Dinners at 5:45 pm:

• January 24 – New England Chowderfest fundraiser for the North Carolina State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• January 30 – UCP Preschool benefit “Spaghetti Dinner”
• February 7 – Fundraiser for September Argentina Mission Trip

Dinner donations: $7 per person, $3 per child, $20 per family.

Programs at 6:30 pm:

God, Suffering, Evil and Hope: God’s Action in the World, led by Rev. David Mateo and Herman Greene

“Theodicy” is the defense of God’s goodness and justice in the face of suffering and evil in the world. This sounds abstract, yet we all face this issue when we are affected by our own suffering or the suffering of those we love. Is everything unfolding according to God’s plan? If not, what is God’s role? How does God act in the world? This will be a time to learn and share and to explore the meaning of Christian hope.

“When I Was Ill, You Visited Me . . .” Led by Aly Breisch

We will explore a wide range of activities related to a new structured visitation program under Pastoral Care at UCCH.  Learn practical tips on conversational essentials, environmental procedures, and spiritual support during short visits to parishioners who are in hospitals, rehabilitation, and assisted living settings.  Help us develop procedures for incorporating our prayer shawl ministry and home communion.   Join us in developing a team approach for our caring visitations to parishioners and their families.

Varieties of Contemplative Prayer, Led by Rev. Susan Steinberg & Nancy Jones

Now more than ever people of faith are challenged to link spirituality and action. Christian contemplation–an approach to life that enables us to live out the truth of scripture, “We live and move and have our being in God”-offers such a connection. Contemplation takes many forms, one of which is prayer. But there are countless varieties of this form for prayer! Each session we will explore a different variety, using at turns scripture, silence, breath, movement, music and other avenues to deepen our experience of God’s loving presence.  Join us for some midweek peace and quiet.

United Church of Christ History and Theology with Dr. Rollin Russell

Learn about the history of the UCC: from its European roots, to New England Congregationalism, to the Christian and Afro-Christian movements, its German immigrant heritage and its life today.

Art Classes for adults and older children:

• Jan 24 Pottery snowmen and snow flake bowls w/ Cely Chicurel
• Jan 30 Frothy snow ball candles w/Linda Boucher-Williams.
• Feb. 7- Painting a winter forest picture w/ Cely Chicurel.

A suggested donation for materials is $10 per class.  There is a children’s class and they will have their own projects (suggested $5 per class) led weekly by Dianne Whitney.