Arts in Worship

"The arts enrich our worship experience collectively and personally." - Peg

Arts in Worship is a committee of the Deacons Ministry. We seek to provide artistic avenues for worshipping God and to assist the artists among us in sharing their experiences of worship. Our committee includes teens and adults and people of all ages are welcome to contribute their artistic gifts in worship.

• Chancel Choir
• Folk Choir
• Special Music

Live Your Faith!

• Display your two-dimensional art on the art wall as an inspiration to others.
• Sing with the Chancel Choir or the Folk Group.
• Play an instrument or sing during worship on Sundays when the choirs aren't singing.
• Write a song for the congregation to sing.
• Use your acting skill to read/interpret scripture in worship.
• Create a banner for the sanctuary.
• Photograph or dance your interpretation of a theme or passage.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of arts-based worship.
• Serve on the committee to make your visions for arts in worship a reality.

Recent Art Wall Exhibits

Permanent Collection

Artist: Autumn Cobeland

Artist: Linda Baker

Artist: Linda Baker
Given in celebration of the partnership between
CUCC and the Church of the Rhineland

Artist: Linda Baker
Given in celebration of the Children and Youth of CUCC
and of Lynda Waterman's "Aunt Jim" Jessie Werff

Artist: Judy Smallwood

Caring Committee

"This work reminds me of the passage in James - our faith being shown through our actions. This ministry gives you a chance to do something. It's a covenant community; multiple levels of connectivity between people help us become a church family. We care about each other and we care what happens. This work is not theoretical." - Bill

The Caring Committee is a committee of the Deacons Ministry. We coordinate ministry to and support of members of the congregation when they are confronting health crises or personal problems. We're there to provide support in whatever way we can. Everyone does not want the same kind of support and we do our best to be respectful of boundaries. Most often we are providing help during a short-term crisis. We celebrate, too - births, major anniversaries and birthdays, etc. A behind-the-scenes but fun project is our monthly "thank you" to someone who shares abundantly his or her many gifts of ministry with the congregation.

Most of our work consists of thinking through how to supplement and interconnect the caregiving already being done by members of the congregation. Where additional resources are needed (more drivers or meals or visits), we try to find others in the congregation who are willing to help.

What Do We Do?

• Send cards of encouragement and celebration.
• Cook a meal for someone with a family crisis.
• Coordinate support (meals, visitors, transportation) for a member in short-term crisis.
• Be a personal shopper (groceries, presents) for someone home-bound.
• Drive someone to appointments or to the store.
• Visit someone who can't leave home easily.
• Play bridge with someone home-bound.
• Telephone regularly to check-in with someone who is alone.
• Contribute to the Pastor's Discretionary Fund (an off-budget item) which provides for the financial emergencies of members.
• Inform the Caring Committee of people in the congregation who might need support or who are celebrating something special (a birth, a big anniversary or birthday).
• Check-in with someone you haven't seen at church in a while to find out if the person is okay; let the pastor know what you learn.
• Think about how CUCC can care for our people, how we can best mobilize our resources of support, and how we can connect caregivers - join the Caring Committee.

What should I do if I know of someone in the congregation who needs support?

Call the pastor to discuss anything confidential, especially the need for pastoral care. The Caring Committee, too, is rich with trained listening ears - ordained and lay - so you are welcome to contact us if you need to talk about your role as a caregiver or if you are facing a challenge yourself.

For financial support, talk to Steve. For other tangible support (meals, visits, cards), call Caring. To request prayer, place a note in the prayer jar in the narthex or Pilgrim House and/or call Steve to ask to be put on the prayer list posted in the bulletin. Remember to let us know when to remove your name from the prayer list after the crisis has passed.

Remember, if you know about the need, then you may be in the best position to provide support to the person and to keep us informed of ongoing needs. Consider yourself part of the person's support team and an ad hoc member of the Caring Committee!

Your Wishes at the Time of Your Death

This document allows you to have on file at the church such things as emergency contact information, actions to be taken in an emergency, and last wishes for the celebration of your life at the time of your death.

Ushers

"This is a good way to learn about the church and to meet people. I've learned who people are and know their names now. Being an usher is an easy first step to being a part of the church." - Sam Johnson

The Ushers are a committee of the Deacons Ministry who are the behind-the-scenes hosts at the 10:30 worship service on Sunday mornings. We do everything from unlocking and locking the building, to handing out bulletins, to tidying the sanctuary after the service. If someone needs the hearing amplifiers or would like to be served communion at her seat, we're the ones whom they tell.

2015 Schedule

When do you meet?

We don't! Each usher chooses one or two months each year. He or she is responsible for ushering at all of the 10:30 worship services and any special services (ex. Ash Wednesday, funerals, church-wide celebrations). We swap with each other when scheduling conflicts arise.

How can I help?

• Collect the offering; ask the usher by 10:20am if he/she has already found someone for that morning
• Usher at special events; some of our ushers have day jobs and aren't available to usher at day services or funerals
• Usher one month of Sundays.

Sacraments and Chancel

"I have always loved gardening and flowers, and have wanted to learn how to use them in different settings. Being on the committee has been a great learning experience, and you find out that this congregation is very gracious and appreciative of whatever we have offered." - Carol Kepler

Sacraments and Chancel serves under the Deacons Ministry to enhance the beauty of the church and sanctuary with flowers or natural arrangements. We welcome all who would like to participate. Prior to the Sunday service, the members of this group take turns at furnishing both an altar arrangement and banner selection appropriate to the church season. Additional duties include providing the Communion setup about once a year and helping with the overall Christmas planning and decorating.

The communion table arrangements are a visual interpretation of the theme for worship. Some arrangers choose to use flowers and greenery from their gardens. Others share special collections: shells or candles or driftwood. Imagine piles of canned food, hand-painted key pegs for Habitat families, crafts from around the world, or barbed wire encircling a wooden cross.

In observance of Reformation Sunday, the communion table depicts the three pillars of the Protestant Reformation: justification by faith, the authority of scripture, and the priesthood of all believers.

Living Your Faith

• Prepare an arrangement for the communion table one week
• Deck the halls during advent at the Hanging of the Greens
• Make a banner from your own design or one we provide
• Prepare the communion set-up one week; training is provide
• Join the Sacraments and Chancel Committee.

Testing how to edit the Economic Justice Task Force page.
   EDS

Advent

December and Advent begin together this year, and are almost upon us!

Gift giving ideas

 CUCC ministries have these recommendations as you consider gift giving.

• Menu of Compassionate Gifts (from Community Outreach Ministry)
• Christmas Cards for Wounded Soldiers (from Children's Church School)
• Meals on Wheels (from Retired People's Group)
• SPCA (from the Children's Church School)

Celebrations, Reflection, and Gatherings

Welcome in the Season of Advent - December 1st

Bring back the excitement of waiting for Christmas!  Everybody is welcome to come to the Vaughan Fellowship Hall at 5:00 pm, December 1st, to celebrate the first day of the church year (yes, really), the first day of the last month, and the first day of Advent. This will be a group participation worship service for everyone (parents of those under 6 may opt for child care, available on request). We will begin with a brief introduction to the "When, What and Why of Advent" (including scriptures), then hear Geri Bowen sing "Todo la Tierra."  Doug Barrick will be enhancing our time together at various times.  We'll hear stories of Advent from hither and yon, near and far, and will sing Advent songs.  Cookies and cider will be available as we assemble a new Advent candle wreath for the sanctuary. This will be brought into the sanctuary by Pastor Steve as we sing and light candles in celebration.  Parents may pick up children in child care on the way to the sanctuary.  We expect to conclude by 6:30.  (Sponsored by the Deacons. Contact Vandy Bradow.)

Advent Reflections & Taize' Worship - December 3 and 10

Join us as we share scripture, meditation with soothing music, centering silence and prayer, and singing and sharing with each other what Advent means to us. It will be an opportunity to relax and renew one’s spirit as we journey toward the Light of Christ being birthed into our lives and our world! Tuesday, Dec. 3, and Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7:00pm in the Vaughan Fellowship Hall.

Movie "Into Great Silence" - December 6

The Deacons are sponsoring a viewing of the film "Into Great Silence" as an introduction to the Advent season. The film will be shown in the fellowship hall starting at 7 PM. The film follows the routine of monks of the Grande Chartreuse who have taken a vow of silence. There is no dialogue, though the chants and sounds of daily life provide a sound track for your own quiet time. The film is three hours long. During a short break midway through the showing, the famous herbal Grande Chartreuse liqueur will be served with snacks. Put this unique Advent event on your calendar! Here's the description of the film provided by Netflix.

Director Philip Gröning's study of the Grande Chartreuse monastery introduces a world of austere beauty as it follows the daily activities of the resident monks, whose silence is broken only by prayer and song. With no sound save the natural rhythms of age-old routines, the documentary -- a Special Jury Prize winner at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival -- captures the simplicity and profundity of lives lived with absolute purpose and presence.

(Contact Vandy Bradow for more info about this event.)

Forums on the Common Good - December 1, 8, and 15

This has been a difficult year.  We have experienced deep divisions in our political and cultural lives.  These disturbing divisions seem to threaten our very democracy and our futures.  We seem to have lost a unifying vision in our communities and in our public life. Is it possible to reclaim the value of the Common Good?  The first three forums in December will concern Restoring the Common Good.  They will be facilitated by Elizabeth Queen, an intern at NC Justice Center and a student completing degrees at Duke Divinity School and at UNC School of Social Work.  Details on each week

Family Advent Workshop - December 8

This workshop beginning at 5 PM will feature a pizza dinner and a cookie swap for children, youth, and families.  This gathering will serve as our December Family Potluck.

Christmas Pageant - December 8

Presented by the children and youth of the church during the 10:30 worship service. Directed by Anne Bailey Zschau.

Advent Life & Faith in Downtown Raleigh - December 10

Let’s get together halfway through Advent to take a deep breath and do any necessary course corrections.  Where is your life intersecting with the anticipation of Advent?  Join others for casual conversation on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Tyler’s Tap Room.  Look for the red “Life & Faith” comma at our corner round table.  Arrive at 6:30pm if you want to order dinner, at 7pm for beverages-only. Dutch treat.  For more info, contact Jane Smith.

CUCC Christmas Party - December 14

Christmas will be here soon and the annual CUCC Christmas dinner is just around the corner. Plans are now being made for this celebration which will include a social hour, a catered meal from Mitch’s Tavern, and holiday entertainment. The Christmas celebration will be held on Saturday, December 14th.  Social hour begins at 6:30pm, with dinner at 7:15pm.  The cost for the meal is $8.00 per person.   Please sign up for this event by Monday, December 2nd, through the church office (919)787-6422.  Let us know if you need child care.

Christmas Special by CUCC Choir - December 15

This year's Christmas special will be a performance of traditional Christmas music arranged by CUCC's own Peggy Hoffmann.

Christmas Eve Service - December 24

 

Come join us on Christmas Eve at 5pm as all ages join together to welcome Jesus.  Expect  to sing Carols, listen to sacred music presented by musicians and choir and soloists, and watch a readers theatre of the Holy Birth Story, poetry, and the story behind the Carol “Silent Night.”  The service will be in candlelight with a special lighting of the Christ Candle followed by a candle light circle as we sing “Silent Night” to close.

Dress casually or in your Christmas finery; you are welcome just as you are. 

We invite you to join us afterward for hot cider in the Fellowship Hall.

Until then, listen to the music from the 2012 Christmas eve worship.

Congregational Meeting

The regular fall CUCC congregational meeting will be held after church in the Vaughan Wing on Sunday, November 10th. Presented at the meeting will be a draft budget for the coming year, a draft slate of officers, and a Council update including status of exploration of possible property expansion.

- submitted by Marty Lamb, Moderator

Deacons

"It is neat to see how things work from the inside out. Being a Deacon takes the responsibilities of spiritual leadership to a new level. It is a privilege to be designated as one who guides the faith and spiritual growth of others. It is also challenging and I'm growing in this work." - Robert

The Deacons Ministry is responsible for the spiritual leadership of the church. We guide worship and care for members in need. We also care for and evaluate the staff.

Through the informal networks of friendship, shared work or a shared pew, we seek to be Christ to one another. Yet sometimes we need more than a listening ear or a hug. If you find yourself needing more support:

• Call the pastor to request a time to speak with him privately. We encourage you not to use email because it doesn’t provide privacy.
• Call the office to ask to be added to the congregation’s prayer list. Those for whom we pray are listed weekly in the worship bulletin.
• Place your prayer request in a Prayer Jar. You'll find them on the prayer jar table in the narthex and on a side table in the Pilgrim House living room. The Monday Lunch Group prays weekly those prayers found in the jars. Include as much or little detail as you desire.
• Speak to someone on the Caring Committee.

Live Your Faith

• Recommend a great retreat location for individuals or groups.
• Suggest or offer to lead a spiritual growth seminar.
• Suggest a leadership training opportunity and attend yourself.
• Help create a visitation program.
• Explore ways to welcome members of the local campus community.
• Pray for the Deacons as they develop as a team.

Menu of Compassionate Gifts

Is there someone you plan to give a gift to that doesn't really need yet another gift – a family member, neighbor, friend or coworker? How about choosing from our Menu of Compassionate Gifts? Six local charitable organizations have been selected and our menu tells you what your donation might do.

You can give at church, or you can order your gifts online. Please remit your gifts by December 31.

 

	The Food Bank of Central and Eastern N.C.
	Fill a backpack with nutritious food for the weekend every weekend for a month	$25.00
	Provide 35 Kids Cafe meals	$35.00
	Provide after-school meals, academic help and nutrition education to one child for half of a school year	$125.00
	InterAct
	Provide group support session for 4 children who witnessed domestic violence in their home	$24.00
	Provide a day of shelter services to a victim of domestic violence, including room, food, counseling and case management	$53.00
	Provide a family with crisis counseling and safety planning on InterAct’s 24/7 crisis lines	$90.00
	Method Child Development Center
	Feed a child on scholarship for a week (breakfast, lunch and snack)	$25.00
	15 cubic yards of mulch for the playground	$50.00
	Feed a child on scholarship for a month	$100.00
	PLM Families Together
	Supplies and snacks for children’s after-school enrichment and tutoring programs	$20.00
	A gas card or monthly bus pass to help a parent get to and from work	$50.00
	A WELCOME BASKET for a family’s new home, stocked with needed household items like cleaning supplies, paper products, and hygiene and laundry items	$100.00
	Urban Ministries
	Three nights shelter, meals and support services for one woman at the Helen Wright Center	$25.00
	Three primary care visits, lab work and prescription medications for one person	$50.00
	Food, employment counseling and social work for four families in Crisis Support	$100.00
	The Women’s Center
	Feed a family of five from The Food Bank for two weeks	$20.00
	Feed two families for two weeks and buy bus tickets so women can get to work	$50.00
	Pay electric and gas bills so a family can stay warm	$100.00