CUCC Weekly eNews

After a one-week delay because of ice storms during the first week of Lent, the Lenten movie series ran from February 27 through March 27. The attendance was remarkable. 15 people turned out on Feb. 27 when the parking lot was again covered in ice. 25 turned out for "The Retrieval", a movie that was brand new to CUCC. 21 attended the showing of "The Other Son" on March 13. 19 attended "As it is in Heaven" which was shown opposite Duke playing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 20. 20 came out for the finale "Of Gods and Men" which was in head-to-head competition with NCSU playing in the Sweet 16 on March 27. So let it be said that neither ice storms nor local teams playing in the NCAA tournament prevented a total attendance of exactly 100 at the Lenten film series this year. The purpose of this post, however, is to share the news that the participants in the film series expressed their appreciation via a generous response to Gera...

From the Interim Pastor Congratulations! Sunday Morning Bible Study:  Experiencing the stories Lenten Forum Series – Living the Questions Friday Evening Film Series Maundy Thursday Worship – April 2 Church Work Day – Saturday, March 28 Save the Date! Bread for the World is coming to Raleigh March 28 Healing Service, Monday, March 30, 12:45pm – Sanctuary Parents’ Night Out (Childcare for CUCC Children) and Lock-In For Youth – April 10th “Let Your Life Speak” Series Save the date!  Solar Celebration at Anderson Point Park - April 19 CUCC Family Fun Auction Party – April 18 From the Interim Pasto r March 26, 2015           If you lived in Indiana today, you would be reading about the 25th anniversary of a high school basketball game where over 41,000 people came to watch a senior in high school play.  His name is Damon Bailey and he and his school from Bedford were in Indianapolis to play in Indiana’s state championship*.  I was one of those fan...

What is One Great Hour of Sharing? OGHS is a Christian offering to empower, provide water, supply food, and give relief from disasters. The UCC in partnership with eight other denominations have been collecting this offering for almost seven decades.  Together, they raise about $12 million each year. How are the offerings used? The UCC responds to development, disaster, and refugee needs in 138 countries, and provides disaster relief and immigration assistance in the United States. More than 60% of the UCC's offering targets international development initiatives, including annual support for missionaries. Currently there are 7 OGHS supported missionaries and 2 Global Mission Interns working in disaster relief, health care, education, and agricultural development. The offering funds disaster preparedness and response, and disaster related volunteer initiatives in the U.S. as well. Nearly one-third of the UCC's offering is shared through Church World Service to support refugee, ...

From the intentional interim pastor March 26, 2015             If you lived in Indiana today, you would be reading about the 25 th anniversary of a high school basketball game where over 41,000 people came to watch a senior in high school play.  His name is Damon Bailey and he and his school from Bedford were in Indianapolis to play in Indiana’s state championship*.  I was one of those fans.             We Hoosiers came to hear about Damon when he was in the 8 th grade and Indiana University coach Bobby Knight started talking about him.  In 1990 Damon joined the IU basketball team as a freshman and we loved him even more.  That was a fun four years.             In 1994 the NBA draft was in Indianapolis and I was there when Damon was drafted in the 44 th round by the Indiana Pacers.  The place went...

April 25-26: SATURDAY/SUNDAY CHURCH-WIDE OUTDOOR EVENT AND CAMPING! Join in the fun! Our only agenda this year is to share good food, sing lots of campfire songs, take a beautiful nature walk, and simply rest and relax together! We will again be at Camp Lapihio at Umstead Park April 25 at 3:00PM to April 26 at noon! Arrive Saturday afternoon for a hike or some singing and games, or evening for dinner and a camp fire with more songs, and stay the night if you like cabin camping. We'll also have Sunday breakfast and morning prayers, and you can still make it to church for worship if you'd like! If you are coming for the evening only, please bring:  a side dish to share with dinner  a camp chair (optional)  a copy of Rise Up Singing (if you have one)   If you are spending the night, please bring:  a side dish to share with dinner  a camp chair (optional)  socks & comfortable shoes for walking/playing  clothes in layers (it may get cool at night)...

April 10: YOUTH LOCK/IN and PARENTS NIGHT OUT FOR CUCC CHILDREN! (Youth will provide childcare for CUCC Children ages 3-10 from 6-9 PM and then CUCC Youth will continue with games, a movie, and an overnight lock-in.)

This morning Sam and Joanna led the Lenten Meditation walk at Schenck Forest. -- Photos by Jo Perry

From the Interim Pastor New Office Hours and Phone Number Semi-guided Walking Meditation – A Lenten Event Sunday Morning Bible Study:  Experiencing the stories Lenten Forum Series – Living the Questions Friday Evening Film Series Maundy Thursday Worship – April 2 Church Work Day – Saturday, March 28 Save the Date! Bread for the World is coming to Raleigh March 28 Healing Service, Monday, March 30, 12:45pm – Sanctuary Fun-raiser for New Stove CUCC Family Fun Auction Party – April 18 From the Interim Pastor I’m sure you have had songs playing over and over in your head.  You can’t get rid of it; it just stays until it goes away on its own.  The term is “worming.”  You hear a song and it “worms” its way into your head, and like a tape recorder it just keeps playing whether you want it to or not.                   A few days the song “Seasons of Love” wormed its way into my head.  The difference here is that I don’t remem...

From the interim pastor March 20, 2015             I’m sure you have had songs playing over and over in your head.  You can’t get rid of it; it just stays until it goes away on its own.  The term is “worming.”  You hear a song and it “worms” its way into your head, and like a tape recorder it just keeps playing whether you want it to or not.             A few days the song “Seasons of Love” wormed its way into my head.  The difference here is that I don’t remember the last time I heard the song.  Since then I have listened to it numerous times.  It is captivating and compelling for me.             “Seasons of Love” comes from the musical “Rent.”  Rent   is a   rock musical   with music and lyrics by   Jonathan Larson [1]   loosely based on   Giacomo Puccini 's ...

9 AM March 21 (THIS saturday) at the Schenck Forest Description: This will be a semi-guided walking mediation, and involve 1.5 miles of moderate hiking.  Those that prefer less walking will have the option to join the group for the first and last 1/4 mile of the walk and sit in the covered picnic area in between. Directions: From the NC Museum of Art take Reedy Creek Rd Northwest for exactly 1 mile (.3 miles past Edward Mill Rd.) and take a left on an unmarked dirt road.  Drive 100 yards and park on the right side of the road.  We will meet at the gate on the right. Facilities are rustic.  Bring water and comfortable clothes.  There is a port-a-potty near the picnic area but no running water. Submitted by Sam and Joanna Woodrum who will lead the walk

Sunset from the Kepler's lake house (auctioned:  day at the lake) The CUCC Family Fun Auction Party is coming up on Saturday, April 18, and we need you to help make it a success! The auction is an annual fundraiser for CUCC.  Would you consider donating an item to the auction?  Examples of past auction items include: Garden plants Weekends at the beach, lake or mountains  Hand-made pottery, quilts, jewelry and original artwork A morning of bird-watching & lunch                        Therapeutic massage Day trips to fun destinations.  A geology field trip or a hike at a state park Pet-sitting, Babysitting, Yard work, Handyman, and Computer services Brunches, lunches, dinners Delicious homemade cakes, pies, jams, etc. Stone Mountain Auctioned:  camping trip with Mike and Skip Please contribute your time, talents or treasure to this wonderful annual event.  To make a pledge, call the office ...

Youth Sunday 2015 was held on March 15. The CUCC you led the entire worship service. The entire service (edited down to 34 minutes by eliminating long periods of silence and hymns) is available on video in the CUCC Archive. In addition, there are 4 short video clips of the musical selections performed by the Youth. Go to CUCC Archive collection of Youth Sunday 2015 videos

March 12, 2015 From the intentional interim pastor           Change:  to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone:             I often like change.  I like to redecorate.  I like to move plants around in the yard.  I like to rearrange things.  I like the change I like.             I’m not so fond of changes that affect my life in negative way.  I don’t like it when one of our children is in pain or a grandchild is disappointed.  I don’t like it when my father’s health takes a turn for the worst and I don’t like it when I can’t understand why people are so mean to each other.              I guess I don’t like all change.  Maybe you understand what...

This edition of Friday Email is distributed as a Google Doc file. Friday Email for February 20, 2015

The scene that Pastor Peg Williams alluded to in her sermon on the Ten Commandments, March 8, 2015. The use of the audio in her sermon can be found in her archived sermon  in the CUCC archives.

Monday morning, March 2,  11:47AM:  We are in the process of changing the church phones from AT&T to Time Warner.  As a result, the phones are not currently working.  Please check the website (www.communityucc.org) for updates on when the phones are again working. Also, as a result of changing our plan, the cucc@nc.rr.com email address will no longer work.  Please make sure you change the church email in your address book to office.cucc@gmail.com. Peace, Cathy