February 21, 2021
Covid, vaccines, and the long wait.
Sara Gush, guest preaching
This Sunday, Sara Gush will preach on the latest installment of the Covid saga: vaccination. Big questions have come up as we navigate the inoculation waters, such as: How much vaccine do we have? Who should be vaccinated first? Why are some people reluctant to be vaccinated? How long will we wait for relief? Sara will share a word about her experience - and her hope - as we all wait for good news.
Sara Gush is a chaplain resident at Duke Hospital in the Medical ICU. She recently completed her Master’s of Divinity and is in the ordination process towards UU ministry. Sara hopes to be remembered one day for her tenacious spirit, strong opinions, and appreciation for the simple things. She is a lover of story: books, movies, and conversation. She is the kind of person who enjoys just sitting and talking for hours on the porch.
MUSIC NOTES: This Sunday, five members of the Community Church Singers sing a lovely piece by Humbird that imagines “the day we are together again,” reminding us that “hope is the message that survives somehow.” And the multi-talented Tobin Wright, seen in many a musical and pageant over the past few years, will ask “how can I keep from singing?"
If you wish to have a joy or sorrow named in the service,
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Sunday Programming
Watch Virtual Worship Service On Demand!
10am: Live Religious Education Service on Zoom
11am: Live Community Coffee Hour on Zoom
&
7pm: High School & Middle School Youth Group
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The building may be closed, but our church is OPEN!
There are many ways to get involved and stay connected:
and more!
There are opportunities for learning & fellowship,
working for social justice & racial equity - learn more below!
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WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK WITH OUR NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION? In the 34th week, the recent spates of heavy rain have slowed progress with work such as external grading and exterior painting, but progress continues with interior details such as wall insulation and drywall, electrical service, plumbing and mechanical connections. Take a virtual peek at ongoing work via the Building Project webpage, here, featuring weekly-updated photos and a current mini-video, along with information galore. Contact us here if you have any questions.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY? In February, children and youth in Religious Education are studying BELOVED COMMUNITY. This week, we are talking about healing with a visit from the apology fairies. 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.
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HOUSING OPTIONS AS WE AGE Members and friends who are interested in exploring aging in place are invited to join our discussion group. Our next Zoom meeting, here, is February 24 (1:30-3:30pm). Susan Blanchard will talk about “Other Types of Retirement Communities” where it might be possible to age in place, e.g. local independent living communities, NORCs (naturally occurring retirement communities), and affinity communities. Links to resources can be found HERE. Contact Susan Blanchard here to join our email list.
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RARE WOMEN – NEWCOMERS JOIN NOW! We are Rare Women who meet via Zoom to share our life experiences and what we have learned from them. On Thursday, February 25, Bonnie Gilliom’s group (10am-noon), here, will begin discussing our NEW TOPIC, “Our Lives by the Decade,” with ages 0-9. Discussion questions can be found here. On that same day, Susan Blanchard’s group (1:30-3:30pm), here, will have an open discussion. Questions? Contact us here. Topic schedules can be found on our webpage, here.
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IMPORTANT: SAVE THE DATE! In conjunction with our Annual Pledge Drive, please mark your calendars for two special events coming up in March: On Sunday, March 14, our worship service will be a celebration of our resilience as a church community and the ways we have lived our mission and served our community in the previous year. On Saturday, March 20, join us on zoom from 7 to 8:30 PM for the PLEDGE-A-THON. The Pledge-a-thon will feature talented performers, touching testimonials, special guest cameos, and more!
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2nd Annual Virtual Music Gala Announced: MasqUUerade! On April 24 at 7PM the Music Team with present the 2nd Annual Virtual Music Gala, entitled "MasqUUerade," via Facebook and YouTube. "MasqUUerade" will focus on all the real and metaphorical aspects of wearing a mask, something we all do these days. For a further explanation and musical examples, contact Music Director Glenn Mehrbach here, or go the the "MasqUUerade" web page. All are encouraged to be a part of this event, and funds raised will go directly to the Building Campaign.
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HOW WILL YOU SIDE WITH LOVE FOR JUSTICE THIS WEEK? Check out our Activity Poster, here, for links to the Historic Thousands on Jones St NAACP rally and the after-party with area UUs, the Poor People’s Campaign, a UU the Vote discussion group on Beloved Community and anti-racism, and this month's Write Here Write Now letter-writing for Economic Justice --raising the minimum wage. Even in our separate homes, we can work together to bend that moral arc towards justice!
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JANUARY-FEBRUARY ISSUE OF BUILDING BLOCKS BULLETIN The latest BBB issue highlights the notable progress made in recent months – progress both in LOWERING THE GAP and in RAISING THE BUILDING. Not available on newsstands, but it’s at your fingertips via the Building Project webpage, here! There you’ll see the direct link to all BBB issues, including this one - the first of 2021!
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WE'VE ADDED A SECOND CHURCH ZOOM ACCOUNT! We've added a second Zoom account so more church groups can meet. Moving forward, we have "Zoom 1" or "Zoom 2". You can check to see if either is available for a specific time by looking at our Calendar and reserve one of the Zoom accounts by filling out this form. Regardless of whether you use our church or your personal Zoom account, please remember to fill out the reservation form so we can add all events to our calendar, here, and make all our offerings visible and accessible to our community!
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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.
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COMMUNITY CHURCH IN ACTION |
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BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TASK FORCE: Carpet Patterns |
On January 22, 2021, after much deliberation, the carpet patterns for the new building were selected by the Building Task Force design team: Josh Socolar, Anna Waller, Maggie Scarborough, Tracy Kuhlman and our valued in-house consultants Marion Hirsch and Briton Bieze. Photo by Brad Kosiba.
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RACIAL EQUITY OFFICE HOURS The Community Church of Chapel Hill is working on building open and safe spaces to have discussions about racial issues. Racial Equity Office Hours are a space where people are encouraged to tackle challenging questions and reflect on their own interactions with race throughout their lives. There will be experienced facilitators present to provide topics and guide the discussions in general. We meet via Zoom Sundays at 5PM, here, & Thursdays at 2PM, here.
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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!
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ART IN THE SANCTUARY For the next several months the art on the wall behind the place where Thom preaches for our online services will be fiber art and mixed media by Peg Gignoux. Peg says "Somebody asked me once to define art in ten words. I decided on this recipe: Art is color, light, story and passion urgently requesting exercise. "
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BEYOND OUR WALLS
suggested by Members & Committees
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MORAL MONDAY FEB. 22, 3PM, QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR ALL! Focusing on Policy Priority #2: Guarantee Quality Health Care for All! This begins with expanding Medicaid in every state, securing Medicare, enacting single payer universal health care and building up our public health infrastructure. This must include those who are incarcerated and detained and all who are marginalized. Read this NC fact sheet on how the COVID-19 Pandemic has severely affected us. Join the NC Poor People's Campaign Facebook live, HERE or Poor People's Campaign live, HERE. Submitted by Side With Love
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INFORMATION
Most BLUE text is clickable! Blue text links to outside websites or to an email address. Example: email c3hfinance@gmail.com for rentals.
Please submit Weekly Announcements contributions HERE.
Announcements are due by noon Wednesday, prior to Friday's issue.
Event submissions may be run up to two times.
Please include contact information.
The Community Church Board wants to hear from you!
Click here to share with us your thoughts, comments, concerns, and questions. Click here to learn more about the Board, including viewing the Board and Congregational Meeting minutes.
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