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.

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.

September 22 – Practicing our Extravagant Welcome: bringing new people to church with you - Lisa Hoesing and Lynette Duclos Adelson

October 6 – What Immediate Repairs are needed at Peace United? - Bill Walton and Roger Bower

October 27 – Reclaiming Stewardship

November 3 – Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts – Cathy Sarto

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

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.

• Kids’ Night Out (KNO) will continue on the third Friday of the month. Our next one is September 20th. Our theme is "Home". 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.
• Families are encouraged to join us for Game Night that is the last Friday of the month. Our next one is September 27th.

A recent gathering of families with their children and church volunteers revealed important feedback for future programming. Some highlights include:

• The ambience of respect, care, and spiritual growth is appreciated.
• Multi-age interactions during our Kids’ Night Out are valued. The older ones have engaged in leadership roles. The children are forming bonds of friendship.
• In order to enrich Kids’ Night Out, provide a lectionary based message/activities during KNO and the following family Sunday.
• Monthly themes may inform home-based activities for greater engagement.
• For some children, providing optional, consistent Sunday programs during worship service would be appreciated. Monthly “Family Sunday” would be a good place to start.
• Family Sunday children’s worship would be led by two church volunteers for about 20 minutes simultaneously to the sermon, incorporating a song, craft, message from KNO.

Faithfully submitted by Ingrid Parker and Maryse Postlewaite

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

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 lunch, informational tables and booths, lots of camaraderie and support.

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

Any questions, contact Tony at moderator@peaceunited.org

Organized Action Works!

Ordinance proposed by City Councilmember Scott Newsome which may protect residents from homelessness, was passed unanimously! Stay tuned for information on the City Council's second reading, at which we will need to gather again to show our support.

Background info from last week's enews: A couple of months ago, one of our members reached out to Pastor Dave about the substantial rent increases facing 71 residents at the St. George. Our congregation's membership in both COPA* and AFC* enabled us to quickly organize faith and community leaders to address this with both the building owners and public officials. This editorial submitted by local faith leaders including Pastor Dave, which will hopefully be published by one of our local newspapers shortly, provides more background. Initially, the owners refused to speak to residents and advocates. Similarly, the city council felt their hands were tied because the owners have honored their 30-year commitment to the rent restrictions as negotiated when they received government money to rebuild the St. George after the earthquake. 

Yet, in organizing, we've experienced that every action causes a reaction. The pressure that we've exerted has resulted in an approach by Scott Newsome to have the residence designated as an assisted housing development making it ineligible for the proposed rent increases. Cathy Sarto at 831-234-1397 or catherinegracesarto@gmail.com.

*COPA - Communities Organized for Power in Action - our congregation's commitment to walking our faith in the civic sphere, in this case preventing homelessness.

*AFC - Associated Faith Communities - our congregation's commitment to serving the unsheltered, providing meals and a Sunday shelter.

Senior Perennials

Welcome Back!

Senior Perennials (for those over age 55) will resume our 3^rd Sunday after church meetings, starting on September 15^th. 

We will have sandwiches and cookies to celebrate being together again as we discuss our plans for the year. Susan Thistlethwaite will lead a short presentation on how to write effective Letters to the Editor or Editorials. Please get your coffee and join us in the lounge about 11:45 and we will finish at 1PM. See you then!

Lynn & Lote



Contact:  lwalton@rawbits.com

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.



Game Night

Hello Peace family and friends. Game Night is returning 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

Coming soon! Signups for a new round of Welcoming Tables will begin Sunday, September 8.

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.

Musical Soulmates Performers Collaborative

2nd Annual: Let the Caged Bird Sing, A concert in honor of survivors.

Sunday, September 22nd, 

4-6 PM, doors open at 3:30

Walnut Avenue Family and Women's Center - A strength-based family center

303 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060 

Musical Soulmates delivers another awe-inspiring array of songs that hold space for our integrity and power, renew the spirit, acknowledge the devastation of racism and colonialism and its impact on families, and encourage and empower listeners.

True to the Musical Soulmates Performers Collaborative mission statement, this program centers Black songwriters and performers, radiates vibrancy, and will deliver healing and joy.

Tickets now on sale starting (Eventbrite)

Featuring: 

Gina René, Ariel Thiermann, Anthony Jones, VOCALS, plus special guests. Zack Kirk Olsen, Drums, Etienne Franc, Bass, and Kate Saphir Alm, Piano and Musical Director

Interfaith Dayenu Circle

Environmental Stewardship

Each month, our Interfaith Dayenu Circle will be encouraging you to take a few quick actions that will benefit our planet and future generations. Please note that these actions are being done across many faith organizations in Santa Cruz County, and you are part of a large interfaith effort! 

Save the Date

Climate-Fest: You Can Make A Difference!

September 22, 2024.

We’re planning a fun day of interactive experiences and food to engage our congregations in climate action. Please consider taking a small volunteer role to support this fantastic interfaith event at Resurrection Church. Reach out to Cindy Rubin at cindy_rubin@comcast.net or Michele Kibrick at mkibrick42@gmail.com to learn more. 

Tell the Export-Import Bank: No Fossil Fuel Projects! It's time to phase out the fossil fuels driving the climate crisis, which means ending all funding for coal, oil, and gas worldwide. SIGN HERE.

Read:  Walking the Ridge Line Between Form and Formless: On Spirituality and Activism by local activist and spiritual teacher Ami Chen Mills, who explores the complex issue of expressing our faith values by working for social and environmental justice. 

Enjoy: Interfaith Service on Queer Ecology. Learn about how Nature Loves Diversity!

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

• Prayers for victims of gun violence and for those who fight against it.
• For COPA members to succeed in helping residents of the St. George Hotel retain their homes.
• 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 all travelers near and far, especially those on bikes, may all return home safely.
• For the people of Gaza, Israel, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela.
• 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.

With gratitude

• For all those writing opinion pieces and letters to the editor, and sending postcards to voters.
• For our upcoming election season and those who sacrificed to keep our country free. 
• For all who speak truth to power and call out lies.

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.