Newcomers

About the Church

The Chapel of the Cross is an Episcopal Church in the Anglican tradition, founded in the belief that Jesus Christ is Lord. The Episcopal Church is one branch of this Anglican Communion that has existed since the Church in England became the Church of England as part of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.

“Episcopal” means that we have bishops who oversee a diocese (a geographical area). We are in the Diocese of North Carolina which comprises almost 125 congregations from Tarboro to Charlotte. Our bishop is the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, assisted by the Rt. Rev. William Gregg in Charlotte and the Rt. Rev. Chip Marble (half-time) in Greensboro.

Worship and prayer are at the heart of our life at the Chapel of the Cross and are essential to the essence of our life and mission both as individuals and as a parish. Our worship is based on the services found in the Book of Common Prayer. We are both bound together and sent forth by liturgy.

From its beginning in 1842, the ministry of the Chapel of the Cross has been intimately connected with its neighbor, the University of North Carolina. University ministry remains a central focus for us today.

In order to know Christ and to make Him known, we place a high priority on Christian education, outreach, and pastoral care. By providing Christian education for all ages, we attempt to know Christ better and to follow His will for our lives. Through our outreach ministries, we strive to make Christ’s love known in our world. Our pastoral care ministries carry out our baptismal covenant to heal, reconcile, and strengthen our Christian community, with clergy and lay people working together.

This is an exciting time for the Church in this community. A new Episcopal congregation, the Church of the Advocate, has been established in Orange County; our diocese is embarking on an increased missionary emphasis, and our parish is working on a Master Plan vision for future facilities. We hope you will find the Chapel of the Cross to be a vibrant, nurturing, parish home.

Getting Started

We are pleased that you have joined us in worship today. After the service, any parishioner will be happy to accompany you to the newcomers’ table where we invite you learn more about our parish and to complete a newcomers’ information card. You will be placed on our mailing list and receive our monthly newsletter, Cross Roads, either electronically or by mail.

A Directory of Parish Ministries and the parish’s Annual Report list the wide range of ways in which you may learn about the Chapel of the Cross. We invite you to participate at a level that is appropriate for you. Please contact any member of the clergy or any of the parish leaders whose names are listed in these two publications for help in finding out more about the parish. Our parish’s website, www.thechapelofthecross.org, carries updated information as well as sermons and other glimpses of parish life.

Orientation classes are held several times a year for newcomers. These Sunday morning sessions include the topics of ministry, history, and the many ways the Chapel of the Cross works to serve the Church and the community; the classes also give you a chance to meet our clergy and other newcomers. A tour of the parish buildings is included after one of the sessions.

Our adult inquirer’s classes (beginning in the late fall) are an in-depth review of the Christian faith. They are led by the rector and other clergy. Anyone interested in a deeper understanding of faith is invited to participate. The course welcomes those new to the Chapel of the Cross and to the Episcopal Church and is an excellent preparation for adult baptism or confirmation.

If you would like to have your membership transferred from your previous parish, please speak with one of our clergy or call the parish office.

Mission Statement

The Chapel of the Cross, historically linked to the University of North Carolina and the Town of Chapel Hill, bears faithful witness to the presence of the Living God on the campus, in the community, in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, and throughout all the world. We are called to:

+ worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,
+ learn and teach the Christian faith,
+ love one another,
+ strive for justice and peace among all people,
+ care for those in need,
+ share our many blessings, and
+ do all with truly thankful hearts in the name of Jesus.