Grand Opening, Sunday, September 7
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
Sneak Peek #3 - A Quest for Eternity Follow-up
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
Sneak Peek #3 - A Quest for Eternity
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”.
Potluck in the Park - August 16
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
Potluck in the Park - July 20
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
Sneak Peek #2
Friday, July 11, 2008
Sneak Peek #2 is this Sunday, July 13, 5:00-6:30 at the Arts Center in Carrboro. Our focus will be on community from two perspectives - our faith community and our geopolitical community (our town!). If you’d like to find out how we plan to be active in community, or if you think you’d like to get in on the ground floor of a church and help shape how we serve in the community, this would be a great time to visit with us.
We will have a time of worship and a time to share opportunities to grow spiritually and to serve in our community.
Hope to see you there!
Peace,
Matt
Some folks you may meet at The Well
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Hope to see you at the sneak peek tomorrow, 5:00 at the Arts Center. Here are some folks you may meet if you come:
Sneak a Peek in Two Days!
Friday, June 20, 2008
We’re two days away from our first sneak peek at The Well. We’re working and planning to make this a time that is user-friendly for everyone who comes, whether you are a life-long Christian, just curious to see what our faith is all about, or anywhere in between. Participants and observers are welcome. Any age, race, lifestyle, or socio-economic level. Let’s break down barriers and partner to bring our community together.
Sunday, June 22, 5-6:30 at the Arts Center, E. Main St. in Carrboro.
Potluck in the Park - June 15 - Recap
Monday, June 16, 2008
Potluck in the Park was pretty cool yesterday. No rain, and the temperature was a little more moderate than it has been! There was a good turnout, and it looked as though people enjoyed visiting and getting to know one another. You can see some photos of the event or watch a short video if you’d like.
Next community potluck is July 20 at Hargraves Park.
Peace,
Matt
Sneak Peek #1
This Sunday, June 22, we’ll have a sneak peek gathering of The Well at the Arts Center in Carrboro, 5:00 - 6:30 pm. We’ll be the West End Theatre for the main gathering, with a children’s program for 5th grade and under in a couple of the smaller studios. This will be a great time to find out what The Well is all about. You’ll discover more about us and about opportunities to get connected. Hope to see you there.
Peace,
Matt
Potluck in the Park - June 15
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Our next Potluck in the Park is coming June 15, 5 pm at Hargraves Park. This is a community potluck planned to help build togetherness in our community. Bring a dish, an instrument or talent, or conversation. If you can bring a little extra food, please do; if you can’t bring any food, come anyway and share with us. In case of rainy weather, we’ll be moving inside the community center.
Hargraves Park is at the corner of Rosemary and Roberson.
View Larger Map
Hope to see you there!
Matt
Memorial Assembly for Babs
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hi, Friends,
Thanks for all of your concern for honoring and remembering Babs. She has touched a lot of people in different ways, and I’ve enjoyed hearing some of your stories. As of now, we are tentatively planning a memorial service for Saturday, 5 pm, in the amphitheater in the plaza on top of the parking deck downtown.
Watch this space for news or updates.
Update: newspaper brief
Peace,
Matt
In Memory of Barbara Boone Sims
Monday, May 19, 2008
One of our friends from Potluck in the Park died Saturday evening. Barbara (Babs) Sims was hit by a truck while crossing the street on foot, and was pronounced dead at the scene. You may read about the accident here . Babs and her friend Taz have been a great help in spreading the word among their friends about these Potlucks. This picture of Babs with Ainsley Crump reminded me of Babs telling me in her own special way, “I love that little girl!”
I’m trying to find out how we can help in this situation; how we can honor her memory, what we can do to help with a memorial service. I’ll keep you updated when we know more.
Updated Article in the News and Observer
God bless you,
Matt
Potluck Report
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Sunday afternoon we had our second Potluck in the Park. About an hour before the potluck was slated to begin, the heavens opened and it began raining hard (with accompanying thunder and lightning). After some hasty phone calls, we decided to meet at the park anyway and see what happened - it would have been somewhat difficult to communicate with the many people we had invited!
We huddled together under the picnic shelter at the park as the temperature plummeted, thinking, “If nothing else, it’s a church potluck…”
Eventually the rain did stop, and we were blessed to have people come and share a meal with us. Some had been at our previous potluck and others were first-timers. We had a couple of businesses (plug for Great Harvest Bread Company and Harris Teeter grocery store) donate some food for the meal to supplement what we brought.
With the rain, we had a smaller crowd. There were around 40 total, including 19 of us from The Well. The smaller crowd made it easier for us to sit down and visit with each other, which was great. Some of the young volunteered to whip me on the basketball court after we ate, but I declined for the present - I didn’t have the right shoes with me - but next time I’ll come prepared to take my whippin’.
I look forward to seeing how God continues to develop a sense of community among all different segments of Chapel Hill. Keep praying for us for unity and community.
Next Potluck in the Park is slated for May 18, 5:00, Hargraves Park. Hope to see you there!
Matt
Earth Action Day
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Earth Action Day is Saturday, April 26 in Chapel Hill. Sponsored by the town of Chapel Hill, this is a free event for the whole family. Earth Day on the Plaza will provide a fun-filled afternoon of learning more about our planet and the human relationship with the environment through demonstrations, performances, and activities by and for all ages.
We’ll have a table from 11-4 up on top of the parking deck downtown. There will be some crafts for the kids and an invitation to join a conversation about Jesus and Environmentalism. Hope to see you there!