For those unable to join us in person, there will be a live videocast of the worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.

Go to the church's website, or use one of the links below.

If you miss the live service, you can find it archived on YouTube.

Accessibility Sunday – October 12

This Sunday, we join churches across the United Church of Christ in honoring Accessibility Sunday, a time to celebrate progress in making our communities more inclusive—and to recommit ourselves to the work still ahead. This year’s theme centers on mental health, highlighting the importance of support, access, and advocacy for those living with mental health challenges.

During worship, we’ll hear from guest speakers Liz Homer Smith and Jaleel Makey of NAMI, and Carole DeCarvalho, who works alongside our Prophets of Hope jail ministry, advocating for incarcerated individuals with mental health struggles. After the service, the Fellowship Hall will host local mental health resources and opportunities for connection.

In addition, the Santa Cruz Public Library is offering a Dyslexia Experience—an interactive exhibit with six stations designed to give insight into what students with dyslexia face every day. It’s a powerful way to grow in empathy and awareness.

Want to get more involved? Our A2A (Accessibility to All) team works year-round to make our church more welcoming for everyone. 

Contact Lisa Hoesing at PastModerator@PeaceUnited.org

Newcomers Lunch

Newcomers, students, and folks exploring the prospect of membership, please join us for lunch after worship this Sunday, October 12, Noon to 1:15pm in the “Upper Room” of our education building at the west end of the church campus. 

Besides good food (with vegan options) and interesting company, our hour together will focus on ways we live out our faith, serving in the congregation and the wider community, with brief presentations on some of our most outstanding ministries: the Prophets of Hope jail ministry; the Peace Village Housing project; and the Peace Poetry group.

If you celebrate a October birthday or just want some extra Sunday celebratory time, join us this Sunday, the 12th, for Birthday Blessings 

during Worship. We want to honor YOU!

These Friends Have October Birthdays:

Donna Large, Cheryl Anderson, Lote Sanderson, Jane Heyse, Anne Rogers, Willow Furnish, Emmanuel Zell, Mira Haslam, Bill Friend, Natalia Duarte, Barbara Broadbent, Emily Moran, Nash Stevens, Valerie Friend, Stan Cunningham

COPA, and our congregation, have been at the forefront of the effort to build more workforce housing. Please join us as we converse with other faith and civic leaders about what our faith calls us to do on this important ballot measure:

When: Saturday, October 18 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Where: Peace UCC Fellowship Hall, 900 High St., Santa Cruz

Why: C for Community!

Use these links to read more...

Yes on C FAQ , Measure C COPA's Effort

All God’s Critters…

Join us Sunday, October 19, for worship that includes a blessing of animals, affirming their dignity as creatures and their special place in our caring for God’s creation. All sorts are welcome, well-behaved humans too! If you want us to pray blessing on an animal who can’t come with you, you're welcome to bring a photograph.



Please call ahead if you’re bringing an elephant.

Madonna Odigitria,

Revered in Piana degli Albanesi, Sicily

Perennials in October:

"Jim and Tony's Excellent Adventure."  

Come and join us after worship on October 19 when Tony Augimeri and Jim Howley will present some highlights of their trip this past summer to Sicily, Calabria, and Greece. They will cover sites they visited in Sicily that show the island's rich cultural heritage, developed through waves of immigration and invasion over thousands of years, leaving a legacy seen still today in its vibrant contemporary culture. They will also discuss Tony's Greek and Albanian roots in Sicily, Calabria as a destination not yet overrun by mass tourism, iconography of both southern Italy and Greece, as well as visits to Crete, Rhodes, and Ephesus.

Get this Book!

The Rev. Beverly Brook, coordinator of our Prophets of Hope ministry in the county jail, is joining with Pastor Dave to lead discussion of How to Read a Book, a novel by Monica Wood. From the first chapter, which takes place in a women’s prison “book club,” Wood’s unsparingly honest story and compelling characters invite us into a sacred space of reflection and sharing. We’ll gather on Thursdays, 7 to 8:15pm, October 2, 9, 16 & 30 in the Fireside Lounge. How to Read a Book is available in local bookstores and online at Bookshop.org; a few copies are available for purchase from the church.

Stewardship Update

Thank you to the many who give in so many ways. And thank you to the pledging households, 85 to date with a total of almost $225,000. Our congregation approved at the annual meeting an approved budget based on $275,000.

On-going Threshing Meetings (with representatives from Finance, Capital Campaign, Stewardship, Buildings & Grounds, Personnel committees and Pastor Dave) have brought forth insights and action items to support our continued growth.

If you are still considering pledging or are in the position to increase your pledge, please let us know. Ask anyone on the Council or any of the committees listed, if you have any questions.

Faithfully yours,

Maryse Postlewaite, Co-chair of Stewardship

Please join our Council Meeting next week, via zoom, on Thursday, October 16, at 6:00pm. This is a beneficial meeting to learn more about the current issues and witness the decision making process of our vibrant, church community.

For the link, contact Tony Augimeiri at moderator@peaceunited.org 

OR

Use the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86505810901?pwd=bHJ2VHVqNGpXSFlKOGpENldjTTM1Zz09

CYF Theme: COMMUNITY!

Hi Peace families,

This week, we're looking at a Bible passage from Luke in which Jesus heals some people with Leprosy-- even a Samaritan! Back in Jesus' time, the Samaritans and Jews didn't get along very well, but Jesus knew that our humanity is the most important thing-- not what tribe we come from, not whether we are sick or well, but that we are beloved children of God.

We're also reading "I Am Human: A Book of Empathy" by Susan Verde. Part of her "I Am" series of books, this book explores in simple, beautiful ways, how we are all human. We all have wonderful qualities, but also the capacity to make mistakes and be hurtful. It also means that we have the ability to grow, change, and make better decisions!  

You can find this week's video here:

https://youtu.be/LbmzALQuw0w

A reminder: KNO is next Friday, October 17 from 6 - 8 p.m.

Saturday Morning

Flea Market

volunteers needed



The Santa Cruz County Interfaith Coalition is supporting the neighborhood flea market located in the Watsonville Lutheran Church parking lot at 95 Alta Vista across from the Watsonville DMV. Earlier this summer the church noticed that they had less vendors and customers than a year ago. Pastor Trudy of the Lutheran Church wondered if people of faith were at the entrances welcoming folks might that alleviate some of the fear. And it has! More and more vendors and customers began to return.

I am frequently asked, ‘how can I help during these challenging times?’ Here is one way you can show up for our community. The flea market is open every Saturday from 8 to 4. Volunteers are asked to sign up for a two hour shift. There will be two volunteers at each entrance. All that is needed is a welcoming smile.  We will provide name tags and a chair if needed.

Don’t forget to bring some cash and enjoy some food and perhaps purchase a plant or two. 

If you have any questions, please contact Rev Bev

@revbevbrook@gmail.com.

Please sign up here:  Volunteer Signups

Loving God, keep us in the Amazing Grace that is ours through Jesus Christ, in whose Holy Name we pray

Prayers of Healing and Faith and Continuing Prayers for our Community

• For the family of Lynn’s friend Santiago Gomez, a 49 year old teacher who died September 21st from cancer, leaving his wife Mel and their two little girls.
• For Lynn & Bill’s son Johnnie, to keep his spirits up after having his dialysis catheter surgically replaced for the third time as he still waits for a kidney transplant.
• Comfort for Maryse’s family, mourning the death of her mother Catherine.
• For Lote’s family, mourning the death of her brother Kelly and of Kelly’s son who died suddenly three days after his father. 
• For Rev Bev on the death of her dear friend Carson Hawks.
• For Susie’s friend Marty, facing a recurrence of cancer.
• Solace for all who grieve recent and past losses of loved ones.
• Healing and health for Lisa’s grandson Dustin, for Suzanne’s daughter Allison, Devon’s mom Steacie, Aidan’s aunt Marty, Deb Kaufman, Gretchen’s sister-in-law Janet and aunt Martha, Natalia’s friend Anna and sister Pilar, Nick Piediscalzi, and Philip’s friend David.

Prayers for our Community, Country and the World 

• For federal workers on furlough or working without pay and for public servants working for justice. 
• For hard-working, peace-loving immigrants and their families, for those who have been unjustly deported and their families, for transgender people and those unjustly discharged from our armed forces.
• For all affected by natural disasters and human violence, terror, war and hunger, especially the children in Gaza and Sudan.

Prayers of Gratitude

• For all who serve the many missions and teams of our church, volunteers giving time to people who are incarcerated and their families, people who are unhoused, and the congregation, governance and infrastructure of the church itself.
• For trust in God and each other, courage when facing fear and injustice, hope in times of darkness, and for the Peace of Christ in our hearts and minds.  

In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen!  

You may request prayers by emailing Prayers@PeaceUnited.Org,

calling Lynn Walton (600-7343), or calling the church office (426-2010).

We Want to Hear Your Voice

Sign Up to Be A Liturgist!

We would love to have you as a liturgist (reader) in one of our Sunday morning worship services. It's a wonderful way of serving!

Sign up for a Sunday to read live and in person and we'll connect with you by e-mail on the Tuesday prior, sending all the information you'll need for getting ready.

If you'd like to give it a try, click on this link to choose a date.

Watch Out For Scammers

Peace United staff and leaders will never solicit you by e-mail or text message, asking you to purchase or send gift cards or electronic funds for any purpose. Contact the church office if you have any concerns about emails you may receive.

Read More

Office Hours!

Monday through Friday, from 9 am - 2 pm staff are in the office, attending to the business of our church: monitoring e-mail, answering telephones and/or responding to messages, working on the dozens of different projects and connections that keep our ministry moving forward.

If you plan to come into the office, please call ahead to schedule a time when we know someone will be in to assist you. You can reach us by e-mail using the list below or by phone, 831-426-2010.



• Pastor, the Rev. David Pattee - pastordave@peaceunited.org
• Facilities Manager, Aaron Abeyta - facilities@peaceunited.org
• Office Manager, Devon Obert - office@peaceunited.org
• Bookkeeper, Susan Robinson - bookkeeper@peaceunited.org

Pastor Dave works from the church office, Monday through Thursday, and most weeks will have office hours on Saturday too, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday is his day off. In case of emergency, the pastor is available by cell phone, 773-255-8095. If you would like to schedule a meeting or would like to "drop by", please contact us via email using this link to make an arrangement.

Small Groups and Ministries of Outreach

Use this link to find information about our various small groups and

ministries here at PUCC.