“Human community is unsustainable when it’s all about me and not about we.” These were words shared by Reverend Michael Curry on April 3, 2023 at the 50th anniversary celebration of Crisis Control, held in our Sanctuary. How simple yet profound are Rev. Curry’s words. They are a reminder of who we are called to be as followers of Jesus and a good summary of who we have been as a church.
Woven into the DNA of First on Fifth is our steadfast commitment to serve the community outside our walls. This has taken many different forms throughout our history and these will be highlighted during the month of March, as part of our 100 on Fifth: Home in the Heart of the City celebration. Our congregation, especially in the 1960s and 70s, has been a leading voice in the development of organizations that serve the needs of our neighbors here in Winston Salem. Over the years many of these organizations found our church house to be a home – Crisis Control, Samaritan Ministries, and Habitat for Humanity.
During worship this month you will hear from representatives from these organizations and others as they reflect on their beginnings here at First. We celebrate these organizations, the ways this congregation gave them life and the good, holy work they continue to do throughout the Winston Salem community. You will not want to miss these reflections!
The 100th Anniversary Task Force is also challenging the churchbody to serve a collective total of 100 hours with local missions and service organizations. We would love to reach this goal by the end of the month. You can submit your service hours here. Be sure to check the TVs around the building on Sunday mornings as we track our progress.
– Mary Kaylor
