Dear Church Community,
This quotation from 14th century mystic and anchoress, Julian of Norwich, has always given me a feeling of deep peace. Julian lived during a time of plague, war, political upheaval, and class divisions. Sound familiar? Even so, she claimed, “All shall be well.”
Yet sometimes when I share it, others have a different reaction. “All shall be well? That’s a stretch with everything going on in this world!” And I agree. It is a stretch. But Julian didn’t mean all problems will be solved, sicknesses healed, and war ended. She meant all will be well, regardless. That it’s possible for every one of us to connect with a Force of Love that allows us to be, no matter what’s going on around us, “well.” Because, when we live from this space, all is well. And we have the strength and courage to move on from there.
Hooray for our Lay Leaders! I’m delighted that we have a full slate of church officers, committee chairs, and committee members for our upcoming Annual Meeting on January 30. I’m particularly thrilled that we now have a six member Children & Youth Committee led by co-chairs. If you’re interested in joining a committee, just say the word. Three that could use more members are: Adult Programs, Mission & Social Action, and Communications & Technology. You can email me at pastor@cpcchurch.org or Emily Parker, parkerec@gmail.com, Adult Programs, Ashley Holst, holst.ashley@gmail.com, Mission & Social Action, or Mark Turner, mark.turner@mac.com, Communications & Technology.
Covid Test Kits both Available and Needed: Every household in the U.S. can now order four Covid test kits for free on this website. If you have extra test kits or can afford to purchase additional ones, please consider donating some to Serve Your City, a mutual aid collective, by emailing meera@serveyourcity.org. They’ll be happily received!
Blessings of Peace, Health, Joy, and Justice,
Pastor Ellen
Our Own Webinars
This fall we recorded two online workshops. One focuses on how to care for others without losing ourselves. The other highlights different ways to make a financial contribution to our church. Both contain important information and were led by knowledgeable, well-spoken congregation members. I encourage you to listen!
Healthy Caring: Helpful and Sustainable Support—This was hosted by the Congregation Care Team and led by Rev. William Tweedley, a licensed chaplain, who talked about best practices for listening, reaching out, and taking care of ourselves as we care for others. If you ‘re in need of support, please don’t hesitate to email our new Congregation Care Chair, Nancy Paulu, njpaulu@aol.com or me, pastor@cpcchurch.org.
Ways to Give: Pledge Payments and Planned Giving—This was hosted by the Finance Team and led by Cindy Stewart and John Tichy, who provided an excellent overview of the many ways to donate to our church, including gifts from a will or trust. If you have additional questions, please email John at asst-treasurer@cpcchurch.org.
Thursdays for the Soul
This is a wonderful line-up of FREE webinars created by the UCC National Office.
Here are two January events:
- Jan. 20: Let Us Worship as One Body. Leader: Rev. Cheryl Lindsay, Writer and Editor, Sermon Seeds. Get info and register here.
- Jan. 27: Vibrant Re-Entry and Voters’ Rights. Civil Rights activist Desmond Meade with Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister. Get info and register here.