Climate Change Vigil

On September 21, 2014, a national climate change rally was held in New York. In support of that rally, the Triangle Interfaith Alliance held a supportive vigil at Community UCC to coincide with the New York demonstration of support for national action on climate change. Representatives from a wide spectrum of Triangle religious groups participated in the vigil, which was led by CUCC Pastor Steve Halsted. The vigil lasted for approximately an hour. The video included here is a 10-minute condensation that shows the breadth and scope of the vigil. In order to make the vigil as "public" as possible, the vigil was held on the corner of Wade Avenue and Dixie Trail on the lawn in front of the church. Thus there is considerable traffic noise in the background. (Filmed by Lavon Page and Karen Withem.)

Welcoming Sunday - 2014

Welcoming Sunday in 2014 was held on September 7. The theme was "An Extravagant Welcome". Here's the 7-minute video that features the activities of Welcoming Sunday 2014.

Dog Walk and Blessing the Animals

On August 23, 2014, Śānti Matthews and church youth organized a dog walk which included a blessing of the animals. This event took place at Lake Johnson in Raleigh, and the dog walk explored the western half of the Lake Johnson loop, a scenic part of the trail about 2 miles in length.  The blessing of the animals was held about half way through that 2-mile loop.

Cy and Carolyn King photos (2001-2014)

Prior to the death of Cy King in June 2014, Cy was the most longstanding active church member. Carolyn had passed away in 2012. The photos shown here are from their last 12 to 14 years in the church (the period during which digital pictures proliferated).

Confirmation - June 8, 2014

Confirmation ceremonies were held on June 8, 2014. Those confirmed in the 2014 ceremony were Greer Eckard, Corinne Lipman, Cammy Riemann, and Teresa Worley. The entire ceremony, including remarks by Pastor Steve Halsted and confirmation teachers KayJay Covington-Jones and Deborah Lipman and presentations by the confirmands, is included here (30 minutes). Thanks to Śānti Matthews who leads the youth program and who helped guide the confirmation program.

Pentecost Sunday - Children's Sermon

On June 8, 2014, Betsy Towler gave the children's sermon for Pentecost Sunday.

Acquisition of Lloyd Property - May 2014

The Community Church Low-Income Housing Corporation became a meaningful reality today as the closing on the purchase of the Lloyd property took place around 2 PM at Hodge and Kittrell Realty in north Raleigh. Everette Noland represented CUCC presenting the details of the contract, and Treasurer Carol Kepler signed for the purchase on behalf of the church. Assistant Treasurer Carol Clark was also present. Anne Bailey Zschau served as the church's real estate agent.

Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd, the sellers, were present and engaged in a long conversation with us. The had owned the property for about 30 years. Mr. Lloyd served on a Liberty ship during the early stages of World War II. And indeed his brother perished on a Liberty ship when the convoy of 30 ships was attacked by German U-Boats on its way to Murmansk, Russia. Only 11 of the boats returned.

Mr. Lloyd is a delightful gentleman who had a long career employed by the Raleigh fire department. And he is very proud to have rented the house on Dixie Trail (beside Pilgrim House) in 1983 and to never have raised the rent in the following 31 years.

--- Lavon Page

May 9, 2014

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Preparing the documents for signing

Examining the survey

Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd sign for the sale

The CUCC contingent confers