What's New at Peace | October 23

Worship This Sunday

October 25, 10:30 am

Twenty-second Sunday After Pentecost

Reformation Sunday

Psalm 90: 1-6, 13-17, Matthew 22:34-40

Great-ness?

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.

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.

Watch on YouTube

Sunday Bulletin

Watch on Facebook

Download our Fall Brochure

Visit our website for more information about what's happening at PUCC

Our first Peace Village Fall Fest had a successful debut on a sunny and hot Saturday, October 17. There was something for everyone....kid’s activities included games, bubbles, a costume closet and a Charlie Brown movie. The pumpkin decorating was a big hit with some clever creations.

Folks shopped at our 10 vendor tables or took chances on raffle gifts as well as 3 silent auction items that included an electric bicycle, piano, and large telescope.

We had music with Derek Johnson and his guitar at the Cakewalk, and Roger Bowers and Annie Murphy played clarinet and flute in the courtyard. Gail Swain and the Healer Trio performed, and everyone participated in the joyous Broadway Singalong with the choir. It was great fun learning line dancing with Jorge Torrez.

The delicious smell of popcorn and grilling hot dogs attracted people to the food tables that included a tasty assortment of cookies, brownies, and lemon bars, even homemade cinnamon rolls and cold drinks.

It took a village to make this event successful and our members turned out in force on Friday-setup day and Saturday-event day. In fact, we had 60 volunteers! In addition, 30 people provided baked goods for the cake walk and treats. A hearty thanks and job well done to everyone who made this a community building event that was fun and successful.

Click this link to see a list of all our helpers and where they served!

Thank you to everyone from this wonderful church that turned out to help make our first Fall Fest a successful offering to our wider community.

Brewery Group!

The Peace United Brewery group will meet Oct. 27 at 6PM at JT Two Doors, 18 Victor Square, Ext. B, Scotts Valley. There are several places to get food in the area plus gelato afterwards. We meet once a month on the last Tuesday of the month at various breweries for food and conversation. Come join us.

SPRING!!

Well, it’s not actually spring yet, but it is time to be planting spring bulbs! You’ll thank yourself when they bloom, especially since many appear while the weather is still gray and cool.

Suzanne will continue to have bulbs available for purchase on Sundays, all proceeds going to the church. Please help prevent her from having to plant 200 bulbs herself!

Many thanks!

Best,

Suzanne

Dear PUCC Friends,

What a great day at the Fall Fest last weekend! It was wonderful seeing so many of you and enjoying all the booths, games, food, and music. You were in rare vocal form for the sing-along and Vlada took some videos of the line-dancing if anyone is interested!

The Chancel Choir will sing two unique anthems this Sunday. They have both captured our emotions and allowed us to see ourselves in the light of greater possibilities.

The first, “Measure Me, Sky!” Elaine Hagengerger masterfully sets the poetry of Leonora Speyer. Here is the text:

Measure Me, Sky! (2022)

Measure me, sky! Tell me I reach by a song, nearer the stars.

I have been little so long.

Sky, be my depth, Wind be my width and my height.

Measure me, sky! Horizon reach out! Catch at my hands, stretch me taut.

Rim of the world, widen my eyes by a thought!

Measure me, sky! World, oh world my heart’s span; Loveliness, wings for my flight.

Hagenberger’s music employs patterns of up-reaching melodic motives in each voice part, allowing the vocal expansiveness of the lines to draw each singer into ever-expanding glimpses of possibilities in our lives.

The second anthem is the second movement of a masterwork commissioned by Cabrillo Chorus in 2005 from Canadian Composter, Imant Raminsh. Who was inspired to choose the poetry of Wendell Berry. One might say the complex accompaniment for this movement represents the tangle of emotions and worries that rise up as we face issues in the world. Berry, a recluse and environmentalist among other things, allows us to quell our anxieties by

returning to the restorative power of nature.

The Peace of Wild Things (2005)

When despair for the world grows in me, and I wake in the night at the least sound of fear

of what my life and my children’s lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water,

and the great heron feeds. And the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.

I come into the presence of still water

and I feel above me the day-blind stars, waiting with their light.

For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

We hope you are moved by the musical offerings this Sunday.

Image from the Broadway Sing-A-Long at Fall Fest.

"Last Christian in Bethlehem" tells how Palestinian Christians are struggling to survive under Israeli occupation. The 64-minute film contains interviews filmed in the West Bank last fall interspersed with scenes from a besieged Christian village, settler/Israeli military attacks on Palestinian farmers, a Palestinian musical event, and the lighting of the Christmas tree in Bethlehem. Filmmaker Robert Levering, a member of Santa Cruz Friends Meeting, will be there.

This film is being shown at the Quaker Meetinghouse, 225 Rooney St., on Sunday, November 1 at 7 pm. All are welcome.

Love Your Neighbor

For the month of October, our theme is LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR!

This week we're reading Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev. When a little boy decides to take his pet elephant to a Pet Club meeting, he is greeted by a "STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS" sign. Oh, no! The boy and his elephant are very sad, but they meet a young girl and her pet skunk, who were also excluded, and decide to make a new Pet Club where everyone is welcome!

Loving our neighbors means making space for all kinds of people! This story can help us think about loving our neighbors by being welcoming to all and by being a good friend.

We hope you enjoy this week's online storytelling video.

2026-27 Pledge Drive News:

We have surpassed our goal!

The stewardship committee is a vibrant group that does more than organize the annual fund drive. We honor and promote all the ways we move forward as a community. We are blessed to be able to do so much, beyond the annual fund drive. Consider joining us!

Our next meeting will be held Tuesday, October 27 at 3pm.

Contact Tony Augimeri, chair of Stewardship, via email at pastmoderator@peaceunited.org.

A Request for Help

A member of our congregation is experiencing significant strain and has reached a point where they can no longer manage every responsibility alone. They have been encouraged by their care team to seek help from the community, a difficult step for them, but a necessary one.

Assistance with phone calls, paperwork, research, and navigating services during business hours would be especially helpful. Even an hour of time each week could make a meaningful difference.

If you have time, organizational skills, or a willingness to lend a hand, please contact the office or Pastor Dave.

Piano by Moonlight: Candlelit Evenings of Rest and Reverie

Solo piano music by our own Aidan Santa Cruz every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:30-9:30 at Peace United. Aidan is heart centered and plays free improvisations inspired by classical, jazz and spiritual traditions.

Come to meditate, relax and let go...on pillows, on the floor, or seated. All are welcome. Suggested Donation - $15-25

For updates and more information(like cancellations!) please check out the Facebook group linked here and/or contact Aidan directly: 831-428-2368, aidanfpsc@gmail.com

Did you know that by following Peace on social media and interacting with our posts (liking, commenting, and sharing) you can help other, like-minded people find Peace? You can also find information about events, fun glimpses of things happening at Peace, worship videos, and other news!

Holy One, keep us in the Amazing Grace that is ours through the spirit of Christ, in whose Loving Name we pray

Prayers of Healing and Faith and Continuing Prayers for our Community

Prayers for Deborah's grandson and her son's sobriety. May all struggling with addiction be able to break the cycle and know that they are loved.
Prayers of strength and courage for R as she pursues her sobriety. May she also find support, resources, and structure for her journey.
For those struggling with mental health issues and addiction. May resources be made available and affordable so that people can get the help they need.
For Cathy Sarto's mother, who is 94 and was recently hospitalized.
For D and S's families.
For I's family, especially her son.
For Lisa’s grandson Dustin, living with cancer, and Darrell Johnson, in a care home.
For Joyce Cunningham, recovering from a heart attack and surgery.
For Mary Male's son Johnathan Barclay, hospitalized with stage 4 cancer. May he be comfortable and find peace.
For Kwok's mother-in-law living with dementia, and his sister-in-law going through cancer treatment.
For a program placement to open up for C, so she can pursue her healing.
Prayers for Jane's niece, Clara, and her adult children, Akiah and Ike, as Clara begins a challenging transition into a recovery center in Kansas City. May she adjust well and find hope in her new surroundings.

Prayers for our Communities, Country and the World

For immigrants and their families, everyone in custody, and those experiencing being targeted, oppressed, and dealt with unjustly. May we see God's love flowing through all people and protect our communities.
For those being persecuted in this political climate, especially those among us who are queer and/or immigrants. May hearts open to understanding, love, and compassion.
For women and all students to be safe on college campuses and at related events. May there be an end to toxic fraternity culture that hurts everyone.
For an end to the violent conflicts that plague our world. May leaders and peoples open their hearts to peaceful resolutions and transformative justice.

Prayers of Gratitude

For everyone who helped make our first Fall Fest happen! Thank you for helping make the event a success.
For those who give of their time and resources to this church and its many programs. We are the hands, feet, and face of God!
For the passion and commitment of children and youth, who inspire all of us to pursue a better world and open our hearts and minds to different ways of being and pursuing reconciliation, justice, joy, and peace.
For everyone who votes!
For those who dare to speak truth to power and defy unjust systems. May we all find the bravery to resist injustice and amplify voices that are unheard. Gratitude for people who speak out despite risks to their livelihood and comfort.
For those who make space for difficult conversations and disagreements in our increasingly polarized environment.
For new and old faces in our community. May we continue to walk our spiritual journeys together and support each other on our path.

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).

Find Friends and Activities @ Peace!

At Peace United, there are many opportunities for fellowship, spiritual growth, helping with events and socializing. To help you find a group that you might be interested in joining, our Ministries, Committees, and Groups booklet has been updated. It describes each group and lists the chairperson and their contact information and members. Everyone is welcome so come join us....

You can download our updated booklet HERE.

We Want to Hear Your Voice

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.

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
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.