|
A message from our Pastor and Teacher
Sunday, September 3, 2023 - "May Rivers of Peace Flow"
Prophet Isaiah proclaims, “Listen carefully! I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19). Prophet Amos cries out: “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24). And so, we are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity. As the people of God, we must work together on behalf of all Creation, as part of that mighty river of peace and justice.
| |
Sunday's Scripture:
Isaiah 58:6-11
(New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
| |
September 3 - First Sunday of Creation Season - Communion Sunday | |
|
September is Creation Season 2023
Each autumn, churches around the world celebrate the ecumenical Season of Creation.
It began in 1989, when the Eastern Orthodox Church first proclaimed a Day of Prayer for Creation. Since then, other faithful have joined, celebrating Creation in worship and by engaging in Creation Justice actions.
The Season of Creation falls between September 1 and October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of those who promote ecology.
This September, Redlands UCC will enter the Season of Creation with Worship Celebrations lifting up the Earth, Waters, Sun and the Moon in our scripture, our music, and our prayer.
|
Congregational Meeting September 10 to approve Pastoral Search Committee
Thank you to all who nominated people to be on the search committee, and to those who were willing to serve. The board is recommending the team of nine below to serve as the committee. Our bylaws require that this committee be ratified by the congregation, so we will hold a special congregational meeting immediately after church on September 10 for that vote.
If you won’t be in church on September 10, you can vote between now and then using an absentee ballot, available at www.uccredlands.org/ballot. Please send your completed absentee ballot to the office, either in person, by mail, or electronically.
The proposed members of the committee are: Sophia Beardemphl, Loring Fiske-Phillips, Samantha Sanchez-French, Keith Osajima, Dee Dee Seek, Diana Steele-Jones, Minori Tsukimoto, John Walsh, and Janet Wilson.
Again, thanks to all who participated in the process. We are fortunate to have so many strong leaders in our midst.
| |
The church office will be closed this Monday, September 4, due to the Labor Day holiday
| |
|
Sacred Saturday is this Saturday, September 2
This week we will celebrate Sacred Saturday from 9am to noon. This three-hour mini-retreat is offered each month on the first Saturday. We share in contemplative community, silence, prayer and meditation.
You are welcome and encouraged to join in this sacred time in the sacred spaces of RUCC’s buildings and grounds.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Barbie Fiske-Phillips.
| |
 | |
Concerns:
- Samantha Sanchez-French requests prayers for her father, Eric, regarding some not-so-good news about his health. (8/27)
- Judith Turian requests prayers for her close friends, Judith and Rob, who fell ill on a cruise. (8/25)
- Barbie Fiske-Phillips asks for prayers for Chuck Alarcon who is undergoing treatment at UCLA for prostate cancer. He doesn't want visits or calls but would appreciate cards and prayers. (8/27)
- Bill Buchannan is recovering from hip surgery. He is in rehab at Plymouth Village. (8/10)
- Prayers for Dan Schoepf who faces continued health challenges. (8/10)
- Prayers for Dick Ault's brother-in-law, Charles Proctor, who faces serious health problems. (8/13)
- Prayers for the family and friends of Jayne Miller's mother, Mary B. Rose, who passed from life to Life. (8/10)
-
Steve Arth is now recovering at Asistencia Villa and appreciates prayers and cards. (8/10)
- Lori Michaels asks for prayers that she gets the surgeons of her choice for several upcoming surgeries, and she also asks for prayers for her father who is bedridden and in failing health. (7/13)
- Connie Mitchell asks for prayers for her uncle Chris Inglish who has serious health issues. (7/1)
- Val McGlasson asks for prayers for her sister who successfully had a malignant mass removed from her neck. (7/1)
- Sondra Hodson asks for prayers for Ken Weaver, the “birdhouse guy” from AFHS, who is experiencing serious health issues. (6/8)
- Prayers for Janet Edwards, who is in the Plymouth Village Care Center following a fall with pelvic fractures.
- Prayers for Carla Becerril, who is on hospice and very much appreciates calls, visits, and notes.
- Prayers for Cynthia McGuigan as she continues her healthcare journey.
- We continue to hold in our prayers the people of Ukraine.
Ongoing Concerns:
| |
|
Karen & Daniella
Jerry Andrews
Scott Ault
Dave, brother of Johanna Ballard
Cousin of Rick Cruz
Norma Erickson
Katia Hage
| |
|
Mary Lou Haney
Beki Hill
Jody Hoelle
Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother
Jenny, Sister of Jules Rattray
Amber McGuigan
| |
|
Floyd Orr
Ryan and Evan Paul
Jim Sommer
Spencer, friend of Stacey Greene
Robert Silver
Arika Torres
Rosemary Tuohy
| |
|
Fran Grace's Eulogy for Jill
The text of the eulogy given by Fran Grace, Ph.D., at the memorial service for Rev. Dr. Jill Kirchner-Rose on August 19, 2023, is available for download on the RUCC Website under the "Sermons" menu. In it, Fran shares some of Jill's own reflections about her life.
| |
|
Children and Youth News
Very Important Parents' Meeting
If you have children 18 years of age or younger at RUCC, please join us in the Micah Room at noon on September 17 for a crucial meeting.
We have important paperwork for you to sign. We will also have a chance to check in with you about the coming year at RUCC—we’ll let you know what we’ve got planned, and we’ll need feedback from you on what you’d like to see here at RUCC in 2023-24!
Back-to-School time at RUCC!
September 10 is kick-off Sunday for the Sunday School program at RUCC. During the summer we had one Sunday School class for kids. Beginning September 10, we’ll resume having multiple classes!
Also on September 10, bring your school backpack to church to be blessed by Pastor Elaine. You'll head to school with a blessed backpack combined with a fancy new backpack tag. We hope that 2023-24 will be your best school year yet!
| |
|
Braver Angels - Depolarizing Within
Braver Angels is offering this free workshop in Founders Room on Saturday, September 16, 2-4:30pm.
Polarization can be driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those on the other side. Too often, we stereotype, dismiss, or ridicule our fellow citizens who support the other political party, its leaders, and its policies.
This workshop teaches participants:
- How to be more aware of their own "inner polarizer."
- How to be critical without demonizing, dismissing or stereotyping large swaths of the population.
- How to constructively intervene in polarizing social conversations with like-minded people.
Who can come? Anyone interested in examining their own inner polarization and learning strategies to disagree without condemning or ridiculing others.
Click here to register. Questions? Contact Holly Highfield
| |
|
RUCC Book Group Schedule
The RUCC Book Group will be meeting on Sunday, September 3, at noon in the Founders Room, to discuss the book, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See. The presenter will be Beth Kolpien.
“Lisa See’s spellbinding historical novel, inspired by the true story of a female physician, vividly depicts 15th-century China with artfully woven details, rich characters and descriptive language. "Lady Tan’s Circle of Women" is an immersive tale about an elite woman who becomes a physician in spite of societal restrictions during China’s Ming Dynasty.” (Review by Maya Fleischmann)
Book Group Schedule:
-
Sept. 3, 2023: Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See. Presenter: Beth Kolpien
- Oct. 1, 2023: Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister. Presenter: Rosemary Tuohy
- Nov. 5, 2023: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. Presenter: Kathie Blakley
- Dec. 3, 2023: The Art Thief by Michael Finkel. Presenter: Mark Leggett
| |
|
Super Shepherd Sunday is September 10
Be on the lookout for communication from your Shepherd Leaders about when and where your group will be meeting. If you are not sure which Shepherd group you are in, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Maegan Hill.
Here are the meeting schedules as known when The View was prepared:
- Shepherd Group #1: Will not be meeting on Super Shepherd Sunday, but rather on Sunday, September 17th, at the church after worship for a potluck lunch and activity. Room location TBD.
- Shepherd Group #2: Potluck lunch after worship. Location TBD.
- Shepherd Group #3: Potluck lunch at Nan Root's home after worship.
- Shepherd Group #4: Potluck lunch after worship on the church patio.
- Shepherd Group #5: Potluck lunch at Judith Turian's home after worship.
- Shepherd Group #6: Potluck lunch at Dianne Landeros' home (date is tentative).
| |
|
Reflection of the week from the Racial Justice Team
When Judy Martin sold her house, she learned of a racially restrictive covenant in her title that said she was not allowed to sell her house to African Americans. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 deemed covenants like this unenforceable.
But when Martin and her fellow members at Edgewood United Church, a United Church of Christ congregation, began digging into their community history as part of their work toward offering reparations, they found many of the area’s deeds held such restrictions. This was one story along the congregation’s path toward delivering a check of $170,000 to the Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan for reparations.
The Justice League was established in 2021 by members of First Presbyterian Church of East Lansing. Its mission is to “repair the breach caused by centuries of slavery” by creating avenues for reparations to come from predominately white houses of worship and go toward increasing wealth equity for African Americans in the community.
It began as a grassroots operation with the goal of collecting $1 million by encouraging area churches to each donate $100,000 from their endowments. The use of funds is designated by an advisory board for scholarships, business startups and home ownership.
Source: https://www.ucc.org/michigan-church-releases-170000-as-faith-based-reparations/
| |
|
Tech Tidbits - A new occasional byte-size offering in The View
Do you need to contact someone in our church family but don't know their email or phone number? The answer is in Realm, RUCC's online directory. Go to https://onrealm.org/RUCC/ and sign in (or create an account if you don't have one), then click the magnifying glass in the upper right and search for a name. If you have any trouble, contact the church office.
|
From the Environmental Justice Team
Santuit Pond, near Mashpee, Massachusetts, is in trouble. Because of climate change, it no longer freezes over as often as it once did, and, as a result, toxic blue-green algae now grow in such high concentrations that fish from the pond are unsafe to eat and the pond has been closed to swimming for five weeks this summer.
The troubles of Santuit Pond have had a particularly significant impact on the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, for whom the pond and its surroundings have been an important cultural resource for thousands of years. One young member of the tribe, 16-year-old Isaiah Peters, says, “When I was younger, I was really disconnected. And I never left the house. And then I went outside, started learning about my culture, started using the medicinal [plants], like sassafras and everything. And then I'm starting to realize, like, we need this.” A few years ago, Peters realized that the members of his tribe are so deeply linked to the land that its loss would affect them much more profoundly than it would non-native people. “What is the native person going to do? They can't leave. I mean, they can. But … your ancestors are here, your blood is here, your family's here. Everything is here. You're going to take double the toll compared to a non-native person. You know what I mean?”
Isaiah Peters is now leading a group of Wampanoag teenagers in their efforts to heal Santuit Pond.
Source: In a New England pond, toxic algae is disrupting tribal heritage by Eve Zuckoff, CAI, 8/28/23: https://www.capeandislands.org/local-news/2023-08-28/in-a-new-england-pond-toxic-algae-is-disrupting-tribal-heritage
| |
|
Not too late to join RUCC Dinners for 8ish!
Many of us have had the pleasure of getting to know members of our church family better this year through a new program called Dinners for 8ish, where we gather in small groups to share meals and conversations. We’ve completed two rounds of dinners and there are two more left this year. It has come to our attention that there may be some folks in our community who may not have been able to join this program at the beginning of the year but would like to join us for the last two dinners. If that is you, please email Minori Tsukimoto ([email protected]) and we would love to find a way to bring you in!
| |
RaiseRight/Scrip Gift Cards
School and Office Supplies – Still need some items as you head back to school or work? Here are some popular retail participants that can help you help RUCC while you stock up: Office Depot/Max, Staples, Best Buy, Big Lots, Target, Amazon, and more!
Bonuses – Some brands will offer higher-than-normal rebates periodically. You can always see the current bonuses in the RaiseRight shop at https://www.raiseright.com/shop. Current bonuses include Fandango, Chuck E Cheese, SpaFinder, Spa & Wellness, Vudu, and more. There will be a reload bonus for Vons/Albertstons coming on Sep 20-21 that you’ll want to take advantage of.
About RaiseRight: When you purchase gift cards through the RaiseRight program 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. Hundreds of retailers participate, including grocery stores, gas stations, home improvement stores, department stores, online retailers, and much more. Please contact Jennifer and Pam at [email protected] if you need an enrollment link, need help setting up/accessing your online account or placing an order, have any questions, or want to learn more about the program. This video will give you an overview of how to get started: https://youtu.be/c-v65F0xr2c
| |
Upcoming RaiseRight order dates:
Order by Sep 5 – available for pick up Sep 10 – ADDED DATE!
Order by Sep 18 – available for pick up Sep 24
Order by Oct 23 – available for pick up Oct 29
| |
|
Help us Promote Art, for Heaven’s Sake! Fine Arts Festival
Art, for Heaven’s Sake! is switching to electronic postcards and we need your help. Please help us reach more people by getting your friends and colleagues to sign up for our electronic mailing list. We plan to send out electronic postcards a couple of weeks before the show. If you make it your goal to get 10 or more to sign up it would be a great help. You can use the QR code here or pick up a QR sticker in the gathering area at church. People can also email [email protected] and ask to be put on the list. All we need is a name and an email address.
| |
|
Caring for Kin continues with supplies for unsheltered neighbors
Extending heartfelt thanks from Redlands Family Services for our donation of groceries from the month of August. The coordinator sent a note saying, "Your congregation's gracious gift will assist us in supporting many families struggling with food insecurity within our very own community." Way to go RUCC!
In the month of September, we will be collecting supplies for kits for our unsheltered neighbors. Donated items should fit in a gallon-size ziploc bag, for example, toothbrush and toothpaste, travel-size soap and shampoo, hand sanitizer, band-aids, chapstick, nail clippers, socks, and granola bars. We will then come together on September 24 to assemble the kits together so we can take them with us to give to unsheltered individuals. For questions, please contact Diana Steele or Sue Hammond.
| |
Help for Maui fire victims
Many of you have asked how congregations can support our siblings on Maui during this time of unimaginable devastation and suffering. We have been in contact with the Hawaii Conference Minister, Rev. David Popham, who has requested we send donations directly to the Conference office.
Funds are being collected and released to the congregation in Lahaina each day and will be available to those who evacuated as they are able to return.
Meeting immediate needs is a priority. Judy Kinser, treasurer and office administrator of the historic Waiola church shared two painful statements: "We are destroyed. Devastated."
The pastor of the Waiola church, which recently celebrated its 200th year anniversary offered, "The church will gather under a burnt tree if that is all we can find. Our strength lies in our people."
Please mail donations to:
Hawaii Conference UCC
700 Bishop St, Suite 825, Honolulu HI, 96813
or donate online (hcucc.org/donate)
| |
|
|
Music Director search
We are grateful to Zoë Petersen who has stepped in to lead the choir for an interim period and to our Associate Music Director Sophia Ohanian who has stepped up to take on music selection and other duties normally performed by the Music Director. Zoë and Sophia will continue to lead the choir together until we fill the Music Director position. Personnel chair Carole Beswick and Worship Area leader Patty Little will jointly lead the search.
The job posting is on the RUCC website. We will be advertising the position on appropriate search sites. If you know of someone who might be interested in the position, please refer them to the website posting.
| | |
|
|
UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
-
September 10 - Brief congregational meeting to approve the Search Committee
-
September 16 - Braver Angels
-
September 17 - Parents' Meeting
-
October 13-15 - Art, for Heaven's Sake!
The church calendars are found at uccredlands.org
Click on "calendar" in the red banner near the top of the page
| |
This Week at Redlands United Church of Christ | |
|
Saturday, September 2
Sunday, September 3
- 9:30 a.m. - Kids' Zone
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship service and Communion
- 11:30 a.m. - Fellowship time
- Noon - Book Group
Monday, September 4
- Labor Day Holiday, OFFICE CLOSED
Tuesday, September 5
Wednesday, September 6
- Noon - Lunch Bunch with Pastor Elaine
| |  |
|
Thursday, September 7
Friday, September 8
-
7 p.m. Closed women's AA meeting in Founders Room
Saturday, September 9
Sunday, September 10
- 9:30am - Seekers
- 9:30 a.m. - Kids' Zone
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship Service with Blessing of the Backpacks, followed by Congregational Meeting to approve Search Committee nominees.
- 11:30 a.m. - Fellowship time
- Various times/places - Super Shepherd Sunday
| | |
|
RUCC Staff
Interim Pastor: Rev. Elaine Schoepf
Honorary Minister of Arts and Worship: Rev. Erin Beardemphl
Music Director: Vacant
Associate Music Director: Sophia Ohanian
Children's Education Director: Susi Jacobsen
Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries: Vacant
Office and Property Manager: Veronica Bermudez
Child Care: Joette Orman
Website: www.redlandsucc.org
Phone: 909-793-3520
Staff and Other Emails
| | | | |
