Welcome to the Web site of The Chapel of the Cross. I hope you will find it helpful in learning more about the life and ministry of our parish. Please join us for any of  our services of worship and consider becoming part of this historic and vibrant congregation!

Faithfully,
Stephen Elkins-Williams, Rector                                                                                                                                                Mission Statement 

News

The Year-End Contribution Statements for 2011 were mailed this week to everyone who made a contribution to the Chapel of the Cross during the calendar year 2011. Please examine your statement for accuracy as soon as it is received and contact the parish accountant, Debby Kulik, or the senior associate treasurer, Barney Varner, if you find discrepancies or have questions. Messages can be left for Debby or Barney in the parish office (919-929-2193). This statement lists all tax deductible contributions received in 2011 and should be used as your official receipt for tax purposes. The back of the statement contains explanatory notes about the contents of the statement itself, so please be sure to read through this information. Thanks to everyone for your contributions and for your prompt and careful attention to your statement.

The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) will be celebrated on Thursday, February 2, with Procession and Solemn Eucharist at 8:00 p.m. The service will include music by Healey Willan, Tomas Luis de Victoria, Johannes Eccard, and Johann Sebastian Bach.

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis is the focus of a supper/discussion group on January 26, February 2, and February 9. Soup will precede a reading from this novella; discussion will follow. Contact Christopher Hogin to sign up or to obtain more information on this program.

Adult Education for Sunday, February 5, will include: (1) a Newcomers’ Orientation session led by the Rev. David Frazelle; (2) continuation of the series “An Overview of the New Testament”, led by the Organist/Choirmaster, Dr. Wylie S. Quinn; (3) the monthly session of “Growing with Your Aging Parent” led by parishioner Zoe Ulshen; and (4) the second Parent Gathering on supporting self-reliance and self-control in preschool and elementary aged children, led by Lynne Johnston. All classes meet at 10:20 a.m.

Adult Inquirers’ Classes for those wanting to know more about the Episcopal Church continue on Monday, February 6, at 7:30 p.m. This series of classes is required for confirmation, but classes are also open to anyone who would like a ‘refresher’ on the history and tenets of the Episcopal Church. The Rev. Dr. Richard Pfaff will lead this class on “How Anglicans Believe.”

The Rev. Jerry Cappel, Coordinator of Environmental Ministries for Province IV of the Episcopal Church will present a session on Weather Changes due to Climate Change at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 12.

CrossTies Bible Study for women in their 20s and 30s will meet for bible study for six Wednesday mornings beginning at 10:45 a.m. on February 15, using the NOOMA video series. Contact Julie Hammer with questions or to register.

On Sunday, February 19 at 4:00 p.m., St Cyprian's, Oxford, will host the Annual Absalom Jones Commemoration for the Diocese. Absalom Jones was the first African-American ordained as an Episcopal priest. Bishop Michael Curry will both preach and preside at this festival, featuring the "St Cyprian's Mass," commissioned by the Holy Comforter-St Cyprian Catholic Church (Chicago) Gospel Choir and Orchestra. A reception will follow the service.

 


The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 19, at 10:00 a.m. in the church. The latest information about the building plans and the financial state of the parish will be presented.

A Lenten Reflection Day, led by the Rev. Sam Wells, Dean of the Duke University Chapel; and the Rev. Jo Bailey Wells, Director of the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies at Duke, is scheduled for Saturday, February 25, at the Church of the Holy Family. The focus of the day is Sam Wells’ book, Power and Passion: Six Characters in Search of Resurrection. Click here for registration forms.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines is sponsoring a Symposium with Phyllis Tickle on Saturday, March 3. She will focus her presentation on her newest book, The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why. Contact Gretchen Jordan for detailed information about this symposium.

A few openings remain for the Women’s Retreat at Trinity Center on March 23-25. The Rev. Susannah Smith will lead the retreat and Cantus Choir Director, Elizabeth Terry, will provide music. Contact Gretchen Jordan for detailed information or to register.

A three-day Lenten Retreat, led by Paul J. Ilecki, Ed. D. titled "Just Noticing ... Awareness Journaling for Contemplative Practice, a meditation journaling retreat workshop for contemplatives," is scheduled for March 23-26, 2012. Click here detailed information.

The 50th Annual ABC (Attic, Basement, Closet) Sale is scheduled for Saturday, April 21. The application period for organizations wishing to receive proceeds from the sale is now open; the application form is available here. Applications are due by March 31.

Pot-Luck Dinners are held each Wednesday beginning at 5:30 p.m. Members of the Cantus and Junior Choirs and their families began this tradition and invite all parishioners to join them for dinner and fellowship.

The February issue of Cross Roads is posted here. Enjoy reading about everything from the annual parish meeting to the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. (Do you know why it’s called Shrove Tuesday?)

The Parish Freezer needs restocking with nutritious casseroles and soups to be delivered to parishioners in need. Items should be dated and labeled with ingredients. Contact Peg Pratt for detailed information.

Freedom House has a list of needs ranging from kitchen appliances to bed linens to winter clothes. Contact Sandra McClaskey for a full list of needs.

The Partnership to End Homelessness is forming a team to work with a woman returning to Orange County from prison. Contact the Rev. Victoria Jamieson-Drake for more information about this project.

The Inter-Faith Council request for this week is canned meats. Donation baskets are in the parish office and in the Yates Wing entrance. 

Please see Sunday Announcements for detailed information about these messages.