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December 2023 Worship & Fellowship | |
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3:
- “It Came Upon The Midnight Clear”
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
This famous Christmas hymn, written by Unitarian minister Edmund Hamilton Sears in 1849, was composed as a lament for the Mexican-American war. As we enter this sacred season, we are acutely aware of violence and suffering in Palestine and Israel. What does it mean for us to hear the angel song of peace?
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7:
with Jenn Kapranov & Sarah Clark-Farnell
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10:
“The Early Life of Mary”
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17:
- “Perpetual Light” led by the Community Church Choir
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21:
12/21:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24:
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
5 and 7 PM
Join us for a pair of services of Christmas Eve as we sing familiar hymns and hear familiar readings. Rev. Thom will deliver a brief homily. Both services are welcoming to people of all ages and both end with lighting candles and singing Silent Night by candlelight. There will be no morning worship services or Religious Education programs held on Sunday, December 24.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 25 - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27:
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31:
- “When the Unitarians Encountered the Aliens”
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
One service only at 11AM
Betty and Barney Hill were a middle-aged couple. They were active members of their Unitarian church and committed civil rights leaders in their community. Then, one evening in 1961 they experienced a close encounter with a UFO. Professor Matthew Bowman’s new book about the Hills interprets their story in light of the racial, gender, social, political, and religious tensions of the day. Come enjoy a fascinating part of Unitarian history!
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REGULAR WORSHIP SCHEDULE
9 AM:
- Live Religious Education Service on Zoom
9:30 AM:
11:15 AM:
Contact Marion Hirsch for Sunday evening High School Youth programming
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTION RESULTS
The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that the members of The Community Church have elected three new people to the Board of Trustees: Dawn Carter (Vice President) and Deborah Day and Briton Bieze (Members-at-Large). Each of them will serve a full, 3-year term, beginning January 1, 2024. Dawn will subsequently serve as President (2025) and Past President (2026). DeeDee Lavinder was also elected to serve a partial-term for the Member-at-Large vacancy she previously had been appointed to fill. Nominating Committee members are Bronwen Blass, Jenny Warnasch, Laurie McDonald and Linda Thompson. We congratulate and thank these new Board Members!
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SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF OUR CONGREGATIONAL MISSION!
The purpose of the Fund is to enhance our mission by
• providing funding for programs and projects not included in the church’s annual operating budget or through other church funds.
• investing in the future viability of our church.
Eligible programs are those that * nurture spiritual growth * provide for the support and care of our community or * effect change through our love of the world.
There are many ways to give, and they can be made at any time.
- Memorial or Special Recognition gift
- Annual gift
- Part of an estate plan
- Cash, stocks, dividends
If you have any questions, please get in touch with any of the committee members: Charles Lee (Chair)
Jay Miller - Kari Andrade - Mary Ellen Adams - Peter Hendee - Barb Chapman (Board Liaison)
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VIEW FROM THE ROOF - BUILDINGS & GROUNDS UPDATE
It’s been another great year for gardens at The Community Church! Our Sacred Gardeners have been meeting monthly at our First Monday WorkPARTY to weed, prune and transplant. Besides the kast Courtyard, we are now maintaining the Rain Garden behind the new addition and starting some woodland edge plantings in the backyard. And thanks to a recent donation, the Porch now has comfortable chairs to relax in on warm fall days.
Our Spiritual Mechanics have been hard at work as well, repairing everything from the dishwasher to HVAC units to electrical & plumbing issues. We added three more newly repaired LED stage lights in the Sanctuary just in time for the play (Thank you Squeek Lights and Steven Kosiba). Finally, special thanks go to Mike Goodyear, John Lestina and Trey Rush for recent Manse repairs supporting our immigrant guests.
CHANGE NOTICE: REQUESTS for REPAIRS & SERVICE should now go to FRANKLIN HIRSCH, Congregational Administrator. Brad Kosiba hopes to spend more time working and less time administering around church.
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SHARE THE PLATE: INTER-FAITH COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
On December 10, there will be a Share the Plate in support of the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services (IFC). For nearly 60 years, our church, through its volunteer and financial support, has played an important role in making the IFC the community leader in addressing food insecurity and homelessness. The Share The Plate presentation will focus on "Stock the Market", the main initiative of the IFC for the Holiday season .
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR NCDSA SHARE THE PLATE CONTRIBUTIONS
Team Rainey's Bears would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to the congregation. Through the Share the Plate donations for 9/17/23, we were able to contribute $1,373.71 towards this year's fundraising goal for the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance. Team Rainey's Bears raised over $13,000 to contribute to the NCDSA, who thankfully met their overall operating budget for the year of $275,000. We are very grateful for the generosity of the STP contributors and the support shown by the congregation. Thank you for helping the Down syndrome community to let their little lights shine!
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BLUE HOLIDAY
with Sarah Clark-Farnell and Jenn Kapranov
The holiday season can be a difficult time for many of us.
Blue Holiday is an alternative holiday event that makes space for sadness and provides an opportunity for sharing and togetherness.
All are welcome.
Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 6:30pm-8:00pm in the Living Room; Register below.
Contact Jenn for more information or call 203-640-7677.
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HOLIDAY MARKET 2023: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3
Participate in the life of our church by helping folks support the Creatives and Artists within our beloved community! Please join Rachel Rose and the Welcoming Ministry in a Holiday Bazaar, where folks are invited to showcase and sell their work, and support the church (20% of proceeds are donated to The Community Church)!
WHO: Creatives & Artists in the The Community Church of Chapel Hill community
WHAT: Holiday Bazaar - - where Creatives & Artists connect with the rest of our community, and members of our congregation do holiday shopping - supporting the Arts & the church!
WHERE: The Community Church Community Room (and possibly the kast Courtyard)
WHEN: December 3, following both the 9:30AM and 11:15AM services during the Sunday Socials
HOW (Vendors): Complete this form by 12/1.
HOW (Shoppers): Simply attend the Sunday Social on12/3 and support the Arts and our church!
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EXPLORING MEMBERSHIP JANUARY 14, 2024, 2 PM
(Parts I & II combined)
WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH
(OR, JUST LEARN MORE)?
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2 PM
Join Rev. Thom & Rachel Rose to "Explore Membership"!
To become a Member of The Community Church, one must:
- Take a Class (it's fun, easy, and worthwhile even for the retired UU ministers who've attended!)
- Sign the Membership Book
- Make a Pledge
NEW: Rev. Thom and Rachel Rose are offering one-day intensive (Parts I & II combined!) Exploring Membership on 1/14/24, from 2 PM - 4:30 PM in our beautiful Gathering Room -- childcare provided with RSVP.
WANT TO JOIN US? The class is a great way to get to know others who are new to our community, and to learn more about The Community Church of Chapel Hill.
CAN'T MAKE IT THIS TIME? Let Rachel Rose know, so she can let you know about upcoming opportunities.
The class provides an introduction to Unitarian Universalism and our congregation, the meaning of Membership, provides an opportunity for reflecting on our spiritual journeys, and gives folks a chance to meet others who are newer to The Community Church.... and Rev. Thom and I would love for YOU to join us
If you have already taken the Exploring Membership class and feel ready to join, you can sign the Membership Book in person with Rachel Rose on any Sunday morning, or with Rev. Thom by appointment.
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HELP MAKE SUNDAY MORNINGS HAPPEN - SERVE AS A GREETER! Our church is busy, and we need folks to help welcome people - both newcomers and longtime members - into our church on Sunday morning... and we have some Greeter spaces open over the next few weeks! Please take a moment to sign up below, and help new people see what our community is really like. Please join us when you can for this simple, but important work. Thanks so much - your help is appreciated!
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WOMEN CIRCLE TO PLAN 2024 ACTIVITIES
Come join us for the WomenCircle annual planning meeting on Friday, December 8 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at the church. As we have done with a lot of the indoor activities, we change between an in-person meeting and one on Zoom. Those choices will be made later. This next year, we already have the WomenCircle Retreat scheduled for the weekend of May 3-5 at Montreat. The rest of the months are available for all your creative thoughts. We are inviting active, occasional or WomenCircle “wanna be’s” to bring their ideas to the meeting or email them to Joann Haggerty. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Joann as well.
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COMMUNITY CHURCH CONCERT SERIES | |
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COMMUNITY CHURCH CONCERTS HOSTS KRUGER BROTHERS
and MORE! Once again our Kruger Brothers concert on Dec. 8 is a SELLOUT! Tickets ARE still available for our remaining shows: The Barefoot Movement, Jan. 20, and Stillhouse Junkies, Feb. 10! Check out the artists, listen to their music, and buy tickets below. And... NOTE: The BEST way to ensure you have tickets to your favorite band is to buy a SEASON PASS early in the FALL next year! You save $$ and support the church...A WIN-WIN for all! We need desserts for our sellout crowd on Dec. 8. Please help! CONTACT Dorothy Hammett. Volunteers also needed for parking, ushering, ticket sales. EMAIL Cheryl Diegel. Thank you for your support! Community Church Concerts is a volunteer-operated and fund-raising endeavor for the church! BUY TICKETS BELOW! To volunteer, contact Terry Baker. Questions? Email Jane Provan.
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QUUILTERS
We meet on Saturday morning, December 2, 9 - 11:30 AM in the Gathering Room. We are now focused on making placemats for Meals on Wheels participants. Fabric, instructions, kits and batting are available. Lap quilts can also be turned in. Bring your current or recent projects to share with us during our check-in time. We love seeing what everyone is working on. You may bring your machine to start work on placemats. Join our email list below.
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SANCTUARY FOR DIALOGUE WORKSHOP "FAMILY AND POLITICS" - DEC 10, 2-4 PM
Is your immediate or extended family divided on politics? This holiday season, don’t let family relationships become a casualty of our toxic polarized environment! Register NOW for our Braver Angels workshop, “Families and Politics”. Join us in person at church on Dec 10, 2 - 4 PM. Preserve family bonds while still being true to your values and political beliefs! LEARN MORE at the Sanctuary for Dialogue webpage, and at the Braver Angers website.
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OUTDOOR CONNECTIONS: ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING, DEC. 9, 1 PM BY ZOOM
We are blessed with 478 mapped trails within 5 miles of Chapel Hill. Not far are thousands of acres of public, environmentally protected waters, and access to national seashores and high-altitude national and state parks. Where would you like to go, what would you like to do? What activities would help you renew old friendships and nurture new ones? What would enrich your own connections with the natural world?
We’ll meet by Zoom to allow everyone to attend – the more the better!
Prospective members are welcome, too.
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106 Purefoy Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919-942-2050
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