• WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK WITH OUR NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION? In the twenty-third week, with the building envelope completed, work continues on roofing, also siding and trim. Inside, the framing has been finalized and is being prepped to accept drywall. Plumbing, mechanical and electrical rough-ins continue. The Task Force’s design team is finalizing selection of finish options. You can take a virtual peek at the ongoing work here via weekly-updated photos and video.

• WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY? In December, children and youth in Religious Education are studying STILLNESS. This week, we will begin by learning about unplugging. We will continue our time of Family Fellowship on Sunday mornings, where we can share joys and sorrows. Middle School and High School youth groups will gather virtually on Sunday evening. The Family Fun Event on Saturday is Minecraft! For more information about our Religious Education Program, contact Marion Hirsch or Kat Good.

• OPEN Q&A SESSION DECEMBER 6 ABOUT DONATION STRATEGIES FOR CLOSING THE GAP An informal explanation and discussion of donation strategies and the Building Project finances will be held with Andrew Wright (Treasurer) and Bill Poteat (Assistant Treasurer) after coffee hour on the 6th. Use the Coffee Hour Zoom link any time after 11am and stay through to the Q&A, starting about 11:45. If you are interested, but unable to attend this session, or would like a private conversation on the topic, please email Andrew, here or Bill, here.

• RARE WOMEN We are Rare Women who meet via Zoom to share our life experiences while discussing the gifts, myths, and challenges of aging. On Monday, December 7th, Joann Haggerty’s group, here, (2-4pm) will discuss Chapters 12-13 from Mary Pipher’s book, Women Rowing North. On Thursday, December 10th, Bonnie Gilliom’s group, here, (10am-noon) will also discuss Chapters 12-13. That afternoon, Susan Blanchard’s group, here (1:30-3:30pm) will have an open discussion. Discussion questions are HERE. .Contact us here with questions.

• COMMUNITY CHURCH COOKBOOKS ARE HERE! Pre-paid? Pick up your Community Church Cookbook 2020 at the church office on Tuesday, 12/8, from 10AM -2PM. Also, you can just bring your checkbook and buy one -or more!- on the spot. Each cookbook is $15, & profits go to Closing the Gap for our Building Project. Order here through the church website: scroll down to “Cook Book” under “One-Time Donation.” Or, just mail/bring a check. Questions? please email us here.

• WOMENCIRCLE 2021 PLANNING MEETING Come join us for the WomenCircle annual planning meeting on Wednesday, December 9 on Zoom from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. We need to plan some virtual (or safe outdoor) activities for 2021. All WomenCircle "wannabes" should bring their ideas to the Zoom meeting. RSVP by email to Sindy Barker here so she can send an invitation. If you cannot attend, but have a suggestion, please contact Joann Haggerty at 919-929-5573 or email her here.

• *NEW PROGRAM* ANTI-RACISM OFFICE HOURS As a follow-up to the 29-Day Racial Equity Challenge, Rev. Thom and Challenge facilitators will be offering regular "Anti-racism Office Hours". This is a chance to bring your questions and experiences to reflect and receive feedback and coaching. We're exploring offering a few sessions in December before we decide on a regular time in 2021. Initial office hours will be held on Thursday, December 10 - Join us here on Zoom from 12-1PM, or here, from 7-8PM.

• 2020 FALL AUCTION Follow a Plague Doctor through Prague on Saturday, December 12th from 3-4:30 pm. We will step back in time and virtually experience the empty streets of Prague during the Black Death and plagues of the 17th and 18th centuries. The tour is narrated by our host, who will join us from Prague and is interactive with opportunities for questions. The cost is $20/household (one computer). Contact Don and Susan Blanchard NOW to purchase your place.

• OUTDOOR CONNECTIONS: ANNUAL PLANNING (ZOOM) MEETING DEC 12, 1PM Yes, there will be life beyond COVID. In the meantime, we need to continue focusing on local outings, making adjustments as can best keep us safe from the virus, and sane through interaction with friends. With now-reasonable hopes for the future, we can also begin exploring expanded travel horizons and the cost-sharing, group-enjoying benefits of shared rental space. Bring your best experiences and fondest hopes. Let’s see what plans we can make. RSVP here.

• HOT COCOA SOCIAL(-DISTANCING): 12/13/20, 2-3PM - We hope you can join us! Weather-permitting, we will meet in socially-distanced assigned (& rotating!) spots in the large parking lot at church for a fun (and tasty!) social event, including hot cocoa, fun and fellowship. For safety and Phase 3 compliance, there is a strict guest number limit, and registration is required. RSVP HERE. 

• CHARMING HANDMADE CARDS AND GIFTS FROM THE MANSE Charming handmade Christmas cards by Gaby Vallecillo are only $15 for a packet of 10--order yours this week for pickup by Dec. 13. Designs may also include some not pictured here. And hand-painted canvas shoes will be a great gift for someone you know. Gaby can do this for a reasonable price if you provide the shoes! Contact Rita White here to place your order or for more information.

• Growing Our Endowment Fund Ho! Ho! HO! In this Season of Giving, consider making a financial commitment to grow the Endowment Fund to support the mission, shared values and legacy of our beloved community well into the future. There are many ways to give a gift that will sustain the work of our church for individuals and communities yet to come! Check out our webpage for projects the Fund has supported and heed The Grinch’s advice for giving!

• 2020 FALL AUCTION There are still ~20 unpaid accounts for the 2020 Fall Auction. Is yours one of them? Check “My Statement” in the auction catalog, here to find out what you won. Send a check to Community Church with “Auction” in the memo line, or pay online (additional fees apply so please include those) using the “Donate Now” button here. Questions? Contact Don and Susan Blanchard here. Thanks for making the auction a success!

• MIGHT YOU CONSIDER DONATION OF APPRECIATED STOCK ANYTIME SOON? If you are planning to donate appreciated stock to the Community Church, this could be a good time. Your stock donation could be credited to any existing pledge. Or, it could be an unpledged donation to the Capital Fund to help close the Building Project Gap. If you have questions about donating stock, please contact Dana Lundquist our Congregational Administrator here or call 919-229-9452.

• SHARE THE PLATE THANK YOU: IFC HOLIDAY MEALS We collected $2030 for the Interfaith Council to serve holiday meals this year. Thank you all for your generosity! I know the IFC appreciated it and was able to serve many a lovely Thanksgiving feast.

• SIGN UP FOR PAPER ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION STATEMENT In mid-January, The Community Church will be emailing out contribution statements showing households' contributions for the annual year from January 1, 2020 - December 31st, 2020. We will be sending these statements using the email address we have on file for you. If you are interested in receiving a paper copy of your contribution statement in the mail, please fill out this form by January 25th, 2020. Email Dana here or call 919-229-9452 with questions.

• 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.

• 2020 DIGITAL PHOTO DIRECTORY IS HERE! Members and Associates of The Community Church, your free, digital copy of The Community Church Photo Directory 2020 is waiting for you! Simply request your copy, and it will be sent right to your inbox!

• GET OUT THE GEORGIA VOTE! With calls or letters, join UUs across the country in reaching voters in Georgia before the Senate Runoff elections on January 5. Note - we'll be using a new PDI calling platform, which allows us to make calls from either your phone or our computer. All training will be included in the event. Phone Banks Sign Ups:
• Sun, 12/6, 4 - 6 PM
• Thurs, 12/10, 7- 9 PM
• Sun, 12/13, 4- 6 PM
• Thurs, 12/17, 7-9 PM
• Write Letters to Georgia Voters here with Vote Forward - send on Monday 12/7 Submitted by Side With Love

• CHAPEL HILL CARRBORO NAACP PARTNERING WITH LOCAL ARTISTS FOR ART AUCTION A grassroots group of artists & organizers in Chapel Hill organized a pop-up art walk “Meet the Moment” on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill during 2020 Early Voting, featuring more than 70 pieces of local art intended to inspire voting, action & justice. Most of these #MeetTheMoment2020 pieces are now up for auction. Bidding ends 12/13/20. All proceeds will go to the NAACP of Chapel Hill Carrboro. View & bid on these works of art here. Submitted by Joy Blevins

• CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO NAACP BRANCH INFO: CHAPEL HILL CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIONThe branch is urging community members provide input on the Town of Chapel Hill's 2020 climate action plan. Feedback due by Dec. 18 & can be made on the town’s online tool.The plan charts a course for how our community can work together to reduce the emissions that cause climate change & build resilience to the stressors coming with a changing climate. For Community Church members interested on ongoing environmental justice work, the branch has a Environmental & Climate Justice Committee. More info here. Submitted by Joy Blevins