A message from our Pastor and Teacher

November 10, 2024 ~~ Super Shepherd Sunday and 25th Sunday after Pentecost ~~ "Covenant to Prayer"

Friends, I will be honest: I'm not entirely sure what I'm preaching on yet. Right now I'm listening to a lot of people who are hurt and fearful for the direction of this country. Our church is inclusive, and has always welcomed those who are marginalized and vulnerable, and we have a special calling to comfort the afflicted. I was planning to preach on prayer, and since it is a powerful tool for comfort, healing and changing the world around us, I will still be preaching on it, just differently. I hope this reaches you with strong faith in the power of God to sustain you, the presence of the Spirit to comfort you, and knowledge that you belong to a community that will stand alongside you in every season of life.

Sunday's Scriptures

Youth Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

Focus Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8

Heart to Heart is re-activated

Heart to Heart has re-formed in response to the high degree of emotional stew many of us are experiencing regarding the election and the escalating crises around the world. 

You can flag down any one of us at church. You can contact us by going to the Heart-to-Heart Group on Realm, click on the member you want to walk with you and send a message. You can also find each of our contact information in the Directory in Realm (click the magnifying glass icon).

We are your Heart-to-Heart team members: Judith Turian, Cherie Bogel, Patty Little, Michelle McNevin, and Keith Osajima.

Save November 16 and 17 for the Christmas Faire

The Fun and Friendly Christmas Faire is Saturday, November 16, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 17, noon-2:00 p.m. Over 15 vendors (most are church members) will present their arts/crafts and collectables. This year, we are adding two ways to support the RUCC Youth Fund: A Good Reads area and a Kids/Youth store. We are asking for donations of:

• Fiction/nonfiction, hard/soft cover, children/adult books that would interest the public 
• New (and almost new) toys, art supplies and puzzles 



There is a box in Covenant Hall marked Christmas Faire. Contact Ginny Cruz for more information.

Caring for Kin - Fern Lodge and Casa de la Vista

For the month of November, we are collecting holiday gifts for residents at Fern Lodge and Casa de la Vista, which provide affordable housing for seniors in Redlands. Gifts may be used for a holiday raffle, so items that are suitable for any resident are preferred. Ideas include throw blankets, insulated mugs, and puzzles or card games. 

Book Group meets Sunday, December 1

The next RUCC Book Group selection is An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. The group will meet after church, at noon, in Founders Room on Sunday, Dec. 1. The presenter will be Nan Root. As always, everyone is welcome.

“Today in the United States, there are more than five hundred federally recognized Indigenous nations comprising nearly three million people, descendants of the fifteen million Native people who once inhabited this land. The centuries-long genocidal program of the US settler-colonial regime has largely been omitted from history. Now, for the first time, acclaimed historian and activist Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz offers a history of the United States told from the perspective of Indigenous peoples and reveals how Native Americans, for centuries, actively resisted expansion of the US empire.” (Amazon Review)

Racial Justice reflection of the week

November is National Native American Heritage Month

What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.

One of the very first proponents of an American Indian Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who was the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y. He persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the “First Americans” and for three years they adopted such a day. In 1915, the annual Congress of the American Indian Association meeting in Lawrence, Kansas, formally approved a plan concerning American Indian Day. It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to call upon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens.

Read more…

Source: https://www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/About.html

Climate change and the election

“Climate change is real and it is here, and we need leadership that will take bold action to address the problems we face. I also encourage us to engage in community with those who are continuing to take action, despite who is in the White House.

And remember, the momentum is with us. Consider all of the communities of faith that are installing solar energy in their buildings; the amount of solar, wind energy, and geothermal energy already being produced; the pipelines that are not being built; and the local communities that are blocking fossil fuel infrastructure. This election does not change any of those things.”

From a post-election statement by Reverend Susan Hendershot, President of Interfaith Power and Light. To see Rev. Hendershot’s entire statement, go here: https://interfaithpowerandlight.org/blog/2024/11/06/ipl-president-on-election-and-a-message-to-our-community/

To find out more about Interfaith Power and Light, go here: https://interfaithpowerandlight.org/about/

Parents’ Night Out Friday, November 15

Parents/Caregivers: Need a little break during the holidays?

Drop off the kids for the evening on Friday, November 15 for a movie night with pizza and popcorn.

• 5:00 p.m. - Drop off kids to Mosaic Hall any time starting at 5:00 p.m.
• 5:30 p.m. - Pizza, movie (Moana), and popcorn.
• 7:30-8:00 p.m. - Pick up kids any time between 7:30 and 8:00.

It is important that you RSVP for this event so we know how many to expect (and how much pizza to buy!)

RSVP to al_education@redlandsucc.org and indicate number of kids and any dietary restrictions they may have.

Upcoming Dates to Remember

• Nov. 10 - Super Shepherd Sunday - groups in various locations (article above)
• Nov. 15-17 - Silent Retreat, Serra Retreat House, Malibu. Signups open until November 8. Cost is $310. Contact Judith Turian for details.
• Nov. 16-17 - Christmas Faire (article above)
• Nov. 17 - Wider Ministries meeting has been postponed. New date TBD.
• Dec. 15 - Christmas Pageant presented by our youth and children during the worship service

The church calendar is online at redlandsucc.org/calendar/