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SUNDAY WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP |
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9:30 AM - Live Religious Education Service on Zoom
11:30 AM - In-Person Sunday Social (Coffee Hour)
12 PM - Online Sunday Small Group Social
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PLEASE JOIN US FOR LIVESTREAMED OR IN-PERSON SERVICES:
SUNDAYS AT 10:30 AM!
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June 5, 2022
Annual Rising Up and Flower Communion Service for All Ages
Led by Marion Hirsch and Kat Good
This service celebrates children and youth who are rising up to Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and graduating High School Seniors. The service culminates in a favorite ritual of the Unitarian Universalist faith--the Flower Communion. Each person should bring a fresh flower to the service to contribute to the communion. The service is followed by a reception honoring the Seniors and their families.
June 12
“The God Who Loves You”
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
“The God Who Loves You” by Carl Dennis is one of my favorite poems. It explores how to reconcile what is with what might have been. Join us this morning as we explore the challenging ideas raised by this poem. Please stay after the service for our Annual Congregational Meeting.
June 19
“Opening to Mysticism”
Rev. Thom, preaching
The mystical path can be found in all of the world’s religions. This morning, we explore how to incorporate the ideas of mysticism into Unitarian Universalism.
Tuesday, June 21 - 7PM
Celebrate the Summer Solstice
On Tuesday, June 21, at 7 PM, come gather in the Courtyard (or online) to ritually celebrate the life-sustaining gifts of the Sun. In case of rain, we’ll meet in the Gathering Room.. Can’t attend in person? Contact Rev. Alison Eskildsen for the Zoom link.
June 26
“Choice Is Essential”
Rev. Thom, preaching
In May, we learned of a leaked Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. This morning’s service explores the theological basis for upholding reproductive choice and highlights the important work of our faith in a post-Roe landscape. This morning’s Share the Plate will be received for the Carolina Abortion Fund.
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING & ANNUAL CELEBRATION SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 11:30AM
Join with your Board of Trustees and fellow congregants for our annual Congregational Meeting in the Sanctuary on Sunday, June 12 at 11:30AM, immediately following the Sunday service. We will celebrate our church’s accomplishments over the past 10 years, recognize the contributions of individuals in our congregation to our congregation, review the proposed budget for church operations, and announce the results of the electronic vote on the Endowment Fund grant and Endowment Committee vacancy. The meeting will conclude with an opportunity for members to ask questions regarding all aspects of church operations. If you cannot join in person, the meeting will be available here, at this secure link. Join us for a Reception with refreshments in the Courtyard afterward. If you have any questions, please contact Board President Barb Chapman.
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SHARE THE PLATE: SARAH ELIZABETH INSCH CHURCH YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM On June 5, the Share the Plate collection will be on behalf of the Insch Leadership program, which was established to honor the memory of Sarah Insch who was a beloved leader in this church and life-long Unitarian Universalist who was deeply devoted to spiritual development of children and youth. In the Insch Leadership Program youth serve on a church ministry team or committee and receive mentoring and guidance to help them develop as leaders. Insch Associates also receive scholarships to participate in leadership opportunities. Through this program, youth build connections with the congregation and are able to give back to their church community, as well as mentor other church youth in their leadership experience. These connections also support their becoming lifelong Unitarian Universalists. Your donation will help fund scholarships for the next class of Insch Leaders. Contact Marion Hirsch for more information. You can donate now online, send a donation to the church (checks payable to The Community Church; put STP-Insch Program Fund in the memo), or give at church on June 5.
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SHARE THE PLATE FOR CAROLINA ABORTION FUND: JUNE 26 On June 26, Share the Plate will support the Carolina Abortion Fund, which supports North and South Carolinians in navigating financial and logistical barriers to accessing abortion care. Since 2011, CAF has provided funding, transportation support, doula services, and post-abortion support to patients in both states. CAF gives grants to clinics to fill the gap between costs and what patients can afford. CAF is supported by a small staff (funded by outside grants) and volunteers who operate a helpline for people seeking care and options. Dollar for dollar, all donations go to fund caller needs.
CAF is a pro-abortion, queer-affirming organization working for liberated abortion access. It works with a national network of organizations to support people in choosing if, when, and how to become a parent.
At a time when the right to make such choices is in acute danger, supporting organizations with demonstrated capacity to assist people seeking abortion care is more critical than ever.
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SCHOOL SUPPLIES SHARE THE PLATE JULY 10 In 2020, 60% of families in NC reported difficulty paying for normal household expenses. This includes food, rent, utilities. School supplies do not even figure into this budget. Our annual school supplies effort provides over 100 students in Chatham and Chapel Hill Carrboro schools with new backpacks, and grade-appropriate supplies. On July 10, we will have a Share the Plate (STP) for this ministry. Please donate generously - the need has only increased due to pandemic-related issues for families. You can also donate online below, or by send a check to the church. For online or check, please include: "STP-School Supplies". Questions, or to volunteer to pack supplies, contact Teri Brooks.
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SHARE THE PLATE THANK YOU FOR TREESDURHAM Thank you so much for your generous support of ECO’s Share the Plate for TreesDurham on April 24 as part of Earth Month. You contributed a total of $1042.77 toward TreesDurham’s efforts to bring the benefits of trees to all its citizens. Your funds will be used for tree planting events by neighbors, especially in areas with fewer trees because of lower income or racial injustices like redlining. The trees will cool cityscapes which otherwise concentrate heat, and improve air quality, physical and mental health, and safety.
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MORAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON JUNE 18 Many of us were involved in, or remember, the Moral Monday Marches on Raleigh, led by the Reverend William Barber. The Moral March has evolved into a nationwide movement, The Poor Peoples’ Campaign, rooted in religious and democratic values that demand justice for all. It calls for a moral revival to save the heart and soul of our democracy, breaking the silence about the” interlocking evils of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, the war economy and our distorted moral narrative.”
This June, busses from Durham, Chapel Hill and all over the nation will bring people to a Moral March on Washington DC. You can reserve a seat below. If you are attending the March, please let us know, and don’t forget your Side With Love shirt, so other UU friends can find you in the crowd! (Side With Love T-shirts in children's and adult sizes are sold at our Sunday Social table.)
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COMMUNITY SERVICE MINISTRY |
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MAKE YOUR GROCERY SHOPPING MORE MEANINGFUL This month many of us are thinking of summer travel plans. For some neighbors living on a lower income, summer means staying at home without the help of free school meals. They may turn to the IFC Food Pantry for help. If you made a new habit of bringing things to the blue canvas bins in the Commons , our church would be more help to those food-insecure families. Young children can be involved in deciding which kind of soup, cereal, or canned fruit they think other children would like and then help bring the donation to the bins. Use your super-shopper skills such as buy one/get one free to save money. A donation does not have to be full price to help. You do not need a whole bagful to help. If more people coming to church brought a few items each month, we'd keep our delivery people very busy and help many more stay-at-home families this summer.
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JOIN REV. THOM & RACHEL ROSE FOR EXPLORING MEMBERSHIP CLASSES: 6/2 & 6/9, 7PM
Are you considering Membership? Interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism, or our church community?
On Wednesday evenings, June 2 & 9, we'll offer a two-part Exploring Membership class, in person. 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 8:15PM in person, in the Commons.
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New Member Recognition: During the Service on June 12, we will recognize Members who have joined our congregation over the past several months! Join us in welcoming them, and all are invited to join us in for a New Member Reception at 1PM, following the Congregational Meeting. Have you joined as a Member, and wish to be recognized? Tell Rachel You'll be there!
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SUNDAY SMALL GROUP SOCIAL (ONLINE COFFEE HOUR) CONTINUES IN JUNE! Please join Rachel Rose for the return to this important time of connection. We will continue meeting on Sundays at 12PM in June (except for June 12 - we'll be at the Congregational Meeting! Join us there!). 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! Please check your Weekly Announcements and Sunday Service Reminders for the NEW LINK.
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HELP MAKE SUNDAY MORNINGS HAPPEN - BECOME 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 many 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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COMMUNITY CHURCH CONCERTS |
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COMMUNITY CHURCH CONCERTS ANNOUNCES NEW SEASON! SEASON PASSES ON SALE! Community Church Concerts is proud to announce our 2022-23 season: Darin and Brooke Aldridge (4-time IBMA female vocalist of the year); Grammy-nominated, IBMA award winner and Compass Records artists, The Special Consensus; Innovative bluegrass/swing band out of the American Roots Program at Berklee College of Music, The Ruta Beggars; AND international, brilliant and captivating music-makers, the Kruger Brothers! SEASON TICKETS NOW ON SALE! Go HERE for more information and to purchase passes. Individual tickets available July 1. See you in the Fall! Need more info? Contact Terry Baker.
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RARE WOMEN We are women (mostly retired) who ARE OLDER, WISER, AND RARE! We are taking a summer break and will resume meeting in September when we will discuss selected chapters from My Grandfather’s Blessings by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. Remen describes our Rare Women groups when she says, “After all these years I have begun to wonder if the secret of living well is not in having all the answers but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company.” Discussions in Rare Women are intended to prompt us to share thoughts, feelings, values, courageous examples, friendships, and life experiences with group members. NEW MEMBERS will be welcome to join any of our three groups when we resume meeting in September. The meeting schedule and discussion topic for each group will be posted on the Rare Women webpage.
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NONFICTION BOOK DISCUSSION FOR JUNE On Saturday, June 18 from 10:30 AM to 12PM, the Nonfiction Readers will discuss Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America. This book won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. In 1949 four young Black men were falsely accused of raping a white woman in a citrus growing area of Florida. Thurgood Marshall became embroiled in the Groveland Boys' case, one of the most important cases that threatened to change the course of civil rights (and nearly cost him his life) by dismantling Jim Crow structures. The book is a page-turning true-crime tale of Southern injustice, weaving together history, sociology, law and labor relations to address issues we are still dealing with today. Glenn Davis will be leading our discussion, which will be held via Zoom. New members and drop-ins are welcome. Contact the group to ask questions or to be placed on the distribution list for meeting information.
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WOMEN CIRLCE FILM DISCUSSION ON JUNE 9 AT 7PM Please join us on Zoom for a discussion of the Academy Award winning film, CODA. Many of you have already seen the movie, but if you have not, please plan to see it. It will make our discussion much richer. It is available on Apple TV+. If you do not have access to Apple TV+, please contact Linda Thompson below or call her at 919-599-9877 so she can set up a viewing at various homes. Elsbeth von Tongeren and Shannon Richards are co-hosts. In addition to CODA, we will also be discussing your own personal favorite films. RSVP to Linda Thompson with your email address so that we can connect you to Zoom.
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WOMEN CIRLCE BOATING ON SATURDAY, JULY 30 FROM 8:30 TO 11AM Cool off on University Lake with a bunch of great women on a fun old-fashioned morning of boating and a picnic! Your choice of rental: Canoe, kayak, rowboat or BYOB! Fees are low, and cost will vary depending on your age and whether you are an OWASA customer. Bring snacks/lunch items that we can enjoy afterwards at picnic tables. Note: Unfortunately, each person must reserve their own boat on the OWASA website on Monday, July 25 or Tuesday July 26 for Saturday, July 30. Questions & sign up with Ruth Gibson below or call 919-259-2894.
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QUUILTERS Saturday, June 4th, the qUUilters will be having a full day of sewing in the Gathering Room. Come and stay as long as you can. We will be there from 8AM - 4PM, working on tote bags, lap quilts, and placemats. Bring your sewing machine and regular supplies of pins, scissors, etc. Wear your face mask. It will be fun to work together.
Saturday, July 2nd, we will have our regular meeting time of 9 - 11:30AM in the Gathering Room. We'll take time to check in with each other and then work on our projects. You are welcome to bring your machine, cutting mat, etc. Bring your current project to share with us. Wear your face mask.
Contact Rae Dawson below for information or to join our group.
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ART IN THE SANCTUARY July 2-August 27 a show by Sarah Graham: "Love Letters" featuring abstract paintings representing a " nuanced exchange between spirit and matter" and often inspired by the Haw River. a nuanced exchange between spirit and matter. Please join us for an artist's reception in the Commons on July 16 from 11-2.
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NOW HIRING! The Community Church of Chapel Hill, Unitarian Universalist, seeks a Congregational Administrator to oversee the financial management of the congregation, including recording financial transactions, accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and HR administration. The Congregational Administrator also oversees facilities use, manages rentals, and supports the congregation’s IT infrastructure. A full position description is available here. To apply, please send a Cover Letter and Resumé to Rev. Thom Belote. The Community Church of Chapel Hill strives to embody diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments in its employment practices, institutional culture, and its relationships within and outside our community. Applicants holding diverse identities and/or life experiences are warmly encouraged to apply.
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AUGUST NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY JULY 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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