For several years Community United Church of Christ has been working to educate people about the risks of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), a technique for extracting fossil fuels. We have invited experts to speak at Sunday morning's Adult Forum and at special events throughout the week. That educational work has led to a commitment to encourage our legislators to oppose allowing fracking in North Carolina. Members of CUCC are involved in a variety of ways, some spending many hours working with North Carolina organizations, others writing personal notes to legislators, and still others signing petitions after worship on Sunday. We work in coalition with groups throughout North Carolina, especially Clean Water for North Carolina (to whom we made a large donation in 2012 for a special project in their grassroots campaign) and FrackFreeNC. Both the Social Justice Ministry and the Justice in a Changing Climate Task Force, in collaboration, lead the congregation in this work.
Read more about hydraulic fracturing
In May 2013, the Social Justice Ministry of CUCC sent John and Adrienne Little to the United Church of Christ's Southern Conference's Annual Meeting asking them to pass a resolution to "petition members of the NC General Assembly and its political appointees to work against any further actions that promote or allow the development and employment of hydraulic fracturing in our state but rather to support and encourage the development of renewable and healthy sources of energy now and for the future." That resolution passed at Southern Conference.
In May 2014, the congregation urged the Southern Conference at its Annual Meeting to pass a resolution which would ask the General Synod of the United Church of Christ to work against hydraulic fracturing, study, monitor, and report to the churches on justice issues related to fracking, and encourage local congregations to learn more about fracking. John and Adrienne Little are taking that resolution to the 2014 meeting of the Southern Conference in June. The congregation also voted to place anti-fracking signs on the church lawn so that those driving on Wade Avenue (including North Carolina legislators on their way to the General Assembly) are encouraged to oppose fracking.
If you are interested in learning more about the church's work to protect people and the environment by opposing fracking in North Carolina, talk to any member of the Social Justice Ministry.
Entering the Transition Zone
The Deacons have asked all of us at Community UCC to be part of the process of preparing for and searching for a new pastor. Their first request is that we become familiar with the Local Church Profile, a document which we will complete together that will help candidates decide if we might be a place they are called to serve. Read through the document and, if there is a part you would be willing to help compile, contact one of the Deacons. They will have more details for us soon.
Meanwhile, the Deacons are meeting with Nora Foust, the Eastern North Carolina Association Minister for Church Affairs, to learn more about the United Church of Christ's recommended process for calling a new pastor and for the transition time between pastorates. You can learn about that process at A Pilgrimage Through Transitions and New Beginnings. Please pray for the Deacons as they help us initiate this time of transition.
We are blessed that Steve Halsted continues to serve as our pastor through the remainder of 2014 and look forward to joyful months of ministry together.
Meanwhile, the Deacons are meeting with Nora Foust, the Eastern North Carolina Association Minister for Church Affairs, to learn more about the United Church of Christ's recommended process for calling a new pastor and for the transition time between pastorates. You can learn about that process at A Pilgrimage Through Transitions and New Beginnings. Please pray for the Deacons as they help us initiate this time of transition.
We are blessed that Steve Halsted continues to serve as our pastor through the remainder of 2014 and look forward to joyful months of ministry together.
Local Church Profile
The Deacons have asked all of us at Community UCC to be part of the process of preparing for and searching for a new pastor. Their first request is that we become familiar with the Local Church Profile, a document which we will complete together that will help candidates decide if we might be a place they are called to serve. Read through the document and, if there is a part you would be willing to help compile, contact one of the Deacons. They will have more details for us soon.
Meanwhile, the Deacons are meeting with Nora Foust, the Eastern North Carolina Association Minister for Church Affairs, to learn more about the United Church of Christ's recommended process for calling a new pastor and for the transition time between pastorates. You can learn about that process at A Pilgrimage Through Transitions and New Beginnings. Please pray for the Deacons as they help us initiate this time of transition.
We are blessed that Steve Halsted continues to serve as our pastor through the remainder of 2014 and look forward to joyful months of ministry together.
Meanwhile, the Deacons are meeting with Nora Foust, the Eastern North Carolina Association Minister for Church Affairs, to learn more about the United Church of Christ's recommended process for calling a new pastor and for the transition time between pastorates. You can learn about that process at A Pilgrimage Through Transitions and New Beginnings. Please pray for the Deacons as they help us initiate this time of transition.
We are blessed that Steve Halsted continues to serve as our pastor through the remainder of 2014 and look forward to joyful months of ministry together.
Where can I recycle at CUCC?
Bulletin: brown wooden container in narthex
White paper, chipboard, flattened cardboard, and newspaper: green recycling curbside container under kitchen table
Cans, glass jars, plastic drink bottles: green recycling trashcan in kitchen
Rigid plastic lids: box on hutch in Vaughan Fellowship Hall. Linda Baker is taking them to Aveda. A request from Linda, "I appreciate all the bottle caps I've been able to have recycled through your donations. I would only ask that you NOT use ziploc bags to bring them to the church, as they are NOT recyclable. I use the plastic grocery bags from the grocery (Harris Teeter, or Food Lion), which are recyclable, and then there is no waste!" Acceptable lids collection guide
Batteries (not leaking): hand to Jane or Gary Smith. Do not put them on the shelf in the fellowship hall - fire and battery acid hazard.
Florescent light bulbs - tube and CFL (unbroken): hand to Jane or Gary Smith Do not put them on the shelf in the fellowship hall - toxic mercury vapor hazard if broken.
Willing to collect an item from others at CUCC for cooperative recycling? Call Jane Smith.
White paper, chipboard, flattened cardboard, and newspaper: green recycling curbside container under kitchen table
Cans, glass jars, plastic drink bottles: green recycling trashcan in kitchen
Rigid plastic lids: box on hutch in Vaughan Fellowship Hall. Linda Baker is taking them to Aveda. A request from Linda, "I appreciate all the bottle caps I've been able to have recycled through your donations. I would only ask that you NOT use ziploc bags to bring them to the church, as they are NOT recyclable. I use the plastic grocery bags from the grocery (Harris Teeter, or Food Lion), which are recyclable, and then there is no waste!" Acceptable lids collection guide
Batteries (not leaking): hand to Jane or Gary Smith. Do not put them on the shelf in the fellowship hall - fire and battery acid hazard.
Florescent light bulbs - tube and CFL (unbroken): hand to Jane or Gary Smith Do not put them on the shelf in the fellowship hall - toxic mercury vapor hazard if broken.
Willing to collect an item from others at CUCC for cooperative recycling? Call Jane Smith.