July 7 Everything is on Fire: Living Well in a Troubled World Sarah Clark-Farnell, preaching How do we live well when things are tough? Sometimes trouble is global and sometimes it is intensely personal. Either way, it can be difficult to know what to do with the complexity of life. Today we will explore how to hold on to what good and beautiful, while at the same time honoring what is hard. Sarah Clark-Farnell holds a Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary. She is a chaplain resident at Duke University Hospital and is a member of The Community Church. MUSIC NOTES: This Sunday, congregation member Erich Lieth will delight us with his own compositions, as well as a wonderful song by masters of the American Songbook Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Erich has also written a meditation piece for the congregation to sing during the service. Come early, as he'll also be playing the Gathering Music. July 14
"Life in Seventeen Syllables" Rev. Alison Wilbur Eskildsen, preaching The 17th century Japanese master poet, Matsuo Basho, wandered both physical and spiritual lands and created haiku masterpieces. Let’s explore what his life and poetry may say to us in the 21st century. The Rev. Alison Wilbur Eskildsen is Minister Emerita of the UU Fellowship of Athens (GA), and an active member of the Community Church since 2021. MUSIC NOTES: This Sunday, congregation Member and cellist extraordinaire Debbie Davis will join pianist Glenn Mehrbach in presenting a number of ethereal and sublime arrangements of Japanese folk songs composed by Michio Mamiya. They will play these pieces not only during the service, but for Gathering Music as well. WORSHIP SCHEDULE
9:30 AM:
COMMUNITY CHURCH IN ACTION![]()
![]() Side With Love Ministry
presents The Stirling Trio in concert, featuring: Julia Reeves, violin; Deborah Hollis, piano; and Debbie Davis, cello Sunday July 21, 3 PM Doors open at 2 PM for optional postcard-writing opportunity, at 2:45 for the concert. Order Tickets or LiveStream Access Suggested donation: $20 or more for live concert $15 for livestream access Focus on QR code with camera and click on link that appears, or go to this URL: https://square.link/u/KJgi4obQ LEARN MORE All proceeds will benefit the Carolina Abortion Fund Optional Action Opportunity: Write postcards in support of Reproductive Justice! 2 PM in the Commons For more information: contact Janet Stevens ![]() BEWARE -- SCAM ALERT
Scams targeting religious communities are increasing. Scammers create fake email addresses (and sometimes phone numbers) impersonating the minister, staff members or lay leaders and contact congregants -- asking for contact information, login credentials, the Directory, etc., or to buy gift cards. Rachel Rose (Directory, contact info) and Franklin Hirsch (Finances) are the best people to help with these requests - they will always have the latest versions of our secure documents and are happy to help. If you receive a scam email, phone call or text, please report and delete it. If you're unsure, please contact Rev. Thom, Rachel Rose or Franklin Hirsch and see if the communication is legitimate. |
UPCOMING EVENTSEARLY DEADLINE - 7/3: Due to the holiday and staff time off, contributions to the July 12 Weekly Announcements are due one week early, Wednesday, July 3, at noon. Thank you! Questions? Contact Rachel Rose. COMMUNITY CLICKERS We are a group of knitters and crocheters and will meet Wednesday July 3 at 2 PM in the Gathering Room for our monthly meeting. We will be designing shawls for Hospice and sharing our projects and time. If you do needlework and would like share your time and energy to our projects -- or if you would just like to share time with others in our community, join us. See our web page on the church website for more information. DURING THE SUNDAY SOCIAL:
QUUILTERS We meet Saturday, July 6, 9-11:30 AM, in the Gathering Room. We are working on several community service projects and visitors are welcome. Fabric, batting and instructions are available as well as a few kits. Our check-in time begins at 9:30 AM. Turn in any items for our group efforts and bring your personal projects to show the rest of us. Join our email list. ART IN THE SANCTUARY Through August 25, the Sanctuary art will be a show of the work of Ippis Halme: "Thinking Aloud." Her medium is permanent markers on water color paper, and her work is inspired by nature, fairy tales, dreams, and cultural textile patterns. She will host a reception in the Commons on Saturday, July 6, from 3-5. Contact Ippis Halme / 919-942-0279 H; 919-215-5875 C See more of the work of Ippis Halme JULY 7 SHARE THE PLATE FOR TABLEOn July 7, the Share The Plate will be for TABLE. Since 2008, TABLE has been feeding local children on weekends, holidays, and summer vacation. They seek to meet the nutritional needs of these children by delivering food directly to their homes once a week. The weekend meals that TABLE provides include fresh produce and healthy non-perishable food. Also included are nutritional facts about the food delivered New this year will include a dozen eggs delivered once a month. Currently they serve 1000 students. For more information, contact Lisa Epner. DURING THE JULY 14 SUNDAY SOCIAL:
MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY SUPPORT GATHERING The Mental Health Ministry Support Group will meet Sunday, July 14, from 2 PM to 4 PM in the Living Room. The group provides support for family members of people struggling with mental illness. This is not a group for individuals with mental illness, but rather one for those who care about those individuals. If this sounds like something that would be helpful to you, please join us. Contact Susan Spalt or Marion Hirsch for more information. IT'S ALMOST POST TIME! (FOR AUCTION ITEMS, THAT IS.) The fun-building, fund-raising church Auction is online again, and the website will open for our donations at noon Friday, July 19! Need ideas? Social events at your home build community and raise needed funds. Also popular: sporting event or entertainment tickets, classes, food, vacation destinations, art, antiques, music items, books, garden items, professional services, home maintenance, etc. Bidding begins at noon Sept. 27 and ends at noon Oct. 19. Be part of the fun and community building! The Auction page on the church website has links and instructions. Need more information? Email Kathleen Farinola, Joan O'Brien and Mary George. COMMUNITY SERVICE MINISTRY SCHOOL SUPPLIES North Carolina teachers spend over $500 out of their own pockets for classroom supplies each year. Yes, not only do some of our NC students start the year unprepared for learning, but their teachers must fill in the gaps. On July 21, our Share the Plate will collect funds to aid Orange and Chatham County students. Let's reach out to our children. Donate online, or give during service on July 21. Questions? Contact Teri Brooks. SAVE THE DATE: AUGUST 18 POP-UP POPSICLE PARTY DURING THE SUNDAY SOCIAL Join the Welcoming Ministry in celebrating the end of one of the hottest summers on record with a sweet treat! Originally invented by an 11-year-old, popsicles from local woman-owned business Locopops will be available for all (dairy, non-dairy and sugar-free options will be available) at our Pop-Up Popsicle Party immediately following the service. Questions? Contact Rachel Rose or Ellie Speh. WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH (OR, JUST LEARN MORE)? SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 1 - 3:30 PM Join Rev. Thom & Rachel Rose to "Explore Membership"! To become a Member of The Community Church, one must:
Can't make it this time? Let Rachel Rose know, so she can let you know about upcoming opportunities WANT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH FUN AND FELLOWSHIP? JOIN THE WELCOMING MINISTRY! Rachel Rose and the Welcoming Ministry welcome YOU to join us in helping to build and maintain Beloved Community! Greeting on Sunday mornings throughout the year, hosting a Pop-Up Popsicle Party this August, highlighting the work of this congregation with the Connections Fair in September, featuring our community's creatives in the Holiday Market in December -- that's just some of the fun work of the Welcoming Ministry - and we'd love your help! Questions? Contact Rachel Rose or Ellie Speh. QUICK LINKS |
WE ARE A WELCOMING CONGREGATION
We are a congregation that has historically stood for the civil rights of all people, especially those affected by racism and homophobia. We are a Welcoming Congregation, celebrating and affirming the active presence in our congregation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual members and friends and their families. We are actively engaged in dialogue about how to be a more racially diverse, multicultural, anti-oppressive congregation. |
SUNDAY PARKING: Please honor the parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities and limited mobility at the front of the church, as well as the spaces reserved for the Auction Winners. We encourage folks to carpool and/or park offsite, if at all possible. Parking is available at The Community Church, as well as alternate parking options. See a map here. Please note: Parking is not allowed at the Kehillah across the street. WEEKDAY PARKING (for church functions): The Main Lot is fully rented; please use the small Front Lot directly in front of the church, the wooded Pine Lot along Purefoy Road, or in the Rear Lot behind the church.