Dear CHUMC Family,
As we have continued our celebration of and reflection on the good news of the resurrection this Easter Session, we discussed yesterday that the resurrection impacts us today. It gives us new life by restoring the relationship between spirit and flesh that was pulled apart by sin. In doing so, it frees us from our turn inward and narrow ways of thinking and living and throws the doors of hospitality open to all of our neighbors. No longer do we fear our neighbors, but they are one of us. It is a boundary-breaking life that brings people together in mutual love and mutual dependence.
Our personal lives and the makeup of our communal lives begins to reflect our entire community. Our life together begins to reflect the fullness of diverse humanity. Our life together reflects the Reign of God on earth. The beauty of this reality was revealed to the church in Acts when the Gentiles suddenly and unexpectedly received the Holy Spirit prior to their baptism.
We have several doors open to us as we seek to be led by the Spirit to boundary-breaking openness and hospitality. The German International School of Dallas, Project Transformation, Sack Summer Hunger, and Synergy Wesley at Brookhaven College, and the soon-to-be senior living center next door are just a few. We can begin fostering this way of life more deeply this summer by being active partners with Sack Summer Hunger and our Project Transformation staff and the families who participate, while we discern ways to connect with our other community partners. With this in mind, I invite you to be a part of building these relationships in Sack Summer Hunger and Project Transformation this summer.
Sack Summer Hunger needs drivers to pick up the food each Saturday from Metrocrest Services, drivers to make deliveries to a few of our beneficiary families, and people to greet beneficiaries at the church and help load food into their vehicles. If you would like to help, contact Meredith Freeman or the church office.
Project Transformation needs the following:
- Virtual Reading Buddy – also supported by other partner churches and is a couple of hours a day for as many days as you wish to volunteer
- In-person Reading Buddy – also supported by other partner churches and is a couple of hours a day for as many days as you wish to volunteer
- Door Greeters – people who may be willing to serve once a week in the morning and/or afternoon
- Family Fun Night Participants – come hang out and interact with the interns and families
- Prayer Team Member – Pray for Project Transformation following the eight-week prayer guide
Chapel Hill is also assembling a PT Connect Team which will seek to build deeper relationships with the interns and families. The Connect Team does the following:
- Available to answer PT staff questions and assist them when needed
- Assist in Bible Times (though this will not likely apply this year as Bible times will be recorded)
- Help substitute when the lead pastor is not available
- Assist in Family/Community Relations
- Attend weekly meetings between the pastor/community liaison and the PT Staff when able
- Provide encouragement and spiritual nurture to the PT staff
If you are able to help with Project Transformation this summer, please contact Melanie Willhite or the church office.
The Holy Spirit is on the move in our community. Exciting times lay ahead for Chapel Hill UMC as we will follow beyond the boundaries.
Grace and peace,
Rev. J.D. Allen
Senior Pastor
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