CUCC Weekly eNews

March 1 – "A Clear and Independent Voice for People with Disabilities", Vicki Barrett Smith, Executive Director, Disability Rights NC March 8 – "The Court's Response: A look at how the Wake County court system is impacted by growth, the economy and crime and how it will respond", Lorrin Freeman, Wake County Clerk of Superior Court March 15 - "Walter Rauschenbusch and the Relevance of his Social Gospel Theology", Dr. Janet Nelson, Head of Dept. of Religion and Philosophy, Meredith College March 22 – The Healing Place, Suzanne Hayes, Past Chair, Board of Directors March 29 - to be announced

A Lenten Activities web page is now available on the Resources page of the Community UCC website.

"North Carolina's Public Schools" Dr. June St. Clair Atkinson NC State Superintendent of Public Instruction This Sunday, North Carolina's elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. June St. Clair Atkinson, will speak on the state of public education in North Carolina. Recently the position of State Superintendent has been in the news after Gov. Perdue's efforts to change the K-12 education governance structure by appointing Bill Harrison to be the "education CEO." Discussion continues, both in the public and in the legislature, about where the lines of authority should be and whether the position of Superintendent should be appointed rather than elected or even abolished. Dr. Atkinson will likely address this issue as well . Come and share in the discussion. We will begin promptly at 9:15 am so please arrive on time.

(a poem by Kerry Little, Joan's daughter-in-law) I am at the water’s edge contemplating, grieving and being..... Come with me. I envision Joan paddling with ease. Her kindness has carried us across the water. Her strength is solid and grounded as the strong oak on the shore. Her faith is deep and pure. She is calm and peaceful as the lake on a perfect summer day. She is everywhere. Her love is vast, colorful and alive. Brilliant, Majestic, Reliable as the setting sun. I breathe into it and let the beauty envelope me. My heart fills, My eyes tear For she is always with me, next to me, within me. As the setting sun disappears into the dusk I hold my breath wanting this image to last... forever. Then I remember the sun will rise and set tomorrow as I inhale deeply. Kerry Little February 2009

A memorial service for Joan Little will be held in the Fellowship Hall of Community UCC at 3:00 PM, Sunday, February 22. Since a mass was held last week at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raleigh, the ceremonial portion of the upcoming memorial service will be brief. The primary focus will be group time to remember Joan via a video that celebrates our time together with her and the legacy she leaves behind.

" AnimalKind : A Paradigm Shift to End Pet Overpopulation" Joan Williams Ott, Co-Founder and President Beth Livingstone, Executive Director Nearly 20,000 sheltered animals die as victims of pet overpopulation every year in our area. There will never be enough homes for them all. Joan and Beth from AnimalKind , a non-profit based in Raleigh and serving the Triangle area, will introduce to us the paradigm shift that has successfully ended pet overpopulation in seven states. Come and hear how the Triangle-area can be next!

Visitation will be Monday everning 7-9 p.m. at the Renaissance Funeral Home at 7615 Six Forks Rd. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday at 11:00 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at 2718 Overbrook Dr. followed by a reception at Community United Church of Christ. After the funeral mass, cremation will take place in Durham and on Wednesday there will be a 2:00 service at the Our Lady of Lourdes columbarium.

Today's N&O had several articles of interest related to this Sunday's forum topic, city and county budget challenges: funding art in Raleigh's budget a possible SE Raleigh community center shrinking United Way funds

Feb. 1 "Budget challenges for cities and counties", Wake County Commissioner Lindy Brown and Raleigh City Councilor Thomas Crowder Feb. 8 - "Animal rescue and animal rights reform", Joan Williams Ott, Founder and President, and Beth Livingstone, Executive Director, AnimalKind Feb. 15 – “Building a State of Equality”, Ian Palmquist, Executive Director, EqualityNC Feb. 22 – "NC's Public Schools", Dr. June Atkinson, NC Superintendent of Public Instruction The Forum meets in Vaughan Fellowship Hall at Community UCC which is located at 814 Dixie Trail, Raleigh (corner of Wade Avenue and Dixie Trail). All are encouraged to attend and participate in the discussions.

Cy King sent a link to an HBO website which featured a video of the inaugural concert last week. It turns out that HBO kept the video available for only one week, so it's no longer available via HBO (who had purchased the TV rights to the concert). However, here's a short clip from YouTube which illustrates what it was like to be in the audience for the concert. (Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen are singing.)

(posted at request of Vandy Bradow ) The rally, titled “Women Empowered,” will be held Saturday, February 21, in Durham at Mt. Calvary UCC, 1715 Athens Drive. Register by mail (Betty Griffin 1319 Cherry Dr., Burlington 27215) or phone (336) 584-5637 by February 1. The $5 registration fee includes three morning sessions, lunch, and the afternoon celebratory worship service. The program is approximately 6 hours , beginning at 9:30. Carolyn King, Marge Eckels, and Vandy Bradow have attended a previous rally and enjoyed it. Information is on the bulletin board and also on CUCC’s website. All UCC women members and friends are invited.

Rep. Deborah Ross will preview the NC General Assembly session which convenes on January 28. The anticipated $2 billion+ budget shortfall will require the legislature to make difficult decisions about cuts and possible tax increases.

This message from NC Policy Watch: The 2009 Legislative session is about to convene. A state budget will be developed and many important fiscal and policy issues will be debated. If you’re looking for the inside scoop on what to expect, be sure to attend a special “Crucial Conversation” luncheon sponsored by NC Policy Watch– Click here to register for this event “The 2009 Legislative Session: Prospects for the Progressive Agenda” Featuring: House Speaker Joe Hackney and other special guests. When: Tuesday, January 27 Check-in registration: 11:30 am Discussion: 12 noon-1:30pm Where: Marbles Kids Museum (formerly Exploris) is downtown Raleigh at the corner of Hargett and Blount Streets Cost: $10 (includes box lunch) (Preregistration by Jan 25th required to guarantee lunch)

In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day , this Sunday's Forum features a viewing of President-elect Barack Obama's Speech on Race , followed by a "Conversation on Race". Let's continue our conversations on how race has affected and continues to influence our personal lives and public policies.

According to the N&O, "Nine major challenges confront Perdue" , including campaign finance reform. Come to Forum tomorrow, January 11, and hear Damon Circosta from NC Center for Voter Education discuss Public Financing of Elections and Election Reform .