TWO SUNDAY SERVICES:
9:30 AM & 11:15 AM
March 12
“Do You Belong?”
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
The central message of Universalism is that God’s love extends to all people equally. As Unitarian Universalists, we are called to – as a favorite song puts it – “draw the circle wide, make it wider still.” Join us for a service on how we might extend this sense of belonging ever wider.
MUSIC NOTES: This Sunday the Community Church Choir will sing two pieces, the first based on a poem by Sara Teasdale, and the second by United Methodist music minister Mark A. Miller, who has said that his dream is that the music he composes, performs, teaches and leads will inspire and empower people to create the beloved community. A Hymn Sing will precede the service.
or text him (919-259-2009) by 9AM on Friday.
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Regular Sunday Schedule
TWO 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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SUNDAY SMALL GROUP SOCIAL AT 1PM ON SUNDAYS Please join Rachel Rose for this important time of connection. We meet at this secure link via Zoom at 1PM on Sundays. We have an icebreaker, randomly-assigned groups (it's fun!) time for sharing and fellowship, then a closing reading. We hope to see you there!
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ANNUAL PLEDGE DRIVE & DAY OF SERVICE |
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PLEDGE DRIVE HEADS INTO OVERTIME!
We are excited to announce that we've received nearly 200 pledges for our Annual Pledge Drive. Thanks to everyone who made their pledge! The Annual Pledge Drive now heads to overtime. Calls and contacts will begin this weekend, so if you haven't responded yet, please make your pledge today!
Your pledge funds our operating budget, which includes all our programs, our staff, and the cost of operating our building. We are grateful for your generosity.
If you are unable to pledge and wish to request a pledge waiver, please email Rev. Thom.
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THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE DAY OF SERVICE 2023 A WIN!
Thank you to the hundreds of people who helped us to live our The Community Church’s mission by participating in yesterday’s “March Madness” Day of Service! Our community performed hundreds of volunteer hours to benefit our community, and celebrated the conclusion of the annual pledge drive with food and fellowship.
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THANK YOU TO:
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the organizers of the Community Day of Service - Leigh Anne King (Chair), Carole Bruhn, Cheryl Diegel, Mandy Hitchcock, Merry-K. Moos, Alison Provan, and Becky Wilkes - as well as all the project leaders, volunteers, and participants who made last Saturday's Day of Service a huge win!
DURING THE SUNDAY SOCIALS:
WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY? In March, children are exploring VULNERABILITY as their Soul Matters theme. This week, we will explore what asking for help teaches us about being vulnerable at 9 AM on Zoom and in person at 9:30 AM and 11:15 AM. First and Eighth Grade OWL continues. High School Youth Group will meet in the evening. For more information about our Religious Education Program, please contact Marion Hirsch.
BE A PART OF THE 2023 PHOTO DIRECTORY: SIGN UP NOW! MARCH 10,14 & 17 Get your photos taken Sundays after services, or on a “Picture Day!” Members and Associates are invited to have their photo taken for our 2023 Photo Directory - Please schedule an appointment with Rachel Rose if you'd like to be included. It takes fewer than ten 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.
OUTDOOR CONNECTIONS Spring ephemeral walk March 11, 10:30 AM at Pump Stations Trail, Eno River Park. This 1.2-mile loop trail near Durham is generally considered an easy route. We might see Trout lily, Rue Anemone, Bluet, Bloodroot, Toothwort and Spring Beauties. Meet at the Pump Station Trailhead, 3860, 3998 Rivermont Rd, Durham, NC 27712. Park along the gravel road. Lunch afterwards at PICNIC, a nearby BBQ restaurant. RSVP to Teri Brooks to keep up to date on any changes.
UU JUSTICE NC SHARE THE PLATE Your donation to the March 12 Share the Plate will support UU Justice NC. One of UU Justice NC’s amazing projects is Friday Action Hour, on Zoom every Friday from 11 AM -12 PM. During that single hour, you’ll get the all the information and time you need to take action on urgent issues. Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson brings community and joy to this special hour. Join us any Friday on Zoom and please donate generously on March 12th!
MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY The Mental Health Ministry Support Group will meet Sunday, March 12, at 2 PM, in the Living Room of the church. The group provides support for family members of people struggling with mental illness. This is not a group for individuals with mental illness but rather one for those who care about those individuals. If this sounds like something that would be helpful to you, please join us. Please contact Susan Spalt or Marion Hirsch for more information.
BALANCE AND ACCURACY IN JOURNALISM: MATT HOH & "THE COMING WAR ON CHINA"
Tue Mar 14 7:30pm in the Sanctuary: Balance & Accuracy in Journalism program
Matt Hoh and "The Coming War on China"
Matthew Hoh, Former US Senate candidate, had nearly 12 years experience
with US military and wars overseas with the United States Marine Corps, Department of Defense and State Department. He will discuss the declared plan for a war with China, at our screening of John Pilger’s documentary, “The Coming War on China.” Info: Jerry Markatos 919 200-5007.
NONFICTION BOOK DISCUSSION FOR MARCH On Saturday, March 18 from 10:30 AM to 12 PM, the Nonfiction Readers will discuss Unraveled: The Life and Death of a Garment, by Maxine Bédat. Doug Shier will be leading our discussion. Note the new location for this and future meetings, the Living Room of the Jones Building. New members and drop-ins are welcome. Contact Ed Steffes to ask questions, or to be placed on the distribution list for meeting information.
MUSICAL MAGIC BY DANA LUNDQUIST AND GLENN MEHRBACH Dana’s glorious voice and Glenn’s piano artistry will reunite soon for a special musical event in the Sanctuary! Italy-inspired bubbly beverages & goodies will be served at intermission.
WHEN: Sat, March 25, 3 PM
TICKETS $35 - Reservations needed by March 23. Email Joan O'Brien to reserve the number of places you want. She will send you the link with payment instructions. (Sorry, charge cards can't be accepted at the door)
WOMEN CIRCLE TO ATTEND JAZZ VESPERS AT DUKE CHAPEL WomenCircle Thursday, March 23, 2023, 7 PM. Jazz Vespers at Duke Chapel is a worship service which combines the ancient form of evening vespers with the musical improvisation of jazz. Join WomenCircle for dinner at the Broadhead Center (TBA) at 5:30 PM. Optional carpool from church at 4:45 PM. Free parking at the Bryan Center Parking Garage on a first come-first served basis. RSVP to Bonnie Gilliom or Joan O’Brien by March 20.
QUUILTERS Our next meeting is Saturday, April 1, 9-11:30 AM, in the Gathering Room. We will be turning our attention to making quilted totebags and lap quilts for Homestart Shelter women, for our Habitat for Humanity family, and others. Join our email list.
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE TRAINING FOR SACRED COMMUNITIES The Side With Love Team invites you to be our guest at a one-day training at the Church of Reconciliation in Chapel Hill on Sat., April 1 from 10 AM - 4 PM. We will gather with members from area congregations to learn more about the theological grounding for working on Reproductive Justice. We will learn more about how our faith compels us to take action in these times. The Side With Love team is paying for all interested members of our church to attend. Please join us! Learn more about Side with Love. To register and ask questions, contact Melva Okun.
WE ARE SHARE THE PLATE: THANK YOU! Thanks to this wonderful congregation for leading with love by donating $1769 to Share the Plate for we are (Working to Extend Anti-Racist Education). Some folks asked about volunteering with we are. They need support with all of their events, including supporting registration, putting folders and materials together, and helping at their ice cream fundraising events. They also have grant writing/fundraising support needs, if that is in your wheelhouse! You can SIGN UP HERE. Thank you so much!
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE--WHAT NEXT? We had great turnout and support for our Classical Concert for a Cause (thank you, Debbie Davis and Deborah Hollis!). Donations are still coming in, but we think we raised close to $4000 for the Carolina Abortion fund. Six of us, including Rev. Thom, showed up to lobby our state legislators for Reproductive Justice. What next? Let us know your priorities by responding to this quick and easy survey. We know you care, so please help us focus our energy and let us know how you could help.
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COMMUNITY CHURCH IN ACTION |
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DAY OF SERVICE
Community Day of Service 2023
On March 4, 2023, over 260 volunteers served in
18 service projects for a total of more than 740 hours of total volunteer hours serving the community. It was a team effort that couldn’t have happened without all of us
working together.
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BEWARE -- SCAM ALERT Scams targeting religious communities are increasing. Scammers create fake email addresses (and sometimes phone #s) impersonating the minister or staff member and contact congregants asking for a favor. They then ask you to purchase gift cards. Rev. Thom will never contact you asking you to buy gift cards. If you receive a scam email, please report it and delete it. If you're unsure, call Rev. Thom at 919-259-2009 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*.
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SUNDAY MORNING PRESTIGE PARKING SPOT AUCTION WINNERS Congratulations to Kate Stone and Jeremy Works, auction winners of the Prestige Parking spots. Everyone should please refrain from using these spots for any Sunday service. Thank you. Email questions HERE.
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 9:15 AM and taken down after 12:45PM. Please sign up by Wednesdays at noon for the following Sunday. Here is the form.
SUNDAY SMALL GROUP SOCIAL CONTINUES! Please join Rachel Rose for the return to this important time of connection. We will be meeting via this new, secure Zoom link at 1 PM on Sundays. We have an icebreaker, be assigned into random groups (it's fun!) and have a time of sharing and fellowship, followed by a closing reading. We hope to see you there!
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: cereals, canned fruit, pasta, spaghetti sauce, liquid dish detergent, and bar soap. 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.
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.
2023 PHOTO DIRECTORY: Get your photos taken after services! Members and Associates are invited to have their photo taken for our 2023 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.
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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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.
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