Amity

United Methodist Church

Believe . . . Belong. . . Become. . .

We need volunteers in the church nursery to assist our paid staff on Sunday mornings. Please contact Wendy Riggsbee (wendyleeriggsbee@hotmail.com, home 919-537-8494) to help.

Worship - Services will be at 10 am during Lent

At Amity’s Sunday Worship Service beginning at 10:00 a.m. you will find: Beloved traditional hymns on organ and piano (complemented by the occasional praise song); anthems by the Chancel Choir; Children’s Time during the service, a warm, diverse, inclusive congregation open to all; and superb Biblically, community service, and outreach based preaching. Return to top

The Way of the Cross

Community Forum: Lenten Speakers

February 21 – March 28, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.

God has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. –Micah 6:8

For the 6 weeks of Lent, Amity will change its Sunday morning schedule. Worship will be from 10:00 a.m.-10:55 a.m., followed by a coffee break time in the Heiser Fellowship Hall and then a presentation by a community leader regarding important and challenging social issues in Chapel Hill. The community is invited as we embark upon this journey of faith, considering the pain and suffering of the community around us and how we can take up our cross and make a difference.

It is The Way of the Cross.

Worship Hour: 10:00 a.m.-10:55 a.m.

Coffee Break: 10:55 a.m.-11:15 a.m.

(Fellowship Hall)

Community Forum: 11:15 a.m.-Noon

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Fellowship

Fellowship opportunities abound at Amity --

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Outreach

Amity is active in reaching out to our community

IFC | Prison Ministry | Justice United | Community Appeals

The Inter-Faith Council (IFC) provides shelter, food, direct services, advocacy and information to people in need. Various Amity ministries serve dinner in the Community Kitchen at 100 W. Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill on the 4th Friday of the month. Return to top

Soup Kitchen Serving Schedule | IFC Web Page

Volunteers Needed Friday, February 26, 2010 The Community Kitchen is among the many services that IFC provides to the less fortunate in our community.	Spend less than two hours this month helping our less fortunate neighbors (5:30 - 7:00 pm). Meet at 100 W. Rosemary, Chapel Hill or call Roger Shumate, 732-5378) if you need transportation. Please contact Roger Shumate (732-5378, rcshumate@cs.com) to learn more about how you can share in this blessing each month.
	Each month’s generous response to the plea for volunteers to feed guests at the Inter-Faith Council (IFC) shows the true spirit of Christian love!

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7:00 pm, Sunday, Date tba

Sign-up Deadline to Participate
Previous Sunday, 12 pm
contact Roger Shumate,
732-5378, rcshumate@cs.com

I was in prison and you visited me. Matthew 25:36

Click here for printable flier.

Prison Ministry

Orange Correctional Center

Hillsboro, NC

Carpooling from Amity, leaving at

7:00 pm for the 7:30 pm service.

Please contact Roger Shumate,

732-5378, rcshumate@cs.com,

for more information about

this very special ministry.

Prison Ministry (Orange Co. Prison Unit in Hillsborough)

3/29, 6/14, 9/27, 12/13 (7:30 p.m.)

Orange Correctional Center requires advance notice of those who plan to participate in the prison ministry.

Please call or email Roger Shumate (732-5378, rcshumate@cs.com).

Justice United

Amity is a member organization with Justice United.

Justice United in Community Effort (Justice United) is a broad-based, multi-racial, multi-faith, multi-issue, strictly non-partisan citizens' power organization dedicated to making change on social justice issues (affordable housing, child care, healthcare, education, living wages) affecting the lives of low- and middle-income residents in Orange County. This is done through institution-based leadership development; the building of relationships within and between institutions; the identification of and research on issues of mutual self-interest; and disciplined, organized action.

Justice United is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), the oldest and largest national organizing and leadership development network in the United States. Justice United receives support from Triangle Congregations Associations and Neighborhoods http://sites.google.com/site/trianglecan/

Community Appeals

The Family Violence Prevention Center of Orange County needs GIFT CARDS– to grocery stores and multi-purpose stores (such as Wal-Mart or Target) to provide clients with personal care items, and GAS CARDS– *to assist us in getting a client to safety. To help, contact Colleen at vccoordinator@fvpcoc.org or 929-3872. Return to top

Missions Team on the Trip Update - 11/23/09

Dominican Republic Mission Trip Operation Christmas Child

Details of Mission Trip to Dominican Republic

"Water for Life" DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MISSION TRIP

Report to Congregation What it was all about

Marcos Lykins Missionary with Step by Step With Jesus Mission in the Dominican Republic

Amity’s Mission Team traveled to La Romana, Dominican Republic during Thanksgiving Week 2009 expecting to build walls. But they built much more – they built relationships and memories that will change them – and Amity – forever.

The physical walls for a new schoolroom went up, cinder block by cinder block, bound together by batch-after-batch of hand-mixed mortar. So to the spiritual walls of relationships and bridges of God’s love were cemented by God’s gifts of joy, laughter, and community. Read more, see pics

Team members were: Gail Fanarjian, John Gibbs, Cindy Green-Riggan, Margaret Moore, Roger Shumate, Michael Shumate, Nancy Sturdivant, Donna Swahlan, and Woody Claris.

Here's the Step-by-Step With Jesus Blog Here's their Facebook

Pitiful Wages and Dirty Drinking Water

Our missions team assisted with providing the most basic of needs; pure, safe, and clean drinking water in the Water for Life Project. Our team helped install a water purification system on the first floor of a school building and added a second story for the classroom. Children with swollen bellies from malnourishment and unsafe drinking water are a common sight in this locale. We provided much needed relief from this situation.

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Team on a Mission News Update: 11/23/09

Dear Amity family,

Below is an email I received from Pastor Mark Lykins in the Domincan Republic. I hope this news will bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face as you realize that it is by your prayers and financial support "Amity Water" will be shared on a daily basis to those who are thirsty. Let us continue to keep the Amity team and the people of the DR in our thoughts and prayers.

I am so thankful for you, individually and as a faith community. Thank you for making room for me as your pastor, and thank you for bearing witness to the love of God in this world.

Love and blessings -

Tuck

And Jesus said, "For I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink..." The righteous replied, "When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink?" "Whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:35-40

Hola Pastor Tuck,

I'll tell the team what you said tomorrow. They are one of the best of the 31 teams that I've had here...really! They are amazing. Roger really "got it" today regarding learning that it was more important to build relationships than the walls. I was so proud of each and every one of them...really. And, the pastor at the church where they are building the room on the second floor of the school decided to call the Purifiied, free water porject "Amity Water" (in Spanish it's "Agua de Amistad - Amity") as a way to give the team and your church honor for helping with this project. The folks at his church made a sign that said that and put it up today. So, every bottle of water (and there are 3,000 bottles given every day) will be "Amity Water" bottles. Pastor Isidro was impressed with your people on this team too. Everything is going so well on this team. I'll let them know we talked again tonight. Blessings, Marcos.
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Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. Since 1993, more than 69 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on mission’s project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas – Jesus Christ. Empty boxes are available for pickup outside the fellowship hall.

THE OPERATION WAS A SUCCESS!

69 BOXES IN 2009 COMPARED TO 55 IN 2008

Many thanks to all who helped make Operation Christmas Child such a success this year:

To those who lovingly packed their individual boxes (45 boxes),

To those who donated items and participated in the packing party on November 15 (24 boxes).

And a special thanks to Carol Lucas for organizing it all!

What a wonderful way to start the holiday season, being blessed ourselves as we reach out to make a difference in the lives of children in need around the world.

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United Methodist Women

UMW at Amity meets on the 2^nd Monday of the month at 12:30 p.m. Refreshments are served. All women are invited to join us for fellowship and a program. Click here for a list of planned programs in 2009.

Nancy Klatt, President 942-5318

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United Methodist Men

Breakfast |

United Methodist Men’s Breakfast

United Methodist Men invite all men to join them for a special time of food and fellowship.

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Return to top Senior Fellowship Ministry

Senior Fellowship Outing is a great way to enjoy companionship and travel in "style" (Amity's bus) to a variety of local attractions. Watch this space to learn about each adventure, which will also be posted with a sign up sheet on the hall bulletin board and mentioned in the weekly bulletin insert.

The most recent Senior Outing was on May 29, 2009 to the Raleigh Farmer's Market. We had a wonderful breakfast outing filled with fun and fellowship. All eleven attendees needed to walk a bit afterwards, so we had a leisurely shopping stroll through the market for produce and other goodies. Many thanks to all who attended . . . especially our subperb chauffeur, Lindy Sparrow! Return to top

Health & Well Being

Jazzercise | Centering Prayer | Mental Health | Breast Cancer & Fitness Study | Support Groups

Jazzercise at Amity starts March 22.

Classes will be Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday @ 6:00 p.m. and Sunday @ 4:00 p.m.

“Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you…
glorify God in your body.” I Cor. 6:19-20

Taking care of our physical bodies is one way that we glorify God. Come get in shape while enjoying fun music and fellowship. Amity members’ monthly discounted rate: $20. Contact: Ann at akoonce@nc.rr.com or 919-971-3051 at Jazzercise of Chapel Hill and Durham/RTP. Return to top Return to Health & Well Being

Centering Prayer

5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Those who participate find contemplation makes us more aware of God, our own needs and the needs of others as we focus on the living Christ around us and inside our very minds. Prayer in silence is just as effective and worshipful as vocal praying, but requires education, training and practice. To learn more, talk to Margaret Moore, Nancy Sturdivant or Pastor Tuck Taylor. Please join us as we share in prayer. Details and printable flier. Return to top Return to top Return to Health & Well Being

Mental Health

Our next Faith Connections meeting will be March 26th in the multi-purpose room at St. Thomas More at 3:30-5:00. You have to enter through the church. Call 968-8600 for directions. If you have not attended before and are planning to come, please let us know, if possible so we will know the approximate number to prepare for. Contact: Gove Elder, gbelder@bellsouth.net
Our agenda will be as follows:

	an evaluation of the February 21st panel
	a look as to how we continue to support faith groups that our sponsoring programs related to mental illness
	the opportunity for advocacy and education through the NAMIWalk, May lst
	the opportunity to attend NC Council of Churches Faith and Health Summit Tuesday, March 23rd in Raleigh. One of the workshops will be on mental health. We would like to send a contingent in order to "be in the loop" and to network. Check out the site-- http://www.nccouncilofchurches.org/

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Breast Cancer & Fitness Study

http://www.unc.edu/depts/exercise/ This is the link to the department web page

http://www.getrealandheel.com/ This is the link for the Get Real & Heel clinic which is what my research will be contributing to

My name is Daniel Tysinger and I am recruiting subjects for my masters’ research thesis. I am looking for women age 25-75 that are healthy and not participating in a regular exercise routine. The focus of my study is comparing how healthy sedentary women compare to women who have had breast cancer in variables like aerobic capacity, balance, flexibility and strength.

Participation in the study will consist of one visit to the Get Real & Heel research clinic located on campus next to the Outdoor Education Center on Country Club Rd. The session will lasts approximately one hour, and consist of an array of physiological assessments which will include:

Resting vitals – Heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation

Height, weight and girth measurements

Estimation of body fat percentage

Balance assessment tests

A submaximal aerobic endurance test that will consist of walking on a treadmill

Four weight training exercises using dumbbells and machines

Flexibility testing

The exercises will be moderate in nature, and if at any point it becomes too vigorous, the exercise will be stopped

If you would like more information, please contact me at dctysinger@gmail.com, and I would be glad to answer any questions. There is no monetary reimbursement for participation, but you will get a free fitness assessment and information regarding your current health status. From this information I could give you basic guidelines on how to start an exercise program if you are interested.

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Support Groups meeting at Amity

Gambler's Anonymous, Monday, 7 pm

Caduceus, Thursday, 8 pm

AA, Saturday, 8:30 am

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Altar Flowers

Celebrate the special people or events in your life, beautify our church, and enhance our worship experience by placing flowers in our Chancel.

Call the church for open dates or see the chart in the hall.

During Advent & Lent, the Chancel is decorated with Poinsettias & Lilies.

Please reserve your special date by writing your name and
phone number on the flower chart in the back hall or calling Kim Batson at the church office (967-7546). A notation will be made in that Sunday’s bulletin and you are free to take the flowers home after Sunday worship.

Where do I get the flowers? Many people prefer to purchase (or bring from their home garden!) and arrange the altar flowers themselves. You are also welcome to order from the florist of your choice. Many members use Victoria Park Florist in Chapel Hill. Please contact Worship Committee Chair Nancy Klatt (942-5318; bnklatt@nc.rr.com ) if you need to make arrangements for flower deliver on Saturday. Otherwise, just place them yourself Sunday morning, preferably no later than 10:45 a.m.

Should I place one or two bouquets? The size, style, and number of arrangements is entirely up to you. You may use our pair of brass vases, which measure 7 1/4 inches high and 3 inches across at the opening, or bring your own.

If you provide two arrangements, please place them on the back wall flanking the candles and the Cross, as shown in the picture above. You may place one arrangement on the piano. We hope to soon purchase a table where single arrangements may be placed for more visibility. Although we call them "Altar Flowers," the Altar is reserved exclusively for the sacrament of Holy Communion.

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Ministries Summary

Monthly United Methodist Women United Methodist Men Serving Dinner @IFC Frequently Fellowship Meals & Events Mission Meals & Events Prison Ministry (Quarterly) Annually Pumpkin Patch Christmas Tree Sale Christmas Cantata Easter Egg Hunt Vacation Bible School	Committees
	Administrative Council Trustees Outreach Education Missions Nurture Witness & Worship Staff/Parish Relations Youth Council Facilities Use		Lay Leadership Finance Nursery School Board Stewardship Christmas Tree Publicity/Communication Lay Person of the Year Senior Ministries Hamilton Scholarship
	Hosted by Amity
	Amity Preschool/Daycare Boy Scout Troop & Pack 835 Girl Scout Troop #686 YMCA Youth Activities Poetry Group Chapel Hill Homeschoolers	AA Caduceus Gamblers Anonymous Some programs of Univ. United Methodist Church International Women's English Club

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Why pledge?

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History

2009
History & Homecoming Souvenir Booklet

April 26, 2009

Heritage Sunday, April 26, commemorated 51 years of Amity sharing the Good News with Chapel Hill and each other. The Rev. Cheryl Lawrence, a former member, preached. Rev. Lawrence is currently pastor at Carr United Methodist Church in Durham.

What a wonderful celebration we had, Sunday, April 6, 2008!
Click here for Souvenir Booklet

April 6, 1958 – April 6, 2008

HISTORY OF AMITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

As the result of the new church building spurt of the 1950’s, the Rev. A. Mickey Fisher was selected by the NC Conference to build a new Methodist church in the north Chapel Hill area. The Rev. Fisher and the NC Conference acquired a parsonage at the then numbered 18 Williams Circle where he held services in the basement of the parsonage.

The new church was first called the North Chapel Hill Methodist Church. “United” was not added until the merger with the United Brethren Church in 1974. As the initial membership grew, the fledgling church decided on the permanent name of Amity United Methodist Church. The name Amity, which means “friendship” or “friendly”, was recommended by charter member Lois Farrell.

Amity received its charter on April 6, 1958 when the membership grew to 31 members. Rev. Chancey D. Barcliff, the Durham Superintendent, preached the organizing sermon. Methodist churches in Orange County were in the Durham District at that time.

The new church purchased six acres of land at the current address, 825 North Estes Drive and built a cinderblock chapel in 1958-1959. This building, called the “Tree House,” is used for service-type activities of the church, including scouting and YMCA after-school programs.

Since its inception in 1959, the annual Christmas Tree Sale has provided funds for many worthy purposes. The Halloween “pumpkin patch” at Amity is also a popular Chapel Hill tradition.

Amity’s caring, loving congregation has continued to grow under the fifteen pastors following Rev. Fisher. A sanctuary and classrooms were added in 1968, and a fellowship hall and additional classroom in 1993. In 1989, a parsonage was purchased at 503 Tinkerbell in the Colony Woods subdivision of Chapel Hill.

Following Jesus’ great commission, the members of Amity are reaching out to make disciples of Jesus. In addition to our small Bible Study Groups, the congregation helps the hungry at the Interfaith Shelter, conducts a prison ministry at the Orange Correctional facility, supports Habitat for Humanity, Forty Boxes of Food, and have taken advantage of many other mission opportunities.

These opportunities are a blessing to the members of Amity. The church has developed into a very happy family of God!

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Amity is proud to count the Rev. Vernon Tyson as a former interim pastor here.
Rev. Tyson's Ministry of Justice and Reconciliation

Rev. Tyson’s Ministry of

Justice
&
Reconciliation

Our former interim pastor, Rev. Vernon Tyson, was honored by the North Carolina Council of Churches on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. He is one of three men who received their 2008 Distinguished Service Award for leadership roles in working “sacrificially for the dignity and equality of all God’s children and for the full inclusion of all in church and in society.”

Following the ceremony, Rev. Tyson returned to Shelby, NC where filming continues of the movie based on the book by Rev. & Mrs. Tyson’s son Tim, “Blood Done Sign My Name.” This autobiographical account recalls the 1970 racial murder of Henry Marrow, the racial unrest that followed the acquittal of three white suspects, and Rev. Tyson’s ministry of reconciliation during that period.

Gastonia native Jeb Stuart, son of a minister himself and screenwriter of “Die Hard” and “The Fugitive,” is writing, directing, and producing the film.

Rick Schroeder, whose credits include “Silver Spoons” and “NYPD Blue,” is playing Rev. Tyson. Click here for a side-by-side picture of the two.

The Shelby Star has an excellent series of articles about the filming of the movie, which can be accessed by clicking here.

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Combining mission with fellowship, Amity is proudly hosted movie night with "The Great Debaters" in our fellowship hall on Sunday, September 21, at 5:30 p.m. This event raised an additional $1112 for for Operation Sharehouse!

We welcomed (and transported) a group of youth from Pine Knolls Community Center who enjoyed dinner and watched this historic film with us. Flier

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Mark and Save the Date

Sunday, September 21, 2008 5:30

"The Great Debaters"

The Great Debaters (http://www.thegreatdebatersmovie.com/) is an inspirational movie, made in 2007, starring Denzel Washington.

"The film, loosely based on a true story, revolves around the efforts of debate coach Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) at historically black Wiley College to place his team on equal footing with whites in the American South during the 1930s, when Jim Crow laws were common and lynch mobs were a pervasive fear for blacks. In the movie, the Wiley team eventually succeeds to the point where they are able to debate Harvard University." (Taken from, and credit to Wikipedia).

On Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 5:30 pm Amity's missions small group will be hosting a fundraising event which will include both dinner and a showing of this movie. Further, final, and more complete event details will be forthcoming, but please mark your calendars now and consider inviting extended family, friends and acquaintances to join you for this time of inspiration, breaking bread together, fellowship, and perhaps discussion. Look forward to seeing you there.

Giving Tree

Challenge