Belonging at the Chapel of the Cross
October 18 & 25, November 1 | 10:15 a.m. | Overlook Room
New to the Episcopal Church or the Chapel of the Cross? Looking to find out more about our church and how to get involved? This three-part series is designed to answer these and other topics to help newcomers get to know our community. The series takes place a few times each year during the Sunday formation hour. No registration needed. Email the Rev. Keith Esposito kesposito@thechapleofthecross.org for more information.
Adult Inquirers
What does it mean to be an Episcopalian? Participants in this course will learn from weekly gatherings about various aspects of our historic denomination, contemporary theology, and spiritual practice. This class has a mix of those new to the Episcopal faith tradition, those new to Christianity, or some looking to brush up on the basics. All are welcome. Participants will have the option to be received from another tradition, confirmed into the Episcopal Church or renew their confirmation during the bishop’s visitation each year. Contact the Rev. Keith Esposito at kesposito@thechapelofthecross.org.
“Brave Souls”
The “Brave Souls” reading, reflection and action group meets on Mondays from 4-5:30 pm. All are welcome. For questions contact rillamurray@gmail.com.
Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer is a contemplative spiritual practice that is about opening yourself up to the power and presence of God. All are welcome to join on-line via Zoom on Tuesdays from 5:15 – 6:30 pm and at in-person quarterly mini-retreats. Contact Pat Moore at lpmoore@gmail.com or Paula Wilke at ptwilke116@gmail.com for more information.
Christophany: A Contemplative Study Group
Thursdays | 7:00-8:30 p.m. | Zoom beginning October 1
Parishioner Tim Hinton will lead an eight-week study group during October and November focusing on Raimon Pannikar’s book Christophany. By the term ‘Christophany,’ Pannikar means a kind of epiphany or appearance of Christ. Pannikar invites us to see every being as a manifestation of Christ, who is in turn the icon or image of the invisible God. Our approach to the text will be a contemplative one in which the cultivation of inner stillness is seen as a way of opening ourselves to the ultimate mystery we call God. Register at thechapelofthecross.org/smallgroups. For more information, contact Tim Hinton at timothyjohnhinton@gmail.com.
Cross Ties (for people in their 20s and 30s)
Contact the Rev. Mary Cat Young (mcyoung@thechapelofthecross.org) for more information.
The Daughters of the King (The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray Chapter)
Members of the Daughters of the King® (DOK) are women who have undergone a three-month period of study and discernment. The mission of the Order is the extension of Christ’s Kingdom through prayer, service and evangelism Our local chapter is named The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray chapter. For more information, please contact Mary Kent Hill, Chapter President, at mhill7@nc.rr.com or 919-605-0498 .
Ecumenical Men’s Bible Study
This group invites men from various traditions to discuss books and matters of faith in a confidential environment on Tuesday evenings, 6:00 – 8:00 pm. For more information, contact Kit Penniall at kpenniall@hotmail.com.
Foyers
Since 1997, parishioners have been gathering as Foyer Dinner Groups. These groups offer a way to meet other parishioners, become better acquainted with those you may already know, share food and fellowship, and form friendships that give you a sense of belonging in our parish.
The traditional foyer dinners where groups of 8-10 members share meals in each other’s homes, and the flexible foyers where members meet at restaurants and attend events together.– Harriet Pegram, Laura Ross
The Free Men Group Book Discussion
September 16, October 1, October 15, October 21, November 4
3:30-4:45 p.m. | Cloister Conference Room
Join the Rev. Elizabeth Marie Melchionna and Jeff Crawford for a conversation about John Ehle’s The Free Men, a gripping firsthand account of the 1963–64 civil rights protests right here in Chapel Hill. Ehle follows the young Black and white students from the town and university community who put their bodies and futures on the line to desegregate our own community. This is local history in the fullest sense: streets we walk, an institution many of us know well, and a struggle for justice whose echoes are still worth reckoning with today. Come ready to talk, listen, and reflect together.
Contact Jeff Crawford at jcrawford@thechapelofthecross.org
Jesus and God – An Exploration Across Faiths
The Rev. Hugh Tilson and Joseph Riddick will lead this year-long weekly study that meets Tuesdays on Zoom at 10:00 am, beginning September 8. Space in the class is limited and a full year commitment is needed. Reading is assigned between sessions. This class is currently full.
Men’s Thursday Morning Breakfast and Bible Study
This group meets the first and third Thursdays of each month for breakfast and a study of the upcoming Sunday Gospel. Contact Ellen Cole for more information.
Men’s Ministry
The Men’s Ministry invites men of all ages to join monthly meetings of fellowship and faith formation. Past gatherings have included service projects, evening prayer, and breakfast with the boys. Each fall, men participate in Movember, growing mustaches to raise awareness of men’s health issues. For information about meetings or to join the email list, contact the Rev. Keith Esposito kesposito@thechapelofthecross.org or David Dasher ddasher@gmail.com.
The Next Chapter (A small group for parents of adult children)
Next Chapter is a Chapel of the Cross small group for parents of young adults. Whether your kids are about to graduate high school, off to their next thing or in college or grad school, living far away or in the bedroom
they grew up in, working their first or fourth job, or thinking about starting families of their own, Next Chapter is for you!
Next Chapter is about fun, fellowship, service, community, learning, and support. The group meets on the second and fourth Sundays in the Parlor, private homes, or out on the town.
Contact Caren Parker at carentparker@gmail.com or 919-886-6451.
The Women’s Faith and Fiction Bible Studies
Gatherings are held twice weekly – once in person on Wednesdays at 9:00 am and once on Zoom on Thursdays at 9:30 am – to discuss the upcoming Sunday Gospel alongside works of short fiction. Participants need not attend every week and may come to the in-person or online gathering – whichever suits their schedule better in a given week. Included in this Fall 2026 semester’s readings are stories by Anton Chekhov, Grace Paley, Esther Yi and Allan Gurganus. For more information, including the week’s story selection, contact Boykin Bell at bbell@thechapelofthecross.org.
Sunday Afternoon Book Study
The Sunday Afternoon Book Study meets every other week at 2:00 pm on Zoom. Recently read books have included readings on topics of spirituality and works by modern theologians. Contact Gayle Hartis at gaylehartis@gmail.com
Theological Book Study
This group meets on Zoom on the last Thursday evening of each month from 7pm to 8:15pm to discuss popular theology books suggested by members. Contact Vivian Taylor at staylor41@gmail.com for more information.
Book Groups and Special Topics
The Chapel of the Cross hosts book groups (some meeting just once, others meeting for multiple weeks) based on current events and parish interests. To learn about our latest offerings, see this season’s Worship & Formation brochure or contact Boykin Bell.