Community Briefs Chapel Hill Hosts First Memorial Walk for a more personal touch than the virtual service we offered in 2020.” The feedback from the community was humbling, Proie remarked. “One resident said it was one of the most beautiful things we have offered.”
Each year, The Chapel Hill Community holds a memorial service to honor the lives of residents who passed away. In 2021, the community held an open Memorial Walk in place of its usual traditional service where families could walk at their own pace and remember their loved ones.
In addition to the walk, the community also delivered the luminaries from the walk as a special keepsake to the spouses living within the independent living community and others were available for pickup.
“I wanted to offer something meaningful for our community to grieve,” said Rev. Erin Proie, chaplain at The Chapel Hill Community, who spearheaded the event.
“I have been open about my sexuality since I was 15 and love who I am: a wonderful lesbian,” she continued. “I am a friend to all and have been very accepted at Cherry Arbors. But we don’t live in a perfect world and sometimes things happen and one must educate and explain.”
“The turnout was touching. Every time I checked on the path, someone was walking the circle,” said Proie.
Conley faced a challenge: a fellow resident making inappropriate comments about another resident’s sexuality. She stood up for her firmly held beliefs and other residents joined in.
Proie thought the change was a success. “It turned out to be a very meaningful experience that allowed
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UNITED CHURCH HOMES
“All are welcome” isn’t just a catch phrase at United Church Homes (UCH). They are words Dinah Conley, Resident that are fundamental to the organization’s mission, vision and core values. The rich culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at UCH’s Cherry Arbors affordable housing community is a big part of what’s made resident Dinah Conley feel so at home there.
“I moved to Cherry Arbors in July 2020,” Conley said. “I was attracted to the rural setting, and my grandparents and other family members lived in North Lewisburg years ago. It just felt right.”
For three days and nights, the walk was lined with personal luminaries around the Kroft Commons cottages. In between luminaries were scriptures written on signs guiding each walker through the path.
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FINDING HOME IN COMMUNITY
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WINTER 2022
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unitedchurchhomes.org
