April 21
“Earth Day Multigenerational Service” Led by Marion Hirsch, Kat Good, Glenn Mehrbach, and Rev. Thom Belote Join us for a multigenerational Earth Day worship service celebrating our connection to the Earth. Weather permitting, we will hold the 9:30AM service outdoors at Memorial Rock amphitheater and the 11:15AM service will be held in the Sanctuary. MUSIC NOTES: This Sunday, the Community Church Singers will sing two songs celebrating the Earth, by Luke Wallace and Tom Chapin, and will ask for your help singing them. We’ll start the 11:15AM service with a Hymn Sing. WORSHIP SCHEDULE
9 AM:
Contact Marion Hirsch for Sunday evening High School Youth programming COMMUNITY CHURCH IN ACTION
MUSIC GALA 2024
"THESE UUNITED STATES" Thanks to everyone who attended our annual Music Gala, "These UUnited States," on Saturday, April 13. It was a rousing success in every way, with over $2,000 raised for the Music Program and A/V needs. Over 200 people enjoyed 20 amazing performances with over 50 performers in one 90-minute act, then sampled homemade desserts and danced to live music afterwards. If you didn't have cash handy, or watched online, and would still like to support the performers and the Music Program, you can do so by going to the "One Time Donation" page on the church website, and putting "Music Gala 2024" in the Memo line. Contact Glenn Mehrbach, Music Director, for more information. 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. QUICK LINKS |
UPCOMING EVENTSMEMORIAL SERVICE FOR KATE CARROLL
A memorial service for Kate Carroll will be held on Saturday, April 20, at 1 PM. A reception will follow in the Community Room. Please join us as we celebrate Kate's life. APRIL 21 WILL BE BUSY AS WE CELEBRATE EARTH DAY
Eco Ministry for the Earth will have a Share the Plate to support Dogwood Alliance’s fight to stop the wood pellet industry from destroying our southern forests. We also will be tabling in the kast Courtyard, having a Pollinator Toss Game and book reading for children and a Native vs. Invasive Plant Game for teens and adults. An Interfaith Walk for Environmental Justice on UNC campus at 3PM will meet at the United Methodist Church at 150 E. Franklin. Bring signs. Questions: contact Eco Ministry for the Earth. DURING THE SUNDAY SOCIALS:
THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE OF FINGER LABYRINTH WALKING -- 4/21 @ 2 PM The labyrinth is a walking meditation, a path of prayer, and a blueprint where psyche meets spirit. It is an ancient spiritual tool —labyrinth patterns have been discovered, as early 2000 BCE, in all regions of the world and used by many different faith traditions. The use of handheld labyrinths grew during COVID, and they offer a way to bring the labyrinth home for regular use. This session will explore the labyrinth and offer a chance for us to “walk with our fingers.” Led by Paige Smith. Register and learn more. Contact Paige Smith with questions. BIRD WALK ON APRIL 27, 2024 AT 8 AM AT BRUMLEY NORTH April mornings are a great time to see birds during their spring migration. This Eco Ministry for the Earth event will be led by knowledgeable bird watchers Peggy Dorfman and Steven Chandler. The Brumley Nature Preserve North entrance is at 3620 Old State Hwy 10, in Chapel Hill. Bring binoculars if you have them, and you may want a hat and mosquito repellent. Best for children 10 and up. Questions: ask Eco Ministry for the Earth. MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BARBARA DENNIS Please join us on Saturday, April 27, at 11 AM as we celebrate the life of Barbara Dennis. A reception will follow in the Jones Community Room. MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY SUPPORT GATHERING The Mental Health Ministry Support Group will meet Sunday, April 28, 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. SHARE THE PLATE Share the Plate nominations for the second half of 2024 are due April 28! Members of The Community Church of Chapel Hill are encouraged to nominate 501c-3 organizations for our church to support. The Share the Plate Steering Committee is soliciting new members to review applications and assist the nominator/coordinator in carrying out the collection. Find out about how to apply for the Share the Plate Collection. WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH (OR, JUST LEARN MORE)? Join Rev. Thom & Rachel Rose to "Explore Membership"! JOIN US! MAY 5, SUN 2:30 – 5pm (Parts 1 & 2 combined) childcare provided with RSVP. 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 WANT TO JOIN US? 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 would love for YOU to join us. RSVP WITH RACHEL ROSE CAN'T MAKE IT THIS TIME? Let Rachel Rose know, so she can let you know about upcoming opportunities. PRESCHOOL TRANSPORTATION NEEDED The Immigrant Justice Initiative is so glad that Maria's boys, Manuel and Eduardo, are starting preschool! This will give her time for her own studies and other appointments. But we still need two or three more "Morning run" drivers willing to take Maria and the boys to the school in Carrboro and bring Maria back, one day a week. It takes about a half hour, from 8:15-8:45. We also have some "substitute" drivers who can help occasionally, so let us know if you could do that as well. CARE BAGS - SIDE WITH LOVE Looking for some friendly sewers! We need 26 cloth bags, 8" X 6", sewn on three sides, then we will fill the bags with rice. We will supply the fabric. When we meet to assemble, the fourth side will be sewn. These are for the Planned Parenthood patient care bags. Contact Teri Brooks with questions. |
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.