RSVP - emergency call list

Haiti reminds us that emergencies happen. We want to be able to take care of one another and to be sure all
CUCC members are okay. Please send the office the following information by February 17.
_______ The best phone # for reaching you in the Triangle. Indicate if this is home/cell/business. If you have an alternate phone number we should try, list that one second.
_______ The best phone # for reaching a friend or family member out of town who would know where you have gone in case of evacuation. Remember to tell us who this person is and his/her relationship to you.
_______ The email address you would check during emergencies.
_______ Your emergency contact information might be different from the contact information you'd prefer CUCC use for regular communications. What is your preferred means of contact for regular communications?
_______ Please confirm your current phone #, email address, and mailing address.

Diversity Workshop Feb. 21 after worship

Come together as we explore what the next steps in extending God's extravagant welcome might mean for CUCC.  We welcome the Rev. Sekinah Hamlin, Minister for Anti-Racism and Reconciliation for our sister denomination the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and faculty member at Guilford College. Many of us were inspired when Rev. Hamlin spoke at Forum as part of our ongoing Sacred Conversation on Race.  While "diversity" sometimes indicates inclusion of people of many races, Rev. Hamlin will help us explore a broader understanding of diversity.  Expect to be filled with hope, energy for action, and a vision for renewal.

Here's the schedule for Feb. 21, Sunday.
10:30 worship:  Rev. Hamlin will preach to us
noon:  Eat the brown bag lunches we have brought from home
12:30-2:30pm  Rev. Hamlin leads a Diversity Workshop  

Send a valentine for climate change preach-in, Feb. 14

CUCC is participating in the Interfaith Power and Light Preach-In on Sunday, February, 14.  Steve's sermon will address the important issues of climate change and our faith response as stewards of God's good earth. It is the National Council of Churches hope to have thousands of churches across our nation lift up a powerful call on that Sunday to unite people of faith to work for energy conservation, energy efficiency and a strong renewable energy program for our nation.
You can join the day by sending a Valentine to Senators Burr and Hagan encouraging Senators to love their neighbors by passing a strong climate bill.  The address:  Senator ..., U.S. Senate, Washington, DC  20510

Consider reading this... a book that might change how you understand

I just finished reading the book Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles by journalist Richard Dowden. It is available at Cameron Village Library. Dowden worked as Africa correspondent for London's The Independent and The Economist for 10 years each. The book paints his impressions of sub-Saharan Africa after years of trying to understand the cultures he covered. Most of the chapters focus on one country at a time; the DRC has a chapter. He mixes impressions of the landscape, anecdotes about people, and his journalistic coverage of the crises. But the book is more than travel log or memoirs. It is a reflection of his life-long yearning to understand what he experiences in Africa. While the chapters focus on a country, they often double as an exploration of a specific challenge or phenomenon he encountered throughout the region. So you'll find chapters on the rising influence of China, the role of oil, the "Big Man" phenomenon, corruption, the role of culture, the role of religion, pros & cons of foreign aid, HIV/AIDS crisis - each told through the lens of a particular country.

I learned more about Africa in one book than in anything else I have read. And I should add his writing is excellent. Even though some of the information is hard to hear, I always felt his respect for people. He is a very good storyteller.
I can't recommend this book highly enough to those of us who hear about Africa but have never been.  It has already influence how I understand news from Africa.  Do you know how when  you travel somewhere the place becomes more complex, interesting, and multi-dimensional?  This book has had that effect on me.  Let me know what you think.

Haiti Contributions Deductable on 2009 Taxes

The IRS has been instructed by President Obama to allow people to take deductions in 2009 for contributions made after Jan. 11, 2010 and before March 1, 2010, for relief due to the earthquake in Haiti.  To see the details, check the IRS site Ten Facts About Claiming Donations Made to Haiti.

Prayer Relief for Haiti

If you missed Steve's powerful sermon calling us to respond to our sisters and brothers in Haiti, you can read Prayer Relief.  (As always, remember these are the notes from which he preached, not a transcript of the sermon.)
The Social Justice Ministry is doing intensive research into the call to forgive Haiti's debts.  We want to be sure that our response will be truly helpful and will not cause suffering those in need.  We'll be recommending action to the congregation at the soonest possible time.  If you are interested, contact any member of SJM to be included in the email conversation.

Is there a Christian response to the great recession?

You are invited to join a series of discussions on understanding our current economic issues and searching for just solutions.  Meet in the Fellowship Hall of Community United Church of Christ on five Tuesdays, from 7:30 to 9:00 P.M.  Questions?  Talk to Shirley or Don Birt or Cy King.

View and discuss the film, The Corporation       February 23 and March 2
Discuss David Korten's Agenda for a New Economy *     March 9 and 16 
Closing the Gap between the World We Have and the World We Want       March 23
*While you don't have to read the book to participate, the discussion leaders will assume that you have.
This study is in response to the congregation's direction that we study the possibility of developing and adopting an economic justice covenant for our church.  You can read a covenant adopted by the Southern Conference of the UCC to learn more about the ideas under discussion.