March 17, 2024
Spring Equinox Multigenerational Service Led by Marion Hirsch, Kat Good, Rev. Thom Belote, and Glenn Mehrbach Join us for a multigenerational Spring Equinox ritual as we welcome the arrival of the spring and celebrate what is blossoming in our lives. MUSIC NOTES: This Sunday is the debut of the newly-formed “Chalice Choir,” under the direction of Taryn Bonner. They will be joining the Community Church Choir and Singers on a multi-layered piece based on the words of Julian of Norwich. Also, three generations of the Nacianceno family (father Raul, daughter (and church pianist) Ariadna, and grandson Daniel), will delight us with music for alto saxophone, clarinet and piano before and during the service. WORSHIP SCHEDULE
9 AM:
Contact Marion Hirsch for Sunday evening High School Youth programming COMMUNITY CHURCH IN ACTION
DAY OF SERVICE 2024
Mission: Possible! On March 2, 2024, the Mission: Possible 2024 Day of Service was a great success, with 250 agents providing more than 700 hours of service to partner organizations. Members of our congregations contributed by playing music, organizing missions, preparing food, planning the event, and lending a hand where needed. Get ready for another great mission in 2025! For more information about the Day of Service, contact Leigh Anne King or Becky Wilkes. QUICK LINKSMAKE A PLEDGE
CHILDREN'S & YOUTH PROGRAMMING DONATE NOW WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS CALENDAR REQUESTS PARKING RENTAL INQUIRY PARKING PAYMENTS COMMUNITY CHURCH CONCERTS FALL AUCTION DAY OF SERVICE 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. |
2024-2025 ANNUAL PLEDGE DRIVE WRAP-UP
Thanks to the generous pledges of over 250 families in our church! To date, we are on pace to reach our goal and fully fund our operating budget for the 2024-2025 church year. If you haven't filled out a pledge form yet, it is not too late. Questions? Please reach out to Bonnie Crotty Nelson (Stewardship Chair) or Franklin Hirsch (Congregational Administrator). WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY CHURCH OR JUST LEARN MORE?
Join Rev. Thom & Rachel Rose in "Exploring Membership"! 17 MAR 2024, SUN 2:30 – 5 PM (Parts 1 & 2 combined) childcare provided with RSVP. The class provides an introduction to Unitarian Universalism and our congregation, the meaning of Membership, reflecting on our spiritual journeys, and gives folks a chance to meet others who are newer to The Community Church. CAN'T MAKE IT THIS TIME? Let Rachel Rose know, so she can let you know about upcoming opportunities. 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. RSVP WITH RACHEL ROSE UPCOMING EVENTSDURING THE SUNDAY SOCIAL:
FRIDAY ACTION HOUR 11 AM - 12 PM EVERY FRIDAY! UU Justice NC's Friday Action Hour - Friday, March 15 - This Friday, our friends at the NC Budget & Tax Center will share their exciting new tool documenting all federal and state-level investments in services and programs for children and youth in North Carolina. We'll discuss how this data can be used to advocate for investments for kids, and specifically how it connects to the fights for fair tax policy and for equitably funding early childhood education. ACCESS TO ABORTION IS A SOCIAL AND MORAL GOOD--FREE YARD SIGNS Abortion is a safe, normal and often necessary part of health care. Secrecy only promotes shame, and permits politicians to enact harmful restrictions on abortion, putting women's' lives and livelihoods at risk. Let's change the assumptions about abortion and encourage our neighbors to work for change -- post one of our Abortion Access signs in your yard. Get yours at the Love table--they're free! (And people should be free to make the medical decisions that are best for them.) SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? How to prepare for disasters. Climate change causes more disasters that make us decide how to keep ourselves safe. Nancy Mayer works with people with disabilities to prepare for disasters will provide information on how to plan for disasters, which weather predictions mean to implement your plan, & how to find government aid/assistance. This workshop will be presented at the Church on March 17 at 1:30-3 PM. If interested in attending, please contact Nancy. CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY AND SPIRITUALITY, SAT MARCH 16 AT 10 AM This workshop led by artist Steevie Jane Parks will be about working with unconscious imagery to better understand and cope with our own thoughts and feelings about ourselves, others, and the world we live in. We will focus on either drawing with crayon or creating sculptures of whatever images we are able to access during a period of meditation. Writing materials will also be made available. Following the exercise, we will have the option to share our reactions to the experience. Learn more and register. Contact Steevie Jane Parks with questions. SPOTS ADDED! DIALOGUE ACROSS DIFFERENCE AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE 3/16 @ 2 PM We will explore how engaging in meaningful dialogue with people who hold very different perspectives opens us up to new insights, expands our understanding, and cultivates empathy and compassion. We will learn from the example of great teachers and leaders that it can even become a practice of recognizing the divine or sacred in others, transcending divisive boundaries and promoting peace and unity. You will have a chance to practice dialogue skills in the session. Learn more and register. Contact Laura Gilliom with questions. NONFICTION BOOK DISCUSSION FOR MARCH On Saturday, March 16 from 10:30 AM to 12 PM in the Living Room, the Nonfiction Readers will discuss Good Economics for Hard Times, by Abhigit V. Banergee and Esther Duflo. These Nobel Prize-winning economists apply economic principles and methods to such issues as inequality, immigration, technological change, globalization and climate crisis. New members and drop-ins are welcome. Contact Ed Steffes to ask questions or to be placed on the distribution list for meeting information. MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY SUPPORT GATHERING The Mental Health Ministry Support Group will meet Sunday, March 17, from 2 PM to 4 PM in the Living Room of the church. 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. |
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.