Our Mission: "We are an inclusive Open and Affirming faith community reaching out with love, compassion, and justice."

Trouble viewing the newsletter? View as Webpage Thursday, February 25, 2021

A Message from Our Pastor and Teacher Sunday, February 28 ~ “Beguiled by Beauty: Contemplation and Action” We often divide contemplation and social action into separate entities as we split apart the world into dualistic categories: spirituality / activism, prayer / work, inner / outer life. Yet, life is a seamless whole. On this last Sunday of Black History month, we celebrate the life of Howard Thurman who discovered that contemplation leads to action and meditation inspires self-worth. Thurman’s prophetic spirituality, in its joining of contemplation and action, spirituality and justice seeking, shaped a whole generation of prophetic voices. Thurman was beguiled not only by the beauty of creation, but by the beauty of his neighbor.

Sunday's Scripture Matthew 5: 13 – 16

Worship for Sunday, February 14, 2021 Prelude: Dawn by Sydney Stevens_...__________________,........Sophia Ohanian Welcome and Call to Worship:______________________________ Janet Wilson Opening Hymn: #31 All Things Bright and Beautiful _____ Led by Dan Abushanab Opening Prayer:_____________________________ _____________Janet Wilson Children's Circle: _________.............._______________..._______...Ross Mitchell Community Joys and Concerns: _______________...._Rev. Dr. Jill Kirchner-Rose Special Music: God Leads Us Along  By George Young.......RUCC Stay-at-Home Choir Scripture: Matthew 5: 13 – 16           __........................... Message: “Beguiled by Beauty: Contemplation and Action” _____Dr. Kirchner-Rose Offertory:  Still by Ola Gjeilo....................________________..........Sophia Ohanian Prayer of Dedication:-___._____________.___._____________....._--Janet Wilson Closing Hymn: #584 I Am the Light of the World         _...____        Led by Jim Tong Time of Reflection: For the Beauty of the Earth & Simple Gifts .arr. by Roberta Belliston ____________________.________________________________ Sophia Ohanian

Joy: Prayers of thanks for Sage, daughter of Joette Orman and Peter Tupou, who has been released from the NICU and is now at home with her parents. Concerns: Katherine Emma requests prayers for her brigade and the family of SFC Octavio Araujo who passed from life to Life. Prayers for Evan, son of Meagan Hill, who badly sprained his ankle. Prayers for Mario and Maria Saucedo’s sister who died of leukemia. Prayers for Kathy Peters whose father passed from life to Life. Prayers for Evan, son of Margaret Paul, who is facing life challenges Rosemary Touhy requests prayers for her friend Terri who is having major dental work. Inez Diggs requests prayers for her friend, Penni Pierce, who suffers from Pulmonary Fibrosis, and needs a double lung transplant to help her breathing capacity. Prayers for Rosemary Whitmer who is facing health challenges. Prayers for Ben Bohren who is recovering from outpatient surgery for the removal of a kidney stone. Prayers for Don, brother of Carol Buchanan, who is recovering from surgery for aggressive prostate cancer. Prayers for Rosemary Tuohy who broke her ankle from a fall. Carla Becerril requests prayers for Mary Ann Ramos who tested positive for COVID. Prayers for Keith, cousin of Maegan Hill, who is blinded by a blood clot. Prayers for Lorna, mother of Erin Beardemphl, who shattered her kneecap. Prayers for Claire, friend of Jennifer Brainerd, who is grieving the loss of sister Hilary and bringing into her family nephew Peyton. Prayers for Loraine, friend of Rosemary Tuohy, who has been diagnosed with anal cancer. Prayers for Claudine, grandmother of Paul and Dante Welsh. Prayers for Mary, sister of Sue Hammond, who is facing some health challenges. Prayers for Charlie Seek challenged by diabetes related foot issues. Prayers for Greg Farrell, brother of Karen Walsh, who is undergoing radiation treatment for cancer. Prayers for Gloria Ebert who is facing heart challenges Carla Becerril requests prayers for her cousin Sally who is hospitalized with COVID. Carla Becerril requests prayers for Tim Brown who is hospitalized with COVID. Judith Turian requests prayers for Jill Bressler as she undergoes treatment for lung cancer and for Judith's close friend Terri, who is unable to travel to be with Jill because of COVID.  Kenneth Lee requests prayers for his father and sister who contracted COVID-19. Prayers for Armando, family member of Carla Becerril, who is diagnosed with COVID. Prayers for Drew Morgan who underwent knee surgery on Nov. 23rd. Prayers for Sue Wallace who is recovering from surgery for the replacement of an aortic heart valve. Ongoing prayers for parents, teachers, students navigating online school. Prayers for Dick Ault, who is awaiting knee replacement surgery. Ongoing Concerns:

Barb, friend of Carla Becerril Gretchen and Aaron Andrews Carla Becerril Les Budai Diane Campbell Diane, Sister-in-Law of Heather King Carol Chaney Precia Gwenhwyfer Courtney-Hveen Cousin of Rick Cruz Norma Erickson Betty Gayle Ronan Godfrey Jerry Greenfield Emma Grimauld

Katia Hage Beki Hill Jody Hoelle Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother Mark Alan Johnson, friend of Nancy Hotaling Kim Johnson, friend of Gretchen Andrews Jenny, Sister of Jules Rattray Emily Jones Hank Kirchner Amber McGuigan Bill McIntyre Amy McQulillian, friend of Gretchen Andrews Larry Minor Sarah Montez

Mary Mortensen Maria Montana Carmen & Jim Neafsey Kristin Farmer Preslica Steve, Brother of Julie Phillip Nancy Rojas Adolph Romero Joan Roth Spencer, friend of Stacey Greene Doris Stockton, Kathi Roth's Grandmother Heather Tee Arika Torres Vasquez Family Helga Vroom

Sacred Saturday - February 27 Date Change for this month only Instead of meeting on the first Saturday in March, Sacred Saturday will gather from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. on February 27, 2021...just a week early. Sorry if this change affects anyone negatively, but was the best way to work around a  scheduling conflict. We will use the same Zoom meeting. For the link, see below.  If you have never come to Sacred Saturday, or if you are a regular, you are welcome to join. As part of the program, creative and contemplative space is offered. When we gather in person, there are tables of books, art supplies, prayer beads and other items that are used to help facilitate the stillness and soul's journey. If you are missing having any of those items, please let me know and we can arrange a drop-off or mailing of what you might want to use. Looking forward to being together on February 27th! Barbie  Topic: Sacred Saturday Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/357038066 Meeting ID: 357 038 066

Lent at RUCC

Lenten Series 2021—Continues Wednesday, March 3 Join us Wednesday, March 3 for the 2nd session of our 2021 Lenten Series: we are studying the film series “Grateful” by Diana Butler-Bass. This week’s topic is titled “Grace, Gratitude and Gifts” in which the author explores the thesis that “grace flows from the deep abundance of God.” If you missed last week’s session, no problem! Please join the conversation. Fellowship time begins at 6:45, Discussion begins at 7. Here's the Zoom link for the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83189260341 Meeting ID: 831 8926 0341 One tap mobile +1669900912 Follow this link for more information about the film series: https://www.theworkofthepeople.com/film_series/grateful ateful Palm Sunday March 28- details to be announced Maundy Thursday April 1 evening service, details to be announced.

Dan Abushanab begins his second turn as Treasurer

Introducing the 2021-2022 Board   Dan has been part of RUCC for nearly 10 years, since he moved to Redlands with Heather and their kids to become the CIO of Esri. He has been involved in many parts of the life of RUCC, from the choir to Stewards, to the “Building Up, Reaching Out” building campaign, and, with the pandemic, now partnering with Loring to deliver the online services until we are back to worshipping in person.   This year Dan rejoins the board in his second stint as our Treasurer. In partnership with the Stewards, the Treasurer is responsible for maintaining our financial health, tracking our income and expenses, and paying our staff and vendors.

Racial Justice Reflection for the Week “The civil rights movement was based on faith. Many of us who were participants in this movement saw our involvement as an extension of our faith. We saw ourselves doing the work of the Almighty. Segregation and racial discrimination were not in keeping with our faith, so we had to do something.”    - John Lewis (February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020) was an American politician and civil rights activist and leader who represented Georgia in Congress from 1987 to 2020. He was chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee from 1963 to 1966.

UCC Webinar on "The State of Creation" What is necessary to halt the deleterious effects of climate change in the 21st century? Join Rev. Brooks Berndt, Minister for Environmental Justice, UCC and Jim Antal, author, public theologian, Special Advisor on Climate Justice to the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.  Join us in a formal address from Rev. Antal as well as some dialogue moderated by Rev. Brooks Berndt about what we can do together to ensure God’s creation thrives in 2021 and beyond. Use this link to register Webinar Registration - Zoom

From the Environmental Justice Team “Every tree, therefore, is valuable to the community and worth keeping around for as long as possible. And that is why even sick individuals are supported and nourished until they recover. Next time, perhaps it will be the other way round, and the supporting tree might be the one in need of assistance. When thick silver-gray beeches behave like this, they remind me of a herd of elephants. Like the herd, they, too, look after their own, and they help their sick and weak back up onto their feet. They are even reluctant to abandon their dead. Every tree is a member of this community, but there are different levels of membership. For example, most stumps rot away into humus and disappear within a couple of hundred years (which is not very long for a tree). Only a few individuals are kept alive over the centuries, like the mossy "stones" I've just described. What's the difference? Do tree societies have second-class citizens just like human societies? It seems they do, though the idea of "class" doesn't quite fit. It is rather the degree of connection-or maybe even affection-that decides how helpful a tree's colleagues will be. You can check this out for yourself simply by looking up into the forest canopy. The average tree grows its branches out until it encounters the branch tips of a neighboring tree of the same height. It doesn't grow any wider because the air and better light in this space are already taken. However, it heavily reinforces the branches it has extended, so you get the impression that there's quite a shoving match going on up there. But a pair of true friends is careful right from the outset not to grow overly thick branches in each other's direction. The trees don't want to take anything away from each other, and so they develop sturdy branches only at the outer edges of their crowns, that is to say, only in the direction of "non-friends." Such partners are often so tightly connected at the roots that sometimes they even die together.”  ― Peter Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER February 27 - Sacred Saturday- See article above for details. March 3 - Lenten series continues ~ See article above for details. March 7 - Book Group: Discussion of Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Discussion facilitator will be Deborah Rada. March 9 - Stewards' meeting March 10 - Lenten series continues March 14 - One Great Hour of Sharing special offering. March 16 - Board meeting March 17 - Lenten series continues March 18 - Prayer Polygon March 24 - Lenten series continues March 28 - Palm Sunday March 31- Lenten series concludes April 1 - Maundy Thursday April 4 - Easter Sunday

This week at RUCC...Virtually on almost every device!

CLICK HERE FOR ZOOM AND YOUTUBE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SERVICES AND MEETINGS Group and activity leaders: Please make sure your zoom link is up to date. Send new links to [email protected]

Calendar for February 21 - February 28, 2021

Sunday, February 28 9:30 a.m. Seekers - on Zoom 9:30 a.m. Kids Zone - on Zoom 10:30 a.m. Worship Service on YouTube 11:30 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour on Zoom 4 p.m. - Showers of Love - gather in the church parking lot Monday, March 1 5:00 p.m. Staff Meeting Tuesday, March 2 Wednesday, March 3 12:00 The Pastor is In - Zoom Lenten Series continues at 7 p.m. on Zoom.  Friday, March 5 4:00 p.m. Youth Group on Zoom  Sunday, March 7 9:30 a.m. Seekers - on Zoom 9:30 a.m. Kids Zone - on zoom 10:30 a.m. Worship Service on YouTube 11:30 a.m. Virtual coffee Hour on Zoom 12:00 p.m. Book Group on Zoom. Discussion of Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing, facilitated by Deborah Rada. Click here for Zoom login instructions Group and activity leaders: Please make sure your zoom link is up to date. Send new links to [email protected]

RUCC Staff   Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Jill Kirchner-Rose Honorary Minister of Arts and Worship:  Rev. Erin Beardemphl Music Director: Jim Tong Accompanist: Sophia Ohanian Children's Education Director: Susi Jacobsen Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries: Vacant Office Manager: Nancy Sheets Child Care: Vacant Caretaker: Vacant   Website:  www.uccredlands.org Phone: (909) 793-3520   Staff and Other Emails [email protected]          [email protected]         [email protected]      [email protected]          [email protected]   [email protected] [email protected]