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CCC NewsNotes
A Just Peace & Open and Affirming
Church
All-Member Interactive Events in October Move Strategic Planning Forward Ever wonder what makes CCC tick? Have you wanted to get your 2 cents in about what CCC ought to be doing, ought not to be doing, what you wish it could do? Two events in October provide those opportunities. Sunday, October 15 – As part of all 3 worship services small groups will reflect on and discuss individual responses to 4 questions: (1) If this congregation did not continue to _____, I would lose interest in this church; (2) The things that concern me most about this congregation are _____; (3) If this congregation would _____, it would make me want to say wonderful things about this church; (4) If I could change one thing about this church, it would be _____. Each service will be a prayerful introduction to this time of individual and community reflection and sharing. Everyone in church that day, including children, will be invited to respond to these questions individually in writing and to discuss people’s responses in small groups. The aim is to promote sharing from as many people as possible in one day’s time. Saturday, October 21: At 6:30, the congregation is invited to a light meal in the Social Hall. Afterwards, Roy Oswald will lead us through an interactive exercise of determining what behaviors are the “norms” in our community. We will examine norms in several categories – who is welcome here, etc. Norms are unwritten rules that govern behavior and that often are so subtle and ingrained that group members can’t name them. Newer members in the group often recognize norms that older members have internalized to the point of not consciously being able to identify them. This evening should be fun, energetic, and revealing. Ultimately, the Strategic Planning Task Force will use responses from these events to draft goal options for the congregation’s consideration during a later time of discernment and prayer as we use this time of strategic planning to answer “What do we discern God is saying to us about CCC and what is our call to go forward?” All-Congregation Strategic Planning – Why & Why Now? As CCC prepares to engage in two important all-congregational activities in October, it seems appropriate to review why every-member participation in the strategic planning process is important and why we are undertaking this process now. Concurrent with Jim’s announcing his retirement to the Executive Council at its June 19 meeting, he proposed the Council meet with Roy Oswald, an independent church consultant formerly with the Alban Institute. Roy has many years of experience working with churches to set goals, improve management and communication, and develop staff and lay leadership. On June 26, Roy presented a proposal for a closure and transition process. A key component of the transition period is a strategic planning process in which the entire congregation is encouraged to participate and which culminates in the congregation’s setting goals for the future following a process of prayer and discernment. Each of us has a part to play in this process. “God is still speaking” through each member and friend of CCC as we proceed throughout the period of saying good-bye to Jim, selecting and serving with an interim pastor, and selecting and beginning work with a new senior pastor. Following extensive negotiations with Roy to hone his proposal to CCC’s needs and requirements, the Executive Council agreed at its August meeting to retain Roy as a consultant. Subsequently, we appointed members to a Strategic Planning Task Force and a Transition Committee. These groups, Council members, Trustees and CCC staff met with Roy for an all-day retreat on Sept. 9 to begin the closure, transition, and strategic planning processes. Throughout the fall, the Strategic Planning Task Force is gathering congregational and community input. Based on the information collected, the Task Force will draft 30-40 goal options, which will be mailed in late November to the congregation, along with a brief report containing information that provides a context for the goal options. Members will be asked to pray about, reflect and comment on these goal options. Then, on January 21st, there will be an opportunity, led by Roy, to determine which goals the congregation wants to focus on for the remainder of Jim’s tenure, the interim period and the start-up period for the new senior pastor. These goals will help focus the ministers and the congregation for the next 3-5 years in building CCC’s future. As a Congregational church, CCC members are the decision-makers. No denominational hierarchy determines CCC’s future; CCC members do, through an open, inclusive process in which everyone’s input is encouraged and needed. On October 15 and 21, members are invited to two all-congregational events. Every person in this Church has a voice – please consider taking the time to make yours heard. (See related article in this issue and in previous issues). Ruth Prindle, Moderator & Jackie Walters, Member, Strategic Planning Task Force
First-quarter financial statements will be coming out soon, and members should check them carefully, according to Sue Dollins, Financial Secretary. This year, for the first time, members were asked to pledge to both the Unified Budget and the Capital Budget, which was created to meet payments on CCC’s Cornerstones Loan (our mortgage from the 2001-02 building renovation) and to build a reserve for large capital improvements (such as replacing the roof). Offering envelopes enable contributors to indicate which portion of their offering is for the Unified Budget and which is for the Capital Budget. Sue indicated that members who pay their pledges with automated payments from their bank should have their bank indicate portions on the check. Those who pay on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis, as opposed to a weekly basis, can still use offering envelopes. ALL members need to indicate how their offering should be distributed whenever they write a check. Those who count money have been having to spend a great deal of time looking up pledge information and sometimes guessing a donor’s intent. Check your quarterly statement to be sure your pledge intention is being credited accurately. To obtain envelopes or to ask questions, call Sue Dollins (301-438-8874) or Dave Main (301-565-3175). NOTE: Deacon’s Fund contributions should be separate from other contributions. ~ Opportunities, Notes, Appreciation ~
THANK YOU -- I want to thank Jim and the congregation for their prayers and well-wishes during my surgery and recovery from a brain aneurysm. I am grateful for my quick recovery, and I know that your support helped. Nancy Cox
“An Inconvenient Truth” Showing Brings Out Large Crowd Over 100 people attended the viewing of the documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” former Vice-President Al Gore’s presentation on global warming, at CCC on October 6. Sponsored by Stewards of the Earth, the event featured a panel of 3 experts who answered questions following the film: Charlie Garlow, an EPA attorney specializing in air quality and a director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network; Peter Hildebrand, PhD, Chief of the Biospheric and Atmospheric Laboratory at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; and Bill Prindle, Deputy Director of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. The Q&A centered primarily on what individuals and countries can do to reduce and mitigate the causes of global warming and reverse trends contributing to an escalating threat. In addition to Stewards of the Earth, members of the Board for Church Life, the Audio-Visual Committee, and the church staff contributed to the success of the evening, according to Winifred Roberts. The free viewing was made possible by the generosity of Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light, of which CCC is a member. UCC Leaders and Members Participate in Interfaith Anti-War Protest In protest of the continuing war in Iraq, UCC leaders and members took part in an inter-faith demonstration and civil disobedience on Capitol Hill on Sept 26. The UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries’ Board of Directors had already endorsed the Declaration of Peace, the coalition of about 400 faith-based and community organizations that organized the event. At least three UCC leaders were among those arrested for marching without a permit on the Capitol grounds – Sandy Sorenson, a national UCC staff member in Washington, the Rev. Louisa Davis and the Rev. Diane Baker. The Rev. Rick Ufford-Chase, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA), stated that “[I]t is time for people of faith to move beyond speeches and writing to mass mobilization.” HAPPENINGS IN OCTOBER & NOVEMBER Sun. Oct. 15 – Small-Group Discernment (concurrent with worship – all 3 services (9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 5 p.m.)) Sun. Oct. 15 – Book Group – 7 p.m. – Home of Mary Stone Reading 1776 by David McCullough -- All welcome! Sat. Oct. 21 – All-Church Supper & Norms Evening Sun. Oct. 22 – Red Cross Blood Drive – 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Social Hall Sat. Oct. 28 – All-Church Halloween Party – 6:30 – 8 p.m. – Social Hall Sat. Nov. 4 – Quarterly Workday – 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sat., Nov. 11 – Fair Trade Gift Sale – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – 2nd Floor ~ beautiful, affordable fair trade items by artisans in developing countries. Sat., Nov. 11 -- Silent Auction – 7 – 10:30 p.m. – Social Hall –Sponsored by the Senior Adults & featuring CCC’s Big Band. Proceeds benefit the Building Fund – invite your friends!
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