Community UCC eNews
March 5, 2020
Community UCC is an inclusive and progressive Christian Church doing social justice, environmental faithfulness, interfaith collaboration and and spiritual formation to help ourselves and others grow in faith, hope and love.

Sunday Sermon  

Sunday, March 8, Pastor Ara will deliver a sermon on “Any Excuse,” based on the scripture John 5:1-9.

Don't be late!  Daylight Savings Time starts this Sunday, March 8.  So spring forward and reset your clocks so you make it on time for our joyous Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. DST.

Worship Service Each Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
NOTE: We broadcast our Sunday Worship service on Facebook Live beginning at 10:30 a.m. We want to make service accessible to members or friends who can't be with us on Sunday mornings. The camera captures the front of the Sanctuary and the first couple of rows of seats.
Saturday Morning Breakfast Group
Saturday, March 7
Conference Room
Breakfast at 8:45 a.m.,
talk begins at 9 a.m.

  • On March 7, Gary Walker will talk about "The Life and Legacies of Leonardo da Vinci.”

  • On April 4, Nancy Pressley will discuss Focus Forward, a program to aid troubled youth.

  • For May 2, Dr. Al Evans has invited Dr. Nataliia Kasianenko, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Fresno State, who is a native of the Ukraine. Her research focuses on comparative politics and international relations, with an emphasis on nationalism, identity politics, and human rights in the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. 
Fundraiser: Gifting Tree!

The Missions and Social Justice Team delights in offering you “The Gifting Tree,” filled with various gift cards with a value over $400.

Tickets are $10 each, 6 for $50, or 13 for $100. Drawing will be held on March 15 .

Cards on the tree include the following:
  • $60 - Perfect Balance Yoga
  • $50 - Southwest Airlines
  • $80 - Curves gym two-month membership
  • $50 - Olive Garden
  • Two $25 gift cards to Alla's Mediterranean Restaurant
  • $25 - Amazon
  • $25 - Regal Cinemas
  • Two $10 Starbucks gift cards
  • $20 - Target
  • $20 - Panera
  • $20 - R&G Threading Bar
Living the Questions 2.0

Below are the upcoming topics (subject to change) and theme for February and March.

Theme: CALL TO COVENANT
March 8 — A Kingdom without Walls
March 15 — Social Justice: Realizing God’s Vision
March 22 — Incarnation: Divinely Human
March 29 — Prayer: Intimacy with God
April 5 — No LTQ (Palm Sunday)
April 12 — No LTQ (Easter)
April 19 — Compassion: The Heart of Jesus’ Ministry
April 26 — Creative Transformation
May 3 — Embracing Mystery
Women's Book Discussion Group

Our book during Lent is " Death of Jesus for Progressive Christians " by Donald Schmidt. We study at 6 p.m. Tuesdays in the Conference Room.

Upcoming meetings:
  • March 10 — Session 2
  • March 24 — Session 3
  • March 31 — Session 4
  • April 7 — Session 5
Thanks from Fellowship Team

From Patty Parks of the Fellowship Team: Thank you to everyone who has donated food and helped in the kitchen after social hour in recent weeks!
In each week's eNews, we include a news article from our larger denomination, United Church of Christ , to show the faithful work being done in other places.
Church leaders urge education, caution and common sense as U.S. coronavirus cases increase

As new cases of the coronavirus are reported in other countries and across the United States, United Church of Christ leaders urge education, caution and common sense — sharing a few basic guidelines to enable congregations and other UCC organizations to find useful, relevant information to plan their course of action.

Here are a number of precautionary measures the UCC Human Resources Department shared with staff in the national offices.
  • Stay home if you are feeling sick.
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
  • Disinfect surfaces used regularly.
  • Use hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid close contact with someone who is sick.
  • Practice these precautionary measures at home and pass this information along to family and friends.
Next President's Lecture Series at Fresno State

Margaret Brennan, senior foreign affairs correspondent for CBS News and moderator of “Face the Nation,” will be the guest speaker for the President’s Lecture Series, where she will speak about the " Political Outlook and News of the Day."

The free event will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 at the Save Mart Center where parking will also be free. Brennan will give a lecture followed by a question-and-answer session.

The President’s Lecture Series features prominent national guests invited to campus by Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro. The series began four years ago. Other national figures who have participated include New York Times columnist David Brooks, presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, New York Times foreign affairs columnist Thomas L. Friedman, presidential historian Michael Beschloss and The Washington Post national political reporter Robert Costa.
Happy Birthday and Anniversary to all who are celebrating this month!

March Birthdays
4 – Dala Ramirez
6 – Kristi Cole
8 – Emma Haring
9 – Ashlyn Chaffin, Olivia LeBeau
14 – Lynette Mulvihill
15 – Jack Van Patten
16 – Marie Edwards, Benjamin Williams
17 – Michael Dillahunty
23 - David Rocha
24 – Pam Mighaccio, Lu Parks
25 – Sophie Gilbert
27 – Carol Dailey, Debbie Schroer
30 – Jerry Thompson

March Anniversaries
19 – Bill & Carol Dailey
26 – Tom & Penny Carroll
31 – Al & Carolyn Evans

Did we overlook someone's birthday or anniversary for this month? Please let Marilyn ( office@communityucc.com ) and Lisa ( lisamboyles12@gmail.com ) know so we can get you in next week. We never intend to leave anyone out.
Upcoming Church Events

  • March 5 – Council Meeting in the Conference Room
  • Thursday Evening Worship – weekly at 7 p.m., we hold a weekly contemplative, interactive, spirit-filled worship service in the Sanctuary
  • March 7 – Saturday Morning Breakfast Group, 8:45 a.m., Conference Room (see article above)
  • Sundays at 9 a.m. – Adult Education in the Conference Room
  • April 5 – Recycling Sunday, first Sunday of the month
  • May 17 – Stewardship Sunday, theme is "Sharing God's Love"
  • July 6-10 – Vacation Bible School, theme will be "To Mars and Beyond"

Keep up to date with our Church's online calendar!
eNews deadline is 10 a.m. Wednesdays

CUCC eNews is a weekly publication distributed every Thursday. Deadline for submitting announcements is 10 a.m. Wednesdays (and earlier is appreciated). Please send your announcements to Marilyn at office@communityucc.com . Lisa Boyles (lisamboyles12@gmail.com, 559.244.9502) is the eNews editor and communications liaison for our church.
We've updated our Joyful Giving page to reflect the many ways members can help support our Church's missions and operations.

Phone: 559.435.2690 
Email: office@communityucc.com