CUCC Weekly eNews

My family once got a dog for Christmas and it was our pet for the next 18 years. Think about this option if you've been wondering if you should get your family a similar pet. My brother in Birmingham Alabama got married earlier this summer (it was about time, they only dated for 20 years). Unfortunately she married him and not his 7 year old dog, Luna. This is a 45 pound lab mix, female, crate trained, sweet personality, up to date on all her vet work, and needing a home. My other brother in Nashville is currently keeping her, but this is just a foster arrangement. I thought I had someone lined up for the holiday and they've had second thoughts. So, if you are interested in a dog and don't want to go through the house breaking of a puppy, get in touch. I have pictures if you want me to send them. Bill Lamb

This is my last week of work before a well-anticipated vacation and I wanted to send each of you a warm holiday greeting before I take off. This has been a hard year for many of us, an exciting year for many of us, a frustrating year for many of us, and a combination for all of us. As we enter this holiday time with the demands of consumerism, heart-tugging reminders of how our lives are not perfect, pure joy for the true message of the season, and feelings of discouragement with every edition of the morning news, it is hard to remain centered and to remember who we are and what we are about. I urge you, therefore, to take some time to be centered, away from all the demands and bustle of family, work, church, and life, in whatever way works for you. For me it is an annual trek to Wilmington to walk the labyrinth at the Church of the Servant New Year's eve, or trips to the Well of Mercy retreat center just north of Statesville in the spring, or to sit on the porch at our old family ...

At today's congregational meeting, Paul asked what percentage increase this year's proposed budget represents compared to last year's approved budget. Assuming 2007 appproved budget: $235,154 2008 proposed budget: $241,905 (includes additional $500 in line 404) Percent increase: 2.9% (FYI: 2006 approved budget: $228, 327 which makes the % increase in 2007 : 3.0%

15 November 2007 Dear Fellow CUCC Members and Friends, At the congregational meeting on 2 December 2007, the congregation will be asked to endorse the signing of a letter of re-commitment to the support of RICH Park Apartments. The facts to consider in this decision are these: CUCC is one of five Raleigh churches that established the Raleigh Inter-Church Housing Corporation (RICH) to create and implement the RICH Park Apartments forty years ago and contributed $500 to that effort; RICH Park was one of many similar non-profit developments in the nation that received financial support from the federal department of housing and urban development (HUD); In July 2008 HUD will terminate the program under which RICH Park and many other non-profit low income housing projects received financial support; Also in July 2008 RICH Park will have the obligation to pay the mortgage that HUD holds on the property. To make this payment, RICH Park will take out a new ...

All is well! I had my new version of mammograms (ow) which showed that the scar tissue is reducing, the tissue is normal, and I'm not due for another one for 6 months. Blow bubbles for me! Joan McAllister

Joan McAllister recommends having a look at this video called "The Miniature Earth" ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drSDhlnm0e0

All my first anniversaries have passed now. I will be seeing my surgeon and getting an ultrasound on Monday to make sure all is well. It is strange because the surgery leave (duh) scar tissue which feels like (!!) a tumor! So I have no idea what things are supposed to feel like, and hope to get some clear information Monday.Recently I have been dealing with issues that may be side effects or outgrowths of the cancer treatment. Most recently, I have been diagnosed with asthma. I was absolutely positive that it was allergies, but unlike my entire family, I tested negative for all the suspicious substances- dust, mold, cat dander, grasses, leaves, etc. etc. etc. yet still have asthma. My allergist says that radiation therapy can cause that sometimes. I'm hoping that it will resolve over time- in the meantime I'm using an inhaler as necessary. The other side effect, which I mentioned a few months ago, is the neuropathy related to using Taxol in chemo- since it has been so ...

Posted a the request of Cy King ... A Just Peace Activist in the Age of Religion

Catherine Fairbanks, who has been attending our church for about 2 years, is moving this weekend and needs help with the move. She is moving from Wake Forest to North Raleigh. If any of you could help, please call her at 562.8469.

What a difference 6 months of hard work by the youth and the support of the congregation can make! Congratulations, Abby, Andy, Anna, Carson, Jackson, Rachel, Zack!

Amnesty International has an online letter to President Bush requesting he support a UN Security Council Mission to investigate in Myanmar (Burma). http://www.amnestyusa.org/Myanmar_Burma/Action/page.do?id=YCA0955109000E&n1=3&n2=30&n3=955

Sept. 30 Journey in class; for more info, contact Pastor Steve; Friends in worship; everybody collect donations for Walk for Hope after worship Oct. 7 Journey and Friends in worship for World Communion Sunday; everybody collect donations for Walk for Hope after worship Oct. 14 Journey and Friends Walk for Hope Oct. 21 Journey and Friends work with Suzette to prepare the Pilgrim House Open House

You are cordially invited to Fellowship Time Sunday, October 21 after 10:30 am worship. The Youth Group will host the grand unveiling of the Youth Room. Come for snacks and conversation (and to find out why JK is painting sideways). The youth will be stationed at the 3 shallow, wide-tread steps to help anyone who needs a hand. The Youth invite anyone from CUCC to schedule a time of private retreat or a group meeting in this comfortable and cozy space. We're calling it "The Youth Room," but it is available whenever it isn't full of youth!

All CUCCers are invited to a rollicking supper-time feast of food and semi-seminars for our Justice in a Changing Climate initiative. Teens and adults will choose from a smorgasbord of videos, briefings, book discussions, and happenings. Children will play their way through "green justice" activities; a nursery will be provided for the under-3 set. If you can, bring locally grown food to the potluck, because the biggest contribution we can make to slowing climate change is by driving fewer vehicles miles. Tell us where your food came from. Dozens of helpers are needed for small tasks; call Jane Smith to volunteer.

I just served my first week bagging food at the UM food pantry . Here is what I learned. Remember, I’m new on the job so an experienced volunteer could tell you the mistakes I made! I hope I did my trainers proud. Your Bag Arrives Marge drives your bag from church to the loading dock at the new Urban Ministries building on Capital Boulevard. The bags are logged in and placed on a side table – packed just as you prepared them. Imagine a climate-controlled room which is a cross between a clerestory-lit warehouse and our Vaughan Fellowship Hall. Everything is very well organized and very, very clean. First, a digression… Who can get a food bag? People in need of food, medical care, and other assistance call ahead to make an appointment for an interview. The interview space is a large, sunlit area off of a lovely garden; there are a playroom for small children and many comfortable chairs for the adults. A staff person or volunteer interviews the person, keeping careful record of the many d...