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AmityUnited Methodist ChurchBelieve . . . Belong. . . Become. . . |
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Rev. Tyson's Ministry of Justice and Reconciliation Music | Fellowship | Outreach | History United Methodist Women | United Methodist Men | Senior Fellowship | Altar Flowers Organ,
Piano, Chancel Choir, Guest Artists and Congregational Singing Chancel Choir practices every Wednesday from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Newcomers are always welcome! Children's Choir currently practices periodically during the Sunday School time. Fellowship opportunities abound at Amity Monthly Potluck Fellowship Luncheon: TBA Amity is active in reaching out to our community 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. Soup Kitchen Serving Schedule | IFC Web Page | IFC Needs | Special Offerings
Prison Ministry “I was in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:36. You are invited to join with other Amity members who participate in the Prison Ministry at Orange County Correctional Center in Hillsborough. We will carpool from Amity, leaving at 7:00 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. service. Contact Roger Shumate (732-5378) for more information. Dates in 2008: Feb. 10, May 11, August 10, Nov. 9 History
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.
Monday, August 11: Go "Out to Brunch" All women are invited to go "Out to Breakfast/Brunch" with the United Methodist Women. This month we are going to the Franklin Hotel at 311 W. Franklin Street (where old bus station was once located) here in Chapel Hill to share a breakfast/brunch! We will meet at the hotel at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 11. A final count is needed by Friday, August 8. Please call me if you would like to attend. We welcome anyone interested! We have fun and a good time in fellowship with one another. Regular meetings will resume in September at 12:30 p.m. on the 2nd Monday of each month at Amity. Pease join us! Nancy Klatt, President 942-5318
A monthly 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 month's adventure, which will also be posted with a sign up sheet on the hall bulletin board and mentioned in the weekly bulletin insert. April’s Senior Fellowship Outing was at the Tobacco Museum and/or Old Mill in Wilson, NC, with lunch at Parker’s BBQ in Wilson. Click here for a report on our great time! Return to top
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. Click here for press release.
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