Worship Services at 9:30 and 11:15 AM​

December 15

Children’s Holiday Pageant

“Jesus, the Refugee”

This year’s pageant is titled, “Jesus, the Refugee.” It is based on what happens AFTER the birth of Jesus, and follows the Holy Family from Bethlehem to Egypt and back, bringing to life adventures they encounter along the way, including scary Dragons, helpful Spiders, a Magical Palm Tree and singing Sailors. With a script and original music by Music Director Glenn Mehrbach and a cast of three dozen children from the congregation, the Pageant mixes stories from the Christian Bible, the Apocryphal Gospels, the Infancy Gospels of Jesus, the Coptic Synaxar, and many Muslim traditions to tell the story of what became known as “The Flight into Egypt."

LIVESTREAMING IN-PERSON SUNDAY SERVICES We livestream the in-person worship service each Sunday. View the livestream, on the church's YouTube channel. In case the livestream is interrupted, a recording of the service will be posted following the service.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

9 AM: 

• Live Children's Religious Education Service on Zoom

9:30 AM:

• Livestreamed and in-person service
• Nursery and Toddler Childcare
• Pre-K and Elementary Religious Education

11:15 AM:

• Livestreamed and in-person service
• Nursery and Toddler Childcare
• Pre-K, Elementary and Middle School Religious Education

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. (Don't know how? Rachel Rose will help!)



If you're unsure, contact Rev. Thom at (919)259-2009 or Rachel Rose at (919)283-1796 and see if the communication is legitimate.

THANKS TO:

•  The 5th Grade Our Whole Lives team (Jean Masse, DeeDee Lavinder, Matt Zemon, Chris Provan, Leslie Kasell and Aleksandra Holod) for facilitating OWL this fall.

• Children's Ministry Team for making Nifty Gifty a success. Twenty children were able to make 100 gifts in two hours because of their organized leadership.

• Welcoming Ministry, especially Kristen O'Daly, Nan J., Dean Peterson, Jude McDivitt, Ellie & Chris Speh for hosting last Sunday's Holiday Market, as well as bakers who shared delicious treats to raise funds for our Beloved Community.

• All the Artists and Creatives who made the Holiday Market a beautiful example of the skill and talent we have in this community, and sharing their gifts (and funds raised!) with our church.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY?

In December, children are exploring PRESENCE as their Soul Matters theme in person at 9:30 AM and 11:15 AM. This week, we will learn about the story of Jesus’ birth through the Children’s Holiday Pageant in a multigenerational service. High School Youth Group will meet for White Elephant in the evening. For more information about our Religious Education Program, please contact Kat Good.

HELP MAKE OUR SERVICES EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL - DONATE CUETLAXOCHITL IN DECEMBER December is usually a month "off" for the Flower Committee, with  cuetlaxochitl ("kwe-tla-SHO-chee-tl") (formerly known as poinsettias) serving as the Sunday flowers for the whole month of December. TO CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM.

MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY SUPPORT GATHERING The Mental Health Ministry Support Group will meet Sunday, December 15, 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 for more information.

20s AND 30s GAME NIGHT & HOLIDAY POTLUCK DEC. 20 - The last 20s and 30s Game Night of 2024 will be on Friday, December 20 from 6-9PM in the Community Room. Join us for a laid-back night of board games, holiday food and good cheer. RSVP or contact Laura Weiser for more information.

SOLSTICE LANTERN WALK AND CHILI DINNER -- DEC 21, 5:30 AT THE LAVINDERS Celebrate the Winter Solstice with a traditional Lantern Walk in the Woods. The walk will take place at the Lavinders' home. We will gather at 5:30 PM to start the walk. Then, each person will start on the trail through the woods. It is a 20-minute trail. It will be dark and mysterious and magical. We gather at the end of the walk for a bonfire and vegetarian chili, cornbread and cider. Important Note: The trail is uneven. RSVP to join in the magic. Contact Kat Good for more information.

SHARE THE PLATE The Share the Plate collection on Christmas Eve, December 24, will support the Benevolence / Minister’s Discretionary Funds. These funds are designed to meet the financial needs of those in our congregation who have serious financial needs. They also provide funds, often confidential, to meet the financial needs that are related to the church’s mission. The needs funded are often emergencies and usually one-time. Please support the Share the Plate at the services on December 24 or online. Read about Share the Plate.

CONGREGATION CHOOSES PETERSON, HENDEE, & O’CONNOR FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Community Church Nominating Committee proudly announces our congregation has chosen the following candidates for 3-year terms (2025-2027) on the Board of Trustees: DEAN PETERSON (Vice President), PETER HENDEE (At-Large), and HEATHER O’CONNOR (At-Large). Comments: “A great slate.” “Impressive candidates.” Thanks to the candidates for being willing to do this important work for our church. And special thanks to Rachel Rose for managing all aspects of the voting. Questions? Contact Nominating Committee.

CHALICE CIRCLES IN 2025 -- NEW FORMAT Chalice Circles will be offered 2x month, on the 3rd Thursdays and the 4th Saturdays. Chalice Circles will begin with Chalice lighting and a reading. Then, we will break out into small groups for an hour or sobefore returning to the large group for a closing. Chalice Circles are an opportunity for connection that emphasizes the practices of deep listening and vulnerable sharing around a monthly spiritual topic. Topics for the first three months:

Thursday, January 16 and Saturday, January 2: Hope -- REGISTER

Thursday, February 20 and Saturday, February 22: Ancestors -- REGISTER

Thursday, March 20 and Saturday, March 22: Peace -- REGISTER

NEXT UP - THE GIBSON BROTHERS AT COMMUNITY CHURCH CONCERTS! Community Church Concerts welcomes the fabulous Gibson Brothers to the stage, Sat. Jan. 4, 7:30 PM. From their website: "Their talent level is well-established, the only producers they have ever worked with are Ricky Skaggs, Dan Auerbach, David Ferguson and Jerry Douglas. I dare say not many musicians can stack up a list of producers that strong. For the Gibson Brothers though, they just want to keep writing, singing, and standing on a stage."  Buy tickets and learn more about the artists - Volunteer to help - Ask questions

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2025 -- 1-3:30 PM EXPLORING MEMBERSHIP SUPER-SESSION

(Parts I & II combined)

WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH (OR JUST LEARN MORE)?

Join Rev. Thom & Rachel Rose to "explore Membership!"

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 and Rachel Rose would love for YOU to join them!

PLEASE RSVP WITH RACHEL ROSE. Childcare provided with RSVP! CAN'T MAKE IT THIS TIME? Let Rachel Rose know, so she can let you know about upcoming opportunities.

STRENGTHEN OUR MISSION AND LEGACY! Contributions to our Endowment Fund are a lasting gift to the church. They can be made at any time and are tax deductible. If you've already included the church in your plans, let us know. Your commitment qualifies you for membership in the Legacy Society - our way of thanking you for your generosity. For more information, please email Charles Lee, Chair of the Endowment Committee.

COMMUNITY CHURCH IN ACTION

TEXT ALERTS SIGN-UP: Would you like to receive a text in case of weather-related or other church closures and/or delays? If so, please fill out this form: we need to have your current cell phone number *and carrier*.

SHE? HE? THEY? OR, SOMETHING ELSE? PRONOUN STICKERS FOR NAME BADGES AVAILABLE All Members & Associates with permanent name badges are welcome to participate (or not!) Pronoun stickers (she/her, he/him, they/them, etc.) are available at the Visitor's Desk in the Commons / the Welcoming Table in the Community Room on Sunday mornings - Simply peel & stick to affirm and promote the worth and dignity of every person! Learn more about why pronouns are important, how to use pronouns, what to do when you or others make mistakes, and how to ask about people's pronouns.

SUNDAY PARKING Parking can be tight on Sunday mornings, but there is plentiful parking available just a short walk from the church. Parking is free on Sundays in the small Mason Farm lot, the Hibbard Drive lot, and along Hibbard Drive. Please consider using these spaces if you are able to. Parking at Kehillah Synagogue is not allowed on Sunday morning.

SUNDAY SERVICES FLOWER DONATIONS Would you like to donate flowers for The Community Church Sunday Services? Flowers can be shared to commemorate an anniversary, remember a loved one, or celebrate an important occasion. Please use this form to donate flowers to help make our Services more beautiful. Thank you!

SUNDAY TABLING: Tabling is an opportunity to share your group's activity with our congregation during Sunday Socials on Sunday mornings. Please sign up by Wednesdays at noon for the following Sunday. Here is the form.

COMMUNITY SERVICE MINISTRY Containers for donations to the IFC Community Market have been set up in The Commons so that the collection of food and personal hygiene items can resume. (NEW) MOST NEEDED: UNEXPIRED & UNOPENED pasta, pasta sauce, soup, canned or dry fruit, cereal, juice, bar soap, and liquid dish soap. Church volunteers will take the donations to the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services Community Market on Main Street in Carrboro.

FEATURED EVENTS IN THE ORDER OF SERVICE: These are the "ads" in the paper Order of Service we hand to parishioners on Sundays for Services. Submissions are due by noon on Wednesdays for the following Sunday. Please include any preferred images in a separate email to Rachel Rose, here. For convenience, here is the form. 

RESERVE SPACE ON THE CHURCH CALENDAR Please check our Building Use Policy and our Calendar, then reserve space for your group or event! Complete this form to make your CALENDAR REQUESTS.

DOOR SIGNS Signs on the doors to the Sanctuary and Jones Buildings is an opportunity to share your group's activity with our congregation during the week, and on Sundays. Please sign up by Wednesdays at noon for the following Sunday. To let folks about your event, complete the sign up form.

CHILDREN'S ART SHOW IN THE SANCTUARY -- BIKINI BOTTOM This summer, the children of our church created art projects to decorate for this Fall's production, "SpongeBob the Musical." Watch through November as the underwater world of Bikini Bottom transforms the back of the Sanctuary. First, you will see the ocean and then every Sunday, more and more sea creatures made by our kids will inhabit the waters -- fish, squid, shells, urchins and coral. The Summer Art Project is an annual program is sponsored by The Children's Ministry. Contact Marion Hirsch or Kat Good for more info.

LECTIO MEDITATION GROUP We meet at 12 noon every Friday on Zoom. Using readings from poetry and the sacred traditions of world religions, we practice meditation through deep listening. If you’re interested in joining or would like more information, contact Barb Chapman. (Please put LECTIO in the subject line of your email.) All are welcome!

Most BLUE text is clickable! Blue text links to outside websites or to an email address. Example: email admin@c3huu.org for rentals.  

Please submit Weekly Announcements contributions HERE.

Announcements are due by noon Wednesday, prior to Friday's issue.

The Community Church Board of Trustees wants to hear from you! Contact them here.

Learn more about the Board.