Community UCC eNews
Sept. 23, 2021
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Community UCC is an inclusive and progressive Christian Church doing social justice, environmental faithfulness, interfaith collaboration and spiritual formation to help ourselves and others grow in faith, hope and love.
SO MUCH GOOD NEWS! — If it says "[Message clipped]" at the bottom of your eNews, that means you're not seeing everything. Click the link next to that to view the entire newsletter.
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Sunday worship
On Sunday, Pastor Julia Penner-Zook will deliver a sermon titled "Pass the Salt, Please" inspired by Matthew 5:13-16.
Julia writes:
"Connoisseurs of fine cuisine have finely-tuned palates that can detect intricate nuances of flavor — salt being the most basic. When a dish is either over- or under-salted, even ordinary diners will detect the missing ingredient, and the entire dish is ruined.
"On Sunday we will speak about how salt relates to spirituality. I hope you will join us."
You also can join in Sunday worship online at bit.ly/cuccyoutube. We are working to improve the audio quality so everyone can hear and understand our services. Thank you for your patience.
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Exciting to see new people at worship
During the months we've been back to in-person worship – July 4 through Sept. 19 – we have had 35 guests join us on Sunday mornings. (No one person was counted twice.) Two new guests came this past Sunday!
It’s invigorating to see new faces, even as we miss those of our long-standing congregation who are unable to be present in person. We are working on how to provide opportunities for everyone. If you have thoughts, please let Pastor Julia know: j.penner.zook@gmail.com.
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If you're new, this is for you!
If you're a guest we’ve welcomed over the past months and have questions about our church, the Extravagant Welcome Team invites you to an informal time of information at 9 a.m.this Sunday, Sept. 26, at the church.
If you have any questions, please contact Donna Wright (donnatwright@gmail.com or 559.917.8979) or Marilyn at the church office (office@communityucc.com or 559.435.2690).
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Staying vigilant as we work to keep everyone safe |
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Thank you for following our COVID-19 protocols:
- Masks are required in the breezeway as well the sanctuary.
- Social distancing should be observed inside and outside.
- Hand sanitizer is available.
- Do not shake hands or hug.
- Sunday school, nursery care and fellowship after church are temporarily suspended.
In addition, we ask anyone to self-quarantine (not attend church) if they experience symptoms associated with COVID-19:
- Running nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
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Infected people report about 90 less common symptoms affecting the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, nervous and hormonal systems as well as skin, ears, eyes, and other organs.
These symptoms include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, which were the most prevalent symptoms during the early stage of the pandemic.
If you experience any of these symptoms and have interacted with worship service or church members or personnel, please inform Marilyn in the church office.
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Thursday evening worship tonight; no service next week
Thursday worship will take place at 7 p.m. today, Sept. 23, on Zoom.
Thursday evening worship on Sept. 30 will not be held because Robin will be on vacation.
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Our condolences to Susan Chavez
We're sad to announce that Leo Chavez, the husband of CUCC member Susan Chavez, has passed away. Susan was deeply involved in many ministries and activities at CUCC before she and Leo moved to Yuma, Ariz. a couple of years ago.
Messages can be sent to Susan at her email, sunroofing@comcast.net, or in care of Genna and Hal Lee, 658 East Weldon, Fresno 93704.
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You can contribute video segments for worship
These are strange times we're in. We continue to meet in person with strict COVID-19 protocols, but some people who would normally be in worship are choosing to participate by watching from home until we get past the current surge. We respect that choice.
If you fall in that category, you may have noticed there are still ways you can participate in worship, by providing speaking portions of the worship service via recorded video. If this appeals to you, and you would like to find out how you can participate in this way, reach out to Lisa Bell (lisamboyles12@gmail.com) or Eileen White (559.251.3357 or eileenelsie7@gmail.com) on the Worship Planning team.
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Women's Book Discussion Group takes a week off
The Women’s Book Discussion Group will not meet on Tuesday, Sept. 28, because of Robin's vacation. The group is meeting on Zoom to discuss "Dusk Night Dawn, On Revival and Courage" by Anne Lamott.
Here is the schedule in the coming weeks:
• Oct. 5: Chapters 4 and 5
• Oct. 12: Chapters 6 and 7
• Oct. 19: Chapters 8 and 9; Coda: Big Heart
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Adult Education
Adult Education continues at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, via Zoom. The group will discuss the chapter "The Seculosity of of Jesusland" in the book "Seculosity."
Ann Scott will send out a Zoom link. Please contact Ann at barrier.scott2@gmail.com for more details.
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John Donaldson memorial service
A memorial service for John Donaldson is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Hope Lutheran Church, 364 E. Barstow Ave., Fresno. John's family says attendees will need to be vaccinated and that masks will be provided.
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From Pastor Julia . . .
Pastor Julia writes, "Inspired by these words of German teacher and spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle: 'Your life situation may be full of problems — most life situations are —but find out if you have any problem at this moment. Not tomorrow or in 10 minutes, but now. Do you have a problem now?' "
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On Sunday, September 19, Pastor Julia Penner-Zook delivered a sermon titled "Just Peace? Or Piecemeal?" inspired by Micah 6:9 and Amos 5:24. Click on the triangle to watch and hear the sermon. |
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Marilyn reduces work hours
Effective Oct. 1, Marilyn is reducing her hours. She will continue to work in the church office Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. But she will be off on Friday; she previously was on call at home that day. Marilyn requested the change, and the Council approved it at its Sept. 2 meeting.
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Contacting Pastor Julia at church; Robin begins vacation Sept. 29
Pastor Julia will be in the office Thursday mornings and can be reached by phone, text, email or FaceTime other days of the week as well. Email her at j.penner.zook@gmail.com. Robin will be on vacation from Sept. 29 through Oct. 4.
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In each week's eNews, we include a news article from our larger denomination, the United Church of Christ, to show the faithful work being done in other places.
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With Indigenous guidance, Wisconsin churches face colonialism’s damage — and start to act
Since then, their anti-racism work has never been quite the same.
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September Birthdays and Anniversaries |
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Birthdays
7 — Gretchen Choate
10 — Jaidyn Ramirez and Serenity Shea
11 — Mike R. Smith
12 — Ann Scott
14 — Elizabeth Davis-Russell, Keithie Earl and Gary Walker
16 — Rachel Van Patten
17 — Sommer Earl
21 — Janet Capella
25 — Philip Dutton
26 — Phil Fullerton
27 — Spencer Parks and Selena Wall
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Anniversaries
1 — Jacque and Bob Garcia
3 — Sally and Doug Hoagland
4 — Laurie and Tim Tidyman-Jones; Michelle and Seth Tilley
9 — Bryan Clark and Brian Isbell
Work Anniversary
7 — Marilyn Wall 28 years
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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). Send your announcements to both Lisa Boyles Bell and Doug Hoagland. Doug is now the primary newsletter designer, but Doug and Lisa collaborate on its production. Emails: lisamboyles12@gmail.com and doughoagland@att.net.
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Our Joyful Giving page reflects the many ways members can help support our Church's missions and operations, especially needed in these critical and uncertain times.
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Phone:559.435.2690
Email: office@communityucc.com
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