Community UCC eNews
May 6, 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 9, when Pastor Julia Penner-Zook will deliver a sermon titled "Draw The Circle Wide," inspired by 1 John 5:1-5.
She writes: "The last two weeks we have heard compelling, practical sermons painting a vivid picture of God’s love depicted through intentional care for creation and active love for our neighbor. The scripture for this week expands our understanding of love to include basically everything, an understanding which brings lightness and joy into following Christ. We come full circle!"
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
Evening worship has resumed 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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Almost there: One last xeriscape work party Saturday, May 8
Everyone is invited to participate in the xeriscape work party on the church grounds from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 8. This should finish the project for now!
Someone will be on hand to capture on camera the workers and their dedication!
Heartfelt thanks to Helmut Kloos for spearheading this project and to each person who has participated over the past several weeks.
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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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Learn about UCC work in this part of California
The Sequoia Association of the Northern California Nevada Conference will hold its annual meeting at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 16, via Zoom.
If you’re interested in hearing about the work of our association, please contact Felicia Rocha at flearocha82@gmail.com. She will forward you a link.
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Pittman 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
Mark your calendars! The All-Church Family Camp is scheduled for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-5, at Camp Tamarack.
Camp Manager Wade Hobson and others have developed a plan to ensure safety for all campers. The plan incorporates requirements from the Centers for Disease Control and the American Camp Association.
Be on the lookout next week in eNews for a video message from Camp Director Annie Van Patten. Annie can be reached at 209.902.2033 or teechrannie@comcast.net.
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Equipment installed; looking for volunteer operators
Our new video equipment has been installed, and we're looking to train volunteers on running the system. This will allow us to successfully stream and record our worship services once we are back in the sanctuary.
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... From Pastor Julia
Pastor Julia writes this introduction for the video below:
"We wonder what to do with fear! It troubles us to the point where we often try to hide it from others and even from ourselves. Here’s an invitation to acknowledge another part of our humanity — embracing it as part of being who we are; finding solutions when anxiety becomes overwhelming."
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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 11, on Zoom. The book: "Blessed Are the Crazy" by Sarah Griffith Lund.
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Adult Education meets Mondays
Adult Education meets from 9-10 a.m. Mondays.
The group is continuing a six-week video discussion, exploring "How the Bible Actually Works" by Peter Enns.
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On May 2, Doug Hoagland delivered a guest sermon titled "Love In Action" inspired by 1 John 4: 19-21. Click on the triangle above to watch and hear the sermon. |
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Marilyn returns from vacation May 10
Marilyn will be back from vacation on Monday, May 10.
Until then, we will respond to voicemails, but the responses may be delayed.
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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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Webinar shows churches how to stay online as they reunite in person
As COVID-19 wanes and your church regathers in person, stay online, too — even if you’re on a budget.
That was the advice of two ministers and a video expert in a pair of United Church of Christ webinars.
The Indiana-Kentucky Conference hosted “So You Want to Build a Hybrid Worship Experience” on Zoom and YouTube April 22 and 29. The discussion is available now for free on YouTube. The Conference is encouraging churches to share both parts widely across the UCC and beyond. Continue reading at UCC.com
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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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Follow us on social media: |
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