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SUNDAY WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP |
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Sunday Programming
TWO SUNDAY SERVICES: 9:30AM & 11:15AM
9AM:
- Live Religious Education Service on Zoom
9:30AM:
10:30AM:
11:15AM:
12:15PM:
1PM:
Sunday Evening
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December 4
“Reclaiming Jesus” Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
The Sanctuary has been greened. The calendar has turned to December. This morning, Rev. Thom will share some reflections on embracing Jesus from a Unitarian Universalist perspective.
December 11
Children’s Holiday Pageant: “The Gospel Truth: A Judean Musical” Led by Glenn Mehrbach
This year’s Children’s Holiday Pageant will be an update on 2016 service. Only two of the four Christian Gospels, those written by Mark and Luke, mention the Birth of Jesus at all. And their stories differ significantly. In this “Hamilton-esque” retelling of the Gospel stories, the children and youth of the church will sing, dance and rap their way through the competing sagas with humor and fun.
December 18
Choir Service: “While the Sun Stands Still” Led by Glenn Mehrbach
As the cosmic wheel turns Earth towards the winter solstice and longer nights, we pause to celebrate the dark and its welcome tranquility. Music Director Glenn Mehrbach leads this service with Community Church Choirs and Rev. Alison Wilbur Eskildsen.
Saturday, December 24
Christmas Eve Services
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
5 & 7 PM
Join us for one of two Christmas Eve services. The 5 PM service will be lively and energetic. The 7 PM service will be a bit quieter and more contemplative. Both services will include a homily from Rev. Thom, familiar Christmas hymns, and Silent Night by candlelight.
Sunday, December 25
Christmas Day Sharing Service
Rev. Thom Belote, leading worship
*** ONE SERVICE AT 11 AM ONLY ***
On Sunday, December 25, Rev. Thom will lead an informal Christmas Day service at 11 AM. You are invited to bring a favorite holiday poem, reading, or short story to share.
January 1, 2023
“Welcoming the New Year”
Bill Rote & Rev. Thom Belote, leading worship
*** ONE SERVICE AT 11 AM ONLY ***
With the turning to a new year, we gather to let go of whatever from 2022 we need to let go of. We turn to the promise and possibility of this new year and commit ourselves to stepping into it with intention. Join us for this service led by Rev. Thom Belote and Worship Ministry Chair, Bill Rote.
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INTER-FAITH COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL SERVICES On December 4, there will be a Share the Plate (STP) in support of the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services (IFC). For over 50 years, our church, through its volunteer and financial support, has played an important role in making the IFC the preeminent organization addressing food insecurity and homelessness in our community. The STP will address the question, "What are the new things that the IFC will be doing in the next year and why are they doing them?"
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SHARE THE PLATE Thanks to all who contributed to Share the Plate for the Orange County Rape Crisis Center (OCRRC), a project sponsored by the Side With Love ministry. Donations totaled $1,747, and will benefit the Center’s advocacy and therapy services for survivors of sexual violence, as well as training for prevention of child sexual abuse. The Center also provided training to members of our community on October 15. We will continue to seek opportunities to receive OCRRC training in the future on such topics as recognizing sexual abuse. Join the email interest list to learn about the availability of future training. Join the email interest list to learn about the availability of future training.
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ECO: TIPS FOR A GREENER HOLIDAY; FIRST SUNDAY MEETING DECEMBER 4, 1:15PM
A new, seasonal entry on ECO’s web page has tips for us about how to make our holidays both joyful and greener. At our next ECO meeting, we will discuss issues relating to postcard writing; environmental films we want to watch and articles and their rebuttals we want to discuss apropos to COP27 and other environmental warnings. Hope you will join us or consider becoming a Friend of ECO to receive occasional action-oriented newsletters. To sign up for Friends of ECO or for other details, contact us.
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SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS |
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LABYRINTH WALK, SUNDAY 12/11 AT 12:45 PM
LED BY PAIGE SMITH & KATHY HODGES
The labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool that has many applications in various settings. It reduces stress, quiets the mine, and opens the heart. There are many ways to describe a labyrinth: walking mediation; path of prayer; crucible of change; a vessel for the spirit and a mirror of the soul; a never-ending circle; or an enlightened path to the Divine within each of us. It can symbolize a rebirth, a life journey and pilgrimage with all its twists and turns, or a temple whose center reconfirms our relationship with the cosmos and Divine spirit.
Join us for a discussion, labyrinth walk, and reflection on December 11, after 2nd service. We will meet at the church and go from there to the labyrinth at UNC Hospitals. Sponsored by Spiritual Exploration for Adults (SEA). Contact Paige Smith or Kathy Hodges
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HOLIDAY BAZAAR DECEMBER 4 Participate in the life of our church by supporting the Creatives and Artists within our beloved community! Please join the Welcoming Ministry in a Holiday Bazaar, where folks are invited to showcase and sell their work, and support the church (20% of proceeds are donated to The Community Church)!
WHO: Creatives & Artists in the The Community Church of Chapel Hill community
WHAT: Holiday Bazaar - - where Creatives & Artists connect with the rest of our community, and members of our congregation do holiday shopping - supporting the Arts & the church!
WHERE: The Community Church Community Room (and possibly the kast Courtyard)
WHEN: December 4, following both the 9:30AM and 11:15AM services during the Sunday Socials
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NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTION: Beverly (Bev) Kawalec Bev grew up in a Disciple of Christ Church in Columbus, Ohio. She had a wonderful minister there who, with my parents, guided me to my values and beliefs. Ironically, while she was attending a Christian college, she realized that she is a Unitarian Universalist. She joined a UU Fellowship soon after she married and moved to Chapel Hill in 1968. At that time there was no Unitarian Church in Chapel Hill. This year, Bev decided that The Community Church would be a comfortable fit for her and transferred my membership. Bev says, "Mainly, I would like to connect with individuals to create community and friendship. I will explore the various groups and activities to see where I feel a good fit." She adds, "This world we live in so badly needs justice, equity, compassion, acceptance of one another and all the other UU Principles." Welcome, Bev!
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JOIN REV. THOM & RACHEL ROSE FOR EXPLORING MEMBERSHIP CLASSES: 1/5 & 1/12/23, 7PM
Are you considering Membership? Interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism, or our church community?
On Thursday evenings, 1/5 & 1/12/23, at 7PM, Rev. Thom & Rachel Rose will offer a two-part Exploring Membership class. The class will provide an introduction to Unitarian Universalism and our congregation, the meaning of Membership, provide an opportunity for reflecting on our spiritual journeys, and give you a chance to meet others who are newer to The Community Church. Classes will be held from 7PM to 8:30PM in person, in the Commons at church. Please RSVP by sending an email to Rachel Rose. . If you have already taken the Exploring Membership class and feel ready to join, you can sign the Membership Book in person with Rachel Rose on any Sunday morning, or with Rev. Thom by appointment. Can't make it this time? Let Rachel Rose know if you can participate on January 5 & 12.
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SUNDAY SMALL GROUP SOCIAL CONTINUES IN DECEMBER! Please join Rachel Rose for this important time of connection. We will continue meeting on Sundays in December. We have an icebreaker, join in random groups (it's fun!) and have a time of sharing and fellowship, followed by a closing reading. We hope to see you there!
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HELP MAKE SUNDAY MORNINGS HAPPEN - SERVE AS A GREETER! Our church is busy, and we need folks to help welcome people - both newcomers and longtime members - into our church on Sunday morning... and we have some Greeter spaces open over the next few weeks! Please take a moment to sign up below, and help new people see what our community is really like. Please join us when you can for this simple, but important work. Thanks so much - your help is appreciated!
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2022 PHOTO DIRECTORY: Get your photos taken after services! Members and Associates are invited to have their photo taken for our 2022 Photo Directory - Please schedule an appointment with Rachel Rose if you'd like to be included. It takes fewer than five minutes, and it helps us connect as a community! Already had your photo taken, but you'd like a new picture? No problem! Rachel Rose would be happy to give you another session.
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QUUILTERS We meet on Saturday morning, December 3rd 9 - 11:30 AM, in The Gathering Room. We will continue making quilted placemats for participants of Meals on Wheels in Orange and Durham Counties. There will be a brief demonstration of a quilting technique at 9:30 AM. You may bring your machine and sewing supplies to work on placemats there, or you can help by pulling, ironing and cutting fabrics. We want to make as many placemats as we can by the Community Day of Service in March, 2023. Please wear your mask and bring your current or recent projects to share with us during our check-in time together. Fabric bundles are available to take home to work on placemats.
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MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY AND THE HOLIDAYS
Holiday ads featuring happy families have already started. You can almost smell the cookies baking on the TV screen. For many in our congregation, and in our community, the reality of holidays is very different. The church Mental Health Ministry is available to provide support to members who are concerned about someone in their family suffering from mental illness. We will be offering zoom meetings November 19 at 7:30 PM and December 21, also at 7:30 PM. We will have an in-person gathering on January 8, exact time TBA.
Finding Hope has sections on how to ease the stress family holidays. Contact Susan Spalt or Marion Hirsch for more information or to get a copy.
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HOLIDAY TOOL KIT (FROM FINDING HOPE)
• Make time for self-care. Talk with supportive friends and family members.
• Talk frankly with your family about what they can manage. Not all holiday celebrations need to include everyone. Try and talk about the behaviors that are unacceptable. Ask your family members what would make the holidays easier for them.
• Anticipate possible problems and possible coping strategies
• Try to “reach around” the mental illness and respond to what is healthy in your loved one
• Keep a journal. Write out possible problems and how you will cope. Then write down what happened and how you coped.
• Remember you are not to blame and that you are not alone.
• Attend a Mental Health Ministry gathering (Support Is Contagious).
• Come to church
...And a word of advice to trouble-free families: Be kind and supportive to families who are struggling with mental illness--or any illness. Avoid blaming them—and avoid bragging about what a great parent you are!
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RARE WOMEN We are women (mostly retired) who ARE OLDER, WISER, AND RARE and meet on Zoom in three different groups. Joann Haggerty’s group meets 2-4 PM on the 1st and 3rd Mondays; Bonnie Gilliom’s group meets 10-11:30 AM on every Thursday; and Susan Blanchard’s group meets 1:30-3:30 PM on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays. We are discussing selected chapters from My Grandfather’s Blessings by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. Discussion questions can be found here. Discussions in Rare Women are intended to prompt us to share thoughts, feelings, values, courageous examples, friendships, and life experiences with group members. However, what is said in Rare Women, stays in Rare Women. NEW MEMBERS are welcome to join any of our three groups. The meeting schedule and discussion topic for each group are posted on the Rare Women webpage.
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COMMUNITY CHURCH CONCERTS |
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THE KRUGER BROTHERS TO GRACE THE STAGE FOR COMMUNITY CHURCH CONCERTS!
Once again, Community Church Concerts will host the incomparable Kruger Brothers Sat., Dec. 10, 8 PM in the Sanctuary! In their ever-expanding body of work – Jens Kruger (banjo and vocals), Uwe Kruger (guitar and lead vocals), and Joel Landsberg (bass and vocals) – The Kruger Brothers personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition. Their original music is crafted around their discerning taste, and the result is unpretentious, cultivated, and delightfully fresh. Come and enjoy these incredible musicians AND delight in our tasty desserts at intermission! WE ARE ALMOST SOLD OUT! Buy tickets below! Have questions, or want to volunteer? Contact Terry Baker.
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UPCOMING STAFF HOLIDAYS:
- DECEMBER 23
- DECEMBER 26
- JANUARY 2
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END OF CALENDAR YEAR DONATIONS FOR TAX PURPOSES
Remember that while the church fiscal year runs through June, the tax year ends in December. So, if you plan to deduct your pledge on your 2022 personal taxes, be sure to fulfill your pledge by the end of December. Please send checks with enough time for Harrison to receive it by December 31 for it to be applied to your statement from the church. Also, if you have required minimum distributions from a retirement account, you may be able to turn those into a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly to the church and realize tax savings. Talk to a financial advisor for more details on QCDs. Email Harrison below, or call: 919-229-9452
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OUTDOOR CONNECTIONS: ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 12 PM
We are blessed with 478 mapped trails within 5 miles of Chapel Hill. Also not far, there are thousands of acres of public, environmentally-protected waters, access to national seashores and high-altitude national parks. Where would you like to go, what would you like to do? What activities would help you renew old friendships and nurture new ones? What would enrich your own connections with the natural world?
Weather permitting, we will meet for a bring-your-own lunch get together on Peggy and Stephen’s deck, overhead heaters in place. (402 Ray Rd., 919-349-6409.) Weather forbidding, we’ll Zoom. The decision will be made and emails sent out Friday evening.
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JANUARY NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY DECEMBER 15
The Community Church of Chapel Hill Board of Trustees wants to hear from you!
If you would like to learn more about The Community Church of Chapel Hill,
please contact Rachel Rose, our Director of Membership & Communications:
Whether you are new, or a longtime attendee, and whatever your beliefs or background,
we welcome you to our community of friendship and ideals.
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106 Purefoy Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919-942-2050
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