 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
|
|
2020 FALL AUCTION
Many thanks to everyone who participated in the competitive bidding portion of the 2020 Fall Auction. Online bidding was fast and furious up until the auction ended at 8 pm on Saturday, October 24th! The current results of our fundraising effort are posted on the auction's website. But wait, there's more! All unsold items are now available for immediate sale at their original minimum bid. Please browse the Auction Catalog and make your purchases today! To find out what you have bought, log into the auction catalog and click on My Statement. You can pay for your auction purchases by sending a check to Community Church with Fall Auction in the memo line or by using the Donate Here button to select Fall Auction under One Time Donation on the Virtual Worship page. If you use the Donate Here option, please consider adding the Offset Fees option. Questions? Contact Don & Susan Blanchard here.
|
|
|
 The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce this year's slate of excellent Board Nominees: Vice President - Barb Chapman; Board Members (3-year term) - Joe Swain and Merry-K. Moos. We so appreciate their willingness to serve on the Board! You can see photos and read about them here. The deadline to petition to add additional names to the ballot is Nov. 1. Ballots will go out by Nov. 8, and voting will conclude Nov. 25. Results will be announced to the congregation by Dec. 1, and the new term begins in January. Please direct any questions to the Nominating Committee (Laura Gilliom, George Thompson, Joelle Bourjolly, and Krista Westervelt).
|
WHERE DOES THE
BUILDING PROJECT STAND?
By the time you receive this newsletter, the building foundation may be completed and work started on constructing the framework from the ground up. You can take a virtual peek at the ongoing work by visiting the Building Project webpages, see video and weekly updates to the Photo Gallery here. That click will also introduce you to a new webpage section about the "Gap" status and the Gap-closing strategy endorsed by the Board in September and addressed in the October 18 congregational meeting. The Building Project Task Force leaders are eager to respond to your questions or expressions of interest - please contact us directly here.
|
|
|
|
CHILDREN'S & YOUTH MINISTRY
|
 NOVEMBER PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
- Our Soul Matters Theme for November is Healing. There are lots of ways for families to connect with church. This fall, we are offering take-home kits for children. On Sunday mornings, you can join Family Worship 10-10:30 am on Zoom or watch the Family Worship video with your family anytime. Every Saturday afternoon there is a fun event on Zoom. Sometimes we play Bingo or Magic the Gathering. Sometimes we have a Choose Your Own Adventure. On Sunday evenings at 7:00 there is worship for youth, followed by Middle and High School Youth Group at 7:30.
- Details about the Children's Ministry program are here.
- Details about the Youth Ministry program are here.
- If you would like to be put on the weekly email for Children and Youth Ministry to get the zoom links, please Contact Marion Hirsch here.
|
 The Committee on Ministry is charged by the Board of Trustees to review church ministries annually and gather the congregation's input. This year the survey includes questions about church programs, virtual worship, volunteering, and more. We invite everyone to participate in this process. The survey results will be shared with Reverend Thom and the Board. Access the survey here. If you have questions or would like to request a paper copy of the survey, contact committee member Kim Gush here. The deadline to participate is November 1, 2020. |
|
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS - THE VIEW FROM THE ROOF
|
 While construction continues, B&G is busy maintaining our existing buildings and grounds - properly masked and distanced. Our October WorkPARTY pruned trees and shrubs as well as weeded and performed monthly building chores. Next we are working with contractors to address some persistent Sanctuary roof leaks and upgrade old plumbing and electrical items in the Jones Building.
The Sacred Gardeners are planning fall transplant season improvements to the Courtyard gardens. Finally, we are proud to be supporting Henry Clark's Scouting Eagle Project. His project will make some significant improvements to the 7 Principles Trail below Memorial Rock and the upper playground.
And always... Please remember, YOUR JOB is to email Brad, here or catch Brad at church whenever you see something amiss. Early reports save $$$!!! |
 FRIEND AND FAMILY BANKING: GET OUT THE VOTEDo you know your friends' and family's plan for voting? Checking in with your people in your circle is a amazing way to promote the vote! Ask if they plan on submitting an absentee ballot, voting early, or on election day and make sure they have the latest information for each. For example, voters can still request Absentee Ballots through October 27, you are strongly encouraged to return your ballot immediately! Absentee Ballots should be mailed out immediately or submitted at early voting sites; and at the county Election Board office on Election Day. The official absentee ballot postmark deadline is Nov. 3 and must be received by Nov. 6. Early voting is from Oct. 15-31st. Questions - contact Melva Fager Okun here.
|
NOVEMBER 1 - INTER-FAITH COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL SERVICES HOLIDAY MEALS
|
 IFC's HOLIDAY MEALS One of our members, Barbara Rodbell, started the tradition of us financially supporting IFC's Holiday Meals over twenty years ago. On November 1st , Share the Plate will be asking for your donation to help provide a Thanksgiving meal to a family of four at the shelter. The meal cost the IFC $35 per family and they plan on serving over 400 clients that day. Last year, our church supported 100 families. Holiday times can be especially challenging to those living on limited incomes, which is why we are collecting funds for the IFC specifically for Thanksgiving. On November 1st use the basket at the bottom of that day's church website or send a check to Dana Lundquist with STP: Holiday Meals on the meno line. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Visit the IFC website here.
|
 |
 THE COMMUNITY CHURCH COOKBOOK 2020 HAS GONE TO PRESS! PLACE YOUR ORDERS NOW! Some 100 of us contributed over 130 tantalizing recipes for The Community Church Cookbook 2020. This cookbook, a first to the best of our knowledge, will enhance our virtual connections through sharing beloved recipes, some that are familiar favorites on the Jones Building buffet tables, and some that are intriguingly strange. Proceeds will help Close the Gap for the Building Project. In order to ensure you get your copies in time for holiday gifting, we urge you to place an advance order. |
SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS (SEA)
|
 PANEL ON FAITH-- 12/3
As UUs, our third and fourth principles encourage spiritual growth and a full and responsible search for truth and meaning. But, what does that look like in personal practice? Join us for our first ever Panel on Faith and hear members of our congregation share what that search for truth and meaning looks like in their own lives by offering their personal perspectives and practices of faith, spirituality, and/or belief. This moderated panel will include a Q&A session and time for brief small group discussions. The panel takes place Thursday, December 3, 7-8:15 on Zoom.
Register to attend here. For more information please contact Krista Westervelt, here, David Klibanow, here or Marion Hirsch, here.
|
As Rare Women, we build relationships in small groups by sharing our lives and the gifts, myths, and challenges of growing older. Newcomers are welcome and are encouraged to join any one of three existing groups. All groups meet twice a month via Zoom to discuss specific chapters from Women Rowing North - Navigating Life's Currents and Flourishing as We Age by Mary Pipher. On Monday, November 2nd, Joann Haggerty's group (2-4pm) will discuss Chapters 8-9. On Thursday, November 5th, Susan Blanchard's group (1:30-3:30pm) will discuss the same chapters. On Thursday, November 12th, Bonnie Gilliom's group (10am-noon) will begin discussing Chapters 10-11. See the Rare Women's webpage here for suggested discussion questions as well as the list of topics and meeting dates and times for each of the three groups for the remainder of the month. Join our email list here.
|
NONFICTION BOOK DISCUSSION FOR NOVEMBER On Saturday, November 21 from 10:30 to 12:00, the Nonfiction Readers will discuss Green Illusions: The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism, by Ozzie Zehner. This discussion will be held via Zoom teleconferencing. Zehner begins by describing why people believe renewable energy technology will benefit both humanity and the planet, and then explains why this belief is suspect. He concludes by proposing alternatives with greater potential for addressing environmental challenges. Zehner's basic belief is that our big problem is less an energy crisis than a consumption crisis, which leads to a bold and provocative argument, as well as fresh ideas. Carolyn Holt will be leading our discussion. The Readers meet on the third Saturday of each month. New members and drop-ins are welcome. Contact the group to ask questions, or to be placed on the distribution list for meeting information.
|
 Outdoor Connections: Brumley Forest North; Sat., Nov. 21, 10:00 AM
I am embarrassed not to have known about this place sooner. I'd written it off after dodging the bikes in Brumley Forest South. They are not allowed in this refuge. It's a gem. Lovely creek, 2-3 ponds, terrain and eco diversity ranging from earliest succession fields to striking specimen trees. We'll do a relaxed 2 mile walk with time enough to enjoy the good company. GPS seems confused on where it is, so we'll send written directions when you sign up. RSVP here.
|
 FUN AND GAMES WITH WOMENCIRCLE
Two different Zoom game rooms on two different days. Because some games are limited to the number of players and others require advance materials to be sent, please sign up here.. Note: If you are choosing spots on both dates, please note your first choice in the comments section.
Thursday, November 12, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
- Wise and Otherwise: Four or more players. One player reads half a wise saying and everyone else submits a completion.
- Scattergories: Four to six players. A timed game where players alphabetically name objects within categories.
Saturday, November 14 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
- Wise and Otherwise: Four or more players. One play reads half a wise saying and everyone else submits a completion.
- Dungeons and Dragons: Three to five players. Together the group sets forth on a quest and decides how to meet the challenges they encounter.
|
|
AFFILIATED COMMUNITY MINISTER
|
 Excited to Join CCCH as your Affiliated Community Minister Ever since I moved to North Carolina last summer, CCCH has served as an anchoring community for me. Rev. Thom was the first colleague I met here, and, thanks to him, I've had the opportunity to preach in your sanctuary (and on Zoom), work with your Immigrant Justice Initiative, and support your congregation's UU the Vote work. Along the way, I've had the pleasure of getting to know so many of you.
As you may know, this year, I took over as the Executive Director of the UU Justice Ministry of North Carolina, and as a Community Minister, I am required to be "affiliated" with a UU congregation. For me, CCCH immediately came to mind and I'm so grateful to Rev. Thom and your Board of Trustees for fully supporting this partnership. To be clear, affiliation does not mean that I have joined the staff of CCCH. Rather, it means that, although I get to work with all the UU congregations across our state, CCCH will now more deeply serve as my anchoring community, which supports and affirms my ministry. |
|
As if that weren't enough news... Some of you know that this spring, I planned to get ordained by my home congregation in Providence, RI, but we had to postpone due to the pandemic. As we approach the final months of this year, I find myself thinking that, in many ways, 2020 has already called me into ministry and gosh darnit, I want to make it official! So please, Save the Date for my virtual Ordination on Saturday, December 12th at 4:00. I would be honored by the presence of this beloved community. Let's say good riddance to 2020, and end this year with a joyful act of resistance.
|
STAY CONNECTED 
|
|
|
|
|
