Rev. Joe's Departure
Dear Church Family,
After a season of discernment, I have made the difficult decision to resign as Senior Pastor of Redlands United Church of Christ to relocate back to Massachusetts. It has been a joy to serve the church, and although my time here was unintentionally short, it had a big impact on my life. This decision is not a reflection of the lay leadership or character of Redlands UCC. I am leaving for personal family matters, for which I have found nothing but support and prayers from the church. I will do everything in my ability to ensure a smooth transition and healthy departure. We do not have a confirmed final Sunday, but there have been discussions with the board and the Conference Minister Rev. Rachael Pryor, and we will keep you updated throughout the transition. The RUCC Board has a message below outlining some next steps. I will continue to serve faithfully as minister for the next two months.
This Sunday is Pentecost, which celebrates the arrival of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of its guidance and leadership of the Christian Church. Its symbols are fire and wind. There is a creative power in the Holy Spirit, but sometimes that fire brings destruction and change. This church has seen a lot of change in the past five years – COVID-19, Jill’s death, two interims, recent membership growth, including welcoming our siblings in Christ from First Congregational UCC of San Bernardino, and now the departure of your new Senior Minister after only one year. It’s a lot of change and challenge. Yet, in it all, the Holy Spirit is moving, guiding, and creating. This church has thrived through its challenges in the past, and I have faith that God will guide it through this next challenge as well. I believe the Spirit brought me here, and I believe the Spirit is calling me back to Massachusetts. It’s a journey I didn’t plan, a journey I don’t fully understand, but a journey filled with God’s presence both in my life and at RUCC.
In the weeks and months to come, I want to spend time with each of you to process, say goodbye, and show each other mutual support. The best way to do this is to reach out directly to me (email or phone) or the church office, and we can set up a time. This Sunday there will also be an opportunity to meet with your shepherd groups during Super Shepherd Sunday to process and grieve together. We have a lot happening between now and my final Sunday, including celebrating 50 years as a church – a church that has welcomed and released so many people on their journeys, but remained a resilient and recognizable presence in the community. The church is so much more than a building, or a pastor, or any single person. It is a sanctuary and living presence in the community. I pray to see you at the 50th and to savor the time we have together before my departure.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Joe Zarro
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A Message from the Board
Dear Friends,
With Joe's pending departure, our church will enter a new but familiar chapter. The good news is that we know how to do this. Since Jill started her sabbatical in June of 2022 we have welcomed many pastoral leaders to our congregation: from Erin, to the three-pastor “Fluffy” arrangement, to Jake, to Elaine, to Joe. No matter who graces our pulpit, we know how to offer a faith community that welcomes everyone to come in, while we strive for social justice in the larger community. It's in our DNA. The church is bigger than any one person, even if that person is the pastor. It is our people, our sense of community, our care for each other, and our love for all humanity that make us RUCC.
The board met this week with our UCC conference minister Rachael Pryor to talk about where we are and about next steps. Her advice, with which we concur, is that we should begin a search for a new settled pastor immediately. Joe has made an impact on RUCC, and for some of us, he is the only RUCC pastor we've known. But for many of us, this past year will now feel like a continuation of the transitional period that started in June of 2022.
We have called a congregational meeting for June 29 where we will discuss next steps and formally vote to elect a new 9-member search committee, following the process outlined in our bylaws. If you would like to recommend someone for the search committee, including yourself, please speak with President Dan Abushanab, Vice President Patty Little, or any other board member.
We’ll wish Rev. Joe farewell and godspeed at a service later in the summer. In the meantime, we keep Joe and his family in our prayers, and wish them all the best during this time of transition.
With hope for the future,
The RUCC Board
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June 8 ~ Pentecost Sunday ~ "Fire and Change"
Last Sunday, we had rainbows everywhere for Pride Sunday. This Sunday, we will have reds, oranges and yellows to celebrate the Holy Spirit and its arrival on the Day of Pentecost. You are invited to wear these colors to worship, which is an annual tradition. Jo Dierdorff will be sharing a dance with us to "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and I will be offering Cat Stevens's "The Wind" during the Time of Reflection. We'll also have a Celebration of Tongues where the scripture, Acts 2:1-13, will be read in different languages. My sermon will address the elephant in the room—the news of my upcoming departure, and how when there is disruption, change, and challenge, the Holy Spirit shows up and does the work of creation, transformation, and healing. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit because he knew we would need an Advocate, an agent of hope, but also of change, to lead the church on its long, beautiful journey.
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-13 - "A Celebration of Tongues"
Wear fire colors on Sunday! 🔥
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Concerns:
- Prayers for our church community and the Zarro family during this time of transition. Prayers for a loving, grace-filled departure, and for the Holy Spirit to continue to accompany us on the journey.
- Prayers for the Sforza family as Rick's father Frank has entered hospice.
- Ongoing prayers for Mary Lou Haney, and her daughter and caregiver Jennie, and Jennie’s fiancé Patrick. We were overjoyed to have her return to worship during this long health journey.
- Prayers for Floyd Orr who has transitioned to hospice care. Prayers for good care, peace and wholeness.
- Prayers that wisdom prevails for the Redlands Unified School District Board as they consider policies that would target LGBTQ+ students. We also pray in thanks for the eight churches, including RUCC, that sent an open letter to the RUSD board to affirm the LGBTQ+ students of our district and reject the use of Christianity to discriminate.
- We pray for the victims of violence and oppression around the world. Especially during Pride Month, we pray for our LGBTQ+ siblings who cannot be open or public about their identities due to violence and repression. We give thanks for the freedom to openly and publicly proclaim our support and inclusion of this community. In solidarity and love, we pray for those who are not safe because of their sexual orientation or gender identities.
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Ongoing Concerns:
- Those affected by wildfires, including the UCC in Altadena
- Dick Ault
- Jerry Andrews
- Ron Bickford
- Tim and Ida Blakely
- Bill Buchanan
- Judith Gregory
- Beki Hill
- Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother
- Paisley Parcell
- Amber McGuigan
- Cynthia McGuigan
- Dondon and Scott Mong
- Carl Parish
- Dee Dee Seek’s great grandson Jaxson
- Robert Silver
- Tom Miller
- Janet Wilson’s great niece Amelia
- Michael White
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Caring for Kin
In the month of June, we are collecting supplies for the Redlands Animal Shelter. The Shelter is frequently in need of items such as bleach, dish soap, canned and dry food, and toys for dogs and cats.
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You can be more involved at RUCC
It feels like 2025 is moving fast. Before we know it, it will be October, and the church will be coming into Covenant season. Every year, the nominating committee meets and discusses people whom we feel would be a good nomination for any upcoming Board vacancies. But we also wait until after Covenant Sunday, to review if anyone checks the boxes to be on the Board.
There are eight board positions where the person currently in the role will not be continuing next year, which is a lot. These include President, Vice President, Clerk, Church Growth, Wider Ministries, Shepherds, Education and Stewards. If you feel any of these is a role you would be interested in, please reach out to Maegan Hill, Stacy Kaiser, or anyone on the nominating committee. We would like to get a good idea of who is interested in any of these roles sooner rather than later.
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June 7 is Sacred Saturday
Sacred Saturday is a time for you and your soul, and a time to gather in a contemplative supportive community. We will be together from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. In this time of such big change for our church, you are especially welcome to find spiritual replenishment and a caring circle of friends. Our time begins and ends in Micah Room in Mosaic Hall. In between, you may wish to wander and wonder in the outside gardens, labyrinth, or sanctuary. Or, perhaps find a cozy corner in which to read, pray or meditate. All are welcome.
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June 8 is Super Shepherd Sunday
Super Shepherd Sunday is this Sunday, June 8th, after worship. You should have received a communication from your Shepherd Group Leader with details. Here's what The View is aware of:
#1 Fiske-Phillips - Founders Room
#2 Mong/Orman - East Patio
#3 Breyer/Mineo-Wells - Patio
#4 Hill/Miller at Maegan's home
#5 Abushanab/Turian at Heather's home
#6 Simmons in the youth room in Mosaic Hall
If you are not in a Shepherd Group, or do not know which group you are in, please reach out to Maegan Hill with any questions. Maegan@redlandsucc.org (see Realm for phone number). Thank you!
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RUCC Day Camp June 9-13
The Education Committee is thrilled to announce an exciting program this summer: RUCC Day Camp! (Previously referred to as Vacation Bible School)
Dates: June 9-13
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: RUCC Campus, with possible short excursions off campus, here and there
Who: all RUCC children currently in grades 12 and under, including grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc.
The ReNew curriculum (from Sparkhouse) which we will use, empowers kids to grow in faith, have fun, and change the world. Each day, kids will explore Jesus’ Parable of the Sower with age-appropriate activities while learning how to care for God’s creation.
Please contact al_education@redlandsucc.org for more information, and to get your name(s) on the list. Also: we need volunteers to help us with this new program! If you’re available to help during the week of June 9, please contact us at the same email address.
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Open Letter to the RUSD School Board
Dear Church Family,
The Redlands Unified School District School Board is meeting on Tuesday, June 10, to once again take up policies that would prohibit rainbow flags from the schools and ban certain books. I, along with other clergy, have been very concerned with the way proponents of these policies have been using Christianity as a reason to target and discriminate against LGBTQ+ students. So eight clergy representing eight established and well-known churches in Redlands collaborated on this open letter to the RUSD Board. This letter was mailed to the board with an offer to meet with any school board member who wishes to discuss it. We also sent a note to one of the prominent churches which supports these policies (and which helped get two school board candidates elected to the board this last election) to open up a direct dialogue if desired.
I am grateful that RUCC is so supportive of social justice and civic engagement. We aren’t trying to be "political" here—we are taking a faith-based stand that discrimination in the name of Christianity is wrong and that our schools should be secular, multi-faith institutions. This is not just for the protection of non-religious students, but also the many religious students that don’t share the version of Christianity that would condemn or exclude our LGBTQ+ siblings.
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any concerns or comments. A story will be running in the Redlands Daily Facts and likely other news outlets ahead of the June 10 meeting. Some of us will also be involved in a prayer vigil and public demonstration before the school board meeting, and you are invited to that as well.
Sincerely,
Joe Zarro
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Racial Justice Message
Intersectionality is the way in which individuals are empowered and oppressed by the intricate ways in which parts of their identities connect. Every single person is unique; a person’s identity isn’t just made up of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, class, ability, nationality, or even location in the world, but the combination of these things and more. Out in the world, you aren’t just one side of yourself, but every side in totality, and every side is perceived differently by the people around you, shifting with the situations you’re in.
Source: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/guide/black-lgbtq-approaching-intersectional-conversations/
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Environmental Justice Message
St. John [the Baptist Parish, Louisiana] made national news after an EPA tool called EJScreen revealed that the "community had more cancer risk than anywhere else in the nation from pollution," according to Kimberly Terrell, a research scientist at Tulane University's Environmental Law Clinic. EJScreen helped academics, environmental justice advocates and regulators pinpoint which communities have been heavily impacted by pollution and climate change.
The Trump administration removed EJScreen in February after signing an executive order called "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing."
Source: “Over-polluted communities vow to fight despite EPA’s rollback on environmental justice,” Nate Perez and Ryan Kellman, National Public Radio, 5/23/25
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Strengthen the Church Offering this Sunday, June 8
The Holy Spirit gathers us together. From across the country and the spectrums of human experience, we become united in Christ. And, united, the Spirit commissions us to work for a more just world for all.
The Strengthen the Church Offering supports congregations and leaders across the United Church of Christ as they respond to the Spirit’s call to be united in Christ for a more just world for all. The challenges our congregations face vary:
- Some seek ways to strengthen youth ministry
- Some hope to start new congregations
- Some look for innovative ways to renew existing congregations
- Some need help developing leaders
The giving in your congregation can ensure congregations get the help they need from their conference and the national ministries of the UCC. Together we can answer the Spirit’s call to be united in Christ for a just world for all.
Please give generously in the offering plates, or donate online here.
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This week
Saturday, June 7
- Sacred Saturday, 9 a.m.—12 noon, Mosaic Hall (see article)
Sunday, June 8
- 9:15 a.m. - Kid's Zone
- 9:30 a.m. - Seekers (social time at 9:15 a.m.)
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship
- 10:30 a.m. - Summertime Sunday School
- 11:30 a.m. - Super Shepherd Sunday (see article for details)
Monday, June 9
- 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Day Camp (see article)
- 7:00 p.m. - Bible Study, in person or online
Tuesday, June 10
- 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Day Camp (see article)
- 11:00 a.m. - Munch & Muse
- 7 p.m. - Stewards Area meeting, Founders Room
Wednesday, June 11
- 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Day Camp (see article)
- 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Mah Jongg, Mosaic Hall
Thursday, June 12
- 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Day Camp (see article)
- 7:00 p.m. - Choir practice
Friday, June 13
- 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Day Camp (see article)
- 7:00 p.m. - Women's closed AA meeting
Saturday, June 14
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- June 21-22 - 50th anniversary celebration (details above)
- June 29 after worship in the sanctuary - Congregational Meeting to elect Search Committee
- July 13 - Weekly Summer Series begins
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