New England Chowderfest fundraiser for the North Carolina State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
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.
Our Open and Affirming Ministries group at United Church invite everyone to come view the video Forbidden: Undocumented and Queer in Rural America. Forbidden is a feature length documentary about an inspiring young man whose story is exceptional, although not unique. Moises is like the thousands of young people growing up in the US with steadfast dreams but facing overwhelming obstacles. This film chronicles Moises’ work as an activist traveling across his home state of North Carolina as a voice for his community, all the while trying to forge a path for his own future. Following the fill will be a Q&A session with the star of the documentary. We hope to see you there!
Winter Retreat with Reverend Velda Love, UCC Racial Justice Minister Saturday, January 27 (8:30 to 11:30 am, followed by a light lunch) The Rev. Velda Love joined the UCC as Minister for Racial Justice on Feb. 1, 2017, beginning her ministry to help the church live into its vision of building a just world for all. On Saturday, January 27, Rev. Love will share with us her work on SCOR.2, the movement to end racism through activism, advocacy and witness. She will help us deepen our understanding of how to unpack all the ~isms and to see the intersections more clearly. She'll also help us understand millennials and GenZ perspectives, and how critical these perspectives are. Please call United Church 919-942-3540 for more information.