CCC NewsNotes April 22, 2003
Volume No 59  Issue No 8

Sabbatical Sharing from Jim and Lois, Women’s Survey Deadline Extended, A Community Dialogue on Faith and Understanding, Come Fly(e) With Me! Sunday, May 25, 3:00 PM, Spring Tea Luncheon, Thank you’s to Ann Bullock and Mary Michel from the BSW, Social Witness Happenings - April and May, Rebuilding Together,  Spring Women’s Retreat at the CCC Retreat House,  The Women’s Committee,  Adult Education, A Welcome Weekend, April 27 is Consecration Sunday: RSVP by the 25th,  Name Tags, Sisters for Sisters, The Recommitment Campaign Continues to Grow!  From Project MALA, From the Aroles,  CCC Youth Calendar April - June 2003, News Notes Deadlines,   CCC Staff

Now that we are back, Lois and I are eager to start sharing our sabbatical experiences with you. We have put together a program of slides and commentary entitled: "A Spiritual Pilgrimage: Impressions and Images of India." We will be offering this twice during the first few weeks of May.

The first opportunity will be on Sunday, May 4th, at 5:30 p.m. in the CCC Fellowship Hall. You invited to an Indian style buffet to be followed with our pictures and presentation. (At that time we will also take the opportunity to say a special "thank you" to the CCC Staff for their extraordinary work during the first three months of 2003). The second time we will present this same program will be during the day, on Wednesday, May 14th, at 1:00 p.m. also in the Fellowship Hall. This occasion will be the "Spring Tea Luncheon."

(See Dale’s article below.) You will be receiving more information soon about both these events.

We would also like to share with you in small group gatherings, which provide more opportunity for questions and give and take. Therefore, early in May, we are planning a series of small group meetings in private homes and at the church. The focus of my sabbatical was spiritual enrichment in order to help deepen our spiritual journey as a congregation. So we are eager both to share what we have experienced and listen to your feelings and needs. I would hope that out of these discussions, some new ideas and directions might emerge. More details on these opportunities will come soon.

Blessings! Jim

A brief, one-page survey for all women of the congregation was printed in the March 4 issue of News Notes - the CCC Women’s Committee still needs your input! Feedback will be used to guide planning for future women’s programs at CCC. Copies of the survey are available in the church office and on the CCC website (under Postings). Surveys should be completed and returned to the church office no later than Wednesday, April 30. For additional information, please contact Christine Guillory at caguillory@hotmail.com  or at 301-681-8846.

Sunday, May 4, 2003 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Globe Hall, Montgomery College—Germantown Campus

In recognition of the increased diversity of residents in Montgomery County, and the need to understand and accept each other, the Montgomery County Commission on Human Rights and Montgomery College are sponsoring an event featuring the PBS documentary film, Mohammad: Legacy of a Prophet, followed by a panel and audience discussion. In the documentary, leading scholars and theologians provide insights and details about Mohammad. The panel will include the film’s producer, local clerics and scholars of religious philosophy. See flyer posted on the bulletin board in the entry hall for information and directions.

Our own John Touchton joins the Interact Theater Company at the Arena Stage Old Vat Theater for a cabaret performance of songs and sketches celebrating the Merry Month of May. John joins Artistic Director Catherine Flye and her friends in this delightful show, Come Fly(e) With Me, featuring anecdotes, tunes and lyrics by Cole Porter, Noel Coward, Gershwin, Gilbert & Sullivan and others. Join other CCC’ers for this matinee performance. Tickets are $25 (group price). Contact Dale Ostrander at CCC. RSVP by May 18. Make checks payable to CCC (designate "Vat Theater"). See bulletin board in entry hall for publicity flyer.

Enjoy a Tea Luncheon catered by Carolyn West-Gipson and a program featuring a PowerPoint slide presentation on their sabbatical trip to India by Jim and Lois Todhunter (See News Notes article by Jim Todhunter). RSVP by Sunday, May 11, by calling Mable Elliott (301) 622-3174 or Dale Ostrander at CCC.

Dale Ostrander

The Board for Social Witness extends hearty thanks to Ann Bullock and Mary Michel for initiating and carrying out two important projects undertaken at CCC in March.

Ann was instrumental in bringing storyteller Noa Baum to CCC on March 23 for a presentation of "A Land Twice Promised." This personal approach to the conflict in which Israelis and Palestinians have found themselves for so long was both very moving and very informative. Ann arranged everything for the presentation – the artist, the set, the lights, the sound system, publicity, and even food for parents of youth attending meetings that evening. The BSW is truly grateful.

Mary expressed concern that no vigil was being planned at CCC to coincide with the worldwide candlelight vigils being held on March 16 in opposition to a war with Iraq. She then made all preparations for, and led, a vigil in the sanctuary that evening, to the benefit of at least a dozen people. The BSW is very grateful for her efforts.

Neither Ann nor Mary is a present member of the BSW. The Board hopes that others in the congregation will follow their wonderful examples and bring to the Board ideas for special events or concerns about specific issues. We’ll even help carry them out!

April 26-28 – Three-day Peace March from Baltimore to DC. The UCC, together with others such as the American Friends Service Committee, is endorsing a march that will start at Monument Square in Baltimore on Saturday, proceed along Route 1 to Jessup, Elkridge and College Park, and end at the White House on Monday. The purpose is to mourn all those who lost their lives in the Iraq war, to raise issues about the costs of the war in light of rising domestic needs, and to "proclaim that another world of peace and justice is possible." Individuals can join and leave the march at any point. See the poster on the BSW bulletin board and, for the line of march, go to http://homepage.mac.com/siah/BaltimoreWashingtonMarch.

April 29, 6:00-9:30 pm. Public Dialogue - The Death Penalty: Our Faiths and Our Communities. The InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, using a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation through the U.S. Conference for Religion and Peace, is sponsoring an interfaith dialogue on the death penalty at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church, 3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW, (across from American University). The event will feature three speakers, small-group dialogues and a closing plenary, is free, and includes a box dinner. Pre-registration is requested by April 25. Further information and registration forms are to be found at www.ifcmw.org/events/events.htm. or one can call (202) 234-5000. Contact Anne Weissenborn, (301) 681-6042, if you would like to go with a group from CCC.

May 1, 9:00-4:00, "A Theology and Public Policy Colloquium: Ethical Issues Raised by Preemptive War," Wesley Theological Seminary. On May 1, the Churches’ Center for Theology and Public Policy at Wesley Seminary, 4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, will host a colloquium on preemptive war. Presenters will include Elizabeth Bounds, Emory U; James Childree, U. of Virginia; Beverly Mitchell, WTS; Gerald Powers, U.S. Catholic Bishops Conf.; Max Stackhouse, Princeton Theological Seminary. No prior registration is required. The cost is $25, including lunch. Contact Anne Weissenborn, (301) 681-6042, if you would like to go with a group from CCC.

Rebuilding Together will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2003 from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. CCC is once again teaming up with First Baptist Church to help rebuild a home located at 12014 Livingston Street, Wheaton, MD.

This year Rick Sniffin and Ted Foster are our House Captains and Sue Bratten and Mary Pat Evans are our ambassadors. You can either volunteer for a specific task, such as building a deck or volunteer for a general task such as helping serve lunch for the work crew.

You can volunteer all day, or for a 3 hour time slot. Youth between the ages of 14-18 must have parents sign a consent form prior to volunteering (see Mike Breads - youth coordinator). All participants will receive a t-shirt and know that they have helped to improve the life of someone in need. Please see the volunteer sign up sheets located on the green board in the Entrance Hall. If you have questions, please call Ted Foster, 301-388-6360, or Gregg Brown, 301-589-1080.

Spring Women’s Retreat at the CCC Retreat House

Rest ~ Nourishment ~ Community
May 16 - 18
Sign up and come!

The Women’s Committee is planning activities for the coming year. We have planned the regular fall and spring retreats plus two day-long mini retreats in the church. Following the great success of our past winter mini retreat when 50 women showed up for a wonderful nourishing day! We are also adding a weekend retreat in January at the Rising Phoenix Retreat Center. Participants will enjoy nutritious meals, the hot tub, meditation spaces, and massage upon request. There will be a charge for this weekend and sign up will be in early September. Anyone interested in helping plan these activities please contact Gretchen Wiederrecht at 301-439-2674. Your support is needed for any of these events to occur.

Adult Education

On May 4, Adult Education will begin the study of "Christianity Without God," by Lloyd Geering, Professor Emeritus of Religious studies at Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand. In this book, Geering presents a brief but concise history of the development of the Christian concept of God over the past 2,000 years. He then outlines and defends a compelling picture of a future Christianity which will thrive within a non-theistic understanding of God. This book is readily available online from Amazon/Barnes & Noble. A limited number are still available by contacting Elaine Wunderlich at elaine@marlaine.com or

(301)-604-1758.

Head for the Hills for a Getaway to the CCC Retreat House - Memorial Day Weekend

Ever wondered what the CCC Retreat House is and where it is located? Come and discover what longtime members know is CCC’s best kept secret. Beginning on Saturday, May 24th and continuing through noon on Monday, May 26th, the Outreach and Engagement Board will host a Welcome Weekend at the Retreat House. It is located near Yellow Spring, West Virginia, approximately a 2 ½ hour drive from the Silver Spring area. The CCC Retreat House is a pre-Civil War farmhouse on 54 rustic acres along the Cacapon River. Acquired by CCC in 1965, the house and grounds are the site for CCC’s five, weeklong children and youth camps and Fall and Spring weekend retreats for groups within the church.

Here is your chance to come and experience the Retreat House for just a day or over night. The Welcome Weekend will provide opportunities for members and guests of all ages to participate in hiking, crafts, field games, playing in the creek, tubing in the river or just relaxing on the front porch. Members of CCC will be present to coordinate activities. On Saturday and Sunday a picnic style lunch will be provided. On Sunday morning a worship service will be held in the outdoor chapel.

For more information, see the bulletin board display outside the church office, or contact Outreach and Engagement Board members Trish Esposito at 301-593-1858,trishespo@yahoo.com or John Rogers at 301-622-4747, j-krogers@msn.com.

Lots of new and experienced members have commented on how helpful the name tags are -- this is just a gentle reminder that they only work if you wear them! It shows visitors we are a welcoming church and it helps all of us learn names. So many people want them that the folders have become crowded, but we are working on ways to make that easier. If you still have your tag after the bins are put away after the 11:00 service, just take it home - don't leave it on the table or it may get lost. Thanks!

You are invited to culminate the Stewardship program April 27 with a delicious meal and a special consecration service. We will have two identical programs: the first starts with breakfast at 8:30 with a service at 9:30. The second opens with a 10:30 brunch, followed by an 11:30 service.

We have much to celebrate, and much to anticipate. We invite you to reflect prayerfully on your stewardship commitments for the coming year, and come prepared to consecrate your commitments on the 27th.

Our Conference Minister John Deckenback will speak at the meals; the services will be specially devoted to the consecration theme. Families are encouraged to attend meals and services together; there will be no church school on the 27th, and child care will be provided for children five and under during the services.

So that we know how much food to provide, we need you to RSVP to Ruth Avery in the church office at 301-585-8010 or cccoffice@christ-ucc.org . Please let Ruth know by April 25 if you are coming. We look forward to seeing you on the 27th.

Bill Prindle for the Stewardship Board

Sisters for Sisters will have their luncheon meeting at June Leonard’s house on April 27 after the 11:00 church service.

Please bring a sandwich and join in on the fun. Drinks and dessert will be provided.

More members of our faith community are committing to give above and beyond their annual stewardship support to help pay down our mortgage and maintain our programs and outreach. We need your help too!

If you are ready to speak with a member of the Campaign Committee, please contact David Bobbitt (301-887-1154 or drbobbitt2000@yahoo.com) or Elaine Wunderlich (301-604-1758 or elaine@marlaine.com).

From Project MALA, which received $500 as part of discretionary missions funding: "Your donation to Project MALA is very much appreciated. I have enclosed copies of our newsletter to pass along to members of your Board together with our thanks." [Project MALA is an action program for the elimination of child labor in the hand-knotted carpet industry in India.]

From the Aroles who run the Comprehensive Rural Health Project in India. CRHP received $1,000 in discretionary missions funding last year:

"The work at Jamkhed continues to grow and expand. The circle of influence of CRHP has widened especially with the training. 10,000 people from India have been trained at Jamkhed. 2,000 people have been trained from countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe/North America covering 100 different countries. We continue to be grateful to God for His sustenance, goodness, and rich blessings. We are also so thankful for friends like you who have continued to be sources of encouragement and support though the years.":

Board for Social Witness

News Notes Deadlines

PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for the next  issue is THURSDAY, May 1, 5:00 P.M. Please submit articles via: email - mojobo@aol.com, phone - 301-236-0025,  or paper copy - drop off in the News Notes box in the church office.  Thank you, Joan Boyer, Editor

CCC Staff

The Rev. Jim Todhunter, senior minister; the Rev. Linda Carder, assoc. minister; John Touchton, director of music; the Rev. Dale Ostrander, director of programming for older adults; Richard Meyer, property administrator; Ruth Avery, office administrator; Archie Freedman, Custodian