 | Greetings to you, and peace! Thanks for check in on this week's news from the Community Church of Durham. We're a generous community of faith, shaped by generations of service and friendship; and we're always reaching toward the future with love and hope. Take a look at the news this week, and join us for worship or another activity sometime soon. If you have a question, or you'd like help in making a connection, don't hesitate to be in touch. We're all in this together! Yours on the Way, Dave Grishaw-Jones
DavidGJ@CCDurham.org | THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER: Exploring faith and practice, opening our hearts to the movement of the Spirit, we worship each Sunday morning at 10 am. Join us online this week...as we continue our celebration of Easter, New Life and the Power of Hope. This week, Dave Grishaw-Jones explores some of the themes at the heart of the 21-Day Racial Equity and Food Justice Challenge. How is our commitment to justice shaped by Jesus' own practice of table fellowship and jubilee? Zoom Link: We've got a new 2021 link, and you'll find that ZOOM GATHERING HERE. Facebook Live: Join us by going to the church's Facebook page and watching on FACEBOOK LIVE. Watch Later: You can also watch the service later--at your own leisure--by finding the video on the main page of our church website. WALKING THE TALK: You're invited to join the online conversation, following worship, as we gather in a different Zoom meeting for discussion around the morning's themes. We also share prayers, joys and concerns--and welcome you to join the circle. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and think of it as our online 'coffee hour.' THE WALKING THE TALK LINK IS HERE. SUNDAY SCHOOL LINK: Kristin Forselius hosts a Sunday School hour, from 9 to 10 am, for families, children and others who are curious and committed to our youngest members. THAT LINK IS HERE. The Meeting ID is 889 8923 5388 and the Passcode is 746300. | CHURCH COUNCIL FORMING 3 TEAMS At its March 16 meeting, our Church Council committed to forming three teams to envision and facilitate our 2021 transition to in-person worship and other church activities. The Council noted it'll take some time to do this safely and faithfully -- but they're excited to take this next step and to imagine opportunities for community and togetherness in the summer and fall. The Project 2021 Team is convened by Cindy Nottage (Council Vice Chair). It will assess checkpoints and steps for reentry and in-person activities, and it will design programs for bringing the church together again. The Building Improvement Team is convened by Doug Bencks (Stewards). It will address needs related to worship (online and in-person), public health issues, and chapel and education wing repair. The Congregational Care Team is convened by Diane Mix (Spiritual Nurture Ministry). It will make connections with our less active and more isolated friends--to assess particular needs, offer encouragement and help with decision-making moving forward. Council Chair John Moore invites you to consider joining this effort, and to participate in one of the three teams. Each of these "service teams" is a short term committment--devoted to a smooth transition over the next 4 - 8 months. If you're interested in the Project 2021 Team or the Building Improvement Team, be in touch with John directly at johnlmoore86@gmail.com. If you're interested in the Congregational Care Team, simply fill out the online form here. | CAR RALLIES: April 11 and 18 Debbie Leavitt is sharing the leadership of the Sunday Rolling Rallies at the Strafford County Jail with Glen Ring. Join her, CCD friends, and many others from around NH on Sundays at 1:00. We're calling on ICE to release refugees detained there and at risk for COVID-19. We gather in the court parking lot at 1 pm. Form convoy at Strafford County Courthouse, 259 County Farm Rd., Dover. BRING SIGNS: Hold your sign or attach it to your car. We encourage holding up heart-shaped signs. If you make your own sign, our message is "ICE have a heart! Release them!" | RESCHEDULED: Feisty Pants Livestreamed Performance!! Mark Your Calendar for Friday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m. for a Livestreamed Performance by Feisty Pants!!!! Feisty Pants, otherwise known as John and Rachel Burlock, are adult-contemporary singer-songwriters and generously donated a livestreamed performance to our Church auction. Rachel is a Church member and currently serves on the Stewardship Ministry. To get a sense of their style, you can listen to John’s album (John Burlock – Picture Perfect) or Rachel’s album (Rachel Vogelzang – Blocks) on Spotify or iTunes. Pam Monroe and Bryn Burns were the lucky winners of this auction item and want to share this evening with our Church members and friends!! So put on your best feisty pants and virtually join us on April 9, at 6:00 p.m.!!! The following link will get you to the concert: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87422759223?pwd=dlZTZUxvemR1VzI5d3FRS2pCdk1hZz09 | ECO-CHALLENGE: Sponsored by the High School Youth In recognition of Earth Day, our High School Youth Group has developed an event in April to inspire some new habits that could help create a healthy earth. For each of the weeks in April, we invite you to challenge yourself in ways that help to conserve energy, lessen waste, and have a lighter impact on the world. Show your participation by posting selfies on our church FB page: #CCDMembersandFriends The high school crew are creating a point system and to prove points all you need to do is take a selfie of yourself doing the challenge. Week of April 11th : Vegetarian for a week (double points for vegan)
Week of April 18th: No single use plastics (coffee cups, shopping bags, straws, silverware)
Week of April 25th: No shopping (same with online)
Week of May 2nd: Trash pick up- measured by number of bags you pick up Point system
1 point per day
10 points for the whole week Bonus Points (1 Point for Each Activity)
Meditation (at least 5 minutes)
Repurpose something old into something new
Statement art (out of trash)
Spring cleaning
Selfie hugging a different tree each day Everyone’s a winner, except the high school three with the least amount of points. They will be giving a presentation about the project to the church in May. Thanks for participating with us! Elise Wollheim and the HS Youth Group | PEACEMAKER KIDS SUMMER CAMP All kids in grades K-4th are invited to attend PeaceMaker Kids Summer Camp, running June 21-25. Learn more about this fun CCD program at: https://www.peacemakerkids.org/ | Joanne Sasner Memorial / April 17 All are welcome to join us for an online Memorial Service for our friend, Joanne Sasner, who died a year ago on April 2, 2020. Joanne's service will be hosted by Pastor Dave Grishaw-Jones on Saturday, April 17 at 2 pm. THE LINK FOR THE SERVICE IS HERE. | Our Life Together Church Calendar and Links: We want you to know that the church's calendar is available online (through our Breeze app). And you can find almost all of the links to our Zoom gatherings and meeting there, as you hover over various events. Got questions about this, call us in the office (868-1230). See the link here! | ECHO Thrift Shop Online: Our physical store is closed temporarily due to COVID-19. We are happy to offer store-front pick-up. We will not be shipping any online purchases. Shop HERE! | Our Prayer List As a beloved community, it's our joy and calling to hold our friends in loving prayer. This week, we pray: For Peter Andersen, Darby Leicht and Bob James, as they continue in treatments. For Bob Simpson, as he rests in the hospital. For Ruth McQuade, as she recovers from a skiing accident and prepares for surgery. For the children of our church, that they may know delight and hope every day. For all those living in nursing homes and retirement communities, that they may be safe and well. For our country, as we welcome a peaceful transition of power and the promise of new beginnings. | The Community Church offers an exciting range of small discussion groups, book studies and support groups. Check out our ONLINE PAGE for the latest descriptions, with times and contacts, and an invitation to community and conversation! | Thinking About a Friend? Maybe you've got a friend, a colleague; and you think the Community Church might really fit your friend's passion for spirit, justice and peace. Feel free to forward this email on...don't hesitate to share the good news of vitality and compassion that we experience together every week! You might be doing your friend a wonderfully good turn! Curious About CCD & UCC? To find out more about Community Church, visit our church website. Or, find us on Facebook. Did you know that the Community Church of Durham also has a Facebook Group where ideas, comments and announcements can be posted? Check it out and get connected! To learn more about the United Church of Christ, and our bold witness nationally, visit the UCC's inspiring website. The New Hampshire Conference is another resource for great inspiration and connection in mission. You'll find the Conference online as well! Dave's Blog is "VALLEY RISE UP": And you're welcome to visit anytime, or better yet "follow" the blog to receive his latest posts. Dave regularly posts prayers, poetry, reflections and all of our weekly worship opportunities. | The church office hours will continue to be Tuesday - Thursday from 9:00 - 1:00. Heather will be available by email during our regular Monday - Thursday 9:00 - 3:00 schedule if needed. | If you're not presently on the regular email list, please contact Heather Curran at office@ccdurham.org--so that she can add you as a regular recipient. God's blessings and peace to all, Dave Grishaw-Jones
DavidGJ@CCDurham.org
831-706-6819 | | |
