FROM JIM

I think we would be able to live in this world more peaceably if our spirituality were to come from looking not just into infinity but very closely at the world around us – and appreciating its depth and divinity. Thomas Moore

The universe is but one great city, full of beloved ones, divine and human by nature, endeared to each other. Epictetus

Dr. James Lee, a gifted pianist and composer, will perform a postlude recital featuring pieces by Franz Liszt following the 10:30 worship service on Sunday, Jan. 22. This is the second of two postlude recitals occurring as part of the "Music for a Sunday Afternoon" concert series. Dr. Lee is Professor of Composition at Morgan State University.

MUSIC VISIONING OPEN DISCUSSION On Sunday, January 15, and Sunday, January 29, the Music Visioning Committee invites everyone to take part in a discussion of music at CCC. Building upon results of the recent survey, the Committee would like to pursue in more detail the desires, preferences, and visions of CCC members and friends before preparing its report for the search committee seeking a permanent director of music. The discussions will be held in the Meeting Room at 11:45 AM on January 15, and at 9:45 and 11:45 AM on January 29. The Committee is especially interested in talking with parents of children and teens.

The Big Band was first formed in 1972 following a choir trip to Germany during which instrumentalists with the group expressed an interest in forming a German-style band upon their return to the States. Their musical offerings evolved toward a Big Band sound until they disbanded in 1985.  When CCC celebrated it’s Jubilee in 1994, the Big band was asked to re-form and provide music for the gala dinner, and it has been rehearsing at CCC and playing gigs ever since. Among many venues, the band has played for dinner-dances at the National Naval Medical Center Officer’s Club, for CCC’s Keystones Campaign Silent Auction, for private wedding and anniversary parties, for the Bethesda Metro Summer Concert Series, and for other special events.

As a new year begins, Dianne Abraham, Church Administrator, summarized her first six weeks on the job as challenging, overwhelming, exhausting, and exhilarating. As an experienced church administrator, Dianne brings to CCC – most recently from Emmanuel Lutheran -- a wealth of business management and volunteer administration acumen. The inevitable contrasts, however, between the Lutheran tradition and the UCC tradition, not to mention CCC’s culture, bring with them unique challenges and opportunities.

Until Dianne has the time to write her own News Notes articles, we thought members would like an introduction to her first 6 weeks on the job at CCC.

Since her first day on Nov. 12, Dianne has routinely put in 14-hour days as she learns about CCC's building policies; gets to know her staff – especially the night and weekend staff; deals with the countless small crises that arise every day – a leaky faucet, a malfunctioning thermostat, an absent cleaning lady; masters the constantly changing schedule; and copes with the extra and unique scheduling that the Christmas season brings. Dianne observed that our building is much busier than Emmanuel Lutheran and that the number of potential users wanting space is much greater. Before Christmas, she was already juggling groups wanting to provide various children’s programs throughout the summer. CCC’s calendar is "fluid" – no two days, weeks or months are alike. Keeping track of all that is going on and making sure that 5 night and weekend part-time custodial staff are scheduled, instructed and supervised to manage that busy and fluid schedule is a major part of Dianne’s responsibilities.

While Dianne gained significantly more work in the areas of building management at CCC, lay volunteers and Susan Gray perform some of the tasks Dianne was responsible for at Emmanuel. For example, at Emmanuel, Dianne was ultimately responsible for worship service coordination, the flower calendar and the Altar Guild’s preparing the sanctuary for Sunday worship and liturgical holidays. At CCC, however, the Sanctuary Committee functions independently of the Administrator in these areas except for requesting and obtaining logistical support when needed. Susan Gray and the office volunteers do all of the production work of bulletins, newsletter, mailings, brochures, and other materials. At Emmanuel, Dianne was responsible for the bulletin and she supervised staff and volunteers in all other areas of production.

Governance in a UCC church is different from that in a Lutheran church. A Council functions as a cross between CCC’s Executive Council and Board of Trustees. There are fewer committees and boards. Dianne worked closely with a committee at Emmanuel that functions to some degree like our Building & Grounds Committee, and Dianne hopes to foster a similar constructive working relationship in which the committee functions both as an advisor on certain issues that come to her attention and also helps to research issues and problems that affect building and grounds planning and maintenance.

As News Notes goes to press, Dianne will have attended a Building & Grounds Committee meeting, a Board of Trustees meeting, an Executive Council meeting, and a Technology Committee meeting. She also meets regularly with Jim Todhunter and with Bud Dennie, chair of the Personnel Committee and the Board of Deacons. The staff held a half-day planning retreat just before Thanksgiving so they and Dianne could begin to coalesce as a team and so Dianne could get a feel for the liturgical calendar at CCC from Thanksgiving through Easter.

Dianne described feeling both surprised and charmed by the emphasis the ministerial and program staff place on spirituality in the context of their work and ministry at CCC. She likes that Jim offers a prayer as an integral part of staff meetings and that the staff take the time to support each other on their personal and faith journeys as they prepare for the weekly business of worship and program planning.

One of the biggest challenges Dianne believes she faces is learning the people and the culture of CCC. Soon, she will feel more comfortable with the rhythm of the business routines – scheduling, user agreements, contracts, vendors, bills, etc. Learning the history behind the issues while getting to know CCC members and build relationships with them will take some time.

Already it is clear that Dianne brings to CCC a mind that is very attuned to the complex issues of running a busy 24 x 7 operation. She also, as I have had the opportunity to observe, brings a delightful sense of humor, a keen understanding of how a healthy faith community works together to do God’s work, and a compassionate and caring heart. By Jackie Walters

SISTERS FOR SISTERS will meet after the second service on January 15. Please bring your sandwich. Hostesses will be Helen Hanes and Tina Lincoln.

CCC BOOK GROUP The CCC Book Group will discuss Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, a novel set in 17^th century England in the time of the plague, on Sunday evening, January 22^nd, 7 PM, at the home of Eleanor Waldrop. All are welcome.

CLEANING SUPPLIES--Dianne Abraham states that the daytime custodian could use old terry towels that could be cut up for use as cleaning and polishing cloths. If you have a few old towels to spare, please bring them to the church office in a bag marked with CLEANING TOWELS.

WINTER WEEKEND--January 13-16 at Camp Soles, Rockwood, PA
It's not too early to mark your calendars for the annual ski weekend! As in years past, we are teaming up with the Washington Ethical Society for family, fellowship and good times. Strap on your skis and hit the cross country trails, take in the slopes and tube parks at nearby Hidden Valley or Seven Springs resorts, or lounge at the Camp Soles Lodge sipping hot cocoa in front of the fire.

JANUARY 22^nd CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
At the annual meeting in June a motion was passed to have the Moderator (that means me) appoint a committee to study how CCC can handle its debt.  I appointed this committee which was chaired by Bruce Esposito.  This committee worked hard and presented a report to the Executive Council at the December meeting. There was widespread agreement  at this meeting on the excellent job the committee had done, and how well constructed the report was.  This report will be presented at a congregational meeting on January 22^nd for discussion, and for approval of some specific recommendations.  I don’t want to steal the thunder of the Debt Reduction Task Force, so I won’t go into specifics. I do want to mention that this report will also be discussed at the All Church Visioning Day (II) on Saturday, January 21^st.

I want to close with some personal thoughts on the church’s financial situation.

I find it helpful not to think about our “debt”, which feels oppressive, but rather to think about the church’s mortgage.  I think many, if not most, people in the church have or at one time had a mortgage.  A mortgage is a way of buying your home over a long period of time.  Some have refinanced their homes to improve them. This is what we have done.  Again, most people in the church have at one time been renters. Would you rather be a renter, or pay a mortgage?  Particularly in light of what has been happening with the real estate market.

If we were to rent a building our size in the commercial market it would easily cost well over $1 million dollars a year. Our combined “mortgage” payments are about $180 thousand/year.  In this light, our mortgage payments do not seem too heavy.

Lastly, anyone who has been to a meeting at the church anytime during the week knows that our parking lot is always full, from the early morning until 10 PM.  Our building is in constant use. We provide a place where many groups meet, including AA, NA, various civics groups, etc.  The list goes on-and-on.  Our building is a crucial part of our mission. We should not begrudge the cost of paying for and maintaining it—instead we should be thankful that we have such a fine facility to share.

See you at the meeting!

John Gipson
Moderator.

CCC WORK DAY The first quarterly CCC workday for 2006 will take place on Saturday, January 28 from 9 AM to 4 PM with lunch provided . Please come and join other volunteers to work on as many as we can of about 20 worthy projects. Nearly all projects are planned for inside the church. If the weather is good, one or two may be done outside. Volunteers are welcome for morning, or afternoon, or both. Please note January 28, 2006 on your calendar and join in the good work and fellowship. A sign-up sheet is posted on the main bulletin board so we will know how many to expect for lunch. Building and Grounds Committee

In 1990, Congress passed the Children’s Television Act, which led to the first FCC rules mandating children’s educational programming. Recently, however, as part of the shift from broadcast to digital-delivery, the television industry has attempted to do away with these rules. In October, 2005, the UCC filed a motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth District asking that the FCC be required to preserve and strengthen its most recent such rules. Shortly thereafter, CBS/Viacom and ABC/Disney asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to put the FCC’s children’s TV rules on hold.

The Children’s Media Policy Coalition, which includes the UCC’s Office of Communication (the only religious denomination involved), and broadcast and cable industry representatives then entered into negotiations. On December 16, an agreement was reached on modification of the FCC’s Children’s Television Rules. The agreement retains the present rules requiring additional children’s programming and limiting the displays of commercial websites during children’s programs. It modifies the prohibition against using children’s television characters to sell products by limiting this practice to certain portions of websites. And the industry has agreed to limit promotions for programs not appropriate for children. According to Robert Chase, UCC Communications Director, "Children in the U.S. watch an average of more than three hours of television daily, more in poor communities, so it is right and just that we take a leadership role in facilitating media policy that promotes the well-being of our children."

Later sessions will include a five-week evening series starting Wed., Jan. 18 entitled "Following Christ in a Time of Terror" that will commemorate the centennial of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s birth; and lectures by Marcus Borg, Garry Wills, John Shelby Spong, Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman, and N.T. Wright. Information about the entire program is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office. If you would like to carpool to an event with others from CCC, call Anne Weissenborn at (301) 681-6042.

National Council of Churches Decries Budget Cuts. The Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, general secretary of the NCCC, issued a statement on Dec. 21 strongly criticizing the billions of dollars of cuts in social programs that passed the US Senate via the tie-breaking vote of the Vice-President. According to Dr. Edgar, the one-vote margin "shows that half the Senate understands how billions of dollars in cuts . . . would hurt the poor and voted for those in need. The other half of the Senate, in granting continued tax cuts for the rich, voted for greed. . . . During the very season that we celebrate the difference that Jesus Christ made in the world, we unfortunately have to recognize that not all use their power for good. . . . Next year is another year, and God’s vote is always for the poor." The full statement is posted on the Social Witness bulletin board outside the sanctuary.

On December 18, Dr. Thomas, UCC General Minister and President, issued his 2005 Christmas letter to all members and friends of the UCC. In it he details the context, issues and events that made 2005 such a "turbulent" year for our denomination. Among these he cites "the agony of death and the vain deceptions" of the war in Iraq, and the many natural disasters at home and abroad that resulted in "multiple and urgent invitations to give" and in "amazing, record breaking generosity" on the parts of UCC members. He also points to the intense debates within the denomination "about our commitments to Palestinians in the Middle East and to the Jewish community here" and about marriage equality that have "at times led us to question one another’s faithfulness and good will."

Dr. Thomas laments the departure of over twenty congregations from the UCC as a result of Synod votes, and notes that expressions of interest from non-UCC congregations are welcome but also raise issues of "identity and ecumenical commitment." Yet out of the turbulence he finds "profound blessing." Included in this blessing has been the UCC’s "prophetic witness" focused on the poor. "The needs of hungry people…the desperate need to move the minimum wage to a living wage and to support the rights of workers in low paying jobs, the devastating proposals for the Federal budget are not political questions of the left or the right, but profoundly moral issues increasingly being embraced by mainline Protestant, Catholic, and evangelical Christians together. They are about blessing the poor, acknowledging sacredness with justice and helping all to imagine that another world is possible."

He concludes: "Our touch of blessing is not always marked by pure intentions. We do not always resist the lure of stars of our own devising. Yet, the yearning to bless has been at the center of our life….Now, as we approach Christmas…may we pause long enough to reach toward the images of Christ all around us, sighting a star that can lead us to the place where our own sacredness is acknowledged. May this be at the heart of Christmas for you." For the full letter, go to the bulletin board outside the CCC office or to www.ucc.org.

CONVERSATION MEETING If you are interested in learning more about Christ Congregational Church and the United Church of Christ, or if you are considering joining our community of faith, you are invited to meet with members of the Board of Outreach and Engagement, today, January 8, at 9:50 AM in Room 206. We will be receiving new members on January 22. For more information or if you are interested in joining CCC, please contact Trish Esposito at 301-593-1858.

BIBLE STUDY Call Elsa Brandt at 301 589-8694 for information about the Tuesday morning Adult Education Bible Study led by Angela Bouma.

TALK BACK! Have you ever wanted to tell the preacher what you really thought of his/her sermon? Well, here’s your chance. Join parish seminarian Vicki Kemper, her Learning Partners and other CCC members after worship on January 15 to offer feedback on her sermon that day. This is meant to be a learning opportunity for Vicki, as well as a chance for members to talk about what they want out of a sermon, so please come with ideas and specific constructive criticism. Vicki and her Learning Partners will have questions to guide the discussion. Join them upstairs in Room 206.

JANUARY 17 POTLUCK WITH DR. DECKENBACK An Exploring Tour: Jerusalem and beyond...On Tuesday evening, January 17, the Rev. Dr. John R. Deckenback, UCC Central Atlantic Conference Minister, will join us for a potluck supper at 6:30 in the Conference Room. John will describe the recent UCC fact-finding trip to Israel and Palestine in light of the 2005 General Synod’s two resolutions concerning economic investment in the region and Israel’s construction of the ’wall‘ (separation barrier). John was a member of the UCC delegation which visited with govenrment official, religious leaders, community groups, relief workers and others. A written report on his trip can be found at www.cacucc.org. Sign up on the bulletin board to let us know you will be coming and tell us what food you will bring to share.

YOUTH GROUPS resumed meeting on Sunday, January 8. Fifth and sixth graders will meet that evening as well.

Thank You Notes from Springvale Terrace Residents. All of the folks at Springvale Terrace who received CCC holiday stockings were absolutely delighted! We received thank you notes from five of those residents:

To Christ Congregational UCC: The ‘Happy Holiday’ stocking brought back the joy I felt as a child, as I opened the various gifts. With Love and Hopes for the New Year. Glenda Hudson

Thanks again for the gifts. Sincerely, Mary Hawkins

I thank you so much for the gifts. Hollis

To the special family of five you brought that most wonderful Christmas stocking to me. Everything is needed and useful, and I so appreciated. Thank you very much. Margaret C. Boardman

To Christ Congregational Church: Thanks for everything. Love to all, Nellie Hall

Called to Care
Did you know that CCC has an active group of participants in the Deacon’s Called to Care program that assists with ministry to the pastoral care needs of the congregation? For the last three years this program has been in place, offering calls and friendly visits to those going through a crisis, or transition, sending cards and notes to those on our prayer list and in the military, and keeping in touch with those who are homebound. To help us successfully meet the needs of our congregation we invite you to consider becoming a part of the Called to Care program. We meet on the second Sunday of each month following the 10:30 service. Some of us are on call to respond to emergency needs that arise, some are paired with those in need of on-going care. As with so many of us, are you too busy to attend meetings, or unable to get out, but would like to participate? Perhaps you would like to write notes or make phone calls to keep in touch with an elderly homebound member of the congregation. We welcome your participation at whatever level of service you can give. Assignments are made by the ministers and kept confidential. You may have had a call from one of the ministers asking if you would like to have a caregiver assigned to you. If you would like to take part as a caregiver or if you would like to have a caregiver assigned to you, call one of the ministers or Susan Gray at the church office.

"Building as mission" lives daily at CCC when two Narcotics Anonymous Groups meet at noon Monday – Friday. Holidays are a particularly vulnerable time for NA members, and they are also a needed respite for employees. Therein lies both a challenge and an opportunity for a church whose facility provides a safe, reliable meeting place. In 2006, we are providing an opportunity for CCC’s members to volunteer to open the building on weekday holidays so that the NA groups may continue to meet even though the Church office is closed.

The time commitment is about 2 hours, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. A volunteer would sign out a front-door key in advance, open the building at 11:30 and lock up no later than 1:30. NA leaders have agreed to help insure all attendees leave the building promptly when the meeting concludes at 1 p.m. Volunteers would check lights in the two upstairs meeting rooms, restrooms, and hallways and insure that the front doors are locked securely.

Jim & Jackie Walters covered Jan. 2 and reported that the parking lot was full, both meetings were well-attended, and some new folks came. They also passed on numerous expressions of gratitude for having the building available for the meetings. There are 6 other weekday holidays in 2006: Jan. 16, Feb. 20, May 29, July 4, Sept. 4, and Nov. 24 (day after Thanksgiving). If you know you will be in the area on one of those days and are willing to contribute 2 hours of your time to support NA in conducting their life-saving meetings, please call or email Jackie Walters: 301-565-3197; jjwalters.silverspring@verizon.net. Jackie has agreed to coordinate volunteers in 2006.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE CCC’s next blood drive will be held in the Social Hall on Sunday, January 29th from 8:00AM to 1:00PM.  To schedule a donation time, please contact the Red Cross directly at 1-800-GIVELIFE.  If you wish to assist by welcoming the donors and providing refreshments, please contact Dick Meyer, Blood Drive Coordinator at 301 445 1866.

FLOWER CHART FOR 2006 The Flower Chart for 2006 is now up on the bulletin board in the lobby. We invite you to sign up to donate flowers for the altar.