• The Community Church Choir Bass & Tenor singers for taking the overflowing recycling to the curb.
• Logan Hamilton, a young person from the Greensboro UU congregation, who helped us improve our livestream on Sunday mornings.

• WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY? In September, children are learning about EMBRACING POSSIBILITY. This Sunday, we will focus on embracing forgiveness at our 9AM Zoom worship and 10AM in-person Religious Education. Neighboring Faiths and Eighth Grade OWL will meet on Sunday morning. Middle School Youth Group, Coming of Age and High School OWL will meet on Sunday evening. For more information about our Religious Education Program, contact Marion Hirsch or Kat Good.

• VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR RETURNS! Please join Rachel Rose for the return to this important time of connection. We will be meeting here, via Zoom at 11:30 AM on Sunday. We will have an icebreaker, be assigned into random groups (it's fun!) and have a time of sharing and fellowship, followed by a closing reading. We hope to see you there!

• NONFICTION BOOK DISCUSSION FOR SEPTEMBER On Saturday, September 18 from 10:30 AM to 12 PM, the Nonfiction Readers will discuss 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, by Charles C. Mann. Steve McNeary will be leading our discussion, which will be held via Zoom. New members and drop-ins are welcome. Contact the group here to ask questions, or to be placed on the distribution list for meeting information.

• SHARE THE PLATE Sept. 19 will be the Share the Plate for Charles House, a 30-year-old day center for older adults needing extra help. In April 2021, they were able to resume their normal schedule of varied activities for participants, with full and half day options. Our funds will increase the scholarships assisting about 20% of those attending. All cash goes to the Share The Plate (STP). Please makes your checks to the church, with "STP" in the memo. For questions, look for the courtyard table at church or contact Sue Brewer, here.

• RARE WOMEN We are women (mostly retired) who discuss the gifts, myths, and challenges of growing older. We are discussing Ashton Applewhite’s book, This Chair Rocks – A Manifesto Against Ageism, using this discussion guide. Joann Haggerty’s group will meet via Zoom, here from 2-4PM on Monday, September 20. NEWCOMERS ARE WELCOME to join any of our three groups! Check our webpage, here for group meeting times and Zoom links. Contact us HERE to join our email list.

• CIRCLE SINGING IN THE COURTYARD MONDAY 9/20, 7 PM Maybe you are wondering, what is Circle Singing? This modern spiritual practice was developed by Bobby McFerrin and his cadre of singers. It draws on traditions of chant, jazz, gospel, meditation and mindfulness to create one-of-a-kind choral improvisations. It's a mistake-free zone, accessible to beginning singers, but also challenges those with experience. We will be outdoors and socially distanced in the Courtyard, doing our best to provide everyone with a safe and comfortable experience. Email Eric here, for more info.

• SIDE WITH LOVE INVITES YOU TO JOIN US FOR JUSTICE Our Side With Love Ministry offers opportunities to live our faith and raise our voices to make love real in the world. There are many ways to advocate for justice in these pandemic days, with masks and distancing, or even without leaving home! Let your spirit rise to meet this moment as we zoom into the year ahead, September 20, 7-8:30 PM. Contact the Love team here for more information.

• 2021 FALL AUCTION MORE DONATIONS and MORE DONORS are needed to achieve the fundraising and community building goals of the 2021 Fall Auction. Login to the AUCTION CATALOG, here (learn how in this video or this document), enter YOUR DONATIONS, browse through the entire catalog, and mark your FAVORITES so that they will be easy to find when bidding begins on SEPTEMBER 25TH. Learn how to bid in this video and instructional document. QUESTIONS? Contact Don and Susan Blanchard.

• OUTDOOR CONNECTIONS: (LUNCH AND) WILDFLOWER WALK SUNDAY 9/26 1:30 PM Please note the change in time. There is also a change in the lunch location. Lunch at Kipos, followed by an easy 2 mile walk at Mason Farm. We tend to connect wildflowers with spring and overlook their more spectacular fall display. The fields at Mason Farm are at their best in September. Join us to enjoy them together. RSVP HERE.

• RACIAL EQUITY CHALLENGE CONTINUES: MON 9/27, 10/11, 10/25, 11/8, 7-8:15PM These facilitated community conversations are open to those who have participated in our previous racial equity challenges and those who have not. During this series, we will learn and talk about how we as individuals and as a community can prepare for sustained work on racial equity. Join us on Zoom as we explore what we need spiritually, socially/communally, and emotionally to continue the unlearning of white supremacy culture and the learnings of racial equity. As part of the challenge, you will be provided with all new readings, videos, and questions to ponder. We will meet every other week in facilitated small groups on zoom to reflect on and discuss our learnings. Register HERE. Questions? Contact Marion Hirsch here.

• ALL WOMEN OF THE CHURCH ARE INVITED TO A GATHERING OF GODDESSES On Monday September 27, at 7 PM, WomenCircle will Zoom together, with each woman representing a Goddess--you will have a long, diverse list to choose from. After introductions, each speaking as the Goddess we chose, we’ll respond to an ice-breaker and go on to discuss the state of the world or whatever we like. Please sign up in advance, here; you may contact Ruth Gibson here for more information.

• STUDY THE DAO DE JING -- THURSDAYS, 9/ 30, 10/7, 10/14 on Zoom at 7 PM We will study a Chinese sacred text written 2500 years ago, the primary text of Daoism (Taoism) and the second most translated book in the world after the Bible. We will study 8 of the 81 chapters focusing on the themes of WU WEI or action without action, DE (TE) virtue or how the Dao manifests and Yin Yang. We will read several different translations of each chapter and discuss. Each chapter is similar in length and complexity to a poem. Register here. Contact: Kari Andrade

• SPIRITUAL NATURALISM-- 5 TUESDAYS ON ZOOM IN OCT & NOV AT 7 PM Spiritual naturalism is a philosophy that aims to give contemporary meaning to the concept of spirit by associating it with the creativity of nature. Both traditional religion and Machine-Age science have misunderstood creativity. The new interest in natural creative processes has something to offer both religious and scientific humanists and may help build a bridge between the two. The course considers the social implications of Spiritual Naturalism and its compatibility with UU principles. Register here. Contact Ed Steffes.

• YOUR LEGACY CHECKLIST: AN INTRODUCTION. -- TUESDAYS 7 PM ON ZOOM, OCT 12&19 Led by Carolyn Holt, Ivy Brezina, and Nancy Mayer, Attorney at Law. As we get older, we all recognize the importance of having our affairs in order for our loved ones. Learn what documents are needed to complete this task. We will cover wills, advanced directives, and what needs to be done when death occurs. Upon registration, you will receive an electronic copy of Your Legacy Checklist. Completing the checklist is not a small amount of work, but you will feel fabulous when it’s done. Register here. Email Ivy Brezina here or call 415-663-8703.

• SIDE WITH LOVE AND AFGHAN REFUGEES Refugees from Afghanistan have arrived in Durham and more are expected. Trey Kennedy's neighborhood in Durham is organizing donations of household items. Look here for more information, including a list of things that are most needed.

• TEMPORARY HOUSING NEEDED FOR ASYLUM-SEEKER Our most recent asylum-seeker and her young son are in urgent need of housing. They fled abuse and violence in Honduras, and now need a kind family or women who can help them adapt to life in this country. She speaks little English, so some Spanish on the part of the hosts would be preferable. The timeline is uncertain at this point, but could be up to five months. If you or anyone you know is able to help out, or would like more information, please email Leslie Zeldin, here.

• SIGN UP FOR EXCITING FALL SEA (SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS) PROGRAMS SEA has an exciting lineup for Fall, including classes on the Tao De Ding and Spiritual Naturalism. The Fall welcomes the return of the popular programs: Your Legacy Checklist: How to Leave a Gift and Not a Mess, Tai Chi, and The 5 Big Questions. More information about these programs including times and dates and registration is HERE, or contact Marion Hirsch, here.

• JOIN THE SHARE THE PLATE STEERING COMMITTEE! "Share the Plate (STP) Steering Committee is looking for several new members! We meet twice a year to review applications for STP funding, select appropriate candidates, provide guidance for project coordinators and periodically evaluate policies and guidelines for STP approval. Interested? Contact Jill Baker HERE or Jane Provan HERE.  

• SHARE THE PLATE APPLICATION DEADLINE OCT. 31!The Share the Plate (STP) Steering Committee is accepting applications for STP Sundays for Jan-June 2022. STP supports the outreach ministry of our church with designated Sunday morning collections that support specific causes or organizations, which reflect the passions of the congregation. Deadline: Sun., OCT. 31! Applicants MUST use appropriate and current application forms and submit to the committee as directed HERE. Questions? Contact Jill Baker here. or Jane Provan, here.

• SERVICE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY: 2022 ANNUAL FALL AUCTION Learn new skills and serve The Community Church by volunteering to lead the 2022 annual fall auction. Thanks to dedicated leaders Don and Susan Blanchard, another fall auction is kicking off. After many years of auction stewardship, they are ready to pass the baton for next year. The Board of Trustees is looking for a leader to shadow the Blanchards, learn the online auction system and bring the 2022 auction to life in a (hopefully) post-COVID environment. Email Heather O'Connor here to step up or learn more.

• MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW! NEW SPACES NOW AVAILABLE Please request your dates & times in the virtual and physical spaces of our church for the summer & upcoming year. The form is always available here, on the homepage of the church website. Please use this form for all requests, including changes/cancellations; this helps Dana and Rachel track & meet our congregation's needs. Groups are meeting via Zoom and /or in person, and much of our campus is open. Here is our Building Use Policy, which we regularly update.

• SCAM ALERT Several members of the church received email from an address imitating Rev. Thom's, or those of other staff members. These messages ask people to purchase gift cards to give to people in the hospital, or something similar. These messages are a scam. If you receive them, please report them and delete them. If you have any concerns, please email Rev. Thom here. Please know that Rev. Thom and the staff of The Community Church will never send out email solicitations asking people to purchase gift cards.

• ART IN THE SANCTUARY From September through October, the art in the Sanctuary will be photographs by Maxine Okazaki. The show is titled, The Beauty of Nature: Birds and Butterflies. Maxine says "We often don’t notice Nature’s beauty because we’re too busy or we don’t bother to pay attention. When I go out to photograph Nature, I try to be mindful of whatever Nature reveals to me. Sometimes it’s a colorful butterfly or a bird actually sitting still to pose for me." Contact Maxine here.

• LECTIO MEDITATION GROUP We meet at 12 noon every Friday on Zoom. Using readings from poetry and the sacred traditions of world religions, we practice meditation through deep listening. If you’re interested in joining or would like more information, contact Barb Chapman here. (Please put LECTIO in the subject line of your email.) All are welcome!

• SUNDAY SERVICES FLOWER DONATIONS Would you like to donate flowers for The Community Church 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!