FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE -

BEGINNING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

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 CHURCH PICNIC

Please join us for an evening of fun and fellowship!

Saturday, September 9, 2023

New Hope Camp & Conference Center

4805 N. Carolina 86 Chapel Hill, NC 27514

5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

~Rain or Shine~

New Hope Camp is a lovely wooded setting with a large field for play, covered eating space, nearby bathrooms and plenty of parking -- all of which are wheelchair accessible. 

What to bring:

- A dish to share along with your own drinks; ice water provided.

- Balls, frisbees, jump ropes and/or hula hoops! 

- Chairs for ample elbow-room, post-dinner visiting and/or campfire watching. 

- Enthusiasm for post-dinner group games like tug-o-war and three-legged races!

Please RSVP and let us know who is coming, what food you are bringing to share, and how you can help. 

5:00 Arrive

5:30 Dinner

6:30 Games

7:00 Campfire

Please email , or call DeeDee Lavinder at 919-761-4016, if you have any questions or help is needed. 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES - STRATEGIC PLANNING Consonant with our Bylaws, the Board of Trustees has completed preliminary planning for the development of a new strategic plan. In a retreat in May 2023, the Board created a template and process for our next plan, which will, in part, consist of many focus groups led by Strategic Planning Committee; Barb Chapman, Glenn Davis, Mary Beth Powell, Ellie Speh, Becky Wilkes, Bianca Rodriquez, Steve Marshall, Jenny Nelson and Salem Macknee.

Each focus group will meet with 2 members of the Planning Committee over this fall and winter. Congregants will be provided with a calendar of dates and times of meetings and sign up for participation. Everyone interested in contributing to this strategic discernment is encouraged to participate in one of the 90-minute focus groups. Zoom focus groups for congregants who remain at home and do not feel comfortable attending in person will be scheduled as well. Learn more.

SHARE YOUR SKILLS! JOIN THE BOARD.

Looking for deeper involvement and a way to share your leadership skills with our church? Join the Board! The Board of Trustees will welcome three new members for terms beginning in January 2024. Board members serve 3-year terms. Two candidates will serve at large, and one candidate will serve as vice president in 2024 and as president in 2025. To learn more about what’s involved in serving on the Board, contact any member of the Nominating Committee: Bronwen Blass, Laurie McDonald, Linda Thompson, or Jenny Warnasch. . Deadline for application: September 15.

THE CHURCH AUCTION NEEDS YOU! THIS is the BIG month: the auction website is open to post your donations and bidding will begin at noon, Sep. 23. Not sure what to contribute? Social events such as a dinner, game night or music are popular and build community as well as raise money for the church. Other ideas include: tickets to a sporting event or entertainment, craft class, handmade treasures, food, vacation destinations, art, pottery, antiques, books, garden items, professional services, home maintenance, etc. The excitement will accelerate Sept.23, when bidding begins. Bidding ends at noon Oct. 14. Be part of the fun and help raise needed funds! That page has links to the auction login page and instructions.

Contact us for more information.

SEPTEMBER 17 SHARE THE PLATE -- NORTH CAROLINA DOWN SYNDROME ALLIANCE On Sept 17, the Share the Plate will support the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance (NCDSA), whose mission it is “To empower, connect, and support the lifespan of individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community through outreach, advocacy, and education in North Carolina.” NCDSA is an effective, compassionate, and comprehensive resource on Down syndrome throughout NC. NCDSA envisions a culture in which all people with Down syndrome are empowered to achieve their full potential and live healthy, productive lives as valued citizens within the fabric of society. In 2021, the NCDSA was instrumental in lobbying the NC legislators to pass the Down Syndrome Organ Transplant Nondiscrimination Act, which prohibits the act of ORGAN TRANSPLANT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND HEALTH INSURERS. Encouraging you to give generously to ensure that all babies born with Down syndrome in NC receive a joyous welcome,

SHARE THE PLATE Charles House collection on September 24, 2023 -- Charles House Association operates the Charles House Center for Community Eldercare to provide quality, personalized care to elders and respite for their caregiving families. The Community Church has supported this organization for 15 years. Locations include Daytime Eldercare Center in Chapel Hill and Eldercare Homes in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Charles House also provides resources for caregivers, including a monthly support group at the UNC Wellness

Center at Meadowmont. Last year, The Community Church was pleased to provide an upright piano to enhance the music in memory program. The funds collected through this STP will provide for

scholarships for those participants who need these resources. Over 20% of those who attend receive these

scholarships.

COMMUNITY SERVICE MINISTRY SCHOOL BACKPACKS July 23rd our community generously funded the School Backpack Share the Plate. A total of $1938 was collected at the service, by online donations and mailed checks. Thank you to our supportive congregation for continuing to maintain a long-time tradition of our church participating in this effort. On August 12 a crew of hardworking pack fillers assembled in the Jones Building and filled 75 packs. This week they will be delivered to Hargraves Community Center, and picked up by a Chatham County Schools Social Worker.

HOLLY NEAR CONCERT - BENEFIT FOR SIDE WITH LOVE

Holly Near, the inspiring performer and songwriter, will perform on Thursday, Sept. 7, in our Sanctuary starting at 7 PM. The concert is the major fundraiser for all the activities of our Side with Love team, including our powerful work on reproductive justice and Get Out the Vote. This promises to be an historic concert so be sure to join us for this evening of song. We expect the concert to sell out so get your tickets in advance.

ECO COMMITTEE SEEKS YOUR IDEAS! ECO invites members and friends of the church to suggest environment issues for ECO and the broader Church to work on in 2023/2024. What excites or energizes you? Be as specific as possible about actions to be taken and if you would be willing to help. Send your ideas to eco@c3huu.org. ECO will consider your ideas during our retreat on Sept 9. Thank you.

REGISTER FOR FALL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH Our fall program for children and youth begins Sunday September 10th when we return to 2 services. Please register your child or youth soon so you can get all the updates about exciting programs, including Coming of Age, Bridging, Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education, Neighboring Faiths and Soul Matters.Register children from Nursery to 5th grade here (

COMMUNITY CHURCH CONCERTS SEASON COMING SOON! Join us for another fabulous season of some of the best acoustic music you'll ever hear!! Community Church Concerts is a major fundraiser for the church, producing four concerts per year and is totally volunteer-run from start to finish! We also provide home-made desserts and beverages at intermission, which has been a highlight for the many years we have been up and running. Best Buy? OUR SEASON PASS! Single concert tix on sale, too! Come enjoy Cup O'Joe from Ireland; The Kruger Brothers (always a sell-out, FYI!); The Barefoot Movement with homegrown NC musicians; Stillhouse Junkies, fabulous fusion of jazz and bluegrass and more! Volunteer to help with parking, concessions, set-up/clean-up, ticketing/sales. Contact Jane Provan or Terry Baker. All tix and passes are at WILL CALL!

DEEPENING CONNECTION:

DISCUSSION, SHARING AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

“Connection” is our unofficial theme for the 2023-2024 church year. Each month of this church year, Rev. Thom will lead a service on some aspect of connection. Deepening Connection is an opportunity to explore this theme in a deeper way. Join Rev. Thom for discussion, sharing, and spiritual practice. You are invited to come to a single session or come to them all. There will be daytime sessions offered on Wednesday at noon (bring a lunch) and evening sessions offered on Thursdays. Contact Rev. Thom for more information.

September

Follow up to Rev. Thom’s 8/13 sermon “Connections”

Wed, Sept 13 & 20. 12:00-1:30PM.

Thur, Sept 14 & 21. 7:00-8:30PM.

October

Follow up to Rev. Thom’s 9/24 sermon “Knowing When to Hold and When to Fold”

Wed Oct 4 & 11. 12:00-1:30PM.

Thur, Oct 5&12. 7:00-8:30PM.

November

Follow up to Rev. Thom’s October sermon on Connection

Wed, Nov 1 & 8. 12:00-1:30PM.

Thur, Nov 2 & 9. 7:00-8:30PM.

STUDY OF THE DAO DE JING -- SEPT 11 & 18, OCT 16 & 23 7-8:30 PM Interested in ancient Chinese wisdom? Come study the Dao De Jing with Kari Andrade. The Dao De Jing is the primary text of Daoism (Taoism) and the second most translated book in the world after the Bible. Chapters studied will touch on abundance, open heartedness and immortality. In each class we will study serval different translations of several chapters, discussing the meaning and how these ancient ideas apply to our lives today. Contact Kari Andrade by email or text (919) 260-9490.

TRUST WOMEN--SAT 9/30 & SAT 10/14, 9-10:30 AM Join in a discussion of Reproductive Justice. We will read and discuss the seminal book, Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice. The author, Rev. Rebecca Todd Peters, is a powerful voice for access to abortion and trusting women to make this vital decision. We will learn about the strong support for abortion among most religious denominations. For the past 50 years, largely conservative evangelical religious groups have had disproportionate influence on the language and attitudes around abortion in the country. They have moved the procedure from a personal to a political domain. The book and our discussion will help us educate, explore, inspire, and mobilize ourselves to act as people of faith. Program led by Melva Fager Okun and Merry-K Moos. Contact Melva Fager Okun for more information.

SEPT. 17 - CONNECTIONS FAIR! IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING SERVICES

Participate in the life of our church by learning about the many groups within our beloved community that help us live our Mission. Please join Rachel Rose and the Welcoming Ministry in a Connections Fair, where groups are invited to showcase their important work within and beyond these walls! Are you the leader of a Community Church group? Sign up to participate!

SHE? HE? THEY? OR, SOMETHING ELSE?

PRONOUN STICKERS FOR NAME BADGES AVAILABLE

• WHO: All Members & Associates with permanent name badges are welcome to participate (or not!)
• WHAT: Pronoun stickers (she/her, he/him, they/them, xe/xem, ze/zir and "create your own")
• WHERE: At the Visitor's Desk in the Commons / the Welcoming Table in the Community Room
• WHEN: Sunday mornings
• HOW: Simply peel & stick!
• WHY: To affirm and promote the worth and dignity of every person!

From pronouns.org: Using someone’s correct personal pronouns is a way to respect them and create an inclusive environment, just as using a person’s name can be a way to respect them... it can be offensive or harassing to guess at someone’s pronouns and refer to them using those pronouns if that is not how that person wants to be known. 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.

NONFICTION BOOK DISCUSSION FOR SEPTEMBER On Saturday, September 16 from 10:30 AM to 12 PM, the Nonfiction Readers will discuss From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans, by William A. Darity and A. Kirsten Mullen. The book raises such questions as: What should determine who gets reparations and who doesn’t, and why? How should the dollar amount of reparations be calculated? Who should be responsible for making payments? How should payments be made? Carolyn Holt will lead our discussion, which will be held in 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 group’s email list.

QUUILTERS We meet on Saturday morning, September 2, 9 - 11:30 AM in the Gathering Room. Work continues on our community service projects for HomeStart Women's Shelter, the Refugee Support Center, Chatham Hospice program, and our own Caring Committee. Instructions, fabrics, and a few sew-ready kits will be on hand for totebags, placemats and lap quilts. Bring your own projects to share with us during our check-in time.

ART IN THE SANCTUARY During September and October, Joan and Chris Meade’s paintings will be hanging in the Sanctuary for their show, “ 20th Anniversary Exhibition,” consisting of one piece each from their show 20 years ago as well as recent works. Chris is a painter who explores the beauty of abstract color combinations, composition and painterly brushstrokes or scraper strokes. Currently, his work is inspired by his own experiences in personal relationships. His intent is for his work to inspire appreciation of color combinations and emotions. Joan’s passion is for the natural world, and she is especially drawn to water, rocks, and trees in their spectacular variety. She works in sculptural acrylics, with texture, color and shapes giving a three-dimensional effect. Her landscapes and seascapes are inspired by her travels and enhanced by her imagination.

There will be a reception and time to meet and speak with Chris and Joan on 9/10 from 2-4pm in the Commons. All are invited.

COMMUNITY CHURCH FALL BLOOD DRIVE SEPTEMBER 30 Fall is around the corner, and that means it's time to schedule your next donation at our Fall Blood Drive, scheduled for September 30 from 10 AM-2:30 PM. Special food treats will be available as usual, and the youth group will be supporting our canteen table as well. There are still appointments remaining, so don't miss out. We'll be keeping you up to date on the Community Church Facebook page as well. Enjoy the remainder of the summer. Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross blood program!

RARE WOMEN We are women (mostly retired) who ARE OLDER, WISER, AND RARE. We meet on Zoom in three groups: Bonnie Gilliom’s group (2nd and 4th Thursdays, 10-11:30 AM) will begin meeting on September 14; Joann Haggerty’s group (1st and 3rd Mondays, 2-4 PM) on September 18; and Rae Dawson’s group (1st and 3rd Thursdays, 1:30-3:30 PM) on September 21. NEW MEMBERS are welcome to join any of our three groups. We will use a variety of resources throughout the year to prompt sharing of thoughts, feelings, values, courageous examples, friendships, and life experiences. What is said in Rare Women, stays in Rare Women. See the topic schedule and resources for 2023-2024. Additional information is posted on the Rare Women webpage. To join our email list or ask questions, please CONTACT us HERE.

OUTDOOR CONNECTIONS SEPTEMBER 30 OUTING Outdoor Connections will explore the High Point Piedmont Environmental Center in September. On September 30 we will meet there at 10:30am, hike Bill Faver Lakeshore and Raccoon Run Trail,, and explore the other offerings of this location. Followed by lunch (picnic potluck or a nearby restaurant TBD). Please RSVP to Teri Brooks, to receive updates, details and weather considerations. We hope you can join us for the walk or for lunch or both. If interested in a carpool from the church, let Teri know in your RSVP; she will try to coordinate.