Community UCC eNews
May 20, 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 Sunday, May 23, when Pastor Julia Penner-Zook will deliver a sermon titled "Something Had to Die for a Renaissance" inspired by Ezekiel 37: 1-14. See below for how we "do church" now.
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Sunday worship onYouTube begins at 10:30 a.m.
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Instructions for Zoom worship
We will 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 Wednesday 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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Thursday evening worship
A more intimate evening worship takes place at 7 p.m. Thursdays on Zoom. If you have questions or would like a Zoom link, contact Robin at faithgrowth@communityucc.com.
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Important: Council meets May 20 to consider in-person services; survey on reopening still available
The Council meets today, May 20, at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom to discuss plans to resume in-person worship services. Members and friends of the church are always welcome to attend Council meetings. If you wish to attend today's meeting to offer brief comments on reopening, please contact Felicia Rocha (flearocha82@gmail.com) and she will send you a Zoom link.
Also, check your email on Friday, May 21, for a special update on what the Council decides.
Leadership is working hard to find the best way forward with reopening. Please complete a survey assessing what you need to have in place for this to become a live option for YOU. You can access the survey here to provide your input.
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Picture this: Win a painting of our church
We have a new and creative fundraising raffle for May!
Inspired by Roger Wall's photo, Lisa Bell has painted a stunning picture of our church and is donating it for this raffle. This watercolor painting is 10.5 inches by 13.5 inches and will fit in a matte with an 11-by-14 opening.
If the raffle winner prefers, Lisa has offered a commissioned watercolor piece up to the same size. Samples of some of Lisa's other artwork can be seen here. If the winner chooses this second option, Lisa will donate the church painting to Community UCC.
Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. The drawing will be held at the worship service on May 30. You can purchase tickets by sending a check to the church or going online at Givelify. In either case, please designate the money is for the May painting raffle.
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Messages about mental health
Aravis Rocha bravely speaks about her experience with depression and anxiety as CUCC is working to become a WISE – Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged – congregation for all persons with mental health challenges.
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Pitman and Tidyman scholarships: apply now
CUCC annually offers two scholarships: the Martha and Paul Pitman Scholarship and the Phyllis A. Tidyman Scholarship.
The Pitman Scholarship Fund – established in 1998 – supports the theological education of students preparing for ordained ministry and “in care” of the church. Graduate students or re-entry students returning to school after a two-year absence are eligible if a seminary student doesn’t apply.
The Tidyman Scholarship Fund – established in 1999 by the Tidyman family – provides scholarships for church members.
The Pitmans and Mrs. Tidyman were longtime church members. Completed applications are due in the church office by June 30. Please contact Alex Madrid at amadrid345@gmail.com if you have questions about how to apply.
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All-Church Family Camp scheduled for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-5
Annie and Jack Van Patten express their enthusiasm for – and love of – Family Camp in the video below. Annie can be reached at 209.902.2033 or teechrannie@comcast.net.
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. . . From Pastor Julia
Pastor Julia writes this introduction for the video below:
"Do political freedom struggles have anything in common with how we function within our nation, society, faith communities, and families? Join the dialogue."
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Women's Book Discussion Group continues with 'Blessed Are the Crazy'
The women's group continues its discussion at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, on Zoom. The book: "Blessed Are the Crazy" by Sarah Griffith Lund.
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Adult Education meets Mondays; begins a new book May 31
Adult Education meets from 9-10 a.m. Mondays.
On May 24, the group will conclude a six-week video discussion, exploring "How the Bible Actually Works" by Peter Enns.
He writes: "At the heart of our current moment lies a universal yearning not to be happy or respected so much as enough – what religions call 'righteous.' To fill the void left by religion, we look to all sorts of everyday activities – from eating and parenting to dating and voting – for the identity, purpose, and meaning once provided on Sunday morning. In our striving, we are chasing a sense of enoughness. But it remains ever out of reach, and the effort and anxiety are burning us out."
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On May 16, Pastor Julia delivered a sermon titled "Farewell Address" inspired by John 17: 6-19. 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 mornings 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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Youth camps at Camp Tam 2021
Here are dates for youth camps at Camp Tam this summer:
- July 18-24 – Junior Camp (children entering fourth to sixth grades)
- July 25-31 – Junior High Camp (youth entering seventh to ninth grades)
- August 1-7 – Senior High Camp (youth entering 10th grade through 2021 high school graduates)
Click here for registration details. |
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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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The United Church of Christ has joined faith communities around the world in calling on the United States to hold Israel accountable for violations of human rights and international law.
Conflict between Israelis and Palestinians turned deadly on Monday. Rocket launches into Israel and Israeli military strikes on Gaza since May 10 were triggered by escalating tensions in Jerusalem over the anticipated eviction of Palestinians from their homes in the Shaikh Jarrah neighborhood. Twenty-four people, including nine children, have died.
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Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating this month
May Birthdays
1 — Wendy Thompson
3 — Sarah Fey and Thomas Russell
6 — Benjamin Kloos
7 — Louise Andrews and Bill Dailey
8 — Adriana Wall
11 — Gail McDougle
15 — Marty Mulvihill
17 — Vicky Wall and Lynn Samuelian
19 — Marilyn Wall
21 — Tom Carroll and Pam Mahtab
22 — Robin Carlson and Karri Jones
24 — Sib White
25 — Spence Hipp
29 — Maria Contreras
31 — Donna Wright
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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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