Community UCC eNews
March 25, 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.
COVID Status: Virtual worship. Limited office hours.
See below.
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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Join us for worship on Palm Sunday, Sunday, March 28. Pastor Julia Penner-Zook will deliver the sermon titled "When A Triumphant Entry Isn't Enough" inspired by John 8: 2-11.
Julia writes: "Palm Sunday is a day in which the Christian Church typically remembers Jesus’ entry into the city of Jerusalem shortly before his death. Passages such as John 12:12-19 are often titled: 'The Triumphal Entry.'
"For many followers of Jesus, his identification with people has more significance than this public celebratory event. Sunday's scripture is where we read about a transformative encounter between Jesus and an accused woman."
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Sunday worship onYouTube begins at 10:30 a.m.
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Instructions for Zoom worship
For now, we will continue to provide the Zoom worship live on our YouTube channel (bit.ly/cuccyoutube) on Sundays at 10:35 a.m. Doors "open" around 10:15-10:20 for a few minutes of fellowship before worship begins.
Links to the Zoom worship services go out each Friday in a separate email just to church members. Look for "Zoom links" in that email subject line. If you would like to receive the Zoom links to participate in the Sunday service in a more interactive way, please contact the church office or let Lisa know.
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Monday evening worship
Evening worship is on Zoom at 7 p.m. Monday. If you have questions or would like a Zoom link, contact Robin at faithgrowth@communityucc.com.
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Week 9 update: We're $225 from our goal!
Because of the generosity of folks at CUCC, we have raised $14,775 — 99% of our goal! Thank you to all who have donated!
Donations can be made through Givelify or by sending a check to the church. Please designate for the capital campaign. You can read more about how this capital campaign will help our church grow on our church homepage.
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Pastor Julia featured on Fresno webcast
Pastor Julia was a guest this week on the webcast "Two Guys Talkin' Fresno" with hosts Paul Swearengin and Craig Scharton.
Their conversation ranged from Christianity in the time of COVID to the recalibration that isolation has required to a re-evaluation of an authentic expression of faith within our community.
Click here to watch the webcast on Facebook. The photo below is a screenshot from the webcast. |
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Virtual Maundy Thursday
soup supper next week
The Fellowship Team invites everyone to a virtual soup and bread meal at 6 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, April 1.
All you will need is your soup, bread and a Zoom link, which will be sent next week.
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Need help signing up to get the COVID vaccine?
Lisa Bell has volunteered to help anyone who might be struggling to sign up for COVID vaccinations. She is available by phone or through a Zoom session to assist in navigating websites, filling out forms, or handling other issues.
Lisa can be reached at lisamboyles12@gmail.com or at 559.244.9502.
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Last chance! — Drawing this Sunday for Easter gift basket
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You can still buy tickets for the Easter Raffle Fundraiser, but time is running out.
A drawing to pick a winner will be during our Palm Sunday service on March 28.
Tickets are $5 each, and you can buy them through Givelify.
Please designate this is for the gift basket sponsored by the Missions and Social Justice Team.
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The basket will have a $50 gift certificate from The HoneyBaked Ham Co. in Fresno.
In addition to ham, the store sells turkey and pork ribs.
The nice gift basket also will include a homemade pie from Rod Zook.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the church’s operating budget.
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Sometimes we need to
breathe — escape the weight
of our anxiety –
and hate-filled world.
Nature offers her refreshing sounds, smells, and sights. Come with me — just for
a moment.
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Photo credit: j. Penner-Zook
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the company of wild things
By Pastor Julia Penner-Zook
she’s on the periphery, hidden,
unconcerned about acclaim and
applause, appearing in gardens and
upon ornate tables holds no appeal.
she relishes the company of wild things,
similarly content to flourish beyond the
gawking view and groping reach of throngs
who prefer exhibitions and notoriety.
she finds bliss in the music of soft breezes,
her amethyst elegance bending, swaying,
exulting in the celebration of freedom,
embraced by partners of emerald and gold.
© julia penner-zook 2018
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Women's Book Discussion Group
The Women's Book Discussion Group will continue at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, with "There There" by Tommy Orange, an indigenous author from the Bay Area. If you have questions or need a Zoom link, please contact Robin at faithgrowth@communityucc.com. |
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Book study on mental health challenges
A new book study group is meeting at noon on Sundays to discuss "Blessed Are The Crazy" by Sarah Griffith Lund. For Sunday, March 28, please read Chapter 2..
This is part of CUCC's preparation for becoming a WISE — Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged — congregation to all persons who experience mental health challenges. WISE is an initiative of the United Church of Christ.
If you have questions or want to receive Zoom links for the study, please contact Kathy Lukan at lukefam5@yahoo.com or Elizabeth Davis-Russell at edavisrussell@comcast.net.
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Adult Education meets Mondays
Adult Education meets from 9-10 a.m. Mondays. The group is discussing Richard Rohr’s daily meditations.
To get them, please register at the Center for Action and Contemplation: cac.org. A Zoom link will be made available. Contact Robin at faithgrowth@communityucc.com if you're interested.
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Last Sunday, Pastor Julia delivered a sermon titled "Calling Out Jesus" inspired by the Gospel of John, Chapter 11. Click on the triangle above to watch and hear the sermon. |
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Marilyn's office hours at church
Marilyn is in the office from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Please be sure to call ahead (559.435.2690) and remember to wear a mask if you need to come to the office.
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Contacting Pastor Julia at church
Pastor Julia will be in the office Thursday morning and can be reached by phone, text, e-mail or Facetime other days of the week as well. E-mail her at j.penner.zook@gmail.com.
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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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Christian nationalism is false. It is dangerous.
And it has more influence in U.S. systems of power than many people realize.
Those were some of the key points made by panelists from three faith backgrounds in a March 18 webinar.
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Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating this month!
March Birthdays
4 — Dala Ramirez
6 — Kristi Cole
8 — Emma Haring
9 — Ashlyn Chaffin and Olivia LeBeau
14 — Lynette Mulvihill
15 — Jack Van Patten
16 — Marie Edwards and Benjamin Williams
17 — Michael Dillahunty
23 — David Rocha
24 — Pam Mighaccio and Lu Parks
25 — Sophie Gilbert
27 — Carol Dailey, Kate Hayden and Debbie Schroer
30 — Jerry Thompson
March Anniversaries
19 — Carol and Bill Dailey
26 — Penny and Tom Carroll
31 — Carolyn and Al Evans
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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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Due to COVID-19, worship will remain virtual for now. Limited office hours have resumed.
Phone: 559.435.2690
Email: office@communityucc.com
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Follow us on social media: |
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