A message from our Pastor and Teacher

Second Sunday of Lent, February 25 ~ "The View From Beneath"

Darkness and light, according to Artist and pastor Nicolette Peñaranda are complimentary, not contrasting. The fear that entered Peter with the storm at sea was most likely heightened because they fished at night. Without the ability to see what was around him, Peter became vulnerable, thus causing him to reach out. The wonder of darkness exposes us and invites us to seek connection. Let´s see that in the reaching hand gently reaching for us to pull us into relationship. 

Sunday's Scripture:

Matthew 14:22-33

Caring for Kin February 25

The last chance to donate photo albums and scrapbooks for foster children is this coming Sunday, February 25! There was some concern that this collection is not really needed, since we all now keep most of our pictures electronically.  However, the foster child agency assures us that these albums/scrapbooks are very much needed.

“It is actually a requirement by our agency that families print out at least 3 pictures per month and add those to an album for children, so that when and if the child leaves their home they have memories of those months or years of their life.”

Many thanks to those of you who have already contributed to this project, hoping that each child will be able to have some kind of book of memories to carry along with them as a reminder of love shared.

Please continue to show your generosity as you help our foster kin along their journey.

LGBTQIAFG meeting after church in Covenant Hall

On Sunday, February 25, the LGBTQIAF Group will meeting in Covenant Hall directly after the service. 

We're still looking for a Youth Director!

This may be only a part-time position, but it is important to our church's mission. The Youth Director plays a key role in helping our young people understand why RUCC's values and theology are important to them as they prepare to go out in the world.

......................~~ The RUCC Personnel Committee

Ask California candidates for U.S. Senate to protect the California desert.

The California desert ecosystem and the desert tourism economy that depends on it are important to our region. For decades, Cadiz, Inc. has been seeking to pump water from the aquifer beneath the Mojave Desert with the goal of profiting from the sale of the water to California water districts and from charging the Metropolitan Water District to store its excess water in the aquifer, a plan whose potentially serious environmental damage has resulted in fierce opposition from environmental groups and from elected officials. (Source: Hiltzik, Michael, "California's most improbable water project rebrands itself as a crusader for environmental justice," Los Angeles Times, 1/25/24)

Especially notable among the opponents of Cadiz’s plans was the late Senator Dianne Feinstein. With the loss of her powerful advocacy for the California desert, we need to let candidates seeking to replace her know that desert protection is very important to us. The Environmental Justice Team has been conducting a postcard writing campaign to urge Senate candidates to support desert protection. This coming Sunday, we will have a table set up in Covenant Hall after church. We will have further information on desert protection and we will have post cards that you can sign to send to Senate candidates. Since Senator Padilla supported desert protection in the past, we have cards thanking him and also asking if he will continue to work to protect the desert.

 Below is the text of the postcards to be sent to major Senate candidates:

 “I live in the Inland Empire of Southern California. The desert ecosystem is very important to me and to our region. As a Senate candidate, I strongly urge you to protect our desert environment and economy. Reject the efforts by Cadiz Inc. to pump the aquifer beneath the Mojave for its own profit. The front group, Groundswell, is supporting Cadiz Inc. in this campaign. Where do you stand on this vital issue of desert protection?”

Racial Justice reflection of the week

A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few. Ignoring these cries and failing to respond to this movement is simply not an option — for peace cannot exist where justice is not served.”

  — John Lewis, American politician and civil rights activist.

Chapman University’s 40th Annual Founders Day - Saturday, March 9

Come hear prolific writer and acclaimed speaker Diana Butler Bass. Register at www.chapman.edu/founders-day.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

• February 25 - Wider Ministries Area meeting at 12:00 p.m. - Founders' Room
• February 25 - LGBTQIAFG meeting in Covenant Hall directly after the service. 
• February 26 - Lenten Series
• March 2 - Sacred Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 noon
• March 3 - Book group - Noon - Founders' Room - with Inlandia author Ellen Estilai
• March 4 - Lenten Series
• March 9 - Chapman University Founders Day featuring Diana Butler Bass. See article above
• March 10 - Super Shepherd Sunday
• March 11, 18, and 25 - Lenten Series
• March 28 - Seder and Tenebrae

The church calendar is found at redlandsucc.org

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