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.

Family Game Night!

Tonight!! Come join Peace United families and friends for an evening of games and Pizza My Heart pizzas. April 26th from 6:00 to 8:30. Bring your friends. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall. Be there or be square!

Membership and Things Like That

Whether you’re “ready to decide” or “just looking,” come learn more about Peace United Church of Christ at two after-worship gatherings especially for people who may be interested in church membership.

Sunday 28 April - Noon to 1pm in the sanctuary:

Getting acquainted, with a discussion of the vision, mission and ministry of our church led by Pastor Dave. (Also, we’ll send you home with important printed information.)

Sunday 5 May - Noon to 1pm in the sanctuary:

Getting connected with church leaders highlighting opportunities to participate, lead and make a difference, moving from “friend” to “member.”

Please understand that attending these events will not obligate you to anything more. This is just our way of saying we’d like to get to know you, to provide an opportunity for you to learn more about the church, and to facilitate access to membership… if that’s how the Spirit is moving!

New Members will be formally received and welcomed into the church during the 10:30am worship service on Sunday, May 12

Questions? Contact: PastorDave@PeaceUnited.org, tel. 831-426-2010

Stewardship Status Report

April 26, 2024

Here is a reminder and a status report from the Peace UCC Stewardship Committee regarding the progress we have collectively made in pledging support for the mission and life of this spiritual community for the coming year 2024-2025. 

About halfway through the pledge season and as of Thursday April 25, we have received pledges from 37 households totaling about $115,000. This is good progress to our goals of 100 household giving units and $300,000 to support the Budget now being developed by the Finance Team and Council. 

We encourage all who have not completed the pledge form to do so and to submit it to the Church Office at your earliest convenience. We can think of our church community is as a garden in which the beauty and utility of the space is a product of our members’ strengths and contributions. That “Garden” is realized by the commitment and covenant we share with one another, and within the broader community. This spiritual body, and the physical space we provide for: worship, fellowship and use by a local community outside our membership bounds all benefit from your gracious support and generous supply of talent, energy, and treasure. 

We are an open and affirming community, a gathering place for faith and renewal, a community attending to people in need, a progressive Christian environment that embraces our interfaith colleagues and Santa Cruz neighbors, a community that anticipates continuing growth through provision of service and mission. It is in giving, that we receive.

Pledge season is an opportunity to open our spirits of generosity to ensure our church continues to be a vibrant community and grows. This is a moment of opportunity.

We need a completed form from each household whether your pledge is the same or changing. Please submit your pledge by May 7th to be acknowledged by Stewardship Sunday on May 12th.

Faithfully yours,

Lisa Hoesing, Lisa Johnson, Pastor Dave Pattee, Maryse Postlewaite, Bill Walton, Bob Lange.

Spring Bible Study

Good Text: Reclaiming Scripture from the Grip of Homophobia

…And it’s not just homophobia! The liberating call of scripture is distorted by any number of “authoritarianisms” that claim a place in our culture, politics, and churches. This four-session Wednesday evening Bible study invites a close reading and honest listening to scripture as Good Text and liberating Word, 6:45 to 8:00pm, May 1, 8, 15 & 22, led by Pastor Dave in the Fireside Lounge. Get more from this experience by reading The Seven Deadly Sins of White Christian Nationalism, by Carter Heyward (Rowan & Littlefield, 2023).

Roger is Retiring

After decades of serving as our custodian and, in semi-retirement, as assistant custodian, Roger Erickson is now, well and truly, retiring!  He’ll be done at the end of June.

We need to start planning for a celebration of Roger on June 30th, which is also the date of our annual meeting (preparations are underway) and we need to start learning how not to ask Roger to do custodial work!  That first part will be easy and fun, there’s a lot to be grateful for with Roger, but the second part, learning how not to ask him to do things, that’s going to be hard.  

We do have a successor in place.  Tyler Brousil has already started training with Roger and will be taking on more of the evening and weekend responsibility in the weeks ahead.  But Roger is still, very much, a beloved member of our congregation, and he’s not going away.  

Roger is a willing and able guy who cares deeply about this church and enjoys being helpful.  We’ve gotten used to asking him for help informally, and he has been in the habit of almost always saying yes.  But for Roger to really enjoy being a member of this church who is not working as an employee, we will need to practice not asking him for things.  So, think ahead about your needs for custodial support, and organize for what you need through Aaron and Devon in the church office.

Let’s support Roger in a new way of being with us, allowing him to volunteer for what he wants to do, when he wants to, and never putting him in a position where he really ought to say “no".

Zentangle Club

April 7, 2024 Meeting

April Showers bring May Flowers       

This month Zentangle club meets on Tuesday night, April 7th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. We will explore various botanical tangle ideas, from this book and others, making a beautiful tile.

Come and join us for some Zentangle inspired fun, and intentional relaxation. As usual the basic supplies will be provided.

The Zentangle Club meets on the first Tuesday of the month at:

Peace UCC, 900 High St., in the fireside lounge.

Park in the upper parking lot.

The Santa Cruz Pride Festival is Sunday, June 2. We will be part of an interfaith worship service downtown in Plaza Lane at 9:30am, after which members and friends of Peace UCC are invited to march behind our banner in the Pride Parade. We’ll also have a table in the festival displays area, offering information about our Open and Affirming church and extending the

invitation to enjoy our community.

There are several different ways for you to participate, and we’re looking for help, but mostly we want to know that you’ll be there. Please message Lisa Hoesing, moderator@PeaceUnited.org, to say that you’re coming and let her know how you can lend a hand in this important witness for our church.

Attending the worship service?

Marching in the parade?

Taking a one-hour shift at our display table?

For those not attending the Pride service downtown, there will be a worship service in our sanctuary at 10:30am with Matt Broadbent leading.

Queer Youth Leadership Awards (QYLA)

The 27th annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards will be held Saturday,

May 11, 5:30 – 8:30 PM at the Scotts Valley High School. This is an amazing and uplifting event honoring queer young people who have taken leadership roles in their schools and communities (and some of their allies). See the flyer below or read the event page at the QYLA website.

Tickets are available here at Eventbrite.

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

• Prayers for the family and friends grieving the death of church member Dorothy Creely
• Continued prayers for Susie Land, who didn’t have a stroke but awaits a diagnosis, Art Alm’s neighbor Kristin and her family, Mary Coneway’s heart valve replacement, Lisa Johnson’s grandson Dustin for cancer treatment.
• Prayers for all who grieve the loss of loved ones and homes, are at the effect of violence and war, all who are oppressed and bullied, unhoused and incarcerated, experiencing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual illness, addicted and at the effect of fear.
• Prayers for peace and an end to all war, especially for mercy in Gaza and Palestine.

With gratitude

• For the healing we receive in our bodies, minds, and spirits.
• For our church’s lay leaders, especially our Moderator Lisa Hoesing and Past Moderator Maryse Postlewaite, working diligently to lead our church council and Stewardship campaign.
• For all who are willing and able to make monetary pledges to our church. 
• For all those who serve the Good in their paid and unpaid work, stepping up in churches and all forms of service to others.

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.

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