CUCC Weekly eNews

Church Office Closed January 1, 2014 Forum – December 29 Loaves and Fishes Chili Sale After Christmas Wish List Pledges “Epiphany/Babies We Love of 2013” Finger-foods Potluck Tai Chi Special Documentary Showing Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act CONGREGATIONAL MEETING   Church Office Closed – January 1 The Church Office will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, in celebration of the New Year.  Happy New Year and may all you have a blessed new year. Forum December 29 December 29 – Hunger in American - A Place at the Table - One Nation, Underfed.  (Part 2) 50 million Americans don't know where their next meal is coming from.  This documentary tells the powerful story of three Americans who maintain their dignity even as they struggle just to eat. It may change forever how we think about the hungry. Loaves and Fishes Chili Sale It is time to place your orders for meat and veggie chili in freezer containers.  We have increased the price of our chili for the first time in seven (7) ye

The YouTube video below comes recommended to me by a dear high school classmate of 50+ years ago who now is a Lutheran living in Raleigh. It's a delightful account of the Christmas narrative from a fresh perspective and with a distinctly New Zealand accent. Enjoy! Lavon Page

The next Congregational Meeting will be  Sunday, January 12, Noon , in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall.    We will approve the 2014 budget and welcome our new and returning officers and committee/ministry members.    Please plan to attend.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Forum – December 29 Menu of Compassionate Gifts Loaves and Fishes Chili Sale Moral Monday Gathering December 23 Prayerful Tuesdays After Christmas Wish List Pledges Church Office Closed “Epiphany/Babies We Love of 2013” Finger-foods Potluck Christmas Day 2013 at Central Prison and dinner at the Catholic Worker House Christmas Cantata and Children’s Christmas Pageant Online Willie Foggie to Retire Tai Chi Christmas Fund Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Christmas Eve Worship Service Join us for our Christmas Eve Service on Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 5:00pm, followed by a brief fellowship with hot cider.   Forums December 29 December 29 – Hunger in American - A Place at the Table - One Nation, Underfed.  (Part 2) 50 million Americans don't know where their next meal is coming from.  This documentary tells the powerful story of three Americans who maintain their dignity even as they struggle just to eat. It may change forever how

The recording of  this year's Christmas Cantata , "God's Son is Born, A Christmas Cantata", published by Peggy Hoffmann in 1964 is now available in the CUCC Archive. The performance was by the CUCC choir on Dec. 15, 2013. Cantata (CUCC Archive)

Every Epiphany Sunday , CUCC celebrates "our" babies born the previous year. So whether the new baby is in your home or you are a loving grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, etc., we want to celebrate your baby's birth. Tell Jane Smith BY JANUARY 1 . Provide the baby's name and relationship to you, the parents' names, the birthdate & city, and send a photo if you have one. On Epiphany Sunday (January 5) , we'll celebrate with a ・ Babies of 2013 ・ display. Please bring a finger food to share for this Epiphany celebration. (No eating utensils will be provided.) ‒ Submitted by Welcoming, Fellowship & Growth Ministry

Christmas Cantata Like to Sing Carols? Forums in December CUCC Annual Christmas Dinner Youth White Elephant Christmas Party HKonJ Training Session Life & Faith in Downtown Raleigh PFLAG Holiday Potluck and Meeting SPCA Christmas Project Christmas Cards for Wounded Soldiers Menu of Compassionate Gifts Loaves and Fishes Chili Sale Prayerful Tuesdays Christmas Cantata  – Let the sounds of Christmas brighten your holidays! The choir will be performing God's Son Is Born: A Christmas Cantata, by Peggy Hoffmann, during the 10:30am Worship service on Sunday, Dec. 15th.  Come hear lovely music written by this talented composer and long-time church member.  You won't want to miss this one!  Like to Sing Carols?  – Join members of the Choir and CUCC as we walk across the street to sing carols with the residents of Morningside. We’ll meet at noon in the Fellowship Hall after the 10:30am worship service.  Please join us!  It’s a lot of fun and the residents enjoy the singing and the com

The annual Christmas pageant was presented in the sanctuary during 10:30 worship on December 8. The video of the pageant is now available in the CUCC archive.

Movie Night TONIGHT – Vaughan Fellowship Hall YOUR HELP IS NEEDED FOR THE MEALS ON WHEELS CHRISTMAS LIST! Children’s Christmas Pageant Family Advent Workshop - This Sunday, 5:00pm, Vaughan Fellowship Hall   Voting Rights are Human Rights - Human Rights Day Advent Reflections & Taizé Worship Christmas Cantata Forums in December Help plan Sunday morning Forum for January through May CUCC Annual Christmas Dinner SPCA Christmas Project Christmas Cards for Wounded Soldiers Menu of Compassionate Gifts Loaves and Fishes Chili Sale Cookies for Christmas – Last day to order is December 11   Movie Night TONIGHT, Friday, December 6  – Vaughan Fellowship Hall The Deacons are sponsoring a viewing of the film "Into Great Silence" as an introduction to the Advent season. The film will be shown in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall starting at 7:00pm.  The film follows the routine of monks of the Grande Chartreuse who have taken a vow of silence. There is no dialogue, though the chants and soun

On Sunday December 1, 2013, the Deacons sponsored a "Welcoming in Advent" program at 5 PM in the fellowship Hall. The program was designed and led by Vandy Bradow. Presenters included Steve Halsted, Joy Alford, and David Sigmon. Music was provided by Amy Jensen, Doug Barrick, Geri Bowen, and Mike Schafale. The audio program available below is slightly edited. Portions of the program which produced no audio have been omitted (for example, the making of the communal wreath, and the procession down the hallway from the fellowship hall to the sanctuary). The edited version below runs for about 36 minutes. Welcoming in Advent 2013 (36 minute mp3) This item is also available in the CUCC Archive  under the Special Events tab.

This has been a difficult year.  We have experienced deep divisions in our political and cultural lives.  These disturbing divisions seem to threaten our very democracy and our futures.  We seem to have lost a unifying vision in our communities and in our public life. Is it possible to reclaim the value of the Common Good?  The first three forums in December will concern Restoring the Common Good.  They will be facilitated by Elizabeth Queen, an intern at NC Justice Center and a student completing degrees at Duke Divinity School and at UNC School of Social Work. December 1 - What is the Common Good?   How do we define it?  Is it possible to find common ground on issues that bitterly divide us? December 8 - The Role of Government and the Common Good.   The role of government has always been debated but today differences have led to gridlock, dysfunction and unbending partisanship. Can we recreate a government that serves the public interest and rises above self-interest? December 15 -

The children's Sunday School classes are sending Christmas cards to our wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital.  If you would like to send one you may drop it off in our classroom and we will be sure it gets in the mail. - from the children and Miss Anne Bailey

Memorial Service for Bob Hazel Adult Forum Stewardship Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, Nov. 24 Thanksgiving with CUCC Friends Usher in the Season of Advent – December 1st PCA Christmas Project Christmas Cards for Wounded Soldiers Meals on Wheels Wish List for Christmas Menu of Compassionate Gifts CUCC Christmas Dinner Email Addresses for Church Office and Pastor Steve Help Fight Housing Discrimination – NC Fair Housing Project Cookies for Christmas  Memorial Service for Bob Hazel We are deeply saddened over the death of longtime CUCC member Robert Boyd (Bob) Hazel.  The Hazels joined the church on June 14, 1953.  Bob, 91, died Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at William M. Dunlap Center for Caring in Raleigh after a short illness.  His wife, Kerma, has recently moved to Waltonwood Senior Living in Cary, NC.  Cards can be sent to her at 750 SE Cary Parkway, Cary, NC  27511.  A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, November 24, at 12:30pm in our Sanctuary, with a reception following the serv

(information provided by Bill Lamb) CUCC has made arrangements with Enroll America to have 2 health care navigators, provided by Legal Aid, present at the church on Tuesday, November 19th from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.  These navigators can explore insurance options and will be able to actually enroll people in the Affordable Care Act marketplace.  Attendance at this event will be by appointment only.  If you, or someone you know, is interested in speaking with a navigator call Caitlin Metzguer at 919-280-8270 to schedule an appointment and be given more detail about the kinds of information they should bring with them.

Typhoon Haiyan Emergency Relief Adult Forum Stewardship Foreign Film Movie Night – Friday, Nov. 15 Funeral Service for Lowell Alcorn Costume Poetry Slam with Cafe Style Coffee and Dessert ACA Enrollment at CUCC Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil SIS (Sisters in Spirit)  Taizé Songs and Sacred Spaces:  Retreat at Pullen  Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, Nov. 24 Thanksgiving with CUCC Friends Meals on Wheels Wish List for Christmas Menu of Compassionate Gifts CUCC Christmas Dinner Email Addresses for Church Office and Pastor Steve NEWSLETTER DEADLINE   Typhoon Haiyan Emergency Relief The UCC National Office is seeking donations from the local churches to support relief efforts in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan. If you would like to give please make a check to CUCC with a notation for "Typhoon Relief" or go online to ucc.org to make an electronic donation. Information is found on the home page of the UCC web-site. Several UCCP churches were destroyed i

Congregational Meeting, Sunday, Nov. 10 Method Child Development Center   Adult Forum Stewardship Sunday, Nov. 10 Master Harp Guitarist this Sunday Read Now, Discuss Later:  Talking with People on the “Other Side” Retirees’ Fellowship, Monday, Nov. 11 Life & Faith in Downtown Raleigh, Tues. Nov. 12 Foreign Film Movie Night – Friday, Nov. 15 Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, Nov. 24 SNAPcut Challenge Menu of Compassionate Gifts Costume Poetry Slam with Cafe Style Coffee and Dessert Thanksgiving with CUCC Friends CUCC Christmas Dinner CONGREGATIONAL MEETING The regular fall CUCC congregational meeting will be held after church in the Vaughan Wing on Sunday, November 10th. Presented at the meeting will be a draft budget for the coming year, a draft slate of officers, and a Council update including status of exploration of possible property expansion. Method Child Development Center Method Child Development Center was started by Community United Church of Christ of Raleigh and four oth

Our long-interrupted Foreign Film series resumes on Friday night, November 15 with a 7 PM showing of Dean Spanley in the Fellowship Hall. Peter O'Toole, Sam Neill, and Jeremy Northam star in this film from 2008, an Australian production filmed in New Zealand. Folks my age remember Peter O'Toole for his performance as King Henry II in The Lion in Winter (1968) alongside Katherine Hepburn. At age 76 in this film (and 40 years after his performance in the Lion in Winter), Peter O'Toole gives his finest performance in my opinion in this film where he encounters evidence of "the transmigration of souls" in a manner that helps him heal from the loss of his son in the Boer War. While a crude summary of the plot (involving a man who used to be a dog) makes the movie sound like a comedy (and it does have plenty of humor), this is a very moving film that touches on the oneness of all life and the ever mysterious topic of reincarnation. I've watched it twice this year,

On Monday, Nov. 4, the Raleigh News & Observer carried a feature story on Julia Mackintosh on the front page of the State and Local section. “We learned that learning was fun, communal, creative, wide-ranging, and interconnected,” Amy Mackintosh said. “I remember exploring the reefs below our house at low tides, and collecting huge colorful caterpillars on the frangipani trees for her lab classes when we should have been leaving for school.” ... “Julia was able to distill the kernel from the chaff. It’s rare for a person to have so many talents, but what stands out for me is how willing Julia was to share her gifts, how kind and supportive she was.”

Method Child Development Center was started by Community United Church of Christ of Raleigh and four other churches in Raleigh. It was the city's first integrated daycare. It is a nonprofit daycare that offers financial assistance to families based on need and is an organization that could use some community support. The center hasn't been painted since it moved from Pullen Baptist church to its current location at 900 Trailwood Drive, off Avent Ferry Road, more than seven years ago. We're having a painting work day at 9:00am, Nov. 9, and are looking for volunteers willing to come out and paint for 3 hours or so. If you can help out, please email Andrea Weigl at aweigl@earthlink.net so the parents’ group can make sure it has enough painting supplies for all the volunteers. - Submitted by Gray Woodard

The Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service for Community United Church of Christ, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairmont United Methodist Church, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church and West Raleigh Presbyterian Church will be held Sunday, November 24, 7:00pm, at Fairmont United Methodist Church, 2501 Clark Ave Raleigh, NC 27607. A reception with light refreshments will follow the service to provide a time for fellowship with our various congregations. If you have family members visiting, please bring them with you. Non-perishable food items will be collected for the needy families in the community.

All gifts are requested to be new. Any monetary contribution will be used bythe Retirees to purchase gift cards, which are especially appreciated. Gas and Gift Cards Holiday candy, cookies, and snacks Gloves and Hats Holiday soaps, towels, etc. Umbrellas Fleece throws Postage stamps Holiday Gift Sets appropriate for older folks Boxes will be placed around the church beginning November 17 to collect your donations. The Retirees will be wrapping your gifts on Monday, December 9, from 10:00am – 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 and drinks will be provided. - submitted by Anne Pope

The children of CUCC's church school have decided to donate to the SPCA for Christmas. We will be collecting food, leashes, collars, treats and toys for dogs and cats for Christmas. We will have a big Christmas box set up during November and early December for those who wish to help.  Please give your gifts by December 15. - from Miss Anne Bailey Zschau and the children

Photo from Andrew Kasab's website Ever heard of a harp guitar?  You’ll have the rare opportunity to do so during our 10:30am Worship on Nov. 10th.   Andrew Kasab , one of the few masters of the harp guitar, will be playing a musical meditation and sharing some information about this instrument.  Andrew combines unconventional approaches to the harp guitar, including alternate tunings and percussive picking and fingering techniques, as well as an eclectic mix of American Primitive guitar, contemporary acoustic, folk, classical, blues and world music. Come enjoy this unique musical experience

Spring Forward – Fall Back Adult Forum Congregational Meeting, Sunday, Nov. 10 Taizé Worship, Tuesday, November 5, 7:00pm Public Forum: The High Cost of Low Wages Ever heard a harp guitar? SNAPcut Challenge Menu of Compassionate Gifts NC Interfaith Power & Light Workshop on Climate Reality, Nov. 3 Beer & Hymns – Local Event, Nov. 3 Read Now, Discuss Later:  Talking with People on the “Other Side” Costume Poetry Slam with Cafe Style Coffee and Dessert Thanksgiving with CUCC Friends Method Child Development Center   Better World Shopping Guides Volunteer Needed to Serve Wine at Christmas Party Occupy Raleigh Spring Forward – Fall Back Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 3.  Don’t forget to set back your clocks 1 hour before you go to bed on Saturday evening. Adult Forum - Sunday, November 3, 9:15am, VFH The November Forum topic is "Issues in the Natural and Cultural Environment." November 3 - Hope Taylor, executive director, Clean Water for North Carolina.  Ms.