CUCC Weekly eNews

Did you ever wonder what an honest dialog between Christians and Muslims might sound like? Walter Russell Mead (who does have considerable expertise on the matter) constructed one recently. Below is a one paragraph excerpt which explains why he constructed the dialog, followed by a link to the hypothetical dialog. (Be prepared to laugh. When I take off my political correctness blinders, I find this a very amusing and informative exchange.) Excerpt: Many and quite possibly most interfaith conversations are pretty mealy-mouthed and essentially useless. People engaged in these conversations often represent the more liberal wing of their respective religious traditions and they walk on eggshells in these conversations, working so hard not to say anything offensive that sometimes they don’t succeed in saying anything at all. http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2012/03/25/top-saudi-cleric-issues-fatwa-destroy-churches/ Bio of Walter Russell Mead (from Wikipedia): Walter Russell Me...

This is a notice of a  Special Meeting  of the Congregation  called by the  Church Council  to decide upon the use of a temporary lawn sign(s) to encourage voters to "Vote Against" Amendment One to our State Constitution on May 8, 2012. This brief meeting will be held after worship on Sunday, March 18. - posted for the Church Council

"Christianity from a world religions point of view" - a three week soup & discussion series. Read one section of Huston Smith’s The Soul of Christianity each week before coming . We’ll eat soup & bread, then talk about the section. RSVP to the church office or sign up on A Gathering of Friends bulletin board.

If you missed Mary Pruneau's wedding on Saturday, here are some links that let you share in it ... Audio Recording of Wedding Ceremony (9 minutes) Photo Gallery of Family Gathering in Hoffman Room and Reception in Fellowship Hall

We're still going to meet to talk about this excellent book by Ann Patchett, but our night has changed.  The new night is Monday, March 19.  Still 6pm.  Still soup provided.  Still bring bread, cheese, fruit or dessert to share.  Questions?  Call Jane Smith.

Four discussions will be held during Lent to examine a proposed Economic Justice Covenant for CUCC and what it would mean to become an Economic Justice congregation.  The discussions will begin at 7:00 p,m.in the Hoffman Room on the following dates: February 28:  What is the role of the church in economic justice and why have a covenant? March 6:  Examining our individual life styles and our stewardship of creation March 13:  Educating ourselves about the causes and perpetuation of economic injustices March 20:  Engaging in economic and political actions consistent with our moral views   - posted for Shirley Birt and the Economic Justice Task Force    

When you are using the online version of the calendar, do you might find that when you click the Spiritual practice you can't see all of the "essay?"  If you don't "speak computer." When you look at the internet, you use a "browser" - a computer program that connects you to the internet and helps you find stuff (go away, tech people, I know this is oversimplified).  Some browsers you pay for, some are free, and all track what you are looking at in limited ways (see their privacy agreements). C'est la vie. Now, back to your problem. My guess is that you are having this problem because you use Internet Explorer as your browser.  How can you tell?  Look at the very top of your internet page.  I'm guessing you'll see a blue bar with a funny "e" and "Windows Internet Explorer."  Fortunately for us, your computer is happy to let you use two different browsers and there are free options.  Consider adding either Firefox'...

Please sign up for the Lenten events.  You can call or email the church office or sign up on A Gathering of Friends bulletin board. Why? - some events include food; we want to have enough - some events use materials; we want to have enough - some events have childcare; we want your child to be safely attended - some events require someone to meet you (ex.  carpooling to the art walk or walking the Meredith labyrinth); we don't want to lose you That said, don't stay home if you didn't sign up.  Before you leave home check your email or our home page Upcoming Events column for last minute changes. - posted for the CUCC Stories/envisioning group

Most days you'll find three sections which were prepared with different age groups in mind. Activity:   These were written with children and adults in mind.  Expect things to make, things to find, memories to share, conversation, dancing, singing, ritual....  You'll create a Lenten table and place items there. A story from…  and CUCC hi Story Be on the lookout for stories from our children, youth and families.  Stories from adults were generally written with adults in mind. Dig deeper:   These events occur throughout the season and in various locations around Raleigh.  Child care is not provided unless noted. {.}   children & youth are welcome although the event was not necessarily planned for them; parents, you know your children. {c}   planned for children {Y}   either planned for youth OR planned for adults with youth welcome if they are interested; parents, you know your youth. not marked   planned for adults....

Share this calendar with friends and family.  Here are three ways to access it online. Lenten Spiritual Practices Calendar  (online)- an online version through Google calendar.  "All day events" (in color box) link to the Activity, Stories and to Dig Deeper events of the day.      Links to color photos for February 28 , February 29 , and March 21      Link to finger labyrinth for March 5      You should not have to set up a Google account; the calendar is public. Lenten Spiritual Practices Calendar (12 point pdf) - print this pdf version (37 pages)     pp. 6, 7, and 21 include color photos; the rest can be printed in black and white Lenten Spiritual Practices Calendar (large print pdf) - print this pdf version (60 pages)    pp. 9, 11, 39  include color photos; the rest can be printed in black and white Let me know if you have questions.  Jane - posted for the CUCC Stories/envisioning group

Whether you are new to this spiritual practice or have years of experience, join Steve Halsted for either or both of these evenings. Tuesdays, March 6 and 20, 7-8pm, Fellowship Hall

Whether you are a new  Christian, new to the  United Church of Christ,  or simply enjoy thinking  about your faith in a new way, join this three part  discussion.  Each week we’ll  discuss one part of  Huston Smith’s The Soul of Christianity .  Smith is a world-class scholar of comparative religions. Fridays, Mar. 9, 16, 23, 6-7:30 pm RSVP to the church office so we count you in for soup supper A Gathering of Friends event

When Steve and Marcy visited  Hawaii, they explored the early Congregational mission churches.  That led to his discovery of Sarah Vowell's novel  about those first missions,   Unfamiliar Fishes .   Read the book in advance.  Steve will show slides of the churches they visited and we'll discuss the book in context. Saturday, March 17, 7-9pm No reservation necessary A Gathering of Friends event

In March Sisters in Spirit (women of CUCC) will gather on THURSDAY, instead of Tuesday, MARCH 29th. This is a variation from the fifth Tuesday rule but it is a fifth Thursday. Gray Woodard will be leading us in a discussion on "The Power of Word." Participants are invited to bring if they wish short favorite quotes, sayings or poems that mean something to them to share with others.We'll start with potluck at 7 in Hoffmann Room. All women of the church are invited. - submitted by Marty Lamb A Gathering of Friends event

In our past discussions, we have shared thoughts about several areas including our "money autobiography", social investing, banking choices, financial advisors, major purchases, etc. The agenda has been open so we could focus on whatever concerns individuals bring to the meeting. We hope you will join us and bring any questions, advice, and suggestions that you would like to share. Some of the areas that we could address if there is interest are: Consumption and environmental imprints Simplicity in our lifestyles Dealing with "stuff" and "clutter - how to better reduce - reuse - recycle Sharing skills, time and resources within the CUCC community How are the "haves" and the "have nots" separated in our community? How do we find "spiritual renewal" in a land of intense consumption? There is, also, some interest in more fully exploring our "Money Autobiography" which we briefly looked at during our first meeting. Posted for...