John Robertson and Vicky Montague

On August 26, 2012, John Robertson teamed up with his violin teacher for the past six years, Vicky Montague, to perform the Pachelbel Canon during 10:30 worship. John is continuing to hone his skills in both the classical and bluegrass areas, and he delights the congregation whenever he performs, whether it’s during worship or during a Christmas party. (A video of John playing in 2009 during worship is also available in this archive.)

Rev. Stephen Halsted

Rev. Steve Halsted has been pastor at CUCC since 2002. He came to Raleigh following years of service to UCC churches in New Mexico. This sermon was on August 26, 2012. The title of the sermon is "In God We Live and Move and Have Our Being”. The sermon was given during the 10:30 worship service.

Rev. Halsted grew up in Connecticut, and he continues to maintain strong ties to New England. His wife Marcy has worked in Wake County as a school teacher in public and private schools, and as a librarian for the Cameron Village branch of Wake County Libraries.

Geraldine Bryan - Children's Sermon

Geraldine Bryan is a regular presenter of the children’s sermon on Sunday mornings during 10:30 worship. This one dates from August 26, 2012. She is wildly popular not only with children but with adults. Geraldine has the ability to multitask, i.e. she can deliver a dialog that means one thing to children but something a bit different to adults. And both groups find her immensely entertaining. This children’s sermon is a good example of Geraldine’s skills and wit.

Collins Kilburn returns to CUCC

As the first in a series of sermons by previous pastors at CUCC, Collins Kilburn returned on August 19, 2012 and delivered a message which was a retrospective on the 1960s, the time when Collins was pastor at CUCC.

This video is also available at YouTube.

Carolyn and Cy King Peace and Justice Award

On July 3, 2012, the Church Council voted to establish the Carolyn and Cy King Peace and Justice Award as a repeating event. Subsequently, the award has been given annually by the Social Justice Ministry.

The text of the resolution passed by Council is given here.

Resolution establishing the Carolyn and Cy King Peace and Justice Award

Honorees

2012:  Carolyn and Cyrus King, inaugural winners and award namesakes

2013:  Sandy and Deane Irving; Marjorie Eckels

2014:   Bill Towe; Slater Newman; Peg and Mac Hulslander

2015:  Judy Occhetti-Klohr and Leo Klohr; Rev. Collins Kilburn

2016:  Patrick O'Neal and Mary Rider; Jane Hunt

2017:  Alan and Ruth Reberg; Joan McAllister

Resolutions

All actions taken by the membership of Community UCC on behalf of the entire congregation must be approved at a Congregational Meeting. These occur at least twice each year. This page lists significant actions and resolutions to come from Congregational Meetings during the past several decades.

1981 The Just Peace Resolution was passed at a Congregational Meeting on September 27, 1981. This preceded the Just Peace Church resolution passed at General Synod in 1985. Following passage of this resolution at General Synod, CUCC passed its own version of the Covenant to be a Just Peace Church.

1984 On March 18, 1984 the congregation resolved to support public education in North Carolina.

1989 (The Fifteenth General Synod (1985) also adopted the resolution Calling on UCC Congregations to Covenant as Open and Affirming. By unanimous vote on December 17, 1989, the Congregational Meeting adopted a Resolution on Being an Open and Affirming Congregation. This resolution was revised and expanded and was passed by unanimous vote on January 9, 2011 (see 2011 below).

1993 In 1993 CUCC was honored to receive the Just Peace Award from the Office of Church in Society at the 19th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Cy King's remarks on accepting that award provide a snapshot of our history and confession of how far we have to go.

2000 The Nineteenth General Synod (1993) adopted the Statement of Christian Conviction of the Proposed Pronouncement Calling the United Church of Christ to be a Multiracial and Multicultural Church. Sparked by CUCC member Robert Parrish, who is visually handicapped, the CUCC membership adopted a resolution that “CUCC would work toward inclusion of the disabled in the work and mission of the church” (November 15, 1998). The congregation convened the Multiracial/Multicultural Committee to examine the UCC statement and make recommendations. On February 6, 2000, the congregation adopted an enhanced Vision Statement and charged the Multiracial-Multicultural Committee to help implement it.

2005 On July 10, 2005 the congregation resolved to become part of the Progressive Churches network. At the same meeting the congregation approved the Iraq STEP Resolution: Sensible Transition to an Enduring Peace.

2007 The congregation resolved on May 20, 2007 to focus on Justice in a Changing Climate.

2010 On November 21, 2010, a congregational resolution asked the Wake County Board of Education to adopt a pupil assignment plan that would provide diversity and excellent educational opportunity to all children.

2011 In 2003, the General Synod adopted a resolution Affirming the Participation and Ministry of Transgender People within the United Church of Christ and Supporting their Civil and Human Rights. The UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns shares the commitment of many in our national church setting to inclusion of transgender persons in the UCC. Local ONA churches were strongly encouraged to include transgender gender identity and expression in their statements. In 2011, CUCC expanded its original ONA resolution to state, in part:

“We invite and welcome into this Body of Christ all persons who seek to follow Jesus. Persons of every gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression are welcome to worship and enter into the full life and ministry of this church. We strive for justice and equality for all of God’s children in our journey of faith.” Full text of the expanded resolution.

2012 On June 24, 2012, the congregational meeting passed a resolution called An Economic Justice Covenant. The effect of the covenant was to create an Economic Justice Task Force. The covenant statement appeared in the July 2012 newsletter.

Cy and Carolyn King Award

On June 17, 2012, the 10:30 worship service featured a presentation of a special award to Cy and Carolyn King honoring their many years of effort on behalf of peace and justice issues. Carolyn was unable to attend for medical reasons, but Cy accepted the award and spoke (with his usual modesty) on their behalf. Part of the ceremony included that the award will be a repeating event at CUCC and will be given in honor of the Kings.