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Author: Zoe Vallabha

Land Acknowledgement Lunch & Learn, January 28

Land Acknowledgement Lunch & Learn, January 28

Land Acknowledgement

Stewards of the Earth – Lunch & Learn

January 28 After Worship


Stewards of the Earth will be hosting a Lunch & Learn after church on Sunday, January 28 in the Social Hall. Come learn about the indigenous peoples that once resided in Silver Spring. We will have an introductory talk about crafting a Land Acknowledgement and then break into small group discussions. 

This will be the first of three events that the Stewards of the Earth is planning for 2024 around Land Acknowledgements. We will be inviting an indigenous speaker(s) and have a ceremony to acknowledge the land the church has used for over 75 years. 

If you would like more information please contact Leeann Irwin (paxirwin@yahoo.com) or Alison Petersen (alison.petersen1@verizon.net).

Letter from Building Sales Task Force

Letter from Building Sales Task Force

Dear Potential Buyers,

Christ Congregational Church is currently inviting proposals, in the form of a letter of intent, for the purchase of its property titled to Christ Congregational Church, situated on the plots associated with 9525 Colesville Road in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The Church, through its duly appointed Building Sales Task Force, will diligently review all submitted letters, with a strong preference for those received by noon on February 2, 2024. 

Interested parties, including individuals, organizations, or companies, are cordially invited to submit their proposals for consideration. All letters should clearly outline the terms and conditions, including the proposed purchase price, timeline, the timeframe for and terms for any potential leaseback (or a statement that a leaseback will not be provided). Ensure that your submission contains information pertaining to partnerships involved, intended use of space, and the desired closing date. Additionally, indicate whether you intend to finance the purchase or pay in cash.  Please detail any additional information not listed here that supports your proposal.

The property includes a two-story building with a third finished lower level, with classrooms currently on each of the three floors, and two parking lots. It includes a playground, sanctuary, social hall with a stage and a kitchen in the basement, a conference room, office spaces, a music room and much more. It is conveniently located near I-495.

Submission Details:

Please send all letters to the following email address for consideration:

buildingtaskforce@cccsilverspring.org

Thank you for expressing interest in the sale of Christ Congregational Church property. The Building Sales Task Force looks forward to reviewing all proposals and determining the best course of action for the church community.

Sincerely,

Karen Lee

Building Sales Task Force Chairperson

Although all information is furnished regarding for sale, rental or financing is from sources we deem reliable, such information has not been verified. No express representation is made nor is any to be implied as to the accuracy thereof, and it is submitted subject to potential errors, omissions, changes of price, rental or other conditions, prior sale, lease or financing, or withdrawal without notice. All sizes are approximate and subject to survey.

Family Potluck & Game Night: December 16th

Family Potluck & Game Night: December 16th

Family Potluck & Game Night

Saturday, December 16, 2023

5:30-8:30 PM in the Social Hall

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.  Questions, contact Holly Stephens or Matt Dinkel. See you there! 

Celebrate Christmas 2023 With Us!

Celebrate Christmas 2023 With Us!

Christ Congregational Church (CCC) is warmly inviting members of the community to join them for their special Christmas services this year:

Sunday, December 17 at 10:30am – Christmas Music Sunday Service featuring the Chancel Choir, Advanced Orchestra and Brass Ensemble. They will be performing Daquin’s Noel We Sing, See Amid the Winter’s Snow; We Shall Light a Thousand Candles, Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium, and Born a Mighty King, plus several carols and selections from the Brass Ensemble. A festive Christmas Cookie Sale to benefit CCC’s youth group will follow the service.

Sunday, December 24 at 10:30am – Fourth Sunday of Advent – Waiting on Peace – Worship Service, “Saying YES to God”. Special Christmas church school session for children ages 3 and older. Childcare available in our Nursery for ages 3 and younger.

Sunday, December 24 at 5:00pm – Christmas Eve Family Worship Service featuring the Intergenerational Orchestra, as well as a participatory re-enactment of the Nativity story. All babies and children are welcome to attend! No rehearsal needed. Children of all ages, visiting children, neighbors are welcome to borrow nativity costumes. Costumes for animals, shepherds, angels, magi will be ready to pick up prior to the service. Come choose from the collection or the children may wear what they have at home and be a part of the Christmas story!

Sunday, December 24 at 9:00pm – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service featuring the Chancel Choir and Advanced Orchestra, featuring Gabriel’s Message arranged by Tony Alonso, Let the Stable Still Astonish, Stopford’s Lully, Lulla, Lullay, Love Came Down at Christmas, and Todd’s My Lord Has Come.  There will be a reception following the service, and all are welcome to attend!

Please come and join us for our special Christmas services this year. Everyone is welcome. Feel free to bring family and friends!

We are located at 9525 Colesville Road in Silver Spring. Parking is free. All of the above services are blended (in-person and on Zoom), except the 5pm service on 12/24, which is in person only. Visit our website homepage to find the zoom link if you wish to join us online.

Christ Congregational Church is an inclusive community of spiritual seekers where we honor and celebrate people of all races, cultures, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Note: Our full 2023 Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Events schedule is here!

Read about our Annual Mitten Tree and Coat Collection here, and our Reverse Advent Calendar collection here. Read more about our Special Christmas Offering here.

Annual Mitten Tree & Coat Collection!

Annual Mitten Tree & Coat Collection!

CCC’s Annual Mitten Tree & Coat Collection
Ongoing Until December 17th!

The Community School Liaison at JoAnn Leleck Elementary School at Broad Acres just a few miles from CCC is already looking forward to the end of November when she can pick up the gently used and new coats we’ve collected under our Mitten Tree. This MCPS school needs coats for Boys and Girls sizes Small to Extra Large. It’s time to clean out your closets for gently used children’s winter wear or do a little shopping. Mittens, hats, gloves and boots are also greatly appreciated. Any questions, contact Kristen Brown: brown.jk@verizon.net. Children’s winter outerwear collection begins Sunday November 26 and ends Sunday December 17th.

Drop off your donation during Church Office Hours, Monday-Thursday 9:30am to 12:30pm, or between 10am and 12:30pm on Sunday 12/17. (Church is closed on 12/10 as we are worshipping offsite.)

Note: Our full 2023 Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Events schedule is here!

Musical Opportunities: Advent & Christmas 2023

Musical Opportunities: Advent & Christmas 2023

As we approach the Advent and Christmas seasons, there are various music ministries in which to participate and share your gifts of music.  

  • Intergenerational Orchestra
  • Advanced Orchestra
  • Chancel Choir

Scroll down for details. For further information or for questions regarding music ministry at CCC, contact Sam Wack, Director of Music, samw@cccsilverspring.org.

(Note: Our full 2023 Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Events schedule is here!)

 

I. Intergenerational Orchestra

The Intergenerational Orchestra is for all ages and all levels of playing.  From beginner to intermediate to advanced players — you have a place in this orchestra!

  • Christmas Eve, December 24th at 5pm Nativity Service:  The Intergenerational Orchestra will lead the congregation in familiar carols for this annual celebration of the Nativity story.  Orchestral warm-up at 4:15pm in the sanctuary.  

NOTE:  There are two rehearsals to attend:

  • Music Distribution & Rehearsal 1 – Sunday, December 3rd after the service in the sanctuary
  • Orchestral Warm-up — Saturday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) at 4:15pm in the sanctuary. We will move directly into the 5pm Nativity Service from this rehearsal.

Please bring your music and a music stand to all rehearsals!

II. Advanced Orchestra

The Advanced Orchestra is comprised of intermediate to advanced players and includes strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. 

  • Christmas Music Sunday, December 17th at 10:30am service:  The Advanced Orchestra will be joined by The Chancel Choir and a brass ensemble.  Orchestral warm-up begins at 10am in the sanctuary.
  • Christmas Eve, December 24th at 9pm Service of Lessons and Carols:  We will be joined by CCC’s Chancel Choir.  Orchestral warm-up begins at 8pm in the sanctuary.

Rehearsal for Christmas Music Sunday and Christmas Eve will be Saturday, December 16th from 10:00-12:30pm in the sanctuary.  Music will be available in the sanctuary on December 4th after the worship service.

III.  Chancel Choir

We are welcoming singers in all voice parts from ages 14 on up to join us for these celebratory services.

  • Christmas Music Sunday, December 17th at the 10:30am service:  CCC’s Choir will be joined this year by CCC’s Advanced Orchestra and a brass ensemble.  
  • Christmas Eve, December 24th at 9pm Service of Lessons and Carols:  We will be joined by CCC’s Advanced Orchestra.  

Rehearsals will be on Thursday evenings at 8:45pm, beginning November 3rd.  During later November and the month of December, rehearsals will start earlier.  Please contact Sam to find out the schedule each week.  There is also a “dress” rehearsal on Saturday December 16th from 10:00-12:30pm.  Come and join us!

Special Christmas Offering 2023

Special Christmas Offering 2023

Throughout the Advent season, CCC will accept gifts to the special Christmas offering. This year the money collected will be divided between Mid-County United Ministries, Community CHEER and the UCC Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross. 

Mid-County United Ministries (MUM) provides emergency food and assistance to people in crisis in portions of Silver Spring, Kensington, Wheaton, Rockville, and Aspen Hill. MUM’s programs include eviction prevention, utility cut-off prevention and restoration, prescription drug assistance, food assistance and emergency help referrals to other agencies. 

Community CHEER is located in the Long Branch neighborhood. CHEER’s (Community Health and Empowerment through Education and Research) mission is to provide people with the knowledge and ability to create healthy, thriving communities. CHEER is a community-driven process for identifying community visions and goals, and for gathering the information and resources needed to measure and fulfill them.

The UCC Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross supports retired ministers and lay employees of the United Church of Christ with health care premiums, housing and emergency grants. For over 100 years, the Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross has been a way to ensure the light of love and hope for the faithful servants of our wider church who may find themselves facing financial needs.  

There are several ways to give to the special Christmas offering this year. For your gift to be shared by MUM, Community Cheer and the UCC Christmas Fund, please either donate by 1) check (made payable to Christ Congregational Church with Christmas Offering in the memo line) and placed in the purple pew envelope in the offering plate, or mailed to the church office at 9525 Colesville Rd Silver Spring, MD 20901, 2) click on the “donate” button at cccsilverspring.org to give through Vanco, or 3) give through Breeze at https://cccsilverspring.breezechms.com/give/online.

You may also donate online to each individual organization at christmasfund.org, MUMhelp.org and communitycheer.org. Thank you for your generosity.

Note: Our full 2023 Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Events schedule is here!

Reverse Advent Calendar: December 1 – 24

Reverse Advent Calendar: December 1 – 24

Reverse Advent Calendar 
December 1 – December 24

Typically, advent calendars are filled with candy and you open one each day starting December 1 and ending on Christmas Day.  Reverse advent calendars allow you to donate or give something each day – thus, giving instead of getting.  

This year, we are donating all items to Mid-County United Ministries (MUM).  Plan to bring your completed box to church at any service on Sunday, December 24th (10:30am, 5pm, or 9pm).  The last day to bring completed boxes to church will be Sunday, December 31st.

Each day, add the following items to your box.  No glass jars – only plastic, please!

December 1:  Box of cereal

December 2:  Jar of peanut butter

December 3:  Bag of lentils

December 4:  Box of potatoes

December 5:  Macaroni and cheese

December 6:  Canned fruit

December 7:  Diapers or wipes

December 8:  Canned corn

December 9:  Pancake mix

December 10:  Jar of applesauce

December 11:  Canned vegetables

December 12:  Feminine hygiene products

December 13:  Canned beans

December 14:  Box of crackers

December 15:  Bag of rice – brown or white

December 16:  Package of oatmeal

December 17:  Package of pasta

December 18:  Spaghetti sauce

December 19:  Canned soup

December 20:  Bag of flour or maseca

December 21:  Cooking oil

December 22:  Canned tuna or chicken

December 23: Toothpaste and toothbrush

December 24: Canned tomatoes

If anyone is available to help transport boxes to MUM after January 1, 2024, please contact the church office.

Note: Our full 2023 Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Events schedule is here!

Pancakes with Santa & Making Chrismons

Pancakes with Santa & Making Chrismons

Pancakes with Santa Returns!

Chrismon Making will be a part of Pancakes with Santa this year!

On Sunday, December 3rd, following the worship service, join us in the Social Hall for games, activities, Chrismon making, pancakes, and more!

Come top your pancakes as you wish – fruit, chocolate chips, or butter and syrup.  Enjoy one of Cupid’s Crossaints or Dasher’s Danishes as well.  

Make a Chrismon or two to bring home! Chrismons are Christmas decorations that symbolize Christ and remind us that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday. Glenda Neal and others brought Chrismons to CCC in 1973. We have lots of volunteers to help you make a Chrismon for your home in memory of Glenda. Chrismon making is for all ages!

Please sign up here to help make this another wonderful event.

SSL hours available, too!

Thanksgiving Food Drives 2023

Thanksgiving Food Drives 2023

2023 Thanksgiving Season Non-Perishable Food Drive to Benefit Food Justice DMV

Please help us collect non-perishable foods to benefit the immigrant families served by Food Justice DMV. The following items — top essentials most often requested by families — will be collected between November 12th and November 19th and then delivered to Food Justice DMV for distribution to families. Items needed are:

  • Black Beans – canned or 3-5 pound bags
  • Rice – 3-5 pound bags
  • Oil – canola or olive 
  • Maseca – corn flour (sold in Safeway or Giant)
  • Diapers: Sizes 5 and 6
  • Wipes
  • Formula; especially: blue formula (Similac pro-advance or generic equivalent) or orange formula (Similac sensitive or generic equivalent)

Feel free to bring your donation to church this Sunday or drop off your food items during Church Office Hours, Monday – Thursday next week, 9:30am to 12:30pm, or next Sunday November 19th.

2023 Thanksgiving Altar Food Display to Benefit Shepherd’s Table

We will be collecting seasonal fresh foods here at CCC between Nov. 12 and Nov. 16 in order to create our annual Thanksgiving Altar. Immediately after the Thanksgiving Service, the food will be packed up and delivered to Shepherd’s Table, which serves meals daily for working poor and un-housed individuals. Gratitude to Alison Peterson, who volunteered to deliver the food, and to the Stephens family for packing and loading the food in Alison’s car.

The display will need to be seen from the back of the sanctuary, so individual large size fruits and vegetables are particularly desirable. Suggested food items include: 

Fruits

  • Apples
  • Oranges
  • Grapefruit
  • Pineapple
  • Pears
  • Pumpkins (any color)
  • Winter Squash (Butternut, Acorn, Delicata, Spaghetti, Blue Hubbard)

Vegetables

  • Cauliflower 
  • Broccoli 
  • Cabbage (red and green)
  • Potatoes 
  • Sweet potatoes 
  • Stalks of brussel sprouts 
  • Leafy Greens (kale, collards)
  • Cucumbers
  • Zucchini 
  • Leeks
  • Carrots 
  • Celery
  • Fennel
  • Onions
  • Bunches of herbs (parsley, dill)

Please bring your fresh food contribution to church this Sunday (especially items that will survive one week without refrigeration!), or drop off your food items during Church Office Hours, Monday – Thursday next week, 9:30am to 12:30pm. (You may also inquire about a special appointment if you want to come at a different time.)