazard, Kentucky: This intergenera-

tional summer trip exposes youth to

poverty in Appalachia as they repair

homes of local residents through The

Housing Development Alliance — a

nonprofit agency based in Hazard, Ken-

tucky. They also get to know Pullen

adults and form lasting friendships with

individuals they might never encounter

otherwise. The trip runs from July 21 to

27 and cost $325.

—Laura Foley

LGBT and Straight Allies Support Group

Monday, May 20

7:00 PM — Poteat Chapel

Pullen Moms at Humble Pie

The next gathering of the Pullen

Moms Group is on Tuesday, May 14

at 6:30 PM, for dinner at Humble Pie.

The restaurant is located at 317 S.

Harrington Street in Raleigh. All

moms are invited. Please bring a con-

tribution for the Moore Square Christ-

mas fund. For more information, call

me at 919-360-0975.

—Rita Rakestraw

Some Freestyle Prose: 2012 Pullen Outdoor Weekend Memories Deborah Brogden entertaining the children by making animals out of balloons, the

kids playing with legos in the tent with their friends, checkers under the trees, golf cart

rides around the campsite, canoeing on the NEW River, roasting s’mores at the camp-

fire, making new friends.

—Rita Rakestraw

New Group Supports Families Coping with Mental Illness

If social justice is at the forefront of our

minds, the issue of mental illness is not.

Jesus is said to have cast out demons,

but how can we deal now with the prob-

lems and suffering created by a myriad

of mental illnesses: depression, anxiety,

personality disorder, bipolar disorder,

and addictions? I have suffered several

of these mental illnesses and have

longed for support from kindred spirits.

Yet mental illness continues to be a

secret problem, and members of the

church who are being treated for mental

illness or who have family members

with mental illness may feel similarly

alienated from so-called “normal” peo-

ple.

With Nancy Petty’s blessing and

presence, I would like to form a group

that meets regularly at Pullen. I am

not ashamed of having persistent

and daunting struggles with depression,

anxiety, addiction, and bipolar disorder

— but I certainly feel lonely and often

afraid. If you have any interest in join-

ing such a group and are ready to “come

out” emotionally, please let Nancy

k n o w b y e m a i l i n g h e r a t

npetty@pullen.org.

—Suzanne Britt

Youth Sunday May 12, 11:00 AM

Join us as the youth group leads

us in worship and in celebrating

our graduating

high school seniors.

“Harlots, Heroes, and Hallucinations:

Investigating the Bible”

Think of it as Bible 101 designed for

Pullen youth taught by the dynamic

and hilarious Brian Crisp with occa-

sional semi-helpful interjections by

your trusty youth minister. Vickie

Leigh and Nora Petty have graciously

allowed us to hold this gathering at

their home.

Sunday evenings, 6:30-8:00pm

June 16

June 23

July 7

July 14

July 28

August 4

Brian D. Crisp has a passion for litera-

ture that has infiltrated his studies and

work. Combining his studies in educa-

tion and literature with seminary stud-

ies, his career has focused on the trans-

formative nature of story.

—Laura Foley

Readers Wade into Amazon

Pullen Readers will meet Friday, May

10 at 2:00 PM in Room 203. We will

discuss Candice Millard’s River of

Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest

Journey. Ill-prepared for the horrors

they will encounter, Roosevelt and his

son explore a previously unmapped

tributary of the Amazon River.

—Marilyn Brandt

7 5/8/13

Pullen Programs: Children and Their Families

Children’s Summer

Programs & Schedule Although June 21 is the official

beginning of summer, summertime

has already arrived in the chil-

dren’s programs at Pullen.

Sunday school is taking a short break as we get ready

for Summer Sunday school. There will be no Sunday school

on May 26 or June 2. Sunday school will resume on June 9

at 9:45 AM and will continue through August 4, skipping

July 7. During Summer Sunday school, childcare will also

be available for the three, four and five year olds in Room

120 and for nursery, toddlers and two year olds in Room

117. The kindergarten through fifth grade (e.g. rising first

graders through rising sixth graders) will meet together in

Room 125 for lessons and activities focused on caring for

all of Creation.

Worship hour childcare will be provided each Sunday

for the infant through 5-year-old classes. Infants and pre-

schoolers will remain in their Sunday school classrooms.

Kindergarten through fifth grade children must be picked up

after Sunday school to attend worship with their families.

Children’s Worship is on hiatus until September.

Wednesday night dinner and programs are scheduled

for the second Wednesday of each month — not weekly.

We will gather on June 12, July 10 and August 14. Child-

care will be provided for children, infant through fifth grade

(July 11 will be an intergenerational mission project that

older children are encouraged to participate in). Music and

Micah Kids programs will resume in September. See article

in this newsletter for more information about Second

Wednesday programs.

Please note: At Pullen, we follow a traditional school

calendar. Children meet with the same age group/grade for

the entire program year (September to September). Place-

ment is based on their age or grade as of September 1. All

children will “graduate” to their new age groups/classes this

fall on Sunday, September 15.

—Libby Stephens

Vacation Bible School Registration Begins

All Pullen children, three-year-olds through rising sixth

graders, are invited to join us for Vacation Bible School.

Our theme is Clean Water for All God’s Children. Each

day, we will look at a Bible Story that tells of God’s use of

water, some examples include:

The Creation – the goodness of water

The Healing of Naaman – water for healing

The Baptism of Jesus – water as a sign of grace

The Woman at the Well – water for physical needs

Each Bible story will be paired with a variety of activi-

ties designed to help the kids find relevance in the message

within their own lives and the lives of children around the

world.

Here are a few details you need to know:

1. VBS will be held in the evenings, June 17 – 20 (we are

starting on Monday and ending on Thursday this year).

2. Dinner will be provided each night, beginning at 5:30

pm. You are welcome to join your child for dinner or to

drop them off. During this opening time we will review

the evening’s lesson and schedule, and volunteers will

lead us in some singing as we transition into our program.

3. The actual program begins at 6:00 PM. Your child will be

ready for pickup at 7:45 pm. Please be on time, as our

schedule is tight.

4. Children will be grouped by age, and a shepherd will be

with them at all times, in addition to the workshop leader.

5. This year we are able to offer VBS at no charge, however

if you would like to make a donation it is always appreci-

ated. You will need to make reservations to secure a spot

for your child. Reservation forms are due by June 1,

2013.

6. On the reservation form, you may also sign up to help if

you are able.

The goal of Pullen’s Vacation Bible School is to build

community along our children and to learn more about our

relationships with each other and with God. We feel certain

that it will be a meaningful time for us all. Registration

Forms are available outside of Libby’s office across from

the church office on the second floor or online at:

http://www.pullen.org/page/vacation-bible-school

—Robin Gault-Winton

Volunteers Needed for Vacation Bible School Nearly 5 million people die every year from preventable

water-related diseases. And most of them are children! What

better way for our healthy children to begin to do mission

than to participate in a Vacation Bible School that looks

toward the goal of Clean Water for All God’s Children. Our

VBS program is designed to help children experience God’s

love while exploring scriptures that refer particularly to

God’s use of water as an agent of creation, helping, blessing

and health. It will also give them an idea of the world water

situation (which is in crisis!) and suggestions about way

they may help.

If you would be interested in exploring this topic with

the children, then you should volunteer with Pullen’s Vaca-

tion Bible School, June 17-20, 6:00-7:45PM. Volunteers can

commit to one evening, every evening or even help prepare

our space ahead of time. See the box to the right for details.

Ways you can help with Vacation Bible School: Teach a lesson

Shepherd the children from one activity to another

(you don’t have to prepare a lesson)

Help with set-up and clean-up of activities

Assist with dinner prep and clean-up

Make posters and artwork to decorate our space

Staff the registration table

Pick one of the opportunities from the list above and

contact me at lstephens@pullen.org or 828-0897x212. Please

join me in making Pullen’s VBS an amazing experience for

our children.

—Libby Stephens

Georgia on your Mind? Why Not Take a Trip!

A fter more than a decade of our

relationship with Archbishop Malkhaz

Songulashvili and the congregation of Peace

Cathedral in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, we

are finally ready to send a Pullen group over

for a visit. Details will be forthcoming later

this year, but plans are underway for a trip in 2014.

What we know now is that the Pullen group would travel

to Georgia to celebrate Pentecost with our friends. The tenta-

tive dates of this pilgrimage are May 30 to June 9, 2014. Pen-

tecost in 2014 is Sunday, June 8. The cost of the trip will be

roughly $2,500. Malkhaz will likely include some kind of hik-

ing “pilgrimage” in the week’s adventures, along with wor-

ship, meeting members of the Peace Cathedral community,

learning about the history of this former Soviet Republic, and

interaction with Muslim neighbors who share minority status

in a predominantly Orthodox Christian country.

If you have interest in making this trip with a Pullen

group, please let me know in the next several weeks. We do

not need a firm commitment at this point, but it would be

helpful to know who would like to join us for this adventure.

You can email me at ctamsberg@pullen.org.

—Cathy Tamsberg

Three Ways to Help Nicaraguan Partners:

Give to Baby Layette Project

So far, we have everything needed for 50

baby layettes to send to Nicaragua in late Au-

gust except for 100 pre-folded cloth diapers

and 124 diaper pins. These items can be pur-

chased at Wal-Mart (about $13.34 for a 10-pack of diapers

and $1 for a set of 4 diaper pins). Contributors can purchase

the items and then call or email Julia Williams at 919-604-

7906 or juliaw@nc.rr.com. Donations of money to help

Julia purchase the items will also be accepted.

Help Stitchers Sew Eye Glass Cases

In January Deb Norton, Jonathan Sledge and Jock Gault

went to Kentucky to learn to use eye-measuring equipment

so they can determine a person’s eye prescription. They will

be taking an inventory of eyeglasses with them to Nicaragua

and would like eyeglass cases to give to people along with

the eyeglasses. We have instructions for sewing cases using

fleece fabric and instructions for knitting, crocheting and

quilting eyeglass cases. Contact Julia Williams if you would

like instructions for helping with this project.

Travel South with Summer Team

There is still room for more Nicaragua pilgrims. If you

would like to help distribute glasses and share love with our

friends at AMOS Health & Hope, consider traveling to

Nicaragua with other Pullenites from August 30 to Septem-

ber 8. For more information, please contact Deb Norton at

doctordebnorton@earthlink.net or Jonathan Sledge at jona-

thansledge@earthlink.net.

—Julia Williams & Deb Norton

Pullen Outdoor Weekend: May 24—27 Take a three-and-a-half hour drive west and pull off North

Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway to join adventurous Pullenites

for the Pullen Outdoor Weekend. There will be multigenera-

tional activities including environmental education and sci-

ence programs for children, with more or less

strenuous activities available for everyone else.

You can canoe, bike, hike, meditate, write, join

campfire storytelling, walk where the wild

things are or go to cultural activities. You can

camp, stay in cabins, or sleep in a motel. You can cook out,

eat out, or roast your meals over an open fire.

Where to Stay Camping: Raccoon Holler, in Glen-

dale Springs, NC has campsites with wa-

ter and electrical hook up (fresh coffee each

morning at the campsite). Hot showers and bathrooms are very

convenient. If you’re a novice camper or always wanted to try,

we have certified tent raising mentors. REI and local universi-

ties have camping equipment rentals. Check with your Pullen

friends, many have equipment they can loan. Clothing should

be layered, with a water-proof outer layer just in case.

Cabins: Several cabin opportunities in and near Glen-

dale Springs can be found on Google. Search for “Cabins,

Glendale Springs, NC.” West Jefferson, NC is only 25 min-

utes away. There are also motels within 25 minutes.

Fine Dinning: Eating around a campfire

is as fine as it gets. However, there are family

style and ala carte restaurants in Glendale

Springs and West Jefferson. The campsite has

a small store for what you forgot.

What to Do Canoeing: Paddle on the New River. The trip is approxi-

mately three hours with a few class one rapids

(children get a rush, but the water is only two-

feet deep). Saturday at 9:30 AM, we’ll take a

bus ride upstream and then float, paddle, or race

your way back to your car. Ample time is provided for wa-

ter splashing, photography and scientific sampling.

Mountain Biking: The Virginia Creeper is

a downhill ride mostly canopied and over some

trestles ending up in Damascus, Va. Another

option is in Galax, Va along the New River. The

trail goes through a railroad tunnel and crosses

the New River on a long trestle. Plan to pay an

outfitter $12 for the shuttle. Bike rentals are available.

Hiking, Fishing and Local Culture: There are numer-

ous hiking trails off the Blue Ridge Parkway, West Jefferson

has a farmers market with local food, produce and mountain

crafts. Fly fishing along the South Fork of the New River is

an option. Saturday night, many people go to the local Jambo-

ree for clogging and traditional mountain music.

To make suggestions or for further information contact

Bill Brooks or Sharon Ambrose at Bill.brooks@earthlink.net

or 919-469-1197.

—Bill Brooks

Pu l l en Around the W or ld

5/8/13 8

Pu l l en Programs

Join Pullen at CPO Food Pantry on June 29

Concerned about hungry families in our community? Want to

help? Join other Pullenites for a day of service at the largest

food pantry in eastern North Carolina.

Volunteers are needed to organize donations, pack gro-

cery bags and assist clients at Catholic Parish Outreach on

Saturday, June 29. Approximately 9,800 individuals are

served by CPO each month. The food pantry is located at 2013

North Raleigh Boulevard. Orientation begins promptly at 9:30

AM. Clients are served from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. After we

help staff clean up a bit, the crew from Pullen will grab lunch

at a nearby restaurant to debrief and fellowship together.

To sign up for this project add your name to the registra-

tion sheet by the elevator or contact David Anderson directly

at danderson@pullen.org or 919-828-0897. Volunteers must

be at least 9 years old. A variety of tasks are available in the

food warehouse, client delivery line, and clothing closet. Peo-

ple of all abilities and experience levels are welcome to attend.

—Mission and Outreach Council

9 5/8/13

Pullen in the World: Missions and Outreach

Wiley Tutoring Field Trip to Hemlock Bluffs

Students participating

in the Wiley-Pullen

Tutoring Ministry,

along, along with

tutors and parents,

spent a crisp Saturday

morning in early

Spring at the Hem-

lock Bluffs Nature

Preserve in Cary.

“Kids have less hands-on contact with nature now, espe-

cially knowledge of local species and ecology,” said Deb Nor-

ton, who guided the group through the park. “Many know

more about rain forests in Brazil than about Piedmont forest or

meadow ecology, plants, and

birds. Some know so little about na-

ture that they are said to suffer from

nature-deficit disorder.”

Students were given an introduction

to identifying bird and frog species

by the sounds they make, as well as

characteristics of several native plant

species to be on the lookout for. Dur-

ing a rigorous hike through the na-

ture preserve, children enjoyed spot-

ting some of the wildlife they had

studied earlier.

“Time in nature can restore kids’

ability to pay attention, especially kids with attention deficit

disorder,” Deb told tutors before the outing. “One study

showed that at-risk elementary students who participated in

three outdoor science school sessions did significantly better

in school, both academically and behaviorally. Other stud-

ies showed improved recovery after mental fatigue or from the

wear and tear of

life when people

were given time

in a nature pre-

serve or back-

packing. Expos-

ing kids to the

abundance of

nature and en-

couraging them

to be fascinated

by it is cheap, fun, and good for mind and body!”

The tutoring year is quickly coming to a close, but if you

are interested in working with students through this ministry

— either as a one-on-one mentor, or by planning and chaper-

oning an enrichment activity —

contact David Anderson at

danderson@pullen.org or in the

church office.

—David Anderson

Don’t Forget to Bring Your Food Donations

Please consider bringing non-perishable

food items to Pullen to support families

struggling with poverty in our commu-

nity. Donations may be placed in the gro-

cery cart located in the hallway adjacent

to Finlator Hall. Once the cart is full, gro-

ceries will be delivered to the food pantry

at Urban Ministries, which serves low-

income families and individuals through-

out Wake County. If each member of the

Pullen family drops off a single item of food on the way to

worship, the cart could be filled every Sunday.

Items needed include: peanut butter and jelly; canned

meats such as tuna, chicken, ravioli, and spaghetti; canned

fruits and vegetables; boxed milk; pasta and rice; breakfast

cereal; dried beans; juice boxes; and canned soups.

—Pullen Mission Women

The Hope Center at Pullen Pu l l en Partners

5/8/13 10

American Baptists Applaud Moves

Toward Immigration Reform

Leaders of the American Baptist Churches

USA who serve in ministry to immigrants

and refugees welcomed a bipartisan frame-

work unveiled by eight senators who are being

called the “gang of eight” for their public effort to

get the ball rolling on legislation to rewrite the na-

tion's immigration laws.

The Senate framework would provide a path to citizen-

ship for the estimated 11 million immigrants already in the

country illegally, secure the border, simplify legal immigra-

tion and cut down on the hiring of immigrants lacking a

green card. President Obama welcomed the Senate initia-

tive to take up the thorny issues.

Praise for the senators from the ABCUSA is not sur-

prising because American Baptists have been at the fore-

front of welcoming immigrants into our country and into

our churches. Praise for the senators' bipartisan step was

also voiced by Aundreia Alexander, national coordinator for

American Baptists ' immigration and refugee ser-

vices. Alexander serves on the steering committee of the

Interfaith Immigration Coalition, a collection of 38 Chris-

tian, Jewish, Muslim and humanitarian organizations calling

for humane immigration reform. This text is excerpted from an article written by Bob Allen of Asso-

ciated Baptist Press. The full article appeared on page 19 of the

March 6, 2013 edition of The Christian Century, which is available

in the church library.

—This article was shared by Carl Almblad on behalf

of the ABC-USA Mission Group.

Diane Daily | Executive Director

ddaily@hopecenteratpullen.org

Pat Hielscher | Office Manager

phielscher@hopecenteratpullen.org

Phone | 919-322-2751

Web | www.hopecenteratpullen.org

Help Tell Our Story – Share Our Video

The Hope Center has developed a three minute video about

our foster youth program that we need to get out to people all

over the country. The video is designed to help people learn

about The Hope Center and raise money toward our $25,000

matching grant from The Stewards Fund. Please take a few

minutes to send this link to your family and friends. Share the

video on Facebook and Twitter. Send emails and ask folks to

pass the link on to their friends. The success of the fundraising

video happens when many, many people see the video and

make contributions large and small. All donations are made

directly online. Together small efforts can generate wonderful

results.

Here is the link:

http://www.razoo.com/story/The-Stewards-Fund-Challenge

Please make a personal commitment to pass this link on

to five friends.

Foster Youth Need Tutors for Summer

The Hope Center at Pullen is looking for volunteer tutors to

work with our foster youth over the summer. During the

school year, NC State University students have been volun-

teering their time for our kids, but most of them are headed

home for the summer. In order to help our foster youth get

prepared for the next school year, we need tutors in all subject

areas, for 7th Grade through high school. If you are interested

and available at least one hour per week, we would love to

hear from you!

Foster Youth Mentors Needed

The Hope Center at Pullen is also looking for individuals to

serve as mentors to our foster youth. A mentor works one-on-

one with a young person and commits a minimum of one year

(1-3 hours per week) to be this youth’s ally and life guide.

This mentoring component has proved deeply meaningful to

our foster youth thus far and has impacted the lives of our

youth in powerful ways. If you would like to learn more about

becoming a mentor, please reach out and let us know!

Raising Hope Dinner Great Success

Our dinner and silent auction raised a little over $54,000. We

are grateful for all the donors and dinner sponsors, the gener-

osity of those who donated auction items, the chef and kitchen

assistants, servers and other volunteers who made the auction

and printed materials happen! This was a total team effort and

everyone’s support made it happen.

—Pat Hielscher

Tour D’Coop Helps Urban Ministries

The Tour D'Coop is a one-day garden tour in Raleigh, North

Carolina, that seeks to educate visitors about keeping hens

and delight them with garden ideas and inspiration. Open to

adults and children, the tour showcases various hen houses

and breeds. Coop owners are on hand at each location to

discuss the how-tos of chicken keeping and there are oppor-

tunities for photographing and getting to know the chickens.

The wide variety of coop styles as well as the surrounding

back yard gardens make the tour interesting for the whole

family.

This unique "Parade of Combs" features hens and

coops tucked into the gardens of your friends and neighbors.

All tour proceeds benefit Urban Ministries of Raleigh. The

2013 tour will be held on Saturday, May 18 from 10 AM to

4 PM, rain or shine. Tour Tickets are available at the online

at http://www.tourdcoop.com/ or at area Whole Foods.

—Pullen Member M’Liss Koopman is the chairperson for

this year’s Tour D'Coop, which benefits Urban Ministries of

Wake County and promote environmental stewardship, hu-

mane animal care and local food.

Next LGBT Fellowship Lunch is Sunday May 12

The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender) Fellowship invites visitors and

new Pullen members to join us for lunch after worship on Sunday, May 12 at David’s

Dumplings, which is located directly across Hillsborough Street from the church.

—Jan Hibbetts

Pullen Views

11 5/8/13

The annual conference of the Baptist

Peace Fellowship of North America

(a.k.a. Peace Camp) is coming soon,

and this year we’ll be entertaining

angels (or at least trying) — and YOU

can help!

The word hospitality often

brings to mind images of domestic

tidiness but the gospel calls us to be

radical in our welcome: to welcome

the least of these as we would Christ;

to seek the outcasts, the marginalized,

the disempowered, the overlooked,

the other; and to create community

together.

This year at the BPFNA summer

conference you can look forward to

exciting speakers and dynamic work-

shops that explore topics of hospital-

ity, inclusion, and justice. We are

looking forward to sharing spirit-

filled worship with hundreds of

peacemakers as we look for ways to

grow and to support and encourage

each other. Participants of all ages

will have opportunities for learning

and for playing in community. We

hope you will join us!

Plan to come yourself and/or to

encourage members of your congre-

gation to attend!

If you are planning to at-

tend, please take the time today to

register. You do not need to pay now

in order to register now. Here’s the

link: http://www.bpfna.org/gather/sc-

registration.

Ways to Make Peace Camp More

Affordable:

As a BPFNA Partner, Pullen

receives two vouchers to cover the

registration fee for first-time atten-

dees.

Be Heard: Last Chance for Re-

districting Reform This Decade

Last November, the statewide vote for

members of the General Assembly

was roughly 1/1 Republican/

Democrat. But because of gerryman-

dering, the seats won in Senate and

the House were roughly 2/1 Republi-

can/Democrat. Because of this dispro-

portionate representation, the General

Assembly doesn’t really represent the

voters in North Carolina.

Help is on the way. House Bill

606 An Act to Establish a Nonparti-

san Redistricting Process was intro-

duced in the General Assembly a few

weeks ago. It has 61 cosponsors – a

majority of the House members. The

bill is now working it way thru com-

mittees.

Catch 22 is that the General As-

sembly has a rule that if a bill is not

voted on in either the Senate or the

House by the “crossover” deadline

(May16th this session), the bill is

dead for the rest of this session and

also for the 2014 session. So if

HB606 is not voted on in the House

by May 16, the reform community

will have to start all over again in

2015 to try to get a new bill intro-

duced and voted on. By 2015, some

of the freshman legislators will be

anticipating running after the next

redistricting process (after 2020 Cen-

sus) and may favor keeping the cur-

rent partisan redistricting process. So

in reality, if the bill doesn't pass by

the 16th, then 2020 may be the next

time we could try again for a nonpar-

tisan redistricting process.

Your help is needed ASAP to

help get this bill passed. Please call

the office of Speaker of the House

Thom Tillis at 919-733-3451 and ask

that he bring House Bill 606 up for a

vote before the May 16 deadline.

You'll be glad you did!

—Larry King

Larry King is the chair of

Common Cause NC

This year a donor is providing the

option of free registration and half-price

meals and room for people of color (self

-defined, but including people identify-

ing their racial/ethnic identity as Black,

Asian & Pacific Islander, Native Ameri-

can,

Latina/o).

This offer

is good

for the

first 100

attendees

who re-

quest it so

please

register as

early as

you can if

you’d like

to choose

this op-

tion. Interpreting will be provided for

Spanish-speaking participants.

Know a Young Adult Who Is

Passionate About Justice?

If you know a young adult (18-29)

interested in peace and justice issues,

invite her/him to apply for a young

adult companion program scholarship

and travel stipend. Visit http://

www.bpfna.org/companioning-app for

more details. The application is due

May 15.

If you know someone who needs a

scholarship help to attend, but isn’t eli-

gible for the funds above, urge him/her

to contact the Baptist Peace Fellowship

for an application for the general schol-

arship fund. The general scholarship

application is due by May 30.

And did I mention registering

yourself? It is a great week, and we’d be

delighted to have you there!

—Jonathan Sledge serves on the board

of the Baptist Peace Fellowship

Scholarships Available for Baptist Peace Fellowship

Camp, Mentorships Offered for Young Peace Makers

Pu l l en Partners

Entertaining Angels:

Peacemaking through

Radical Hospitality

July 15-20, 2013

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington,

USA

Do not neglect to show hos-

pitality to strangers, for

thereby some have enter-

tained angels unawares.

—Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)

Pullen Memorial Baptist Church

1801 Hillsborough Street

Raleigh, North Carolina 27605

(919)828-0897 ▪ Fax: 919-833-9364

www.pullen.org

Pu l l en Memor ia l Bapt ist Chu rch — Summer Calendar of E ven ts

Last Spring Sunday School…………………….. May 19

Last Spring Wednesday Night………………….. May 22

Pullen Outdoor Weekend (POW)………………. May 24-26

Summer Chancel Choir Rehearsal………………May 29

Youth Day Trip to Wilmington………………….June 1

Summer Sunday School………………………... June 9-August 4 (except July 7)

Youth Summer Bible Study……………………. June 9, 16, 23; July 7, 14, 28; August 4

Second Wednesday: Protecting our Oceans……. June 12

In Our Own Back Yard………………………….June 12-14

Vacation Bible School………………………….. June 17-20

Third Tuesday Summer Book Readings……….. June 18

Food Pantry Workday………………………….. June 29

Baptist Youth Camp……………………………. June 30-July5

Second Wednesday: Stop Hunger Now…………July 10

Sister Simone Campbell preaching……………...July 14

Third Tuesday Summer Book Readings………...July 16

Hazard Kentucky Mission Trip………………….July 21-27

Orestes Roca preaching………………………… July 28

Family Day at Lake Kerr……………………….. August 3

Summer Chancel Choir Rehearsal………………August 7

Second Wednesday Program & Dinner………… August 14

Third Tuesday Summer Book Readings………...August 20

Nicaragua Trip………………………………….. August 30-September 10

Habitat for Humanity Project……………………September 14

Connect with Pullen on the Web

Follow Pullen on Twitter, like us on Face-

book, and subscribe to our podcast in iTunes

or your favorite RSS reader.

Connect with Pullen on the web to stay

up to date on everything happening in our

community, and let your friends know how

excited you are to be a part of Pullen’s min-

istry.

@PullenChurch

www.facebook.com/PullenChurch

feeds.feedburner.com/PullenBC