April 28
“Connecting to the Divine” Rev. Thom Belote, preaching The theme of connection has been woven through this church year. We’ve explored the sources of disconnection in our world as well as our connections to our families, ourselves, our church community, and our wider world. Join us this Sunday for the final service in the Connection series as we consider our connections to the holy and the divine. MUSIC NOTES: This Sunday, Eric Bannan will offer two songs as Special Music, including one requested by Rev. Thom after hearing it at a backyard concert last weekend, and another that might be considered a “classic,” by Iris DeMent. Kristin Trangsrud will provide the Gathering Music. WORSHIP SCHEDULE
9 AM:
Contact Marion Hirsch for Sunday evening High School Youth programming COMMUNITY CHURCH IN ACTION
HIKE AT BLUE JAY POINT COUNTY PARK
Outdoor Connections On April 20, 2024, eleven church members gathered at the Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education to hike the Falls Lake Trail and to visit two view points on Falls Lake at Blue Jay Point County Park. Highlights of the trip were a large stand of mayapples and a very large osprey nest at the top of a very high tree! Lunch at Sassool in North Raleigh was also a fun, communal time. 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 EVENTSHAVE YOU PLEDGED?
Thank you to all who have made their 2024-2025 pledge. We have pledged $700k, which is a new record! Funds promised through the Annual Pledge Drive are critical to the financial health of the church. Pledges continue to be accepted, and we are reaching out to those who haven't completed a Pledge Form yet. Every pledge is important and no pledge is too small. Questions? Please contact Bonnie Crotty Nelson, Stewardship Chair, or Franklin Hirsch, Congregational Administrator. 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 - 4:30 PM (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; she'll let you know about upcoming opportunities. WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY? In April, children are exploring INTERDEPENDENCE as their Soul Matters theme. This week, we will learn about the web of creatures and creation and how we are called to care at 9 AM on Zoom and in person at 9:30 AM and 11:15 AM. 8th Grade OWL continues. In the evening, the High School Youth Group will meet. For more information about our Religious Education Program, please contact Marion Hirsch or Kat Good.
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. 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. 8TH PRINCIPLE DISCUSSION GROUP Should our congregation adopt the 8th Principle? What is the 8th Principle?! The 8th Principle was created by Paula Cole Jones and Bruce Pollack-Johnson nearly 10 years ago. Since that time, many congregations have voted to adopt this Principle. We are excited about this possibility for our church. Please come for a discussion of the 8th Principle and what it would mean for our congregation. Questions? Email Sarah Clark-Farnell. Tuesday, April 30th from 7-8 PM - Register for Zoom link! QUUILTERS We meet on Saturday morning, May 4, 9 - 11:30 AM, in the Gathering Room. Fabric, some kits and instructions for quilts, totebags, zippered pouches, and more will be available. These are projects for the HomeStart Women's Shelter residents and clients of the local Refugee Support Center, and more. You may bring your machine to start on a project and/or take supplies home. We have a check-in time starting at 9:30 AM and we love to see what else everyone has been working on. Join our email list |
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.