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Author: Zoe Vallabha

CCC Annual Meeting on June 2nd, 2024

CCC Annual Meeting on June 2nd, 2024

Summary of the Annual Congregational Meeting


On June 2, the CCC Annual Congregational Meeting was called to order.

  • Annual Report: The 2024 Annual Report was presented and approved. Special thanks were extended to Judy Cox, Michelle Esposito, and Zoe Vallabha for their contributions.
  • Church Rolls: Dave Main presented the church rolls, and we thanked him for his diligent work.

Financial Matters

  • Budget Approval: Dean Ripple and Olen Stephens presented the proposed FY24-25 Unified Budget. After thorough discussion, the budget was approved.
  • Endowment Fund: John Gipson, representing the Planned Giving Committee, proposed using the Endowment Fund for 2024-2025, which was approved. We authorized that the Endowment Fund lend to Christ Congregational Church up to $100,000 in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 from the Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
    • The loans would be in 4 independent tranches of $25,000 each.  
    • The interest rate for the duration of each loan is the Prime Rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the date the loan is made.  
    • The period for each loan is no longer than 12 months.
    • Each loan must be independently approved by the Coordinating Council. 

Leadership and Bylaw Updates

  • Leadership Slate: The 2024-2025 Leadership Slate was presented and approved. Members were encouraged to fill vacant positions.
  • Bylaws Ratification: Two provisional modifications to the bylaws were formally ratified by the congregation.
    • The annual meeting of the congregation as well as special congregational meetings may now officially be conducted electronically by means of Internet meeting services
    • The unified budget shall include a contribution of no less than 5% of the total unified operating budget of the church for the apportionment program of the denomination.

Closing

The meeting concluded with a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and supported the event, including our Chair Paul Scribner, Parliamentarian Michelle Ingram, Clerk Michelle Esposito, tellers and technical assistants. After sharing our gratitude, Pastor Matt and Pastor Aubra led us in a closing prayer, and the meeting was adjourned.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye!

Notice of the 2024 Annual Meeting

Of 

Christ Congregational Church, UCC

9525 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901Sunday, June 2nd at 12 PM (following the worship service)

The agenda includes acceptance of the 2024 Annual Report and other reports, approval of the 2023 Annual Meeting and Special Congregational Meeting minutes, approval of the FY2024/25 Unified Budget, election of leadership for FY2024/25, Bylaws ratification, and consideration of such other church business as appropriate. 

Where: BOTH in the Sanctuary at the church building (see address above) AND on Zoom (same link as the Sunday Worship link)

Food and childcare will be provided.


Additional information about the meeting will be shared, when available, on our Meeting Minutes and Documents page of our website (https://www.cccsilverspring.org/meeting-minutes-documents).

April 28th Special Congregational Meeting

April 28th Special Congregational Meeting

Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye!

Notice of a Special Congregational Meeting

Of

Christ Congregational Church, UCC

9525 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901

On request from the Senior Minister, the Clerk calls for a special congregational meeting of Christ Congregational Church on Sunday, April 28th at 12 PM.

The congregation will vote on a proposed offer to buy Christ Congregational Church’s building and property.

Where: BOTH in the Sanctuary at the church building (see address above) AND on Zoom (same link as the Sunday Worship link).

Food and childcare will be provided.

Worship Materials for April 21 – Earth Day Celebration

Worship Materials for April 21 – Earth Day Celebration

April 21st at 10:30am
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Earth Day Celebration

Join Pastor Matt Braddock and Pastor Aubra Love this Sunday at 10:30am as we celebrate Earth Day and the Fourth Sunday of Easter. This Sunday we have a special Guest Speaker, Chris Eberly, Acting Director of Interfaith Partners of the Chesapeake (an organization CCC has a long working relationship with), who will offer a sermon entitled “Sea Change” based on Matthew 19:16-26. Leeann Irwin, from CCC Stewards of the Earth, will share a Land Acknowledgement statement and a Litany of Commitment for Creation Care. Lay Reader Alison Petersen will share a Reading, “LIFE!” By Marcelo Gleiser. Pastor Matt Braddock and Alison Petersen will lead a special Time With Children this Sunday. Musically this Sunday, Colin Carmody will perform “In dir ist Freude” by Johann Sebastian Bach on the organ, “Petals” by Colin Carmody on the piano, and “World O World” by Jacob Collier, arr. Colin Carmody, on the organ. CCC’s Chancel Choir will sing “The Earth Adorned” by Waldemar Åhlén.

After worship, please join us for coffee and refreshments downstairs in the Social Hall along with a Town Hall Meeting in the Social Hall immediately following worship/coffee hour, from 12pm to 1:30pm, for CCC members. The purpose of this meeting is to review the motion for the meeting on 4/28, ask questions, and understand the voting process. Child/kid care and light food provided.

Download the Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Spring Women’s Retreat 2024

Spring Women’s Retreat 2024

UPDATE: The overnight accommodations for the Women’s Retreat are almost at capacity and may be full by this time. Please join us for the day on Saturday! Unlimited number of women are welcome to attend for just the day. Use the registration link below to sign up. If you would strongly prefer staying overnight, email Claire (cisbarry@gmail.com) to see if there is space left, and/or possibly to join a waitlist. The deadline for registering is April 7, 2024.

Spring Women’s Retreat 2024

Date & Location: Friday evening, April 12, 2024 – Sunday morning, April 14, 2024 at the CCC Retreat Center in West Virginia.

Theme: The Art of Change

Sessions with Susan Pearcy

Susan Pearcy was an active member of CCC from 1980-1995 until they moved to the country and joined UCC Seneca Valley. The Retreat House was an important part of her faith journey while at CCC. She is a professional artist and is in numerous private and public collections nationally and internationally. More info on her website:
 

Time: The retreat will begin at 8:00 p.m. Friday evening. You may arrive as early as 3 p.m. Friday afternoon, however if you do plan to arrive in the afternoon, please bring your own evening meal.

For those arriving on Saturday, the first morning session will begin at 10 a.m.

The retreat ends at approximately noon on Sunday.

Who Can Attend: The retreat is open to all CCC women. We are inclusive community of spiritual seekers where we honor and celebrate women of all races, cultures, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Come for the entire weekend, one night, or just for the day on Saturday.

Accomodations: Overnight space is limited to 23 people on a first-come-first-served basis, in three heated cabins with bunk beds and full bath in each cabin. One cabin is equipped with a ramp and accessible bathroom. There is no limit to those who wish to come for the day on Saturday.

Meals: We do our own cooking in the renovated, fully equipped kitchen.

There will be four meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday.

When you register, you will be asked which meal you would like to help prepare. Meals are an opportunity for creativity and simplicity. Your team is free to choose its own menu.

Costs: The cost for the weekend is $65 for the entire retreat, $40 for one night, or $20 for the day on Saturday only. Scholarships and sliding scale fee available. 

Mail your checks, made out to CCC, to the church with Women’s Retreat on the memo line.

Christ Congregational Church
9525 Colesville Road
Silver Spring, MD 20901

**In addition, bring cash ($25 in small bills) to cover meal costs shared among all the participants. If bringing food, please bring your receipts labeled with your name. The receipts are totaled and divided by the number of participants to determine the fair share for each. Some may need to be reimbursed for paying more than their share, some may need to add to what they have already spent for purchases. For those who are not supplying food, come prepared to help reimburse those who are.

What Should I Bring: Besides your bedding (sleeping bag or sheets/blanket), pillow, bath towel and personal belongings, please bring:

  • A reusable water bottle to use throughout the weekend
  • A cloth napkin for meals
  • One roll of paper towels
  • One septic system friendly roll of toilet paper
  • Cloth hand towel for bathroom
  • Snacks to share
  • Food for meals
  • $25 cash in small bills
  • Indoor shoes/slippers if desired (would like to keep outdoor shoes and associated dirt out of the house)
  • Walking shoes if desired

COVID Restrictions?: Testing within 24 hours of arriving is encouraged.

How Do I Get There?: Carpooling is strongly encouraged! If it is your first time attending, we recommend traveling with others. A carpool list will be created to help coordinate. Directions to the Retreat Center will be sent out the week of the retreat. GPS is not always reliable with the final turns so please refer to directions.

How Do I Sign Up and Register?: The link to sign up is posted in our weekly Thursday e-news. There will also be a registration table at church on Sundays leading up to the retreat where you can sign up in person.

What is the Deadline to Register?: The deadline for registering is April 7, 2024.

Questions?: Please contact Claire Barry at cisbarry@gmail.com or 410-350-4905.

Easter Celebration This Sunday March 31 – 10:30AM – Worship Materials

Easter Celebration This Sunday March 31 – 10:30AM – Worship Materials

Join Pastor Matt Braddock and Pastor Aubra Love this Sunday at 10:30am as we joyfully celebrate Easter Sunday together. Arrive on time as the CCC Chancel Choir and Colin Carmody, organist, will open the service with a sacred overture: “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!” by William Mathias. They will then perform “Now, O Death, Where is Thy Sting?” by Russell Nagy; and later, “Crown Him with Many Crowns” by George J. Elvey. Our Lay Reader, Leslie Weyn, will read selections from Isaiah 55 and Psalm 150. Pastor Matt Braddock will offer a sermon entitled “The Rush to Completion” after a scripture reading from Mark. The Chancel Choir, Colin Carmody, organist, and CCC’s Orchestra will perform “Sanctus” from St. Cecilia Mass by Charles Gounod, and then finally a postlude, “Hallelujah Chorus”, from The Messiah by G. F. Handel.

After the service, please join us for our Third Annual Easter Egg Hunt!

Download the Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Easter Egg Hunt – This Sunday March 31st – 11:30AM

Easter Egg Hunt – This Sunday March 31st – 11:30AM

After this Sunday’s Easter Celebration Service, please join us for our Third Annual Easter Egg Hunt outside in front of the church right after worship! Activities and light refreshments will also be available. Children under 8 years old are invited to participate in a special egg hunt in the playground (courtyard) area on the lower level. The egg hunts will begin around 11:30am, just after the conclusion of the worship service.

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service of Shadows Thursday 3/28 @7:30pm

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service of Shadows Thursday 3/28 @7:30pm

Join us in-person and online tonight, March 28th, at 7:30PM! Tonight’s service led by Pastor Matt is an adaptation of a service from the fourth century. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum meaning “mandate” and refers to Christ’s new commandment, “that you love one another,” found in John 13:34.

The Chancel Choir and Cindy Michel, soloist, will perform “Lead Me to Calvary” by William J. Kirkpatrick. And the Chancel Choir with Colin Carmody, organist, will perform “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” by Gilbert M. Martin. The Chancel Choir then performs “Crucifixus” by Antonio Lotti, and “Were You There?” a Spiritual, with Karen O’Steen, soloist and Colin Carmody, organist. Lay Readers for this service are: Tony Ingram, Maureen Ingram, Matt Dinkel, Ann Keeler, and Renee Demars-Johnson.
 

Download the Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 39

Holy Week & Easter at CCC

Holy Week & Easter at CCC

March 24, 10:30am – Palm Sunday

March 28, 7:30 PM — Maundy Thursday Service of Shadows

March 31, 10:30am – Easter Sunday

Please join us! Click here on the date of the service for the zoom link and link to PDF of worship bulletin.

 

Family Potluck & Game Nights in 2024

Family Potluck & Game Nights in 2024

Game Night happens in the Social Hall on the third Saturday of the month. Game night is on temporary summer hiatus from June-August, and will return in September (on September 21st)! 

About Game Night

All ages and abilities welcome! 

Bring a dish to share (vegan, and gluten-free options are especially welcome) and your favorite board game or party game (if you want — there are always plenty of options to choose from). 

After a potluck dinner (beginning 5:30pm), we set up several games for different ages and interests and you join a group or move around throughout the night. You might decide to play a complicated Spiel des Jahres winner (Catan, Wingspan, etc.); there’s often a Scrabble and/or poker table; and there are plenty of child-friendly options for the younger set. 

Bring the whole family, friends and game lovers of all ages. 

Childcare is available. 

Questions: contact Holly Stephens, Olen Stephens, Matt Dinkel, or Alison Petersen. See you there!

Fauré’s Requiem in Lenton Concert This Saturday March 9th, 4pm @SSUMC

Fauré’s Requiem in Lenton Concert This Saturday March 9th, 4pm @SSUMC

Please join us for an afternoon of music featuring Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, performed by the Chancel Choirs of Silver Spring United Methodist Church (SSUMC) and Christ Congregational Church UCC.  This special Lenten concert is part of the Dorothy M. Horton Memorial Concert Series sponsored by SSUMC.  The concert will take pace on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 4:00pm at SSUMC, 8900 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring.  Special guest artists include Audrey Tornblom, soprano; Justin Harrison, baritone; and Edmond Charles, organ.  Admission is free, but all donations will be gladly accepted.  

Any questions, please email Sam Wack.