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Palm Sunday @ Peace
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MARCH 29, 2015 (LENT 5)
10:15 am on the Hillside
10:30 am in the Sanctuary
Join us this Sunday at 10:15...on the beautiful hillside above the church campus...as we gather for praise and prayer and begin our festive procession of palms. We process all the way into the sanctuary itself where Palm Sunday is in swing!
This Sunday's service includes a special "Sacred Conversation on Race," organized by nineteen Peace United members and inspired by the UCC's own initiative.
Click here to read more about that! With our 'conversation,' we join a growing movement of churches encouraging honesty and prophetic spirit in addressing racism in our communities.
All that--and the Chancel Choir, and the Jazz Band, and a powerful experience of the Baptismal Sacrament with the Reaney family! Join us for a Palm Sunday celebration!
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Palm Sunday Procession!
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A PROCESSION OF PALMS
Join us on Sunday, March 29 as we gather on the upper hillside at 10:15! With the Chancel Choir and friends of all ages, we'll sing and wave our palms on our way into the sanctuary for Palm Sunday worship! You're invited to bring instruments, voices, and energy--as we shout praise and Hosannas!
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Easter Sunday Celebrations (April 5)
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SUNRISE & BAPTISMS ON THE BEACH
 Join us at 7 am on Easter Sunday as we sing and celebrate and rejoice in the power of resurrection! We're led by Dave Grishaw-Jones, Yael Lachman, Lori Rivera and Art Alm. And this year, we again celebrate with a number of new friends being baptized in the Pacific Ocean (full immersion!).
BREAKFAST IN THE LOUNGE
From 8 to 10, our youth groups serve up a fantastic breakfast for one and all. It's a delightful and delectable fundraiser for their life together and the mission they do. So join us for a wonderful morning of food, fun and fellowship!
EASTER JOY AND CELEBRATION AT PEACE
 The whole crowd gathers for Easter Sunday service at 10:30 in the Sanctuary! We've got all kinds of music, a bunch of new friends joining the church, and the Rev. Yael Lachman preaching the Easter sermon!
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Holy Week @ Peace
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PRACTICING OUR EASTER FAITH
Click here for a full review of Holy Week events at Peace! This year, events include a Labyrinth Walk (Tuesday night), a Maundy Thursday Footwashing service, Lamentation and Jazz on Good Friday, and a special viewing of "Son of Man" on Saturday night!
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Continuing the Conversation!
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RACE, RACISM AND WHO WE ARE
Following up on our 3/29 conversation on race, Peace United offers a number of April events designed to keep the discussion moving. Feel free to attend...and invite a friend to join you as this important project unfolds.
"SON OF MAN": FILM AND DISCUSSION
SATURDAY, APRIL 4 @ 7:30 pm
 We'll screen this 2006 film directed by South African director, Mark Dornford-May, and depicting Jesus' last days in an oppressive African nation. He faces bigotry, danger, oppression and huge choices of conscience. After the film, Jimi and Robert Valiente-Neighbours lead us in discussion!
"BONHOEFFER: PACIFIST, PASTOR, RESISTER"
SUNDAY, APRIL 12 @ 4:30 pm
Co-sponsored with Chadeish Yameinu (Jewish Renewal)
 We're pleased to co-sponsor this screening and discussion of "Bonhoeffer" with our Jewish friends in Chadeish Yameinu. Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer faced racism in his own culture and church...and chose to confront this evil with love, sacrifice and courage. Join us for a lively afternoon of discussion and film.
"THE NEW JIM CROW: MASS INCARCERATION IN AN AGE OF COLORBLINDNESS"
SATURDAY, APRIL 18 @ 8:30 am to 11:30 am (@ church)
Co-sponsored with Santa Cruz Public Libraries
The New Jim Crow by legal scholar Michelle Alexander is a book to change the way we see the world and fuel a nationwide social movement. The book challenges communities like ours to think differently about crime, punishment, policing and the War on Drugs. This 4/18 event will include a short film featuring Michelle Alexander, three presenters relating personal experience in the prison system, and a discussion of Alexander's important work.
"THE FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW"
A CONVERSATION ON PEACEMAKING STRATEGIES
IN THE MIDDLE EAST
SATURDAY, APRIL 25 @ 3 - 5 pm (Church Library)
 We've invited UCC friends from across the Bay Area to visit with us around our concerns for peacemaking in Palestine and Israel. In particular, we'll take a look at a resolution before the UCC's General Synod this summer, calling on the denomination to support targeted divestment from companies profiting from illegal occupation of the West Bank. All UCC friends are welcome!
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Practicing Discipleship: Holy Week 2015
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Tuesday, 3/31 (7 to 9 pm): Join contemplatives for an evening of prayer and mindfulness as we walk the church's labyrinth together in the Sanctuary.
MAUNDY THURSDAY: LAST SUPPER & FOOTWASHING
Thurstday, 4/2 (7:30 pm): Join the community at Peace as we recall Jesus' bold choice in washing his friends feet on the last night. It's our annual celebration of Jesus' compassion and courage, as we celebrate the Last Supper and wash one another's feet.
GOOD FRIDAY: LAMENTATION & JAZZ
Friday, 4/3 (7:30 pm): At the foot of the cross, we gather to lament injustice and suffering, and to bear witness to the suffering of God in the world. Always one of our most powerful and moving services!
HOLY SATURDAY: "SON OF MAN" FILM & DISCUSSION
Saturday, 4/4 (7:30 pm): We'll gather to watch the powerful South African film "Son of Man"--and then discuss the film's themes (race, oppression, injustice) with Robert and Jimi Valiente-Neighbours.
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Next Month in the Wider Community
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APRIL
10 am - 2 pm at First Cong. Church, Palo Alto. Our NCNC gathers to elect a new Conference Minister, the Rev. Diane Weible. Join members and friends from churches across the state as we celebrate this new moment!
Click here to register and let
Dave Grishaw-Jones know you're going!
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Family Ministries @ Peace United
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MARCH
Sunday, 3/29 - Egg Dying
APRIL
Sunday, 4/5 - Easter Breakfast
8-10:15 am: Join the youth in their annual fundraiser, a yummy breakfast hosted and prepared by our youth groups.
Sunday, 4/5 - Easter Cross
10-10:30 am: On Easter Sunday, our children and youth will create a cross of flowers in the sanctuary. Please join us as the cross, a symbol of Jesus' death, is transformed into something beautiful, new and alive in celebration of Jesus' resurrection. Bring flowers from your garden - or someone else's - to add to this extravagant celebration. (We'll be decorating it before worship...)
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FUNdraising Parties
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THIS SPRING/SUMMER
Saturday 5/30 - Tea in the Garden 12-4pm at the Suzanne McLean's home in Scotts Valley - Enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea in my garden. Think hats, gloves, flowers, genteel music, tea sandwiches, scones and sweets. Come prepared to relax and be pampered!
Saturday, 6/13 & 6/20 - Bocce Afternoon #1 & #2 4-7pm at the Robinson's home in Santa Cruz - Play bocce with your friends while enjoying wine and cheeses.
For information on buying tickets, call the church office at 426-2010.
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Stations of the Cross
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A COMMUNITY ART EXPRESSION
 Traditionally, the Stations of the Cross depict scenes from the last days of Christ. At Peace Church, artists have chosen to contemplate and interpret these scenes in a contemporary, multi-media, and progressive Christian way. We're blessed by gifted and passionate artists in this community. And you're invited to visit, reflect and let their work move you. Visit these 14 artistic stations at Peace Church on Friday, April 3 AND Saturday, April 4, from noon until 6 pm. Painting above by Robert Valiente-Neighbours, acrylic on canvas, 2014.
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NCNC Annual Gathering
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OUR LIFE TOGETHER IN THE UCC
 The Northern California Nevada Conference of the UCC gathers annually for learning, connection, worship and witness. All Peace United members and friends are welcome to register and attend. This year's event is the weekend of June 12 to 14 at Sonoma State University in Sonoma County. Click here to find out more and register!
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Next Month @ Peace United
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APRIL
Wednesday, 4/1 - Sacred Circle Dance
7:00 - 9:00pm in the Sanctuary. Moving together in a circle is one of the oldest ways in which we celebrate community. Join in the dance, from lively to meditative, to beautiful music from around the world. A free event and beginners are welcome!
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Taize Fridays in Lent
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 During Lent, our Taize Team leads a weekly service of prayer and song every Friday evening at 8 pm. This is a quiet, contemplative hour of peace, with repetitive chanting in the tradition of the Taize community in France. All are welcome!
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Have You Visited Us?
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If you have, your visit matters to us. It's often strange to visit a church for the first time: to see new faces, hear old words spoken in new ways. We appreciate your trust, and we eagerly await the chance to see you again.
When you return, there will likely be a name-tag with your name on it, a chance for us to greet you more personally. Always, your questions and your curiosity thrill us. Return with these, return with your whole selves...
And know that you are God's blessing.
Every day.
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Who We Are...
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We're an
congregation of the United Church of Christ--which means we take diversity seriously and we welcome all God's children as full and beloved members of our community.
We're part of
COPA (which stands for Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action)--and in that way we work in solidarity with peoples of many traditions, bringing justice and decency to public life on the Central Coast.
We're decidedly
CHRISTIAN, and in the most inclusive, generous way possible. We believe that--at its core--the gospel is a call to compassion. And that's what we try to be about every day, every week.
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Contact Us
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Peace United Church of Christ
900 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831 426-2010
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This Month's
Still Speaking
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Click here to see our monthly newsletter, "The Still Speaking Journal" of events and ideas!
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Pray for One Another
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We invite one another to hold our friends and many others in prayer, inviting God's light to shine upon those in need...
Terry Kelly
Lou Hildebrandt
The Page Family
The Rogoff Family
Candy, Will & Kelly Tanner
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This Week's Reading
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No More of This!
Although we know that God's kingdom has not yet been fully realized, Christians believe that God's reign has already begun. And when we forget? When we're tempted to buy into the world's violent logic? We should remember that our savior upbraided a friend who drew a sword and tried to save him. "No more of this!" And then Jesus turned and gently healed a man who was out to kill him. Could he be any more obvious?
It's time to lay our weapons down. We are called to live in a peaceful Kingdom, even though violence rages all around.
Matt Fitzgerald excerpt from Re-Lent UCC 2015 Lent Devotional
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