SUNDAY SERVICES & HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
|
January 5
Lisa Garcia-Sampson, preaching
"Will we be a movement?"
This Sunday, our guest preacher will invite us to imagine the year ahead, and explore how we, as a congregation, might show up for justice.
January 12
"How to Grow a Soul"
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
The famous Unitarian Universalist minister, A. Powell Davies, once quipped, "Life is just a chance to grow a soul." Join us for a Service exploring some of the ways it is possible to grow our souls.
January 19
MLK Multigenerational Service
Rev. Thom, Marion Hirsch, and Kat Good, leading worship
Join us on the Sunday before Martin Luther King Day for a multigenerational Worship Service co-led by Thom, Marion, and Kat. At this Service, we will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King with special attention given to our own church's historic connection to the Civil Rights Movement.
January 26
rev. charlie kast, preaching
Join us this Sunday as The Community Church's own minister emeritus, charlie kast, delivers the sermon. Stay tuned for a title and blurb coming in January.
|
|
|
COMMUNITY CHURCH CONCERTS PRESENTS
"THE BAREFOOT MOVEMENT"!
|
Mark your calendars for our next concert, The Barefoot Movement, Sat., Jan. 18, 8 p.m. in the Sanctuary! "Heartfelt, energetic, and down home." Heralded by CMT Edge as "one of the most promising bands on the bluegrass scene," the music of the Nashville based group The Barefoot Movement is as down to earth as their intention for members of their audience: sit back, relax, take your shoes off, and stay a while." Don't wanna miss!! PLUS yummy desserts and beverages at intermission! Help us CLOSE THE GAP! Tickets and information HERE! Tickets also available after services in January. QUESTIONS? Terry Baker, Jane Provan
|
|
|
|
ART IN THE SANCTUARY
From January 3 through March 1 the art in the Sanctuary will be paintings by Raleigh artist Abie Harris. Harris' works are abstract visual representations of JS Bach's Goldberg Variations created in conjunction with live performances of the Raleigh-based classical string trio Quercus and the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra. Each work explores the intricate nature of the music pieces through dynamic use of color and geometric structure. His work has been featured at numerous galleries in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. An award winning architect, Abie served as NC State's University Architect from 1966 to 1998. He was a founding member of the Roundabout Art Collective and continues to exhibit paintings at Horse and Buggy Press in Durham and his studio in Cameron Park.
|
|
|
COMMUNITY DAY OF SERVICE - 2020 Great News!! In January, we will release a list of this year's projects for our Community Day of Service on Saturday, March 7, 2020. A church-wide email will be sent out to make this announcement. The sign-ups for our projects will go live on the church website by mid-January. You will, of course, be able to sign up when we table during coffee hour in February and see what your friends have volunteered for. Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 7th (rain/snow date of March 14th) to show our greater community what The Community Church of Chapel Hill is all about. Let the shenanigans begin!!
|
 The Flower Committee would like to invite you to donate flowers for Sunday Services! Flowers can be shared to commemorate an anniversary, remember a loved one, or celebrate an important occasion.
Please use this form to donate flowers to help make our Services more beautiful. Thank you!
|
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BUILDING PROJECT
At press time, key information is yet to be known. Here are the questions we all would REALLY LIKE to be able to answer soon: (1) When will the construction start and end? (2) How much will the construction cost? (3) Where do we stand on closing the gap between total estimated cost and total projected funds available?
In the next few weeks, however, we will have scrutinized the technical and cost details of the three bids we received in mid-December, negotiated a contract, and be in a position to answer these questions! On Sunday, January 19, updated information will be provided for all to see, and there will be open meetings after each service for anyone who wishes further discussion with the leaders of the Building Project Task Force. We will also be available on subsequent Sundays in January, during coffee hour tabling.
Click for more information on the BUILDING PROJECT.
|
|
CHILDREN'S & YOUTH MINISTRY
|
|
WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS MONTH IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY?
The Soul Matters theme for the month of January is Integrity. Each week in Rainbow, Water, Fire and Middle Earth Circles we will be exploring how integrity means true to yourself and sticking to your values even when no one is looking through stories from around the world from Native American, Hasidic and Hindu traditions. 6th and 7th graders will begin Neighboring Faiths curriculum and 8th graders will begin the Our Whole Lives Sexuality Curriculum. High Schoolers will start the year with a discussion about abortion.
|
MULTIGENERATIONAL DINNER 1/11:
STORYTELLING WITH DONNA WASHINGTON
5:00-6:00 Dinner
6:00-6:30 Storytelling with Donna Washington
Our own beloved Donna Washington is a professional storyteller and amazing. This is an event especially to make it child friendly with an early dinner and short, fun family program so little kids can get home for an early bedtime. Come and get to know other church folks and have some fun.
RSVP for dinner HERE by Friday, January 10.
|
Get to know a child in our church! Be a Special bUUddy! The annual Special bUUddy Breakfast is coming up! The Breakfast is a great way for adults in the church to get to know a child in the church and make a new friend.
The Special bUUddy Breakfast is a Valentine tradition at the Community Church in which a child and an adult get to know each other. First, adults receive the name of a child in January. They contact the parents of the child first, and then they call and correspond with their new young friend for several weeks in a structured and easy way. Then they meet that child for a festive group breakfast at church for conversation and games.
The Breakfast is Sun, Feb 9 at 10:30 am, between the services in the Community Building. The deadline for adults to sign up for the Special bUUddy Program is Sun Jan 19. If you have a child aged 5-11 (K-5th grade) who would like to participate in the Breakfast, the deadline for children signing up is 1/12/20. You can sign up by contacting Marion Hirsch.
|
|
ECO'S ENVIRONMENTAL CORNER
|
Thanks to all who participated in the Mega-Recycling Event on November 17th.
- Every month, on the first Sunday, we accept batteries, corks, and tiny metal objects. On some months, we also take additional items such as eyeglasses, cell phones, children's books.. A reminder: we cannot accept regular light bulbs of any kind, and sadly we can no longer take plastic markers or greeting cards. Per new Orange County rules, LITHIUM BATTERIES SHOULD BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM ALL OTHERS. Ideally, corroded batteries should also be in their own bag. See our recycling page for more information on what, when and where, and thanks for helping keep these items out of the landfill!
- Feeling climate anxiety? Come to ECO's table during coffee hour on January 5 to write a letter to congress in support of bipartisan legislation to address the climate crisis (H.R. 763). This policy is revenue neutral and good for the economy as well as the environment. We will provide supplies, talking points, and sample letters.
- Carpooling when possible is something we can all do for the planet. Email ECO if you'd like a link to the church carpool map, which helps you find church members who live near you.
|
|
Side With Love-
-we put feet on the street and raise our voices to advocate for justice. Every year we will help you get to Pride Fest in September and the Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HK on J) NAACP rally
in February. We host Concerts for A Cause, to raise awareness, and sometimes funds, for justice. That's not all--if you have an idea about justice project that you want to promote, you don't have to start a new committee to make it happen. The Love Team can help you organize and promote it, and may provide start-up funds.
Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama, March 27-30: Registration for this special trip, led by Rev. Thom Belote, is almost full, but we may still have a few spaces available on the bus, and financial assistance as well. Contact Teri Brooks for more information. Whether or not you can join us, Rev. Thom will offer classes in February about Civil Rights, as part of our Spiritual Adventures for Adults.
We have a lot happening! Click here to see it all! With so much going on, the Side With Love Ministry Team would welcome some new members, to help with ongoing tasks such as updating our page on the church website, holding our quarterly meetings, and setting up and staffing our coffee hour tables. Let us know if you can help in large or little ways!
|
|
SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS (SEA)
|
 |
Step into Circle Singing
Led by Eric Bannan, Starts Thursday, January 9, 7-8:30 PM and will be held every month on the 2nd Thursday until May.
Circle singing draws on traditions of chant, jazz, gospel, meditation and mindfulness to create one-of-a-kind choral improvisations. Circle singing is a mistake-free zone, accessible to beginning singers, but also challenges those with experience. Register HERE.
Honoring African American History Month: Preparation for the Civil Rights Pilgrimage
Join Rev. Thom each Thursday in February for facilitated discussion sessions related to African American history. These classes are designed as preparatory sessions for those taking the Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Montgomery and Selma (March 27-30) but they are also open to all in the church who wish to participate.
Thursdays evenings in February 7-8:30 PM
- February 6: From 1619 to Today
- February 13: Preparing to Visit the National Memorial
- February 20: The Movement
- February 27: UUs Answer the Call to Selma
|
Rare Women, a discussion group (and more!) for women interested in exploring the gifts, myths, and challenges of growing older, has three sections. Each facilitated section generally meets twice a month. Newcomers are welcome! For more information about meeting times, check out our webpage where you can also sign up to join our email list. During January, we will discuss "Letting Go," "Outreach," "Wisdom," and "Dreams" from Joan Chittister's book, The Gift of Years. During February and March, we will use guided reflections to explore and share the seasons of our lives: Spring (0-21 years); Summer (22-43 years); Fall (44-63 years); and Winter (64 years to present).
Reflection questions for February meetings will be emailed to group members in January. If you have questions about Rare Women, you can email us HERE.
|
|
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ADULTS
|
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. Sign up link.
20s and 30s Facebook group--Contact Marion Hirsch at hirsch.marion@gmail.com for more information.
UNC UU Campus Fellowship meets Wednesdays in the Student Union in 3509 from 5-6 PM. To get on the mailing list contact Marion Hirsch at hirsch.marion@gmail.com
|
In 2019, we made 75 baby hats for American Heart Association and UC Hospital, one lap blanket for Charles House, 37 shawls (including 30 delivered to UNC Hospice Home and 2 for C3HUU's Fall Auction), 14 scarves for Homestart in Chapel Hill, and assorted Holiday Bazaar items that raised $190 for the church. Check out the pictures of what we accomplished in 2019! We will deliver 30 shawls to UNC Hospice Home again this year, so keep making those 7" x 9" blocks (with 18" yarn tails) of #4 worsted weight, washable acrylic yarn. We will also be using blocks in painted desert colors to make another lap blanket on the Day of Service. You can drop them off in the Clickers box in the Commons Area or at our table after services on Sunday, January 19th. Next meeting: Wednesday, February 5th, 2-4 pm in the Commons Area. Questions?
|
WomenCircle will meet for a Vision Board Collage Workshop on Saturday, January 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Community Room/Jones Building. All women of the church are invited. Jody Savage and Steevie Parks will be leading the workshop. A Vision Board can be a powerful tool for imaginative focus and motivation. The session will begin with a meditation on all we hope to accomplish and experience in the year ahead. An array of materials will be on hand (words, pictures and decorative papers). Each woman will create a collage to help her visualize goals, dreams and hopes throughout 2020. We will close the workshop with a discussion of our creations. Women of all ages are welcome to attend, Please RSVP to Steevie Parks by January 13 because materials for each participant will need to be purchased for the workshop. Suggested donation is $3.00.
|
On Saturday, January 18, at 10:30 in the Kirby Room, the Nonfiction Readers will discuss Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China, by Leslie Chang. Puzzled about China? Is it communist or capitalist? Are factory workers oppressed, upwardly mobile, or what? The answer is complicated, but this book gives an excellent window into the lives and aspirations of one segment of the population (young female migrants) in one region of China (southeast industrial area). Readable and sympathetic, it will open your eyes if you are not familiar with what modernization feels like "on the ground" in this important and challenging country. Steve McNeary 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.
|
The 2019 Fall Auction was very successful thanks to all of the donors, bidders, buyers, and volunteers. The budgeted goal of $18k was met and exceeded with an additional $1440+ going to Closing the Gap. All additional sales will go directly to Closing the Gap so please consider buying a "seat" at one or more of the following January events. Erich Leith, playing on Jeanne Lemkau's beautiful grand piano, will be joined by a small group of amazing musicians to perform vocal arrangements of classic jazz standards on January 10th. You can be there for only $25 (EA12)! Or join Rev. Thom for his 5th movie night of rare, unusual, and weird short films for only $10 on January 25th (EA16) or Adam Good for the first ever Magic the (Community) Gathering for $10 on the same day (EA 20).
|
|
NEW CLASS - Co-Led by Member Janel Sexton
|
Discounted rate for Members - Please contact Janel for more information!
|
Sign up to go paperless! So far, 67 households have signed up to receive paperless contribution statements- will you join them? Every January we send out a mailing showing households' contributions from January 1st - December 31st, 2019. This year, we are asking families to help us save on time, postage, and paper by signing up to receive their statement via email. Please SIGN UP HERE!
|
|
OFFICE CLOSED 1/1/20
Happy New Year!
|
STAY CONNECTED
|
|
|
|
|
