Pastor Note:

Living Covenant in a Contract Culture

This Sunday we’ll start to dig into the politics of religion at the third of our Christianity 101 gatherings, beginning at Noon in the Fellowship Hall.  The announced topic, “Living Faithfully,” is accurate enough, but a more telling title might be, “Living Covenant in a Contract Culture.” 

Here's a way of talking about the difference. “If you give me $1,000 a month, then you can stay in my spare room,” is an example of contract.  If both parties perform as agreed, then the contract is fulfilled; if not, then it ends. It’s transactional and conditional. Covenant on the other hand is a relationship in abiding values. “Because I love you, therefore I want us to live together,” is an invitation to covenant.  It’s the difference between renting a room and making a home.

So, how is that political?  How does this distinction matter in the way people build lives and relationships and communities?

It’s all about trust.  Where do you find trust, in arrangements that are conditional upon performance, or in relationships that are committed to abiding values?

Let’s talk about it!  I’ll see you in church.

Dave

Christianity 101

Whether you’re “ready to decide” or “just looking,” come learn more about our church and make new friends at Christianity 101 gatherings immediately following worship on four Sundays this fall. Adapted from courses taught by Pastor Dave in colleges, churches and other settings, this condensed introduction to Christianity is organized around widely held questions and concerns. It’s an opportunity for those who are new to the faith or want to take a fresh look at their faith, and is especially encouraged for any who may be interested in joining as members of Peace UCC.

The current series began two weeks ago. We started with, What Is Religion? on the 18th, and continued with What Is Christianity? on the 25th, but each session stands on its own and you are welcome to join for any of the two that remain:

Oct. 9 – Living Faithfully

Oct. 23 – The Possibilities and Politics of Pluralism

We’ll meet from Noon - 1:15pm in the fellowship hall and sanctuary. If you’re interested in membership, there’ll also be an opportunity at these gatherings to set up a time to meet personally with Pastor Dave.

Our next occasion for new members to join the church will be during the Sunday morning worship service on October 30th.

HAMMER OF JUSTICE AWARD

Our own Rev. Bev is receiving the Hammer of Justice Award from the Santa Cruz County A.C.L.U. for her work in our community.

Please join the festivities:

• Sunday, October 16 from 1-4

• Delaveaga Park - Cathedral Picnic site

• Catered by India Joze

You all have been an integral part of RevBev's community work so come and celebrate with her!

Moderator Notes

Calling all middle school and high school students and parents! Interested in service projects, movie nights, hikes, soul collage, cooking, game night…to name a few. Please let us know. Refer to a recent email or contact Stew Jenkins at [email protected] or myself at [email protected]. And spread the word.

Did you know that the Sunday Children’s program has a line up of faith related activities planned for our youth? Stew Jenkins has helped organized guests, including Emily Moran, Shell McNeil, Lori Riviera, and myself to name a few, for programs during service. This Sunday, I’ll be leading Team Building; Oct.16 Stew leads ceramics; Oct. 23 Shell leads self defense/caring for self and others and we’ll close the month with Halloween crafts. Spread the word.

Council Meetings are usually held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30pm on zoom. You are invited. It’s a great way to learn the goings-on and you might be enticed to join efforts in one of the many ministries. My time as moderator has been enlightening and rewarding, working with a wonderful team of supportive members, just saying…you, too, might find this true! Spread the word;)

Maryse Postlewaite

Peace High and Dry

Campaign!!!

The generous gifts to the High and Dry Fund totaling $93,192 have provided us the assurance that we can proceed with the work on the fascia and gutters before the rainy season. If you haven't had a chance to give, it's not too late!

How can you contribute?...

• With a one-time - OR - recurring payment via PayPal using this LINK

NOTE: If you choose to break up your donation into smaller, recurring payments, please inform the office of the full commitment by email so that we can account for it in the budget! [email protected]

• With a check made out to PUCC (memo "High & Dry") in the offering basket on Sunday or by mail to the church office.

For more info about the campaign click here to READ MORE

To see pictures of the damage to the gutters and fascia, CLICK HERE

Mark Your Calendars!

Our next Spiritual Retreat will be on Saturday, December 3rd from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Come, and retreat into quiet spirituality and contemplation here on our church campus, with disciplines of prayer and lots of open time for refreshment and renewal, paying attention to your soul and, if you need to, letting some things go. Lunch and dinner are included.

Contact: [email protected].

FLOWERSHIP MEETS OCTOBER 23

Flowership is an open, quarterly meeting immediately after worship in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring flowers and/or greens to trade, a vase, and your lunch. You’ll take home an arrangement to remind yourself of God’s glories for the week.

Come enjoy this fellowship and get to know more people in our faith community. Extra vases and supplies provided - so just drop in! Bring a friend!

For more info contact Elizabeth Schilling at [email protected].

Who's Check Is This Anyway?

Have you, or do you plan to give a gift to PUCC via your retirement, or donor advised fund? We have recently received a number of gift donations from these types of funds that have no identifying attributes.

We would love to be able to acknowledge these gifts, so please include a memo with your check -OR- email the office with: your name and where the funds are to be directed!

As always, thank you so much for your generosity and commitment to PUCC! 

Poetry at Peace

Poem submitted by Joyce Cunningham during our Sunday morning Poems at Peace meeting. To memories of the everyday existence. 

Of Errands    

By Rick Barot

On a table in the living room

there is a gray ceramic bowl that catches

the light each afternoon, contains it.

This is the room we turned into

the room of her dying, the hospital bed

in the center, the medical equipment

against the walls like personnel.

In Maine, once, I rented a house hundreds

of years old. One room had been

the birthing room, I was told, and I sat

in that room writing towards the bright

new world I am always trying

to write into. And while I could stop

there, with those two recognitions

of endings and beginnings, I’m thinking

of yesterday’s afternoon of errands.

My father and mother were in the backseat,

my sister in the passenger seat,

and I driving. It was like decades ago

but everyone in the wrong places,

as though time was simply about

different arrangements of proximity.

Sometimes someone is in front of you.

Or they are beside. At other times

they are behind you, or just elsewhere,

inconsolably, as though time was

about how well or badly you attended

to the bodies around you. First, we went

to the bakery. Then the hardware.

The pharmacy, the grocery. Then the bank.

Many Blessings,

Bonnie Lange

[email protected] | 360.921.7629

 "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day,

if you listen carefully, you can hear her breathing." 

~ Arundhati Roy

Prayers for Peace

Lord God, friend of those in need,

your Son Jesus has untied our burdens

and healed our spirits.

We lift up the prayers of our hearts for those still burdened,

those seeking healing,

those in need within the church and the world.

Continuing prayers for:

Joanna Hildebrandt

Darrell Johnson

Hear our prayers

that we may love you with our whole being

and willingly share the concerns of our neighbors. Amen.

Bonnie Lange

[email protected] | 360.921.7629



Organizing Hope



Supervisor Candidates from Santa Cruz and North Monterey County will respond to COPA’s agenda on housing, rental assistance and mental health care - Please join this important Zoom Meeting on Monday, October 24 from 6:30 - 8 pm.

At a recent Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting at which COPA leaders advocated for rental assistance for those hit hardest by COVID, Supervisors Koenig and McPherson opened the meeting by welcoming and thanking COPA for its consistent participation. As a broad-based organization, COPA creates the space for people with a wide variety of experiences to articulate and advocate for our needs: our stories help inform the policies that our elected officials’ propose, and our participation keeps them accountable.

Santa Cruz County Supervisor candidates Justin Cummings and Shebreh Kalantari Johnson from Santa Cruz County District 3, and candidate Felipe Hernandez from District 4 will attend. In addition, Monterey County Supervisor candidates for District 2 , Glenn Church and Regina Gage, have agreed to participate in the Candidates Forum in the run-up to the Tuesday, November 8 election. Whether or not your district has a candidate for this election cycle, please join to see COPA in action. You will observe the power of witness through our stories. You will get to know the candidates and how they think. And by your presence, you will show our elected officials that, as people of faith, we expect their actions to align with our values of dignifying all human life, especially as it pertains to our proposals for affordable housing, rental assistance, and mental health care. 

Mark your calendars - a pre-registration link will be sent out next week.

Please contact Cathy Sarto for information at [email protected] or 831-234-1397.

Ensemble Monterey Presents

"Favorites for Winds" 

Saturday, October 8th, 7 PM

PUCC, Santa Cruz

Join us for the first concert in our 30th Anniversary Season - Favorites for Winds. In 1784 Mozart wrote a ground-breaking work for 13 wind instruments: the Gran Partita. This 50-minute masterpiece is Mozart at his transcendent best. 30 years ago, Ensemble Monterey began its first concert with this work, and now, to celebrate the beginning of our Anniversary Season, we are proud to perform it again. Ensemble Monterey only plays the Gran Partita once every ten years, so don’t miss it this time! On this concert we also include Antonín Dvořák’s masterful Serenade in D minor for Winds and Strings, which features delightful settings of familiar folk melodies. 

Maestro John Anderson will present "Notes from the Conductor" at 6 PM.

Join us for insights and stories about the music. 

Tickets and more information at www.ensemblemonterey.org.