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 in need, including 9,000 children. Our contributions may seem small, but they are vital and greatly appreciated. Please double-bag your items, and if you sort your bag into two bags, please tie them together or label them so that we know they go together. A food bag costs about $20 to fill. If that’s a little steep for your budget, get together with a buddy and split the cost. The items to include in a food bag are:
1 lb. grits; 1 lb. rice; 1 lb. dried beans; 2 cans of tomatoes; 2 cans of applesauce; 2 cans navy, pinto or pork ‘n beans; 1 can of carrots; 1 jar of peanut butter; 2 pkgs of macaroni & cheese; 2 1-qt pkgs dry milk.
Ash Wednesday Worship Service
Join us this Wednesday evening, March 5th, for a Taizé Style Worship service with Ash Ritual and Communion. It will be a wonderful way to begin the Lenten season. 7:00pm in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall.
Explore the Muslim Heritage, Roots, and Culture
The Islamic Association of Raleigh will hold an Open House on Saturday, March 1, 11:00am - 4:00pm, at the Islamic Center located at 808 Atwater Street, Raleigh, NC.
Forum, March 2, 9:15am, VFH
InterAct is a private, non-profit, United Way agency that provides safety, support, and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. InterAct fulfills this mission through the support of its volunteers and community. On March 2, a representative from InterAct will speak at Forum to discuss the agency's mission, work, and how members of the community can help them grow.
Documentary - North Carolina: State of Conflict
Common Cause/NC is sponsoring a viewing of the documentary North Carolina: State of Conflict, produced by Bill Moyers, followed by a panel discussion with James Andrews, North Carolina AFL/CIO, Kristin Beller, Wake NCAE, and Gerrick Brenner, Progress NC. Come and learn how wealthy donors, dark money, gerrymandering, ideology, etc. combined to bring about the dramatic change in North Carolina’s policies. Tuesday, March 4, 7:00pm, Pullen Memorial, 1801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC. (EJTF)
Aldo Leopold Study Group – A Lenten Program
March 4 – April 15, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, VFH.
Join a group of people for a seven week series to explore your spiritual landscape and everyday life. The work of Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac, along with other resources, will be used as metaphors for reflection about your spiritual journey and its connections to your daily life. Participants will be invited to engage in reflection and thought sharing in small and large groups. People of all faith traditions are invited to participate in this series. Since the sessions are interrelated, we ask when registering, that you plan to attend all seven evenings. To register and for additional information, contact Rev. Steve Halsted. Sponsored by: CUCC and North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light.
A Different Lenten Study: Victory and Peace or Justice and Peace?
Joy Alford will be hosting a six week Lenten group at her home in Rolesville - 5 miles north of Raleigh's I-540. The group will meet on Wednesday evenings, beginning with Lent on Ash Wednesday, March 5th, and going through April 16th (not holding group on March 26). The first session will be held at 5:00pm, March 5th, at the Church. This will be done in hopes all members will attend the 7:00pm Ash Wednesday worship service. Thereafter, the group will be held north of Raleigh at Joy's home. This DVD-based study featuring John Dominic Crossan, "explores the juxtaposition of Roman Imperial Theology and the Kingdom of God." The short DVDs will spark theological discussion which will help us journey together in preparation for Easter.
Content for the study includes:
Justice & the World: What is the Character of Your God?
History & Jesus: What is the Content of Your Faith?
Worship & Violence: What is the Purpose of Your Prayer?
Resurrection & Community: What is the Function of Your Church?
Please contact Joy (919-605-4336) or (w.joy.alford43@gmail.com) for directions or if you are interested in attending.
Lenten Study – The African American, Many Rivers to Cross
Thursday evenings, March 6 – April 10, 7:00pm, Hoffmann Room. Rev. Robert Parrish will be leading a DVD series and discussion entitled, THE AFRICAN AMERICANS, “Many Rivers to Cross.” This PBS documentary, produced by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, is an historical analysis of the diverse cultural, religious and political journey and development of African Americans from Africa to the present day America. New images, insights and facts will be learned through this Lenten study about African Americans and their interconnections and influences on America as a whole.
Pancake Breakfast
“It’s back!” After several years at other locations, the Wake Federation of the Blind Pancake Breakfast is back where it began. The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 8th, from 8:00am - 10:30am. Tickets are $7:00 per person. The monies raised will help the Wake Federation of the Blind host the state convention of the National Federation of the Blind this September. Tickets for the breakfast may be purchased through Robert Parrish or on the day of the breakfast. Come one! Come all! Come enjoy delicious pancakes and help us change what it means to be blind.
Sisters in Spirit (SIS) Beach Retreat
The "spring" SIS beach retreat is scheduled for Friday, March 7th – Sunday, March 9th, with the theme "March Meditation - Making Mindfulness." For more information and to RSVP, contact Marty Lamb (919-819-4084).
2014 Youth Led Worship Service, Sunday, March 23!
As is true every year, all of our youth and many adults are needed to help make this worship service beautiful and meaningful! If you are an adult who would like to assist in supporting our youth as they plan this year, please consider the following dates and times, and let Śānti know which would work for you. Then we can talk about what area of planning would most interest you.
Sunday, March 9, Noon - 2:00pm: worship planning.
Sunday, March 16, 10:45am - 2:00pm: Church School, lunch afterwards, and more time filled with worship planning!
Friday, March 21, 7:00pm – 9:00pm: worship planning portion of our spring lock-in!
For more information or details contact Śānti: forsanti@aol.com or 919-961-8814.
Newcomers' Supper
You are invited to the Newcomers' Supper on Friday, March 28th. Unwind after a busy week, ask questions about CUCC, and meet other newcomers. Dinner served at 6:30pm. Please RSVP to CUCC office by March 24th at 919-787-6422 or cucc@nc.rr.com. You can also contact Bev Stolarick in person or email at bstolarick@att.net. Please tell us if you need childcare (ages) and if you have dietary restrictions.
International Women’s Day Celebration
March 8, 2014, 9:30am – 3:00pm, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, 1801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC.
For the past two years women in the Triangle have experienced a fun time as they have connected with one another, enjoyed exhibits and activities, honored the achievements of women at this event sponsored by A Place for Women to Gather. This year we hope more women will come to celebrate women in their giftedness, diversity, and roles in society.
International Women’s Day, established in 1911, is in 32 countries a national holiday, also known as The UN Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.
Our 2014 program includes InterPlay Women’s Ensemble with Ginny Going, singing with Kathleen Hannan, Dances of Universal Peace with Julie Purcell, Marie Garlock leading Dance as A Healing Art, yoga with Judith Valerie, ERAGS quilt exhibit, drum circle with Cathy Kielar, The Raging Grannies, bracelets for Ethiopian women with Women’s Sacred Kindness Circle, activities to honor women.
The Triangle celebration will offer a variety of interactive activities, exhibits, presentations and entertainment; times to get to know other women, learn about opportunities for women, become involved in projects, and just enjoy a day of fun and creativity along with refreshments. Those attending will carry home new ideas, good feelings, and the benefits of being with a group of amazing women. There is no admission cost. Optional donation to A Place for Women to Gather in support of its mission and programs will be welcomed. See www.womengather.org for more information about this event and other offerings from A Place for Women to Gather. For questions, contact Margaret Thurston at margaret.b.thurston@gmail.com.
Justice in a Changing Climate (JCC) Poll of the Congregation
Does CUCC want to install solar panels on our fellowship hall roof?
Part of the Justice in a Changing Climate Task Force* commitment is to help CUCC “change our practices” to slow climate change. Decreasing CUCC’s energy consumption will help because it would decrease our fossil fuel consumption, our CO2 production and the need for hydrofracking.
Toward that end, the task force was asked at the 2012 congregational retreat to investigate installation of solar panels on our fellowship hall roof.
CUCC uses about 18000 kwh of electricity per year for lights, appliances and air conditioning. This costs us about $2200 per year. With solar panels, we would be able to supply about 55 % (about 10,000 kwh) of our electricity with a 10KW solar array. The cost of a 10KW system would be about $55,000. The cost of a 5 KW system would be about half of that.
But beyond the savings in money and CO2, having those solar panels on our roof would be a tangible sign to the world outside about what kind of a congregation we are. Just as our rainbow comma attracted new members interested in equal rights for LGBT folks, solar panels would speak to those with a passion for environmental issues who might be seeking a spiritual home. As stated by North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light: "The sight of solar panels on a house of worship becomes an iconic marker to the broader community, a demonstration of the congregation’s love of the Creator and creation, and it shows a commitment to change our relationship to energy."
Funding possibilities:
Limited Liability Corporation: If the 10 KW system is funded as a LLC, federal and NC tax credits reduce the cost to about $25000 for the investors, and other benefits may reduce the cost to about $9000. The investors could expect to recoup their investment in 6 to 8 years.
· This would require 6 investors to invest about $10,000 each to form and maintain the LLC.
· After they recoup their investment, the investors would donate the system to CUCC, and the church would then see lower electric bills.
Donations: If the 10 KW system is funded via donations to CUCC, the donors would receive a 35% tax credit on their NC income tax, and 501c3 deduction on their federal income tax.
· This mechanism would allow for many small donors to make up the $55,000.
· Under this mechanism, CUCC would see lower electric bills from day one.
These tax advantages may terminate in 2016, so to take advantage of
them we must act soon.
With this background, the Justice in a Changing Task Force wants to know whether the congregation would like us to continue investigating installing solar panels at CUCC.
Poll questions:
1. Would you like to see CUCC continue to investigate solar panels?
2. Would you be interested in learning more about becoming a LLC investor?
3. Would you be interested in donating to the purchase of panels?
4. Do you have other comments?
Please return your written responses by March 10 to any of the JCC members*, email or mail them to Gary Smith (smithgk@mindspring.com, or 2712 Lochmore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27608) or turn them in at the church office.
*JCC members: Lena Gallitano, Pastor Steve Halsted, Ron Howell, Marty Lamb, Deborah and Todd Lipman, John Little, Grady McCallie, David Smith, Gary (chair) and Jane Smith, Jim Smith, Skip Stoddard, Edith Sylla and Karen Vollrath
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 in need, including 9,000 children. Our contributions may seem small, but they are vital and greatly appreciated. Please double-bag your items, and if you sort your bag into two bags, please tie them together or label them so that we know they go together. A food bag costs about $20 to fill. If that’s a little steep for your budget, get together with a buddy and split the cost. The items to include in a food bag are:
1 lb. grits; 1 lb. rice; 1 lb. dried beans; 2 cans of tomatoes; 2 cans of applesauce; 2 cans navy, pinto or pork ‘n beans; 1 can of carrots; 1 jar of peanut butter; 2 pkgs of macaroni & cheese; 2 1-qt pkgs dry milk.
Ash Wednesday Worship Service
Join us this Wednesday evening, March 5th, for a Taizé Style Worship service with Ash Ritual and Communion. It will be a wonderful way to begin the Lenten season. 7:00pm in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall.
Explore the Muslim Heritage, Roots, and Culture
The Islamic Association of Raleigh will hold an Open House on Saturday, March 1, 11:00am - 4:00pm, at the Islamic Center located at 808 Atwater Street, Raleigh, NC.
Forum, March 2, 9:15am, VFH
InterAct is a private, non-profit, United Way agency that provides safety, support, and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. InterAct fulfills this mission through the support of its volunteers and community. On March 2, a representative from InterAct will speak at Forum to discuss the agency's mission, work, and how members of the community can help them grow.
Documentary - North Carolina: State of Conflict
Common Cause/NC is sponsoring a viewing of the documentary North Carolina: State of Conflict, produced by Bill Moyers, followed by a panel discussion with James Andrews, North Carolina AFL/CIO, Kristin Beller, Wake NCAE, and Gerrick Brenner, Progress NC. Come and learn how wealthy donors, dark money, gerrymandering, ideology, etc. combined to bring about the dramatic change in North Carolina’s policies. Tuesday, March 4, 7:00pm, Pullen Memorial, 1801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC. (EJTF)
Aldo Leopold Study Group – A Lenten Program
March 4 – April 15, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, VFH.
Join a group of people for a seven week series to explore your spiritual landscape and everyday life. The work of Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac, along with other resources, will be used as metaphors for reflection about your spiritual journey and its connections to your daily life. Participants will be invited to engage in reflection and thought sharing in small and large groups. People of all faith traditions are invited to participate in this series. Since the sessions are interrelated, we ask when registering, that you plan to attend all seven evenings. To register and for additional information, contact Rev. Steve Halsted. Sponsored by: CUCC and North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light.
A Different Lenten Study: Victory and Peace or Justice and Peace?
Joy Alford will be hosting a six week Lenten group at her home in Rolesville - 5 miles north of Raleigh's I-540. The group will meet on Wednesday evenings, beginning with Lent on Ash Wednesday, March 5th, and going through April 16th (not holding group on March 26). The first session will be held at 5:00pm, March 5th, at the Church. This will be done in hopes all members will attend the 7:00pm Ash Wednesday worship service. Thereafter, the group will be held north of Raleigh at Joy's home. This DVD-based study featuring John Dominic Crossan, "explores the juxtaposition of Roman Imperial Theology and the Kingdom of God." The short DVDs will spark theological discussion which will help us journey together in preparation for Easter.
Content for the study includes:
Justice & the World: What is the Character of Your God?
History & Jesus: What is the Content of Your Faith?
Worship & Violence: What is the Purpose of Your Prayer?
Resurrection & Community: What is the Function of Your Church?
Please contact Joy (919-605-4336) or (w.joy.alford43@gmail.com) for directions or if you are interested in attending.
Lenten Study – The African American, Many Rivers to Cross
Thursday evenings, March 6 – April 10, 7:00pm, Hoffmann Room. Rev. Robert Parrish will be leading a DVD series and discussion entitled, THE AFRICAN AMERICANS, “Many Rivers to Cross.” This PBS documentary, produced by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, is an historical analysis of the diverse cultural, religious and political journey and development of African Americans from Africa to the present day America. New images, insights and facts will be learned through this Lenten study about African Americans and their interconnections and influences on America as a whole.
Pancake Breakfast
“It’s back!” After several years at other locations, the Wake Federation of the Blind Pancake Breakfast is back where it began. The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 8th, from 8:00am - 10:30am. Tickets are $7:00 per person. The monies raised will help the Wake Federation of the Blind host the state convention of the National Federation of the Blind this September. Tickets for the breakfast may be purchased through Robert Parrish or on the day of the breakfast. Come one! Come all! Come enjoy delicious pancakes and help us change what it means to be blind.
Sisters in Spirit (SIS) Beach Retreat
The "spring" SIS beach retreat is scheduled for Friday, March 7th – Sunday, March 9th, with the theme "March Meditation - Making Mindfulness." For more information and to RSVP, contact Marty Lamb (919-819-4084).
2014 Youth Led Worship Service, Sunday, March 23!
As is true every year, all of our youth and many adults are needed to help make this worship service beautiful and meaningful! If you are an adult who would like to assist in supporting our youth as they plan this year, please consider the following dates and times, and let Śānti know which would work for you. Then we can talk about what area of planning would most interest you.
Sunday, March 9, Noon - 2:00pm: worship planning.
Sunday, March 16, 10:45am - 2:00pm: Church School, lunch afterwards, and more time filled with worship planning!
Friday, March 21, 7:00pm – 9:00pm: worship planning portion of our spring lock-in!
For more information or details contact Śānti: forsanti@aol.com or 919-961-8814.
Newcomers' Supper
You are invited to the Newcomers' Supper on Friday, March 28th. Unwind after a busy week, ask questions about CUCC, and meet other newcomers. Dinner served at 6:30pm. Please RSVP to CUCC office by March 24th at 919-787-6422 or cucc@nc.rr.com. You can also contact Bev Stolarick in person or email at bstolarick@att.net. Please tell us if you need childcare (ages) and if you have dietary restrictions.
International Women’s Day Celebration
March 8, 2014, 9:30am – 3:00pm, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, 1801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC.
For the past two years women in the Triangle have experienced a fun time as they have connected with one another, enjoyed exhibits and activities, honored the achievements of women at this event sponsored by A Place for Women to Gather. This year we hope more women will come to celebrate women in their giftedness, diversity, and roles in society.
International Women’s Day, established in 1911, is in 32 countries a national holiday, also known as The UN Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.
Our 2014 program includes InterPlay Women’s Ensemble with Ginny Going, singing with Kathleen Hannan, Dances of Universal Peace with Julie Purcell, Marie Garlock leading Dance as A Healing Art, yoga with Judith Valerie, ERAGS quilt exhibit, drum circle with Cathy Kielar, The Raging Grannies, bracelets for Ethiopian women with Women’s Sacred Kindness Circle, activities to honor women.
The Triangle celebration will offer a variety of interactive activities, exhibits, presentations and entertainment; times to get to know other women, learn about opportunities for women, become involved in projects, and just enjoy a day of fun and creativity along with refreshments. Those attending will carry home new ideas, good feelings, and the benefits of being with a group of amazing women. There is no admission cost. Optional donation to A Place for Women to Gather in support of its mission and programs will be welcomed. See www.womengather.org for more information about this event and other offerings from A Place for Women to Gather. For questions, contact Margaret Thurston at margaret.b.thurston@gmail.com.
Justice in a Changing Climate (JCC) Poll of the Congregation
Does CUCC want to install solar panels on our fellowship hall roof?
Part of the Justice in a Changing Climate Task Force* commitment is to help CUCC “change our practices” to slow climate change. Decreasing CUCC’s energy consumption will help because it would decrease our fossil fuel consumption, our CO2 production and the need for hydrofracking.
Toward that end, the task force was asked at the 2012 congregational retreat to investigate installation of solar panels on our fellowship hall roof.
CUCC uses about 18000 kwh of electricity per year for lights, appliances and air conditioning. This costs us about $2200 per year. With solar panels, we would be able to supply about 55 % (about 10,000 kwh) of our electricity with a 10KW solar array. The cost of a 10KW system would be about $55,000. The cost of a 5 KW system would be about half of that.
But beyond the savings in money and CO2, having those solar panels on our roof would be a tangible sign to the world outside about what kind of a congregation we are. Just as our rainbow comma attracted new members interested in equal rights for LGBT folks, solar panels would speak to those with a passion for environmental issues who might be seeking a spiritual home. As stated by North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light: "The sight of solar panels on a house of worship becomes an iconic marker to the broader community, a demonstration of the congregation’s love of the Creator and creation, and it shows a commitment to change our relationship to energy."
Funding possibilities:
Limited Liability Corporation: If the 10 KW system is funded as a LLC, federal and NC tax credits reduce the cost to about $25000 for the investors, and other benefits may reduce the cost to about $9000. The investors could expect to recoup their investment in 6 to 8 years.
· This would require 6 investors to invest about $10,000 each to form and maintain the LLC.
· After they recoup their investment, the investors would donate the system to CUCC, and the church would then see lower electric bills.
Donations: If the 10 KW system is funded via donations to CUCC, the donors would receive a 35% tax credit on their NC income tax, and 501c3 deduction on their federal income tax.
· This mechanism would allow for many small donors to make up the $55,000.
· Under this mechanism, CUCC would see lower electric bills from day one.
These tax advantages may terminate in 2016, so to take advantage of
them we must act soon.
With this background, the Justice in a Changing Task Force wants to know whether the congregation would like us to continue investigating installing solar panels at CUCC.
Poll questions:
1. Would you like to see CUCC continue to investigate solar panels?
2. Would you be interested in learning more about becoming a LLC investor?
3. Would you be interested in donating to the purchase of panels?
4. Do you have other comments?
Please return your written responses by March 10 to any of the JCC members*, email or mail them to Gary Smith (smithgk@mindspring.com, or 2712 Lochmore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27608) or turn them in at the church office.
*JCC members: Lena Gallitano, Pastor Steve Halsted, Ron Howell, Marty Lamb, Deborah and Todd Lipman, John Little, Grady McCallie, David Smith, Gary (chair) and Jane Smith, Jim Smith, Skip Stoddard, Edith Sylla and Karen Vollrath