CUCC News and Chat

Carpool to HKonJ, Feb. 11

2012-01-23T22:27:00.000-05:00

Meet Edith Sylla in the Dixie Trail parking lot at 9am to carpool to this year's HKonJ rally.

The rally begins at 9:30am at Shaw University and participants will walk through downtown to the legislature for rousing speeches. If you prefer not to walk, meet Cy King at the legislative building. You'll find him with a chair at the front of the legislative building before noon.

The annual HKonJ (Historic Thousands on Jones Street) rally draws together North Carolinians from all walks of life to bring attention to the needs of our citizens.  An amazing coalition of advocates works together to set annual priorities and then to convince our state legislators to vote for justice and fairness for our people.  For more information on the 14 points, see www.hkonj.com .

From Steve's sermon: Harms of Anti-Gay Amendment

2012-01-20T08:59:00.000-05:00

Joe suggested we post this list which Steve included in his January 9 sermon. The list is from Equality NC.

Harms of the Anti-Gay Amendment
Protect NC Families, Vote Against the Anti-Gay Amendment

Gay Marriage is already illegal in North Carolina
 Voting “no” on this amendment is NOT a vote to legalize marriage. The anti-gay amendment is redundant, a distraction from the real economic challenges we face.

The anti-gay amendment is bad for business
 It intrudes on businesses' rights to recruit the best employees by signaling that our state is not welcoming of the diverse workforce needed to compete in the global economy.

The anti-gay amendment would negate benefits for tens of thousands
 This legislation strips public entities of their authority to provide benefits to same-sex domestic partners, such as those currently offered in the City of Asheville, The Town of Carrboro, Town of Chapel Hill, City of Durham, County of Orange, County of Durham, City of Greensboro, and County of Mecklenburg.

The anti-gay amendment bans all legal relationship recognitions
 Polling shows a majority of North Carolinians support marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples, legal recognitions banned by the anti-gay amendment.

The anti-gay amendment’s language is vague and untested
 The Amendment has the potential to invalidate domestic violence protections for members of unmarried couples, as Ohio courts did with its state’s narrower amendment.
 The Amendment could interfere with existing child custody and visitation rights that seek to protect the best interests of children.
 The Amendment could be used to invalidate trusts, wills, and end-of-life directives – which are not “private contracts”—in favor of an unmarried partner.
 The Amendment’s broad language also could also have the same dire consequences for the state’s unmarried opposite-sex couples and their children.

The anti-gay amendment causes real harm to North Carolina families
 It harms same-sex couples—one of the fastest-growing demographics in the state—who will be denied even the most basic protections, and harms vulnerable gay young people by sending a terrible message that their state and their neighbors consider them second-class citizens, undeserving of the same basic rights and protections.

Newcomers' Supper January 27

2012-01-16T10:40:00.002-05:00

You are invited to the Newcomers’ Supper on Friday, January 27, 2012.
Appetizers at 6:00 PM; Dinner served at 6:30 PM

Unwind after a busy week, ask questions about Community United Church of Christ, and enjoy meeting new people! Please bring an appetite and curiosity.

RSVP to CUCC office by Wednesday, January 25: 787-6422 or office@communityucc.org
Please tell us if you need childcare (ages) and if you have any dietary restrictions.

The Rev. Curtis Gatewood to speak and preach Jan. 15

2012-01-09T08:15:00.000-05:00

We are honored to have the Rev. Curtis Gatewood as our Forum speaker and as guest preacher this Sunday. Rev. Gatewood is currently the coordinator of HKonJ (Historic Thousands on Jones Street), a coalition of groups (including CUCC) supporting a better life for all North Carolinians. Hear Rev. Gatewood at (9:15 at Forum and during 10:30 worship.

Congregational Meeting January 22

2012-01-09T08:05:00.000-05:00

On January 22 we will hold our Annual Congregational Meeting to vote on a new budget for 2012 and vote on nominations for positions for our vital Ministries and the Church Council. Contact Bill Lamb if you would like to offer your talents on any committee or ministry or to explore what might be a good match for you. Contact Skip Stoddard to turn in your pledge of money to support the work of CUCC.

Friendship is theme of January Monday Lunch study

2012-01-07T10:53:00.000-05:00

Join the Monday Lunch group at 12:15 for bring your own lunch, intercessory prayer, and discussion of friendship. Throughout the month, be reading Gail Caldwell's memoir of friendship, "Let's Take the Long Way Home."
Jan. 9: Tell us about 5 of your friends (for details, talk with Geraldine Bryan)
Jan. 16: Ask Geraldine for details
Jan. 23 & 30: Discuss Caldwell's book

Time to order your chili - orders due Jan. 16

2012-01-02T11:43:00.001-05:00

Chili Loaves and Fishes Ministry, a non-profit organization, will be selling “The World’s Best” meat and veggie chili at $10.00 per quart in freezer containers. Please place orders with Shannon Core, 846-0902 or use the sign-up sheet on the Coming Events bulletin board in the hallway. Pick up your orders at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 4921 Six Forks Road, north entrance, on Friday, January 27, 2012. Times will be announced at a later date. I have been a volunteer with Loaves and Fishes for 25 years and have witnessed the success of this valuable program.

– submitted by Shannon Core

Saturday Men's Group to discuss "No god but God"

2012-01-02T11:40:00.000-05:00

For the month of January, the group is reading "No god but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam" by Reza Aslan. The contact for more info is Ed Klemmer. The group meets from 9:30 to 11:00am in the adult library on Saturday mornings.

Potluck & travel discussion

2012-01-02T11:35:00.000-05:00

Sisters in Spirit, a gathering for women, will meet on the 5th Tuesday, January 31st, at 7 PM in the Hoffmann room for a potluck and discussion of travel. Several of us have been on outings this past year (Kathy C. to Singapore, Vandy to Shanghai, Kathy W. to travelogues on TV). We'll be sharing some of our experiences and how travel to new places benefits our lives. Come "travel" to and with SIS... and expand our horizons.

Steve's trip to Kauai - photos and more!

2012-01-02T11:27:00.000-05:00

The Retirees will meet on Monday, January 9, at 10:30am in the Vaughan fellowship hall for a program given by Pastor Steve about his experiences while on vacation in Kauai in October. He will be showing "fantastic" slides of Hawaiian landmarks and do a travelogue on the beautiful places that he and Marcy visited. He will also tell about our sister congregation, Church of the Pacific- UCC, where they stayed. Come one and all, bring a bag lunch. Dessert and drinks will be provided.

January Sunday Forum Schedule

2012-01-02T10:31:00.000-05:00

Vaughan Hall, Sundays, 9:15 - 10:15 am

Forum will begin 2012 by focusing on various issues of Economic Justice. You are invited to participate in the following January schedule:

January 1:   No Forum. Happy New Year!

January 8:   Protecting Families in North Carolina. Sean Kosofsky, Executive Director of Blueprint NC, will discuss the broad negative implications and economic justice issues of the proposed constitutional amendment to narrowly define marriage in NC.

January 15:   HK on J (Historical Thousands on Jones Street). Rev. Curtis Gatewood, Statewide Coordinator for HK on J, will speak about the Movement. He will also be the guest speaker at the morning worship service.

January 22:   Current Labor Issues. MaryBe McMillan, Secretary-Treasurer of the NC AFL-CIO, will speak about what is happening with labor today.

January 29:   Why Occupy? Josh Harris and Emily Galvin, participants in the Occupy Raleigh Movement, will share their perspectives on the Movement and their experiences in Raleigh.

"Protecting Families in North Carolina" Forum topic

2012-01-02T10:17:00.000-05:00

Sunday, January 8, 9:15-10: 00am in Fellowship Hall.

Sean Kosofsky, Executive Director of Blueprint NC, will discuss the broad negative implications and economic justice issues of the proposed constitutional amendment to narrowly define marriage in NC. Guests are welcome.

Praying for Relief

2011-12-28T16:59:00.003-05:00

This poem Praying for Relief was penned by Nancy Callaham on June 6, 2011. I'm sharing it here with her permission. It requires no explanation or commentary, and exhibits the strength of Nancy's continuing ministry shared with all of us.

God of the Sea,
Who meets us at the waters edge;
Rolling waves of pain come at us;
Tight tendons, sore muscles immobilize our bodies and make us stiff;
Upset stomachs, varying reactions foster discomfort and make us sick;
Heightened anxiety, nervous tension, give us unwanted stress;

Many people suffer from disease and illness,
We ask you to bring them relief at the waters edge;
You led Moses to water when the Israelites lips were parched and split;
You blessed people through Baptism with the healing water to cleanse;
You calmed the roaring sea for the disciples
With a command from Jesus for the wind to cease;

In the midst of a sea of raw emotion
You are mighty and full of compassion;
To those who live with pain,
We pray for relief to come at the waters edge;

The Rev. Nancy Callaham
June 6, 2011

Christmas Eve Service

2011-12-27T15:06:00.000-05:00

As I usually do at Christmas time, I made an audio recording of the entire Christmas Eve Service (5-6 PM) held in the CUCC sanctuary. This year's program was diverse, with quite a number of participants and numerous musical selections interspersed with scripture readings, candle lightings, etc.

The complete program is found in our media archive in the "music" portion of the archive:

http://www.communityucc.org/podcasts/music.html

You have a choice of listening to the entire program (edited only to remove the long periods of shuffling of feet that take place between segments of the program) which runs for 45 minutes, or to listen to and browse among the 13 musical selections by a wide variety of performers. Enjoy! And while you're there you might also enjoy browsing a bit among our musical celebrations from previous years.

Skip's Children's Time

2011-12-18T12:51:00.000-05:00

Skip's prayer concluding today's children's time caught my imagination. He said I could print it here:
Dear God,
Thank you for making our wonderful planet Earth in such a special way that we have day and night, and a year with four different seasons to enjoy. Help us all to do what we can to protect our planet so it will always be wonderful. And God, even though it is true that Jesus was born in the Northern Hemisphere and it was winter for him and Mary and Joseph, we also know that his birthday comes in the summertime for many people. Whether Christmas Day happens in the summer or winter, let's remember that is always the perfect time for a very special birthday celebration.

Christmas Pageant - Dec. 11, 2011

2011-12-14T19:42:00.000-05:00

Several folks requested on Sunday that I announce when the video of this year's Christmas pageant is ready. Well, it's ready. You can find it at two places. It's found as the top item in the "Telling Our Stories" portion of the media archive at the CUCC website. And it's also available on YouTube. So take your choice, but enjoy our pageant this year with the biggest flock of angels we've ever had.

If you'd like a DVD version of the pageant, let me know.

Hanging of the Greens

2011-12-12T08:38:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the Sacraments and Chancel Committee for the gorgeous decorations.

Meals on Wheels gifts project

2011-12-05T07:29:00.000-05:00

The Retirees will be wrapping your gifts on Monday, December 12, from 10:00am to 12 Noon. Anyone who is available at that time to help wrap would be warmly welcomed! Bring a sandwich and join us for lunch; dessert will be provided.

Meals on Wheels Wish List for Christmas

All gifts are requested to be new. Any monetary contribution will be used by the Retirees to purchase gift cards, which are really appreciated.

Small denomination gift cards (Target, Walmart, fast foods), gloves, hats, scarves, stamps and note cards, Christmas chocolates/candy. Any gift appropriate for an older person. NO SOCKS this year.

SIS November topic announced

2011-11-21T21:30:00.003-05:00

SIS (Sisters in Spirit) will be gathering at 7 PM on Tuesday night November 29th for pot luck and discussion.

Have you ever doubted that you could master a task but then learned to do it in spite of your doubt? If so, you might list these situations (up to 10 of them) and bring them to share with others. We can learn to navigate the learning curve. All women of the church are invited to join in.

- submitted by Marty Lamb

A Gathering of Friends event

4th preweatherization house job completed!!

2011-11-21T11:10:00.000-05:00

Saturday, Nov. 19, Tim, Cathy, Dave, Lyle, and I finished our preweatherization work for a woman in Raleigh. Over three Saturdays, the crew, which also included Carrie, Dwayne and Patrick, repaired walls, a ceiling and replaced the floor in her laundry room!! God blessed us to be able to help. Lyle will phone Garmin Troup of Resources for Seniors on Monday to tell him we are done and ask him to get the weatherization started.
-submitted for Gary Smith

[Background: CUCC, Raleigh Friends, and NCIPL have been doing clean outs and repairs of homes in our area so that the homes can then be weatherized for free. If you are interested in being notified about future Saturday workdays, contact Gary Smith.]

Have you sent Jane Smith your emergency contact info?

2011-11-21T10:15:00.000-05:00

Have you given Jane Smith your emergency contact information? We'll use this information to make sure you are okay in the unlikely event of a regional emergency (hurricane, evacuation, flu quarantine). If you consider yourself part of the CUCC family (whether or not you are a member), we’ll want to know you’re okay.

Needed:

 Names of people (or pets, if you like) in your household (even if they aren’t associated with CUCC)

 Phone # to reach you in an emergency

 Email to reach you in an emergency (the one you will check frequently)

 Contact person who is likely to know where you are & phone # (Please let this person know you have our permission to contact them about you)

 Did you have any changes in your everyday contact info during 2010? (address, phones, email)

What is the Sunday Morning Bible Study studying these days?

2011-11-21T08:33:00.001-05:00

I asked Ellen Beidler what they have been reading in the Sunday morning Bible study. The group is about to switch during Advent (Nov. 27 through Dec. 18) to The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Birth by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan.

The group will be resuming Deuternomy in the new year. Here is what Ellen wrote about the Nov. 13 Deuternomy discussion.
"We decided to try to keep going in Deuteronomy. Yesterday, Sue, Kathy and I decided it is worth it to keep reading. We read through chapter 15 and found the "reformed" Mosaic law pretty interesting. Do you realize that the Lord your God wants you to tithe so that you can afford a great feast in God's honor? Also, the deal is that the Lord your God will make yours a great nation IF you take care of the poor and dispossessed in your community? The Lord your God wants you to set your slaves free after 7 years with goods enough to get them started in their new life. If the slave does not want freedom, you are to nail his or her ear to the door with an awl, presumably to discourage him from staying a slave. Because you know how it feels to be a slave, you are to treat the slaves with compassion the way the Lord your God has treated you. Pretty eye opening, huh?"

The Art of Praise: A Spiritual Encounter

2011-11-18T16:45:00.000-05:00

(submitted by Vandy Bradow)

Yavneh: A Jewish Renewal Community & St. Mark’s Episcopal Church invite you to experience

The Art of Praise: A spiritual encounter under the guidance of Rabbi Shefa Gold

A shared fundraiser for our spiritual communities

Wednesday, November 30, 7:15 pm
at St. Mark’s, 1725 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh, 27604

Perek Shirah is an ancient Jewish text praising the Creator. All of Creation has a voice in this celebration: the Heavens, the Earth, all Flora and Fauna contribute their songs of praise. Together, we will unlock the secrets of Perek Shirah, through chant, silence, imagination, study, movement, and stillness, until we, too, are swept up into this holy chorus. Spend an evening with us discovering a spiritual activism sourced in love.

No donation is required to attend, although we invite you to consider
the following donation categories in support of Yavneh and St. Mark’s:

Heavenly Hosts, $360; All land-based life, $180; All life of the waters, $90;
Birds of the Air, $54; The Human Family, $36; The Open-Hearted, $18.

Thanks to generous underwriters, 100% of donations will benefit our congregations.

Please make reservations at rsvp@yavneh-raleigh.org and send contributions to Yavneh, 4030 Wake Forest Road, #300, Raleigh, 27609

Rabbi Shefa Gold is a leader in Aleph: the Alliance for Jewish Renewal and the director of The Center for Devotional, Energy and Ecstatic Practice in Jemez Springs, New Mexico. Shefa composes and performs spiritual music, has produced ten albums, and her liturgies have been published in several new prayer books. She offers workshops and retreats on the theory and art of chanting, devotional healing, spiritual community building, and meditation. Shefa combines her grounding in Judaism with a background in Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, and Native American spiritual traditions, uniquely qualifying her to celebrate the shared path of devotion. She is the author of Torah Journeys: The Inner Path to the Promised Land, and In the Fever of Love: An Illumination of the Song of Songs.

CHURCH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROJECT

2011-11-18T15:48:00.002-05:00

This year our children have pledged 40 stockings to the Salvation Army. Please help us fill the stockings. This year the need in Wake County is even greater than last year. Unwrapped gifts may be donated in the Christmas box in Anne Bailey's classroom. We will stuff the stockings at the family advent workshop on December 4th a 5 pm. Join us!!!

ITEMS DUE BY SUNDAY, DEC. 4

Stocking Stuffers for boys and girls

Infant-2 years
sippy cups/bottles
hats
toys
blankets
wipes
books
pacifiers

3-6 years old
coloring books/crayons
toothbrush/toothpaste
hats & gloves
bubbles, play-doh, stuffed animals
dolls, cars, balls,
dress up accessories, jewelry
card games

7-8 year olds
jump ropes
jacks/cards
toothbrush/toothpaste
hats & gloves
markers, pens, pencils
stuffed animals, dolls
bouncy balls
pocketbooks, jewelry
model cars, flashlights

10-12 year olds
cards, games
toothbrush, toothpaste
watches, flashlights, radios
pens, pencils, markers
jewelry and hair accessories
nail polish, lip balm
perfume, cologne, lotion

- info from Anne Bailey Zschau

Frozen River - Movie Night for Dec. 2

2011-11-16T13:09:00.005-05:00

Show Time: 7:30 PM, Friday, Dec. 2, CUCC Fellowship Hall

Okay, so it's a bit of a stretch to insert "Frozen River" into a foreign film series. (It's filmed on the Canadian border with the U.S., so the setting for the movie is a mix of U.S., Canada, and the Mohawk reservation that straddles the border.) But I've had requests for weirder exemptions. For example, one person recommended a "made in Texas" movie for the series, and I had to explain that no matter how bizarre Texas politics is, I can't really consider Texas to be a foreign country.

Admittedly, this is another "dark" movie, but it's one where I see the darkness as necessary to set up the redemptive ending to the movie. (And there's an underlying Christmas theme.) Frozen River is a low-budget independent film. Such films are often more creative than the big studio productions. Here's the Netflix spin on the movie ...

On a Mohawk reservation on the Canadian border, Ray Eddy (Melissa Leo, in an Oscar-nominated turn) teams with widowed tribe member Lila Littlewolf (Misty Upham) to smuggle illegal immigrants into the United States. Though the work provides the women with much-needed money, each trip puts them in peril. Charlie McDermott and Michael O'Keefe also star in this riveting drama nominated for multiple Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature.

Loss of Personal Contact: Thanksgiving and Christmas

2011-11-14T08:48:00.000-05:00

Lavon, your post couldn't have been more timely. Yesterday at the Welcoming, Fellowship and Growth Ministry meeting we decided to extend an invitation to CUCCers who might want to eat together on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day.

Thanksgiving Day: If you'd like to eat a meal with others, call the church office. Carol will put you in touch with others with the same interest and together you can decide whether to go out to a meal, do a potluck in one of your homes, or perhaps gather for a dessert potluck.

Christmas Day: How about eating Chinese food and going to a movie? Call Gray Woodard if you'd like to join a group going to a restaurant/movie. Out-of-town family members are welcome.

A Gathering of Friends

Loss of personal contact?

2011-11-10T15:02:00.001-05:00

Do you ever feel that with today's emphasis on social media, e-mail, text messaging, and even cell phones, we are losing our face-to-face communication skills and habits? Does this sometimes seem dehumanizing? Does the quote below speak to you?

... the electronic culture ... is making a new world and a new man. Mass communications are drawing us together in a universal embrace. Privacy is dying, and with it the private person ... we are becoming a unified global family. The developing worldwide electronic network is shaping the world into an "electropolis." The possibilities of this are both frightening and hopeful. This is frightening because that which relates men in "Electropolis" is not necessarily love. The global village isn't necessarily a "brotherhood."

The gender based language here probably gives it away, but the concerns seem remarkably 21st century. This is Pastor John Lackey writing in the March 1971 CUCC Newsletter, more than 40 years ago.

A musical evening at Christmas

2011-11-08T17:58:00.000-05:00

The "Gloria" by John Rutter, is a short, three-movement work for choir, brass, tympani, and organ. The CUCC choir will be combining with the choir at Fairmont Methodist Church to perform this on Sunday, Dec. 18th at 6:30 p.m. at Fairmont Methodist on Clark Ave. It will be presented during their evening Advent service. The Fairmont Choir director, Eric Grush, will be conducting the combined choirs. All CUCC folks are encouraged to attend this presentation of this magnificent work to help usher in Christmas week.

Listen to a taste of the "Gloria."

Monday Lunch Group Schedule for the rest of 2011

2011-11-07T16:23:00.001-05:00

Bring your lunch for intercessory prayer, study, and great conversation. Come one Monday or every week, 12:15pm. Here's what is planned.

Nov. 7 Bill Lamb leads discussion of Norman Wirzba's Living the Sabbath. Read part I.
Nov. 14 Bill Lamb leads discussion of Norman Wirzba's Living the Sabbath. Read part II.
Nov. 21 Steve Halsted and Tama Eller talk about the Earth Sabbath Celebrations as we continue to explore living the sabbath.

Nov. 28 Discussion of Job. Read the whole book before you come.
Dec. 5 View a Job-like comedy, "Adam's Apple."

Dec. 12 Writing Christmas cards to missing friends.
Dec. 19 Christmas Luncheon
Dec. 26 We'll meet, but topic TBD.

Family Advent Workshop, Sunday, Dec. 4, 5pm

2011-11-07T11:16:00.000-05:00

Children and youth, bring your parents and grandparents to this advent tradition. Along with the usual fun, we'll practice for the Christmas pageant (Dec. 11) and share a pizza dinner. Remember to bring cookies for the cookie exchange.

Stuff a stocking for the Salvation Army - Dec. 4

2011-11-07T11:11:00.001-05:00

The children's church school has voted for our fall charity, selecting the Salvation Army Christmas stocking project again this year. Last year we pledged 25 stockings which we filled with YOUR help. This year the children have ambitiously pledged 40 stockings so we are once again asking for your help. A donation box wrapped in Christmas paper will be in our classroom. Please donate

small toys, coloring books, crayons, bubbles, toothbrushes, etc.

We appreciate your support!!! We need your donations by Dec. 4. We will use our Sunday School offering to help purchase items for the stockings.

Signs and Windows

2011-11-07T11:08:00.001-05:00

Which glass do you prefer to the new sanctuary windows? Samples of window glass is exhibited in the fellowship hall windows so that the congregation can see and evaluate them. Please take time to view the windows in daylight so that you can express your opinion on November 13..

New front lawn sign coming: A thank you goes to Joan McAllister and Lena Gallitano for their work with a company to design a sign and to the Property Ministry and Growth Committee for their input in deciding on the choice. The sign has now been ordered and is due for installation in January.

November Property workday has been cancelled.

Calling all artists

2011-11-07T11:03:00.000-05:00

To any, and all of you artistic beings in our congregation: The Art Wall (across from the Hoffmann and Bradow rooms) is available for photographs, paintings, fiber art, and/or anything you would be willing to hang. Artists of any age are welcome. If you're interested, or need coercing, please contact Linda Baker

Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service

2011-11-07T11:00:00.000-05:00

Wednesday Nov. 23, 7:30pm

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, corner of Clark and Brooks Avenues

Join with long-time friends from other neighborhood congregations as we express our thanks to God. Our choir will join with the others for a massed presentation that is always a delight.

Amazing Faith Dinner Dialogues

2011-11-07T10:57:00.000-05:00

Thursday, November 17, 6:30pm

Sponsored by the Triangle Interfaith Alliance

Held in neighborhood homes with a simple vegetarian meal followed by sharing of people’s faith perspectives by selecting different user friendly questions to speak to. To sign-up go to their web site and you will be assigned a home to visit for a wonderful evening with neighbors from all the major faith traditions.

Congregational Meeting November 20

2011-11-07T10:36:00.003-05:00

We call for a Congregational Meeting on Sunday November 20, after worship, to review the proposed budget and nominations report for 2012 and any other business suggested by the Church Council.

Copies of the proposed 2012 CUCC budget will be available on the 13th, for those who would like to study it in preparation for the congregational meeting.

CUCC Media Archive

2011-11-03T10:40:00.000-04:00

Since I had been requested to film Cy King's overview on Sunday of CUCC's history of social action, I also took the opportunity to archive some other colorful parts of the service, i.e. Robert Parrish's children's sermon (with it's Halloweenish theme) and the musical meditation provided by seven of our Congolese community singers. All of these have been added to our permanent media archive.

You might use this as motivation to explore the archive a bit and find some jewels. For example, this Sunday we will be honoring many of our deceased members, and I've been asked to "represent" Keith Petersen in the sun room of Pilgrim House. So at that location I'll be sharing Keith's reading of his own poems which are part of our permanent archive. This archive is available to the public via the media projects link on the front page of our website. The media projects are split into four parts:

There is considerable overlap between these groupings, and admittedly placement of items is somewhat arbitrary. For the items from Sunday, Cy's presentation is included in "Church and Community" as well as "Oral History", Robert's children's story is in "Telling Our Stories", and the Congolese singing is of course in "Music". I invite you to explore the archive and relive some of our people and events of the past few decades.

Cy King Speaks on the social action history of CUCC

2011-10-31T11:12:00.003-04:00

At 10:30 worship on Oct. 30, Cy King gave a presentation on the history of social action at Community UCC. This video (35 minutes) was made during that presentation. You can view a higher quality version of this video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/DPVeagVapWQ

Money Talks schedules second discussion

2011-10-17T08:55:00.000-04:00

We have scheduled a second discussion on "Money Talks" on Sunday, October 30 at 12:15pm in the Hoffman Room. The focus will be on changes we have made (or may consider making) in how we use our money. You may want to bring a bag lunch or snack. We hope that you will be able to join us.
- posted for Shirley Birt

A Gathering of Friends event

Adam's Apples -- Movie Night Selection for Oct. 28

2011-10-13T13:01:00.001-04:00

The Friday night foreign film series continues on Oct. 28 with the showing of "Adam's Apples", a Danish film from 2005. The contrast between this film and last month's "Of Gods and Men" could hardly be more striking. We move from a deeply sincere and poignant story about a monastery to a delightfully outrageous comic film noir which is an allegory on the Book of Job.

Now anyone with a touch of sanity is going to ask just how well the Book of Job lends itself to a comic rendition. And that question illustrates why this movie fits into no known genre of films. Usually when publicizing a film for this movie series, I include the summary of the movie given at the Netflix website. However, in the case of "Adam's Apples", I find that description so woefully inadequate that I'm omitting it. So all I can say is come to this film with an open mind and no preconceptions and be prepared to laugh. But you'll leave with a fresh interpretation of the Book of Job that is not only thought provoking but powerful.

October Forum: Environmental Sustainability

2011-10-10T12:27:00.000-04:00

Beginning October 16, Forum (Sundays, 9:15-10:15 am) will focus on environmental sustainability and related issues.

October 16 – "Green" presentation: "Qu'est que c’est? Does THIS Contribute to Sustainability of thePlanet?" Marty Lamb will present pictures taken this summer in Belgium, France and Spain of different objects and we’ll determine: Does the item contribute to sustainability of the planet? If so, how?

October 23 – Carl Sigel will be a guest speaker who will inform Forum of North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light initiatives.

October 30 – In the third session of Sunday morning forum sponsored by the Justice in a Changing Climate Committee, a panel will discuss ways we can contribute to sustainability of the planet through gardening. If you (a) have never gardened but would like to begin as you try to green your lifestyle (b) if you've wondered about those thriving vegetable plants we've had at our church and how they are being used or (c) if you've wondered about community gardening and what others in Raleigh are doing, THIS is the session for you! We'll have representatives from other community and church gardens as well as our own to share their experiences and what they think they are doing right. Whether you wish to become involved in the movement or just increase your knowledge base about what's going on, come join us to learn. "

A pilgrimage through CUCC Stories

2011-10-10T12:04:00.000-04:00

"With so many witnesses in a great cloud on every side of us..."*

Imagine a crowd cheering you on as you move toward your goal. How much easier it is to keep going when we aren't alone.

At CUCC, our building and grounds are spangled with tangible signs of CUCC-members past and present who incarnate love in action. Witty, curious, courageous, generous, creative, tenacious and very human. We can draw strength from our CUCC cloud of witnesses.

Learn their stories on All Saints Day,** November 6 after 10:30 worship. During Fellowship, take a self-guided tour of the building and grounds, discovering the signs and learning about the lives behind them. Just for fun, we'll have a scavenger hunt for clues. Because we want you to stay a bit longer this Sunday, we'll provide nutritious snacks to sustain you on your pilgrimage. A family-friendly event.

*Hebrews 12:1
** Yes, we know All Saints Day is actually November 1 and remembers those who have died, but we're being inclusive of the living!

CUCC hikes in Umstead Park November 13

2011-10-10T11:20:00.000-04:00

Work off your turkey dinner from Novemberfest! by joining others on one of three walks through Umstead Park on Sunday, November 13. McCray Harris has charted a stroll, a walk and a hike; we'll all begin at 1:00, then peel off as we choose the length that suits us.

Come spend a leisurely Fall afternoon walking/hiking the Inspiration Trail (an easy short 0.3 mile loop) and based on ability, continuing down to the Old Company Mill Site on Crabtree Creek [Option to return the way we came in for a short (2 miles) hike or the more adventurous may complete the Old Company Mill Trail loop (moderate 5.8 miles)]

Friends are welcome. Bring a bag lunch to eat at CUCC after worship before we head over to Umstead. Or, stop for a quick restaurant meal and meet us there.

- A Gathering of Friends event

There's a Spirit Coming Down

2011-10-10T08:21:00.000-04:00

The Sisters in Spirit (SIS) beach retreat explored this theme during a gorgeous weekend at the NC beach.

SIS has posted their schedule for the coming year; in general, they plan to meet on fifth Tuesdays.
November 29
January 31
March 29 (Thursday)
July 31
Sept. (tba beach retreat)
Oct. 30

- submitted for Marty Lamb

A Gathering of Friends group

Packing Church World Service Kits

2011-10-05T11:33:00.000-04:00

The emergency aid packages (Church World Service Kits) that folks contributed items for during the past few months were packed by the Wider Outreach Committee following worship on Sept. 11. See the photos of the packing here.

Neighbors in Need Offering is October 9

2011-10-04T11:47:00.000-04:00

Two-thirds of Neighbors in Need supports program initiatives and direct grants offered by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries. Small but essential grants are made throughout the year to congregations and organizations engaged in community organizing, public policy advocacy, and direct service. Although grants are made to address a wide range of justice priorities, a significant portion of these grants are made to address issues of hunger and poverty.

One-third of Neighbors in Need supports the work of the UCC's Council for American Indian Ministry, which is the voice for American Indians in the UCC. The Council for American Indian Ministry supports the work of local churches and their pastors; encourages youth and young adults; supports persons preparing for Christian ministry; empowers American Indians who are members of non-Indian congregations; and advocates for justice on issues affecting American Indian life. Historically, the NIN fund supports the forebears of the UCC established churches with the Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arickara, and Ho-Cak in North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Northern Nebraska. Today, there are 19 UCC congregations on reservations and one urban inter-tribal congregation in Minneapolis. In addition, there are more than 1,000 individuals from dozens of other tribes and nations scattered in nearly every conference in the UCC. Our contributions to Neighbors in Need directly impact the UCC's ability to support American Indian ministries and congregations.

The Just Peace Appeal is now part of Neighbors in Need. Through Neighbors in Need, the UCC remains strongly committed to ministries of peacemaking, violence reduction, conflict resolution, federal budget priorities, and global solidarity. With CUCC's long-standing commitment to the Just Peace Appeal, we are encouraged to continue our support for this vital ministry by strengthening our support for Neighbors in Need.

– submitted by Jo PerryNeighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the UCC directed to ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. NIN funds go to the Council for American Indian Ministry and the Justice and Witness Ministries to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. CUCC will collect its Neighbors in Need offering on October 9.

Informational tour of Hospice Oct. 10

2011-10-04T11:35:00.000-04:00

Retirees and their friends will meet (or go separately) in CUCC’s parking lot at 10:30 a.m. on October 10 to carpool to Hospice. Michael Blanchard and the staff of Hospice of Wake County will conduct a tour of the campus at 5930 Trinity Road. We will visit the new Palliative Care Center at 250 Hospice Circle. Bring a bag lunch – we’ll eat around 12N in a meeting room at Hospice. Drinks and dessert will be provided.
Programs are open to all members of the church and their friends. Retirees especially - don’t miss this program.

PARENTS!

2011-09-28T21:02:00.000-04:00

It DOES take a village to raise a child. Sometimes it helps for parents to get together to grow as a community, practice "goodness", trade notes, enhance skills. From time to time in the history of our church parents have sometimes formed such groups that they have found quite beneficial. Is now a time to wonder about forming such a group again among parents of kids at CUCC? Let's see. If you think you might be interested in meeting together ONCE to learn a little about the history of parents' groups here and hear of some models and possibilities, please call the church, 787-6422, and leave your name, contact information, and when would be good times for you to meet with others.

– submitted by Marty Lamb

Fall Planting and Clean-up Day

2011-09-28T20:59:00.001-04:00

October 15, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Families Invited, Lunch Provided!

Share your garden with CUCC!!

This workday will focus on the CUCC grounds with these objectives:

Add landscaping plants to improve the appearance of the Dixie Trail parking lot
Plant a fall/winter vegetable garden with the children and youth attending
Weed the children’s playground and the bank along Wade Avenue
Pick up branches and pine cones on all of the CUCC grounds

If you have plants to share from your garden, please divide them now and re-pot them so they will have time to form some roots and be ready for planting on October 15. Please let Lena know what you’ll be bringing. Can’t garden? Can you make phone calls or help with lunch? Just let Lena know how you’d like to be involved. SEE YOU OCTOBER 15.

Novemberfest! Save the Date & Reserve a Spot!

2011-09-28T20:31:00.000-04:00

This year, our Novemberfest! feast and celebration returns to a turkey dinner format. Contact the office to reserve your spot for dinner.

November 12, 6 p.m.

Turkey with all the fixings

A vegetarian option will be available.

Tell the office if you want child care.

This is a FUNDRAISER for the ministries of Community UCC. Open your wallets wide OR bring that check book so we can continue to

meet basic needs of those in the community,
advocate justice to public and private institutions,
share God's welcome and love with one another and with folks often shunned by society,
care for our staff who help us grow, worship, and work, and
care for the bit of creation which God has entrusted to us.

A Variety Show will follow the dinner.

If you have an act with which to entertain our audience, that would be wonderful! Please contact Śānti Matthews with variety acts. Stay tuned - details to follow!!!

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help with any and all aspects of Novemberfest!! Please contact Skip Stoddard or Fawn Pattison.

An Echo from the Past

2011-09-27T08:40:00.002-04:00

Today's Raleigh N&O includes an obit for Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist who became the first African woman to earn a Nobel Peace Prize, and the first East African woman to receive a Ph.D. The article reminded me of the occasion several years ago when a visitor at the CUCC forum identified himself as her ex-husband. He related that he had visited CUCC while a student in the U.S. in the 1960s, and that he had fond memories of CUCC and the people who had welcomed him then.

In order to verify my memory, I checked the bio for Wangari Maathai found at Wikipedia. It would appear that she and her husband had a very tortured relationship, but the facts there appear to verify my memory. So I'm posting this information so folks will be aware of a small connection between our church and a very remarkable African woman.

Zeitoun discussion begins Oct. 3

2011-09-26T14:43:00.000-04:00

Throughout October the Monday Lunch Group will begin discussing Dave Eggers' book "Zeitoun" under the leadership of Vandy Bradow. Betsy has copies of the book from the Wake libraries you may borrow. Sign out a book from the church library with your name and the book #. Vandy recommends you plan to complete the book by Oct. 10. See you at 12:15. Bring a bag lunch if you like.

A Gathering of Friends event

What's next for Open and Affirming?

2011-09-26T09:40:00.000-04:00

Join the conversation as we discern how we might continue to extend God's extravagant welcome to our LGBT sisters and brothers. Many ideas are on the table, including preparing for the May 8 vote on the constitutional amendment, a PFLAG safety-from-bullying initiative to LGBT students in Wake Schools, new banners for the sanctuary, and having a table at the Equality NC conference Nov. 12.

Imagining another world is possible

2011-09-26T09:28:00.000-04:00

Every fall, CUCC holds a special collection to support Neighbors in Need, the United Church of Christ's program to support ministries of justice and compassion in the United States. This year, we'll be dedicating our offerings on Sunday, October 9.
You can read more about Neighbors in Need at http://www.ucc.org/nin/ . Thanks for supporting this work which allows us to reach beyond our walls and our neighborhood to neighbors in our country.

Rev. Brenda Baker to preach this Sunday

2011-09-26T09:17:00.001-04:00

We welcome the Rev. Brenda Baker from our sister congregation, St. Paul's Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on October 2. She'll be preaching and celebrating communion on World Wide Communion Sunday at the 10:30am worship service.

Brenda Baker has lived and worked in North Carolina since 1975. She has her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and was a NC public school teacher, predominantly in Wake County, for 25 years. While teaching Brenda received her call to Ministry and attended Shaw University Divinity School to begin her studies. Upon retiring from teaching in 2007, she began her studies full-time at Andover Newton Theological School and graduated in May of 2010. Brenda is associated with the Alliance of Baptists and the Disciples of Christ and was ordained earlier this year. She is currently in the search and call process.

CROP Walk 2011

2011-09-23T15:44:00.000-04:00

The Raleigh CROP Walk 2011 is Sunday, October 30. Every year, CUCC and surrounding churches join forces to raise money to provide food for the hungry. The proceeds are used both locally and globally. The event begins and ends at the Marbles Kids Museum. Registration and fun festivities for the entire family begin at 1:00 and the walk kick-off is at 2:45. Event organizers are hoping to make this year’s event better than ever, offering kids’ activities prior to the walk. They are also encouraging walkers, young and old, to come wearing Halloween costumes. CUCC had fewer than ten walkers last year, so let’s set a goal of twenty walkers this year and make our presence known! Fund-raising materials will be available in the Narthex prior to the 10:30 service two Sundays in early October. For more information, see Amy Jensen or Mike Schafele, or check out the Crop Walk website at http://www.cropwalkraleigh.com/.

Readings for Wednesday Matins

2011-09-21T08:18:00.000-04:00

Bill asked me to post the readings for the Wednesday Matins. Here they are, Bill.

Sept. 21
Psalm 105:12-15
Micah 1:1-9
Matthew 9:27-34

Sept. 28
Psalm 135:3-7
Jonah 1:1-7a
Matthew 12:22-32

October 5
Psalm 25:6-10
Jeremiah 37:3-21
James 3:1-12

October 12
Psalm 62:6-9
Lamentations 2:8-15
II Corinthians 1:23-2:17

October 19
Psalm 96:7-10
Ezra 6:1-22
II Corinthians 7:2-16

Wish you could swap ideas with others about how we use our money?

2011-09-19T16:23:00.000-04:00

MONEY TALKS: Join us for a sharing of experiences, questions and issues about how we use our money on Sunday, October 2, in the Hoffman Room at 12:30. Bring a bagged lunch. Explore the relationship between our money and our values.

A Gathering of Friends and Economic Justice Task Force Event

CUCC friend the Rev. Dr. Ursula Schmitt-Pridik to preach Sep. 25

2011-09-19T16:02:00.000-04:00

What a joy to welcome "home" Ursula Schmitt-Pridik. Ursula was an intern at CUCC several years ago and we're always happy when she makes a visit to the US so we can renew our friendship with her. She is now a minister in our sister denomination in Germany. We look forward to her sermon this Sunday at 10:30 worship.

Want to carpool to Hunter's ordination?

2011-09-18T14:43:00.002-04:00

On October 9 at 3:30pm, our friend Hunter Thompson will be ordained at Samora Lebanon Christian Church where he has been serving as pastor. Hunter was "in care" at CUCC and we enjoyed having Pam, Oliver and Rachel as part of our church family. If you would like to carpool to the ordination service, contact the church office. The church is about 1 1/2 hours from CUCC.
Samora Lebanon Christian Church, 349 CUNNINGHAM RD , SEMORA NC 27343

Feeling Distressed?!

2011-09-18T14:00:00.000-04:00

Today in his sermon, Steve reminded us that God created us with biological mechanisms for responding to stressful situations. When the stressor is experienced first-hand, our biology kicks in so we can do the "fight or flight" thing, putting our stress response to good use. But when the stressor is second-hand (like watching news about 9/11, or the economy, or the legislative vote on the anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment) or stressors pile up, we have a tougher time channeling the stress in healthy ways. I tried to jot down his suggestions for stress-relief in my bulletin; I'm sure I missed a few.

exercise
deep breathing, connecting to the Breath of Life
reconnecting to the rhythms of your life
picking a mantra to remind yourself to let go of what is "not helpful", steering clear of unhelpful input
reading (fantasy literature or inspiration biographies, for example)
prayer

Add some of your own stress relievers here as a comment or on the Community United Church of Christ Facebook page.

- from Jane

"Why don't people have jobs? Is all the work done?"

2011-09-13T06:47:00.001-04:00

On Labor Day, Shirley Birt's Ministry Moment spoke of the challenges facing working people. Then, on behalf of the Economic Justice Task Force, she encouraged the congregation to engage "in the issues in whatever way works for you" by staying informed and joining forces with excellent groups working for solutions.

You can read Shirley's Labor Day Ministry Moment and consider specific actions you might take.

Supporting our LGBT friends and family in these painful times

2011-09-13T06:15:00.000-04:00

Preparing Signs for NC Pride: On Sunday September 18 you are invited to bring your ideas and/or artistic skills to the Vaughan Fellowship Hall to make signs for the Pride March September 24.
Being a sign of love and acceptance - come to NC Pride: Since many of our youth will be involved in the Cycle for Hope event, it is even more important that our CUCC members come to participate in the September 24 event, which runs around 11 am to 5 pm. It is on the Duke East Campus, off Swift Avenue in Durham. We will need help staffing the table (in the shade) and talking with visitors who want to know more about UCC. We will need WALKERS to walk the parade route (about 1.5 miles) We will need people to help set up in the morning and take stuff down in the late afternoon. Please come and be a part of this event. The LGBT community desperately needs to hear that churches exist who are loving, accepting, embracing. Especially now.

Want to CYCLE FOR HOPE?

2011-09-12T17:03:00.000-04:00

Saturday, September 24, 2011

A fundraising event for The Hope Center

(Helping people overcome the many barriers associated with homelessness and make a

new start in their lives.)

Join the CUCC Youth Group and friends as we participate in the Cycle for Hope.

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., but the 12 mile ride can register by 9:00 a.m.
Enjoy a 12-mile greenway tour through NCSU and past Lake Raleigh; starts at 9:30 a.m.
Embark on a 40-mile tour that includes a stop at beautiful Lake Wheeler Park; starts at 9:00 a.m.
After your ride enjoy refreshments and live music.

Both rides begin at The Hope Center, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, 1801 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. Registration is $35 per rider. Register online ASAP at The Hope Center Web site: www.hopecenteratpullen.org

IF THE REGISTRATION FEE IS A BURDEN, CUCC’s YOUTH BUDGET CAN HELP YOU TO REGISTER!

CUCC adults will be accompanying CUCC youth. If you need help getting yourself and/or your bike to Pullen, or if you need help with the registration fee, please let Santi know: forsanti@aol.com or 961-8814.

A Gathering of Friends event

(We realize this conflicts with the NC Pride Parade (In future years these two events will not conflict!)

Why matins?

2011-09-09T10:33:00.000-04:00

[from Jane as Jane, not with my CUCC hat on] When I was a teenager, I began going to the Episcopal mass with my neighbor. She and I played guitar in a tiny 18th century sanctuary which smelled of old wood and incense, light filtering through stained glass windows. That was my introduction to the richness of “high church” liturgy. Over the years, I continued to delight in the liturgies of the Roman Catholic and Lutheran traditions and, as much as I love CUCC, I find I miss those rhythms of worship. Gary and I participated in Matins at Grace Lutheran Church when we first moved to Raleigh. That brief service and time for coffee and chatting, repeated each week with roughly the same small group of people, was an important part of keeping us energized for the hard work of doing justice. The CUCC Deacons have graciously said “yes” to our request to try it for six Wednesdays at CUCC.

What is matins? Matins is the early morning prayer service in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox liturgies of the canonical hours. Around the world, Christians begin their day with roughly this format: greeting, song, scripture of the day, prayers of the community, Lord’s prayer, benediction. Whether you enjoy formal liturgy, are curious, or simply want to start your weekday with prayer and friendship, consider Wednesday Matins, 7-7:45 am.

We’ll be adapting the matins from a new book, Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, which was written by participants in the “new monastic” communities: Shane Claiborne (Simple Way, Philadelphia), Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove (Rutba House, Durham), and Enuma Okoro (Duke University).

Where: Bradow room (the room with the comfy furniture
When: Wednesdays, 7-7:45 am (Sep. 14 to Oct. 19)
I hadn’t planned for childcare, assuming those with children will be busy with school routines. Let me know if you’d like to come but need childcare and I’ll see what I can arrange.
Friends are welcome!

A Gathering of Friends events

Newcomers' Supper, Friday, Sep. 16

2011-09-06T17:32:00.000-04:00

You are invited to the Newcomers’ Supper on Friday, September 16, 2011.

Appetizers at 6:00 PM; Dinner served at 6:30 PM

Unwind after a busy week, ask questions about Community United Church of Christ, and enjoy meeting new people! Please bring an appetite and curiosity.

RSVP to CUCC office by Monday, September 12: 787-6422 or office@communityucc.org

Please tell us if you need childcare (ages) and if you have any dietary restrictions.

Mike Schafale to speak, Mon., Sep. 12, 10:30am

2011-09-06T17:24:00.001-04:00

Retirees and their friends will meet in the fellowship hall to hear Michael Schafale, a member of CUCC, and the author of the recently published book, Wild North Carolina, will discuss the creative process in writing the book. He is the Community Ecologist for the NC Natural Heritage Program. Bring a bag lunch to eat around 12 noon. Drinks and dessert are provided. You need not be retired to attend and friends are welcome.

A Gathering of Friends event

Explore foods from around the world

2011-09-06T08:33:00.000-04:00

Ethnic foods potluck, Saturday, Sept. 17, 5:30pm

Our second dinner group potluck - open to anyone

Bring a dish to share & the recipe

We'll gather in the fellowship hall at 5:30 pm to set our tables, then enjoy a friendly meal together, cleaning up together before we head home. This is the second in our series of potluck dinners for those who enjoy good food and conversation. Friends are very welcome!

A Gathering of Friends event

"Of Gods and Men" is feature on Sept. 23 Movie Night

2011-08-30T14:44:00.001-04:00

The foreign film series restarts on Sept. 23 with the acclaimed 2010 French film "Of Gods and Men." Many regular attendees for the movie series are active in Monday Lunch Group, so I generally consult with Monday Lunch Group when scheduling a film. This film receives rave reviews from those in Monday Lunch Group who have seen it.

As usual, the film will begin at 7:30 in the Fellowship Hall, and refreshments will be available during the movie. Feel free to bring a friend, and please arrive on time so that the feature (just over 2 hours) can begin promptly at 7:30. This will allow us to have a little discussion afterwards and to be out by 10 PM. Following is the description of this film found at Netflix ...

Awarded Grand Prix honors at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, this compelling historical drama relates the ordeal of seven French Trappist monks in the mountains of Algeria who are taken captive by Islamic fundamentalists. Before the monks' abduction, they have ample reason to believe they may be in danger, but their assumption that there can and must be common ground between Islam and Christianity leads them to remain at the monastery.

"Once Upon a Mattress" CUCC Night, Oct. 1

2011-08-29T13:10:00.001-04:00

Our Appalachia Service Project team invites you to join us as we support our teammate, Mark Taranto, who is performing in this Cary Players production. We'll meet at the Cary Arts Center at 7:15 to distribute the tickets; you can pay Jane then.

If you'd like Jane Smith to order your tickets (and possibly get the group discount rate of $15), email or call her BEFORE SEP. 10. I need to know how many tickets you need from each category: adults ($18), seniors - 55+ ($16), or student ($16), (price if we can't get the group rate). By ordering a ticket you are committing to paying for it whether or not you can attend.

This is a family friendly play. Here's the description from the Cary Players.
"Be a part of history when Cary Players produces the very first musical to hit the stage of the brand new Cary Arts Center in downtown Cary! This 399-seat state-of-the-art theatre will quickly become Cary's hottest cultural gathering place, and you can be there at our first production - the beloved musical Once Upon A Mattress! Think you know the story of "The Princess and The Pea?" You may be in for a surprise! Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, this rollicking spin on royal courtship provides some side-splitting shenanigans. You'll never look at fairy tales the same way again!"

A Gathering of Friends Event

Children & Youth Church School

2011-08-29T12:08:00.001-04:00

The fall church school season began with a splash last Sunday at the annual pool party (thanks, Burkhardt family). Here is what is in store for the fall:

On Welcoming Sunday, September 11, all ages at CUCC worship together, beginning in the sanctuary, but moving quickly outside to worship through games, service, music, creativity, 9/11 reflections, and an NC foods potluck.

From "Miss Anne Bailey" (children):
"This fall we will study Moses in depth. I am very excited about this study for both of our classes. In September we will also tally our offering collected for the MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION and select our next charity."

The children will continue to harvest the "Plant a Row for the Hungry" (over 200 pounds harvested so far). Parents, find your pre-K and first graders in the Children's Library and your second through fifth graders in the long classroom next to the kitchen.

From Santi (youth):
"Church School (Christian Education classes for 6th-12th graders) meets every Sunday except the first Sunday of the month. The first Sunday of every month is reserved for families to share communion worship together."

"Youth Group meets twice a month for lunch and activities after church. We’ll also periodically have Youth Group service projects, lock-ins, fun nights, and additional time for planning special events such as the Novemberfest/Talent Show and the Lenten Youth-Led Worship in the spring. Please be sure to check your emails regularly."Youth church school and Youth Group meet in Pilgrim House. All youth and teachers will be going to the Fellowship Hall after church school to meet parents, unless there is youth group after which will be held in the youth room.

Youth Group Plans for September

Sunday, September 4: Join your parents in worship.
Sunday, September 11: Welcoming Sunday with potluck and pick-up soccer game after.
Sunday, September 18: Technology Forum led by CUCC youth. Followed by worship and then the first day of fall Church School.
Saturday, September 24: 1st Annual Cycle for Hope a 12-mile greenway tour; proceeds benefit the Hope Center which aids the homeless in job readiness. Great for our youth and adults who love to cycle.

Sunday, September 25: CUCC Youth visit Binkley Church in Chapel Hill for worship and lunch.

Adult Forum - September & October schedule

2011-08-26T09:34:00.003-04:00

The Forum resumes Sundays at 9:15-10:15 in the Vaughan fellowship hall beginning the week AFTER Labor Day weekend. This Fall, the Forum will focus on a series of topics for multiple weeks; the first three topics address the use of social media, the school system, and environmental sustainability. Each topic is coordinated by a different Ministry.

September 11 – “Sharing the CUCC Message"
Have you noticed? Print media is being used less and less by both young and old. Telephone calls? Almost a thing of the past. Email? Not as effective as it used to be. Given the move to electronic communications such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs, YouTube and others, how can CUCC effectively spread our message and be relevant to our congregation and the wider Raleigh community?

Join us at Forum to hear the ups, down, ins and outs of communicating electronically. What works best? How much time does it take? How can I learn to become tech savvy and use these electronic tools?

September 18 – “Technology Forum”
This “ask the experts” Forum will provide a hands-on learning opportunity for those less experienced in the use of electronic media. Two of our CUCC Youth, Jackson Kiel and Carson Roach-Howell, will show us exactly how we can post information pertaining to CUCC activities such as social justice, economic justice, justice in a changing climate and our other ministry projects. CUCC has many, many activities yet we often fail to “let your good deeds glow for all to see” as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:14-16. Isn’t it time for all of our good deeds to shine for others to see both inside and outside CUCC? Social media is one way to do just that and Carson and Jackson are going to help us move in that direction.

In preparation for our voting in the October 11 election for five seats on the School Board, we will begin a 3-session discussion on the status of Wake County Schools.

September 25 – “What does 'Back to School' mean for Wake County?"
Neil Riemann will provide an update on the assignment policy controversy, a review of the first six months of the tenure of Superintendent Tony Tata, and the effect of state and county budget cuts.

October 2 – "Improving Student Achievement"
Marvin Pittman, Education Consultant and retired DPI Director of the Division of School Improvement.

October 9 - Review of previous two sessions nd open discussion of the topic.

Beginning October 16, Forum will focus on environmental sustainability and related issues.
October 16 – "Green" presentation: "Qu'est-ce que c'est? Does THIS Contribute to Sustainability of the Planet?" Marty Lamb will present pictures taken in Belgium, France and Spain this summer, of different objects and we'll determine does the item contribute to sustainability of the planet? If so, how?

Trans: a movie preview

2011-08-22T14:12:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Joan for forwarding to me a link to an upcoming movie, "Trans." It looks to be a powerful documentary which provides additional information about life for many trans people.

Joan's link is to a Facebook page, but since not all of you are on Facebook, you might want to look at the trailer from the web site of the documentary company. Just type Trans into the search box on the site. The documentary is listed as Trans (formerly Finding New Hope)

Welcoming Sunday, September 11, 10:30am worship

2011-08-22T13:27:00.001-04:00

A service of worship celebrating the gifts of our life here in North Carolina. After starting in the sanctuary for the invocation and a 9/11 remembrance, we'll continue worship outside in NC fashion.
Games: horseshoes, basketball, puzzles, checkers, & more
Service: packing the hygiene bag items we've been collecting for Church World Service
Creativity: making prayer sticks
Music: music by John R, by Marty & Jane, and more + a playlist of NC music
Food: NC foods potluck
Remembering: 9/11 remembrance board
Exercise: pick up soccer game after worship concludes with the potluck

Bring a friend!

Bring a dish which includes a local ingredient.

Workday at CUCC this Saturday

2011-08-22T13:06:00.000-04:00

Come for an hour or all morning this Saturday, August 27, to get CUCC ready for Welcoming Sunday. Come prepared for window washing, cobweb cleaning, fellowship and a nice sense of accomplishment. Bring gloves, rags and cleaning supplies.

Sign Painting Party

2011-08-16T10:50:00.001-04:00

Noon, Sept. 18

Fellowship Hall

Wield a marker and scissors for justice as we make signs to carry in the NC Gay Pride Parade. Artistic skills not required! Young artists welcome with a parent.

A Gathering of Friends event

Sign up to attend NC Pride with the CUCC delegation

2011-08-16T10:40:00.001-04:00

The 27th Annual NC Gay Pride Festival is on Saturday, September 24, on the East Campus of Duke University. Our church will have an official supportive presence there by having an information table and marchers in the Pride Parade. Your involvement and support are needed. We need people to staff the table and to answer questions; people to walk in the parade, carrying signs and the CUCC banner; and people who will express our church’s warm welcome to potential visitors. Please sign up with contact information! Sign up sheets are in the hallway on the Open and Affirming bulletin board as well as on the Gathering of Friends bulletin board in the Vaughan Fellowship hall. We will be in touch regarding carpooling and directions.

Sign up for SIS beach retreat

2011-08-16T08:56:00.000-04:00

Women of CUCC, you are invited to the annual Sisters in Spirit (SIS) beach retreat Friday, October 7th - Sunday the 9th. We gather at the Lamb's Topsail Island home for a weekend of friendship, fun, and spiritual growth. This year's theme is "There's a Spirit Coming Down...." Please contact Marty Lamb ASAP if you plan on attending and/or for more information.
Marty says, "'May we choreograph the rhythms and rituals of our lives to ensure greater structure, stability and contentment."

Pool party and Supper

2011-08-05T22:02:00.004-04:00

Sunday, August 28,
4:30 - 7:30 pm
Lake Park Swim Club
6333 Lakeland Drive, Raleigh
The event is open to all ages...so come one, come all. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and vegetarian options will be provided. We just ask that you folks bring a side or dessert to share. Swimming is optional...fun and fellowship are mandatory. RSVP to Heather Burkhardt

Anglican 4th Day weekend opportunity

2011-08-05T12:21:00.002-04:00

An Appalachia Service Project friend of mine, Mike Harris, is part of the leadership team for the new Anglican 4th Day and he has extended an invitation to any CUCCer who'd like to participate in a Cursillo-like weekend. Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 7:00pm at Camp Agape in Fuquay-Varina.

Anglican 4th Day is the new expression of a movement which uses the retreat/ongoing group model of Cursillo. [You might have heard of Tres Dias, Walk to Emmaus, and Sunrise - similar experiences - or of the folk song or bumper sticker, Des Colores, a Cursillo standby.] Most Cursillo-type groups are denominationally based, but the Anglicans have chosen to be ecumenical.

I have never been on Cursillo, but several friends of mine from Grace Lutheran were deeply enriched by their participation in the weekend and the follow-up groups of fellowship, support, and action called Ultreya. The weekend is "an experience of the Christian Community, but is also a time of instruction in the basics of our faith." The Cursillo model origniated in the 1940's, so you'll find language and images from that time (and more common now in some denominations than in the UCC). But one of the things that impressed me most in talking to my friends was that while the talk topics are the same each time, the lay person presenting makes the content her or his own; folks spend hours and hours in study and prepartion using great creativity. The second thing that impressed me about this movement is the way the Ultreyas sustain the energy of the weekend "high," becoming the ongoing-energy for transformational justice work (starting a clinic for low income people, housing homeless people in a church).

Here's a description of the weekend from their brochure:
It teaches what is fundamental to living a Christian life. The Anglican 4th Day weekend begins on a Thursday evening and ends on the following Sunday evening. During the three days, candidates listen to 15 talks, five each day, given by laymen and clergy.

There is also daily Eucharist and Prayer.

The laymen and clergy who comprise the “team” spend weeks working together preparing their talks. It takes careful planning because the time is short and the subject is extensive.

You may be wondering what the talks are about. To give you an idea, they will cover such subjects as Ideals, Grace, the Church, Piety, Study, Sacraments, Action, Obstacles to Grace, Leaders, Environment and Christianity in Action. Each talk is followed by a discussion period in small groups.

An Anglican weekend is not a retreat. There is no fasting, no long periods of silence and very little solitude.

If you'd like to learn more, let me know and I'll email you the brochure from Mike. Or, go to their Facebook page Anglican 4th Day Raleigh Ultreya. And Mike has said that you can go to an Ultreya gathering before you go on the weekend; they meet monthly, either the 2nd or 3rd Friday. The next one is Friday, August 12, 2011 at 6:30pm at Church of the Holy Cross, Raleigh.

- posted by Jane to spread the word for my friend, Mike

What is A Gathering of Friends?

2011-08-03T11:19:00.000-04:00

Jesus said, "You are my friends." Not disciples or acquaintances or committee members. Friends.

Friends take care of each other, laugh until they cry together, trust each other enough to disagree, bring out the best in each other. When you find yourself following God into difficult places- maybe singing in jail (Paul & Silas) - you need your friend at your side. When you feel called to do the impossible - perhaps open the church to the rejected (Peter to the Council in Jerusalem) - you need to know and trust those to whom you bring the scary new idea.

For the church to be the church, we grow into friends.
This fall make a new CUCC friend. Watch for a wide array of opportunities to get to know one another: some new, some ongoing. Movie night, potlucks, trip to a play, Wednesday morning prayer, book discussion, pool party, hiking & more. Sign up on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall so the host knows you are coming or to reserve a spot if there is limited space. Better yet, post an event yourself by inviting others to join you when you are doing something you enjoy. Going to a lecture, a concert, a new restaurant? Post it and contact Jane to help you get word out.

Spend some time together. Talk. Laugh. Debate. Eat. Make a friend.

Sign up for "Emily Alone" book discussion

2011-08-03T09:59:00.000-04:00

Sign up on the Gathering of Friends bulletin board in the fellowship hall (Jane's house holds 15)

Discussion evening: Aug. 24, Wed., 6:00pm, Smith's home
Eat before you come or bring a brown-bag supper.

"I was intrigued when I heard an NPR recommendation for summer reading. Emily sounds like a character worth knowing, somone who is living her life fully, but figuring out how to negotiate changes which come with age. Since some of us are interested in talking about our own aging or our aging parents, I thought others might enjoy the novel, too. I hope the early start time will allow us to finish so folks don't have to drive home in the dark. Do feel free to bring your supper; I'll be eating mine, too!" - Jane Smith

This A Gathering of Friends event was sparked by conversation at the June congregational meeting. Many of us love reading books and talking about them. Others of us are noticing that we are entering the "older generation" or have parents for whom we have new caring responsibilities.

If you are reading a book that you think others might enjoy, set a date for discussion and post a note on the A Gathering of Friends bulletin board. Drop Jane a note and we'll help get the word out.

A Gathering of Friends event

Wednesday Matins

2011-08-03T09:45:00.001-04:00

Start your day with a time of prayer and friendship. Using the liturgy for the day from the newly-published Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, we'll pray and read the scrptures of the day, then share a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on our week. 45 minutes max, then you are off to work!

6 Wednesdays, 7-7:45am, Bradow Room
Sept. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19

A Gathering of Friends event

Enjoy getting together for great food and conversation?

2011-08-03T09:35:00.000-04:00

"What can I eat to keep myself healthy if I am pre-diabetic?" Our own Diana Koenning will be on hand to answer your questions at this first Healthy Eating Potluck. Diana is a dietician with WakeMed (MPH, RD, LDN). [The theme was suggested by someone at the June congregational meeting.]

Bring a low-carb, low-refined sugar dish and the recipe.

Saturday, August 20
Gather at 4:30pm to set up tables & chairs
Fellowship Hall
People of all ages are welcome; no childcare will be provided.
Friends are welcome

Potluck series
This is the first in a series of themed potlucks that we'll be having this fall, responding to a request at the June congregational meeting that we have more opportunities to get to know each other as we enjoy good food. The potlucks will be hosted by everyone who shows up. Together we'll set up & clean up. And each time we'll pick a theme and set a date for the next potluck. So bring your ideas, too. Will our next event feature ethnic foods? Foods from NC? Childhood favorites made healthy? Vegetarian recipes?

A Gathering of Friends event

ASP Adults-only trips planned for fall

2011-07-11T05:38:00.000-04:00

Adults, would you enjoy doing home repair in the mountains this fall? Our friends Bill and Rosemary Pate are planning their adults-only fall trips with Appalachia Service Project. They will be having an organization and training meeting on Saturday, August 27 from 11 am to 2 pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cary. Lunch will be provided. Call the CUCC office to get the Pate's contact information to RSVP for lunch.

From the Pates: "The first trip is a long weekend October 6-9 traveling to The ASP Guyan Valley Center in Brenton, West Virginia. We will travel on Thursday, work on Friday and Saturday and travel home Sunday. The cost of the trip is $145 per volunteer .
The second trip will be a week long stay November 6-12 at The Appalachia Service Project Center , Jonesville, VA. We travel on Sunday, work 5 days then return home on Saturday. The cost is $ 300 per volunteer.
If you have volunteered with ASP in the past you know what a good feeling it is to help improve living conditions for needy families. You also know that there is work for every level of abilities. The only real requirement is a servant's heart. We would love to speak with anyone who needs more information about the program. There is also a lot of information and several videos available at the Appalachia Service Project's website : asphome.org"

The Pates maintain a scholarship account to defray costs as needed so don't let the money prevent you from going.

Volunteer opportunity for daylight drivers & families alike

2011-07-06T07:17:00.000-04:00

Equality NC has been collecting postcards signed by North Carolinians to tell their legislators that they oppose a constitutional amendment which restricts the rights of LGBT North Carolinians. Now the 1000's of cards need to be sorted by legislator. This is where CUCC comes in.

Come to the CUCC fellowship hall this Monday evening (July 11), anytime between 6-9pm to lend your hand in sorting. We'll be joined by Equality NC volunteers from all over the state. Expect laughter, snacks, and a chance to meet interesting people. Bring a friend. If you can read a name, alphabetize, and walk/roll, you have the skills needed. A great volunteer opportunity for folks who don't like to drive in the dark or for families with older children & youth; work for a while, then head home.

For more details, see the Equality NC events page.

Framing the Issue

2011-06-30T14:25:00.000-04:00

I have to quibble with the way that the post below frames the issue between Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA and the YMCA of the Triangle. The account below suggests that to join the larger organization, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro group would be required to stop welcoming LBGT persons as staff and members.

First off, I'm skeptical that the YMCA of the Triangle has a policy of discrimination against anybody. But I'm even more skeptical that they have "welcoming police" who would forcably prevent the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA from welcoming anyone they choose.

What's seems to be at issue is that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro group wishes the Triangle group to modifiy it's anti-discrimination statement. And I certainly think it would be a fine thing if that were to happen. But this transfers the emphasis to the question of whether the smaller group can persuade the larger group to sign on to the same LGBT anti-discrimination oath that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro group has previously adopted. And phrasing it that way is not nearly as dramatic as it is to suggest that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro group would be forced to discrimate if this move were not made.

Perhaps I'm missing the point and this issue really has something to do with staff and employee benefits for partners of LGBT persons. If so, it would be a good idea to make this clear.

YMCA - a note from Jane

2011-06-29T09:14:00.000-04:00

[I'm writing as me here, not as the blog voice of CUCC.]
You might have read in today's News and Observer that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA is considering joining the YMCA of the Triangle, but will do so only on condition that they be allowed to continue welcoming LGBT persons as staff and members.
If you are a member of the YMCA of the Triangle, prayerfully consider writing to the Board of Directors in support of this request. Urge them to make this the policy of the entire YMCA of the Triangle. I have experienced the Y staff as deeply faithful people, so I hope you'll write in love and with respect for the Spirit at work in their lives. Address: Board of Directors, YMCA of the Triangle, 801 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27607-5073. Tell your story. Tell how your faith (and scripture) informs your welcome to LGBT people. Pray for the Board. Thanks, all.

Easy electronics recycling

2011-06-27T08:41:00.000-04:00

Did you know you can no longer throw electronics in your trash can?
Today's News and Observer (D1) article "Turning trash into treasure" by Eden Stiffman describes the law which goes into effect today.

NEW offer from Jane (me): I'll recycle your electronics (computers, cellphones, small televisions, cords & cables, printers, scanners, fax machines, telephones, radios). Call/email me to let me know what you have so I can decide if your item is too big for me to handle. About every 3 months I'll take a load of reusable computer components to Second Chance Computer Foundation and other electronics to Wake electronics recycling (along with florescents and batteries). When I'm ready to take a load, I will call or email you back to let you know to bring them to church to load in my car the Sunday preceding. We don't have room to store them at our home, so you'll need to hold them until I'm ready to make a run.

Here's an update on what you can recycle through CUCC.

Plastic, screw top lids - put them in the container on the shelf in the fellowship hall and Jeanne Ledbetter will take them to a recycling location.

Florescent bulbs (both long and curly) - hand unbroken bulbs to Jane or Gary Smith any Sunday morning. DO NOT put these on the shelf in the fellowship hall. That is dangerous.

Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, and the tiny ones for your watch, game or hearing aid) - hand unleaky ones to Jane Smith any Sunday morning

If any of the rest of you are willing to take on a particular recycling effort, let me know and I'll add it to our list.

The sound accompanying a watermelon seed soaring to victory?

2011-06-20T12:38:00.001-04:00

P2e, of course!

Plan to linger after worship on July 3 for our annual watermelon seed spitting contest. Prizes are offered for distance in different ability groups*. So get busy practicing your technique.

* "Ability groups?" you ask. "I thought we used to compete by age and gender?"
Great question. We've learned from our transgender friends that sorting by gender is tricky for some folks. So, we thought we'd try sorting a new way. You decide your ability. Two prizes will be offered in each category.

Jimmy Creech to preach June 26, 10:30 am service

2011-06-20T12:24:00.000-04:00

We are happy to welcome CUCC friend Jimmy Creech to the pulpit this Sunday. Then we'll have an opportunity to catch up with him during Fellowship. We've insisted he allow us to have copies of his new memoir Adam's Gift for sale to those who'd like one and Jimmy has graciously offered to sign them.

Many of us met Jimmy when he was pastor of our neighbor church, Fairmont United Methodist. Over time we worked together on peace, justice, and civil rights (including gay rights) initiatives.

If you've never met Jimmy, you can read about him in a recent article in The Independent. Jimmy is one of those preachers who challenges us, grounding us in the Gospel of God's love.

Pizza and a Movie at 6:00 on June 24th.

2011-06-05T21:31:00.001-04:00

Mark your calendar--Pizza and a Movie at 6:00 on June 24th. Pajamas and blankets welcome!

Feature Presentation will be "Hoot" rated PG

When the new kid in town discovers that a local population of burrowing owls are about to have their home destroyed he makes new friends to take on the town and save the endangered owls.

Here's the IMDB description.

Summer Study: "The Art of Letting Go."

2011-06-05T21:11:00.000-04:00

Through the summer participants will be listening to these CD's by Richard Rohr followed by discussion of what's been heard. All are invited. Bradow Room, 9:15-10:15am

Description from the publisher of "The Art of Letting Go: Living the Wisdom of St. Francis":

We often think of saints as rare individuals whose gifts far exceed our own, and the beloved St. Francis is no exception. But for Fr. Richard Rohr, a prolific author and renowned speaker, the life and teachings of this beloved figure offer an authentic spirituality we can all embody.

On The Art of Letting Go, Fr. Rohr gives us a six-session learning course that explores: the surprising richness we discover through simplifying our lives (without taking a vow of poverty); liberation from our self-limiting biases and certitudes; contemplation and action, two key steps toward communing more deeply with the Divine; and more.

Easy ways to support Global Ministries (UCC and Christian Church-Disciples)

2011-05-31T14:48:00.000-04:00

I received this email from Global Ministries and was intrigued by the unusual ways we can support them. See if any work for you!

"Chances are, if you’ve had the opportunity to travel and meet people of other cultures, you’ve probably seen some incredibly innovative and unconventional ways of doing things. Well -- Global Ministries has taken their lead and has initiated someUnconventional and Innovative Giving/Fundraising Ideas.

…and YOU are invited to participate!

Do you have a vehicle to donate?

Do you sell or buy on Ebay?

Do you seek out opportunities to recycle or “upcycle?”

Are you looking for some new music?

Do you search or buy on the internet?

Do you use Facebook and have a birthday?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you can help!

Check out these opportunities and more by visiting: http://globalministries.org/give/unconventional-giving.html or contact Sarah Riester at sriester@dom.disciples.org or 317-713-2564."

What we'll be discussing at Congregational Meeting - June 5

2011-05-30T09:11:00.001-04:00

Community UCC will hold their spring/summer congregational meeting at noon on June 5 in the Fellowship Hall. Anyone is invited to attend and participate in the discussions, but, if something comes up for a vote, only members may vote.

So far, here is what is on the list for mutual consultation.
- an update on the renovations being done to RICH Park Housing, a low-income housing apartment community which CUCC owns and operates with four other congregations
- a brainstorming session about knitting our congregation together with friendships, led by Welcoming, Fellowship & Growth Ministry
- a call to ministry using our CUCC computer lab
- assorted quick announcements

Cosmic Walk Ritual - Tuesday, May 24, 7pm

2011-05-23T16:49:00.001-04:00

The next Earth Sabbath Celebration is Tuesday, May 24, at 7 -8:30pm at Community UCC in Raleigh. The program will consist of doing a Cosmic Walk Ritual together. It was created by Sr. Miriam MacGillis of Genesis Farm inspired by the teachings of Thomas Berry. It is a way of bringing our knowledge of the 13.75 billion year Universe process from our heads to our hearts. Spread the word, bring a friend and get ready for a wonderful experience !
Earth Sabbath Celebrations are held every 4th Tuesday, 7-8:30pm. They are a joint project of NC Interfaith Power+Light and Community United Church of Christ. All are welcome (including children who are interested in sitting quietly for prolonged periods while praying/meditating).

Congregational Meeting June 5

2011-05-16T09:22:00.001-04:00

This is to announce two weeks in advance that we will be holding a congregational meeting on June 5 after 10:30 worship.

Anyone who has any business to bring before the next congregational meeting, please let Peg Hulslander know prior to May 22nd. The Hulslanders are still staying with Marge, so contact her there in the evening.
Thank you.

- posted for the Council

Everything Under the Son - joys shared

2011-05-15T17:26:00.001-04:00

A crowd enjoyed our "day at the beach" on Sunday, May 15, as we celebrated ministries within and beyond CUCC. If you offered your talents to a ministry, expect some contact in the next month. Meantime, look for yourself in one of these photos. [Sorry so many are blurry - you were a crowd in motion!]

Robert's Easter Sunrise sermon available

2011-05-09T18:38:00.000-04:00

For those of you who missed the opportunity to hear Rev. Robert Parrish preach at the Community Sunrise worship on Easter morning, you can read the text of his sermon, Signs in the Midst of Doubt.

Monday Lunch Group Celebrates Sally Cook's 80th Birthday

2011-05-09T17:23:00.001-04:00

An energetic celebration of Sally Cook's 80th birthday took place in the fellowship hall on Monday, May 9. The theme of the party was "elementary school" in celebration of Sally's many years as an elementary school teacher.

Photos by Lavon Page and Bill Lamb are available at Picasaweb.

http://picasaweb.google.com/CUCC.Photos/SallyCook80thBirthdayParty#