CUCC Weekly eNews

November 29, 2015 Weekly News  (PDF) The  online calendar  is always available and is always up-to-date. Newsletters from 2013 and 2014 may be found on the News blog.  Older newsletters  are found in the archive.

5-7PM, Fellowship Hall Come decorate the tree, share a pizza supper, and share Christmas Joy with other families.  All ages and any kind of family are welcome.

Joan McAllister will take your clean, in-good-condition blankets, heavy sweaters and coats to the drop off site.  The items will be given to refugees from Syria who are living the camps as the winter sets in.   She is collecting through December 4.  Bring them to her at church.

(from Gray Woodard) A huge thank you to the 22 volunteers who helped out at The Food Bank on Saturday, November 21. With the help of some community volunteers, we bagged 2,000 pounds of greens and 10,000 pounds of white potatoes for a total of 10,105 meals!  Some of that food will be on Thanksgiving tables, so you can feel wonderful about the work you did. We also got to spend some time with some church members we don't often hang out with and a good time was had by all. A special thank you to Santi for encouraging the youth to participate.

Welcoming, Fellowship & Growth is sponsoring CUCC’s Annual Adult Christmas Party on Saturday, December 5th, 7:00pm, VFH. WFG will provide desserts, drinks (including wine and beer), and entertainment. We ask you to provide a ready-to-eat/serve finger-food for 6 to 8 people. We’ll mingle and share holiday greetings and then gather in the fellowship hall to sing carols and share what the holidays mean to us.  Along with your dish to share, we ask, if you are able, to please bring a Food Bag for Urban Ministries. If you can’t bring a food bag, the Food Bag Piggy Bank will be available for any monetary donations (any amount accepted). RSVP to the church office (919-809-8850 or office.cucc@gmail.com) with the number of people coming and what dish you will bring to share. Hope to see you at the festivities! Food bags should include: 1 lb. grits; 1 lb. rice; 1 lb. dried beans; 2 cans tomatoes; 2 cans applesauce; 2 macaroni & cheese; 1 jar peanut butter; 2 1qt pkg. dry milk; 2 cans nav

A memorial service for Vandy Bradow's mother Ida Klages will be held at Community UCC on December 1 at 3 PM. A preliminary obituary is available here .... http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Ida-Frances-Klages-103027744 Here are a few photos of Ida taken during the past 5 years at CUCC. You can click on any photos to obtain a large view of all the photos.

I have been trying to figure out how to extend a warm welcome to the refugees fleeing from the wars in Syria and Iraq. I don't agree with turning all of these families away because there might... just might... be someone among them who might do us harm.  I decided a first step might be to hang a welcome sign in the window of our home. Maybe you would like to make a sign, too? Or print mine , if you prefer. - submitted by Jane Smith, not representing any group

(from email sent today by Pastor Peg Williams) Ida Klages, mother of Vandy Bradow, peacefully passed away this morning at the age of 96. Arrangements are pending and we will share those at a later time. I know your prayers are with Vandy and her family at this time. Pastor Peg

Food Bank Service Project - Sat., Nov. 21 Arrive NO LATER THAN 1PM CUCC is on the volunteer schedule, Saturday, November 21, from 1:00pm - 4:00pm at the Food Bank. We need 25 volunteers and especially want to get the youth involved and need your help!  Volunteers must be 12 or older.  Contact Gray Woodard, or Śānti Matthews  (education.cucc@gmail.com). Bring your completed release form.   FORM Wear closed toe shoes.   Wrong shoes?  No participating. D ress warmly (unheated warehouse).  Parking:  Volunteers can park along the street as marked.   Directions :  3808 Tarheel Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27609 Please arrive by 1pm because we may be scheduled with another group.

November 22, 2015 Weekly News The  online calendar  is always available and is always up-to-date. Newsletters from 2013 and 2014 may be found on the News blog.  Older newsletters  are found in the archive.

November 15, 2015 Weekly News The  online calendar  is always available and is always up-to-date. Newsletters from 2013 and 2014 may be found on the News blog.  Older newsletters  are found in the archive.

All women of the church are invited to join us for a pot luck dinner and a lively game of charades at the next SIS meeting. It will be held at the home of Gray Woodard in Raleigh. For questions or directions, call Gray.

Adrienne Little (on behalf of our social justice ministry) sends these opportunities to work for justice from the Nov. 13 Congregations for Social Justice. 1 - CSJ Inventory of Resources for and Interest in Reentry from Prison The attached form gives us an opportunity to know what your congregation is doing or has available to meet the needs of persons coming back to our community after completing their sentences. Many of these persons need help accessing the resources for a successful reentry. The task of getting a job, housing, driver’s license, food and clothes before the first paycheck can be daunting, and some are seeking a welcoming faith community as well. Let us know what you are doing or want to do. We will let you know if any of your services or volunteers are needed by the newly formed Capital Area Reentry Council, a network of agencies and faith-groups working together to assist individuals. The form can be downloaded, filled in, and returned to stohler1@bellsouth.net . See

All women of the church are invited to join us for a pot luck dinner and a lively game of charades at the next SIS meeting. It will be held at the home of Gray Woodard, 3131 Hemlock Forest Cir, Unit 201 in Raleigh. For questions or directions, call Gray at (919) 417-5411.

I'm not going to lie to you.  We're going to feel this one.  We're going to feel this pledge increase because in 2016 Erin will be going to college.  So we're staring at double tuition.  And of course tuition's twin brothers "room" and "board".  You get the three as a package it seems.  As you can imagine, our finances have been preoccupied with making the most of this sitution. But I write this with a huge smile on my face.  I'm reading Jane Smith's project blog posting about the solar panel project.  Not only are we currently generating carbon free electricity from the sun (cue applause sign).  But the small amount left over after fund raising has gone on to help seed new projects.  Like the mustard seed parable we read in sunday school.  The reality of today is that it's just too easy to get disheartened with the state of climate change inaction.  One can feel like our leaders are watching Rome burn.  Yet amid the macro obstacles,

Adrienne Little (for Social Justice Ministry) sends these ideas for your time and creativity as you join others to promote justice in our community and the world.   The list comes from Congregations for Social Justice (Nov. 6 email). 1 -  How Can Justice Heal: Restoring Humanity in the Wake of Murder The Capital Restorative Justice Project's 13th Annual Gathering Saturday, November 14th, 2015 - 10 AM - 3:30 PM  --- Lunch will be provided Blacknall Presbyterian Church,  1902 Perry Street Durham, NC 27705 Please join us for a powerful line-up of speakers from diverse backgrounds and experiences to explore the way violence harms individuals and the community and how we can engage and work together to restore and uphold everyone's humanity in the wake of murder. There will be an opportunity to participate in the restorative practice of Talking Circles, with dedicated Circles for family members of murder victims and for family members of those who have committed murder, or to attend

Presentations by CUCC  members on Stewardship Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015

Welcoming, Fellowship & Growth is sponsoring CUCC’s Annual Adult Christmas Party on Saturday, December 5th, 7-9PM. WFG will provide desserts, drinks (including wine and beer), and entertainment.  We’ll mingle and share holiday greetings and then gather in the fellowship hall to sing carols and share what the holidays mean to us. NEW THIS YEAR:   We ask you to provide a ready-to-eat/serve finger-food for 6 to 8 people.  Along with your dish to share, please bring a Food Bag for Urban Ministries. If you can’t bring a food bag, the Food Bag Piggy Bank will be available for donations. RSVP to the church office and let us know the number of people coming and what dish you will bring to share. Food bags should include: 1 lb. grits; 1 lb. rice; 1 lb. dried beans; 2 cans tomatoes; 2 cans applesauce; 2 macaroni & cheese; 1 jar peanut butter; 2 1qt pkg. dry milk; 2 cans navy, pinto or pork ‘n beans.

November 6, 2015 Weekly Email The  online calendar  is always available and is always up-to-date. Newsletters from 2013 and 2014 may be found on the News blog.  Older newsletters  are found in the archive.

Karen Bearden, a 350.org organizer, asked us to extend these invitations to CUCC folk.  Here is her email. 1)  One more reminder about the November 16 showing of This Changes Everything in Raleigh at the Regal North Hills movie theatre at 7:30 pm! Order your tickets here! Many of you have already ordered your tickets. THANK YOU! Even if you aren’t able to attend, can you help spread the word?  We’re getting closer to our threshold of tickets that need to be sold--20 more tickets by November 8th--to confirm the showing! Order your tickets here! You’ll find an announcement and flyer below. You can also find the announcement on the 350 Triangle Facebook page that you can share if you’re on Facebook. I’m delighted the Raging Grannies will be sharing their message with us through song before the movie begins. I’ll speak briefly about the 350 Triangle November 29th NC Virtual Global Climate March. The weekend before the Paris climate talks begin, people from around the world will be coming t

Have you ever felt surprised or ashamed of your gut-level reaction to a person you considered "different”? Perhaps it was someone that was Black, Gay, Poor, Asian, Republican, Muslim, Disabled, or Hispanic. Do you want to explore, in a safe environment, the invisible mental shortcuts that create biases that divide us and rob us of a truly just, diverse, and inclusive society? Community United Church of Christ will be offering a two-workshop series that will lead you on a journey of self-exploration of your hidden biases. Along your trek you will discover strategies to confront racial bias in yourself as you encounter it in your daily interactions. The two 2-hour workshops will be held in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 9, from 7:00pm - 9:00pm. Please plan to attend both sessions. Child care will be provided. To register, contact Joan McAllister.  Last day to sign up:  November 29. Silence does nothing to mitigate the effects of bias.  

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Tuesday, November 24, at 7pm 2723 Clark Avenue, Raleigh Directions Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host the annual Community Thanksgiving Service this year. Involved with this special worship will be the pastors, members, and choirs of Fairmont United Methodist Church, West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, and Community United Church of Christ. Pastor Sharon will be our preacher for the evening.

Finally! A Panel Discussion on LGBT Legal Rights in NC, for the LGBT Community Wednesday, November 4, 2015, 6:30pm to 8:00pm Community United Church of Christ, 814 Dixie Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607 Legal Topics: Adoption, Separation, Divorce, Social Security, Health Insurance,  Retirement Event Sponsors: Legal Shield, The Entrepreneur’s Source, and CUCC (ONA) Register here The Panel:         The Moderator: BJ Kilgore-Attorney at Marshall & Taylor, PLLC Rachel Beard-Attorney at Graber/Palme Law Firm Michael Burger-Attorney at Howard, Stallings From Hutson, Atkins, Angell & Davis,  P.A. Jeff O’Briant-Attorney at O’Briant Law, P.C., Eric Brei- Attorney at R. W. Bobholz Law, PLLC Additional Support Resources Tom Cornwell-CPA at Malvin Riggins and Company, P.C. Tommy Dwight-Independent Financial Advisor at T. Dwight Financial Alex Sutherland-Independent Fiancial Advisor at LifePlan Group(Social Security) Tony Kay-Broker/Agent Simplex Solutions Inc. (Health Care) Your Advance Questions:

Please join us Wednesday, November 18, 7:00pm, CUCC, in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall, for our special “Holiday” Potluck. The holidays can be stressful for everyone, but the members of the LGBTQ community may have additional stressors if they do not have supportive families. Join us as we share a meal and discuss various scenarios that may happen during the holidays. ALL ALLIES, FAMILY MEMBERS AND LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS ARE WELCOME. No pressure on sharing. You may listen and/or contribute as much as you wish. All PFLAG meetings are confidential and all are welcome! PFLAG is the United States' largest organization for parents, families, friends, and straight allies united with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The mission of PFLAG Triangle is to: Support Families and Friends – by working to foster loving relationships, by helping them understand and affirm their gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender loved ones; Educate Ourselves and the Public – by working with educa

SAVE THE DATE!!  Saturday, November 14, 2015, 7:00pm - 9:00pm Vaughan Fellowship Hall This will be a bang-up ending to a spectacular pledge drive and is one of the funniest, most side-splitting shows that you will see this year - sponsored jointly by the Stewardship Ministry and our Youth. It is an inter-generational party to be enjoyed by all. We’re looking for talent of all varieties, so please sign up soon so that you can be included in the program. Sign up in the Narthex for the next two Sundays (Nov. 1 and 8) or contact Śānti Matthews (education.cucc@gmail.com), who is scheduling the star groups. Don’t worry about being laughed at, because that is the point, but if you have a serious talent and want to perform, we promise to behave accordingly. Please come and join us. It helps us to plan the food if you RSVP; but if you forget, come anyway. Let us support the talented folks in our congregation and enjoy an evening with friends. Childcare will be provided if needed, as well as mou

November Newsletter  (This  is the same as the Weekly News November 1, 2015.) The  online calendar  is always available and is always up-to-date. Newsletters from 2013 and 2014 may be found on the News blog.  Older newsletters  are found in the archive.