|
October 7
The Wounded Optimist
Rev. Jay E. Abernathy, Jr., Guest Minister
Our heritage is one of great optimism. The Universalists believed in God's forgiveness, and the Unitarians believed in human initiative and creativity. Yet, naive optimism leads to cynicism and despair when outrageously unreal expectations fail. When we really pay attention to those who suffer in our world, our optimism takes a beating, but we need not forfeit a positive outlook if we combine realism with compassion.
October 14
What Are We Doing Here?
Rev. Thom Belote, Minister
What Are We Doing Here? is the title of the newest book by Marilynne Robinson, one of our minister's favorite writers. This Service will be inspired by her thought and her deepest theological concerns. Join us for a provocative, inspiring, and challenging Service.
October 21
It Takes a Demos
Rev. Thom Belote, Minister
The Greek word demos, from which we get the word democracy, means "village." As long as democracies have existed, people have fought with each other over who, in fact, gets to be a part of the village. As Unitarian Universalists, our fifth Principle calls us to promote the democratic process in our congregation and in society at large. We do this by insisting on an ever more inclusive "village".
October 28
Membership Sunday
Rev. Thom Belote, Minister
On this Sunday, when we recognize those new Members who have joined the church in the past several months, we will all gather - Members new and old - to consider the meaning of Membership in this, our chosen community.
|
|
is our Fall Auction!
Join the fun at our church's largest FUNdraiser of the year.
Doors will open at 4:30 pm for registration, auction browsing (bidding starts at 5pm), and dropping off "tasty hors d'oeuvres" for munching on with wine/beer while bidding. There will be a 50/50 CASH raffle and a Live Auction, too!
- Donate: We need to have 130+ donations to meet our budget goal of $15k. YOU can help by entering items (activities/events, meals, services, hand-made treasures, and more!) at www.togetherauction.com/ccchuu The last day to enter donations is Sunday, October 21st.
- 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 child care.
|
|
|
The art in the sanctuary in October will be pieces from the Zimbabwe Artist Project, art made by the (mostly) women of the Weya region of Zimbabwe.
Women of Weya are subsistence farmers, mothers, and householders
as well as artists. Most women live
on their
own, providing for families. Some are
widowed, others are
single heads of households, since
throughout Zimbabwe
men leave the rural areas to
seek work in cities. Women's income
from agriculture is unpredictable
and limited. Sales of their art help women afford food,
clothing, school fees, medicines,
transport, seeds and fertilizer.
Since the market for
Weya art in Zimbabwe is extremely limited, sales in the U.S. are critical. ZAP purchases,
more art than any other buyer, delivering
cash at the time of purchase. ZAP celebrates the artistry and accomplishments of these talented women, and supports their efforts to become economically self-sufficient.
|
|
|
BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE
The Building Task Force has evaluated numerous options for meeting our highest priority space requirements,
taking into account funds raised and the church's overall financial situation, in the context of significant market forces affecting the construction industry.
The Board of Trustees has endorsed the Task Force's conclusions and is asking the congregation for feedback on the recommended strategy. Congregational feedback will factor into the Board's ultimate determination of what course will serve the best interest of the church. We are asked to look at the building design updates and strategic rationale, and to register our feedback by October 21 via any of several structured information channels including a Town Hall meeting on Sunday, October 14. Watch for announcements, stop by the Building on Our Legacy display (in the alcove between kitchen and stage) any Sunday, and/or use the on-line (Survey Monkey) form.
|
|
CHILDREN'S & YOUTH MINISTRY
|
THANK YOU, GRACIAS, MERCI, TAKK, ARIGATO TO...
Gail McKinley
for designing the new directional signs that help new folks find the Religious Education Program on Sunday mornings.They are beautiful and hold up well in the rain!
|
HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM?
|
High School Lock In: October 19-20
Grinch Dinner: December 6, 6PM
Nifty Gifty: December 16, 10AM-1PM
Special bUUddy Breakfast: February 10, 10AM
Shelter Neck Family Retreat, April 26-28
|
The Endowment Committee made a grant to support church members who want to participate in Racial Equity Institute Phase I Training. The grant reduces the cost of participation in the Phase 1 workshop from $295 to $40 per person. In order to qualify for the grant, church members must attend the workshop with at least 2 other members from a church committee, ministry or taskforce they participate in. To find out which Phase 1 workshops are available in our area, go to the
Organizing Against Racism
website and be sure to click on the specific dates you are interested in to make sure that there are still spaces, then contact Marion Hirsch at hirsch.marion@gmail.com.
|
IFC The Inter-faith Council for Social Services (known as "IFC") will be having its Share the Plate (STP) on
October 21st. Maureen O'Rourke and Shannon Richards have been the liaisons from The Community Church to IFC for the last 8 years. They have enjoyed their time getting to know this wonderful organization and representing our church. It is time for them to step down as liaisons and will end their involvement in December. They are available to discuss what this position entails with anyone who may be interested. It is very important to continue providing support to IFC. Our church was one of the founding members that recognized that there were individuals and families that were in need of food and support.
|
|
ECO'S ENVIRONMENTAL CORNER
|
First Sunday Recyclables at the ECO table - October 7:
Eyeglasses (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 various environmental issues, depending on members' interests. 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!
|
SHARE THE PLATE APPLICATIONS DEADLINE!!! The Share the Plate (STP) Steering Committee is accepting applications for STP Sundays for Jan-June 2019. Our mission is t
o 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. 14! Applications may be found on the STP church webpage under Justice and Service. Applicants MUST use appropriate and current application forms and submit to the committee as directed on the webpage. Questions? Jill Baker (
jillyapple@yahoo.com
) or Jane Provan (
janerivaprovan@gmail.com
)
|
El Centro Hispano's Center for Employment and Leadership
also known as The Workers' Center
When the center was launched 3 ½ years ago, the intent was to connect members of the Latino community with employers in the area, the goal being to find meaningful work for members. There are many success stories, but one thatstands out is relayed by one of the workers. He had spent 23 years in prison and was looking for a new start and a new job. Friends directed him to ECH because of the center's good track record. He felt supported throughout his job search, saying he "could not find the words to explain what he had experienced in the last month and a half." He now has an employer who he credits with helping him grow as an employee and an individual, and says "ECH is where everything started."
|
OCTOBER 21 - INTER-FAITH COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
|
 The inter-faith Council for Social Services (known as IFC) will be having its Share the Plate on
October 21st. Maureen O'Rourke and Shannon Richards have been the liaisons from The Community Church to IFC for the last 8 years. They have enjoyed their time getting to know this wonderful organization and representing our church. It is time for them to step down as liaisons and will end their involvement in December. They are available to discuss what this position entails with anyone who may be interested. It is very important to continue providing support to IFC. We were one of the founding members that recognized that there were individuals and families that were in need of food and support.
|
SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS (SEA)
|
Offerings which are still enrolling are:
- Rebuilding Resilience: An Experiential Crash Course in Well-Being, led by Bryan Sexton, 10/4, 7:00pm
- Building Your Own Theology, led by Steve Warshaw and Karen Rossie, Thursdays, 7:00pm,10/11 - 11/8
- Spiritual Retreat (Rescheduled): 10/20, 9:00am - 12:00pm
- God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World, led by Joe Swain, Thursdays, 3:00pm, 11/1-11/15
- Tai Chi, led by Joe Swain, Wednesdays, 7:00pm 9/19-12/20
- Let's Talk Trans, led by Ames Simmons, 11/29, 7:00pm
Sign up online or at our table after services..
|
|
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.
Signup link.
|
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.
|
Sanctuary for Dialogue is committed to reducing political polarization in the Triangle and beyond. One approach we use is Red/Blue Workshops, which offer the chance to talk with people with very different political views and thereby increase understanding and empathy. Our moderators, trained by the national organization Better Angels, have moderated workshops
recently, for UNC undergraduates on 9/8 and in Raleigh on 9/29. The UNC workshop began with introductions, during which Blue (liberal) students told the Red (conservative) students that the Reds never talked about their views. The Reds said they would be targeted and attacked if they did. A heartfelt discussion extended throughout the workshop and continued for at least an hour and a half after the workshop ended. You're invited to attend our meetings (12:00 noon on second Sundays in the Straley) or
visit our website and learn more about what we do.
|
Come join the Community Clickers as we use needles and yarn to create comfort and warmth for our community. Our projects are made with 7" x 9" knitted and crocheted blocks of washable acrylic, #4 worsted weight yarn, but you are welcome to join us and work on your own project. We have made a UU Throw (41"x46") with 20 different blocks, peace doves, and a flaming chalice for the 2018 Fall Auction in addition to many shawls for UNC Hospice. Check out our 2018 completed projects online . Join us on Wednesday, October 3rd from 2-4 pm in the Commons and on Monday October 15th from 7-9 pm in the Straley Room. We generally spend some time working on a shawl for UNC Hospice and then click and chat, but some attendees click and chat the entire time! Can't knit or crochet? Come learn! Contact
clickers@c3huu.org
for more information.
|
On Saturday, October 20, at 10:30 in the Kirby Room, the Nonfiction Readers will discuss When a Crocodile Eats the Sun, by Peter Godwin. The author describes his childhood in Zimbabwe, the violent war of independence, the rise of Robert Mugabe, the country's descent into chaos and poverty, and his parents'
reasons for refusing to leave, despite everything. Although published in 2008, the book is timely due to Mugabe's recent forced resignation as president of Zimbabwe. Betsy Kiesling will be leading our discussion. The Nonfiction Readers meet on the third Saturday of each month. New members and drop-ins are welcome. For more information, contact Ed Steffes at
nonfiction@c3huu.org
|
Book Sharing and Exchange
Saturday, October 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Straley Room. Bring your favorite book and w
e will take turns talking about and sharing short excerpts from our favorite books.
We will also have a table set up so that you may bring other books you are willing to give away for our end-of-meeting book swap. Contact Lisa Epner for more information: tomonalisa@gmail.com
|
Falling Leaves, Falling Water, Oct. 26-28. Transylvania County boasts 250 waterfalls and a more modest but still impressive number of craft breweries. We'll be staying at the Sunset Motel, a 4 1/2 star, modestly-priced retro blast from the 50s past. Brevard is home to what's easily the best stocking stuffers store in the state, as well as its signature critter, the White Squirrel (viewings by special arrangement). 2 rooms left: RSVP to
chandler-dorfman@mindspring.com
|
A COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING
After a long hiatus, we are reviving the Community Church tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving as a community at the church!
You and your family and friends are invited to join us on
Thanksgiving Day for a potluck dinner, with turkey and ham provided.
The dinner bell will be at 2:00, with the doors open at 1:00 to prepare for the meal.
Starting on Sunday,
November 4th, you can sign up at the Thanksgiving table during coffee hour.
Volunteers to help with sign-up are welcome.
Please contact Danny Gotham (
steelstringer@gmail.com) or Cathy Cole (
kocole@hotmail.com) to help.
|
STAY CONNECTED
|
|
|
|
|
