CUCC Weekly eNews

We have been composting at CUCC for 10 months, collected well over a ton of material and kept about 1/2 ton of CO2 equivalents from the atmosphere.  Here is a video of what happens after it leaves our bin to accomplish this and what some elementary school kids think of it.  Cool! Thanks for all you do to make this successful!

CUCC Council  is in communication with our conference leaders and is supporting our deacons.  (Moderator:  Ellen Beidler) Deacons  are finalizing our search committee team.  (Deacons Chair:  Louise Slate) Search Committee  will create and post a CUCC church profile for pastors in search to use to get to know us (Search Committee Chair:  Paul Atkinson) The Congregation  will be asked to help paint the picture of CUCC by telling our stories.  (all of us)

Eastertide / Watered by Sarah Are WATERED Every plant needs three things to grow:  Soil, light, and water.  I wish I could be so simple.  I need a space to belong, and space to plant roots.  I need stars to wonder at  And sunsets to make me feel small.  I need hands to hold,  And another heartbeat to fall in rhythm with.  I need music like I need air, And air that smells like trees.  I need food that tastes like home,  And a home that feels like Sabbath.  I need a place at the table,  And a table to remind me of my  Place in this world.  So water me with the stories of Jesus. Cover me in hope, which looks like light, And bury me in the promise that love is stronger than death. For with those three things, I am sure to bloom. Maybe it is just that simple.

Sunday   04/28         9:00am   Nursery provided     9:00am   Taizé Worship – Sanctuary    9:30am Economic Justice Task Force Meeting - Library 10:00am   Morning Prayers at Camp Crabtree, Umstead Park 1 0:30am Worship Service - Sanctuary 10:45am Children’s Sunday School - Sunday School Rooms 10:45am Youth Sunday School - Youth Room 11:45am Fellowship - Vaughan Fellowship Hall   12:00pm Caring Committee - Pilgrim House 12:00pm Social Justice Ministry - Bradow Room 12:00pm Stewardship Ministry Meeting - Library Monday 04/29   12:15pm Monday Lunch Group - Hoffmann Room Tuesday 04/30      9:30am Tai Chi – Vaughan Fellowship Hall 10:00am Office Staff Meeting - Pilgrim House    Wednesday 05/01      6:30pm Bible Study - Pilgrim House Thursday 05/02     5:30pm CUCC Staff Meeting - Pi...

Lectionary for the Week of April 28, 2019 Second Sunday of Easter Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150 Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31

Sisters in Spirit will meet at the church on Thursday, April 25, 6:30pm for potluck and discussion of summer reads. Hoffmann Room

Walk Lightly on the Earth Saturday April 27 at 3PM — Sunday April 28 at 11:00AM Camp Crabtree in Umstead Park Justice in a Changing Climate and Religious Education invite EVERYONE to join us for the evening, the overnight, the morning, or all three! Let’s remember “how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth like its other creatures do.” — Barbara Ward Are you wishing for down-time to enjoy relaxed conversation? Have you ever made binoculars out of toilet paper rolls? Are you longing to plant something and watch it grow? Do you want to make an organic, nut-free, gluten-free, protein-rich snack? Would you like some new ideas for reducing your carbon footprint and walking lightly on the earth? Considering Camping? Spend the night if you’d like. There are plenty of small rustic cabins - each has three or four single beds with mattresses. Tents are not allowed on the grounds. Not Considering Camping? If you don't want to camp, come for the afternoon a...

A scene from "Where Do We Go Now?" The April 26 movie is " Where Do We Go Now? " All movies begin at 7 PM. Feel free to bring your dinner with you if you don't have time to eat at home. And bring snacks to share if you are so inclined. If you're bringing food or snacks you may wish to arrive a bit early to partake or to share your snacks.

You may notice something different about our sanctuary on Sunday!  A new glass and wood door has been installed on the north side of the room to better connect our worship space to the  Memorial Meditation Garden.  The door was purchased with funds donated to the church in memory or honor of loved ones.  In the coming months, the MMG team will be raising funds to install a new walkway in the garden, making it even more attractive and user-friendly.   For more information about that effort, please contact MMG chairperson Louise Slate (919-210-5951) or Property Ministry chairperson Merrilee Jacobson (919-274-4539).

The National UCC did an Article on our work in the JCC. Go to  http://www.ucc.org/news_love_ of_creation_evident_in_north_ carolina_church_s_compost_ pile_04172019  to check out the article. - Submitted by Gary Smith,  smithgk@mindspring.com

On Easter Sunday, the choir revealed their new look, switching out the aging (and very warm!) green polyester robes with white albs made of a more natural fabric.  The “new” robes were a donation from Beck’s Lutheran Church in Lexington, NC, who had been gifted with brand-new robes.  The green robes still have some life in them and will be donated to another congregation in the near future. Fortunately, the choir’s new robes are still made by the Gaspard Company, so more can be purchased as choir members are added to the ranks.  If you’re interested in giving the choir a try, please join us for rehearsal on Wednesday, May 8 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary or contact choir director Anne Moorman-Smith at 919-612-2594.

The 2 nd  Annual CUCC Yard Sale is scheduled for  Saturday, June 1 from 8:00am - 1:00pm.   Items for the event can be dropped off at the church the week of May 27.  In the meantime, we hope you’ll begin setting aside items at home for this important fundraising event.  For more information on the yard sale, or to volunteer, please contact Susan Atkinson (706-295-4574) or Merrilee Jacobson (919-274-4539). 

Adrienne Little, a regular at Congregations for Social Justice representing CUCC, shares these upcoming ways the community is working together.  Talk to her if you want more information. 1 - Close to Home: Interfaith Forum Sharing Immigrant and Refugee Stories from Robert Moxley <rlmoxley@gmail.com>        Monday, April 29, 2019  -  6:30-8:30 p.m.        Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh,        3313 Wade Avenue, Raleigh UUFR will be hosting an interfaith forum on Monday, April 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This interactive event will feature compelling presentations from the local experience, facilitated small group discussion and a Q&amp;A with an expert panel. Refreshments featuring foods of the cultures will be provided. Parking can either be accessed from Wade Avenue coming from the west or Dogwood Lane coming from the east. Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/35171686...

Flowers for the Easter Cross Each Easter Sunday, we ask the congregation to bring flowers to decorate the Cross. Please bring flowers from your garden to place on the cross that will be located outside the Narthex doors. We will have extra flowers and greenery if you do not have any flowers to bring. We will adorn the cross with the flowers after the 10:30am worship service.  Contact Louise Slate (Deacons) for questions or  the church office at office.cucc@gmail.com or 919-809-8850. Psalm 118:24:  This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

These events are scheduled to be held outside.  They will proceed as planned unless noted here. Friday Oaxaca Team hosts breakfast for the Caravan for Justice . - Proceeding as planned. Way of the Cross procession through downtown Raleigh.  CANCELLED Under roof cover Way of the Cross behind Talley Student Union, NCSU at noon.  Jane and Gary do not plan to attend. Saturday Forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) at Umstead Park , 9:30am-11:30am.  Wear layers, and shoes that can handle mud on gentle slopes. - Proceeding as planned.  Check here at 8:15 AM Saturday for status update. Sunday Easter sunrise worship at 7:30AM in the CUCC courtyard. - Proceeding as planned.

Sunrise Service - 7:30am Reverent Robert Parrish will be leading a Sunrise Service on Easter Morning in the courtyard of CUCC.  You are welcome to bring breakfast items to share after the service.

Way of the Cross Friday, April 19 11:50-1:00 Location CHANGE:  Under the roof at the courtyard of Talley Student Center, NCSU campus. Content for the event The Economic Justice Way of the Cross is a “Stations Of The Cross” walk through downtown Raleigh.   This is a very moving event.  Each station of the cross represents a social justice theme (like Black Lives Matter, Welcome Refugees and Immigrants, Healthcare for All, End Mass Incarceration), and at each station, speakers will give short reflections on the theme -- a chant, prose or prayer. People from all across the state participate, and while the event is founded in Christian tradition, it is an opportunity to celebrate the diverse backgrounds of our social justice faith community. CUCC members and friends are invited to attend.  Jane and Gary report they will be keeping the roads clear for emergency vehicles.  Whatever you decide, choose to be safe. This event is a community-wide ...

Holy Saturday Spiritual Walk: April 20, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Potts Branch Trail in Umstead Park Experience  shinrin-yoku , or " forest bathing ," as it is known in Japan - the practice of intentionally and mindfully spending time in the forest, using all our senses to experience nature up close. It creates a bridge between us and the natural world. Numerous scientific studies show that forest bathing significantly reduces stress and improves cardiovascular and metabolic health, among other health benefits. Most importantly, it gives us a profound sense of the beauty and mystery of the universe.  Mary Pat Peters , UCC friend and Spiritual Landscape Designer, will guide us. Potts Branch is an easy 1.3 mile trail. Please enter the park at the Crabtree Creek Entrance; continue along the main road until the next to last parking area on the left. Bathrooms and picnic tables are nearby. Contact Śā nti at 919-961-8814 or education.cucc@gmail.com with questions or to ...

Maundy Thursday Soup and Worship at St. Paul’s: April 18, Dinner at 6 p.m., Worship at 7 p.m. St. Paul’s Christian Church, hosts us as we explore the meaning of the last supper and the power of breaking bread together in community. Good Friday: April 19, Sanctuary Open for Prayer, 12-1 p.m.  Join in the journey towards Easter by participating in a self-directed meditation on the passion narrative, reflecting on the story of Jesus’ journey from the Garden of Gethsemane to the hill of Calvary. Good Friday Prayer Circle: April 19, 1:00 p.m., Sanctuary This is a simple gathering for all who may wish to hold one another in the light. Holy Saturday Spiritual Walk: April 20, 9:30-11:30 a.m. , Pott’s Trail, Umstead Park. Experience shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing," the healing practice of spending time with trees in order to gain from their many health benefits. Mary Pat Peters, UCC friend and Spiritual Landscape Designer will guide us.

Walk Lightly on the Earth Church-Wide Outdoor Event and Camp-Out Saturday April 27 at 3:00PM — Sunday April 28 at 11:00AM Camp Crabtree in Umstead Park Justice in a Changing Climate and Religious Education invite EVERYONE to join us for the evening, the overnight, the morning, or all three! Let’s remember “how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth like its other creatures do.” — Barbara Ward ·        Are you wishing for down-time to enjoy relaxed conversation? ·        Have you ever made binoculars out of toilet paper rolls? ·        Are you longing to plant something and watch it grow? ·        Do you want to make an organic, nut-free, gluten-free, protein-rich snack? ·        Would you like some new ideas for reducing your carbon footprint and walking lightly on the earth? Considering Camping? Spen...

A big “thank you” to the 17 volunteers who braved a rainy day on April 13 to get the church buildings and grounds in great shape for Holy Week.  Several areas were mulched, pine straw was raked and redistributed, windows, tables and blinds were cleaned, the tool area in the  Pilgrim House basement was organized, fresh paint spruced up bathroom doors, pine cones and limbs were removed from the children’s playground, the trash enclosure was swept out and the mold washed off the walls, the church sign’s spotlights were protected from the lawnmower, and several decades of dirt was removed from the women’s restroom fan. If you missed the work day and would like to take on a project as your time allows, please contact Property Ministry chair Merrilee Jacobson (919-274-4539).  Please mark your calendar for Saturday, June 8 when we’ll tackle the rest of our “to do” list!

Lots of jobs... outside and inside All skill levels needed The first church work day of 2019 is scheduled for Saturday, April 13 from 8am and noon.  There will be indoor and outdoor projects for all ages and skill levels. To keep us fueled, we’ll have Krispy Kreme doughnuts, muffins, fruit, juice and coffee.  Most supplies will be provided, but outdoor workers are welcome to bring their favorite work gloves and pruning tools. Wheel barrels and blowers would also be appreciated.  For more information, please contact Property Ministry chair Merrilee Jacobson (919-274-4539).

Lectionary Readings for Holy Week                                        Sixth Sunday of Lent/Palm Sunday - Violet or Red Liturgy of the Palms:      Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Luke 10:28-40 (Violet or Red) Liturgy of the Passion: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11;                                                 Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49 (Violet or Red) Maundy Thursday:    Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19;                ...

Sunday   04/14  -  PALM SUNDAY/PASSION SUNDAY      9:00am   Nursery provided     9:00am   Taizé Worship – Sanctuary      9:30am   Lenten Animate Series - Hoffmann Room 1 0:30am   Worship Service with Procession into the Sanctuary 10:45am Children’s Sunday School - Sunday School Rooms 10:45am Youth Sunday School - Youth Room 11:45am Fellowship - Vaughan Fellowship Hall 12:00pm Easter Egg Hunt - Church Grounds   4:30pm Everything Happens Book Discussion - Hoffmann Room Monday 04/15   12:15pm Monday Lunch Group - Hoffmann Room 12:30pm Lenten Healing Service - Sanctuary Tuesday 04/16     9:30am Tai Chi – Vaughan Fellowship Hall 10:00am Office Staff Meeting - Pilgrim House Wednesday 04/17   9:00am Silent Retreat - Cedar Cross Retreat Center 6:00pm Bible Study - Pilgrim House 7:30pm PFLAG - Vaughan Fellowship Hall...