Community UCC eNews
Oct. 7, 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 "Can Fire and the Holy Coexist?" inspired by Exodus 3:1-5.
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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Thursday evening worship returns
Thursday worship will resume at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7. on Zoom. If you have questions or would like a Zoom link, contact Robin at faithgrowth@communityucc.com.
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All are welcome at Church Council meetings |
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The Church Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, via Zoom. Our
Council meetings – as well as all team meetings – are open to anyone who's interested.
If you would like a Zoom link, please contact Felicia Rocha at flearocha82@gmail.com.
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This Sunday: learning about protecting Sierra wilderness |
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This Sunday, Oct. 10, we'll have the opportunity to hear Deanna Wulff, chief executive officer of Unite the Parks, a grassroots movement to unite Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks.
She will speak during the Call to Understanding. Pastor Julia will deliver the sermon.
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Unite the Parks is working to create a national monument on the 1.4 million acres of wilderness between Yosemite and Kings Canyon.
Ms. Wulff is passionate about environmental issues as they intersect with both corporate interests and the need for people to experience nature.
Click here to learn more about the organization.
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Update on Declan Carlson
Robin’s grandson, Declan, is doing much better after a recent hospitalization. Robin writes: "Thank you for all your prayers and positive thoughts. Declan came home last Thursday. He will be watched by a cardiologist and no contact sports, but other than that, he is back to himself 🥰"
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CUCC is taking a next, important step to becoming a WISE congregation to people experiencing mental illness. More on that step in a moment.
First, some background: over the last several months, the congregation has heard about our church’s journey toward becoming Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged. WISE is an initiative of the national United Church of Christ, and local churches decide if – and when – to embark on the process.
CUCC’s Missions and Social Justice Team has taken the lead on this, and other interested members of the congregation have joined with the team. Now, 11 of them are scheduled to take a Mental Health First Aid course on Oct. 30 at the church.
“It is our expectation that the course will enable us to become more proactive in our interaction with people experiencing mental illness,” says Elizabeth Davis-Russell, chair of the Missions and Social Justice (MSJ) Team.
Susan Bechera, a Certified Mental Health First Aid instructor, will teach the course. CUCC’s Faith
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Education Team voted to pay the tuition for church members from the Bettenhausen Fund.
Elizabeth outlines steps already taken to inform the congregation about WISE and the church’s journey:
- MSJ hosted a discussion of the book, “Blessed are the Crazy.” The discussion was open to the congregation.
- MSJ produced several videos in which members of the congregation gave their perspectives on mental illness.
- MSJ worked with the Worship Planning Team to add educational videos at the end of several Sunday services.
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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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Women's Book Discussion Group
The Women’s Book Discussion Group will meet on Zoom at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12. The group is reading "Dusk Night Dawn, On Revival and Courage" by Anne Lamott.
Here is the schedule:
• Oct. 12: Chapters 6 and 7
• Oct. 19: Chapters 8 and 9; Coda: Big Heart
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Adult Education
Adult Education will not meet on Wednesday, Oct. 13, but will resume at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20, via Zoom. The group will begin a study of "Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation." For Oct. 20, read the meditations from Oct. 10-16. Rohr is a Franciscan priest.
If you are not currently receiving Rohr's daily mediations via email, you can sign up by clicking here.
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From Pastor Julia . . .
Pastor Julia writes: "When fire scorches us and smoke engulfs us, where can we find hope?"
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On Sunday, Oct. 3, Pastor Julia Penner-Zook delivered a sermon titled "Wholly Together" inspired by Hebrews 2:10-12. Click on the triangle to watch and hear the sermon. |
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Marilyn's office hours
Marilyn is in the church office from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m Mondays through Thursdays. She is off on Fridays.
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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, email or FaceTime other days of the week as well. Email 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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Iowa church builds beds for refugee children
A small Iowa congregation has found a way to provide several local refugee children a soft place to sleep.
Hope United Church of Christ in Hiawatha partnered with organizations in the Cedar Rapids area so new beds could be built for those who had none. The church also provided the bedding for them.
The ministry started with this year’s Vacation Bible School, sponsored jointly by Hope UCC and Lovely Lane United Methodist Church. Continue reading at UCC.com
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October Birthdays and Anniversaries |
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Birthdays
1 — David Contreras and Jess Garcia
2 — Lauren Booker
3 — Adrian Ramirez and Nayele Wall
5 — Joe Mack
6 — Dena Reynolds
8 — Cristi Newport and Chad Hayden
12 — Sarah LeBeau
14 — Jim Nelson
25 — Nancy Pressley and Dru Ramirez
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27 —Debra Westhaver-Church
28 —Nanete Maki-Dearsan and Boone Watkins
31 — Maddie Kilburn, Claire and William Knapp
Anniversaries
2 — Lynn Samuelian and Ruben Fernandez
6 — Charlene Toews and Michael Dillahunty
8 — Annie and Jack Van Patten
26 — Kelli and Alan Chaffin
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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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Follow us on social media: |
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