A message for Coming Out Sunday from Michelle McNevin

Sunday, October 22 - Coming Out Sunday ~ "Living My Authentic Life"

October 11th was National Coming Out Day. I came out to my family when I was 21 years old; however, that was not the only time I had to come out. The coming out process is often messy and nonlinear; through that journey a person creates the opportunity to live their authentic full life. I look forward to sharing my coming out story with you. 

Sunday's Scripture:

Isaiah 43: 1 - 3a

2023 ART, FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE! IS OVER

BUT WE ARE ALREADY PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR!

The Art, for Heaven’s Sake! Planning Committee

THANKS YOU

for all your help in making this year’s show successful. 

Your willingness to help and enthusiasm were greatly appreciated.

We thank you, the church thanks you, the many artists thank you,

and the community thanks you for a job well done.

We hope to see you again next year, October 18-20, 2024!  

The Church office will be closed Monday, October 23

Normal office hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. will resume on Tuesday, October 24.

Racial Justice reflection of the week

In 1849, California’s anti-slavery state constitution meant little because it was not a crime to keep someone enslaved in this state. From 1852 to 1855, the legislature passed fugitive slave laws allowing persons escaping enslavement to be chased down, brought before a court, and sent back to the South even if they had been living in the Free State of California. In 1850, California banned African Americans from testifying against white people in court. Two years later, the California Supreme Court likewise barred Chinese Americans from testifying against whites. The result: white people could commit crimes against African and Chinese Americans with impunity and much of Jim Crow found its way into California.

Source: Donald Tamaki, member of the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans, June 18, 2023, Grace Cathedral, San Francisco. Full speech available here… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX92Kf5-_Us

Update from the Settled Pastor Search Committee

We continue to prepare for the early months of 2024, when candidates for our settled pastor position will be submitting their profiles for our consideration.  Recently, we worked to identify the key qualities we seek in a new pastor, using the Church Profile as our main guide.  Those qualities fall into three categories:

1.       “Empathetic and Insightful” – someone who can set a welcoming tone, provide effective pastoral care, and build trust through kindness, humility, and humor.

2.      “Faithful and Articulate” – A curious and life-long learner able to develop coherent messages based in progressive Christian theology and scholarly teachings, and who can deliver them effectively to engage a wide audience.

3.      “Organized and Skilled Leader “ – Someone who can manage an active and complex church; lead with clear communication, delegation, and collaboration; be responsive, organized and prepared; and model healthy respectful relationships with others and oneself.

We also seek a pastor who can help us “move with the times without excluding the past in the areas of service, music and contact with the congregation.”  We seek someone who can help bring in younger church members and reach a more racially- and class-diverse population.  We seek someone who shares our commitment to being open and affirming, accessible, caring for all creation, and dedicated to social justice.

From the RUCC Search Committee: Keith Osajima, Samantha Sanchez-French, Diana Steele-Jones, Janet Wilson, Dee Dee Seek, Sophia Beardemphl, Loring Fiske-Phillips, Minori Tsukimoto, and John Walsh.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

All Saints Day will be observed October 29

With autumn comes a season of endings and beginnings. The days shorten and shadows lengthen. 

This is a season when, from the earliest days, humans have sensed a thinning of the veil between the living and those who have passed from this life to the next. It is this thinning of the veil that has led us to the celebration of All Hallows' Eve when children play trick or treat in disguise and pumpkins are carved into lanterns and placed with glowing candles on doorsteps to guide all who pass toward light. 

All Saint’s Day is a day when we remember those who have passed from Life to Life, to honor them for the love they offered and the lessons they taught.

This All Saints' Day, the first since Jill’s passing, promises to be a meaningful time to be in contact with our feelings, recognizing both the joy of memories and the pain that comes with loss. Our musicians are preparing special music, and the worship area folk are planning ways for us to shine light on the blessings and costs of loving.

On Sunday, October 29, please bring with you the names of loved ones whose loss has touched you. If you wish to bring a symbol or memento that recalls a quality of the one who has passed, come to church by 10 a.m. and bring them to the front of the sanctuary. 

There will be slips of paper to print names on and baskets to collect them in. Pick up a sympathy card sent in love from a sibling church, that you may take with you to remind you of the power of love.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

• October 22 - Quarterly Gathering - See article above.
• October 23 - Office closed
• October 28 - "Trunk or Treat" at RUCC
• October 29 - All Saints Sunday
• November 4 - Sacred Saturday 9am-noon
• November 5 - Daylight Savings Time ends -- "Fall back" Saturday night!
• November 5 - COVENANT SUNDAY - Please have your completed Covenant ready to turn in on or before Nov. 5. See details in the article above.
• November 5 - Book Group meets after church. See article above.
• November 11 - Mentone UCC Gospel Concert
• November 12 - Pet Blessing Sunday
• November 12 - Wider Ministries quarterly meeting
• November 12 - Worship Committee
• November 18-19 - Alternative Christmas Faire - See article above.
• November 19 - Annual Community Thanksgiving service at Trinity Episcopal Church
• December 10 - The Youth Group's Annual Christmas Pageant - Contact Andrea Morics for more information. There are parts for children and youth of all ages



The church calendar is found at redlandsucc.org

Click on "calendar" in the red banner near the top of the page