ALL ARE INVITED,
ALL ARE WELCOME
The Beloved Community at The Trees is a faith community, rooted in Episcopal liturgy and practices, but without being "in a church." We are a Missional Initiatve of the Diocese of North Carolina. Our mission is to create a community where those who seek healing, reconciliation, or simply a life of faith lived with intentionality among others can gather and worship together. We meet on Sunday evenings for worship, including the Eucharist (also known as Communion or the Lord's Supper). Immediately following the Eucharist, we transition into a simple shared community meal of soup and bread. This community is open to anyone, especially those who have been "othered" or harmed by the Church, including queer individuals and families, racial minorities, and others. Join us in rediscovering what a community of faith can be.
Services at The Beloved Community at the Trees are led by Rev. Phillip Bass and Rev. Deacon Dan Laird. Phillip formerly served as the Associate Rector of The Church of the Nativity in Raleigh, NC. In addition to his pastoral role, he is also a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and has a private practice in Chapel Hill, NC. In his clinical work, Phillip often addresses religious trauma, deconstruction, and questions of faith, especially among the LGBTQIA+ community. He brings this experience to his work with The Beloved Community. Outside of this, Phillip enjoys spending time with his husband and son.
Dan is a married, semi-retired baby-boomer. Part of what gets Dan up in the morning is his passion for sharing the riches and diversity of the Episcopal Church with others. He graduated from Penn State University as an agronomist in plant genetics with another degree in computer science, with certification in cyber security. Dan also volunteers and assists individuals with developmental disabilities. When not involved in ministry, he may be found with my plants or in the garden tending to and propagating plants.
Chris Reed comes to us as our intern in his last semester as a May 2025 M.Div. Candidate from SMU Perkins School of Theology. While currently a member at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Hillsbourough, NC, he served on the vestry at his previous church in Dallas, Texas, the Episcopal Church of the Ascension. Chris is also a Benedictine Oblate with the Order of the Holy Cross in Woodville, TX. HIs scholarly interests have included social ethics, the interplay of worship and theological aesthetics, and church history, particularly through a monastic lens. Chris is also a lawyer, practicing in the areas of commercial litigation and healthcare compliance—with a focus on reimbursements for doctors from insurance companies and government payers. When not handling work or school, Chris enjoys spending time with his 3 dogs, Bandit, Sandy, and Chris is also a gaymer, of both board and video games. Chris is also enjoys spending time doing yoga, hiking or in the gym, so he can justify all the baked goods he enjoys making and eating. Chris is always interested to hear where God is teasing joy and hope into our lives.
Worshipping Together
The Beloved Community at The Trees meets each Sunday. We gather for welcome and prayer between 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM. Worship, including The Eucharist, begins at 5:00 PM. A simple, shared meal of soup and bread follow at the conclusion of worship.
Coffee With Community
Join us each week for "Coffee With Community" at Starbucks, 3801 Guess Rd., Durham, NC 27705. We gather from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM each Thursday for a time of fellowship and conversation. We hope you'll join us!
Holy Week
We hope that you will join us for our Holy Week gatherings. "From early times Christians have observed the week before Easter as a time of special devotion. As the pilgrim Egeria recorded in the late fourth century, Jerusalem contained many sacred places that were sites for devotion and liturgy. Numerous pilgrims to the holy city followed the path of Jesus in his last days. They formed processions, worshipped where Christ suffered and died, and venerated relics. From this beginning evolved the rites we observe today on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. These services provide a liturgical experience of the last days of Jesus' earthly life, as well as the time and events leading up to his resurrection." (Source: The Episcopal Dictionary of the Church)
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Palm Sunday - 5:00pm on Sunday, April 13 at The Trees
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Maundy Thursday - 6:30pm on Thursday, April 17, at The Trees
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Good Friday - 12:00pm on Friday, April 18, at St. Philip's, Durham. We will join St. Philip's and other downtown Durham churches for an ecumenical Way of the Cross procession.
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Easter Sunday - 5:00pm on Sunday, April 20, at The Trees.
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out with your thoughts or questions. We will respond as soon as possible.
The Beloved Community at The Trees meets at 1701 Pleasant Green Road, Durham, NC 27705.
Be sure to look for the sign by the mailbox.