CUCC Weekly eNews

(Many folks at CUCC have heard Jo and me tell stories about our old friend "Ab" who we were blessed to spend much time with during the 1970s when Jo was living in Spartanburg SC. Master herpetologist, Vietnam vet, and many other things, Ab has always been a prophetic voice. His Facebook posting yesterday is something that must be shared. Thanks to Bill Broom, another old Spartanburg friend, for bringing it to my attention. -- Lavon Page) GOD WITH US (posted on Facebook by Clarence Abercrombie) "Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." REVELATION 11:15 I have never before quoted from the Book of Revelation, but today I must. Last night, 17 June 2015, a young white man walked into the Wednesday night Bible-study at Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street in Charleston, South Carolina. Of course the man was welcome...

From your intentional interim pastor June 19, 2015 Friends,             Your Transition Team has been very busy planning and preparing for the beginning of the Heritage part of the Intentional Interim Ministry process.  That sounds more formal than what is actually going to happen.  We hope that you really enjoy learning!  Mark your calendars for the upcoming dates. HERITAGE: Merging Our Personal Histories with our Church History June 28  – Introduction in worship July 5  – beginning of weekly Heritage Moments in worship Sunday, July 19 -- Kick-Off!!!   Worship will center around our heritage and after church we will share a light lunch and explain in more detail the entire process and begin the timeline.  Saturday, August 15  - ICE CREAM SOCIAL/GAME NIGHT to help us learn about our church!  Sunday , September 27 - we will celebrate and mark the end of our exploration of our history. ...

The photos below are from the June 14 program honoring our graduates for this year ...   Click any photo to view large versions of all photos  

Photos from the mixing party and luncheon (compliments of Suzette) are now available in the church photo gallery . The party took in $173 in contributions from participants (according to Jo Perry) Mixing information from Toxic Free NC.

Photos of the Confirmation Ceremony on June 7 taken by Suzette Roach are now available in the photo gallery portion of the church website.

Mac Hulslander will represent CUCC  June 18-20 in Greensboro at the annual meeting of the UCC’s Southern Conference (one of 38 conferences;  see larger map ).  Then, June 26-30, in Cleveland, Ohio, Mac will be a delegate from the Southern Conference to the UCC’s biennial  national meeting (called the General Synod ). Watch gavel to gavel coverage of the General Synod. The hearing on the "From Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy" resolution for which Mac will be advocating will be held on Sunday evening. - Submitted by Geri Bowen for Church Council

From your intentional interim pastor             CUCC is a busy place!  I’m often awed and amazed by the energy and enthusiasm you all have when it comes to being in fellowship with each other or serving God and the community.  You are a glorious and wondrous community of faith.             This coming Sunday we will celebrate the high school graduation of three of our own, send Mac Huslander off to the Southern Conference and bless Abby Smith as she goes to Indiana for a new job.             After church I’m excited to be part of the picnic lunch prepared by Commnity Outreach and learn how to make non-toxic cleaning supplies.             Third Tuesday Taize is June 16 at 7 pm in the sanctuary.  I absolutely love Taize worship and find it so meaningful....

The video of the complete Confirmation program from Sunday, June 7, is now available in the CUCC Archive. View video of Confirmation Ceremony

As the resident maverick at CUCC I've been known to use the term "brain-dead liberal" to refer to our tendency to label alternatives as "liberal" or "conservative" and make the presumption that the "liberal" option is always our default preference. The Sunday Review section of the NY Times yesterday features (as it's front page lead) a delicious story entitled "What Makes a Woman?".  What makes the article so delicious is that it highlights the absurdities that arise when two different forms of political correctness butt heads. I highly recommend this article to everyone associated with CUCC. Until we can learn to laugh at ourselves, we have a long way to go. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/opinion/sunday/what-makes-a-woman.html

The Community Outreach Ministry is throwing a Mixing Party right after church on June 14.  Please join us for a picnic (thanks to help from Welcoming, Fellowship and Growth Ministry ) and then we will use earth-friendly products to mix up some bottles of cleaning solution.  We will provide everything you need for lunch and for mixing, so just plan to stay for this fun event and leave with a bottle of cleanser with a label so you will know how to mix up your next batch. Menu:  a variety of sandwiches, fruit and dessert. Time commitment:  Time to eat your picnic lunch then about 10 minutes to mix up the ingredients for your bottle of cleanser, assembly-line style. - submitted by Community Outreach Ministry

Carol J. Powell, age 59, long-time resident of Kensington, MD, died on April 21, 2015, in Hagerstown, MD. She worked for many years in the programming department at TV station WJLA (DC). Carol leaves behind her mother, Jocelyn Powell, and her well-loved children, Virginia and Jacob Rose; three brothers and their families; and many dear relatives and friends. A memorial service and reception celebrating her life will be held at Community United Church of Christ on Sunday, June 7, at 4:00 p.m. Those wishing to honor her memory with a gift may make a contribution to the Mayo Clinic Foundation or the Kidney Foundation. Flowers are also welcome.