Celebrate with us!
As we approach Christmas Day, there are many opportunities for us to come together to experience the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ. We hope to see you and look forward to sharing in the celebration of this season!
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Thursday, December 23
Christmas Pageant
3 p.m. | The Forest Theatre
Join us for a very special edition of The Chapel of the Cross Christmas Pageant in one of Chapel Hill’s most iconic performance spaces. This service will include the pageant and the celebration of Holy Eucharist in an unforgettable setting.
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Our middle and high school Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) will tell the story of Christ's birth but we'll need all the children to help create the “silent night” sky (stars will be provided) or join the cast when prompted as animals, little angels, shepherds, or kings. (Costumes should be created at home. Make sure they’re warm!)
The Forest Theatre is just a short walk from the church (at 123 S. Boundary Street) but if you want to branch out from your usual Sunday parking spots, there are metered spots on Country Club Road (by Playmakers Theatre), South Road, Raleigh Road, and the Raleigh Road parking lot next to the Friends Meeting House. In order to make this service as safe and welcoming as possible for our youngest members who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, masks are required for everyone, even adults who are fully vaccinated and boostered.
Friday, December 24
Christmas Eve
Holy Eucharist Rite II
5 p.m. | Church
This service will include some of your favorite Christmas carols as well as the celebration of communion in a church decked out in seasonal splendor.
Christmas Lessons and Carols
7 p.m. | Church and livestream
This historic service of scripture readings and musical offerings allows everyone a chance to enter into the beauty of the incarnation through word and song.
Choral Holy Eucharist Rite I
9 p.m. | Church and livestream
Our traditional “high mass” with choir and incense celebrates the birth of Christ with pageantry and prayer.
Saturday, December 25
Christmas Day
Holy Eucharist Rite II
10 a.m. | Church and livestream
A beautiful, joyful service to celebrate Christmas day.
Sunday, December 26
The First Sunday after Christmas Day
Holy Eucharist Rite II
10 a.m. (Note time change!) | Church and livestream
Sunday, January 2
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day
Holy Eucharist Rite I
7:45 a.m. | Chapel
Holy Eucharist Rite II
10 a.m. (Note time change!) | Church and livestream
Holy Eucharist Rite II
4 p.m. | Chapel
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A Safe Space
As a practicing Christian community, we seek to create a space of inclusivity and share God’s love with all who come to The Chapel of the Cross. As we offer public access, we also balance the community’s safety.
Yesterday, during the 11:15 a.m. service, the Chapel Hill Police were called by a staff member to escort an individual from the front desk area of the parish. This individual had been counseled and warned in the past that police would be called if they returned to the premises, after repeated inappropriate acts. Our staff reacted professionally and compassionately and were unhurt
We share this news with you to ask for your continued awareness of your surroundings. If something just does not seem right, please notify the staff or call the police. By working together, we can continue to foster a safe space at The Chapel of the Cross, one that is committed to the development and growth of our beloved community.
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Thank you for your gifts!
Our parish depends on our generosity to support our worship life, mission and vision. Did you know that even if you do not itemize your tax return, the IRS has provided special provisions for charitable giving in 2021? Learn more about year-end giving opportunities here!
Under a coronavirus relief law enacted in December 2020, taxpayers who claim the standard deduction can take a deduction for charitable contributions made in 2021. Single filers can deduct up to $300 in donations and married couples can deduct up to $600 on 2021 tax returns.
Giving stock is a terrific way to support The Chapel of the Cross. By donating stock that has appreciated for more than a year, you are actually giving 20 percent more than if you sold the stock and then made a cash donation. The reason is simple: avoiding capital gains taxes. Please email Diane McOmie, Parish Administrator and Stewardship Manager, at administrator@thechapelofthecross.org or call 919-442-2566 to receive stock transfer instructions.
Make a 2021 gift and/or 2022 pledge now through our website!
Shop at Amazon Smile and Support the Chapel of the Cross
If you are an Amazon shopper, you have the option of shopping with Amazon Smile and when you do, Amazon donates 0.5 percent of the transaction back to the Chapel of the Cross! Use the URL below to go directly to Amazon Smile, which will link your purchases with the Chapel of the Cross. Amazon Smile is the same Amazon you know, with the same products and service. Amazon makes it easy, visit: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/56-0623934 to learn more and start shopping.
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CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Youth and Family
Our Youth and Family Programming has kicked off, this year's planning includes:
- Youth Small Groups
- Small Group(s) For Parents of Adolescents And Teens
- The Next Chapter: A Small Group For Parents of Adults And Those Approaching That Stage Of Life.
For more information about these programs and all of our fall youth programming, click here. Please sign up here to receive our weekly Youth E-Newsletter and/or feel free to follow our Youth Program on Facebook and Instagram. For more information about our Youth and Family Programs, please contact our Youth And Family Minister, Mike Peterson.
Episcopal Campus Ministry News
Episcopal Campus Ministry (ECM) meets on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. when classes are in session in the campus center followed by free dinner around 6:30 p.m. Click here for the latest e-news update! Find us on Facebook or Instagram, or email ECM to be added to the email list. If you'd like to learn more about our UNC ministries and outreach, contact Mary Cat Young.
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FAITH IN ACTION
Caring for God’s Creation
Are you confused by “eco-friendly” labels when shopping? What’s meaningful and what’s just greenwashing? From groceries to home renovations and more, find out what those labels mean! Here are some trusted labels to look for: Energy Star (appliances), USDA Organic (foods), Forest Stewardship Council (FSA, wood and paper products), and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS, textiles). Read the December issue of the Creation Care newsletter!
Habitat Building Hope 2021-2022
Join your fellow Parishioners, and members of other Churches in this Partnership, on build-days of "Building Hope 2021" for Orange Habitat. We will be building each Saturday until completion (~March, 2022), with and in support of the Chrit Hae & Collage Paw family, in the growing Odie Street housing development in Hillsborough.
This Saturday, December 18is the last build day for 2021! Please join us!
Discover -- the details on this family, this Odie home-build and Habitat info here. Sign up at this link, choose Build at Odie (Building Hope), morning and/or evening slot. Contact Mark Biggers (919-360-4561), COTC liaison for Habitat for more information. For Chapel of the Cross specific details on this family, this Odie home-build & O.C. Habitat, click here.
Alternative Gifts
As you prepare your Christmas lists, consider alternative Gifts for Life through Episcopal Relief and Development. Thanks to a very generous group of donors, contributions that you send to Episcopal Relief & Development between now and the end of this year will be doubled, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $650,000. See all the options at Gifts for Life. If you want to contribute specifically to the wellbeing of young children and their mothers, consider targeted gifts through the One Thousand Days of Love campaign. Gifts can be as small or large as you like and it’s easy to send a personalized e-card or printed card by clicking the “CARDS” link at the bottom of either page.
The Chapel of the Cross Community Dashboard
Check out the Community Dashboard on our website. The Dashboard is where you will find items of interest from throughout our community and the wider world.
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Livestreaming at the Chapel of the Cross
As we move into the Christmas Season, many of our services will be livestreamed. All livestream services and programs can be found at the same location, on the parish YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/thechapelofthecross
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Deadline for Submissions
The deadline for submissions to this email publication (This Week at the Chapel of the Cross) is Friday at noon. Please send all submissions to submissions@thechapelofthecross.org.
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Pastoral Care
Please do let us know of pastoral care requests by clicking this link.
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