Wednesdays at ESUMC
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Welcome to Midweek @ Edenton Street
This weekly gathering brings all ages and worship services together around shared meals and meaningful activities. We gather for dinner, then move into diverse offerings including adult studies like "Discover the Journey," engaging Bible and book studies, and Circle of Security parenting classes. Our Chancel Choir, Gathering Band, and children's Music & Worship Arts programs all call Wednesday nights home.
This is not just another program—it's a strategic step toward living our "Called for Connection" vision, strengthening bonds with God, each other, and our community. Midweek Connections bridge our different worship services into one unified church family while creating the deep, intergenerational relationships our 2035 Vision calls us toward.
Each semester, there are many Wednesday night offerings! Some offerings last all semester, and some are only one, two, or a few weeks. Please email Ellen with any questions: epowell@esumc.org.
Events in November & December
Nov. 19: Friendsgiving @ ESUMC
You’re invited to a very special Edenton Street Friendsgiving party on Wednesday, November 19! In lieu of tacos, Angela and her team will prepare a Thanksgiving inspired feast, while the rest of us are invited to donate a dessert to share, potluck style! We will also be collecting non-perishable Thanksgiving food items for our neighbors facing food insecurity (green beans, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, gravy, etc.) We’ll start the evening with appetizers from 5:30-6:00 PM. Dinner will be served 6:00, and at 6:30, kiddos will be dismissed with our children’s ministries, while youth and adults are invited to stay in Kerr Hall to share with one another stories of gratitude. The party will end at 7:30 PM. We give thanks and praise to all God is doing in and through Edenton Street, and look forward to celebrating these stories with one another. Please RSVP so enough seats and food are prepared!
Nov. 5 & 12: Contemplative Rhythms of Howard Thurman
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Dumas Harshaw for a special two-part teaching on the rhythms of prayer and reflection that shaped Howard Thurman’s life and legacy. Dr. Harshaw is a Howard Thurman scholar and Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church in Raleigh, where he served for more than 20 years. He has devoted his ministry to prayer, nonviolent engagement, and the hope of building the Beloved Community where “everybody is somebody.” In August, he led the St. Francis Springs “Freedom Ride,” which included a group from ESUMC. Come be inspired, slow down, and discover practices that can ground us in God’s peace and renew our life together. Click here to register for the Contemplative Rhythms of Howard Thurman sessions which will take place in the Brown Chapel.
NOV. 19: Wills and Estate Planning Workshop
ESUMC is offering a Wills and Estates Workshop on Sunday, Wednesday, November 19 from 4:30 - 6:00 PM, as part of our Midweek Connections offerings. It will be held in the Chapel Annex. We are fortunate to have Charlie Davis, a partner in the law firm of Poyner Spruill, to lead this workshop. Charlie is a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law. He has extensive experience advising individuals and families on their estate and tax needs. He will give an overview of wills and estate planning and give you time to ask questions. Click here to register for the Wills and Estate Planning Workshop.
Dec. 3 & 10: Mental Health First Aid Workshop
How can we support mental health - for ourselves and others? Join us for a two-week seminar co-hosted by The Well on the basics of mental health first aid, taught by mental health practitioner Elizabeth Danielian, LCSW. Elizabeth will share foundational knowledge, basic skills, and essential resources to support our efforts to care for the mental health of our community. Click here to register for the Mental Health First Aid Workshop which will take place in room 161.
Small Group led by Thad and Becky Ogburn and Dennis Gibson
Thad and Becky Ogburn and Dennis Gibson will be leading a new Small Group which will meet at 6:30 -8:00 PM on Wednesday nights. This group is open to anyone of any stage or phase of life. A Small Group is a perfect next step for you to take if you're looking to deepen your connections at ESUMC. In Small Groups you'll enjoy weekly consistency and an opportunity to grow in your relationship with God, with others, and in your love and service in the world.
Wednesday Night Dinners: Tacos
Weekly from 5:30-7 pm in kerr Hall
September 10 - December 10
This semester, Angela will be serving her famous taco bar for dinner on Wednesday evenings in Kerr Hall. You will have an opportunity to register weekly (in advance), or pay up front for the entire 13 week series. The cost for the taco bar is $9 per adult, and $6.00 per kid (12 and under). Please choose the total quantity of adults and kids participating below to take advantage of the discounted rate.
Childcare Provided 6:00-8pm
We want Wednesdays to be easy for families.
The church will offer childcare during adult programming on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 PM. If you opt in, more details will be sent to you by members of our eStreet kids team!
Kids Music & Worship ARts
4:30-5:05 Liturgical Dance
5:05-5:40 Choir
5:40-6:15 Handbells
All children pre-K through 6th grade are invited to join us on Wednesday evenings to move, ring, and sing together as we learn to praise our Maker through the arts! Liturgical Dance, Handbells, Handchimes, and Singing Choir groups all show us the beautiful and fun ways we can give our artistic gifts back to God. Your child may choose to be in all or only select groups, and each ensemble periodically leads worship on Sunday mornings. All are free-of-charge and church members and nonmembers alike are welcome!
Play for All! hosted by estreet youth and kids
6:30-7:30 in Room 251
Play for All hosted by eStreet Youth and Kids
Join eStreet Youth and Kids staff after dinner for a family friendly time of connection in Kerr Hall from 6:30-7:30! This time is made simply just to have some family friendly fun. Students 3rd grade and up as well as any adults are welcome to join us.
Music Rehearsals on WEdnesdays
The GAthering Band - 7pm
The Gathering Band is led by Lee Anderson, and practices on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm. All instruments, (including voices!) and abilities welcome.
Chancel Choir - 7:15pm
The Chancel Choir (high-schoolers and above) meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7:15 pm to lead hymnody, anthems, and major works in weekly worship at The Sanctuary service. No auditions are necessary. Director of Music, Mark Hopper, will help place you where you can serve in the Chancel Choir. There is a place for you here!
Where do I park?
Dedicated parking is available for first time visitors in our main parking lot accessible from Dawson Street and McDowell Street between Edenton Street and Jones Street:
If you are traveling south on Dawson Street, turn left into our main parking lot between Jones Street and Edenton Street. If you are traveling north on McDowell Street, turn left into our main parking lot between Edenton Street and Jones Street.
Parking is also available at no cost in the paved lot located directly west of our main campus on the corner of Dawson Street and Edenton Streets. (This lot is managed and enforced by My Power Parking outside of regular church operating hours, but free for church goers on Sunday and during special worship times, including during Midweek Connections on Wednesday afternoon and evenings!)
Where do I enter?
We know it’s a big campus of almost a city block! We’re here to help! On Wednesdays:
Enter through the Curtis Center Lobby (enter under the portico located in our main parking lot) behind the church (parking lot between Dawson and McDowell Streets.) Greeters will be available at the Curtis Center Doors to welcome you from 4:30-7 pm. (Our weekday receptionist will be there until 4:30 pm.) If you have a key fob, you may also enter through the Garden Gallery doors any time between 6 am-9:30 pm. To request a key fob, click here!