Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Grand Opening! Sounds like clowns, balloon animals, and marching band, doesn’t it?
We tried other names, like kick-off and launch, but Grand Opening seemed most likely to communicate to people exactly what’s happening here. Because no matter what you call it, the day is nearly here when The Well Chapel Hill officially begins! We have grown into a group of folks dedicated to helping build a spiritual community that uniquely expresses the culture and lifestyle of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Some of us have been working for this day for over a year, others have gotten on board in the last week or so, but we’ve been caught by a common vision of being a church that connects with people in this particular time and place. A church that breaks down barriers. A church that works for social justice. A church that cares about the environment. A church that walks with people on their spiritual journey. A church where it’s okay to ask questions. A church where it’s even okay to disagree sometimes.
This weekend we’ll have the first of our weekly worship gatherings. We’ll spend time praising God through music, art, and prayer. We’ll focus together on an interactive message from God through the Bible. Everyone will have the opportunity to participate or observe, whichever is more comfortable, and the opportunity to put our words into action. The children will have a special program of their own so that they can interact and learn in ways that serve them best.
Grand Opening! No clowns, no special prices, no ribbon cutting. Just a group of people who are on a spiritual journey inviting others in the community to join them on this walk. Come as you are, everyone is welcome.
Our prayer is that God will make this day the beginning of something that matters in all of our lives. Hope to see you there -
Peace,
Matt
Posted by mcarter
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Thanks to everyone who came out to worship with us Sunday evening. I enjoyed meeting people from different walks of life who are on a similar spiritual journey. The camping theme as we considered the temporary nature of life as we know it spoke to my heart - as good or as bad as life may be here at times, this life is not all there is.
I hope you were encouraged to continue or to begin your quest for eternity.
Our next gathering is September 7, our grand opening Sunday. This will be the first of our weekly meetings - plan now to be there!
Peace,
Matt
Posted by mcarter
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Your third opportunity to sneak a peek at The Well is coming this Sunday, August 17, 5-6:30 at the Arts Center in Carrboro. Our focus for the day is “a quest for eternity”.
Throughout Christian history, life has, in different times, places, and ways, been a challenge. At various times (including the present), Christians have been persecuted for their faith. At other times, Christians, along with their neighbors and community, have suffered from poverty, disease, and war. In our own country, people who called themselves Christians enslaved other people who called themselves Christians. And around the world, Jesus-followers wrestle with the pain of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other diseases just as everyone else does.
In troubled times, Christians have always drawn strength from their hope of eternal life. Christians believe that one day life as we know it will end, and all Christians will enter into a new and eternal life. A life free of pain and suffering. A life of unending joy in the presence of Jesus himself. No tears or sorrow. No hunger or despair. No injustice.
This hope brings meaning to life, knowing that this sometimes miserable existence is not all there is. It brings significance to this life, knowing that what we have started here will carry on forever.
Join us Sunday evening at the Arts Center as we explore what it means personally to be on “a quest for eternity”.
Posted by mcarter
Saturday, August 09, 2008
The next Potluck in the Park will be at the usual place, but on a new day and time. Join the community of Chapel Hill and Carrboro Saturday, August 16 at noon at the picnic shelter at the Hargraves Center. Bring some food to share, a game or an instrument, a smile, and a friend. Everyone is welcome; the goal is to break down barriers and build bridges throughout our community. Hope to see you there.
Matt
Posted by mcarter
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
We participated in another Potluck in the Park this past Sunday. There were some guys who came in for the weekend from South Carolina who passed out a ton of fliers around town, and we had the largest group yet at a potluck. There was a good mix of folks there, and it seemed that lots of folks were visiting and making new friends. I had several good conversations with people I’d never met before. Props to Vinnie’s in Hillsborough for donating spaghetti, Great Harvest Bread in Chapel Hill for donating bread, and Starbucks at the Harris Teeter on MLK in Durham for donating coffee. (Potluck in the Park has no budget, and everything is done by community members out of their own pockets, so these donors are greatly appreciated - and these are places where folks coming to the potluck happened to know people, and were able to interest these food businesses in sharing in the community.)
Anyway, it was a hot day but a good day! I’ve got some video someone shot, but it may take me a while to edit it and get it up. We’ll let you know when the August potluck is scheduled.
Peace,
Matt
Posted by mcarter
