Sunday at UPUCC
June 21st
Morning Worship – 10:30am (onsite/online)
Join us this Sunday at 10:30am both onsite and online for worship! This week we welcome covenant partner Rev. Jane Weidig as our guest preacher, reflecting on the theme of curiosity and how our questioning creates holy ground. All are welcome!
Please consider joining us to provide an extravagant Sunday Welcome to all–volunteer below to be a Greeter, Usher, Lay Leader, or Barista (Coffee Set Up and Clean Up.)
Read below to access links for Zoom, bulletins, and Sunday volunteer opportunities.
Post of the Week!
Have you engaged with us online this week? “Like,” comment on, and/or Share this Post of the Week! This engagement takes less than 60 seconds, and helps our church to be seen by others! Click on your preferred social media platform:
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Also, subscribe to our YouTube channel!
UCC Connections
In Troubling Times Consult the Ancestors!: UCC Webinar to Commemorate Juneteenth
Join the United Church of Christ webinar, “In Troubling Times Consult the Ancestors!” on June 18 at 3:30 p.m. ET to commemorate Juneteenth. Racial Justice Ministries of the United Church of Christ invite you to engage in prophetic remembering to confront the challenges of our time. Nurturing a movement toward justice for all is a sacred call for liberators and freedom fighters to seek wisdom from Old and New Testament Prophets who stood up against the empires of their day and to gain inspiration from modern prophets who lead the resistance to oppressive tyrannies, ideologies and theologies. Racial Justice Ministries and wisdom teachers of the United Church of Christ National Ministries invite you to listen and learn how to thrive during national and global threats from authoritarian leaders.
United Church of Christ | Southern Conference of UCC | UCC News
Farmers of Color CSA – Sign Up Now!
We’re in a flash drought and our farmers need us more than ever right now. If your plans include being in Raleigh during July and August, join us!
The Summer session will begin on June 27, 2026, and conclude on August 22, 2026, skipping the weekend of July 4. The Cost for a 1/2 share is $150.00, which should provide vegetables for two people for a week. Please signup on the church website under “Giving” by June 22nd!
Out! Raleigh Pride | June 27th
UPUCC will be participating in Out! Raleigh again this year. The event will be held on Saturday, June 27th from 12pm-7pm. This is perhaps the most important event we participate in to show our allyship with LGBTQIA+ folks, and to spread the word about our Open and Affirming congregation. Help us “walk the walk” by signing up to volunteer below!
Triangle Pride Band Concert | March 27th at 7pm
Tickets are now available for the 10th anniversary Triangle Pride Band concert on Saturday, June 27 (yes, the same day as Out Raleigh) at 7:00 PM. This is a joint concert with the Symphonic Band, Chorus, Jazz Band, and Marching Band at the Fletcher Opera stage in the Martin Marietta Center. Pick your seats from the three tiers available. Tickets are available online or in person at the box office. This should be a great concert with some fabulous performances to celebrate the LGBTQ+ music community.
Save the Date – Cookout August 30th!
Your Fellowship Lead Team is cooking up some end of summer fun – literally!! On Sunday, August 30th following service, your Fellowship Lead Team is hosting an end of summer cookout. We will provide burgers and dogs – and vegetarian options of each – which will be cooked on UPUCC’s very own grill. Any volunteer griller masters are more than welcome!! Be on the lookout for the signup genius for sides and desserts. If you have any safe yard games you would like to bring, we would welcome that! There might even be prizes! So, be sure to save the date, August 30th for fun and fellowship!
Ongoing Announcements
Help Host Healing Transitions on First Sundays
Mutual Care Network at UPUCC
The UPUCC Mutual Care Network was designed to build a culture of helping one another, to foster genuine connections, and to ensure that no one feels alone. There are 2 parts:
(1) Identifying volunteers who are willing to help out when covenant partners have needs. We want to emphasize that signing up and letting us know how you can help DOES NOT mean that you must respond to every request, but rather helps us know who might have the needed skills and/or desire to assist with a particular request
(2) Providing a way for covenant partners to easily request care help when they need it. We’ve identified individuals who are willing to provide care in areas such as running errands, tech help, pet care and so on. Please let us know what you are needing and we will do our best to pair you up with someone ASAP.
The Mutual Care Task Force
care@upucc.org
CLC Updates
Next Meeting: July 12th at 12pm in the Library
From investing in technology to gathering congregational wisdom through Home Groups, the Covenant Leadership Circle spent June focused on strengthening connections and preparing for the future. Just as importantly, many of these efforts will depend on the gifts, ideas, and participation of our wider church community.
The group approved the May financial report, noting that June rental income is projected to exceed budget expectations.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on how technology can better support ministry and community connection. Discussion included improvements to online worship, audiovisual equipment, website communications, online security, and ways to better connect online and in-person participants. To help move this work forward, a Technology Taskforce consisting of Gary, Tyler, and Paula was formed. The group also approved up to $2,500 for the purchase and installation of a new camera to improve worship streaming. As this work continues, members are encouraged to share ideas and expertise that could help shape our technology strategy.
One of the most exciting initiatives on the horizon is the launch of August Home Groups. Small groups of covenant partners and regular visitors will gather to reflect on three questions: What keeps you up at night? What gives you hope? And what would make you most proud of our church? The insights gathered will help guide ministry planning for 2027. Watch for opportunities to participate and help ensure your voice is part of the conversation.
The Children & Youth discussion focused on creating more meaningful ways for young people—especially middle school students—to participate in worship. Ideas included youth leadership opportunities, dedicated spaces within the sanctuary, and inviting young people to help design environments that support their engagement. This work will continue over the summer, and input from families and youth will be an important part of the process.
The Covenant Leadership Circle also reflected on the success of the recent Guns to Gardens event, which drew strong participation from local faith communities. Lessons learned from this year’s event may help shape future regional efforts.
Preparations are underway for Out! Raleigh, with volunteer opportunities nearly filled, updated promotional materials in development, and additional funding approved to support the event. PACE also shared encouraging updates, including national recognition of the Raleigh Bridge Brigade, completion of a postcard advocacy campaign, and preparations for upcoming voter engagement efforts.
Finally, the group approved a new staff leave policy that provides additional flexibility for carrying over or borrowing up to one week of paid time off.
There are many ways to get involved in the months ahead. Whether through Vacation Bible School, Out! Raleigh, the Triangle Pride Symphonic Summer Concert, August Home Groups, children and youth initiatives, or ongoing justice and advocacy work, this is a season of participation and shared ministry. We hope you’ll find a place to lend your voice, your gifts, and your presence.
Hiring Teaching Intern
We are currently hiring a part time position:
The Teaching Intern role is a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in curriculum development, classroom management, and faith-based teaching within a supportive and progressive community environment. This includes teaching Sunday School classes and preparing lessons and materials. Read the Teaching Intern job posting for more information on the role and how to apply. We are thrilled to have Cody on staff as one teaching intern, and are looking to add to our team!
