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FEBRUARY 2018 - In This Issue:
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February 4
"Tonglen"
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
This morning's service will explore the Buddhist practice of "Tonglen." Tonglen refers to the capacity to be present in the face of another's pain, suffering, or even anger without flinching or fleeing. We'll explore how to cultivate our own capacity for Tonglen and why this is a needed spiritual skill.
Music Notes: Andrew Wright, viola, Rick Leinhas, clarinet, and Alice Tien, piano, will be playing the entire "Kegalstatt Trio" by W. A. Mozart. Make sure to come early, as they'll be doing the lovely "Rondo: Allegretto" for the Gathering Music.
Share the Plate: TABLE
February 11
"The Heart is a Muscle"
Multigenerational Service
Rev. Thom Belote, leading worship
Join us for this all ages service on the Sunday before Valentine's Day! With the words, music, and surprises, we'll explore love, from that greater love that holds us all, to how we stretch our own hearts and minds to grow more loving. Come join us for a fun service!
Music Notes: The Community Church Singers and the Children's Choir will both be singing for this Multi-Generational service. The Community Church Singers will be singing "The Human Heart" and will collaborate with the Children's Choir on "The Dragon Dance," a song for the Chinese New Year.
February 18
Campus Ministry Sunday
The annual Campus Fellowship Service focuses on hope in these difficult times. This is a great opportunity to hear what is going on the spiritual lives of the college students who are members of the UU group at UNC sponsored by The Community Church.
Share the Plate: El Futuro
February 25
"The Gift of Spiritual Friendship"
Marion Hirsch, leading worship
Thom and Marion are doing a "Switcheroo Sunday." Thom will lead the Water Circle Children's Program and Marion will be in the service sharing a message about how in church we offer each other the gift of spiritual friendship in a world that is becoming increasing lonely and isolated and why that matters.
Share the Plate:
UUs for Justice in the Middle East
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4:30,
Saturday February 17. Timberdoodles' Rites of Spring. Meet at the church for a quick trip to Mason Farm for an evening stroll to watch woodcocks on their twilight peenting, spiraling, tail-feathers-whistling, mating flights. Post-flight prandials (
7:30) at Kitchen - next to Flyleaf books. RSVP:
[email protected]
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BAREFOOT MOVEMENT CONCERT
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Saturday,
February 17, 2018, 8 p.m. for the return of The Barefoot Movement to the Community Church Concerts Series stage!! Since receiving their 2014 IBMA Momentum Band of the Year, the band has toured worldwide, performed at Merlefest and many other well-known acoustic music festivals!
Have a listen and get your tickets after church services or
online here. ALSO: Cheryl Wheeler at last!!!
Friday, March 2, 8 p.m.!!!
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MUSIC NEWS
by Glenn Mehrbach, Music Director
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First of all, our CD, "Within These Walls: Music from the Community Church," is now available
online! The price per CD is $18, which includes a $3 shipping and handling charge. All profits go to the church. The musicians of the church loved creating this CD, and are very excited to share it with the world.
Secondly, please save the date for our next Music Gala, scheduled for
Saturday, April 21. Although the theme has not been decided, we will continue with the intermission-less, "no solos" format, with a reception and dancing afterwards. Watch for more information!
Lastly, I wanted to extend my gratitude to everyone who helped in any way with what was an astonishingly productive winter for the music and theatre programs at the church. In November we staged "Oliver!," which was not only great fun for all involved, but raised $1,122.00 for the Durham Crisis Response Center and nearly $500 for the Operating Fund of the church. That was followed by the Children's Holiday Pageant and the Community Church Choir's performance of the Bach "Magnificat," with a 16 piece chamber orchestra. All of this along with wonderful service music by our choirs, Debbie Davis, Eileen Regan and Tim Smith, and many others.
I look forward to helping to create and share more great music with you in 2018.
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The BUILDING ON OUR LEGACY
Capital Campaign will launch on Saturday, February 24, with a very special Kick-Off Event. Come for this fun family party, for everybody, by everybody.
MUSIC AND REFRESHMENTS (appetizers, wine, etc.) will start at 6:00.
First availability of COTTAGE MEETING sign-ups.
DINNER, prepared and served by youth group members.
TALENT SHOW starting about 7:15.
Child care provided.
Don't miss this evening of festive fun and fellowship!
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We have heard many wonderful comments on Ruth Leopold's colorful and entertaining "Upcoming
Happenings" slides showing on the monitor at the entrance to the Sanctuary. Many thanks to Ruth and to Kathy Farinola for editing assistance!
You may also see the always informative "Upcoming Happenings" slides Ruth created using this web link:
http://c3huu.org/upcoming
where you may view the current version of "Upcoming Happenings" on your smartphone, laptop, or any device with a web browser. If you have comments to share with us, pro or con, please contact us by email at:
[email protected]
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In coordination with ECO the Communications Committee team is enhancing the display software and hardware to be more reliable and more energy efficient. Stay tuned!
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Applications now open for Endowment Fund Grant Proposal!
Over the past year, our invested funds have achieved sufficient growth to allow for a small distribution of the proceeds to support special church-sponsored projects during the 2018-19 Fiscal Year. Up to $3,500 is available for distribution to the congregation this cycle. Deadline for applications is March 30, 2018. Awards will be finalized by a congregational vote at their Annual Meeting in June 2018. The funding will become available beginning July 2018. See our page on the church website for further information and the application form. If you are uncertain about whether your project falls within the scope of what the Endowment Committee funds, please contact an Endowment Committee member.
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ADVENTURE AND FUN AWAITS THOSE ON 2018 WHALECOAST ALASKA TRIP
"Travel throughout Alaska to see wildlife in their natural habitats - humpback and killer whales, sea lions, seals and sea otters; bears, wolves, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, eagles, puffins and other birds in some of North America's most beautiful scenery." Visit "four UU Alaska fellowships - Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Sitka - that provide home stays, dinner parties, activities, and transportation for the guests."
Funds raised through this program help finance these small congregations. "Over the past 25 years, a total of over $554,000 has been raised."
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National Park Tour - June 9-19, 11 days, 10 nights - $3,135
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All-Alaska Tour - July 6-18, 13 days, 12 nights - $3,845
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Save Money: $100/person discount for group of 8
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ECO'S ENVIRONMENTAL CORNER
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First Sunday Recyclables
February 4: Cell phones, including chargers.
As every month, ECO is also collecting batteries (AAA - D, button, rechargeable), corks (natural and synthetic), and
tiny bits of metal
(paper clips, nails, screws, etc.).
Save the Clean Power Plan:
The EPA has EXTENDED the deadline to submit a comment on the proposed repeal of the Clean PowerPlan to April 26. The comment period has been expanded to seven months - all because of MASSIVE public pressure. This is our moment to make our voices heard. To comment, click here.
(The deadline has not been updated on this webpage, but the links still work.)
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Write and/or call your representatives!
Support DACA and TPS!
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) allows undocumented young people brought here as children to remain without fear of deportation. This program was instituted because Congress failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform. In July 2017 President Trump ended the DACA program, giving Congress until March 2018 to legislate a remedy. The issue is currently central to negotiations in Congress.
TPS (Temporary Protected Status) offers temporary relief to people invited into the U. S. because war, natural disasters or chronic violence in their home countries threatens their lives. Many people granted TPS status over the years remain with no clear path to permanent immigration status. The Trump Administration wants to end TPS. It is now up to Congress to legislate a fair solution.
The Sanctuary Committee table has stamped, addressed postcards to our representatives available to write in support of DACA/TPS.
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Sanctuary Church Vote, February 18
Over 400 years ago, our Unitarian predecessors learned what it was like to be hunted down and driven from our homelands. The worth of each person, tolerance of human diversity and demand for justice have become part of our spiritual DNA. Now in our time we see families and communities torn apart by inhumane deportation of refugees and asylum-seekers.
One response is to provide refuge as a Sanctuary church. To learn more about the why and how of Sanctuary, talk to members of our Sanctuary and Immigrant Support Ministry at their Sunday information table. On Sunday February 4, at 12:30 p.m. Gary Sanders, a lay leader from the Umstead Park United Church of Christ, will give a presentation about his church's experience hosting a guest in Sanctuary.
On February 18, following second service, we will hold a congregational meeting to vote on whether to become a Sanctuary Church, offering refuge to someone who would otherwise be deported. Will you be prepared to vote?
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 What does hunger look like in our community? In some families, parents and caregivers struggle daily with the choice between meeting their household needs or providing a steady supply of nutritious food for their kids. More than 2,600, or almost 1 in 3, school aged children in Chapel Hill-Carrboro receive subsidized school meals.
TABLE's mission is to provide healthy, emergency food aid to local kids at risk for hunger. This school year TABLE volunteers have filled an average of 550 bags weekly with nutritious food which are then delivered to schools and after school programs so that these children will have food for weekends and school holidays when they don't have access to their free school meals. Your STP donation on Feb. 4 will help to keep TABLE's shelves and refrigerators well stocked and the weekly bags full!
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STP - FEBRUARY 18
EL FUTURO
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 The
mission of El Futuro is to strengthen the whole community by providing and advancing bilingual and culturally informed behavioral health treatment for underserved Spanish speaking individuals and families. We do this by providing 1) high impact (evidence based) clinical services; 2) training for professionals who work with this population; and 3) prevention, education and outreach in the community.
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STP - FEBRUARY 25
UUs FOR JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
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Our Senators are co-sponsors of the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, an act designed to punish supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement led by Palestinians to call attention to Israel's occupation of the their land, an occupation deemed illegal by the UN. Under this act those supporting a boycott of products from the illegally occupied territories could be subject to a $1 million penalty and up to 20 years in prison. The ACLU opposes this bill saying that government cannot punish U.S. persons based solely on their expressed beliefs.
UUJME urges UUs to contact their representatives to oppose this attack on the first amendment and on Palestinians. Come to the Peace and Justice table to learn more and to send postcards to your representative. On Sunday, February 25, give generously to support the work of UUJME.
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On Christmas Eve, Community Church of Chapel Hill raised $2699 for Habitat for Humanity giving the gift of h ousing to the Tengono family. Building on the house has begun and the Tengonos move in date is set for the spring. In addition to this generous donation, Community Church members have volunteered to help with construction, provide lunch, sew a quilt, and so much more to ensure the Tengono's have a safe and peaceful place to live. Thank you all for the generous support of Community Church's 21st Habitat home.
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STANDING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE
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The Standing on the Side of Love Ministry Team is temporarily disbanded. Contact Ruth Gibson if you'd like to get a new Love Team started. In the meantime, a Forward Together Task Force is prepared to organize participation in this year's Historic Thousands on Jones Street NAACP rally, February 10, and the Concerts for a Cause Task Force is going forward with plans for this spring and fall. If there are people who want to ensure our presence in the NC Pride Fest in September, please
let Ruth know.
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Unitarian Universalists from all over North Carolina and beyond will join with the NAACP for the annual
Historic Thousands on Jones Street
on Saturday February 10, in Raleigh NC. The rally begins at 9, followed by a march and the People's Assembly.
We have chartered a bus to get us to and from this event, and ask that riders reserve their seats with a $20 non-refundable payment in advance. (youth/young adults: $10)
This year the newly formed
Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina
will be offering lunch and a workshop after the March and People's Assembly. They ask participants to pre-register.
Mary Hulett
is organizing car pools and registration for those who wish to attend; your prepaid fee of $20 will cover the registration fee and drivers' costs.
Please note that bus riders will not have the opportunity to attend the workshop, and that waivers can be requested if the fee is unaffordable. Visit the Love table after services for more information, sign-ups for both events and the yellow shirts that help UUs find one another in the crowd.
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In 2017,
Community Clickers
delivered 22 shawls (UNC Hospice, Duke Hospice, Charles House), two lap blankets (Charles House, MOW Durham), an afghan for the service auction (which raised $165!), a Welcome Blanket for a project that welcomes immigrants, more than 30 scarves (14 to Homestart), and 9 red hats for babies born in February at UNC Hospital! This year, we will continue to use needles, hooks, and yarn to create comfort and warmth for our community. Join us in the Commons area on Wednesday afternoon (February 7th, 2-4 pm) and/or in the Straley Room on Monday evening (February 19th, 7-9 pm). Our ongoing project is to create shawls for UNC Hospice.
These are made with 7" x 9" knitted and crocheted blocks of washable acrylic, #4 worsted weight yarn. Donated blocks and yarn are greatly appreciated! Can't knit or crochet? Come learn or help sew! Contact
[email protected]
for more information.
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SPIRITUAL EDUCATION FOR ADULTS
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SEA provides opportunities for adults in the church to deepen and explore their faith. SEA provides high quality programs on primarily on Thursday evenings (but also at other times) which focus on spiritual development in three areas: theology, spiritual practice and ethics. Programs are compelling, high quality, of general interest and engage participants in personal spiritual development. Programs also serve to integrate participants into deeper relationship in the church community.
Upcoming classes: In the Belly of the Whale: Is That You Down There? Led by Karen Jessee, OP, Thursdays 7-9 PM 2/15, 2/22, 3/1. Spiritual Practice: Meditation. Led by Karen Rossie, Thursdays 7-9 PM 3/8, 3/15, 3/22. Tai Chi. Led by Joe Swain. Walk-ins welcome. Wednesdays 7-8 pm. Register online here.
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Poetry and Wine on Sunday, February 11 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Jeanne Lemkau's home at 701 Kenmore Road (off North Lakeshore). Poetry can speak to everyone. Let's use poems to speak to each other! Please bring a poem (or two) that has meaning for you. Read it or have a friend read it. Tell us a bit about your choice. Your poem can be serious or funny, written by a Poet Laureate or by you. (It would be very helpful if you brought 10 copies to share.) If you don't have a poem, please plan to come and enjoy listening. All are welcome - writers, readers and listeners. Contributions of wine, other beverages, or snacks are welcome. Jeanne's home has a long drive with parking, but carpooling would be helpful. RSVP to Jeanne at [email protected] or 937-572-3256. (Or if you decide on a whim to come, please do.)
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Creating Gratitude Boards
will be held in the Commons on Wednesday, February 21 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Val Vickers and Carol Genovese will be our guides for a fun afternoon of creating your own gratitude board. Carol and Val will offer some practical ideas and resource materials to help begin or strengthen a gratitude practice which leads to resilience during challenging times. Sample boards will be available to kick off the creative process. Afterwards, we will sip and snack as we enjoy the beauty of the gratitude boards everyone has created! Please bring scissors, glue stick, magazines and any other ephemera (bookmarks, catalogues, greeting cards, postcards, etc.) to use on boards. There will be a $2.00 fee. Snack contributions are welcome. Please RSVP Carol Genovese at
919-619-4462
or
[email protected]
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STAY CONNECTED
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