Novemberfest! RSVP & help needed

Plans are shifting into high gear in preparation for our turkey dinner and variety show scheduled for Saturday, November 10, beginning at 6:00 p.m. In addition to the great food, we will be entertained by, and perhaps participate in, a variety show hosted by Śānti Matthews and CUCC Youth. For those of us who just can’t wait until the Christmas party to imbibe some fruit of the vine, there will be wine available to accompany the dinner! Novemberfest is a fund-raiser, and there will be baskets aplenty for you to fill in gratitude for the bountiful harvest. We need lots of help preparing dishes for the meal; please sign up on the poster in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall. And don’t forget to let us know if you plan to attend. You can sign up through the church office or on the poster in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall. Let us know if you will need childcare! For any questions, please contact Skip or Nancy Stoddard, Peg Hulslander, or Śānti Matthews.
- Submitted by Stewardship Ministry

A Gathering of Friends Event

Be inspired by what is possible

This Sunday join presenter Peg Hulslander for a video presentation of Greg Boyle's work with gangs in Los Angeles, based on his book Tattoos on the Heart - The Power of Boundless Compassion.  Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries.  Adult Forum, Sunday, Nov. 4, 9:15am, Vaughan Fellowship Hall

Walk or give to feed hungry people

Save the date! October 28 is our annual CROP Hunger Walk. The walk starts at Marbles Children’s Museum, with registration at 2:00pm and the 3.1 mile walk starts at 3:00pm. Sign up online now at to walk or to make a donation.

‒ Submitted by Gray Woodard for Community Outreach Ministry

Cally Rogers-Witte guest sermon

On Sunday, October 7, Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte gave the  concluding sermon in the series of appearances of past ministers of CUCC who were invited by the Board of Deacons to speak at CUCC prior to the upcoming retreat. Cally's sermon is now posted in the archive.

Cally Rogers-Witte sermon (32:49)

Carolyn King Memorial Service

Carolyn King's memorial service on Saturday, October 7, is now available in its entirety (1 hour and 40 minutes). A number of folks commented during or after the service that they were unable to hear the comments of Mary Kilburn. The microphone used for the recording picked up Mary's voice very clearly. If you attended the services and want to hear Mary Kilburn's remarks, you can find that in Part 3 of the 4 parts posted. Some of the speakers in the audience were out of range of the microphone, so expect some of those comments to be difficult to parse.

Carolyn King's complete memorial service (in four parts), including links to YouTube versions

Supper for newcomers October 22

Would you like to learn more about CUCC? Do you have questions about who does what or ways to connect to the life and work of the congregation? Have you wondered what we believe? Enjoy a delicious supper for newcomers to CUCC Monday evening, October 22, 6pm. RSVP to the church office by Oct. 16. Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or need childcare. We look forward to getting to know you.

Sisters in Spirit 2012-13 schedule announced

Join women of all ages for an evening of conversation, a shared meal, and laughter as we explore development of our souls' creativity and support each other on our life journeys. As we open our hearts and right brains to envisioning new possibilities, we may discover new paths to take that may enrich our lives. Past SIS offerings have included: a private tour of the African exhibit at the art museum given by docent Athena Tracy, gathering of "Greek Goddesses" at Kathy Clift's home with a Greek meal provided truly meant for goddesses, telling "Life Stories", sharing our favorite books and movies, discussing "The Power of Word", going to dinner and the theatre together, snowflake making, trying out Julia Cameron creativity experiences, and eating at potlucks. We make donations of toiletries to the women's shelter as well. Every fall we go on retreat to the NC beach. Come envision new possibilities and share with others as part of Sisters In Spirit.

Each month:  Potluck + program at 7pm in the Hoffmann Room.  If you have toiletries to donate to the women's shelter on Cabarrus Street, feel free to bring them to the meeting.


Tuesday, Oct. 30th Marty Lamb will lead discussion from Julia Cameron's Walking in the World where we'll each list and share 10 activities that ground us.

Thursday, Nov. 29th We'll remind ourselves of what we can be grateful for.

Thursday, Jan. 31st Gray Woodard will lead discussion.

Tuesday, April 30th Creativity is a spiritual issue, and that means we can invoke powerful and playful (a potent combination)forces to cast out our demons. Let's envision and destroy a creativity monster.

Thursday, May 30th Kathy Widenhouse will lead discussion of our sharing our favorite books.

Tuesday, July 30th tba

Thursday, Aug. 29th tba

A Gathering of Friends event

- Submitted by Marty Lamb

Service of celebration for the life of Carolyn King

The service celebrating Carolyn King's life will be held at 3:00pm in the sanctuary of Community United Church of Christ.  The family invites you to stay for a reception after the service.

The doors will open after 2:00pm.  We'll be setting up prior to that time.

Parking
The parking lot on Dixie Trail is reserved for people with walking challenges.  For everyone else, parking is available curbside on Dixie Trail, in the lot on Wade Avenue, and in the row of spaces along the tree line only at Morningside.

We ask CUCC members to park on O'Berry Street or farther south (toward Hillsborough Street) along the curb to allow space for visitors to park closer to the church.  Please remember not to block the driveways of our neighbors or to park in the bus stop areas.

Carpooling
Please consider carpooling and dropping off those in your car.

Drop off
A drop off spot will be marked on the curb of Dixie Trail in front of Pilgrim House.  Wheelchairs can access the building via paved sidewalks from this location.

Carolyn King Obituary

Carolyn King passed away early yesterday, and and services are planned at CUCC for 3 PM on Saturday. An announcement will be coming from the church office shortly. Meanwhile, there's a wonderful obituary for Carolyn in today's News & Observer.

Cy and Cy, Jr. have asked me to make a video of the memorial service so that those who will not be able to be present on Saturday will have an opportunity to participate in this celebration of Carolyn's life. So hopefully we will be able to have that available.

Rev. Carol Ripley-Moffitt at CUCC

Rev. Carol Ripley-Moffitt was the guest pastor at the 10:30 worship service on Sept. 30, 2012. Her presentation is now included in the series of online videos that feature the appearances by previous pastors at the invitation of the CUCC Board of Deacons. These guest sermons have been scheduled for the period August 19 - October 7. The final appearance will be Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte on Oct. 7.

Rev. Carol Ripley-Moffitt presentation in the CUCC Media Archive (with a link to a YouTube version)

Entire series of presentations

Father Gregory Boyle featured in Monday Lunch Group

The book selection for Monday Lunch Group during the month of October is "Tatoos on the Heart" by Gregory Boyle. The presenter for this series is Peg Hulslander. To begin the series, the group on Monday, Oct. 1, watched some interviews with Father Boyle in which he explains his work with gangs in Los Angeles that led to the book. The videos are all available via YouTube and provide an excellent introduction to his work ...

• A 20-minute TED Lecture by Father Boyle
• A 13-minute collection of excerpts from an interview done for Catholic publicity
• The 1-hour+ interview with Krista Tippett at a Chautauqua session that Peg attended

Fall hike at Umstead Park

Come spend a leisurely fall afternoon walking/hiking the Inspiration Trail (an easy short 0.3 mile loop), or based on ability, continue down to the Old Company Mill Site on Crabtree Creek.  You may return the way we came for a short 2-mile hike or the more adventurous may complete the Old Company Mill Trail loop – a moderate 5.8 miles. We will meet at the Umstead Park parking lot at 1:00pm following church.  Dress in layers; wear comfortable shoes; bring your camera, water, and snacks or a picnic lunch. Easy access via the Reedy Creek entrance from Harrison Avenue and I-40.  For more information contact McCray Harris. 

- A Gathering of Friends event

Eating Together, Eating Healthy - one more time

Mark your calendar to join us on Wednesday, October 10, for our last potluck of the year.  We have all enjoyed the fellowship and good food.  Bring a dish to share (and a copy of the recipe) and come and relax and get to know some of your fellow CUCC members.  6:30pm in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall.  Hope you see you there.

- A Gathering of Friends event

New to Community UCC?

Let us treat you to dinner on Monday, October 22. Arrive after 6pm for appetizers; we'll sit down for the meal at 6:30pm. Meet some CUCC long-timers and others who are new to the congregation. Bring your questions about faith, the congregation, or anything else. We'll spend a casual evening in conversation. RSVP to the church office by Tuesday, October 16. Let us know if you need child care or if you have any dietary restrictions.

- Submitted by Welcoming, Fellowship and Growth Ministry

Walk or pledge to feed hungry people

Save the date!  October 28 is our annual CROP Hunger Walk.  The walk starts at Marbles Children’s Museum, with registration at 2:00pm and the 3.1 mile walk starts at 3:00pm.  Sign up online now to walk or to make a donation.

‒ Submitted by Gray Woodard

October Forum schedule

CUCC Forum meets Sunday mornings at 9:15am in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall.  

October 7   - Part 1 – Collins Kilburn on Pauli Murray

October 14 - Part 2 ‒ Collins Kilburn on Pauli Murray

(Organizer: Cy King)

Pauli Murray was a champion for civil and human rights who grew up in Durham, NC.  Her insights and vision continue to resonate powerfully in our times. As a historian, attorney, poet, activist, teacher, and Episcopal priest, she worked throughout her life to address injustice, to give a voice to the unheard, to educate, and to promote reconciliation between races and economic classes. Her beautifully written memoir, Proud Shoes: The Story of an American Family, was published in 1956 (http://paulimurrayproject.org/pauli-murray).

October 21 ‒ The Hope Center at Pullen Church (Organizer: Lena Gallitano)

The Hope Center at Pullen makes a difference, one person at a time. Mentors, tutors and other volunteers connect with individuals seeking guidance, compassion, and support. We learn hand in hand, side by side. We empower each other to create fulfilling lives. The Hope Center is launching a homelessness prevention program that will target youth ages 17 to 22 who were involved in the foster care system (http://www.hopecenteratpullen.org).

 

October 28 ‒ Reflections on my trip to South Africa (Organizer/speaker Edith Sylla)

On my visit to Stellenbosch, South Africa in July, I heard research reports on economic inequality at the World Economic History Conference, visited the penguins at the Cape of Good Hope, partook of wine and chocolate tastings, and visited a “township” where many of the Africans in Stellenbosch still live. After returning to the U.S., I read Nelson Mandela’s autobiography and Alan Paton’s Cry the Beloved Country, and I have been following news stories about strikes at the Lonmin platinum mine. Can Americans learn anything from South Africans about the interactions of history, cultures, and economic justice?

‒ Submitted by Edith Sylla

End of life planning discussion led by Bilbro

Dr. Robert Bilbro will speak and lead a discussion on “End of Life Planning “at the retirees’ meeting, October 8^th, 11:00am, in the Fellowship Hall.  Dr. Bilbro was a leading physician in Raleigh for 35 years until his recent retirement.  He received his medical training at UNC-Chapel Hill Medical School and took a residency at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas.  He returned to UNC-CH Hospital after two years of military duty in Korea, where he took a residency in cardiology at Duke University Hospital.  “End of Life Planning” is a topic we all must face someday. Bring a box lunch. Drinks and dessert will be provided. Everyone is welcome.

The retirees welcome anyone who would like to join the discussion.

- A Gathering of Friends event

Prothero study in October

October offers the opportunity for attending a new study group to expand your understanding of world religions.  We will read and discuss Stephen Prothero’s book, Religious Literacy – What Every American Needs to Know – and Doesn’t.  Classes will be held in the Fellowship Hall on three Tuesday evenings:  October 9, 16, and 30, from 6:30pm – 8:00pm.  Publisher’s Weekly says, “This book is a must read, not only for educators, clergy, and government officials, but for all adults.”  Mark your calendars and join us for these enriching events in October!
- Submitted for Steve Halsted