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Category: Churchwide News & Announcements

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.)

Food Drive Last Day + Rug Sale Fundraiser Nov. 19th

Food Drive Last Day + Rug Sale Fundraiser Nov. 19th

Join us on Sunday November 19th. This is the final day of our food drive to benefit Food Justice DVM, and we will have a special rug fundraiser after worship. These colorful rugs are handcrafted by women in Afghanistan who are close relatives of an immigrant family in Silver Spring that CCC has embarked on a mission to support over the past year. The family is still looking for secure employment, and in the meantime, their small rug business provides some important and necessary income. Rugs will be on display in the church on Sunday November 19th.

“Get your space measurements and color preferences together and consider the possibilities for Christmas presents as you enjoy the rug displays!” – Marilyn Hall (CCC member)

Focus Groups Completed, Next Steps Coming Soon

Focus Groups Completed, Next Steps Coming Soon

We’re super excited to share with you an opportunity for your voice to be heard. Over the coming few weeks we are hosting a series of open invitation Focus Group Sessions. During these sessions members of the CCC community will have the opportunity to share their perspectives, ideas and suggestions on the path forward to sell the Colesville Rd. Property.

In addition to providing needed information to the Building Sales Taskforce, members will also be able to share their emerging and evolving thoughts, ideas and visions for what’s next for CCC after the sale. We look forward to seeing and hearing your ideas. Sign up today!

{All 6 Focus Groups are now complete. Next steps from our consultant coming soon.}

The Beauty of Diversity: Trans Awareness Week

The Beauty of Diversity: Trans Awareness Week

Transgender Awareness Week, observed November 13-19, is a one-week celebration leading up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), which memorializes victims of transphobic violence. TDoR occurs annually on November 20, when transgender advocates raise awareness of the transgender community through education and advocacy activities.

CCC will celebrate Transgender Awareness Week on Sunday, November 12th During Worship.

Our special worship service this Sunday will include:

-Honoring and remembering the transgender, genderqueer, and non-binary youth and adults in our faith community and beyond who face challenges and adversity.

-Lighting candles as a symbol of our solidarity.

-Recognizing and celebrating the inner beauty that resides within the heart of all God’s beloved people. 

-A moment of silence to remember and honor each experience and expression of gender identity, and to affirm our collective commitment to creating a space of love, support, and understanding for all.

All Saints Celebration 2023 – Video

All Saints Celebration 2023 – Video

This past Sunday featured our annual memorial slideshow in remembrance of loved ones who have passed on. Watch our 2023 All Saints Tribute video, presented at the 10/29 service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-4xYnPE5sE

Welcome Rev. Love! CCC’s New Executive Pastor

Welcome Rev. Love! CCC’s New Executive Pastor

Welcome, Pastor Love!

We are thrilled to share some exciting news! We welcome the Rev. Aubra Love, CCC longtime member, as our Executive Pastor at Christ Congregational Church.

This newly created position is responsive to the transitional challenges currently faced by our church. Rev. Aubra Love’s role as Executive Pastor encompasses a range of ministry gifts focused on enhancing our church’s mission and vision.

The Executive Pastor works in concert with the Senior Minister, assuring sustainability with strategic planning guidance, liturgical arts and resource management, all consistent with our mission and vision. This ministry partnership allows flexibility for the Senior Minister to focus on the inspirational, visionary leadership and community building needs of our church, while Rev. Love ensures the infrastructure excellence necessary for our growth. We can look forward to this innovation in our time of transition.

Rev. Love’s contributions in worship facilitation and ministry coordination will continue to facilitate an extravagant welcome to all faith seekers. Her collaboration in planning and conducting worship services with all staff will enrich our worship experiences. Her expertise in engaging community-based organizations will further strengthen CCC’s broader connections. We look forward to a coordination of ministries that will ensure alignment with our church’s stated vision and mission, mobilizing congregants to serve neighboring communities effectively.

Rev. Love, as Executive Pastor, affirms a unique opportunity for our congregation to strengthen and grow as a church. Her qualifications, commitment to inclusivity, and devotion to our mission make her a wonderful official addition to our leadership team. Please join us in welcoming Rev. Aubra Love to the staff of CCC. By faith, we know that her presence and ministry will be instrumental in guiding us as we move forward, together, on our collective faith journey.

***

Rev. Aubra Love is an ordained minister whose standing is held in the Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ. She was ordained in the Southern Conference of the UCC; and also served in the Pacific Northwest Conference and Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ, before relocating to Maryland. Rev. Love is a public theologian, pastor and movement ethicist of more than 25 years. A retired commercial banker, nonprofit executive and testifying grandmother, Rev. Love is a graduate of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA.