Several of our partners have events coming up, starting tomorrow, that you don’t want to miss!

At DurhamCares, we’re all about connecting you to opportunities to get involved with organizations doing great work in our city, both by giving our time and by giving money. Over the next two months, several of our partners have big events coming up - check them out below. Then find a friend and get involved!

Urban Ministries Durham Empty Bowls

Thursday, March 8 from 5:30-8pm

Durham Armory, 212 Foster Street, Durham, NC

Join Urban Ministries for an evening of soup provided by local restaurants such as Watt’s Grocery, Guglhupf, Toast, Revolution, Whole Foods Durham and more. Event tickets are $15 for soup only and $30 for soup and a handcrafted bowl made by local artists. Fullsteam Brewery will host the afterparty.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

TROSA Yard Sale

Thursday, March 8 - Saturday, March 10 from 7am-6pm

3500 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC

Here’s your chance to stock up on household items and furniture, clothing for the whole family and more. Skip the Saturday morning yard sale route and get everything in one place while supporting TROSA’s work. New items are put out daily!

For more information, click here.

Big Brothers Big Sisters 100 Men in 100 Days Kickoff Event

Sunday, March 11 from 12:30-3:30pm

Tyler’s Restaurant and Taproom, 324 Blackwell Street, Durham

Big Brothers Big Sisters has more than 100 boys in Durham that are on the waitlist for a Big Brother. They are kicking off a campaign to find 100 Big Brothers for the boys on the waitlist, and they’re starting by hosting a kickoff party at Tyler’s Taproom. Join the BBBST team for an afternoon of appetizers and ACC basketball and learn about how you can get involved in impacting a child’s life.

In addition to the kickoff party, BBBST is hosting a Chic-fil-a night every Monday until June 4th for people interested in becoming a BBBST volunteer. They’re offering a free sandwich to everyone who completes an application. For more information, check out this flyer.

For more information about the campaign, click here.

Communities in Schools Equinoxalizer 4-Miler

Saturday, March 17 at 8am

Downtown Durham

Sign up to run in the Equinoxalizer 4-Miler and raise money to benefit the dropout prevention work of Communities in Schools of Durham. This event is for runners of all abilities with free food, prizes, live music and much more. This is an event for the entire family!

For more information and to register or volunteer, click here.

The Great Human Race

Saturday, March 24 at 8:30am

Northgate Mall

The Great Human Race is is sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Durham and supports more than 100 nonprofits, schools and organizations. This race gives each individual nonprofit an opportunity to raise money for their specific organizations. This year, many of DurhamCares’ nonprofit partners are participating, including Achievement Academy, Crayons2Calculators, Durham Economic Resource Center, Durham Literacy Center, Habitat and World Relief Durham.

Register to walk in support of your favorite nonprofit here.

BounceBack Kids Heels for Healing 5K

Saturday, March 31 at 9am

UNC-Chapel Hill

Bring your family out to the Heels for Healing 5K and 1/2 mile fun run to support BounceBack Kids, hosted by The UNC Association of Nursing Students.

Learn more and register for the race here.

Volunteer at the Tar Heel 10-Miler

Saturday, April 21 at 7:30am

Kenan Stadium, UNC-Chapel Hill

BounceBack Kids is one of the volunteer sponsor organizations for the Wells Fargo Tar Heel 10-Miler and is looking for volunteers to help on race day. Volunteer on behalf of BounceBack Kids to help them raise money!

Sign up to volunteer here. Deadline is March 15.

Ronald McDonald House Sport-a-Shirt, Share-a-Night

Sport-a-Shirt, Share-a-Night is a combined effort between all five Ronald McDonald Houses in NC and is a way to help share the cost of a one-night stay for a family at their local RMH. T-shirts are $10 and orders are due by April 27th.

Click here for more information and to see what the shirt looks like!

OCTOBER 7 AT 7PM

CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

3741 GARRETT ROAD, DURHAM

Join your neighbors in Durham for a concert with Grammy nominated artist Paul Colman to support great non-profits in Durham!

This will be a fun time with a great musician and thoughtful music. But more than that it's an opportunity for you and your friends and neighbors to come out to support the GREAT work that is being done in our city to impact lives of at-risk youth, homelessness, addiction, job training and creation, health care, elder care and many other areas!

Through the evening you will have the opportunity to give to the Success Fund where 100% of donations go directly back out into the community to support the great work of courageous non-profits who publish outcome related goals and their results.

So, mark your calendars, grab your friends and meet us for a fun night of great music, inspiration and a chance to LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR!

Learn more about Paul at www.paulcolman.com, and for those of you who remember his days as the guitarist for the Newsboys or who enjoy the Paul Colman trio then tell your friends that he's in town on October 7!

View the video of our Celebrate Durham Event: An Evening with Tim Keller or download the audio to listen on the go. 

In my early twenties I was living in New York City, working for a very hip arts organization, going to grad school at Columbia University, and attending tons of parties with fabulous people at places that were even more fabulous. I couldn't get enough splashy Fabulous with a capital F in my life. I stopped going to church because it wasn't exactly relevant anymore. I still loved Jesus, and I knew I was a child of God, I just became a total church snob. That was easy. I hated the hokey way pastors would try to relate to people my age in their sermons. I rolled my eyes at the illustrations they used from popular television shows to make scripture meaningful to me. Sorry, Joe Pastor, that reference to The Gilmore Girls flew right past me. I didn't watch tv. I went to parties at the MoMA and opening night performances on Broadway, for free, during "primetime" network hours. I couldn't get enough of that life for a few years. But, like I mentioned, I was a child of God. And he wasn't about to let me slip away, regardless of what I thought seemed like the perfect life.

I started going to church again when my nagging, wonderful parents hundreds of miles south wouldn't stop bugging me about a church on the Upper East Side called Redeemer Presbyterian. My dad, a former Bible smuggler, had attended a missionary conference with Tim Keller years earlier and never forgot him. FINE, I thought. I'll go, I'll go! I'll go to make my parents happy and get them to pipe down about this Tim Keller guy.
He didn't reference Gilmore Girls, or old Far Side one-liner cartoons, or silly commercials for cheap beer on television. In that first sermon I heard, he referenced Nietzsche and an article I just read in The New Yorker. Oh. I wasn't prepared to open up my ears to hear what this guy was saying, let alone my heart. He talked about the practical ways my life should be changing if I meant business about God, and how God's love was transforming New York City. Honest, but not confrontational messages that challenge Christians to be loving, patient disciples that actively work together to live Christ's message of love, hope, and mercy.

The way I understand and love God has changed because of Tim Keller's teaching, and as a result of that, the way I love and serve the people in my community has changed as well. I moved down to this area in October 2008, and I see so many commonalities between the New York that God is changing and the Durham that God is changing. God has blessed Durham with a staggeringly high level of creative capital and brain power. Durham overflows with resources, financial and human, that are being strategically organized to serve people right here. In this city filled with nationally recognized chefs, activists, scientists, mothers, educators, caregivers, philanthropists, authors, and concerned citizens, we have a talent pool ready to be mobilized for Christ.

Tim's message this Wednesday will explore how to love your neighbor as demonstrated in the Bible. Go to learn what it means to love Durham in a way that will deepen your relationship with God. Go to learn what it means to change and serve this community, one Fabulous Christian at a time.

Needless to say, I think you should, and here’s why. 

Anyone who has heard Tim speak recently RE: ministry to the city knows that God has given him unique eyes, a unique heart and a unique message, calling for powerful Christian presence and action in the city.  Recently our staff team heard Tim address urban ministers and church planters at a conference in Dallas – three terrific presentations.  The insights and instructions were inspiring and practical: they continue to inform our efforts to plant All Saints as a church that stands faithfully and lovingly at the intersection of needs and issues in our community.  Call it prophetic clarity, call it integrity rooted in action, call it the logical outworking of someone who really gets the necessary balance of truth and love in Christ – call it what you will: Keller has a message that Christians committed to authentic impact need to hear.

Beyond that, the impetus behind this event – DurhamCares – is seeding “holistic collaborative Christian mission” into our community.  Praise God!  When people, or a ministry, plant something that captures God’s heart, in prayer and sacrifice, they insert “yeast that leavens the whole loaf.”  Who knows what God may do with us as the Church in Durham as a result of the presence and vision of DurhamCares?

That “yeasting” has happened recently with a group in our church that has been reading Tim Keller’s Generous Justice together.  Like DurhamCares, Keller’s book seeds a vision for mercy and justice ministries, coupled with a strong commitment to the Gospel.   He does a terrific job of communicating a biblical vision for justice and mercy ministries; and because “justice-mercy-Jesus” captures the heart and will of God for the city, God is using Generous Justice to stir people at All Saints to action.  Our commitment and collaborative work with 3+ other churches and agencies to minister to our high-need neighborhood is deepening substantially.  This mission is not just impacting people “out there” either: unity, love and joy are growing in All Saints as people pray and sacrificially serve together in the Name and power of Christ.

I look forward to gathering with others who share a commitment to Durham, believing that God may plant or nurture seeds of his heart into a movement. 

I hope to see you there.

Steve Breedlove

Rector, All Saints Church

The first time I heard Tim Keller was on bootlegged cassette tapes of sermons he preached on Ephesians 5. If you don’t know, Ephesians 5 is one of the most nuclear texts in the Bible, especially in our current culture. Keller managed to stay true to the text, to say something really profound, to be relevant to sceptics, and to preach the good news in the process. Who was this guy?

Twenty years later, Keller’s church has grown into a network of several churches, he is a popular published author, and I don’t have to bootleg tapes any more—you download sermons for free, or get a subscription from Redeemer (http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/).

When I heard that he was coming to Durham, I immediately wanted to share my enthusiasm for his preaching with everyone I could. I think he is, flat out, one of the best preacher-teachers at work today. Why?

Because he just talks to us. He never devolves into that preacher’s tone that is almost unavoidable in the pulpit. He is plainspoken and straightforward. I love the way he just launches into the text—no long or clever introductions from Tim Keller. He pays his congregation the compliment of assuming that they are interested and want to hear the truth. He knows that the truth is interesting. It doesn’t need adornment so much as it needs, simply, explaining.

Because he is relevant. God did the Christian world a great good when he called Tim Keller to New York City. The City keeps him on his toes, and on his toes Keller stands pretty tall. He reads and interacts with cultural elites and thought leaders. He never shows off his learning, but it’s clear that he anticipates and understands the most serious objections and questions that modern people have to the ideas of the Christian faith. Keller has been amazingly effective at engaging Christianity’s cultured despisers. A Keller sermon is relevant to believers and unbelievers alike.

Because he is planted. Keller came to New York City, somewhat reluctantly at first, in 1989. He is in some ways an unlikely church-planter for NYC—he is Midwestern to the core. But he had been deeply impacted by the missiology of Harvie Conn, who taught him to see the incredible potential of a city. And so the Kellers settled into New York and learned to make it their home. Their church has become a great center for good for the city, both in its own ministries and in the many satellite ministries and organizations that have been spawned by Hope for New York. When he is asked to speak about how Christians can be a blessing to their city, Keller has a lot to share.

Because he believes in the power of truth. All you have to do with the truth is to tell it. Keller knows how to do that. Ideas are powerful things, and Keller has the capacity to unpack an idea in a way that makes it shine. You know you’ve been in the presence of someone who paints the beauty of truth when you find yourself repeating and rehearsing that truth to yourself after he has stopped talking. A Keller sermon stays with me for a good while after I listen to it. One of my favorite rhythms is to listen to a forty minute sermon on my iPod at the beginning of my bike ride and then spend the rest of the ride ruminating on what I’ve heard. Good stuff.

Because he is balanced. Keller manages to hold together in a creative tension several things that are so easily torn asunder: word and deed, soul and body, justice and mercy, to name a few. His church is justly renowned for combining a radically evangelical message with a full commitment to social justice—a combination not often or easily maintained. And in the process, he has transcended some of the typical categories that Christians have gotten mired in. Without denigrating politics, he has refused to allow his teaching about justice to devolve into an argument about how one should vote. The Gospel, and only the Gospel, is the center; all else is held in balance on the periphery.

And because he always gets down to the Gospel. Keller is a miner of the deep veins of the Gospel strata. No matter what the text, what the subject, he can always find his way down deep into the Gospel. His summary of that Gospel is so famous that I hear many quoting him who probably don’t know the source: "In the gospel we discover that we are far more wicked than we ever dared believe, yet more loved than we ever dared hope." 

I need to hear that, over and over, and I'll be sure to be at DPAC on May 4 at 7:30 to hear it from the man himself.

Chip Denton
Headmaster, Trinity School of Durham Chapel Hill 

I'll come right out with it.  Here's my full disclosure. I work for DurhamCares.  So, perhaps you may see me as a little biased, and maybe I am.  Regardless of that though,  I really do think you should be at the DPAC on May 4th for a benefit we're hosting for our partners and that includes Tim Keller.  I've read and enjoyed a couple of Dr. Keller's books, so I know I will enjoy hearing him speak. But, I'm also of the generation that would need 380 days in a year to attend all the events we're invited to, and a high six-figure salary to say "yes" to every solicitation of support. Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration, but my point is that, I understand your question: "Why should I pay $35 to hear a sermon - couldn't I just download it?"  You're not the only person asking that question. So, to help with the answer, here are my top 5 reasons to come to the DPAC on May 4th, with a bonus 6th reason if you're still not convinced:

• You'll be gathering with Durham community leaders and people from more than 30 local churches.
  Think about it....how long has it been since that happened in Durham? We've been asking, and the common consensus seems to be "too long". Right now a special volunteer is putting together some music for May 4th featuring member of close to 10 different local church choirs! As one local pastor summarized it, "There may be legitimate reasons why we don't do this every Sunday, but occasionally it can be powerful to demonstrate what we all agree on."
• You will be able to connect to what's going on in Durham and to others who share your passion.
  Are you interested in doing something in Durham, but aren't sure where to start? Are you wondering what your next step might be to get more involved? Come to find out. This event isn't designed for you to walk out the door, whip out your to-do list, and check off the box titled "Love Neighbor". It's the connecting point that launches you deeper in.
• You'll have a chance to ask Dr. Keller questions....specifically about your community. 
  May 4th won't be just a sermon in 3D by Dr. Keller. It will be about you. About your neighbor. About Durham. Sure, a part of the night will be the keynote address, but during the speaking you will be able to submit your questions for a special Q&A time with Dr. Keller.
• You probably have a friend who would really benefit from hearing about how God feels about our city. 
  And maybe this friend wouldn't go if you didn't bring him or her.  We love hearing stories of people who are planning dinner for their friends at their house so they can bring them to the DPAC, or buying extra tickets to give to friends who really couldn't afford to come.
• Your tickets will support local organizations that do excellent work in serving the neediest families in some of the toughest places in Duham. 
  This isn't the whole point of the evening, but it's an important point: none of the money you spend to come to the DPAC will go to DurhamCares. Not even a penny. It will all go to cover the cost of the event and to the 29 Durham organizations we've worked hard to vet so that you can feel comfortable that your dollar goes to help folks that need it in our city.
• What else were you going to use that $35 for?
  Ok, so this last one is more of a question than a reason. But seriously....what? A nice dinner? A new pair of shoes? 12 new apps for your iPhone? There are lots of perfectly legitimate things competing for your $35, but consider - just consider - whether one of them could wait until next month. You may decide it's worth it, or you may decide it's not. But just consider it.

Ready to not miss this?  It's 7:30, May 4th at the Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham.  Get your tickets today!

Already know you'll be there?  Tell us why!  What's your reason for making this a don't miss event on your calendar?

DurhamCares Invites You to An Evening with Tim Keller

on May 4th at 7:30pm at the Durham Performing Arts Center!

Join us for an evening of celebration, fellowship and inspiration in a benefit fundraiser for the DurhamCares partners. Neighbors and congregations from across the city are invited as we explore what it means to Love Your Neighbor as seen in the Bible and ask what our next step might be to bless our city.

Tickets are $35 and 100% of profits from the event will benefit the 29 DurhamCares partners. Purchase first for your choice of best seats! You can buy your tickets in one of three ways:

• Walk up to the DPAC Ticket Office.
  Located at 123 Vivian Street, the box office is open Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm and on Saturday 10am to 2pm

• Call the DPAC Ticket Office at (919) 680-2787

• Order online at www.dpacnc.com

Note: Additional fees will apply for box office phone orders and online orders.

Who is Tim Keller?

Dr. Keller is founder and pastor of New York's Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Over the past 20 years, the church has grown to five services at three sites, with a weekly attendance of over 5,000. Named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Churches in America, Keller's ministry is notable not only for winning over New Yorkers who are skeptical to faith, but also for its missional approach, planting more than 100 churches through Redeemer City to City. He is the New York Times bestselling author of King's Cross, Generous Justice, Ministries of Mercy, The Reason for God, The Prodigal God, and Counterfeit Gods. He blogs at Redeemer City to City.

It's finally February, and Valentine's Day candies, cards and stuffed animals have taken over the aisles of grocery and retail stores everywhere. So, in the spirit of this romance that's filling the air -- and shelves -- we at DurhamCares are kicking off a month-long campaign to encourage Durham residents everywhere to love their neighbor.

This campaign will take several forms over the course of the next month. First of all, keep an eye on our Facebook page and Twitter feed. We'll have two trivia questions each day about our 2011 partner organizations, and we'll be offering lots of prizes for those who participate. But this campaign will take several forms, so keep an eye out -- we've got a few other surprises up our sleeves.

This year let's make Valentine's Day something bigger than cards, chocolate and roses (although those are nice, too). Let's make it about loving our neighbors by giving back, volunteering and getting involved. Want more information about just how to do that? Visit our website or give us a call at 251-6189.

10% of Sales at the RTP Chick Fil A will support the Eagles in November.  Just be sure to give them this card with your order!

We are very proud of the Durham Iron Eagles! We are trying to support these young men in their quest for a Regional and a National Championship for Pop Warner Football. In these tight economic times our fundraising efforts are very important to help these young men achieve their goals. We are appealing to you for financial assistance.

Our most urgent need is to help these young men travel for their playoff games. We will have one playoff game in Garner, NC, which will not require travel funds, but we will also play in Charlotte, North Carolina over Thanksgiving weekend and this will require an overnight stay. Hotel rooms are about $100 each, and we will need 14 rooms to house our team and coaches. We will need to feed the team lunch and dinner on Friday, as well as breakfast and lunch on Saturday. The total cost of the trip will run around $2000.

We are hoping to have a much more significant need, the National Championships in Orlando, Florida. If we are fortunate enough to win our Regional playoff game in Charlotte, we will be travelling to the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney for a nine day trip in December to compete in the Super Bowl for Pop Warner. This trip has been estimated to cost $40,000 for a team of our size! Yes, $40,000. We know getting corporations and sponsors involved will be necessary, but we are also looking to friends and family to help us reach our goal.

Any amount of financial assistance will be greatly appreciated!

If you are able to help us financially, please make checks payable to: Durham Eagles Athletic Association. We are a non-profit organization and will be happy to mail you a receipt with our tax ID number on it for you tax records.  You can email Bill Stevenson with questions at whs2@alumni.duke.edu.

Regardless of whether or not you are able to help us financially, we would love to have you attend one of our football games.
Thank you for your support of the Durham Iron Eagles.

Sincerely,
Durham Iron Eagles players and coaches