CUCC Weekly eNews

Condolences to the Spurlock-Street Family Food Bags Due this Sunday Ash Wednesday Worship Service Explore the Muslim Heritage, Roots, and Culture Forum, Sunday, March 2, 9:15am - VFH Documentary - North Carolina: State of Conflict Aldo Leopold Study Group – A Lenten Program A Different Lenten Study:  Victory and Peace or Justice and Peace? Lenten Study – The African American, Many Rivers to Cross Pancake Breakfast Sisters in Spirit (SIS) Beach Retreat 2014 Youth Led Worship Service, Sunday, March 23! Newcomers' Supper International Women’s Day Celebration, March 8, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church Justice in a Changing Climate (JCC) Poll of the Congregation Condolences Condolences go out to Cara Spurlock-Street and her family on the sudden death of her father, James Brookins.  Please keep the family in prayer as they travel to Texas for the service. Food Bags Due This Sunday  The Food Pantry at Urban Ministries will provide one week’s worth of groceries for more than 8,000 families i

This video is also permanently located in the CUCC Archive .

Condolences to Don and Susan Lane Fracking in NC? Forum, Sunday, February 23, 9:15am - VFH Youth & Parent Meeting about BYC Summer Camp Chili Potluck Youth-Led Love Party for Young CUCC Couples! Explore the Muslim Heritage, Roots, and Culture Pancake Breakfast Sisters in Spirit (SIS) Beach Retreat Brown Headed Nuthatch Boxes A different Lenten study:  Victory and Peace or Justice and Peace? Aldo Leopold Study Group – A Lenten Program International Women’s Day, 2014 Condolences to Don and Susan Lane Condolences go out to Don and Susan Lane on the death of Susan’s sister, Melinda.  A Funeral Mass was held for Melinda at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Wheaton, Illinois.  Please keep Don and Susan in your prayers. Fracking in NC? Sat., Feb. 22, 1:30pm - 5:30pm, NC Central Univ. School of Law, 640 Nelson St, Durham, NC.  Join us and learn what you can do to protect NC communities from fracking & its impacts! Speakers include: Iris Marie Bloom, Director, Protecting Our Waters; Calv

On February 16, Skip Stoddard, representing the Justice in a Changing Climate Task Force, presented the following update on research and rationale into possible solar panels for CUCC.  The investigation was prompted by comments at the CUCC All Church Retreat on 2012. When the Justice in a Changing Climate Task Force was created in 2007, we made a commitment to "change our practices" in order to slow climate change. In addition to educating ourselves and making adjustments to our own homes and lifestyles, the JCC looked at the church itself.  We did an energy audit of our facility, and as a result new windows and insulation were installed, decreasing our utility usage and our carbon footprint.  Groups and individuals have taken other steps, holding their meetings after church so as not to require a separate trip, carpooling to church and meetings, and holding virtual meetings.  What else can we do?  Please pass along your suggestions, or better yet, join the JCC. CUCC uses abo

Congratulations to Bill and Annette Bingham Parents' Night Out! Forum, Sunday, February 16, 9:15am - VFH Welcoming, Fellowship & Growth Ministry Church Council Social Justice Ministry Wednesday Evening Bible Study PFLAG Chili Potluck Youth-Led Love Party for Young CUCC Couples! Sisters in Spirit (SIS): Night at the Theater! Sisters in Spirit (SIS) Beach Retreat Brown Headed Nuthatch Boxes A different Lenten study:  Victory and Peace or Justice and Peace? Aldo Leopold Study Group – A Lenten Program Congratulation to Bill and Annette Bingham Congratulations to Bill and Annette Bingham who received the Social Justice Award from Congregations for Social Justice at their annual dinner on February 3.  Thank you for your leadership and inspiration! Parents' Night Out! Saturday, February 15, 6:30pm - 9:30pm, the Youth will provide childcare, pizza, games, and crafts for CUCC children while parents enjoy a night out. Please RSVP and/or direct questions to Śānti Matthews. Forum, Sund

This Sunday, February 16 we have an exciting opportunity to learn about three of the major religious traditions of South Asia. We will join with others to visit three places of worship: the Sikh Gurudwara of NC in Durham, the Hindu Bhavan in Morrisville, and the Raleigh Islamic Center. At each site we will have  the opportunity to observe worship in progress, and to have conversations with practitioners of each faith. The trip includes a free lunch (langar) courtesy of the Sikh Gurudwara. If you are interested, contact Joan McAllister by Wednesday, February 12 and look at the website for further information on religious and cultural practices .   

On Sunday in his sermon Steve referenced a video of Rev. Barber explaining the history of North Carolina.  Click on the video to view it.

At least 52 CUCCers participated in the Feb. 8 HKonJ Moral March .  Also in the crowd were contingents from many NC UCC congregations.  Denominational leaders the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black (general minister and president),  Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo (executive minister of Justice and Witness Ministries), and the Rev. J. Bennett Guess (executive minister for Local Church Ministries) flew in from Cleveland to participate in the clergy prayer circle at the legislature that started the day and to walk with the congregations. See photos of the CUCC group (thank you, Gary, Joan, John, and Suzette)  UCC Denominational Leaders with Rev. Jill Edens at HKonJ Photo by Curly Stumb and a slide show of the prayer circle and our denominational leaders .

Even as we anticipate more snow this week, it's that special time of year to plan the summer months for our youth. The CUCC Youth Group is a full participant and covenant member in the BYC (Baptist Youth Camp) community; a phenomenal church camp experience in the NC mountains, with like minded churches from all over the country. Registration will begin very soon. Youth and parents of youth, PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS for June 29 - July 4 for this summer's BYC experience. Also parents and other CUCC adults, please consider whether you might like to join us as a chaperone for this amazing week. I can't say enough good things about both the fun and the deeply profound spiritual opportunities that this camp offers. I will hold a brief informational parent and youth meeting about BYC summer camp in two weeks on Sunday, February 23 at 10:00 a.m. in the youth room. In the meantime, please contact me with questions! Peace, Santi

HKonJ - February 8 Finding the Group at the start of the March After HKonJ, Lunch is an ASP Fundraiser This Sunday is a very special day at Community United Church of Christ!  Retirees’ Group Economic Justice Task Force Life & Faith in Downtown Raleigh Parents’ Night Out! West Raleigh Presbyterian Church Women's Retreat HKonJ, Saturday, February 8 Getting there: Buspool with Robert and Jane (meet CUCC’s Dixie Trail lot at 8:30AM; bring $2.00) Carpool to walk in the march (meet CUCC’s Dixie Trail lot at 9:00AM; we’ll need some folks to drive).  Carpool to sit at the rally instead of walking (call Joan McAllister; probable departure CUCC’s Dixie Trail lot at 10:00AM) Drive and park separately (arrive by 9:30AM) Finding the Group at the start of the March Look for the big CUCC banner after 9:10AM.  We hope to stand near United Church-Chapel Hill which has an even bigger UCC banner OR call Jane Smith For more on HKonJ see the fuller description at http://www.communityucc.org/2014/0

To find CUCC's group at HKonJ, look for our banner. 

Welcoming, Fellowship and Growth Ministry (WFG) is sponsoring a chili potluck on Sunday, February 23rd, after the 10:30AM worship service. You are invited to bring your favorite chili recipe, vegetarian or meat, and share with everyone your written recipe for your item. Come join us for delicious chili, uplifting fellowship, games and fun activities featuring the varied, spicy, and sometimes controversial dish known as chili. For some interesting reading on the history of chili - Submitted by Robert Parrish

Peace from the CUCC Youth! Youth are excited to be preparing to lead our worship on March 23! We will dedicate church school on March 9 and 16 to planning, and we will also have a lock-in on March 21 to prepare. If you are an adult who is interested in participating in supporting youth preparations for this year's worship, please contact Santi Matthews or call the church office.

Economic Justice Task Force will meet Tuesday, February 11, at 1:00 in the Fellowship Hall.  Daniel Alexander will be presenting information about the JOBS FOR LIFE program.  JOBS FOR LIFE is a training program that gives people skills needed to succeed in the workforce.  Everyone is invited to join us and to learn more about this resource. - submitted by Shirley Birt

Next Sunday, February 9, will mark the second year of the Carolyn and Cy King Peace and Justice Award .  We will honor the lives and life work of Carolyn and Cy King.  The special day begins with Cy King speaking at Forum (9:15am, VFH), sharing his thoughts, recollections and challenges for us.  During the 10:30am worship service, we will honor this year’s award recipients:  Slater Newman, Bill Towe, and Mac and Peg Hulslander.  Following worship will be a reception in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall.  It will be a wonderful day that you won’t want to miss.