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Quarterly Gathering this Sunday, Oct. 27
During the fellowship hour this Sunday we'll have a quarterly gathering to share information about the work that happens in each of the seven areas, to answer questions, and to inspire members of our church family to volunteer their time and talents in 2025. If you're lucky maybe, you'll even uncover a new talent or two - see you Sunday!
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We are already planning for next year!
The Art, for Heaven’s Sake! Planning Committee wants to
THANK YOU
for all your help in making this year’s show successful.
Your willingness to help and enthusiasm were greatly appreciated.
We thank you, the church thanks you, the many artists thank you,
and the community thanks you for a job well done.
We hope to see you again next year!
October 17, 18, 19, 2025
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A message from our Pastor and Teacher
October 27, 2024 ~~ 23nd Sunday after Pentecost ~~ "Covenant to Service"
Art, for Heaven's Sake! was amazing! This is the first time I've experienced it, and it certainly lived up to the hype. It took so many volunteers and servants to pull it off, and I'm grateful for everyone who helped. Churches cannot run without the service and dedication of others. As we continue our "Covenant Season," I will be preaching on various aspects of what it means to "Be the Church" together, and this week I will be focusing on service, humility and working together in Christ's example.
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Concerns
- Mary Lou Haney is having ongoing challenges during her prolonged hospitalization at Loma Linda Medical Center. Prayers for Mary Lou and her daughter and caregiver Jennie requested and appreciated.
- Beth Welsh’s sister Diane is home and recovering from her hospitalization. Thank you for your prayers.
- We continue to hold in our prayers the victims of violence and oppression around the world. This week we say a special prayer for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo affected by the civil war. In March of 2024, the UN reported 7.2 million internally displaced people in the DRC, the largest in the world.
Ongoing Concerns:
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Kimberly and Danny Anderson, and their children Charles and Julia
Jerry Andrews
Johanna Ballard's brother
Andrew Barrow
Bill Buchanan
Denise Cain
Kathy Economen’s son Jeff
Judith Gregory
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Sue Hammond
Beki Hill
Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother
Paisley Parcell
Jules Rattray’s sister, Jenny
Amber McGuigan
Cynthia McGuigan
DonDon and Scott Mong
Floyd Orr
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Carl Parish
Dee Dee Seek’s great grandson Jaxson
Charlie Seek
Robert Silver
Steffen family
Sforza family
Tom Miller
Janet Wilson’s great niece Amelia
Michael White
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Special Note: Our dear friend and longtime RUCC member Floyd Orr would love to have people come to visit him at his board and care place in Grand Terrace. If you’d like to go, need information or have questions, please contact Keith Osajima at keithosajima@gmail.com or call/text 909-705-9070. | |
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Heart to Heart is being re-activated
Heart to Heart is re-forming in response to the high degree of emotional stew many of us are experiencing regarding the upcoming election and the escalating crises around the world.
Heart to Heart is a team of RUCC members who have volunteered to provide a space for our family where the Heart Speaks and the Heart Listens. Each of the Heart team members will each strive to offer 2 ears to hear, 2 arms to hug, 2 feet to walk beside and 1 heart filled with love.
We are here to listen and support but not to counsel or enter political discussion.
You can flag any one of us down 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.
We are your Heart-to-Heart team members: Judith Turian, Cherie Bogel, Patti Little, Michelle McNevin, and Keith Osajima.
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It's Covenant Season at RUCC
Covenant Sunday is Nov. 3rd (All Saints' Sunday)
At Redlands UCC, every member makes an annual covenant with the church. Whether you’ve been here since its inception in 1975, or are covenanting for the first time, the expectation is that membership is intentionally renewed each year with reflection and prayer. Our 2025 Covenant Booklets are now available, and I highly encourage you to have them ready for our special Covenant Sunday service on November 3rd, when we will also be observing All Saints' Sunday and Communion.
At this service, there will be a time to bring your covenant forward and place it in a basket in front of the altar, where they will be blessed. We will also have a ceremony to celebrate and welcome our first-time covenanting members. If you cannot be here on Nov. 3rd, you can turn in your covenant to the office beforehand (by hand or by mail) and we’ll place it in the basket and bless it with the others.
What happens to my covenant? Your financial covenant goes directly to the Treasurer without the pastor or any church leaders knowing your giving. Your spiritual covenant goes directly to the pastor, again held in confidence. Your time and talent covenant goes to the office administrator who processes the survey and shares the information with the relevant area leaders.
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss this important time in the life of our church. Here are some dates you may find helpful:
- Pastries with the Pastor information session before church, Oct. 27, 9:30-10:15 a.m.
- Covenant writing workshop, Oct. 29, 7:00 p.m., online
- Sacred Saturday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - a time for contemplation and discernment
Reverend Joe
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RUCC Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 26, 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the RUCC parking lot
Use this link to see all the details and RSVP. Start getting your costumes and your trunks ready!
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Last call for thespians grade 12 and under
The RUCC Youth Group will soon make final casting decisions for this year’s Christmas Pageant.
Please let us know by Sunday October 27 if you’d like to participate. Contact Andrea Morics (admorics@redlandsucc.org) if your child would like to participate in the pageant this year
The performance will take place on Sunday, December 15, during worship.
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AFTERSHOCK - Social Justice film, Thurs., October 24 at 6:30 p.m. in Covenant Hall
A disproportionate number of black women are failed every year by the U.S. maternal health system. This film follows the deaths of two young women due to childbirth complications. Now their partners and families sound a rallying cry around this crisis. (1.5 hr)
Popcorn and coffee provided. Feel free to bring your own meal. Help us to avoid the use of disposables by bringing your own travel mug or re-useable water bottle.
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We make beautiful music together! | |
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Celebration Ringers
The Celebration Ringers bell choir starts rehearsals on Wednesday, October 23, 6 p.m., in the sanctuary. We are hoping to find new ringers! No experience needed. Try something new and ring in the holiday season!
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Covenant Choir
Covenant Choir meets Wednesdays, 7 p.m., and is seeking new singers to join as we begin to prepare for All Saints' Day, Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas. A perfect time to join!
If you're interested, please contact David Wells.
Together, we'll make a joyful noise unto God.
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Young- and Middle-Aged Adult Group is kicking off Nov. 7
We are expanding our programming for young- and middle-aged adults at Redlands UCC! The vision for our “YMA” group is to have social gatherings, theological discussions and mutual support for adults in our congregation who are *roughly* ages 21-55. There is no strict age requirement or limit. As an inclusive and intergenerational church, we are committed to making room for everyone, and sometimes that also means programming that supports particular demographics, whether it is youth group, LGBTQIA+ Faith Group, or activities geared towards seniors.
Our kickoff event will be a social gathering at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, at Escape Brewery (440 Oriental Ave.) with the light-hearted check-in question “Do you think we should begin Christmas music and decorations before Thanksgiving?” We’ll also be polling other ideas and activities for the future. Save the date and invite your friends! Contact Rev. Joe with any questions.
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“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”
We can all put that ideal into action by introducing ourselves to people at church that we don’t know and engaging them in conversation when we meet them. If you want to play a more formal role in welcoming visitors to RUCC, you might want to join the Church Growth area or take part in our new Welcome Team. Contact our Church Growth area leader Michael Dewey if you’re interested. And let’s all remember to wear our name tags!
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Register soon for the Silent Retreat!
Enough people have registered to confirm our silent retreat at Serra Retreat House in Malibu for Friday evening, November 15, through Sunday lunch, November 17, 2024. The cost is $310 per person in a single room or $250 per person in a double room. All meals are included.
If you're interested, it's not too late! Please contact Judith Turian by text or phone, or by email at highdesertshrink@gmail.com. If attending the retreat is a financial challenge, please ask Rev. Joe for scholarship help.
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Caring for Kin - Steps 4 Life Thanksgiving food
For the month of October, we are collecting Thanksgiving holiday food to be delivered in early November to Steps 4 Life. Steps 4 Life provides safe transitional housing in Redlands. Suggested food items include baking items (e.g., flour, sugar), stuffing mix, boxed mashed potatoes, and canned goods (e.g., pumpkin, cranberry sauce, green beans, sweet potatoes).
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Racial Justice reflection of the week
Anti-discrimination campaigners have called for significant changes to avoid “another generation” of players, managers and officials not reaching their potential after it emerged that younger fans consider racism much more of a problem in soccer than older groups.
A survey found almost half of Gen Z and Millennials, ranging from age 16 to 42, believe tackling racism is the most serious challenge facing the game, compared to only a third of Gen X and Baby Boomers, aged 43 to 75.
The English Premier League will “celebrate diversity across the game” through its “No Room For Racism” campaign and highlight the contribution of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in soccer and showcase the importance of diversity on and off the pitch.
Source: https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/football-fans-points-deductions-stadium-closures-online-racism-3332150
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From the Environmental Justice Team
The [California Fish and Game] Commission unanimously approved naming the western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) as a candidate for potential listing as a protected species under the California Endangered Species Act. Threats facing burrowing owls in California are direct mortality and permanent habitat loss caused by urbanization and reduction or elimination of their primary burrow excavators — ground squirrels — from grazing and agricultural lands. The Department will undertake a one-year review of the species’ status before the Commission is expected to make a final decision on listing. As a candidate for potential listing, the species is temporarily afforded the same protections as a state-listed endangered or threatened species.
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife news release 10/15/24
Photo source: California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation
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Game and Conversation Night, Nov. 1
Come join the fun in Covenant Hall and the Founders Room. We are having a fun-raiser for our youth. Actually, it is a toy raiser! Game and Conversation Night – Friday, November 1, 5:00 to 8:00 pm. It is for all ages. Games, Good Conversations, Create Art and RELAX. We will start with Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Sorry, Uno, Yahtzee, Five Crowns, Scrabble, Mexican Train Dominos, Twister, Bingo, Maj Jong and Pickle Ball (bring your bat). Two Conversation tables – Let’s talk (Barbie F-P) and How did life get so crazy? (Michelle M.) A Coloring Table with Mandalas.
We are asking each person/family to bring a new or very gently used toy, art supplies or accessories for teens. These donated items will be part of the Kids' Store at the Christmas Faire, and all proceeds will go to the Youth Fund.
We will have the World Series on. Eat before you come. We will be serving Root Beer Floats to add to the fun. I am hoping for 80 people. If you can help set up, please come at 4:30. We will need clean up help too. Questions? Contact Ginny Cruz.
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Book Group meets Sunday, November 3
The RUCC Book Group will meet at noon on Sunday, Nov. 3, in Founders Room to discuss The Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. Heather King and Diana Sommer will facilitate the discussion. Everyone is invited to join in the discussion, even if you do not normally attend the Book Group.
Butler’s 10th novel, published in 1993 and set roughly 30 years in Butler’s future, is her answer to one of Robert Heinlein’s patterns for writing science fiction: “if this keeps on. . . “ The “this”? Climate change, social inequities, and drug addiction. Click here to read more about this prophetic book!
If you'd like to get a head start on December, the following meeting is Dec. 1, 2024: An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz; Presenter: Nan Root.
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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.
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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
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Community Chorus Concert, Sunday, October 27 at 4:00 p.m. | |
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
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Oct. 24 - Social Justice movie - Aftershock (article above)
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Oct. 26 - 5 p.m. - Trunk or Treat (article above)
- Oct. 27 - 9:30 a.m. - Pastries with the Pastor (article above)
- Oct. 27 - 11:30 a.m. - Congregational Quarterly Gathering (article above)
- Oct. 27 - 4:00 p.m. Community Chorus of Redlands (article above)
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Oct. 29 - 7 p.m. - Covenant writing workshop online (article above)
- Nov. 1 - 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. - Game and conversation night (article above)
- Nov. 2 - 9 a.m.-2 p.m. - Sacred Saturday, Micah Room
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Nov. 5 - Election Day, 2024 General Election
- Nov. 10 - Super Shepherd Sunday - groups in various locations
- Nov. 15-17 - Silent Retreat, Serra Retreat House, Malibu (article above)
- 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/
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Sunday, October 27
- 9:20 a.m. Social / 9:30 a.m. Meet – Seekers, Founders Room
- 9:30 a.m. - Pastries with the Pastor (learn more about RUCC), Covenant Hall
- 9:30 a.m. – Kids’ Zone
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship service and Sunday School
- 11:30 a.m. - Congregational Quarterly Gathering, Covenant Hall
Monday, October 28
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7 p.m. – Bible Study, Founders Room, or online, Newcomers welcome. Prior participation unnecessary.
Tuesday, October 29
- 11:00 a.m. - Munch and Muse lunch group
Wednesday, October 30
- 1 p.m. - Mahjong, Mosaic Hall
- 6 p.m. - Bell rehearsal, Sanctuary
- 7 p.m. - Choir practice, Micah Room
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Thursday, October 31
Friday, November 1
- 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. - Game and Conversation Night
- 7 p.m. – Woman’s AA Meeting - Mosaic Hall Youth Room
Saturday, November 2
- 9:00 a.m. - Sacred Saturday
Sunday, November 3
- 9:20 a.m. Social/9:30 a.m. Meet – Seekers, Founders Room
- 9:30 a.m. – Kids’ Zone
- 10:30 a.m. – All Saints' Day Worship service with Communion and Sunday School
- 11:30 a.m. -Fellowship/Coffee Hour - Covenant Hall
- 12:00 p.m. - Book Group
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RUCC Staff
Senior Pastor: Rev. Joe Zarro
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: Caitlin Walsh
Website: www.redlandsucc.org
Phone: 909-793-3520
Staff and Other Emails
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pastor@redlandsucc.org
musicdirector@redlandsucc.org
childrenseducation@redlandsucc.org
youth@redlandsucc.org
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office@redlandsucc.org
weddings@redlandsucc.org
theview@redlandsucc.org
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