Our Mission: "We are an inclusive Open and Affirming faith community reaching out with love, compassion, and justice."

Trouble viewing the newsletter? View as Webpage Thursday, October 14, 2021

We'll hear from Sondra Hodson this Sunday The Spirit of Art (for Heaven's Sake!) Art, for Heaven's Sake! We have done this show for 42 years, but what does the name really mean? How is art a divine gift? What is the spirit behind Art, for Heaven's Sake?

Sunday's Scripture.  Exodus 31 1-6....

Art Show Sunday, October 17, 2021 Prelude:.Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (1509) by Michael Praetorius/ Theodore Baker   arr. Earlene Rentz/S. Andon/B.Pezzone, .....................Sara Andon, Flute; Marilyn Schram, Oboe; Bryan Pezzone, Piano Welcome and Call to Worship:........................................................Carol Robb Opening Hymn  #4 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You (vs 1,2 and 3) ...................................................................................................Led by Jim Tong Opening Prayer:...............................................................................Carol Robb Community Joys and Concerns ....................................Rev. Erin Beardemphl Special Music: Holy God, We Praise Your Name (1774) by Ignace Franz, arr. M. Schram/B. Pezzone ............. Marilyn Schram, Oboe; Bryan Pezzone, Piano Scripture:  Exodus 31 1-6................................................................ Carol Robb Scripture Hymn: Meditation Berceuse (2021) for Solo Piano ................................................................................................by Bryan Pezzone Message: The Spirit of Art (for Heaven's Sake!)........................Sondra Hodson Offertory: Everybody Wants to be a Cat arr. by Jon Sarta.............. Sophia Ohanian Doxology: ................................................................................ Prayer of Dedication:.......................................................................Carol Robb Closing Hymn: #561 When in Our Music God Is Glorified (Vs 1, 2 and 3)  .................................................................................................. Led by Jim Tong Benediction: ....................................................................Rev. Erin Beardemphl Time of Reflection:  Hava Nagila (Hebrew - Havah Nagilah, "Let us rejoice") ................. -- Traditional Jewish Melody arr. B. Pezzone/S. Andon/M. Schram    ....................Sara Andon, Flute, Marilyn Schram, Oboe, Bryan Pezzone, Piano

Joys Congratulations to Rick and Kayla Peetz on the birth of McKenna Peetz. Congratulations to Thomas and Tiffany Dersam-Hewes on the birth of Oliver Thomas Ellsworth Dersam-Hewes. Concerns: Prayers for the family and friends of Chris Nicoloff who passed from life to Life Wednesday. Marilyn Richter-Bradley passed from life to Life on Tuesday, October 12th. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Brad Richter-Bradley, 38296 Wild Lilac Pt., Oak Glen, CA 92399. Prayers for Kathy Blanchard who has been hospitalized. Natalie, co-worker of Judith Turian, requests prayers for the restoration of hearing. Sue Hammond requests prayers for her sister-in-law, Linda, who is receiving treatment for multiple myeloma. Prayers for Dan Wacks who is recovering from hernia surgery. Prayers for Marilyn Bradley, who is who is now on Hospice. Cindy McGuigan requests prayers for her mother, Mary Ann, who had a fall. Gretchen requests prayers for Jerry, father of their children, who is facing health challenges. Prayers for Penni Pierce, friend of Inez Diggs, who has been approved for a lung transplant Prayers for the family of Ronan Godfrey who passed from life to Life. A Celebration of Life service will be held on October 30th in the RUCC garden. Prayers for Mary and Larry Mortenson whose nephew passed from life to Life. Carla Becceril requests prayers for her cousin, Jenna, and family. Jenna's husband passed from life to Life from COVID. Continued prayers for Chris Nicoloff who is now home recovering.  Prayers for the family and friends of Peter, son of Diane Boyko and Fran Grace. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to: Diane Boyko and Fran Grace, PO Box 1435, Redlands, CA 92373. Prayers for the family and friends of Sheila, sister of Ken Hurley, who passed from life to Life. Prayers for Sarah Sanchez and Samantha French. Sarah’s grandmother and grandfather passed from life to Life from COVID. Samantha’s grandmother passed from life to Life from dementia related complications. Carla Becerril requests prayers for her family. Carla’s Uncle passed from life to Life from a heart attack. Cindy McGuigan requests prayers for her mother who is facing health challenges. Margaret Paul requests prayers for her sons, Ryan and Evan, who are facing personal challenges. Prayers for Anden, nephew of Michelle McNevin, who is facing health challenges. Rosemary Tuohy requests prayers for Michael who is hospitalized with mental health challenges Prayers for Burt, family member of Johanna Ballard, who is facing severe health challenges. Prayers for Bob Sheets, husband of Nancy Sheets, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn retina. Prayers for Sara Montez who begins more chemotherapy Prayers for Peter Tupou, Joette Orman, and baby Sage as Joette travels to Ireland for work. Joette will be in Ireland in August and September. Prayers for Rick Peetz, Sr, father of Rick Peetz, who is battling COVID. Prayers for Michael Flores who is facing health challenges and is looking for affordable housing. Johanna Ballard requests prayers for her brother Dave, diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer Rosemary Tuohy requests prayers for an endangered father and his family trying to get out of Kabul. Carla Becerril requests prayers for family members, Stephanie and Brent, whose house burned down. Prayers for Connie Roener who is recovering from surgery for the removal of breast cancrer Prayers for Manny, friend of Carla Becerril, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Mary Lou Haney requests prayers for Carol, a family friend, who is hospitalized with an illness. Prayers for Cindy McGuigan who is awaiting biopsy results.  Prayers for Kathy, a daughter of a friend of Mary Melcher, who will have brain surgery this week for the removal of brain cancer. Prayers for Susi Jacobsen for health concerns she is facing. Eliza Ames requests prayers for her brother Coyne who is hospitalized and is very ill. Prayers for Ted, Grandfather of Janet Wilson's neices and nephew, whose cancer has spread to both lungs. Prayers for Jeff Bonadiman, friend of Carole Beswick, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Susan Kirkhart requests prayers for her sister, Cyndi Kuran, who is recovering from hip replacement surgery. Norma Erickson is facing multiple health challenges. Beth Welsh requests prayers for her brother, Michael, who is recovering from surgery following a work accident. Rosemary requests prayers for her friend Jill K, who is recovering from COVID. Melinda Sewer Muganzo, Music Director at Mentone UCC, requests prayers for her brother, Miguel Sewer who just went through a second liver transplant. Mary Mortensen requests prayers for Joe Adcock, father of Mary’s children, who has been diagnosed with advanced bladder cancer. Payers for Caroline, mother of Karin Blad, who has been diagnosed with colon cancer. Prayers for Keith, cousin of Maegan Hill, who is blinded by a blood clot. Prayers for Claudine, grandmother of Paul and Dante Welsh. Ongoing Concerns:

Carla Becerril Les Budai Diane Campbell Diane, Sister-in-Law of Heather King Carol Chaney Precia Gwenhwyfer Courtney-Hveen Cousin of Rick Cruz Norma Erickson Betty Gayle Jerry Greenfield Emma Grimauld Katia Hage Beki Hill

Jody Hoelle Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother Mark Alan Johnson, friend of Nancy Hotaling Kim Johnson, friend of Gretchen Andrews Jenny, Sister of Jules Rattray Emily Jones Hank Kirchner Amber McGuigan Bill McIntyre Larry Minor Mary Mortensen Maria Montana

Carmen & Jim Neafsey Kristin Farmer Preslica Steve, Brother of Julie Phillip Nancy Rojas Adolph Romero Joan Roth Spencer, friend of Stacey Greene Doris Stockton, Kathi Roth's Grandmother Heather Tee Arika Torres Vasquez Family Helga Vroom

Reflection of the Week from the Racial Justice Team "Briefly: Columbus came for gold and spices. Ooops, no spices, and very, very, little gold. How about some slaves? Slaves, anyone? Slaves all around! On his second voyage, Columbus seized native people, ordered 500 sent back to Spain (200 died en route), and gave 600 to Spanish people for slaves. That’s more than a thousand people that he, personally, ordered enslaved. We are celebrating a guy who personally enslaved a thousand people. Remember that when your post office is closed."    - by Elizabeth Broadbent, “Why Is Columbus Day Still A Thing?” Source: https://www.scarymommy.com/columbus-day-is-not-a-holiday/

From the Environmental Justice Team This is the moment for which we have been waiting. Last year, the UCC’s Council for Climate Justice issued a call to action for churches that spoke of this moment as a kairos moment, a God-charged moment of possibility that paradoxically occurs during times of crisis. In calling for an all-out mobilization to address the twin crises of climate and inequality, the Council framed this period as presenting a window of opportunity. Not since this call to action has the window been open as wide as it is now with Congress considering the Reconciliation Build Back Better Bill. In terms of legislation that is within reach of having sufficient votes to pass, this is the best legislation that our country has ever seen on climate. CLICK HERE for the rest of this important article.

Informational Meeting, Sunday, October 24 at 11:30 a.m. Are you interested in becoming a new member? Or are you interested in simply learning more about RUCC? If so, you are invited to attend a meeting with Pastor Jill on the patio following worship on October 24th.

Neighbors in Need helps make Unfailing Love possible. For this to occur, it needs your support Sunday, October 24 The Neighbors in Need offering, which we will receive Sunday, October 24, supports the UCC’s ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. One-third of the offering supports the UCC’s Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM). Historically, forebears of the UCC established churches and worked with Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arickara, and Hocak in North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and northern Nebraska. Twenty churches and their pastors are supported by CAIM.

Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 30 Don’t miss this fun event for all ages on Saturday, October 30 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. We’ll have music, games, and “Trunk” or Treating. Put on your best costume and join the fun! We also need volunteers to decorate their car trunks and provide treats. Follow this link for more information and to register for the event.

SCRIP MAKES FUNDRAISING EASY Scrip/Gift Card Program is still ongoing! – When you purchase gift cards to pay for your day-to-day expenses or provide as gifts, RUCC receives a rebate that helps fund our missions. It’s an easy way to raise some money for RUCC. Bonus Fest! – Every weekend in October will bring bonuses on different brands. Raise more money for RUCC on things you buy—without any extra effort. New offers are revealed every Friday. Bonuses apply to all types of cards (physical, eGift cards, and money added to reloadable gift cards). Go to shopwithscrip.org or use the RaiseRight app to order gift cards or come to the Scrip/Gift Card table on Sundays after worship.                Order Deadlines – For the remainder of 2021, here is the ordering schedule for physical gift cards. We will increase the order frequency as we get closer to the holidays. Be sure to get your orders in early enough for all of your holiday shopping or giving (groceries and gifts).                 November 15 – available for pickup on November 21                November 29 – available for pickup on December 5                December 13 – available for pickup on December 19   Scrip/Gift Card Table on Sundays  – Because of the art show, we will not have a table set up this Sunday. Contact Jennifer to sign up for an account so you can place orders online or through an app.     eCards – Remember that you can buy eGift cards, available to you immediately, to use for online or in-person shopping or to send as a gift. Every time you buy, RUCC gets a small rebate.

Book Club Selections for November and December The next meeting of the RUCC Book Group will be on November 7, 2021 after church at noon, in the Founders Room. We will discuss Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by Anonymous, and the presenter will be Carrie Schlinder.   “Becoming Duchess Goldblatt is two stories: that of the reclusive real-life writer who created a fictional character out of loneliness and thin air, and that of the magical Duchess Goldblatt herself, a bright light in the darkness of social media. Fans around the world are drawn to Her Grace’s voice, her wit, her life-affirming love for all humanity, and the fun and friendship of the community that’s sprung up around her.” (Amazon review)     Upcoming Book Group meetings    Nov. 7, 2021 Selection: Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by Anonymous -- Presenter: Carrie Schlinder Dec. 5, 2021 Selection: While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams                        Presenter: Diana Sommer Jan.2, 2022  Yearly Book Group Get- Together to discuss favorite books, and to make selections for the upcoming year.  Facilitator: Kathie Blakley

The Personnel Search Expands The RUCC Personnel Committee is actively searching to fill two positions at RUCC. The first is the long-vacant nursery care position that has been on hiatus during the pandemic. For a complete job description and application instructions, click here. The second position to be filled is that of Office and Property Manager. Our current Office Manager has announced her retirement. Click here for the job description and application instructions. For more information, or to submit a resume please contact  [email protected] Please share this information freely with qualified people who may be interested.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER October 15 - 17- Art for Heaven's Sake! October 17 - Art Show Sunday October 22 - Closed Women’s Big Book and Step Study, Founder’s Room. 6 to 7 p.m. October 24 - Neighbors in Need Special Offering October 30 - Trunk or Treat - see article above. November 6 - Sacred Saturday -- details to be announced. November 7 - Covenant Sunday November 7 - Book Group at noon in Founders' Room. Becoming Duchess Goldblatt. Discussion led by Carrie Schlinder

This Week at RUCC Calendar for October 3 to October 10, 2021

Sunday, September October 17 9:30 a.m. Virtual Sunday School - on zoom 10:30 a.m. Worship Service - Art for Heaven's Sake - 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 19 7:00 p.m. - Board Wednesday, October 20 "The Pastor is In" Weekly zoom gathering Thursday, October 21 5:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 6:15 p.m. Bell Choir rehearsal Friday,October 22 6 to 7 p.m. Closed women's AA meeting in the Founders' Room Saturday, October 23 Sunday, October 24 9:15 a.m. Seekers 9:30a.m. Virtual -Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School 11:30 am Youth Group 11:30am Fellowship on the Patio

RUCC Staff   Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Jill Kirchner-Rose Honorary Minister of Arts and Worship:  Rev. Erin Beardemphl Music Director: Jim Tong Accompanist: Sophia Ohanian Children's Education Director: Susi Jacobsen Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries: Vacant Office Manager: Nancy Sheets Child Care: Vacant Caretaker: Vacant   Website:  www.uccredlands.org Phone: (909) 793-3520   Staff and Other Emails [email protected]          [email protected]         [email protected]      [email protected]          [email protected]   [email protected] [email protected]