The Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist
c3hoffice@gmail.com
(919) 942-2050
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      • 2020 Virtual Music Gala
      • Virtual Worship Music
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      • As You Like It
      • Community Church Singers
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      • Music Gala
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        • Contribute to the Fund
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        • What is the Fund
      • Qualified Charitable Distributions
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    • Ready for RE, a visual guide
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      • Parent Cooperative Requirement
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      • Insch Program Description
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      • Insch Program Application
    • Youth Staff Internship Program >
      • Insch Program History
    • Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education
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      • Auction Resources
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      • Community Day of Service 2022
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      • Resources for Rare Women
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      • Article II: Our Evolving Purposes, Principles, Sources, Values and Covenants
    • Spiritual Exploration for Adults (SEA) >
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      • SEA Pilgrimage Class
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    • WomenCircle
  • Donate Now
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Our Covenant

Printer-friendly pdf can be found here.

Congregational Covenant

We, the members and friends of the Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist, affirm the following:

· We will communicate with and about each other openly, kindly and respectfully. 
We intend to: 
· Listen deeply to understand and appreciate the perspectives and opinions of others. 
· Describe our own opinions and experiences using the word “I,” mindful that our views may not be shared by others. 
· Be respectful and kind in our words and tone in person and in written and electronic communications, focusing on      issues and behaviors, not on people. 
· Avoid repeating rumors and hearsay about other individuals and groups. 

· We will seek peaceful and constructive resolutions when conflicts arise. 
We intend to: 
· Assume that we and others in the congregation act with good intentions. 
· Check the accuracy of our perceptions and assumptions with others. 
· Communicate directly with individuals or groups with whom we have a conflict, rather than speaking negatively about others in the wider community. 
· Be forgiving and loving when we or others make mistakes. 
· Apologize, when warranted, and seek to make amends. 
· Call on congregational resources when help is needed. 

· We will value diversity of thought, belief and culture within our community. 
We intend to: 
· Reach out to others with warmth and kindness. 
· Recognize and respect the diversity of beliefs and spiritual paths within our community, including the words and ways people choose to express their spirituality. 
· Be curious, appreciative and informed about perspectives that differ from our own. 
· Honor the contributions and needs of those who have been historically marginalized in the larger world, and strive to be welcoming. 

· We will work together to build the common good. 
We intend to: 
· Nurture mutual trust by sharing information honestly and responsibly. 
· Contribute our gifts of time, talents and financial resources. 
· Encourage and support the participation of everyone in the life of our congregation. 
· Express gratitude and appreciation for the contributions of others. 
· Respect the roles and responsibilities of congregational leaders. 
· Respect the congregation’s established policies and procedures. 

[Adapted, in part, from the Covenant of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta.] 

Covenant FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about congregational covenants. 

1. What is a covenant? 
In a religious context, a covenant often refers to a solemn promise between members of a congregation regarding how they will act toward each other.  Synonyms for covenant include: pledge, promise, bond, and understanding. 

2. What is the history of covenants in Unitarian Universalism? 
Covenants have been fundamental to our religious movement for more than 400 years.  Our first congregations in New England rejected the idea of creed as a central doctrine for a religious community.  Instead, they adopted covenants—written documents—describing how members of the community wanted to be with one another.  Central to each covenant was the idea of the spirit of love working in the hearts and minds of each member of the community. Essentially, UUs have always been people of a covenant instead of a creed.  Covenant is fundamental to our UU identity. 

3. What is the value in having a Congregational Covenant? 
  • To specify ways we can act to be our most positive, supportive, and caring selves in our relationships with others––to create “beloved community.”
  • To specify actions and behaviors each of us can expect of ourselves and others within our church community.
  • To remind and guide us toward constructive contributions when tensions or conflicts arise within our community.

4. How will we encourage congregants to embrace the Covenant? 
  • Each of us––in our choice to participate in the church––agrees to take responsibility for our actions and to abide by the Covenant.
  • All will be invited and encouraged to affirm the Covenant.
  • Education will be offered in sessions for church groups and individuals and through the program for new members.
  • The Committee on Ministry will use the Covenant as a baseline for their work in mediation and facilitation.
  • Home
  • Worship and Arts
    • Upcoming Services & Schedule
    • Most Recent Service
    • Recordings of Past Services >
      • Recording of Past Services
      • Wednesday Vespers
      • Sermon Archive Prior to March 2020
    • Music Ministry >
      • Community Church Choir
      • 2021 Virtual Music Gala
      • 2020 Virtual Music Gala
      • Virtual Worship Music
      • Music Program
      • As You Like It
      • Community Church Singers
      • Children's Choir
      • Youth Music Ensemble
      • UUkes
      • Instrumentalists
      • Music Team
      • Music Gala
      • Musicals
      • Pageants
      • Choir Sundays
      • Concert Series
    • Art at Community Church >
      • Art in the Sanctuary >
        • Upcoming Art Exhibits
      • Art in the Commons
      • Past Art Exhibits
  • Newcomers
    • Welcome
    • What to Expect When You Visit
    • Visiting with Children and Youth
    • Map and Directions
    • The Path to Membership
    • How to Connect
  • About Us
    • Building Use Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Our Minister
    • Our Staff
    • Our Governance >
      • Our Board of Trustees
      • 2022 Board
      • Board Nominees 2022
      • Congregational Meeting Documents 2019
      • Our Covenant
      • Our Mission and Vision
      • Our Strategic Plan
      • Our Bylaws
      • Social Media Policy
      • More About Our Governance
    • Committees and Ministries >
      • Caring Ministry
      • Living Our Covenant with Intention
      • Endowment Committee
      • Committee on Ministry
      • Finance Committee >
        • Sunday Counters
      • Worship Ministry
    • Our History >
      • Congregational Award Recipients
    • About Unitarian Universalism >
      • The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)
      • Our Beliefs
      • Unitarian Universalist History
      • Southeast District of the UUA >
        • Building On Our Legacy Capital Fund
    • Stewardship >
      • Annual Pledge Drive
      • The Endowment Fund: Supporting the Future of Our Congregational Mission >
        • Proposing a Project
        • Contribute to the Fund
        • Past Projects
        • What is the Fund
      • Qualified Charitable Distributions
  • Youth and Children
    • Ready for RE, a visual guide
    • About Youth and Children's Ministry At The Community Church >
      • Program Philosophy
      • Helping Children and Youth Connect at Church
      • Parent Expectations
      • Program Leadership
    • Registration and Parent Cooperative >
      • Registration
      • Parent Cooperative Information
      • Parent Cooperative Requirement
    • Children's Program
    • Youth Program >
      • Sunday Programs for youth
      • Coming of Age
      • Bridging
    • Sarah Elizabeth Insch Church Youth Leadership Program >
      • Insch Program Description
      • Insch Associates
      • Insch Program Application
    • Youth Staff Internship Program >
      • Insch Program History
    • Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education
    • Chalice Camp 2023
  • Justice and Service
    • Ongoing Racial Equity Work
    • Racial Equity Challenges
    • Charles M. Jones Peace & Justice Committee
    • Community Service Ministry
    • ECO
    • Habitat For Humanity Outreach
    • Immigrant Justice Initiative
    • Share the Plate
    • Side with Love Ministry >
      • Side with Love Spotlight
      • Side with Love Concerts
  • Learning and Fellowship
    • Welcoming Ministry
    • Buildings and Grounds
    • 20s and 30s Group
    • Annual Fall Auction >
      • Auction Resources
    • Community Church in Action >
      • Community Day of Service 2023
      • Community Day of Service 2023 Photos
      • Community Day of Service 2022 Photos
      • Community Day of Service 2022
      • Community Day of Service 2020 Photos
      • Community Day of Service 2019 Photos
    • Community Clickers >
      • Patterns and Instructions
      • Community Clickers - 2023 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2022 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2021 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2020 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2019 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2018 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2017 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2016 Projects
    • Chalice Circles/Small Group Ministry
    • Flaming Chalices Softball
    • Outdoor Connections
    • Rare Women >
      • Resources for 2023-2024
      • Housing Options as We Age
      • Resources for Rare Women
    • Sanctuary for Dialogue >
      • Article II: Our Evolving Purposes, Principles, Sources, Values and Covenants
    • Spiritual Exploration for Adults (SEA) >
      • Past SEA Classes and Programs
      • SEA Pilgrimage Class
    • UNC Campus Fellowship
    • UU Non-Fiction Readers
    • WomenCircle
  • Donate Now
  • Flower Communion