Worship This Sunday - May 23rd
Pentecost Sunday
Acts 2:1-21
The Peace Beyond Compare -
Sermon by Pastor Dave
Meeting ID: 867 2930 9301
Password: peace
If you miss the live service, you can find the archived service on YouTube by clicking Here.
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In-Person Worship Begins June 6th!
We will resume in-person worship services in our sanctuary, beginning Sunday, June 6th, at 10:30 a.m.
Taking care for everyone’s safety and maximizing the seating in our sanctuary, we will ask you to sign up in advance to attend worship in person. The sign-up for June 6th will be available through our website, www.PeaceUnited.org, beginning Friday, May 20, at 1:00 p.m. If you are in communication with folks who don't have easy online access, encourage them to contact the church office by phone, 831-426-2010, to reserve space.
No one will be asked to declare their vaccination status, but everyone will be expected to wear a mask inside the sanctuary and all of the other "indoor" spaces on campus.
We’ll be able to accommodate the most people safely by organizing our seating in pairs, which will work easily enough for people who live in the same household, and for families who register a pair or two or maybe more, but it can also work for friends in different households.
If you’re a single person and vaccinated, try connecting with a friend to talk about the two of you signing up and sitting together. There will be space for people to sign up as singles and, of course, there will be space for visitors, but we want to encourage all who can to buddy up.
June 6th will be a Communion Sunday. You are encouraged to bring your own elements and vessels to the celebration -- a container of cracker or bread or cake, a thermos or bottle of juice or wine -- but there will be individually packaged "kits" available, with grape juice and a wafer, if you prefer.
We are extending a special welcome to kids! We're creating in the sanctuary an environment where it's OK to move around, and there will be a designated area where kids can stretch out to engage in quiet activities.
For those unable to join us in person, there will be a live videocast of our worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays, accessible through the church's website, www.PeaceUnited.org, or our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/PUCCSantaCruz, or find "Peace United SC" at Youtube.com.
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Youth - Young Adults - Families with Kids
Hey! Pastor Dave Really Wants to Meet You!
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Sunday, June 6, beginning at 10 a.m., Pastor Dave will be welcoming youth, students, and families with kids to a reception on the deck in front of the church office. There'll be fruit, and donut holes, and drinks (all individually packaged), and a few minutes to begin to get acquainted.
The pandemic was a disaster, for sure! A lot was damaged and some things were destroyed. But when you live through disaster, as we have, there comes an opportunity to build something new. The past is gone and the future is open.
Sign up for worship (see article above) and come a few minutes early to enjoy old friends, make new friends, and imagine some new possibilities for this new day.
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Stories of Peace - What's that all about?
In the month of May, small groups in our church are gathering to share Stories of Peace, stories of common cause and creative difference by which we would build up our community of faith and our witness to the love of God in whom we are one. These small groups called Peace Pods have begun to meet, so registration is now closed, but you are encouraged to look at the resources they are using, to study with them, and to pray with them. Even if you're not part of a pod, you can participate in the process. Use the following links to download your Participant's Packet.
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Moderator's Notes
Stories of Peace - May 16th
Bob and Bonnie Lange's story of Peace.
Click here to read more about the road that led them
to Peace UCC and the one that lies ahead!
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Promises for Peace UCC
Stewardship Campaign
"Stewardship is love in action"
Pledge Season is here and it’s now!
Open your mailbox, open your pledge letter, fill it out and return it! Answer this... “How critical is our Peace church community for your
well-being? How important is our Peace church for our larger community?” Every household valuing Peace UCC can contribute to realize our prayers for our living Church.
On June 6th we’ll celebrate our pledge totals for our coming year IN CHURCH, TOGETHER. Be included in that joy! PLEDGE NOW!
Your Stewardship Team
Jane, Tony, and Anne
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We Want to Hear Your Voice
Sign Up to Be A Liturgist!
We would love to have you as a liturgist (reader) in one of our Sunday morning worship services. It's a wonderful way of serving!
In order to do this virtually in May 2021, you'll need:
- Time available for recording on a Wednesday, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- A reliable internet connection
- A computer equipped with a camera and microphone that allow you to use Zoom (sorry, but cell phones just don't work well for our purposes)
On the Monday preceding the Wednesday for which you sign up, we'll send an
e-mail with your readings, easy-to-follow setup instructions, and a Zoom link. It's that simple.
Beginning Sunday, June 6, 2021, we will be live and in-person, worshipping together at 10:30 a.m. in our sanctuary. Sign up for a Sunday to read live and in-the-flesh and we'll connect with you by e-mail on the Tuesday prior, sending all the information you'll need for getting ready.
If you'd like to give it a try, click on this link to choose a date.
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Book Group Reconvenes
Wednesday, June 16th @7pm
The Reverends Bonnie Lange and Beverly Brook will be facilitating the discussion on Lenny Duncan’s book, Dear Church . . . a love letter from a black preacher to the whitest denomination in the U.S.
While Rev. Duncan is referring to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (98% white) the United Church of Christ isn’t too far behind with 89%. Shifting demographics and shrinking congregations make the headlines but Rev. Duncan connects the church’s lack of vitality to its lack of diversity. Part manifesto, part confession and all love letters, Dear Church offers a bold new vision for the future of the church.
Come join us for a lively discussion on how grace is an ever-widening circle.
This will be a virtual gathering so please RSVP revbevbrook@gmail.com if you are interested in attending. I will forward the zoom link on June 14th. We will meet on four consecutive Wednesdays.
For the first discussion please read the introduction, Chapters One and Two. If you have any questions, please contact revbevbrook@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you.
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Honoring Memorial Day
My name is Curtis Reliford, i'm a member of Peace United Church, Santa Cruz. Peace United Church is collaborating with Follow Your Heart Action Network to honor the men and women who died for our freedom.
We invite you all to join us on Sunday May 30 on Pacific Avenue and Cooper Street after worship, between 1pm and 5pm.
There will be an open mic if you have something to say, we welcome your thoughts. We want to discuss what Memorial Day means, and will have music and dancing. With all what’s going on in the world the last couple of years, we are facing a serious moral crisis. It is separating us from one another.
We need your help with signs! If you could make and bring a 3 foot foam core sign with a one-word saying promoting peace, love, compassion, kindness empathy, that would be terrific! There will be a prize for the best sign!
There is enough room for social distancing so your presence for a moment would be highly appreciated! Don't hesitate to invite your family and friends!
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The Walking Women
Are Back!
The walking women are back out and about. Tuesday mornings 8:30 we meet at a different location for a lovely walk and time to catch up in person.
to be on email list
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Poetry at Peace
This beautiful poem was shared by Mary Male
"Later" by Boucar Diouf
Barely the day started and... it's already six in the evening.
Barely arrived on Monday and it's already Friday.
... and the month is already over.
... and the year is almost over.
... and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed.
... and we realize that we lost our parents, friends.
and we realize it's too late to go back...
Many Blessings,
Bonnie Lange
"Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day,
if you listen carefully, you can hear her breathing."
~ Arundhati Roy
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Vera Taylor Scholarship Fund
Each year, the Vera Taylor Scholarship Committee at Peace United awards scholarships to members who meet the eligibility criteria and submit their applications for review no later than June 30, 2021
Application forms can be obtained by emailing Chris Wellens, Vera Taylor Committee, Chris@Wellens.com. Current Vera Taylor Committee members are Karen Cozza and Chris Wellens. If you are interested in helping with this committee, we would welcome new
Through our Vera Taylor Scholarship Program, we are fortunate to provide financial help to Peace UCC members with continuing education expenses. Last year, we provided six scholarships.
Biena Graff, who was one of the scholars, shares her experience at Duke University as she continues her studies...Click here to read more.
To find out more about eligibility anyhow to apply, click here!
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Virtual Open House
You're invited to join our Santa Cruz Tent of Abraham, Sarah & Hagar
Wednesday, May 26th
from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm on Zoom
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COPA
COPA HELPS WITH RENT AND UTILITY REDUCTIONS UNDER COVID
We would like to invite you to a workshop using Zoom for renters. SB 91 was passed continuing the eviction moratorium until June 30, 2021, and with it comes additional resources to help landlords recover the rent owed by tenants. This program also assists with past-due utilities...Read More
When: May 18th, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
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Holy God, we thank you for the people who make needed things happen. Help us to find our place and use our gifts to serve you.
Today we offer prayers for:
- Sebastian, husband of Liz de Francesco
- Nancy Walker, who is hospitalized after a fall.
- Dave, Bonnie Lange’s brother
- Mary Male
We celebrate the gradual emergence from Covid restrictions in Santa Cruz county and continue to grieve for the deaths that continue to occur among our global family
May we be good stewards of our limited water supply this season, practicing conservation and wild fire precautions.
We mourn the tension and destruction in Gaza, asking God’s protection for those in danger.
God of love and light, we know that you hear us better than we are speaking. In your holy name we pray, Amen
Many blessings,
Bonnie Lange
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We Want Your Face!
Most of us cringe when we see ourselves in photos, but you probably have one photo that shows your face the way you would like other people to see it. We want that photo for our records! Pastor Dave especially is interested in having a pictorial record because there are so many of you he hasn't yet been able to meet in person.
Here's how you do it...please email Devon a digital photo of yourself and she will take care of the rest! Thank you. We look forward to "seeing" you soon.
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Office Hours!
Some days we're on campus, some days we're remote, but 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, staff are attending to the business of our church office: monitoring e-mail, answering telephones and/or responding to messages, working on the dozens of different projects and connections that keep our ministry moving forward. You can reach us by e-mail, office@PeaceUnited.org, or by phone, 831-426-2010.
Pastor Dave also is working out of the church office, Monday through Thursday, and most weeks will have office hours on Saturday too, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday is his day off. In case of emergency, the pastor is available by cell phone, 773-255-8095. If you would like to schedule a meeting or would like to "drop by", please contact us via email using this link to make an arrangement.
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Small Groups and Ministries of Outreach
Use this link to find information about our various small groups and
ministries here at PUCC.
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Buildings & Grounds Needs Your
"Free Service Tags"
Every City of Santa Cruz resident with refuse service gets four “Free Service Tags” annually, good for extra curbside trash or a free “dump run” at the city dump. Most of us don’t need these tags and they remain unused.
Your Buildings and Grounds team can put these Tags to good use, though! As you might imagine, our 6-acre campus generates a lot more yard waste than will fit in the curbside carts, and we make frequent dump runs.
If you have City “Free Service Tags” that you won’t use, please consider donating them to the church. Just mail or drop them off at the church office, and receive our heartfelt thanks!
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We're registered on Amazon Smile! Learn more and designate Peace UCC as your chosen charity to receive 0.5% of your Amazon Smile purchases, at no cost to you, here.
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Our conference staff and the offices have
moved to a new address. The new address is
1320 Willow Pass Rd., Suite 600, Concord, CA 94520
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Sign up here to further peace and justice around the world
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Find out more about global ministries here.
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Get a daily devotional here.
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