April 7

“Climate Despair, Climate Courage”

Rev. Thom Belote, preaching

As we begin Earth Month, we will explore what it means to live ethically and wholeheartedly amidst the ecological devastation wrought by climate change.

How do we move from despair to courage?

MUSIC NOTES: This Sunday, Glenn Mehrbach will sing and play two songs by Randy Newman that deal in very different ways with climate disasters. One is set in Evangeline, Louisiana, and the other on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio.

LIVESTREAMING IN-PERSON SUNDAY SERVICES We livestream the in-person worship service each Sunday. View the livestream, on the church's YouTube channel. In case the livestream is interrupted, a recording of the service will be made and posted following the service.

REGULAR SUNDAY SCHEDULE

9 AM: 

• Live Religious Education Service on Zoom

9:30 AM:

• Livestreamed and in-person service
• Nursery and Toddler Childcare
• Pre-K and Elementary Religious Education

11:15 AM:

• Livestreamed and in-person service
• Nursery and Toddler Childcare
• Pre-K, Elementary and Middle School Religious Education

Contact Marion Hirsch for Sunday evening High School Youth programming

ANNUAL PLEDGE DRIVE



It takes people to be a community, but it takes money to address our everyday needs, future visions, spiritual longings, and commitment to one another. Pledge payments are almost all of the income in the annual budget. To fully fund our budget for next year, we need everyone in our community to complete a pledge form. Your pledge today does not go into effect until the start of the new church year: July 1, 2024. Pledge payment for the year does not need to be completed until June 2025. Please join the over 300 congregants who have already pledged by filling out a pledge form today.

Questions? Please reach out to Bonnie Crotty Nelson (Stewardship Chair)

or Franklin Hirsch  (Congregational Administrator).

DURING THE SUNDAY SOCIALS:

• Share The Plate - Habitat for Humanity
• Side with Love - Info about assembly/sponsoring care bags for women leaving Planned Parenthood

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY? In April, children are exploring INTERDEPENDENCE as their Soul Matters theme. This week, we will learn about the interconnected web of life at 9 AM on Zoom and in person at 9:30 AM and 11:15 AM. 8th Grade OWL continues. In the evening, youth in Coming of Age and Adulting will meet. For more information about our Religious Education Program, please contact Marion Hirsch or Kat Good.

UU JUSTICE NC UU Justice NC's Friday Action Hour - Previewing the Upcoming State Legislative Session. The 2024 NC Legislative Session will be kicking off in a few short weeks. This Friday, we will receive a briefing on all the bills that we will be advocating for, and those that we'll be fighting against during this year's "short session." Key issues will include Education, Healthcare and Immigration / ICE Policies. You can join via Zoom.

READING THE BIBLE AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE --- SAT 4/6 10 AM OR 4/8 6:45 PM Led by Karen Jessee. Enter into a conversation with scripture as we encounter passages from the Hebrew Bible—history and wisdom of the Jewish people—or from the New Testament of the Christian faith. Through the practices of contemplative reading, silence, and meditative writing, we will break open the Word. Together we will ask to hear what these sacred texts have to say to us, here, in our lives today. Register and learn more. Contact Marion Hirsch for more information.

QUUILTERS We meet on Saturday morning, April 6, 9 - 11:30 AM, in the Gathering Room. We will be switching gears to focus on making totebags, lap quilts, and more. We'll have instructions, fabric and some kits available. You may bring your machine if you wish to get started during our meeting or take your supplies home to work on. Please bring your own current or recent projects to share with us during our check-in time. Join our email list.

SHARE THE PLATE -- HABITAT FOR HUMANITY On April 7 our Share the Plate will be for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity. The Community Church has been a long-term partner of Habitat. Of special note, over the next 5 years, volunteers will build 101 homes. The money we contribute assists Habitat in land acquisition, construction, home repair and even the financing of mortgages for new owners. There is a tangible impact of our dollars on the creation of affordable homes for families in our communities. For more info, email Glenn Davis or call 215-756-2400.

EARTH MONTH CELEBRATIONS BEGIN IN THE CHURCH (kast) COURTYARD Sunday, April 7: We will create window art using washable window markers. Children and the young at heart are invited to draw and write what they want to celebrate about the earth and what they want to protect. We will also read with kids about trees and forests, and the animals, birds, and insects that live there. Questions? Contact Eco Ministry for the Earth.

HOW CAN YOU HELP WITH THE 2024 ELECTION? After Reverend Thom's recent rousing sermon, "The Threat of Christian Nationalism", are you wondering how to make a difference in this critical election year? The Love Team will be coordinating voting efforts with UU the Vote and UU Justice North Carolina. Let us know if you can help with: Postcards, phoning, texting, canvassing or poll-watching by signing up online or at the table at Sunday Socials. Questions? Contact Vote Coordinators Lynn Holbein or Janet Stevens.

SIDE WITH LOVE MINISTRY CARING BAGS FOR WOMEN RECEIVING ABORTION CARE The Reproductive Justice Task Force, to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Roe v Wade, will be assembling Caring Bags in June. April 7 and 14 you can visit our table to see a sample bag, and/or sponsor a bag, at the cost of $15.Other ways to be involved will include gathering together at the church to fill the bags, finishing the rice-filled warmers and writing a personalized note of support. Contact Teri Brooks for more information.

THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE OF GIVING THANKS - 4/11 AT 7 ON ZOOM Writing a Thank You note is thought of as a small, simple gesture of good etiquette, but the act of giving thanks, if practiced regularly, can invite deeper spirituality into your life. Amy and Kat regularly send notes of appreciation and this seemingly simple practice has become quite spiritual. If you don't know how to get started or how to maintain giving thanks as a spiritual practice, join us! We will discuss the how and why and even make some Thank You notes to get you started. Learn more and register. Contact Kat Good with questions.

SWEET TREATS AND HELPING HANDS NEEDED for "THESE UU-NITED STATES" Music Gala on APRIL 13, 7 PM! We are organizing concessions sales during the dessert reception following our annual mUUsic gala on Saturday, April 13. We need bakers for donations and volunteers to help with set-up, sales, and clean-up. Concessions are (your) fabulous baked goods and coffee/tea/water for sale AFTER the one-act Music Gala. To contribute or volunteer, RSVP to Bonnie Crotty Nelson directly.

A SANDY CREEK PARK PILGRIMAGE - WED. APRIL 17, 10-NOON (RAIN DATE 4/18) We’ll explore Sandy Creek Park in Durham as we discover together the meaning of Pilgrimage. Bring water and a snack - we’ll gather on covered picnic tables after our walk.

Helpful resources :

Writings by Betty Lou Chaika

The Art of Pilgrimage by Phil Cousineau (book)

RSVP to Lisa Epner to let her know you’re coming and if you’d like to carpool from the church.

THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE OF FINGER LABYRINTH WALKING -- 4/18 @ 7 PM OR 4/21 @ 2 PM

The labyrinth is a walking meditation, a path of prayer, and a blueprint where psyche meets spirit. It is an ancient spiritual tool —labyrinth patterns have been discovered, as early 2000 BCE, in all regions of the world and used by many different faith traditions. The use of handheld labyrinths grew during COVID, and they offer a way to bring the labyrinth home for regular use. This session will explore the labyrinth and offer a chance for us to “walk with our fingers.” Led by Paige Smith. Register and learn more. Contact Paige Smith with questions.

HIKE WITH OUTDOOR CONNECTIONS AT BLUE JAY POINT COUNTY PARK! Join Outdoor Connections for a hike at Blue Jay Point County Park on Falls Lake Sat., April 20, 10 AM! The park was named after the peninsula—or point—it forms on Falls Lake, and for the many blue jays that lived there when the area was farmed by tenant farmers. We will meet at 10 at a place TBD soon (stay tuned!) and hike about two miles to the point and back. We'll stop for lunch at SASSOOL in Northern Raleigh post-hike! READ ABOUT THE PARK! RSVP to JANE PROVAN by April 13.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR KATE CARROLL A memorial service for Kate Carroll will be held on Saturday, April 20, at 1 PM. A reception will follow in the Jones Community Room. Please join us as celebrate Kate's life.

NONFICTION BOOK DISCUSSION FOR APRIL On Saturday, April 20 from 10:30 AM to 12 PM in the Living Room, the Nonfiction Readers will discuss Shot in the Heart, by Mikal Gilmore. Jane Mellin will lead our discussion. The book is the haunting, harrowing story of murderer Gary Gilmore, told by his brother. Contact Ed Steffes to ask questions or to be placed on the distribution list for meeting information.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BARBARA DENNIS Please join us on Saturday, April 27, at 11 AM as we celebrate the life of Barbara Dennis. A reception will follow in the Jones Community Room.

SHARE THE PLATE Share the Plate nominations for the second half of 2024 are due April 28!

Members of The Community Church of Chapel Hill are encouraged to nominate 501c-3 organizations for our church to support. The Share the Plate Steering Committee is soliciting new members to review applications and assist the nominator/coordinator in carrying out the collection. Find out about how to apply for the Share the Plate Collection.

GIVE TO "KEEP YEIMY MOVING" Since Yeimy won her asylum case, she has gotten settled in an apartment, applied for a Green Card, and has a job. There's no bus service to her workplace, so a fellow worker drives her for $80 a month. But if that coworker has a different schedule, Yeimy has to call a taxi or an Uber.  If you'd like to help ensure she always has a ride to work, please give to the Keep Yeimy Moving fund (choose it as the "project") so that she has transportation, no matter what. Thank you!

MUSIC TEAM MEMBERS NEEDED The Music Team is looking for new members. We meet approximately once every six weeks, and work with Music Director Glenn Mehrbach to plan big musical events, such as the Music Gala and the church musical, as well as looking for new ways to bring music to the church. If you're interested in finding out more, please contact Glenn Mehrbach.

FIELD TRIP TO VOLLIS SIMPSON WHIRLIGIG PARK

WomenCircle

On March 22, 2024, ten women of WomenCircle visited the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum in Wilson, NC, enjoying numerous whimsical, extra-large windmills made out of “found” materials and designed and constructed by former farmer/mechanic, Vollis Simpson, between ages 65-94. Following time spent viewing smaller whirligigs and learning about Simpson and his process in the museum, the group had lunch at Daniel’s Casual Fine Dining, also in Wilson.

BEWARE -- SCAM ALERT Scams targeting religious communities are increasing.

Scammers create fake email addresses (and sometimes phone numbers) impersonating the minister, staff members or lay leaders and contact congregants -- asking for contact information, login credentials, the Directory, etc., or to buy gift cards. Rachel Rose (Directory, contact info) and Franklin Hirsch (Finances) are the best people to help with these requests - they will always have the latest versions of our secure documents and are happy to help. If you receive a scam email, phone call or text, please report and delete it. If you're unsure, call Rev. Thom at (919)259-2009 or Rachel Rose at (919)283-1796 and see if the communication is legitimate.



TEXT ALERTS SIGN-UP: Would you like to receive a text in case of weather-related or other church closures and/or delays? If so, please fill out this form: we need to have your current cell phone number *and carrier*.

SHE? HE? THEY? OR, SOMETHING ELSE? PRONOUN STICKERS FOR NAME BADGES AVAILABLE All Members & Associates with permanent name badges are welcome to participate (or not!) Pronoun stickers (she/her, he/him, they/them, etc.) are available at the Visitor's Desk in the Commons / the Welcoming Table in the Community Room on Sunday mornings - Simply peel & stick to affirm and promote the worth and dignity of every person! Learn more about why pronouns are important, how to use pronouns, what to do when you or others make mistakes, and how to ask about people's pronouns.

SUNDAY PARKING Parking can be tight on Sunday mornings, but there is plentiful parking available just a short walk from the church. Parking is free on Sundays in the small Mason Farm lot, the Hibbard Drive lot, and along Hibbard Drive. Please consider using these spaces if you are able to. Parking at Kehillah Synagogue is not allowed on Sunday morning.

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!

SUNDAY TABLING: Tabling is an opportunity to share your group's activity with our congregation during Sunday Socials on Sunday mornings. Tables need to be set up by 10:15 AM and taken down after 12 PM. Please sign up by Wednesdays at noon for the following Sunday. Here is the form.

COMMUNITY SERVICE MINISTRY Containers for donations to the IFC Community Market have been set up in The Commons so that the collection of food and personal hygiene items can resume. (Updated! ) MOST NEEDED: powdered milk packets, apple juice, grits, rice, ramen, any form of protein, toothpaste, and shampoo. Church volunteers will take the donations to the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services Community Market on Main Street in Carrboro.

FEATURED EVENTS IN THE ORDER OF SERVICE: These are the "ads" in the paper Order of Service we hand to parishioners on Sundays for Services. Submissions are due by noon on Wednesdays for the following Sunday. Please include any preferred images in a separate email to Rachel Rose, here. For convenience, here is the form. 

RESERVE SPACE ON THE CHURCH CALENDAR Please check our Building Use Policy and our Calendar, then reserve space for your group or event! Complete this form to make your CALENDAR REQUESTS.

DOOR SIGNS Signs on the doors to the Sanctuary and Jones Buildings is an opportunity to share your group's activity with our congregation during the week, and on Sundays. Please sign up by Wednesdays at noon for the following Sunday. To let folks about your event, complete the sign up form.

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!

RARE WOMEN: OLDER, WISER, AND RARE Community Church women are invited to join one of our three groups. We use a variety of resources to prompt sharing of thoughts, feelings, values, and life experiences. What is said in Rare Women, stays in Rare Women. See the topic schedule and resources for 2023-2024. Additional group information is posted on the Rare Women webpage. To join our email list or ask questions, please contact us.

ART IN THE SANCTUARY Through Saturday, April 27 the art in the Sanctuary will be felt fiber art by Chapel Hill artist Sharron Parker. This exhibit, titled “Expressing Reality as Felt”, will range from realistic images of French doors and windows to more abstract images of light on water, butterfly wings, etc. For more information, contact Sharron.

Most BLUE text is clickable! Blue text links to outside websites or to an email address. Example: email admin@c3huu.org for rentals.  

Please submit Weekly Announcements contributions HERE.

Announcements are due by noon Wednesday, prior to Friday's issue.

The Community Church Board of Trustees wants to hear from you! Contact them here.

Learn more about the Board.