EARTH SUNDAY

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

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Thursday, April 21, 2022

Quarterly Gathering April 24 in the Sanctuary

The Quarterly Gathering is this Sunday, April 24, in the Sanctuary following worship service. You'll hear reports from our Sabbatical Planning committee, Environmental Justice team, and the Organ committee, in addition to the financial report and reports from our seven areas. Click here for a draft of the job description for the interim pastor who will be working with us while Pastor Jill is on Sabbatical in June, July and August.

This excerpt from Rick England's report to the Organ Committee might prove useful in understanding the thinking of the Organ Committee.

A Message from Our Pastor and Teacher

Sunday, April 24 - Earth Sunday ~~ “Resurrecting Earth”

We hear the grim news: ice caps are melting, sea levels are rising, climate refugees are increasing, coral reefs are dying, crops are failing, and the land is plagued by drought. As a result, we lock ourselves away, with our heads hung low and our hearts broken, believing it is too late for our precious planet. Likewise, the disciples believed it was too late for Jesus. He had died on a cross. He uttered the words, “It is finished.” Yes, it was finished, but it was not over. A resurrection was on the way! As Easter people, there is no better group to take up the challenge of a wounded planet than the ones who know the God of new life!

Sunday's Scripture

John 20: 19 – 22

Sunday, April 24 ~ It's Earth Sunday!

Prelude: Here Comes the Sun by Paul McCartney.................. Sophia Ohanian

Welcome and Announcements..........................Rev. Dr. Jill A. Kirchner-Rose

Call to Worship:...................................................................................Nan Root

Opening Hymn: # 237 I Come to the Garden Alone

Opening Prayer: .................................................................................Nan Root

Childrens' Circle:.......................................................................... Janet Wilson

Silent and Pastoral Prayer:.................................................Rev. Kirchner-Rose

Lord's Prayer

Special Music: For the Beauty of the Earth by John Rutter ......Covenant Choir

Scripture: John 20: 19 – 22........................................,,.......................Nan Root

Message: “Resurrecting Earth”.............................................Rev. Kirchner-Rose

Offertory: Garuna (Spring) by Komitas....................................Sophia Ohanian

Doxology:.................................................................................,Sophia Ohanian

Prayer of Dedication: .........................................................................Nan Root

Closing Hymn: # 433 In the Bulb There is a Flower

Benediction: ..........................................................................Dr. Kirchner-Rose

Time of Reflection:Somewhere Over the Rainbow.......(sung by Zoe Petersen) ...................................................................................................Sophia Ohanian

Joy :

We welcomed Sarah Breslaw as a coventing member on Easter Sunday.

Concerns:

Maegan Hill requests prayers for her father, Lon, who is recovering from a heart procedure.
Rosemary Touhy requests prayers for her niece Teresa who is preparing for her final exam for her Master's degree.
Loring Fiske-Phillips requests prayers for Bev Ching who is undergoing Chemotherapy.
Judith Turian requests prayers for her dear friend, Judith, whose son passed from life to Life in March.
Prayers for Nan Root and her family. Richard Johnson, her older brother in Minnesota, passed from life to Life.
Prayers for the family and friends of Glenda Bates, friend of Gretchen Andrews, who passed from life to Life.
Prayers for Ken Hurley and his daughter Debbie. Ken's daughter Kelly passed from life to Life in a house fire.
Paul Hodson and Charlie Wheeler ask for prayers for their friend Jerry Linkhart, who had a stroke recently.
Eliza Ames requests prayers for Jennifer, Nicole, and Brody who are struggling with a changing reality.
Floyd Orr requests prayers for Zelda Faye Smith who is facing health challenges.
Caroline McAllister requests prayers for Mark.
Prayers for the mother of Dawne Simmons who is recovering from surgery on her vocal cords.
We continue to hold in our prayers the people of Ukraine.
Prayers for Dick Ault who broke his femur and is at Redlands Health Center.
Rosemary Tuohy requests prayers for her neighbor, Lorenzo and his family. Lorenzo’s house burned down this past week.
Prayers for Cid Breyer who fell and broke her femur in several places. She would welcome calls and cards! You may send cards to her home.
Jennifer Brainerd requests prayers for her father, Gary, who is in the hospital with extreme confusion and agitation. Cause unknown.
Kenneth Lee requests prayers for his mother, Melinda, who has had complications following surgery.
Debra Van Engelen and Mark Janz request prayers for grandson, Johnathan, who is in the army stationed in Germany during this time of Russian build-up outside Ukraine.
Prayers for Cynthia McGuigan who faces complications with her chemotherapy treatments. Cynthia and medical staff are determining next steps.
Jolene Barrow requests prayers for her mother, Karen Barrow, who is facing continued health challenges.
Rosemary Tuohy requests prayers for her friend Holly, who is recovering from surgery.
Prayers for Eleanor Kemp who broke her hip and is recuperating at Mission Commons.
Cid Breyer requests prayers for her sister in law, Karen, who is going through chemo and radiation for blood / bone cancer.
Prayers for Carole Wesson who is currently in the Health Facility at Plymouth Village.
Prayers for Eber, brother of Lara Urrutia, who is undergoing tests for a mass in his neck.
Prayers for Lisa, friend of Beth Welsh, who is recovering from emergency surgery.
Eliza Ames requests prayers for her brother Coyne who is hospitalized and is very ill.
Beth Welsh requests prayers for her brother, Michael, who is recovering from surgery following a work accident.

Ongoing Concerns:

Joe Adcock, family member of Mary Mortensen

Anden, nephew of Michelle McNevin

Jerry Andrews

Jeff Bonadiman

Les Budai

Burt, family member of Johanna Ballard

Diane Campbell

Diane, Sister-in-Law of Heather King

Dave, brother of Johanna Ballard

Carol Chaney

Caroline, mother of Karen Blad

Claudine, grandmother of Paul & Dantae Welsh

Precia Gwenhwyfer Courtney-Hveen

Cousin of Rick Cruz

Norma Erickson

Michael Flores

Emma Grimauld

Katia Hage

Beki Hill

Jody Hoelle

Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother

Mark Alan Johnson, friend of Nancy Hotaling

Susi Jacobsen

Kim Johnson, friend of Gretchen Andrews

Jenny, Sister of Jules Rattray

Emily Jones

Hank Kirchner

Amber McGuigan

Sara Montez

Bill McIntyre

Maria Montano

Carmen & Jim Neafsey

Ryan and Evan Paul

Rick Peetz, Sr.

Kristin Farmer Preslica

Nancy Rojas

Adolph Romero

Joan Roth

Spencer, friend of Stacey Greene

Miguel Sewer

Doris Stockton, Kathi Roth's Grandmother

Heather Tee

Arika Torres

Rosemary Tuohy

Vasquez Family

Special note regarding the Prayer List: Please review the list for any prayer requests you made that are outdated or that may be removed. Please notify both [email protected] and [email protected] of any changes that are needed. Thank you.

Reflection of the Week from the Racial Justice Team

Texas and Idaho have passed legislation letting private citizens sue anyone who helped a pregnant person get an abortion, while potentially getting a $10,000 payout. Other states are considering copycat laws. Some experts refer to these kinds of measures as “bounty hunter” bills, and they say there are aspects of them that are similar to the Fugitive Slave laws that required civilians help capture enslaved people and led to the Civil War.

“It’s not unconstitutional to create ways in which private citizens can enforce the law. What does start to offend the Constitution is when you are encouraging people to act as bounty hunters when other folks are exercising a constitutional right,” says Kim Mutcherson. “These laws allow private citizens to line their pockets while undermining constitutional rights, which is outside the mainstream of lawmaking in this country.”

- Kim Mutcherson, speaking on Marketplace from American Public Media. Professor Mutcherson is the first woman, the first African-American, and the first member of the LGBTQ++ community ever to hold the position of co-dean at Rutgers Law School in Camden, New Jersey. Source: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/make-me-smart/how-fugitive-slave-act-and-new-bounty-hunter-bills-are-alike

From the Environmental Justice Team

Whatever our gift, we are called to give it

and to dance for the renewal of the world.

“We are all bound by a covenant of reciprocity: plant breath for animal breath, winter and summer, predator and prey, grass and fire, night and day, living and dying. Water knows this, clouds know this. Soil and rocks know they are dancing in a continuous giveaway of making, unmaking, and making again the earth. This covenant of reciprocity calls us to honor our responsibilities for all we have been given, for all that we have taken. It is our turn now, long overdue. Let us hold a giveaway for Mother Earth, spread our blankets out for her and pile them high with gifts of our own making. Imagine the books, the paintings, the poems and songs, the kind acts, the beautiful ideas, the perfect tools. The fierce defense of all that has been given…all the Gifts of mind, hands, heart, voice, and vision all offered up on behalf of the earth. Whatever our gift, we are called to give it and to dance for the renewal of the world.

In return for the privilege of breath.”

~ Robin Wall Kimmerer, from Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants

Thank You for Your Generosity

Thanks to the generosity of members of RUCC, our church was able to contribute $1,459 to One Great Hour of Sharing. OGHS is one of four Special Mission Offerings of the UCC and supports partners in countries with ministries that fund health, education and agricultural development, emergency relief, refugee ministries and both international and domestic disaster response.

The next Special Offering is Strengthen the Church, which is received on Pentecost Sunday (June 5). This offering supports church growth, pastoral and lay leadership development, as well as youth and young adult ministries within conferences.

Tai Chi Class Back to Its Original Time

Beginner Tai Chi will continue Thursday evenings from now until June 9. We will meet from 6:00-7:00 pm in Covenant Hall. If you haven't been able to come before now, no worries. We can catch you up! If you have any questions, contact Pam Dunn.

Check the Lost and Found this Sunday

Are you missing something you may have left behind at Church? Please check the Lost and Found bucket in the narthex this Sunday, April 24 to collect your items before the rummage sale on April 30.

Rummage Sale - Saturday, April 30

On Sunday, April 24, the RUCC Rummage Sale will begin accepting donations. The Rummage Sale will be held on Saturday, April 30, from 8-1 in Covenant Hall. Donations can be brought into the Garden Room on the 24^th, and to Covenant Hall on Tuesday, April 26 through Thursday, April 28 from 9 am - 4 pm, and on Friday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to noon. Please, do not bring furniture, and donate clean clothing (on hangars if possible). eWaste donations such as used cell phones, VCRS, printers/scanners, computers, and televisions must be brought on Saturday ONLY to the designated spot in the church parking lot.

Here's the list of acceptable and unaccptable eWaste items

April 30 - Chapman University's 38th Founders Day with the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II

Come hear the Rev. Dr. William Barber II speak on the same stage that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King did in 1961!

The Office of Church Relations is very pleased to bring the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II to teach and preach on Saturday, April 30, 2022 on Chapman University's campus in Orange, CA.

Click here for registration and details

“Earth Day is Every Day” Faire

Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle

Our “Earth Day is Every Day” Faire, sponsored by the Environmental Justice Team, will be held Sunday, May 1, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the patio. Stay after service and celebrate the Earth! Learn more ways of supporting and protecting our planet together. Here is a sample of the offerings we will have:

Vegetarian lunch and snacks
Fair Trade Table with coffee, chocolates and more to buy
Speaker on composting and recycling
Repurposing Table with information, instructions, examples, and giveaways
Informational Table with ideas and resources for protecting the Earth
Children’s Reading Nook featuring beautiful books about our planet
Bee blocks, wren houses, gift bag Table
“All About Water” Table with information on grey water, saving water, more!
University of Redlands Community Garden students with information on their tree project
“About Plastics” Table with information, resources, and examples of eco-bricks

Come celebrate together and learn!

Book Group Plans through July 2022

The RUCC Book Group will be meeting on Sunday, May 8 (note date change), after church at noon, in the patio area in front of the church. We will discuss The Firebrand and the First Lady: Portrait of a Friendship: Pauli Murray, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the Struggle for Social Justice by Patricia Bell-Scott. The presenter will be Rosemary Touhy, and everyone is welcome.

“A groundbreaking book—two decades in the works—that tells the story of how a brilliant writer-turned-activist, granddaughter of a mulatto slave, and the first lady of the United States, whose ancestry gave her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, forged an enduring friendship that changed each of their lives and helped to alter the course of race and racism in America”. (Goodreads)

Click here for a list of books scheduled through July.