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Thursday, February 15, 2024

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A message from our Pastor and Teacher

Sunday, February 18 ~ "Wandering Heart – Jesus Sought Me"


This Lent, we will focus on the life and faith of one Simon Peter, a disciple both steadfast and unsteady, a dear friend and a betrayer, a follower and a wanderer. By following Peter’s journey, we'll see the story of Jesus unfold through the life of a normal human trying to figure it all out—just like us. 


To guide our journey we will turn to phrases from the beloved hymn, Come Thou Fount. Each Sunday we will experience Visio Divina with Rev. Erin Beardemphl.

Visio divina fish and net and hands

River of Grace by Lisle Gwynn Garrity - Inspired by Luke 5:1-11

© a sanctified art | sanctifiedart.org

Wandering Heart Figuring out faith with Peter

Join us for this year's Lenten Series, "Wandering Heart: Figuring Out Faith With Peter"

We will meet on Monday evenings throughout Lent, joining together at 6 p.m. for a potluck social (sign up here to bring soup, salad, bread, or dessert) followed by our Lenten Study at 7 p.m. Come for some or all of the evening as it suits you!


The series is open to all ages and will be held on six consecutive Mondays: February 19 and 26, and March 4, 11, 18, and 25, from 6-8 p.m. in Covenant Hall.


For questions contact Pastor Elaine, Andrea Morics or Jules Rattray.

boardroom

Report from the Church Board Retreat


Remember those folks we elected at the Annual Meeting? Well, they wasted no time getting started! They met on February 3 to review 2023 goals and set some new ones for 2024. The Board Retreat Report will give you a glimpse into the good work this group has done, and will be doing, with everyone's help!

Sunday's Scripture:


Luke 5:1-11

Concerns / Prayers:

  • Heather Abushanab's mom Shari Lee Beck passed from life to Life on February 5. Heather wrote her obituary.
  • Fred Freeman's is doing well following back surgery and expects to be back at work on March 4. (2/15)
  • Denise Cain is home from the hospital, and recovering at a family member's home. (2/15)
  • Christine Reese's surgery was successful and she's thankful for the prayers and support. (2/15)
  • Carla Becerril passed from life to Life on January 13. (1/18) The Memorial service will be Sunday, February 18, 1:30 p.m. at RUCC.(1/25)
  • Jolene Barrow's brother Andrew has received clearance for kidney surgery for April to remove cancer. (2/15)
  • We continue to hold in our prayers the people of Ukraine and the Middle East.


Ongoing Concerns:

Karen & Daniella

Jerry Andrews

Scott Ault

Dave, brother of Johanna Ballard

Bill Buchanan

Cousin of Rick Cruz

Janet Edwards

Norma Erickson

Mark Janz's mother, Martini

Beth Welsh's brother, Coyne ("Butch")

Steve Arth

Samantha Sanchez-French's father

Katia Hage

Mary Lou Haney

Beki Hill

Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother

Jenny, Sister of Jules Rattray

Amber McGuigan

Cynthia McGuigan

Pastor Elaine's nephew Michael and brother Dan

Family of Betty Jacobs

Floyd Orr

Ryan and Evan Paul

Dick Ault's brother-in-law, Charles Proctor

Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel, Maggie George and Maggie's siblings

Spencer, friend of Stacey Greene

Robert Silver

Arika Torres

Rosemary Tuohy

Nancy Ternasky

Beth Welsh

child with book

Caring for Kin

February 18 and 25

For the next two Sundays, Caring for Kin would like to collect new or “seems new” scrapbooks and photo albums for a local foster child agency. The agency is encouraging all foster parents to take photos and write memories of the time a child spends in their care. The hope is that the scrapbook or album will be sent along with each child, so that even those who, unfortunately, experience several different living situations, will have a book of memories, a book of love, to hold tight.


Please continue to show your generosity as you help our foster kin along their journey.

RUCC "Souper Bowl" Results!

Kansas City Chiefs - 145 cans/boxes of soup

San Francisco 49ers - 64 bags/boxes of rice products


Looks like RUCC got it right! The Chiefs win! (Although the actual game was much closer and very exciting!) 


Thanks to all who brought food items for our hungry kin. Thanks to Valerie Natzger for participating in the official count and Kerry Dunn for delivering soup and rice to Family Service Association of Redlands!

thank you to everyone who volunteered You made this sale such a success proceeds were $3500
Child reading book

Sunday School / Communion Sundays

As you may know, for several years now we have had no Sunday School classes on Communion Sundays, in order to give our kids a chance to spend a full Sunday in Worship with their whole church family—as well as to have a chance to take Communion each week.


The Education Committee has been exploring new ideas for us to incorporate into our kids’ worship plans for Communion Sunday. Please reach out to us to give us your input!


In the short term: for the Communion Sundays which fall in March and April (the 3rd Sunday of Lent and the 1st Sunday of Easter), we have decided that we will provide Sunday School. (Enabling us to round out our Lenten curriculum for this year.) However, the kids will return to their families in the sanctuary in time to take Communion.


Starting in May: we are still having discussions about what direction we might take. That’s where we would love to have your input! We can “think outside the box” as we brainstorm ideas.


In summary:

  • Communion Sundays March 3 and April 7 will have Sunday School classes available during worship, with the children returning to their families in the sanctuary in time to take Communion.
  • Communion Sundays May 5 and beyond: TBD!
  • The Nursery Schedule will remain unchanged.
Portrait of George Washington

Church Office Closed Monday



The RUCC church office will be closed on Monday, February 19, for Presidents' Day.

Red chairs are available to take for free

For practical or sentimental value...


Would you like one or more of the red chairs from Covenant Hall? Please help yourself. Free.

Seekers Adult Study Group Sunday at 9:20 a.m.

Seekers is reading The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life about learning to integrate ethical living to achieve personal happiness and a happier life. Seekers gather at about 9:20 for a brief social time, and the discussion begins at 9:30 on Sunday mornings in Founders Room.

orange quarantine sign
Orange with sad face because of quarantine

Please remember not to transport any oranges from RUCC property, but feel free to eat them on the premises.

Community Chorus concert February 25 at 4pm

We're still looking for a Youth Director!

This may be only a part-time position, but it is important to our church's mission. The Youth Director plays a key role in helping our young people understand why RUCC's values and theology are important to them as they prepare to go out in the world.


......................~~ The RUCC Personnel Committee

tree in desert near pipeline

From the Environmental Justice Team

The California desert ecosystem and the desert tourism economy that depends on it are important to our region. For decades, Cadiz, Inc. has been seeking to pump water from the aquifer beneath the Mojave Desert with the goal of profiting from the sale of the water to California water districts and from charging the Metropolitan Water District to store its excess water in the aquifer, a plan whose potentially serious environmental damage has resulted in fierce opposition from environmental groups and from elected officials. (Source: Hiltzik, Michael, "California's most improbable water project rebrands itself as a crusader for environmental justice," Los Angeles Times, 1/25/24)


Especially notable among the opponents of Cadiz’s plans was the late Senator Dianne Feinstein. With the loss of her powerful advocacy for the California desert, we need to let candidates seeking to replace her know that desert protection is very important to us. The Environmental Justice Team is conducting a postcard writing campaign to urge Senate candidates to support desert protection. Over the next two weeks, we will have a table set up in Covenant Hall after church. We will have further information on desert protection and we will have post cards that you can sign to send to Senate candidates. Since Senator Padilla supported desert protection in the past, we have cards thanking him and also asking if he will continue to work to protect the desert.


Below is the text of the postcards to be sent to major Senate candidates:

 “I live in the Inland Empire of Southern California. The desert ecosystem is very important to me and to our region. As a Senate candidate, I strongly urge you to protect our desert environment and economy. Reject the efforts by Cadiz Inc. to pump the aquifer beneath the Mojave for its own profit. The front group, Groundswell, is supporting Cadiz Inc. in this campaign. Where do you stand on this vital issue of desert protection?”


And a second event for you to consider: On Wednesday, February 21, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action Redlands (ANCA Redlands) will be hosting a presentation on the vulnerability of our food supply in the face of climate change. This presentation will take place at the Redlands Community Center, 111 W. Lugonia Avenue, Redlands, and you can register for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-vulnerable-is-our-food-supply-tickets-778862788567?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

Redlands proclamation of black history month February 2024

Racial Justice reflection of the week


A proclamation by the City of Redlands, recognizing Israel Beal, Second Baptist Church, Music Changing Lives, and Dawn Wright; declaring the month of February 2024 as Black History Month; and encouraging residents to fight racism, intolerance, and prejudice through education, kindness, compassion, and understanding.

 

Chapman University’s 40th Annual Founders Day - Saturday, March 9


Come hear prolific writer and acclaimed speaker Diana Butler Bass. Register at www.chapman.edu/founders-day.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

  • February 18 - Memorial service for Carla Becerril - 1:30 p.m. at RUCC
  • February 20 - Board meeting - 7:00 p.m.
  • February 25 - Wider Ministries Area meeting at 12:00 p.m. - Founders' Room
  • February 26 - Lenten Series
  • March 2 - Sacred Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 noon
  • March 3 - Book group - Noon - Founders' Room - with Inlandia author Ellen Estilai
  • March 4 - Lenten Series
  • March 9 - Chapman University Founders day featuring Diana Butler Bass. See article above
  • March 10 - Super Shepherd Sunday
  • March 11, 18, and 25 - Lenten Series
  • March 28 - Seder and Tenebrae


The church calendar is found at redlandsucc.org

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

This Week at Redlands United Church of Christ

Sunday, February 18 - First Sunday in Lent

  • 9:20 a.m. Seekers (Chat-9:20; Meet-9:30)
  • 9:30 a.m. - Kids' Zone
  • 10:30 a.m. - Worship service
  • 11:30 a.m.- Fellowship time in Covenant Hall
  • 1:30 p.m. Memorial Service for Carla Becerril


Monday, February 19

  • Office closed for Presidents' Day
  • 6:00 p.m. Lenten Series

Tuesday, February 20

  • 7:00 p.m. - Board Meeting


Wednesday, February 21

  • 1:30 p.m. - Mah Jongg, Micah Room
  • 6:00 p.m. - Handbells Rehearsal
  • 7:00 p.m.m - Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, February 22


Friday, 23

  • 7:00 p.m. Closed women's AA meeting


Saturday, February 24



Sunday, February 25 - Second Sunday in Lent

  • 9:20 a.m. - Seekers (Chat 9:20; Meet 9:30)
  • 9:30 a.m. - Kids' Zone
  • 10:30 a.m. - Worship service
  • 11:30 a.m.- Fellowship, Covenant Hall
  • 12:00 p.m. - Wider Ministries in Founders Rm

RUCC Staff

Interim Pastor: Rev. Elaine Schoepf

Honorary Minister of Arts and Worship:  Rev. Erin Beardemphl

Music Director: David Wells

Associate Music Director: Sophia Ohanian

Children's Education Director: Susi Jacobsen

Director of Youth Ministries: Vacant

Office and Property Manager: Veronica Bermudez

Child Care: Joette Orman

 

Website:  www.redlandsucc.org

Phone: 909-793-3520

 

Staff and Other Emails

pastorelaine@redlandsucc.org

musicdirector@redlandsucc.org

childrenseducation@redlandsucc.org

youth@redlandsucc.org



office@redlandsucc.org

weddings@redlandsucc.org

theview@redlandsucc.org