A message from our Bridge Pastor and Teacher

Mothers' Day Sunday, May 14, 2023 ~ "Sacred Creatures"

What does it mean that we live, move and have our being in God? There are consequences for being created in God’s image – that we find ways to affirm our gifts, to forgive ourselves, to listen to others with respect and care, to offer compassion to others who may be in need. Only if we trust that God loves us unconditionally are we able to support others in their struggles and concerns.

Sunday's Scripture

Acts 17:22-31

MAY 14 - Mothers' Day Sunday

CLICK HERE FOR THE BULLETIN

FOR MAY 14



This is a PDF file which is easy to download and print for use during the service whether you are watching on line, or attending in person on Sunday.

Caring for Kin - Ongoing food collection

Thanks to Michael Dewey and Ken Tolar for bringing a load of donations to Family Services this week. RUCC supplied 61 boxes of cereal, 38 jars of peanut butter, and 58 boxes of instant oatmeal.

Just think of all the happy families who will be a little less hungry this week!

We will continue to collect these same three items for three more Sundays ... May 14th, 21st, and 28th.



Shall we see if we can fill the shelves once again before June?

Reflection of the Week from the Racial Justice Team

May was chosen to commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month because of two key dates: May 7 and May 10. May 7, 1843, marks the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States. And May 10, 1869, or Golden Spike Day, recognizes the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S., which had significant contributions from Chinese workers.



 The railroad stretched from the West Coast to the East Coast, and initially, construction superintendent James Strobridge deemed the immigrants unfit for the job. But the railroad needed workers, and many white people weren't interested.

Conditions were brutal in the Sierra Nevada, and Chinese workers weren't receiving the same pay as their white counterparts. Unlike white workers, Chinese workers had to pay for their own food and had to work longer hours, according to the project. The railroad was fundamental to the development of the American West and cut travel time across the U.S. from months to less than a week.

Source: https://www.npr.org/2022/05/02/1095812576/aapi-asian-pacific-heritage-month-origin-may-why

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From the Environmental Justice Team

Julie Jackson is an eco-conscious artist whose elegantly designed and crafted wooden lamps, bowls, and vases are in high demand. Her brother Josh, a woodworker with whom Jackson apprenticed while learning her craft says “While she thoughtfully sources lampshade frames from a local artisan and uses 100% compostable components for shipping, it’s the wood she utilizes in her designs that highlight her unwavering dedication to the environment. Her use of reclaimed wood and slabs from locally downed trees is a testament to this dedication but also to the originality of each and every piece that passes through her hands.”

Source: “With eyes on the planet, an L.A. woodworker turns fallen trees into stunning vessels,” by Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, May 2, 2023: https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2023-05-02/la-woodworker-julie-jackson-makes-stunning-home-decor-from-downed-trees

Wider Ministries seeks your ideas for our church's donations to other groups

The RUCC Wider Ministries Committee will meet on May 21 to decide on RUCC WM donations for this period. This is an important way in which we represent RUCC in the world around us. If you have an idea for a worthwhile organization that would benefit from these donations, please contact either Kathie Blakley or Carol Robb before the May 21 donation meeting. Be sure and check the criteria for donations HERE. You should also include your name, name and address of the organization, and their contact information. The WM Committee will then decide if the request for funds will be granted

Pizza with the Pastor This Sunday, May 14

Redlands UCC is hosting a pizza lunch after worship on Sunday, May 14, 2023, for people new to the church and others who have been attending services. Pizza with the Pastor serves as the church’s orientation meeting. Ask questions about Redlands UCC. Learn about the church, its organization, history, and membership. We will start lunch at about noon and end at 1 pm. Childcare will be provided.

Munch and Muse Roundtable ~ May 16 at 11:00 a.m.

Come and join us every other Tuesday from 11-1 for discussion and support in, or in the patio area behind, Covenant Hall. This group began with a few senior friends offering support to one another during Covid - now this group has expanded to members and friends who share news and offer support in a safe discussion over a brown bag lunch. Most of us are older but we welcome the younger - our next gathering is on Tuesday May 16th at 11AM. Bring your own sack lunch and join us….

Greeter Support Workshop on May 21, 2023

The Church Growth Area and Pastor Jake encourage all greeters and potential greeters to attend a workshop on Sunday, May 21, 2023, from 2-3:30 pm in the Founders’ Room. We also invite ushers and potential ushers to participate. Topics include:

• Responding to emergencies.
• Preparing before worship.
• Avoiding greeter mistakes.
•  Answering frequent questions from visitors.
• Meeting the needs of visitors with disabilities (A2A).

Current greeters will share what works for them and we will all be better prepared to welcome new people to the church. If you are a current greeter or usher, please come and share your expertise. If you have thought about being a greeter or usher, please join us so you will be ready to be successful in that role.

Blood Drive scheduled for Friday, May 26

Have you ever thought about donating blood, but it just wasn't very convenient? We can't come to your home; however, we are coming to your church! The Blood Drive begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Appointments are not required but suggested to save you time. Call 1-800.879.4484 or log on to https://www.lstream.org/

And please pass this information on to family and friends! If you have any questions that are not covered in this flyer, please ask Kerry Dunn who is coordinating the event. He can be reached at (909)963-8304.

Hope to see you on Friday, May 26th!

Strengthen the Church special offering on Pentecost, May 28

Strengthen the Church is an opportunity to sustain not just our growing, renewing, and birthing churches, but also to ensure that the holy ground they create remains the sacred space in which the extravagant welcome of our beloved Jesus is embodied.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration of a gift to sustain this work in our churches. Thank you for helping us create the kind of sacred spaces where holy ground transforms despair into hope, fear into self-confidence, anger into compassion, judgment into hospitality, and disdain into love.

............................Rev. John Dorhauer,

....................................................................... General Minister and President, National Ministries of the UCC

Hygiene kits for unsheltered neighbors -Work party on June 4

Many unsheltered or under resourced individuals lack access to essential hygiene items. As such, Wider Ministries is engaging in an effort to distribute hygiene kits to our unsheltered neighbors. The church purchased a handful of backpacks containing hygiene items that can be distributed to unsheltered members of the community. In addition, Wider Ministries will be hosting an event on June 4 during which we'll create hygiene kits to keep in our cars for the same purpose. These kits will include basic (unopened/unused) hygiene items that can fit in a gallon-size Ziploc bag, such as travel-size shampoo and soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, washcloth, fingernail clippers, Band-Aids, menstrual supplies, and socks. They can also include small-denomination gift cards for groceries or fast food. 

If you'd like to participate in assembling these kits, please begin purchasing the supplies. The Dollar Tree, CVS, or Target may be great places to find these items. Then, on June 4, we'll come together in the Founder's Room after church to compile all our supplies and assemble the kits together! For more information, please contact Sue Hammond or Diana Steele.

Raise Right - Gift Cards make shopping and fundraising easy

Bulk eGifting – Available exclusively on RaiseRight.com (desktop only), now you can earn by eGifting in bulk. Select “Send as a gift” on any eGift card product page, then choose the “Bulk Order” gift type to get started. Simply follow the prompts to schedule delivery, add a custom message, upload recipient information, then add to cart and check out. eGift cards are the most convenient way to earn on all your gifting—whether for a birthday, holiday, or even gifting in bulk for teachers, graduates, or your team at the office. With the “Send as a gift by email” feature, learn how you can send eGift cards to as many as 125 recipients all at once. https://www.raiseright.com/m/how-to-send-egift-cards

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 DATES TO REMEMBER

• May 14 - Mothers' Day
• May 21 - Special Meeting for congregational vote on final authorization of the organ project.
• May 21 - Wider Ministries quarterly meeting with a guest speaker and consideration of donations for the quarter following the Special Meeting.
• May 26 - Blood drive in Covenant Hall
• May 28 - Pentecost and Strengthen the Church special offering
• May 28 - Beginning of summer kick-off and potluck with Rhymes with Orange at Heather and Dan's right across the street following the service.



The church calendar for May is found at uccredlands.org

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