Coral Gables Congregational Church is a community that encourages and promotes volunteerism, activism, and dialog for people responding to the Old Testament prophet Micah’s call to “Do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.” Whether the cause is global warming or Fair Trade, homelessness or peace, Just Wage or hunger, the members of CGCC have a long tradition of Peace and Justice work in the community and throughout the world.

We are pleased to announce that the First Annual Yard Sale for Haiti was a success thanks to the many people who assisted and gave for this needed fundraiser. With the money raised, CGCC will continue to award grants to organizations that are working to rebuild Haiti. Along with the Board of Justice and Witness, the Haiti Mission Task Force has a 3-year plan and vision to make the yard sale more profitable each year. We will start collecting items in the early fall for next year’s yard sale. If you are moving or downsizing, please consider donating worthy household items for next year’s yard sale. For more information, contact Alice Keller or Pastor Guillermo.

Shop our Fair Trade Eco-Friendly Marketplace in its beautiful new location at the Columbus Boulevard entrance to the Arts & Education Wing, directly across from our Early Childhood Center!

Fair Trade MarketPlace Summer Hours
Sunday:10-2PM; Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed; Wednesday Closed
Thursday 5 – 9:30, Concert Nights Only*
Friday 11-5PM
Saturday 11 -5PM

*Concert Nights: June 17, July 1, July 15, July 29, August 12

Phone Number: 305.448.7421, ext. 165
Or e-mail us at fairtrade@ucc-cgcc.org

In April 2010, over 40 CGCC members and friends participated in Miami’s second annual Gay PRIDE event, featuring a Wizard of Oz float with the message “There’s No Place Like CGCC ~ Come Home!” Members and friends of CGCC marched together proudly proclaiming our inclusive welcome and our bold witness for justice for all of God’s children. CGCC is celebrating over ten years of being an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, welcoming all people regardless of sexual orientation and valuing every single person for the gift that they are to our community.

Justice and Peace Committee: This committee, composed of members of the church, seeks to be advocates for peace and justice in this community and throughout the world. Led by the work of the United Church of Christ, this committee proposes policy positions and actions of conscience, educates the congregation about community needs and issues related to advocacy objectives, and provides the congregation and committee members opportunities for related community service. Over the years the Justice and Peace committee has worked hard on many issues including: Accessibility for Disabled People, Civil Liberties Protections, Bread for the World, Accion USA, FTAA, Living Wage Campaign, Farm Worker Ministry, Voter Registration Drive, Independent library Movements, PACT, and the Temple Israel-Justice Peace Committee Joint Project.

Neighborhood Housing Services: In 2007, Coral Gables Congregational Church presented a loan of one million dollars to the Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Miami/Dade so that they could secure land and build affordable housing for first-time homeowners in Miami.

Recently the loan oversight committee (pictured below) met with Arden Shank, the Executive Director of NHS to learn more about how our money has been used and the progress of the land and homes. We are pleased to announce that the property has been purchased and prepared for the arrival of 27 new homes. The committee also saw some other newly built or renovated homes which NHS is making ready for first time homeowners. Two of the renovated homes were painted and landscaped by our own members.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami: Our on-going commitment to Habitat for Humanity which helps provide homes for low-income families in Miami, includes not only financial support but the work of our hands. We participate in their yearly Hearts and Hands Blitz Build.

Bread for the World: The members of CGCC support Bread for the World, an advocacy organization that continuously urges our nation’s leaders to support time-tested, cost-effective measures to reduce hunger by increasing poverty-focused development assistance for poor countries and by expanding and improving nutrition programs here in the United States. What makes the difference between millions of hungry people and a world where all are fed? Only a change in priorities and the will to end hunger. Want to learn more? Join the Bread for the World Group at CGCC now. Contact Louise Driscoll for more information at 305-302-8548 or louise@miami.edu.

Global Warming We continue to learn more about the realities of global warming and all of the influences that we have on this issue. CGCC has been hosting a group that goes by the name of “Global Warning”, which meets periodically to share information about what the scientists say, what the government does not say, and our choices for the future. Included in our meetings have been the video documentaries: “Who Killed The Electric Car”, “Too Hot Not To Handle”, and “Eating”. We have also had presentations about Alternative Fuels as well as How To Reduce Our Ecological Footprint. Join us as we learn more about how this topic affects all of our lives. You can contact Noel Cleland at 305-788-1279 or you can join the on-line group set up to address these concerns. Go to Google Groups (http://groups.google.com/) and type in “Global Warning” to view the latest information and add your name to the group if you so desire.

One Great Hour of Sharing: is the relief, refugee and development fund of the United Church of Christ. Through our gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing, United Church of Christ members reach out in the name of Christ to:

Build sustainable communities. OGHS supports self-help programs in more than 80 nations to build sustainable communities that enable people and communities to stand against and rise above hunger, disease, illiteracy, and other forces of injustice that deny and destroy dignity.

Respond to disaster. OGHS provides emergency and long-term assistance to people in the aftermath of hurricanes, tornados, storms, floods, tidal waves, fires, explosions, technological disasters, civil strife, war, or other natural or human-caused events. On average, OGHS responds to a disaster once every 2.5 days.

Minister to refugees. OGHS responds with advocacy and help, hope and hospitality for people who have been uprooted from their home of origin. More than 30 million of the world’s people are uprooted at any given time.

Neighbors in Need: How do we, as a giving and generous congregation, help lift their spirits and wrap them in warm compassion? Neighbors in Need, a Special Mission Offering of the United Church of Christ, provides one way. This offering expresses a common commitment to justice, peace, education, and compassion. On World Communion Sunday, you can help to promote economic development lifting the burden of poverty, foster human rights, promote racial and economic justice for those who are oppressed, and deliver hope for those lacking education. The needs are great, but so are the possibilities for change and for hope. One-third of the offering supports the work of the Council for American Indian Ministry.

Project Peru: Project Peru is a new mission of the church to provide wholeness and hope to the people living in the sacred Inca Valley at Coya, Peru. In partnership with the Kasuay Wasi clinic, the church is organizing and financing a medical team from Miami along with a small group of church members. It is a new endeavor, but one full of all kinds of wonderful possibilities.

To find out more about the ways to get involved in making a difference, Call the church office at 305.448.7421.