Watts Street Baptist Church

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Durham, NC
Watts Street Baptist Church

Progressive, inclusive, ecumenical, welcoming & affirming congregation in Durham, NC "What does the Lord require of you?

But to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8.Watts Street Baptist Church is firmly committed to being a mission-oriented congregation, grounding that mission in vital worship, Christian education, and caring community.From its founding in 1923, Watts Street has been a different kind of Baptist church. Ecumenical in outlook, the church is affiliated with American Bapti

st Churches Rochester Genesee Region, the Alliance of Baptists, and the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists."Every member a minister" is more than a slogan here, for each member takes seriously the call to be involved in ministry. These ministries are rooted in a nurturing community, where one's gifts are called forth and affirmed. Long committed to quality Christian education, Watts Street provides Sunday school classes for all ages. Weekly Wednesday night ministry includes supper followed by children's choir, adult study electives, and Chancel Choir. The youth group now includes a growing number of middle and senior highs.In the vigorous life of this faith community, we seek to be a covenant community, alert to God's Spirit, as we find creative ways to continue the ministry of Jesus.

09/06/2026

WATTS ON WEDNESDAY! Join us Wednesday, September 9 for supper at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall followed by a program in the Chapel. Menu: Taco Bar. Black Beans, Mexican Slaw and all the fixings; dessert is Ice Cream Sundae Bar.

After supper we’ll participate in a program with Dorisanne focusing on the writings of Wendell Berry, farmer, theologian, writer, and much more, who died this week at age 92. You’re invited to bring a favorite passage or poem of Berry’s to share with the group. Come whether you’re a long-time follower or new to his writing. It will be worth the nourishment to your soul.

Mark your calendar for additional Watts on Wednesdays the second and fourth Wednesdays each month. Cost for supper is $10 for adults and youth; $3 for children ages 12 and under. Sign up on REALM or contact the church office for reservations. Contact Esther at [email protected] for childcare.

09/05/2026

Link for LIVESTREAM Worship Service
Sunday, September 6, 2026
11 am in the WSBC Sanctuary
Livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/user113739534

The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture: Romans 13: 8-14
Sermon: “Love as Law” – Dorisanne Cooper
Offertory: Living for Jesus (Stephen Foster/arr. Mike Killam) – Mike Killam, piano; Anne Claire Broughton, violin; John Lehman, vocals
Communion Service

If you’re worshipping with us online, we invite you to gather these items near your computer: the worship bulletin, a Bible, bread and cup for Communion, and a candle to light at the beginning of the service.

Wherever you are or whatever time you are watching the service, we gladly say, Thank God you are here!

Artwork: "And the Table Will Be Wide", © Jan Richardson. janrichardson.com

09/04/2026

LET GAZA LIVE/NO TO WAR! This week, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continued and the number of Palestinians who have been killed since the “ceasefire” last October is now over 1,300 people. In addition, a health crisis looms in Gaza as the rainy season approaches. Meanwhile, the United Nations reports that food aid for the West Bank and Gaza has been cut in half because the United States has led a sharp cut in Western donations. Author Omar El Akkad writes, "One day, when it's safe, when there's no personal downside to calling a thing what it is, when it's too late to hold anyone accountable, everyone will have always been against this." He adds, “The moral component of history, the most necessary component, is simply a single question, asked over and over again: When it mattered, who sided with justice and who sided with power? What makes moments such as this one so dangerous, so clarifying, is that one way or another everyone is forced to answer.”

The WSBC Voices for Love in Action mission group encourages you to keep praying, to vote for elected officials who are committed to building the culture of peace, and to call on our elected officials (Representative Foushee and Senators Tillis and Budd) to completely halt the war on Iran and Lebanon, to support delivery of urgently needed aid to Gaza, and to prevent future weapon sales to Israel while it commits genocide in Gaza and oppression in the West Bank. Another helpful way to respond is to donate to MECA, the Middle East Children’s Alliance, which provides emergency assistance to families in Gaza.

Photo by Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

09/03/2026

This fabulous group had a grand time today visiting the National Teapot Show at the Cedar Creek Gallery in Creedmoor followed by lunch at Byrd's BBQ! Thank you to the WSBC Senior Adult Coordinating Council for coordinating!

09/01/2026

Join us for Catawba Trail Farm’s 10th Anniversary Celebration! Saturday, September 12 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (2080 Sawmill Creek Pkwy) Enjoy a day of fun with our beloved ministry partners with activities, food, live music, and community. If you’ve been wanting to learn more about Catawba Trail Farm and UCAN (Urban Community AgriNomics), this is a great opportunity to visit the farm and enjoy a guided tour. If you have questions, contact Barb Rumer at [email protected].

08/30/2026

“Make a Joyful Noise!” WSBC Chancel Choir regular rehearsals resume Wednesday, September 2 at 7:15 p.m. in the Choir Room (Room 202). If you’ve been singing with choirs for a lifetime or wanting to try something new, ALL are invited. Can’t be there EVERY week? That’s okay too! We’ll also be sharing some short-term singing opportunities soon. Message our new Director of Music Ministries, Cyril Jolly ([email protected]) for more information or with any questions.

08/29/2026

Link for LIVESTREAM Worship Service
Sunday, August 30, 2026
11 am in the WSBC Sanctuary
Livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/user113739534

The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture: Romans 12:9-21
Sermon: “The Art of Onward: Community” – Dorisanne Cooper
Offertory: “Stand by Me” (Charles Albert Tindley), Middles Sunday School Class
Presentation of Bibles to First Graders

If you’re worshipping with us online, we invite you to gather these items near your computer: the worship bulletin, a Bible, and a candle to light at the beginning of the service.

Wherever you are or whatever time you are watching the service, we gladly say, Thank God you are here!

graphic by Amelia Dana, from MaryAnn McKibben Dana’s newsletter, the blue room

08/28/2026

Last Call for August Mission Baskets! Our August Mission Baskets support Glenn Elementary School. The school social worker has requested $25 or $50 gift cards (Wal-Mart, Food Lion, Uber, or gas cards), gloves (large and small), children’s coats, and jogger pants (sizes 5-14). Donations can be dropped off in the Mission Baskets outside the church library by August 30. Thank you for your support!

08/22/2026

Link for LIVESTREAM Worship Service
Sunday, August 23, 2026
11 am in the WSBC Sanctuary
Livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/user113739534

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture: Exodus 1:8–2:10
Sermon: “The End and a Beginning” – Rev. Dr. Don Flowers
Offertory: “One More Time” with “Pass It On” (Carl Strommen/Kurt Kaiser) – The New Class Singers
Presentation of Student Bibles to Sixth Graders

Our guest preacher on Sunday is the Rev. Dr. Don Flowers. Recently retired, Don served churches for over 40 years in South Carolina, Nova Scotia, and North Carolina. Don blogs about his experience of ministering at www.preachingontheborder.com and on Substack.

If you’re worshipping with us online, we invite you to gather these items near your computer: the worship bulletin, a Bible, and a candle to light at the beginning of the service.

Wherever you are or whatever time you are watching the service, we gladly say, Thank God you are here!

08/21/2026

Shop Bull City Fair Trade! This amazing non-profit store, which started at Watts Street in 1991 and now supports artisans from 44 countries, could use our help! A number of challenges (pandemic, rising rent prices, construction on Ninth Street, inflation, tariffs, etc.) have put stress on Bull City Fair Trade but our beloved store at 811 Ninth Street is still hanging on! We’ll offer a Watts Street Discount Shopping Day in December but we encourage you to go by anytime and pick up some fair trade coffee and gifts that support a great cause!

Address

800 Watts Street
Durham, NC
27701

Website

http://www.wattsstreet.org/

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