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REGULAR WORSHIP SCHEDULE

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

HELP US CONTINUE TO UPHOLD THE MISSION OF OUR CHURCH!

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)

The Share the Plate collection on January 14 will support the Benevolence / Minister’s Discretionary Funds. These funds are designed to meet the financial needs of those in our congregation who have serious financial needs. They also provide funds, often confidential, to meet the financial needs that are related to the church’s mission. The needs funded are often emergencies and usually one-time. Please support the Share the Plate at the services on January 14 or online.

SHARE THE PLATE JANUARY 21, 2024

The Share The Plate on Sunday, January 21, 2024 will be for the Orange County Rape Crisis Center (OCRCC) supported by Side With Love. This is a critical time for the OCRCC because of the loss of substantial state and federal support to the local community. The OCRCC has been instrumental in navigating the pandemic and its continuing aftermath, as well as continuing challenges for the prevention of sexual abuse at the local level. The Center meets local challenges through the support of survivors, advocacy in the community, and outstanding educational and outreach training programs in schools and in the community. Every day the OCRCC meets the growing needs of the community. Please donate generously on Sunday, January 21, 2024. Contact Diane Williams for more information.

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 on1/14, from 2PM - 4:30PM in the Commons -- 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.

THE BAREFOOT MOVEMENT IN CONCERT JANUARY 20!

Once again, The Barefoot Movement will grace our stage for Community Church Concerts Sat., Jan. 20 at 8 PM. Since 2011, this progressive acoustic band has been recording and touring internationally, winning the 2014 IBMA Momentum award, and releasing three studio albums as well as a live album, a holiday album, two EPs, and a collection of covers. Their newest album, “Let It Out", available in 2024, is a collection of original songs penned and performed by Noah Wall and Tommy Norris, joined by many friends and guests, including former bandmates Katie Blomarz (bass), Alex Conerly (guitar), and current touring guitarist Ben Howington. Join us! To volunteer for parking, ushering, ticket sales, contact Cheryl Diegel. Thank you for your support! Community Church Concerts is a volunteer-operated and fund-raising endeavor for the church! BUY TICKETS BELOW! Questions? Contact Terry Baker or contact Jane Provan.

CONNECTING WITH SPIRITUAL PRACTICE -- CONNECT WITH OTHERS AND YOURSELF

This spring Spiritual Exploration for Adults (SEA) is offering an exciting program over 3 months. February-March congregants will have an opportunity to chose from over 20 spiritual practices and explore them. Each practice will be offered in a 90 minute introductory session by someone in the congregation who is experienced with practice. Sign up for as many practices as you wish. This is a great way to meet folks, learn something new, and expand your spiritual life. Offerings include yoga, journaling, drawing, Lectio Divina, meditation, and parenting.

The Program will begin with a festive dinner and program on Thursday January 25. The program will be led by Rev. Thom. Sign up for the January 25 dinner.

Contact Marion Hirsch with questions.

NONFICTION BOOK DISCUSSION FOR JANUARY

On Saturday, January 20 from 10:30 AM to 12 PM, the Nonfiction Readers will discuss Central America’s Forgotten History: Revolution, Violence, and the Roots of Migration, by historian Ariva Chomsky. Ed Steffes will lead our discussion, which will be held in the Living Room of the Jones Building. Most of the book deals with the period since the emergence of revolutionary movements in the 1970s and ‘80s, concentrating on Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras. Chomsky emphasizes the close relationships between the United States and Central American countries, especially corporate dominance of key industries and past support for authoritarian regimes. Economic and political conditions to which we have contributed have made Central America the number-one source of refugees and asylum seekers migrating here. New readers and drop-ins are welcome. Contact Ed Steffes to ask questions or to be placed on the group’s email list.

RALLY & MEDIA CONFERENCE FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

On Jan. 22, at 10 AM, in front of the General Assembly Bldg. in Raleigh - there will be a rally and media conference for faith leaders and people of faith in support of Reproductive Justice and bodily autonomy. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. We will either provide a bus or help coordinate carpooling. Faith leaders will speak at the Media Conference. Please MARK YOUR CALENDAR.

QUUILTERS

We will meet the first Saturday of the New Year, January 6, 9 - 11:30 AM in the Gathering Room. Placemats for Meals on Wheels participants is the priority project. Fabric, batting, and kits are available. You may bring your machine to start working on one, or take it all home. We will make as many as we can by the church-wide Community Day of Service on March 2!

COMPOSTING AT THE COMMUNITY CHURCH

To make it easier to handle church-generated compost, a clearly-labeled blue bucket has been placed in the kitchen by Eco Ministry for the Earth. It supplements the container decorated by RE. The handle should help in moving our coffee grinds out to the black composting bin set up by Buildings and Grounds behind the Jones Building. We have to be sure to twist open the composting bin’s lid to avoid breaking it and so we can retighten it. Also, each time take some of the leaves in the wire cage next to the composting bin to cover any kitchen waste, to minimize the smell and to help with building humus. Eco Ministry for Earth’s next meeting will be January 7 at 1:15PM.

RARE WOMEN OLDER, WISER, AND RARE (and mostly retired) Community Church women are invited to join one of our three Zoom groups: 1st and 3rd Mondays, 2-4 PM, facilitated by Joann Haggerty; 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 1:30-3:30 PM, facilitated by Rae Dawson; and 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 10-11:30 AM, facilitated by Bonnie Gilliom. Contact the group’s facilitator to get the link. We use a variety of resources to prompt sharing of thoughts, feelings, values, and life experiences. What is said in Rare Women, stays in Rare Women. See the topic schedule and resources for 2024. Additional information is posted on the Rare Women webpage. To join our email list or ask questions, contact Rare Women below.

OUTDOOR CONNECTIONS: JANUARY 12-15 AT THE OUTER BANKS

New Years on the Outer Banks (plus Pea Island NWR, Alligator River NWR, Pungo Unit of Pocosin NWR, maybe Mattamuskeet NWR), Jan. 12-15 (note-3 nights): Swans and Snow Geese, Dolphins and Bears. Good food, good times, great company. We’ll share a large beach house in Nags Head to allow us to prepare our own food, which makes for quieter conversations - and saves a few bucks. This will be a church members only trip with all participants fully vaccinated, boosted, and tested before the trip. The wildlife on this trip can be fantastic – but the opportunity for fellowship is priceless. One bedroom in a 7 bedroom, 7 bath house is still available.