October 6
Yom Kippur: A Multigenerational Service
Rev. Thom Belote, leading worship
Join us for a service in which we explore the practices, prayers, and meaning of the Jewish high holy day of Yom Kippur. In the service we will learn about and practice the art of seeking forgiveness, something we continually are relearning through our entire lives.
October 13
Ecclesiastes
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
"For everything there is a season... and a time for every purpose under heaven." "There is nothing new under the sun." "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." The book of Ecclesiastes is one of the most profound and important of the Bible's wisdom books. Join us as we explore the lessons it has to teach.
October 20
Sacred Language
Lisa Garcia-Sampson, guest preaching
In her book, Fluent in Faith, UU minister Jeanne Harrison Nieuwejaar explains that the language we have at our disposal and regularly use, shapes how we perceive and experience life. This Sunday we'll reflect on our personal relationship with religious language and explore how sacred words can help us make deeper meaning of the ordinary and extraordinary moments of our lives. Join us as we welcome Lisa Garcia-Sampson back to our pulpit.
October 27
Grace
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
Join us for a service exploring the theological concept of grace and asking how we might live more "grace-fully." How might we learn to practice grace? Both services this Sunday will also include a ceremony welcoming new members of the church.
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Saturday, October 19th
is our Fall Auction!
Join the fun at our church's largest FUNdraiser of the year.
Doors will open at 4:30pm
for registration, auction browsing (bidding starts at 5), and dropping off "tasty hors d'oeuvres" for munching on with wine/beer while bidding.
There will be a 50/50 CASH raffle and Silent and Live Auctions.
Donate: We need to have 150+ donations to exceed our budgeted goal of $18k and contribute to Closing the Gap.
YOU can help by entering items: activities/events, meals, services, hand-made treasures, and more!. The last day to enter donations is Sunday, October 13th.
Volunteer: We need many volunteers to fill jobs and to bring food on auction night. It takes our whole commUUnity to have a successful auction!
Visit the Fall Auction table after each Service to volunteer, get donation help/ideas, buy tickets ($10 for adults), and register for free child care. Questions?
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Colors of Nature, artist Miriam Sagasti's show of watercolor and acrylic paintings, will be on exhibit from
September 7 - October 27th in the Sanctuary. Sagasti looks for details, close-ups, and shapes to form interesting compositions in her paintings.
Sagasti has a diverse artistic background. She has been an interior designer, a children's book illustrator, and holds a certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration from the Botanical Garden at UNC Chapel Hill. Sagasti has earned many awards for her work and has been selected for several juried shows. She has been a member of the Orange County Artist Guild for many years and has participated in many of the guild's open studio tours and special shows. Her paintings are in numerous private collections.
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BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE
WRAP OF SUMMER 2019 JONES BUILDING FIX-UP
(PHASE I OF THE BUILDING PROJECT)
Over the summer, many volunteers spent many hours working hard to clean, prep and paint the rooms vacated by the Preschool tenant in June. What is the situation now that
the project
has disbanded in a congratulatory flurry of cake crumbs?
* The Kirby Room plus 2 of the 3 downstairs rooms are available for adult meetings (and are furnished with tables and chairs for such) throughout the week and, on Sundays, for youth RE classes.
* The third downstairs room will be completed after the new construction phase resolves the wall moisture issue.
* The new construction phase will also resolve the lower level flooding threat which is preventing the pre-K classes from moving their furnishings downstairs.
* During the current class year, the pre-K groups will continue to use the two upstairs rooms where their furnishings are now established. Their ultimate move downstairs will mesh with preparing for next fall's program resumption.
NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
(PHASE II OF THE BUILDING PROJECT)
The Gap Strategy Task Force has published a leaflet offering an interim update on the plan for proceeding with the Jones Building addition. This update is based on the best information available now about likely cost increases due to rising construction prices economy-wide, and likely receipts based on gap-closing results to date. After obtaining the construction permit, the engineers will develop a firmed-up figure on actual construction cost, expected in November, and then we will adjust the plan accordingly. The plan's focus is on resolving the funding gap while minimizing debt-service burden on the church's annual operating budget.
A companion leaflet offers a "recap in a nutshell" of WHAT OUR BUILDING PROJECT IS and WHY WE ARE DOING IT, for those who'd appreciate a reminder. Both of these compact, illustrated leaflets are available as handouts during coffee hour after church services, as well as online on the church's building project webpage.
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CHILDREN'S & YOUTH MINISTRY
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THANK YOU, GRACIAS, MERCI, TAKK, ARIGATO TO...
- Thanks to Jeff Nelson for building the climbing dome for the playground.
- Gratitude to Bruce Paden for coordinating the football parking project for the Coming of Age trip.
- Thanks to Paul McCarthy for helping with the Middle School Moon Party.
- Many thanks to the many chaperones for the High School Overnight: Nathan Kosiba, Brian Pence, Carolyn Buckner, Jena Kaizen, Briton Beize, Dave Klibanow, Dan Dillon, Laurel Shaffer, Michele Lee and Tammie Lindsey.
- Thanks to Adam and Kat Good for procuring and moving the furniture for the OWL Room.
- Thanks to Dave Morgan and Kathy Farinola for sharing about Habitat for Humanity with children on Sunday morning.
- Thanks to Parker Sexton for teaching magic tricks to the children and delighting them with a magic show.
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HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT
THE CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM?
There is lots of information on the church website with details, dates and how to register. You can also get on the mailing list for the weekly emails which tell you what is happening on the upcoming Sunday and what fun events are coming. To get on the mailing list, email Marion Hirsch.
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ECO'S ENVIRONMENTAL CORNER
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First Sunday Recyclables at the ECO table -This month we are collecting EYEGLASSES (broken or not, includes sunglasses)
(prescription, nonprescription, loose lenses, sunglasses, cases)
, b
atteries
(AAA - D, button, rechargeable),
corks
(natural and synthetic), and tiny bits of metal (paper clips, nails, screws, etc.).
As in September, ECO will have a slide show about the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. We will also again have a letter writing table for you to write letters to Gov. Cooper against the pipeline.
The ECO Committee works on environmental issues, with a current focus on the climate crisis, reducing waste at church, and environmental stewardship of our grounds. We welcome newcomers at any time. We meet on the first Sunday of each month in the Kirby Room in the Jones Building. Come see what we are about!
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SANCTUARY & IMMIGRANT SUPPORT MINISTRY
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AFTER DETENTION at the BORDER: HOW YOU CAN HELP
The Community Church's Sanctuary and Immigrant Support Ministry is committed to helping people fleeing Central America to seek asylum in the US realize their dreams for safe and productive futures. The need is great, the obstacles are growing and the process is expensive. To leave a detention center, a sponsor must be found who provides payment of a bond (up to $5000), arranges transportation to housing, and then pays for basic needs such as medical care, food and clothing. To continue support of our current guest, as well as others we hope to sponsor in the future, we have launched a two-month crowdsourced fundraiser on Faithify, a "GoFundMe" for Unitarian Universalists (faithify.org). We are required to meet our goal of $2000 but hope to raise much more. You can help by reaching out to your friends and colleagues and asking them to support our campaign by going to this link. Thank you!
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ORANGE COUNTY BAIL JUSTICE PROJECT
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AFTER DETENTION at the BORDER: HOW YOU CAN HELP
Too often, people arrested in Orange County are held in jail for weeks or months because they cannot pay cash bail. A person awaiting trial in jail risks losing their job and their children, has less control over their legal case, and endures the trauma of incarceration. Our church is partnering with Binkley Baptist Church and other groups to work for bail reform in Orange County, and we need your help! Please attend an interest meeting in the Kirby Room on Sunday, October 6 from 12:45-1:15pm. We will learn more about this group's work on court observations, bail assistance, and community education and outreach, and discuss how our church would like to participate. Email Catherine Grodensky for more information.
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SHARE THE PLATE APPLICATION DEADLINE OCT. 27! The Share the Plate (STP) Steering Committee is accepting applications for STP Sundays for Jan-June 2020. Our mission is to support the outreach ministry of our UU congregation by developing and coordinating Share the Plate Collections: designated Sunday morning collections that support specific causes or organizations, which reflect the passions of the congregation. Deadline: Sunday, OCT. 27! Applicants MUST use appropriate and current application forms and submit to the committee as directed HERE. Questions? Jill Baker; Jane Provan.
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OCTOBER 13 - INTER-FAITH COUNCIL
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On
October 13
, there will be a Share The Plate in support of the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services (IFC). The relationship between our church and the IFC is a long one; we were a founding member over 50 years ago. The bond is strong between our values and the mission of the IFC which is "to confront the causes and respond to the effects of poverty in our community." To learn more about the important work of the IFC, CLICK HERE.
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OCTOBER 27 - CHARLES HOUSE
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On October 27 there will be a Share The Plate for Charles House, a long-established daytime center for senior citizens who need extra assistance during the day. It is an independent non-profit, located on the north side of Chapel Hill. Elders can come for varying days and hours, depending on the needs of their family. This allows family members to go to work or have much needed respite time. There is a high ratio of trained staff to participants, which is supplemented by volunteers and health care graduate students. Each day's schedule includes small group activities as well as times for individual choice and rest. Our contributions will go to their financial assistance fund, so a wider range of people can attend. The Executive Director will be in church on the 27th to answer your questions. If you'll be away that day, checks to the church with Charles House in the memo are welcome before or after. CLICK HERE for more info.
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SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS (SEA)
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SEA COURSE UPDATE
The SEA ministry hopes you set sail with us for our annual retreat, led by Karen Jessee, on Saturday, October 5.
New voyages for October include Ethics and Money: A Fresh Perspective, led by Larry Mason (Thursdays 10/3, 10 and 17), and Naming and Claiming the Divine, led by Karen Jessee and Leigh Hall (Thursdays, 10/17, 10/24 & 11/7).
All Thursday courses start at 7:00 PM. Tai Chi, led by Joe Swain, continues on Wednesdays at 7PM.
You can sign up at our table during Coffee Hour after Services or HERE.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ADULTS
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COVENANT GROUP
The 20s and 30s Covenant Group meets monthly on the
3rd Tuesday
from 7-8:30 for fellowship and spiritual deepening. It's a drop-in group.
Signup link.
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Covenant Groups are a great way to get to know people at church and deepen spiritually. Covenant Groups provide each group member an opportunity to develop connections within the church, as well as to explore some of the major issues of life. A typical meeting combines centering readings, personal check-ins and individual sharing focused on a particular theme. What unites the members is a desire for connection with others and a deeper spiritual connection in their lives. Our groups have 7 to 10 members with a trained facilitator. Covenant groups meet monthly. In addition to the regular monthly groups there are also several themed groups for parents and young adults.
HERE
is more information about covenant groups and sign up for open groups
HERE.
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Participants in
Community Clickers
use needles, hooks, and yarn to create comfort and warmth for our community. We knit or crochet 7" x 9" rectangular blocks (with two 18" yarn tails used to sew blocks together) of #4 worsted, washable, acrylic yarn. The shawls we make are given to UNC Hospice in Pittsboro, which then distributes them to patients at UNC Hospice Home or to other patients at facilities and homes within Orange and Chatham County. We have begun making baby hats for UNC Hospital. We are also making items to sell in the Holiday Bazaar to help "Close the Gap." Join us at our October meetings: 2-4 pm on Wednesday, October 2nd (Commons Area) and 7-9 pm on Monday, October 31st (Straley Room). We will design one or two shawls then sit, click, and chat. Can't knit or crochet? We can teach you! Visit our webpage or email us.
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If you are a senior (self-defined) woman, you are invited to join Rare Women, a new group that began meeting in September. There are three sections: 1st & 3rd Monday, 2 - 4 pm, led by Carolyn Holt; 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 1:30 - 3:30 pm, led by Susan Blanchard; 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 11 am - 1 pm, led by Bonnie Gilliom. All groups meet in the Sanctuary and are drop-in groups (so come as you are able). What is said in the group, stays in the group. During October, we will be discussing four chapters from Joan Chittister's book, The Gift of Years - Growing Older Gracefully: "Fear" and "Learning" followed by "Joy" and "Newness." Check our webpage for a more detailed discussion schedule with dates and our guidelines. You can sign up on the webpage to be added to the Rare Women email list or email us HERE.
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On Saturday, October 19, at 10:30 in the Kirby Room, the Nonfiction Readers will discuss Prosperity: Better Business Makes the Greater Good, by Colin Mayer. The author is a leading figure in the debate over the purpose and role of the corporation. He develops a humanistic alternative to the "Friedman doctrine" that the one and only social responsibility of business is to increase profits for shareholders. Ed Steffes will be leading our discussion. The Readers meet on the third Saturday of each month. New members and drop-ins are welcome. Click here to contact the group.
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COMMUNITY CHURCH CONCERTS
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COMMUNITY CHURCH CONCERT SERIES TICKETS FOR SALE!!
Community Church Concerts proudly presents its 2019-20 season with fabulous artists Blue Highway, the Kruger Brothers, The Barefoot Movement, and The Becky Buller Band!! The concert series is a church fundraising endeavor! Last year, proceeds went to support the Closing the Gap efforts for the building project. In past years, we bought sound and lighting equipment for the church. Season tickets available!! Save some cash! CLICK HERE for more information, concert dates and tickets. Join us! Questions or want to volunteer? CONTACT: Terry Baker or Jane Provan.
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STAY CONNECTED
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