CUCC Weekly eNews

During worship on Dec. 28, Ellen Beidler acting as Chair of the Deacons presented Pastor Steve Halsted with a gift from the congregation on the occasion of his final Sunday in the church pulpit. (5 minute video)

On December 21 Sam and Joanna Woodrum joined the church. And on December 28 Emily Perkins joined. Sam and Joanna Woodrum joined on Dec. 21, 2014 Emily Perkins joined on December 28

The Christmas Eve service in 2014 features music performed by the choir led by Anne Moorman-Smith, the youth, Doug Barrick (organ and piano), Amy Jensen (flute), and Mike Schafale (hammer dulcimer). The candlelight singing of Silent Night has become a tradition at CUCC. This year is the first time the entire service has been captured on video (with help from Karen Withem). The audio track was recorded separately and the multi-camera setup allowed multiple views of the service. Thanks to the entire congregation and the excellent congregational participation for making this an event to remember. (This video is about 40-minutes long. Only transitional periods in the service have been edited out.) This video is permanently archived in high definition  in the CUCC Archive.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Wednesday, Dec. 24, 5:00pm A Request from Vandy Bradow   Christmas Fund  Steve’s Last Service New Member this Sunday! No Church School this Sunday, December 28th No Forum this Sunday Monday Lunch Group Menu of Compassionate Gifts Epiphany Sunday/Babies We Love – January 11, 2015 Loaves and Fishes Chili Sale Annual Reports January Congregational Meeting – January 25th CSJ Annual Dinner Meeting – Monday, February 2, 2015 Dinner for HK on J Out-of-Town Participants Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Wednesday, December 24 Join us for a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Wednesday, December 24.  Our service will begin at 5:00pm.  Afterwards, we’ll gather for bright fellowship and hot cider in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall. A Request from Vandy Bradow Vandy would like to bring her mother, Ida Klages, to the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, but she will need some assistance from members of the congregation.  She needs a couple of strong people to help h

A segment on 60-minutes (CBS) caught my attention on Sunday, Dec. 21. It highlights the relationship between Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and President Barack Obama. It's an inspiring message that's appropriate for Christmas. The link below shows the entire interview (about 12 min.) and it includes commercials. But it will give you a warm feeling that's appropriate for the season. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/senator-tom-coburn-60-minutes/

Christmas Cantata performed at Community UCC on December 21, 2014. This was the 3rd performance of this cantata in the past 15 years, and the performance was to honor the many years that Pastor Steve Halsted has spent living in the southwest. This video may also be found in the "Music" section of the CUCC Archive.

We are fortunate to be welcoming these clergy to preach and lead worship during January and early February. January 4 - The Reverend Jim Luck (David Sigmon's former pastor from Greensboro) January 11 - Mark Zainedden January 18 - our own Joy Alford (newly returned from Cuba!) January 25 - Joy Alford February 1 - The Reverend Sheila Barrick The Rev. Peg Nowling Williams will begin her interim pastorate on February 2.

Annual reports from all ministries and committees should be submitted electronically to the church office and to the moderator (Lavon Page) by January 5. You may send the reports as email attachments to office.cucc@gmail.com or Lavon. For reference purposes, you can find copies of last year's reports at the church website .

We are continuing continue with Francis Fukuyama's book  Political Order and Political Delay . We hope to get up to about p164 of 548 pages. We would love to have you join the discussion. We are currently on corruption trust, patronage, reform, clientelism in western countries in the 19th and 20th centuries. - submitted by Ed Klemmer, December 20, 2014

Stop by and see the new additions to the Art Wall by Franciso Joseph. Francisco Joseph and his family (his wife and three children) recently moved to Raleigh from Savannah, Georgia. Originally from the island of Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean, Joseph has lived in the US for 30 years.   In that time, he has worked a variety of jobs, mostly in the hospitality industry for hotels, cruise lines and restaurants and has also run his own company specializing in home repair and odd jobs. Joseph started painting when he was 47. He has no formal training but felt a calling to start painting.  He has explored a variety of subject matter and medias, such as painting on recycled windows, which requires painting in reverse. Joseph feels called to make people happy through his work, which is expressed in the vibrant colors and subject matter.  Joseph is currently considering creating a  book for children. Joseph is a full time artist and this is the primary means of supporting himself and family.

Gift for Pastor Steve New Member this Sunday! Christmas Cantata by CUCC Choir - December 21 Caroling at Morningside Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Wednesday, December 24 A Request from Vandy Bradow   Christmas Fund  No Forum this Sunday Youth Christmas Party – White Elephant Party Earth Sabbath - Winter Solstice Celebration at Peacefalls, Saturday, December 20 Monday Lunch Group Tai Chi  “Jobs for Life” Volunteer Opportunities Menu of Compassionate Gifts Epiphany Sunday/Babies We Love – January 11, 2015 Loaves and Fishes Chili Sale CSJ Annual Dinner Meeting – Monday, February 2, 2015, 6:00pm Church Office Closed – December 24, 25, 26 Annual Reports Gift for Pastor Steve The Deacons will be presenting Steve a gift from the congregation honoring his service to CUCC and to help him remember us as he begins his next journey. We know this is a time of year when this request competes with many requests to open your hearts and checkbook, but please consider a donation for Steve’s retirem

Church Council has scheduled the January congregational meeting to be held on January 25. This meeting is required by the CUCC bylaws. Primary actions at the meeting will include election of officers and committee and ministry members for 2015, passage of a church budget for 2015, and distribution of ministry and committee reports describing activities in 2014. [All reports should be sent to the church office (office.cucc@gmail.com) and the moderator (lavonpage@gmail.com) by January 5.] You can find copies of last year's reports at the church website.] The January meeting is one of the three required congregational meetings which are "unrestricted" in terms of topics that might be considered. In the words of our church bylaws, "Other business consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws may be transacted". If you have items that you intend to bring up at the congregational meeting, it would be helpful if you would let the moderator (Lavon Page) know in advance s

Forum will kick off the new year on Sunday, January 4th at 9:15AM in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall for a month-long series on homelessness and affordable housing. We'll begin looking at the issue statewide with our guest speaker Terry Allebaugh of the N.C. Coalition to End Homelessness who will give us an overview of their statewide initiative.  Come expand your knowledge base on the topic! Mr. Allebaugh is also a member of our sister church Pilgrim United UCC in Durham, N.C. and husband of the interim pastor at West Raleigh Presbyterian, Lori Pistor. On later Sundays in the month we'll be learning from other guests about local efforts to increase affordable housing in our area, with Frank Gailor leading a discussion about our own new rental units on the last Sunday of the month (January 25). Join us for all these opportunities to learn and grow! - submitted by Marty Lamb

Please join us Saturday December 20th, 4PM, for a celebration of the sacred darkness and the return of the light:  a time for closure and new beginnings.  The Winter Solstice marks a full turning of the wheel of the year and offers a perfect opportunity for releasing the past and setting intentions for our journeys ahead.  In preparation, whether you are joining us or not, consider what thoughts, habits, or patterns you are ready to release and what dreams and visions you would like to bring into the light. 11320 Peed Dead End Road, Raleigh 27614.  Directions to Peacefalls are listed below. RSVP to Karen Bearden What to bring with you: • a reading, poem, song to share that connects you with the solstice • an open heart, ready to release the old and embrace the new • a drum, if you have one • an appetizer or dessert • plate and utensils for your meal • warm layers and dancing-around-in-the-dark shoes • flashlight Directions to Peacefalls: 11320 Peed Dead End Road, Raleigh 27614 Peacefal

Church office The church office is closed Jan. 1 and 2. Groups Monday Lunch Group will meet Dec. 29 for their farewell party with Steve Halsted. No tai chi December 31.

Epiphany Sunday/Babies We Love – January 11, 2015 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. Contact Cathy Marshall at the church office (919-787-6422 or office.cucc@gmail.com) BY JANUARY 1. Provide the baby's name and relationship to you, the parents' names, the birthdate & place, and send a photo if you have one.  On Epiphany Sunday (January 11), we'll celebrate with a “Babies of 2014” display during our regular fellowship time.

Advent Event – Saturday, December 13 Children’s Christmas Pageant – Sunday, December 14th Forum – December 14th, 9:15am Want To Help Change A Life? You Can! – “Jobs for Life” Free Holiday Concert at NC Museum of History  this Sunday Monday Lunch Group Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Wednesday, December 24 A Request from Vandy Bradow     Earth Sabbath - Winter Solstice Celebration at Peacefalls, Saturday, December 20 Christmas Cantata by CUCC Choir - December 21 Menu of Compassionate Gifts Update on Festival of Lights Donations A Message from the Stewardship Ministry Epiphany Sunday/Babies We Love – January 11, 2015 CSJ Annual Dinner Meeting – Monday, February 2, 2015, 6:00pm Gift for Pastor Steve   Advent Event – Saturday, December 13 Advent will soon be here with all the hustle and bustle of the season leading up to Christmas.  Why not take a quiet, reflective time to savor the deeper meaning of Advent?  On Saturday, December 13, 10:00am – 2:00pm, the Deacons and Rev. Halsted will

What is the 4th worst health risk in developing countries which causes 4 million premature deaths per year? Your first thoughs may be AIDS, TB, or malaria. However, it's actually household air pollution (HAP) from cooking and heating homes with open fires and traditional stoves. The good news is this least well known health risk is now being addressed globally by the UN Foundation's Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves (GACC). To learn more about this critical public health and environmental threat impacting millions and GACC's response, see these videos. An inspiring and intriguing TED X video explaining the range of problems (health, economic, safety for women and children, climate change) caused by open fires in homes and the variety of sociological and cultural factors to consider in finding a solution - Saving lives through clean cookstoves , Ethan Kay presenting Climate Reality's report on how clean cookstoves have the additional benefit of addressing climate

(submitted by Vandy Bradow) The myriad varieties of poinsettias represented at the NCSU Horticulture Science Graduate Student Association's show (Sunday 12/7) will be on sale  at the JC Raulston Arboretum Thursday and  Friday from 11 to 5, and Saturday from 10 to 1.  Pots of 4.5" diameter will be $5, 6.5" D $10, and 10" D $25.  There will be signs at both the parking lot (visitor center) and pedestrian entrances to direct you to the greenhouse where the sale will take place. Be prepared to be dazzled, and bring both checkbook and some newspaper to protect the plants from cold. Don't buy plants and leave them in the car for any significant time before you take them home or to the lucky recipient. Proceeds will go to the Association, Horticulture Field Labs, and Floriculture Research.

Pastor Steve’s Retirement Party – Saturday, Dec. 6 Food Bags Due this Sunday Grab a Seat at the Table – Communion for all this Sunday Forum – December 7th, 9:15am Snack Kits for the Homeless Sunday School Children Need Your Help Filling Stockings Christmas Cards for Soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital Beer & Hymns – Sunday, December 7, 7:00pm Monday Lunch Group Advent Life & Faith in Downtown Raleigh – December 9th Advent Event – Saturday, December 13 Children’s Christmas Pageant – December 14, 2014 A Message from the Stewardship Ministry Want To Help Change A Life? You Can! – “Jobs for Life” Light for Lima Pastor Steve’s Retirement Party! – Saturday, December 6 Join us Saturday evening from 5:00pm – 7:30pm, as we honor and remember Steve’s legacy with our church and celebrate with him and Marcy as they look forward to new adventures and experiences.  There will be skits, heavy hors d’oeuvres, fun, reminiscences and more.  Child care will be provided.  If you would like to carpool

The "Festival of Lights" program was held at Community UCC in Raleigh NC on November 30, 2014 (the first Sunday of Advent). Speakers from diverse religious traditions (Bahai, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim) reflected on the symbolism of "light" within their own faith traditions. Since the program was long (about 85 minutes), the video has been broken up into six segments. All portions may be found in the CUCC Archive. All videos from the Festival of Lights Included here is the liturgical dance performed by Alex Cox, Brooke Lipman, and Emily Perkins.

Śānti Matthews has sent us a photo of the church Christmas tree selected by the youth of the church for this Christmas season.

This edition of Friday Email is distributed as a PDF file. Friday Email for November 26, 2014

Pledges are still being sought by the Stewardship Ministry. Below is the stewardship sermon for the pledge campaign which was presented by Pastor Steve Halsted on November 16, 2014. (Filmed by Betsy Towler.)

Thanksgiving is associated with "harvest" and the bounty of nature that surrounds us. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'm sharing two recent photos that help us celebrate the phenomenal natural beauty that surrounds us. Photo by John Little - captured on his iPhone while on a hunting trip in South Dakota with his sons October 2014 Rainbow over Cary NC Photo by Lavon Page (iPhone) November 24, 2014

This edition of Friday Email is distributed as a PDF file. Friday Email for November 21, 2014

Advent is coming and the plans are in place! Prepare the way for a deeper more meaningful appreciation of Christmas by participating in the following events! Over the next three weeks, you are invited to bring a box or two of wholesome snack bars, granola bars, nabs, or vienna sausages, for making snack kits to give to those who gather downtown for a meal each Sunday morning. We will deliver the snack bags on December 7 during Church School when we help Human Beans Together to serve a hot meal.   Also, please let Ms. Anne-Bailey know ASAP if you are able to help with our annual Christmas pageant in worship. Calendar of Events: Sunday, November 23 Church School with guest drama coach, Emily. We will finalize our skit, so bring your ideas, puns, and jokes. I'll have copies of those that Michael found online.   Sunday, November 30 Ornament making with CUCC children. Then lunch out and Christmas tree shopping. Bring lunch money if you are able. Adults who can go and drive, please RSVP.

The Youth Group's Christmas gift to the world will be to serve another meal downtown to those who come to Moore Square on Sunday mornings. This is the last day to bring in snack items. We'll gather at 10:15 upstairs in Pilgrim House to pack bags. Then we'll leave at 10:30 and will serve from 11:00-11:45. We will return to the CUCC parking lot at 12:00. we need drivers to take us downtown (Oak City Outreach Center, 215 1/2 S. Person St.). Snack items needed:  a box or two of wholesome snack bars, granola bars, nabs, or vienna sausages Read more from Human Beans Together!

CUCC member Ed Klemmer will give his much delayed answer to this question. In a previous Forum Ed led a stimulating discussion of the question, but allowed others so much time to talk that he didn't leave himself enough time to propose his own answer. This time, Ed will speak first before others are invited to chime in with their own thoughts. Join us at Forum, Sunday, December 14, 9:15AM in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall.

Plan to join us on Saturday, December 6, from 5:00pm – 7:30pm, as we honor and remember Steve’s legacy with our church and celebrate with him and Marcy as they look forward to new adventures and experiences.  There will be skits, food, fun, reminiscences and more.  Child care will be provided.  If you would like to carpool or a ride to and from the celebration, contact Sue Cottle.  If you would like to volunteer to help with decorations, setup, cleanup, or anything else, please contact the church office at 919-787-6422.

Monitor the Stewardship Campaign  Progress at communityucc.org Costume Poetry Slam with Café Style Coffee and Dessert A Message from the Stewardship Ministry Forum – November 16, 9:15am – “Fracking and Methane” New Address for Shannon and Glenn Core Pray at the Legislature Sisters in Spirit (SIS) “Hand and Foot” PFLAG Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov. 20, 2014 Pianist Jonathan Moyer to Perform at West Raleigh Presbyterian Fall Congregational Meeting, Sunday, November 23 Save the Date – Steve’s Retirement Party! No Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service “Festival of Lights” Celebration New Lights in the Choir Loft Sunday School Children Need Your Help Filling Stockings Costume Poetry Slam with Café Style Coffee and Dessert Tomorrow!  November 15, 7:00pm, in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall. Join us for our second annual Poetry Slam/Coffee House Party and Novemberfest celebration.  For more information or to RSVP or volunteer to share a poem, contact Śānti Matthews ASAP at forsanti@aol.com

On the last Sunday of November, we begin the Season of Advent with the lighting of the first Advent Candle.  But Christians are not the only faith tradition that celebrates the “Divine Light” in images that overcome darkness in our world.  “Festivals of Light” are also celebrated in some fashion by Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Bahai groups.  In recognition of this common ground and through my work with the Triangle Interfaith Alliance and our Deacon’s Ministry, we are planning a “Festival of Lights” collaboration in our Sanctuary on Sunday, November 30, at our 10:30am worship service. Representatives of the above mentioned faith traditions will explain and demonstrate how they celebrate within their tradition and we hope that mutual respect and greater understanding will bring people closer together.  We will continue our celebration with a potluck meal together sharing favorite foods from our cultural traditions.  Please be thinking about what you would like to share at our Common Tab

Save the Date!  November 15, 7:00pm, in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall. Once again, our NovemberFest Celebration will be a Poetry Slam/Coffee House Party.  More details coming!  Find the sign up poster in the narthex for those willing to contribute a poem. For questions or to volunteer to share a poem, contact Śānti Matthews.  Coffee and dessert will be served cafe style by our youth wait staff.

The CUCC Sunday School Children have requested that we collect small items for the Salvation Army Christmas stocking program this year and they need your help!  They wish to fill 50 stockings for children from infants to 12 years old.  Please help us by donating to our collection.  The children will be collecting items that will fit in the stockings until December 7th.  Small toys, markers, pencils and sharpeners, coloring books, card games, cars, trains, dolls, etc. are perfect for the stockings.   We will fill the stockings during Sunday School on December 7th.  Please look for our donation boxes wrapped in Christmas paper!  Check the bulletin board in the hallway at church or see below for suggestions of items for the stockings.   Please provide new, unwrapped gifts (no food or candy, please). Thank you for your help! Girl or Boy, Infant or Ages 0-1: Sippy cups/bottles, hats, toys, wipes, books, blankets, pacifiers Girl or Boy, Ages 2-3 or 4-5: Coloring books/crayons, toothbrush/t

The Stewardship Campaign has begun! Monitor Our Progress at communityucc.org All Church Workday – Tomorrow! November  8, 9:00am-Noon Forum – November 9, 9:15am A Message from the Stewardship Ministry Life & Faith in Downtown Raleigh – November 11 Pray at the Legislature Costume Poetry Slam with Cafe Style Coffee and Dessert Sisters in Spirit (SIS) Fall Congregational Meeting, Sunday, November 23 Save the Date – Steve’s Retirement Party! No Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service “Festival of Lights” Celebration PFLAG Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov. 20, 2014 Sunday School Children Need Your Help Filling Stockings All Church Workday – Saturday, November 8, 2014 – 9:00am-Noon The grounds are looking a little shaggy, and it is time to clean up for the fall and holiday season!  Your Property Ministry appreciates your energy and skills to accomplish some inside and outside cleaning.  Window washing, raking, picking up pinecones and sticks, removing trash for pickup, and blowing the p