CUCC Weekly eNews

Join NC Representative Cynthia Ball and a bi-partisan panel that will include former Chief Resident Supoerior Court Judge Don Stephens and former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr - two outspoken advocates for an independ judiciary.  Dr. David McLennan, Professor of Political Science at Meredith College, a frequest commentator on political issues, will share his insights. RSVP to Representative Ball at BALLA@NCLEG.NET or (919)733-5860. Tuesday, January 30, 6:30pm, Meredith College, Ledford Hall, Room 101, 3800 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC. For more information, check out the link below: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2QL5Ui-R24DM1FkXzhPcktQbzBIWUhibml4ZEhlcFE2ZXY4/view?usp=sharing

Look for the red comma to find our table This ever-changing group of CUCCers and friends meets on first Tuesdays to bounce ideas, support and challenge each other, and enjoy good company. February 6, 6:30 PM to order food, 7:00PM discussion begins O’Malley’s Pub and Restaurant 5228 Hollyridge Dr, Raleigh February Topic :  We're continuing our theme pondering how to respond when people (including ourselves) say or do things which we believe are hateful, intimidating, or destructive.  As you read the questions below, consider them from the perspective of personal intimidation (bullies) and group intimidation (hate speech).  Here are some questions for February. What is your standard for speech and action?  Do you hold yourself to a different standard than you do others?  How is blowing off steam different from being a bully/hate speech?  How is righteous or prophetic speech/action different from being a bully/hate speech? In what situations do you find yourse...

Hosted by 350 Triangle and Justice in a Changing Climate at CUCC, join us  January 31st for the Raleigh Fossil Free Fast: The Climate Resistance  live event watch party! Meet others in the Triangle who want to organize to build local power and take climate action. The event in DC that will be live-streamed will feature US Senator Bernie Sanders,  350.org  co-founder Bill McKibben, Rev. Lennox Yearwood from Hip Hop Caucus, Jacqueline Patterson from the NAACP, Cherri Foytlin from BOLD Louisiana, Adriana Voss-Andreae from 350PDX, Varshini Prakash from the Sunrise Movement, Jessica Lorena Rangel from Eyes of a Dreamer, Tara Rodriguez Besosa with the Puerto Rico Resilience Fund, Julian Brave NoiseCat,  350.org  US Policy Analyst, and more! They will share stories on the urgency of the current political and climate crises, and light our path ahead: resist the ongoing attacks on our climate, build power towards the 2018 and 2020 elect...

On January 26 from 7-9 PM, our friends at United Church in Chapel Hill will be screening ” Forbidden: Undocumented & Queer in Rural America ” at the United Church of Chapel Hill (1321 MLK Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514). Community Outreach Ministry invites you to attend this event sponsored by UCCH.  For more information, contact Laurel Powell laurel.powell@gmail.com.

Rise to something new; add something that will deepen your spiritual life and relationship with God and others. Resist what causes you to stumble; focus on letting go of the sin or stumbling block that keeps you from fully connecting with God and others. Give up FEAR during Lent. Identify areas in your life where you allow fear instead of love/hope to guide you and give it up!

Memorial Service for Anne McLaughlin Please join us this Sunday afternoon, January 21, at 3:00pm in the sanctuary as we remember  and celebrate the life of beloved member, Rev. Ann McLaughlin, who died on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. Ann was an ordained minister in the UCC and a Licensed Pastoral Counselor with Triangle Pastoral Counseling Center where she worked for over 20 years. Two of Ann's dear friends, Anne Pope and Rev. Nancy Callaham, will remember her through special music and words of remembrance. You will be blessed by their gifts! We hope you can join us for this special service and reception following in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall.  

Forum - Sunday, January 21 9:30AM - Forum for youth and adults in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall led by Michael Bowen (former CUCC youth).   Michael is currently a sophomore in engineering at North Carolina State University. He spends much of his time researching new semiconductors to make solar panels more affordable and more efficient. Come honor his hard work, and learn about his important research and efforts to care for the earth.

Lectionary for the Week of January 21, 2018 - Third Sunday after Epiphany Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:5-12; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20

Sunday   0 1/21       9:00am   Nursery for newborns - 3-year-olds    9: 00am    Taizé Worship – Sanctuary   9 :30am   Forum - Michael Bowen - Vaughan Fellowship Hall   9:30am   Adult Bible Study - Bradow Room 10:30am   Worship Service - Sanctuary 10:45am  Children’s Sunday School - Sunday School Rooms 10:45am  Youth Sunday School - Youth Room 11:45am  Fellowship - Vaughan Fellowship Hall 12:00pm  International Mission Trip Leaders Meeting - Hoffmann   3:00pm   Covenant Community - Bradow Room   3:00pm Memorial Service for Rev. Ann McLaughlin                   Wright Center Meal       Monday 01/22  12:15pm Monday Lunch Group - Hoffmann Room                Tuesday 01/23  10:30am Office Staf...

All-Church Lenten Planning: “Preparing ourselves and our church for the season of Lent” Sunday, February 4 at 12:00pm - Hoffman Room Join Pastor Jenny, the staff, the deacons and others from our community to think creatively about how to prepare ourselves to fully participate in the Lenten experience.  All are Welcome!

Loaves & Fishes Chili Sale Sign-Up sheets for the  LOAVES AND FISHES CHILI SALE   are posted on the bulletin board in the hallway. All orders must be placed by this Sunday , Jan. 21 .  Meat and veggie chili are available at $13/qt. LAF’s chili sale is very important for helping provide services for underprivileged kids in our area. PLEASE SUPPORT the LAF Chili Sale . Contact Nancy Stoddard at  919-571-9199  with questions.

From the Pastor Written by Michael Neuroth, Policy Advocate for International Issues for the United Church of Christ "When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy." (Matthew: 2:10)        The start of a new calendar year is a threshold, a moment to acknowledge the passing of time. It is natural to look back and take stock of the past twelve months. For many, (far too many) 2017 was challenging. Personally many experienced job loss or change, health scares, the passing of loved ones, strained relationships and other life challenges.        As a nation, we grappled with our growing opioid epidemic. Natural disasters devastated Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico. We began to publicly face the reality of widespread sexual harassment and violence against women. We struggled with the existential threat of nuclear war and consequences of "America First" foreign policy. U.S. policy changed dramatically as o...

Sisters in Spirit will be meeting at Peg Hulslander's house (2830 Barmettler Street) on Tuesday, January 23, at 6:30 PM  for potluck and surprises. This is open to women of the church to explore, so consider joining in. Here's the SIS calendar for 2017/2018 .

Our Confirmation retreat couldn't have gone better! Five amazing talented girls became quick soul sisters. They encouraged each other, supported each other, and stood by each other, as 170 UCC youth and adults from 4 states, explored the concept of Imago Dei. We were made in the image of God, wonderfully made, and we are good and loved, not because of our beliefs or actions or relationships with others, but because of our relationship to the Divine. We read from Genesis and studied Hagar, Zaccheus, and Nicodemus. On Sunday, our Confirmation Class met alone for a half day retreat and as we moved our exploration from self to community. We explored why and how we live in community with one another. We studied Titus and Acts, wrote our own collaborative statement of belief, created individual covenants, and shared in a blessing ritual. Thanks to all who made this awesome spiritual retreat possible!

Are you missing items that you thought you left at the church?  There is a basket next to the coat rack in the hallway across from the Robing Room.  Clothing items and lost umbrellas, etc, are placed in this basket.  Small items such as jewelry or lost keys are normally brought to the church office, but may also be found in this basket.  Please check the basket and claim your items by February 15, 2018, or they will be donated to a local charity.  Keys and/or small items will be re-located to the church office. Thanks!