Dear Family,
Last night, the Town Council of Chapel Hill voted 9-0 to approve our conditional rezoning application! Coupled with Orange County’s 7-0 decision, Holy Trinity was unanimously approved by the governing bodies of our local community to move ahead with the vision God has given us for ministry and mission.
That’s a total of 16 votes in favor. 0 votes opposed from our local government leaders.
Let that sink in.
Keep in mind, last night was the seventh meeting we’ve had with local governing bodies to get approval to build on the land we purchased in January 2024. This has been a very long, complicated, expensive, and wearing process. We have faced criticism, opposition, and uncertainty.
To receive such overwhelming support from our local government is absolutely astonishing. We are right to read this as a clear and concrete display of God’s love for us and His favor on what He is doing in and through us.
What I really want to communicate is that God’s presence was on hand last night, friends. What may have been more astonishing than the final vote was what preceded it. Before our item came up, council members heard from neighbors in an affordable housing complex on the other side of Chapel Hill. Resident after resident came up and described the deeply unjust and painful situation they are facing. The room was heavy and council members were visibly moved by what they heard.
After a recess, it was our turn. Instead of more questions, council members did something no one ever could have expected. They apologized to us.
Let that sink in.
They literally said they were sorry for how demanding this process has been and for having put our church through such difficulties when we are so clearly committed to solving real problems in our community, especially around affordable housing. They specifically commended us for the outreach we are already doing: our work toward racial reconciliation, our response to homelessness through our partnership with Pee Wee Homes, and the serious, dignified way we respond to food scarcity through the Left Hand Blessing Box. And they made the point that Holy Trinity is a model for churches across the nation, in thinking not only of our own needs to build a house of worship but how we can use what we have to meet the real needs of real people in crisis in our community.
Let that sink in.
Many of us and some members of the council were moved to tears. When it was said, “All in favor?” 9. “All opposed?” 0. To cap it all off, the 9 council members joyfully competed among themselves about who would get to make and second the three motions to approve our project! None of us or the people involved on our team expected this. Nick said that in thirty years of sitting through similar meetings and hundreds of similar motions, he had never seen anything even close to what we experienced last night.
Let that sink in.
A decade or so ago when we were in one of our many facility crises, Bishop Steve Breedlove encouraged us to keep going, to keep trusting, to keep on keeping on with our mission and ministry in Chapel Hill. He specifically spurred us on with the words of the LORD through the prophet Jeremiah, speaking to His people exiled in Babylon:
“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7)
What a prophetic encouragement that has come to pass.
This is an important moment for our church. You have prayed and encouraged and contributed to our campaign. This moment belongs to all of us to celebrate and to savor God’s faithfulness. Let us bless the Lord. Also, give thanks to God for Nick Robinson who wonderfully offered his gifts as a land use attorney for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Thank God for Dianne Martin, for the sacrifices she made to work on process and make connections with local leaders, as well as the work of the Justice & Reconciliation team she leads. Give thanks, too, for Nancy Jo Stotts, Sharon Guyer, Allison Martin, and Kristen Rademacher who lead our Matthew 25 initiative.
And thank you to all who have given alms, supported our food pantry, supported our ministry to the local community, and given to our Seek First campaign. The Town Council witnessed the life of Christ through Holy Trinity’s outreach because you have embodied it.
Two years ago, we stepped out in faith to buy 12 acres of land and last night we saw that faith honored. And the One who began this work is not finished yet. “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
With joy and gratitude,
David Hyman
Rector
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Chapel Hill, NC