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Friday Email - 7 MAR 2014

Spring Forward this Sunday!
Pancake Breakfast Tomorrow, March 8
Sunday Morning Bible Study – Lenten Study
Forum, Sunday, March 9, 9:15am - VFH
Retirees’ Group – Monday, March 10
Monday Lunch Group Lenten Study
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
2014 Youth Led Worship Service, Sunday, March 23!
Got Cots?
Say it with Flamingos!
Newcomers' Supper
Loan Your Art to the “Loo(vre)”
“Groundswell Rising, Protecting Our Children's Air & Water”
International Women’s Day Celebration, March 8, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church
Justice in a Changing Climate (JCC) Poll of the Congregation

 Spring Forward this Sunday – (to be sung to “God of Grace and God of Glory”
“God of sleep and God of slumber, help us not be late, we ask:
Changing clocks one forward number, may we not forget this task.
Choir directors, preachers, teachers, all will bless your holy name,
If to Sunday church we came!” (from Carol Clark’s friend…)

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.

Sunday Morning Bible Study, 9:30am, Bradow Room
Lenten Series in Sunday Morning Bible Study:  Beginning March 9th, the Bible Study will engage in two contemplative practices to prepare our hearts and minds for Easter, lectio divina and centering prayer.  You may have experienced these practices in solitude.  Practiced in community, they bring a special light and richness to the life of the spirit. All are welcome, even if you have never encountered these practices.  In the words of Richard Rohr, prepare to experience “under-doing and assured failure.”  Sound intriguing?  Bill Lamb and Ellen Beidler will lead.

Forum, March 9, 9:15am, VFH
Inequality for All.  Join us to view the timely documentary, Inequality for All, (Part 1). Income inequality in the U.S. is at historic highs.  Such an unequal sharing of resources has a direct impact on our lives, on our economy, and on democracy itself.  The poor have fallen deeper into poverty; the rich have gotten richer and those in the middle have seen their incomes stagnate or decline.  How did this happen?  Learn about what has been happening and why.  The documentary features American economist and former U.S. Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, who explains the issues through compelling visuals and commentary. Led by Shirley Birt.

Retirees’ Group
The Retired Fellowship will meet Monday, March 10th, in the Fellowship Hall, at 10:30am.  Dr. John Little will discuss books by two well-known naturalists:  Aldo Leopold, the author of A Sand County Almanac and Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring.  Everyone is invited to this special program.  Bring a box lunch.  Dessert and drinks will be provided.

Monday Lunch Group Lenten Study
The Monday Lunch group meets Mondays at 12:15pm in the Hoffmann Room.  After a bag lunch, the group has prayer time where they offer up concerns and healing.  Newcomers and walk-ins are welcome! During Lent, the group will be studying the book, Life Lessons – Two Experts on Death and Dying Teach Us about the Mysteries of Life and Living, by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler.  Contact Vandy Bradow (vbradow@aol.com) if you would like additional information.

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, March 5th through April 16th (not holding group on March 26).  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.

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.

Got Cots?
"Got cots? The Appalachian Service Project team members will be taking cots to sleep on during their week of service this summer. If you have a cot you would be willing to loan to a team member, please contact Julie Robertson at 919-522-2421. We promise it will be returned to you in good condition. Thanks!"

Say it with Flamingos!
A flock of bright pink flamingos could land in the garden of someone special to you all for a donation to the CUCC Appalachia Service Project Team.  Contact Julie Robertson.  Let her know when you'd like the flock to land, the name & address of the person to receive the surprise, and anything special you'd like to say.  After confirming with our flamingo wrangler that the flock is available that day, we'll take care of the rest. We'll herd a flock of 25+ flamingos to grace your friend's lawn for two days.  Then we'll retrieve the flock.  The perfect gift to say you care!  If you know of someone with a special occasion that deserves flocking, please call Julie Robertson at 919-522-2421 and leave a message with your name and contact information and we’ll get in touch!  The average donation for a flocking is about $45. Thank you from your 2014 ASP team - Paul Judy and Erin Kiel, Ashley Joyner, Teresa Worley, Michael Bowen, John Robertson, JaCarrie Spurlock, Katherine Manus, Skip Stoddard, Lena Gallitano, Patrick Lee.

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.

Loan Your Art to the Loo(vre)
Do you have framed pictures or other wall art that you would loan to CUCC for rotating displays in the newly painted ladies and men’s restrooms?  If so, please put your name on the back of the art pieces (so we can return it) and place it in the Robing Room for Joan McAllister.

“Groundswell Rising, Protecting Our Children's Air & Water”
The Rialto Theater, Sunday, April 6, 1:00 pm. Mark Lichty, the executive producer, showed this film at CUCC in January. The film is told by the people whose lives have been affected by fracking. It gives a clear picture about the harm that fracking is doing to the environment. There will be a panel discussion following. Please put this date on your calendar and tell folks who are on the fence or have not heard about fracking to please see this film. Submitted by Laura Upchurch

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