CUCC Weekly eNews

New opportunities keep popping up every day, so keep checking the CUCC Online Calendar .   October 29, 2020 edition Friday, October 30 Submit photo for Ofrenda Memorial Walk – LAST DAY Retirees’ Café – Merrilee and Bill co-host Saturday, October 31 Meditation and Conversation Dia de Los Muertos Memorial Youth Walk Sunday, November 1 – All Saint’s Day Eastern Standard Time begins Taizé worship , then fellowship Sunday Morning Adult Bible study – Prodigal Son concludes Worship for all ages with communion , then fellowship Caring Committee Ofrenda Memorial Walk for Congregation All Saint’s Day movie night  - Cancelled due to weather Monday, November 2 Ofrenda Memorial Walk   is open Monday Lunch Group  Tuesday, November 3 Ofrenda Memorial Walk  is open Election Day: Our Faith, Our Vote Wednesday, November 4 Ofrenda Memorial Walk   is open Compost emptied Tai Chi Lectionary Lunch with Lacey Wednesday Evening Bible Study Election Debrief and Prayer ...

Daylight savings time ends Saturday. Turn your clocks back - another hour for sleep or fun.

All are invited to come and participate in this meaningful time of remembering and celebrating our loved ones who have died.   6:30-7 pm  Be one of the first to experience the Ofrenda Memorial Walk through our newly paved Memorial Meditation Garden! You can be among the first to wind through this experiential walk (which will remain on the grounds until November 28).  7-8:45 pm  Cancelled due to weather  Watch Coco, the Pixar movie about Dia de los Muertos. Arrive early: participation will be limited to 15 seating area units (a person, couple, or family in each seating area). Park in Dixie Trail lot; the movie will be in the Wade Avenue lot. Bring a camp chair, blanket, and mask.  No rain date.   Sparked by the youth international mission trip to Oaxaca, CUCCers have shared many wonderful moments in recent years around Day of the Dead activities. There is perhaps no better way to get to know a church friend than by hearing stories about their belo...

As All Saint’s Day and Dia de Los Muertos approaches, the CUCC Youth are creating an Ofrenda (offering) walk through our newly paved Memorial Garden. The walk is intended to help us understand the complexity of transitions, the power of memory, and the celebration of life. It will also hopefully continue to link us to the experiences we had and the friends we met in Oaxaca, Mexico, while on our International Mission Trip in 2019.  Please visit our Memorial Garden anytime from November 2-24, and take your time journeying through the walkway. There will be places for you to engage: invitations for you to remember, to pray, and to leave your own offerings for loved ones.  You are invited to share a photo of a loved one who has died, for display in the garden. Please take a picture of a printed photo or send a digital image via text to 919-961-8814 or email to education.cucc@gmail.com. Śānti will print it and laminate it so it will be weather proof for display in the Ofrenda ...

In November we have two small group opportunities to dig deep into the lectionary readings for the coming Sunday:  a mid-day series and an evening series. Every Wednesday, 1-2PM - hosted by Pastor Lacey First and third Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30PM - hosted by the Wednesday Evening Bible Study group Both groups welcome new people - whether from CUCC or from the community. Those gathered choose which of the lectionary readings for the week to consider for the discussion.  No homework required.  Click here for the lectionary readings .  If you are curious about how the lectionary readings were chosen, read here . To get the Zoom meeting information, contact office.cucc@gmail.com a few days before the group gathers.  The Zoom information is also in the Saturday Zoom email.

 The CUCC Cafe' continues through November (except Thanksgiving Friday).  Sometimes called the Retirees' Cafe', this gathering is for anyone who happens to be free between 1-2PM on Fridays.  There is no agenda - just time to catch up on what is happening in each other's lives. The Zoom meeting information is in the Saturday Zoom email, or you can contact Bill Lamb or Merrilee Jacobson who are sharing hosting duties.  Their contact information is in Breeze.

The honor of your company is requested at our fall congregational meeting via Zoom following the church service on November 15, 2020. A detailed agenda will be released prior to the meeting, but come expecting to hear about our Path Forward, our stewardship campaign and budget for 2021. Be sure to put November 15th on your calendar now! - Megan Fackler Bretz, Moderator mfacklerbretz@gmail.com

Jane and her sisters In November the sung response to the passing of the peace will be the first verse of Thank Our God for Sisters, Brothers . Please send us photos of sisters and brothers (all ages) which Amanda will use to accompany the lyrics.   Email the photo to Amanda Jost at ajost07@gmail.com.   Amanda needs our photos for the welcoming photo and for the hymns. Thank you from CUCC's Worship Team.

Just for this coming Sunday, November 1, email Pastor Lacey instead of Jane Smith about worship: if you plan to invite a guest to worship, if you are having trouble getting into the worship service. The Smiths are having work done on their email account November 1 and 2, and will not be able to send or receive emails. You can still reach Jane by phone or text message. Thank you. Jane Smith

 The first post of every edition of the CUCC Weekly eNews includes the calendar for the week and a list of the articles for the edition. Please complete this one question survey to tell us whether creating the list of articles is a good investment of our time.  Survey here Thank you. Jane Smith, Communications Committee

Our beloved Pilgrim House had a makeover. The first step was a fresh coat of paint on all the walls. Followed by a work table, pillows, a gently used rug, and original artwork. New light fixtures were added to this space, the hallway, and Pastor Lacey's office. With the recent updates, our communal space feels more modern and clean. Thank you to Autumn Cobeland, Susan and Paul Atkinson, Merrilee Jacobson, and Susan Hasbrouck.  Also, a special thanks to Tim Jensen who installed a new handrail at the Pilgrim House leading down to the covered patio by the old youth room. Future plans include removing the conference room’s dated wallpaper and painting that room and the hallway.  If you’d like to be involved in this project, or several others at the church, please join us for the November 7 workday (8am-noon) or contact Property Ministry Chairperson Merrilee Jacobson (919-274-4539/mkjacobson123@gmail.com) to schedule a project on the date of your choice. New look for Pilgrim House ...

 Enjoy these photos from our on-the-grounds tailgating suppers.   Thank you to the Religious Education Ministry for hosting these small gatherings. More photos here

A dreary, rainy afternoon was brightened on Oct. 25 with CUCC’s socially distanced CROP Walk and Oktoberfest.  Twenty members and friends enjoyed a brat and some German music under the Pilgrim House deck, and several chose to walk 1, 2 or 3 miles around the neighborhood.  The $2,500 fundraising goal has been surpassed with additional funds welcome until November. 1.  Many thanks to all of you who donated,  walked and/or enjoyed some fellowship time during the “fun” raiser!  Until November 1, you can still encourage friends, neighbors and family to donate in support of the CUCC team at the Triangle CROP Walk website OR through CUCC’s Breeze portal . (Select “CROP Walk” from the “Give to Pledge” drop-down menu.)  See more photos here

Our lovely garden has a new walkway that further beautifies the area and makes it more accessible to those with mobility issues.  The walkway includes engraved pavers for all whose ashes have become a part of the garden as well as those who contributed to the walkway’s cost.  While the pavers are made of concrete, the spaces between them are filled with sand to preserve permeability.  Please spend some time enjoying the walkway and the beautiful garden, the next time you’re at church. Enjoy this photo essay of the installation

New opportunities keep popping up every day, so keep checking the CUCC Online Calendar .   October 22, 2020 edition Thursday, October 22 Pastoral Relations Committee Jesus:  Uncovering the Life, Teachings & Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary Friday, October 23 Retirees’ Café – Merrilee and Bill co-host Saturday, October 24 Meditation and Conversation In-person tailgate supper Sunday, October 25 – Stewardship Sunday Taizé worship, then fellowship Sunday Morning Adult Bible study – Prodigal Son Worship for all ages, then fellowship Do Justice Ministry Stewardship Ministry CROP Walk and Oktoberfest Monday, October 26 Monday Lunch Group  Wednesday, October 28 Compost bin is emptied Tai Chi Lectionary Lunch with Lacey Choir practice Friday, October 30 Retirees’ Café – Merrilee and Bill co-host Other important news in this edition Please send your pledge now so we can plan for 2021 Voting has begun CROP Walk "Oktoberfest" is this Sunday   October 25 Ofrenda...

Stewardship Sunday is October 25 Click this link  to find all relevant information about our stewardship campaign which will help us plan for 2021, including how to make your pledge and offer your time and talents online. Go CUCC CUCC's new online pledging portal Resource Planning for 2021 Your pledges provide almost all of our income this year and next. The need for social distancing has turned off our rental income, and minimized auction fundraising. But most of our expenses continue at near normal levels, especially salaries, insurance, upkeep and repairs for our buildings. Please pledge generously. Consider increasing your pledge if you can. Personal financial planning is difficult in these uncertain times. Pledges are made in good faith, but if you are unable to fulfill your pledge because of unforeseen circumstances, just let the assistant treasurer know. We are you church family and we want to support you. Why give generously to CUCC?  We give generously because in God’...

Friends, Let's make sure we all exercise our right to vote in this election. Here are important facts you need to know as you finalize your plan to vote. Early Voting: Early voting begins on Thursday October 15 and ends on Saturday October 31. To learn more go the Wake County Board of Elections Early Voting page . Absentee voting: Absentee ballot: the last day to request one is October 27 at 5 p.m. Deliver your absentee ballot to the Board of Elections by 5:00 p.m OR mail your ballot and make sure it's postmarked on or before  November 3, Election Day.  To learn more go to the Wake County Board of Elections Absentee by Mail page . Election day voting You do NOT need a photo to vote. Polling places are open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.  Click on this link to find your polling place . Warmly, Do Justice Ministry

This year’s CROP Walk has a new look, due to the pandemic.  Rather than holding a city-wide event, organizers have asked each congregation to creatively re-envision the walk.  CUCC members and friends have two ways to safely support this important fundraiser: ·        Encourage friends, neighbors and family to donate in support of the "Community UCC" team here at OR through CUCC’s donation portal, selecting “CROP Walk” from the “Give to Pledge” drop-down menu, or texting your amount and the keyword Crop to 919-888-4541. ·        Take a socially distanced 1-, 2- or 3-mile walk around the church neighborhood between 3-4:30 pm on October 25, then join the “Oktoberfest” in the Dixie Trail parking lot to celebrate with a traditional or veggie brat.  Sign up for your brat here .  If you are walking, remember to donate, too. Questions? Please contact Ken or Merrilee Jacobson at 919-274-4539 or mkjacobson123@gmail.com. Thanks! CUCC's ...

Dear fellow CUCC'ers:   This email is a continuation of deacon outreach efforts in this time of COVID-19. Contained within this email is another devotional for our collective reflection, penned by Sam Woodrum.   Please remember if you are in need of support or assistance, then please don’t hesitate to call or reach out to one of us. We are happy to receive your prayer requests. We are also able to contact pastors or church staff on your behalf, should you require their support. We will strive to help any way we can.  You can find contact information for each deacon in the Breeze Deacons tag.   Thank you for being in community with us. May we remain unified, loving, passionate and compassionate during this difficult time. Peace be with you!   **************************************************** A devotional by Sam Woodrum In college, I took an entry level astronomy class that consistently blew my mind.  I naively thought, "it’ll be cool to learn all the con...

On 11/17/19, CUCC passed a resolution from Do Justice calling on the United Church of Christ to Advocate and Act to Change the Cash Bail Bond System to Eliminate Racial and Social Injustices Inherent in the Present System.  We sent the resolution it to the Southern Conference of the UCC for approval. Do Justice along with Burning Coal Theater and Carson Roach-Howell then produced this wonderful video to explain the problem and solutions. On 10/17/20, the 55th gathering of the Southern Conference unanimously approved the resolution and voted to carry it onto the 33rd General Synod of the UCC next year.  Amen, Amen, Amen!! God bless our work together! Gary Smith for the Do Justice Ministry

  Thanks to your generous support, CUCC's Walk for Hope team raised $1609 for mental health research.  While our 11 walkers couldn't enjoy each other's company this year, we look forward to walking in person next year and hope you will join us.  The team is grateful to Dawn Koonce who kept us organized and informed so we could adapt to this year's drive-thru walk.

Remember what we learned: Ani the anaerobic bacterium thrives in the landfill and makes methane.  Boo  hiss. That's why we compost! Good news.  We are returning to weekly pickup of our compost by our industry partner, Compost Now.   Keep that compost coming! List of items which can be composted

Help!  After making thousands of those fabulous almond cookies, I have lost my recipe!  I'm asking that anyone that has a copy to please send it to me- I'll make you a batch!  It is the one with vinegar in the recipe. Joan McAllister  joanmcallister72@gmail.com

 Umstead Park UCC is looking for a youth director.  They're always so helpful to us; let's return the favor!  Please share this description and application information with anyone you know who might be interested. - Jane Smith

Currently our life together is happening on the grounds and virtually, using Zoom, conference calls, and the telephone.  If you are interested in worship, service, or learning opportunities described in the calendar or in the CUCC Weekly eNews , contact the church office to learn how to participate (office.cucc@gmail.com).  Provide your name, phone number and email address and we will get back in touch with you. Find order of worship here On Saturdays   links to the next day's orders of worship are added to this post.  You can also find this information on the homepage of our website. the Saturday "Virtual Worship" email is sent with Zoom meeting information for worship the next day and for events for the upcoming week.  This email also indicates anything to bring to worship:  a candle, food and drink for communion, items for the Children's Time. Contact the church office during the week if you would like to receive the Saturday email (office.cucc@...

Want to support the work we do at Community UCC?  Here's how. Grab your phone and text to give.    How do we know the purpose of your gift?  Text the amount and a key word to 919-888-4541.  (Example:  Texting 50 pastor begins the process of donating $50 toward the pastor's discretionary fund to assist people experiencing financial hardship. The first time you text-to-give you will be asked to add your credit card or bank information.  After that, the processor remembers your information.)  Current key words are: Key words for donations    General- no key word, contributes to CUCC's general fund    Pastor - contributes to the pastor’s discretionary fund    Pledge - contributes toward your pledge     CROP - makes a donation to the Greater Triangle Area CROP Walk Key words for items we are purchasing for you    none right now Mail a check. Mail a check to the office toward your pledge, for special s...

New opportunities keep popping up every day, so keep checking the CUCC Online Calendar .   October 15, 2020 Thursday, October 15 Bookclub Friday, October 16 Southern Conference Annual Gathering Retirees’ Café – Merrilee and Bill co-host Saturday, October 17 Southern Conference Annual Gathering – Do Justice presents Meditation and Conversation In-person tailgate supper Sunday, October 18 Taizé worship with communion , then fellowship Sunday Morning Adult Bible study – Prodigal Son Worship for all ages , then fellowship High School Ofrenda Hangout Monday, October 19 Monday Lunch Group  Wednesday, October 21 Compost bin emptied Tai Chi Hand and Foot Lectionary Lunch with Lacey Wednesday Evening Bible Study Thursday, October 22 Pastoral Relations Committee Jesus:  Uncovering the Life, Teachings & Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary Friday, October 23 Retirees’ Café – Merrilee and Bill co-host Other important news in this edition A (COVID) Moment with Megan ...

On a regular basis, Council Moderator Megan Fackler-Bretz will share emerging guidance from the “Path Forward” task force as CUCC responds to the pandemic.  At its October 12 meeting, the Council made the difficult but not unexpected decision to postpone any in-person worship services until 2021. We are moving forward, however, with plans to install the necessary technology to eventually allow small numbers of parishioners to gather in the sanctuary for services that are live streamed to those who feel more comfortable worshipping at home. The recently updated guidelines for outdoor meetings and CUCC events in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall are below. Please send any questions you’d like addressed in future articles to Megan Fackler Bretz, Moderator, at mfacklerbretz@gmail.com. Thank you! How many people can now meet on church grounds? Since COVID metrics are starting to move in a promising direction, the task force has increased the number of people permitted to meet outside from 10 ...

Click this link to find all relevant information about our stewardship campaign which will help us plan for 2021, including how to make your pledge and offer your time and talents online. Go CUCC CUCC's new online pledging portal Resource Planning for 2021 Why give generously to CUCC?  We give generously because in God’s compassion God has given so generously to us. Through our giving to CUCC we are able to support our loving community and advance the cause of social justice in Wake County and the world. As a bonus, giving well makes a person feel good, having made a contribution toward bringing the kingdom of God in this world. All resources related to this year’s stewardship campaign are conveniently located at the Go CUCC portal .  You may pledge financially via a pledge form that was mailed to you this week, or pledge using a simple form at the Go CUCC portal , where you will also find all information related to the pledge campaign. You do not need to be a member of CUCC ...

Do Justice will be presenting CUCC's  Cash Bail Bond Reform resolution to the Southern Conference of the UCC on October 17 between 10 and 11 AM. The congregation voted on this resolution at our November 2019 congregational meeting.  Please pray for those who are unfairly treated by this policy, and pray for its change to a policy that is just. - submitted by Gary Smith, co-chair, Do Justice Ministry

After these months of not moving it's time for Tai Chi. We meet on Wednesdays at 9:30. Be sure to wear your mask. The first date will be Wednesday, October 21.  If you have questions just call Sue Cottle at 919-301-8472. We meet in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall. See you soon.

Thank you to Sophia Sands who sent her contribution for Week 4. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who are indebted to us. becomes Please don’t let the unbalance I may bring to others, and that others may bring to me, cause everlasting harm.   This is the final week of our creative challenge.  How would your re-imagine the Week 5 phrase? Week 5 And do not bring us to the time of trial. What is the Creative Challenge? Throughout the summer Pastor Lacey has been sharing different re-imaginings of the Lord’s Prayer in worship and on Facebook and Twitter.  Let’s see where creativity leads us at CUCC!  Each week we will post a section of the prayer.  Spend some time with it and share how you would say it for whatever is happening in your life and the world now. Post your version on Facebook or email it to Jane Smith  for sharing in the next week’s eNews.  smithjeg@mindspring.com.

Some of the questions that Pastor Lacey raised this week ( story Exodus 32:1-14 )... Where are some idols in your life?  Are there false or lesser gods you need to destroy? How can we support each other in the journey of faith? When can be be merciful, compassionate, slow to anger (with God as our model)? Sermon+ is an occasional post in which our preachers pose a follow-up question to their sermon for your consideration.  

 If you need to request a room at CUCC - whether on Zoom, on the grounds, or in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall - there is an easy online-form for that. Using the form will save you and me several exchanges of emails as well as allow you to acknowledge the guidelines for using our at-CUCC spaces. You can find our new Zoom or at-CUCC Room Request Form in Breeze.   In your profile, look for the Useful documents section.   The form is in How we do things at CUCC (forms and policies) . If you have any questions, I am glad to help. Jane Smith, room scheduler for CUCC events smithjeg@mindspring.com

Due to popular demand, the Religious Education Ministry is resuming an online Meditation and Conversation group, facilitated by Daniel Day. Whether this is your first attempt at meditation, or you have practiced for years, this group is a place to practice and learn together.   All are welcome.  If you plan to bring a friend, please let Śānti Matthews know so we can better welcome your friend. The Meditation and Conversation Group will begin again on Saturday, October 17. The group will meet from 10-11AM on Zoom. The group will meet for four weeks on and one week off for the remainder of the year: Zoom Meetings:  October 17 October 24 October 31 November 7.  (No meeting on November 14.)  November 21 November 28 December 5 December 12 If you are looking for ways to center or ground yourself and are interested in joining this spiritual practice, please contact Śānti Matthews at education.cucc@gmail.com so she can provide you with the Zoom meeting information....

Add your compost to our industrial compost bin.  There should be lots of room any day for what you bring, but if you've been worried the bin is too full for your watermelon rinds, fried chicken bones, and pizza boxes, come by on Thursday, October 22.  CompostNow! should be emptying our compost bin on Wednesday, October 21.   Snap a selfie to share and sent to Jane Smith smithjeg@mindspring.com. - submitted by our Justice in a Changing Climate task force

This year’s CROP Walk has a new look, due to the pandemic.  Rather than holding a city-wide event, organizers have asked each congregation to creatively re-envision the walk.  CUCC members and friends have two ways to safely support this important fundraiser : ·        Encourage friends, neighbors and family to donate in support of the "Community UCC" team here at OR through CUCC’s donation portal , selecting “CROP Walk” from the “Give to Pledge” drop-down menu, or texting your amount and the keyword Crop to 919-888-4541. ·        Take a socially distanced 1-, 2- or 3-mile walk around the church neighborhood between 3-4:30 pm on October 25, then join the “Oktoberfest” in the Dixie Trail parking lot to celebrate with a traditional or veggie brat.  Sign up here .  If you are walking, remember to donate, too. Questions? Please contact Ken or Merrilee Jacobson at 919-274-4539 or mkjacobson123@gmail.com. Thanks!

New opportunities keep popping up every day, so keep checking the CUCC Online Calendar .   October 8, 2020 edition Thursday, October 8 Jesus:  Uncovering the Life, Teachings & Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary Friday, October 9 Retirees’ Café – Merrilee and Bill co-host Saturday, October 10 In-person tailgate supper On-Zoom tailgate supper Sunday, October 11 Drive-thru Walk for Hope Taizé worship , then fellowship Sunday Morning Adult Bible study – Prodigal Son Worship for all ages , then fellowship Youth group Monday, October 12 Monday Lunch Group  Council Wednesday, October 14 Lectionary Lunch with Lacey Choir practice Thursday, October 15 Jesus:  Uncovering the Life, Teachings & Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary Friday, October 16 Retirees’ Café – Merrilee and Bill co-host Other important news in this edition Consider making a pledge to CUCC’s Stewardship Campaign Register today for On Zoom Tailgating Supper Last days to donate to Walk for...

The On Zoom Tailgate Supper is this Saturday, October 10.  If you prefer to enjoy the company of others from your home, or you missed your chance to sign up for an in-person supper, the On Zoom supper is for you!  Contact Śānti Matthews to get the Zoom meeting information at education.cucc@gmail.com.  Read more here. Thank you to the Religious Education Ministry for sponsoring the series of 4 small, in-person, socially distanced & masked events.  There is still space for one car on October 17 ;  sign up here . The October 3 tailgate supper gang enjoying a lovely October evening.

Our "Community UCC" team is small but committed.  Donate to any team member or to the team in general by clicking on [donate] to the left of their name on our team page . Or, make your donation through CUCC by selecting "Give to Walk for Hope" or by texting the amount of your donation and "Hope" to 919-888-4541. Questions?  Contact Dawn Koonce, Team Chairperson, at outreach.cucc@gmail.comor 336-266-9372.  The Thad and Alice Eure Walk for Hope October 11 Team name = Community UCC Raises funds for mental health research and treatment "100% of the money raised by participants directly funds local mental health research at the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry. And, as critically, it helps call attention to the stigma and significance of these often invisible illnesses, which now due to the pandemic affect as many as 1 in 3 American adults."  (Thad and Alice Eure Walk for Hope 2020) Thank you so much for supporting this important event which ...

Throughout the summer Pastor Lacey has been sharing different re-imaginings of the Lord’s Prayer in worship and on Facebook and Twitter.  Let’s see where creativity leads us at CUCC!  Each week we will post a section of the prayer.  Spend some time with it and share how you would say it for whatever is happening in your life and the world now. Post your version on Facebook or email it to Jane Smith for sharing in the next week’s eNews.  smithjeg@mindspring.com. Week 4 Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who are indebted to us.