Dear
Community UCC Members and Friends,
I
continue to be amazed at in the incredible influence a church the size of CUCC
has in our local community. You show up when others stay home: when it’s too
cold, when it's raining, when the stakes are too high. You continue to shine
your light in this community even while the shadows of injustice cast their
ugly stares.
As
a church we are refining what it means to participate in building the beloved
community; one prayer circle, one march for justice, one community brunch, one
bittersweet memorial service at a time.
In
my 2018 Annual Pastor's Report I reflected on the past year, as well as shared
a glimpse of what I see in our present-future:
It
has been remarkable to see the growth in vitality and enthusiasm that so many
have for our shared ministry while also noting and feeling the lull of
excitement and energy by those for whom this is one more year of many in
service to the church and the greater community. It is time for Community UCC
to decide to believe as much in our future as we do in our past. I am thankful
for the steady and faithful leadership of our Moderator, Grady McCallie, and
past and elect Moderators, Jane Smith and Ellen Beidler, and for our leaders in
Stewardship, Jason Myers and Bill Lamb in whom I have complete trust. It will
be under the leadership of the next Moderating and Stewardship Teams that CUCC
adopts a strategic plan outlining the mission initiatives for the short and
long term life of our congregation. I believe that in establishing an
innovative mission agenda, a robust planned-giving program, and a marketing and
outreach strategy we will continue to be a transformative congregation for an
ever-emerging 21st Century culture, in Raleigh, in North Carolina, and across
this country.
One
of the most honest and thoughtful leaders of this nation reminds us of the call
before us, saying,
"Change
will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other
time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we
seek.” ― Barack
Obama
Spirit
is leading the way,
Jenny
Shultz-Thomas