November 27, 2008
Over the past few months, CCU-Lowell has conducted several surveys using SurveyMonkey.com to get feedback on a variety of things . I wanted to share with you all some of the results.
Our marketing team asked for your feedback on potential phrases to put on a banner outside the front of CCU. The results overwhelmingly showed that folks loved the phrase, “God accepts all people. So do we!”.
All the votes were tabulated and the phrases ranked in the following order…
1. God accepts all people. So do we!
2. We welcome all people.
3. Love one another.
4. Light up Lowell.
5. Welcome all.
6. We’ve got your back. A church that fights for justice.
7. Wanna make Jesus smile? Come see how we do it.
With these results, we learned that many folks were turned off by the “Make Jesus Smile” phrase. So, the alternate website for CCU was changed from MakeJesusSmile.net to WeWelcomeAll.org. You’ll notice that “We welcome all” is a form of our #2 ranked phrase in the survey. The existing CCU website will remain cculowell.org…but WeWelcomeAll.org will be used in some of our marketing materials since it is catchy, easier to remember, and reflects our welcoming message of inclusion.
As well, the CCU marketing team will move forward with spreading the phrase, “God accepts all people. So do we!”. You’ll notice that phrase is now prominently displayed on the CCU website. We will also move forward with creating a banner for the front of CCU with that phrase.
As you can see, we take your feedback seriously…and we make changes based on your feedback. Thanks again for your help!
In Peace,
Chris
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November 27, 2008
Christ Church United in Lowell’s Pastor, Rev. Peter Lovett, hosted the Merrimack Valley Project’s annual meeting this year. Click here to read the article about MVP’s efforts to advocate on behalf of children of illegal immigrants. The article states that…
“The Merrimack Valley Project is working hard to ensure that children of illegal immigrants can have access to state universities of Massachusetts and pay the in-state tuition, which is the rates paid by legal residents of the state.”
Leave a Comment » | CCU In the News | Tagged: CCU, Christ Church United in Lowell, illegal immigrants, in-state tuition, Merrimack Valley Project, MVP, Peter Lovett, undocumented immigrants | Permalink
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November 10, 2008
November 10, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
Christ Church United and Partner Churches offer free “Blue Christmas” Service
This year, more so than in recent times, people are seeking opportunities to gather together, to find light in the darkness, and to know that we are not alone.
The constant refrain about the joy of the season – on radio and television, in shopping malls – may make the challenging issues we all face seem even more overwhelming and difficult to live with.
For these reasons, Christ Church United in Lowell, located at 180 East Merrimack Street (next to Saints Medical Center), offers a free “Blue Christmas” gathering on Sunday, December 7. Sharing in this event is Iglesia Hispana and Lao United Church of Christ. Come for an afternoon of sharing and refreshment, starting at 3:00 p.m. Beginning at 5:00 p.m., an ecumenical and multicultural worship service will begin. This candlelight service will be anchored by the uplifting music of Boston’s Sordillo Quartet performing Latin, jazz, and gospel standards.
Come and light a candle as a reminder that God’s love is a light in our darkness. Everyone, regardless of religious or cultural tradition, is welcome.
For more information, contact:
Rev. Peter A. Lovett, Christ Church United in Lowell
Ms. Danezza Torres, Iglesia Hispana
Rev. Ted Rasakham, Lao UCC
tel: 978-459-9631
www.WeWelcomeAll.org
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November 8, 2008
Christ Church United in Lowell’s Reaching Out Newsletter – November 2008
Pastor’s Message
God’s Exuberant Generosity
At the Pastor’s Preaching Conference I attended in Minnesota in May ’08, a prophet shared these words: “God’s exuberant generosity is the ONLY THING that leads to inexhaustible well-being.”
Though we live in a time of anxiety and uncertainty, we know that national security and economic stimulus packages will not grant us perfect peace. Though we live in a world that tells us to be afraid, we learn even money and guns cannot completely protect us.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to live with a wholly different ethic. At CCU, the reason we’re blessed and experiencing holy breeze of angel wings; the reason for our future hope is because we sense the exuberant generosity of God in our midst. We seek to witness with our very lives to this different ethic to which Jesus calls us. Jesus looked at the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, and he reminded us to trust that God will provide. Jesus faced the chaos of a storm at sea, and his voice stilled the wind and calmed the waves. Jesus knew that death was near, and he took up a towel and washed the disciples’ feet.
As maturing disciples, we need not measure our lives by the bad news. Emboldened by the community that is CCU, we see the good news in our midst. We experience God’s grace; we are blessed to be a blessing. God’s exuberant generosity allows us to rest in deep well-being, and gives us the courage to share ourselves and our wealth for the sake of CCU’s growing vision and mission. And nothing in this world can stop us.
In November we celebrate God’s exuberant generosity, and we seek to make bigger the world of the generous. Below is a sketch of the events and speakers to help us grow our giving. On Stewardship Sunday, be prepared to exuberantly invest in the growing God’s economy, within our hearts, and beyond our wildest dreams. To God be the Glory!
DATE / THEME / PREACHER
Nov. 9 Ours is the Secret…God’s is the Surprise: Ellie Richardson
Nov. 16 Ours is the Nightmare…God’s is the Dream: Chris Coleman-Plourde
Nov. 23 Ours is the Imagination…God’s is the Glory: Peter Lovett
Read the rest of this entry »
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November 4, 2008
You are invited to a special worship service today, Tuesday, Nov. 4th, from 7-8pm in CCU’s chapel (180 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852).
It promises to be a moving spiritual evening with contemporary music and prayer reflection. The Sunday morning ChristCare group is using this service as a possible model for a regular mid-week service. So, please come experience this service and give us feedback.
In Peace,
Chris
P.S. Go to the voting polls early on the 4th so you can make it to this service!
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