• WHAT’S NEW THIS WEEK WITH OUR NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION? In the 47th week, the focus has been on finishing details, such as installing some easy-open door hardware and automatic door openers, adjusting the lighting controls, and staining the natural wood barn doors and other trim. 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.

• WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY? In May, children and youth in Religious Education are studying STORY. This week, we will continue our theme of STORY by hearing a story of our church history. 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. On Saturday, the Family Fun even is Story Show and Tell! For more information about our Religious Education Program, contact Marion Hirsch or Kat Good.

• COURTYARD HYMN SING If you're like me, you've missed singing in person with other congregation members. For the next few weeks (through June 6) we'll be holding a Hymn Sing for all congregation members in the church Courtyard. To ensure the safety of all, we're limiting attendance to 12 people. If you'd like to come and sing, sign up here. For any questions or more information, contact Music Director Glenn Mehrbach here.

• RACIAL EQUITY OFFICE HOURS: HAVE YOU SEEN RACISM WITHIN OUR CHURCH? Office hours are for people to talk about race in a safe space with skilled facilitators. Have you observed any racist things or interactions within our church? Did you step in? Do you know how to step in? Drop into office hours to talk more about this question, general questions you have, or any discourse about race that’s been on your mind. This is a casual setting, so drop in or drop out any time! Office Hours are every week - here, on Sunday at 5PM. See you there!

• SIDE WITH LOVE AND FORWARD TOGETHER ACTION OF THE WEEK Protect our Right to Free Speech & Protest: Tell your State Senator to Vote NO on HB 805. This bill would discourage North Carolinians from exercising our constitutional right to peaceably assemble and increase the felony charges for simply participating in a protest that is classified as a “riot.” We also know that this would disproportionately impact Black and Brown community members who are calling for racial justice in our country. Take action here.

• OUTDOOR CONNECTIONS: PARKER PRESERVE, SAT. MAY 22, 9 AM Weather stopped us in January. It's worth trying again. Parker Preserve is a recent 127-acre addition to Mason Farm, with a 2-mile loop through oak-hickory forest . The land has been in a wild-enough state to get a forester friend of mine lost. I'll confess, in Dan'l Boone's words, to being a little "beflummoxed" there myself. Now there is a path over what I'd rate as moderate terrain. We'll take it easy, but walking sticks and hiking boots are a good idea. -Stephen Chandler RSVP here.

• WOMENCIRCLE TRIP TO THE NC MUSEUM OF ART Join WomenCircle for an outing to the NC Museum of Art on Wednesday May 26 from 10AM to 12:30PM. There is no admission fee. We have reserved “timed” tickets for a group of ten. We can tour (non-guided) the buildings, and can have lunch in the East/Old Building or picnic in the large Museum park. Bonnie Gilliom and Melva Okun are organizing. To sign up, email Bonnie here, or call 919-636-0994. Once, you have signed up, we will contact you about carpooling.

• HOUSING OPTIONS AS WE AGE It’s so hard to give up our life’s treasures! At our Zoom meeting here on May 26, Elizabeth Hirsh from The Downsizers will provide practical tips on how to get started on downsizing as well as what NOT to get rid of. She will tell us about the services her company offers and answer our questions. Meeting topics and resources are here. Contact Susan Blanchard here if you would like to join our email list.

• CHURCH CANCER SUPPORT GROUP If you have ever received a cancer diagnosis, you are welcome to be part of this supportive group, whether for one meeting or more. Meetings are lay-led, focus on a topic, reading, or song and accommodate both new and current members. If you are interested in participating, but the current meeting time, 4th Thursday am each month, does not work for you, please let us know, here. The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, May 27, 10-11:30am, via Zoom. Contact Cecilia here for link or information.

• NONFICTION BOOK DISCUSSION FOR JUNE On Saturday, June 19 from 10:30 to 12:00, the Nonfiction Readers will discuss The World Without Us, by Alan Weisman. The book explores humanity's impact on the planet by envisioning the earth in our absence. Glenn Davis will be leading our discussion. The Readers meet on the third Saturday of each month, currently via Zoom; new members and drop-ins are welcome. Contact the group here to ask questions, or to be placed on the distribution list for meeting information.

• GRATITUDE TO THE MUSIC TEAM FOR DONATION TO THE CAPITAL FUND All who are interested in the plans for an upgraded AV system in our space, using new funds that become available beyond the outstanding pledges which will close the construction funding Gap, please thank the Music Team for donating the Music Gala proceeds (over $1800) which will help address this immediate priority! For more explanation, watch for the June Newsletter. Watch also for a functional requirements definition to be drafted later in June. Contact Caroline Sherman here for more info.

• UPDATED COVID BUILDING USE POLICY In light of guidance from the CDC and the NC Department of Health, we have updated the church's policies for use of buildings and grounds. The new policy provides guidance for outside meetings and now includes the option for some indoor meetings. All groups using the church need to familiarize themselves with and adhere to these policies. See the Building Use Policy here.

• MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW! 2021 - 2022 Calendar request form now open. As we look to summer and the upcoming church year, please request your dates & times in the virtual and physical spaces* of our church. The form is always available here, on the homepage of the church website, but here's  a link to the form, too! Please use this form for all calendar requests, including changes and cancellations; this helps Dana and Rachel track & meet our busy, dynamic congregation's needs. Groups are meeting outdoors, and some of our building is open (with conditions). Here is our Building Use Policy, which we regularly update. *Our New Spaces are coming along, but will not be available for reservations until their official opening. 

• REMINDER: June / July Newsletter is combined, so deadline for submissions is May 15. Please submit your article for the June/July combined Monthly Newsletter here.

• 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.

• 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 As Rare Women, we build relationships in small groups by sharing our lives and the gifts, myths, and challenges of growing older. Three different groups (led by Susan Blanchard, Bonnie Gilliom, and Joann Haggerty) are meeting at least bimonthly in person outside at the church or via Zoom from now through June 24. Newcomers are welcome. Check our webpage, here, for meeting schedules, topics, and Zoom links. Contact us here with questions.

• FRESH EGGS Cathy Cole’s hens are laying again! If you want to buy eggs—$5/carton and all proceeds go to the Capital Fund—call her at 919-967-3422. You will need to pick them up at her house or at the church.

• CHURCH SOFTBALL After a summer of no softball in 2020, the town public fields will be available this year for a church softball league. Games are played at Homestead Park on Sunday afternoons, June through August. Play is open to all genders, 13 years and up. It is a low-key league, with no umpires, no called balls and strikes. It is meant to be fun for all skill levels! If you are interested, or have questions, contact team manager, Nils Brubaker, here.