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.

This Sunday!

Homecoming Sunday, September 29!

As teachers well know, September is a time of new beginnings and planning for the year. It’s exciting and fun to get the classroom decorated and meet the new crop of students and their families. Perhaps a teacher will be taking on a new class or subject matter, and takes on that challenge with energy and enthusiasm. And there’s always joy in reconnecting with colleagues.

For many of us in the community of Peace United Church of Christ, we are experiencing some of the same feelings of excitement about our future. We’re perhaps returning from amazing trips, outdoor adventures, or even a tour performing at some of Europe’s iconic concert halls and cathedrals, as our chancel choir did in June. We gather again to share stories, support one another, welcome strangers and old friends, and look to do our part as a progressive Christian community to answer Jesus’s call to create the reign of God on earth.

Homecoming Sunday promises to be a celebration of this community, its mission, and its witness to Christ’s love for all of Santa Cruz. We welcome in particular the students of UC Santa Cruz, settling into the academic year, as well as families who might be searching for a spiritual home. We’ll have informational tables and booths, lots of camaraderie and support. Lunch will be enchiladas, rice and beans provided by Tortilla Flats. We’re asking church members to bring either salads or desserts.

Make sure you don’t miss this special welcoming event!

Any questions, contact Tony at moderator@peaceunited.org

Come join us after church service for our first Kaffee Klatsch about “Extending our Extravagant Welcome!

During our Campaign Feasibility Study, members suggested some great topics for discussion. As a result, we have scheduled a series of Kaffee Klatsches on Sunday mornings after church. Bring your coffee and snacks into the Fellowship Hall on the following Sundays for these discussion groups.

October 6 – What are the immediate repairs needed at Peace United? - Bill Walton and Roger Bower will enlighten you. To fund these expenses a Capital Campaign is being planned. Bring all your questions to this discussion.

October 27 – Congregational Meeting in Sanctuary after services to approve the Capital Campaign.

November 3 – Reclaiming Stewardship - Lisa Hoesing

November 10 – What is a Not For Profit Organization? Susan Thistlethwaite

November 24 - Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts – Cathy Sarto.

Featured Ministry: September

Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Ministry

This ministry is dedicated to vibrant spiritual programming geared to meet the needs of our families with support from church volunteers. We continue to grow incrementally as we focus on building relationships that foster community.

Please join us in spreading the word as we build our program. We have several upcoming events geared to families and our community in general.

• Our next KNOs will be October 18th and November 15th. Contact Devon via email: office@peaceunited.org for the required registration. RSVP to cyf@peaceunited.org
• Our first “Family Sunday" of this year is September 22nd. We have a program during worship for the children during the Gospel reading and sermon.
• Families are encouraged to join us for Game Night! They are the last Friday of the month. Our next one is September 27th.
• Homecoming Sunday is September 29th with activities for youth.

Faithfully submitted by Ingrid Parker and Maryse Postlewaite

Co-chairs of CYF Ministry (contact at cyf@peaceunited.org for any questions.)

We're Hiring

Peace United Church of Christ invites timely applications for the part-time position of Jazz Director, to start employment effective, October 1, 2024. (Description attached) Our church enjoys a rich and varied tradition of excellent music in worship, with decades of continuity in leadership. 

We seek an energetic and creative jazz/contemporary leader to join our ministry alongside an outstanding choral/classical program and leaders. 

Send resume with cover letter noting “Jazz Search” to office@PeaceUnited.org.

Hello Peace family and friends. Game Night is returning Tonight! Friday, September 27th from 6:00-8:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. We’ll start the evening with burgers and tots. So bring your appetite. Then onto joyous fun playing games together. This night is for all ages. Bring a game if you have one at home that’s a favorite. Most of all bring your family and friends. Let the games begin!

For questions/comments, contact Tom at tapostlewaite@icloud.com

Welcoming Tables

Signups for a new round of Welcoming Tables has begun!

Join a Table group and meet people in our congregation you may not have already met. Renew and deepen friendships. Enjoy sharing food and conversation. Have meaningful discussions on topics chosen by the group, and gain a greater sense of belonging.

The groups can decide to share a potluck meal in someone’s home or in a park. Or meeting to eat in a restaurant might be the group’s preference. The Welcoming Table groups will get together every other month between October and July.

Signup sheets will be available after worship in September. For more information, contact Mary Lois Comeskey, maryloisc@gmail.com.

Beach Cleanup

Calling all ocean lovers! Our last beach cleanup of 2024 will be on Tuesday, October 29, at 10am.

Plenty of spooky and surprising stuff is happening in town for people to enjoy during Halloween week, but the fish and seabirds don't want anything scary in the sand! Let's give them a healthy treat and make the beach a better place for everyone. 

Thank you, Lanakila 

lanakilaiesu@ yahoo.com

Loving God, keep us in the Amazing Grace that is ours through Jesus Christ

• Prayers for the family of Jordan Zell, whose nephew Alexander died suddenly.
• For Maryse Postlewaite, whose brother Richard died unexpectedly, and for their mother who’s in decline.
• For the Santa Cruz High School community who lost a student to suicide.
• For Susie Land’s family, on the anniversary of her son-in-law James’ death.
• Continued prayers for Bill and Lynn Walton’s son Johnnie, for resolution of his heart issues so he can get back on the active kidney transplant list. 
• For success in finding a new Jazz Director who will bring heart and soul into our worship.
• For Springfield, Ohio, especially their Haitian immigrant community.
• For young women seeking freedom to control their bodies and their lives, in the USA and Afghanistan.
• For victims of gun violence and for those who fight against it.
• For the many who grieve losses: departed loved ones, health problems, lost dreams.
• For those who are incarcerated and their families, and for all without housing.
• For family and friends struggling with physical and mental illnesses, addictions, and disabilities.
• For the people of Gaza, Israel, Sudan, and Ukraine, and those worldwide facing natural disasters.

With gratitude

• For our Prophets of Hope, bringing hope and compassion to inmates and their families.
• For COPA’s good work helping residents of the St. George Hotel retain their homes.
• For Rev. Susan Thistlethwaite, who gave us expert training on writing opinion pieces and letters to the editor.
• For our upcoming election season, election workers, postcard writers, and most of all those who sacrificed to keep our country free. 
• For all who speak God’s true message of love, justice, and peacemaking.  

Thank You, in Jesus’ Holy Healing 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, 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.