Special Congregational Meeting this Sunday, May 22

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Thursday, May 19, 2022

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

May 22 Special Congregational Meeting Reminder

All covenanting members were recently notified of a special congregational meeting to finalize the commission of the Organ Committee to select and purchase an organ for the church that meets the established criteria. That meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 22. In accordance with our bylaws, absentee ballots have been made available to be used by members unable to attend the meeting.

Use this link to see all the relevant details.

A Message from our Pastor and Teacher

May 22 ~ Sixth Sunday of Easter - “Taming the Tongue”

The tongue is one of the smallest parts of the body and yet, is one of the most powerful parts of the body. There is tremendous power in our words. Words alone can build us up or they can tear us down. Words can bring healing or they can bring hurt. Words can bring life and words can bring death. As people of faith who seek to follow the One of unconditional love and amazing grace, may we choose our words carefully.

Sunday's Scripture

James 3: 3 – 5, 9 - 12

May 22 ~ Sixth Sunday of Easter

Prelude: Earth Song by Frank Ticheli...............................Rhymes with Orange

Welcome and Announcements:..............................Rev. Dr. Jill Kirchner-Rose

Call to Worship:..........................................................................Michael Dewey

Opening Hymn: #73 Enter, Rejoice, and Come In

Opening Prayer: ........................................................................Michael Dewey

Childrens' Circle:............................................................................Peter Tupou

Community Joys and Concerns:..........................................Dr. Kirchner-Rose

Silent and Pastoral Prayer:...................................................Dr. Kirchner-Rose

Special Music: Prayer of the Children ...........Words and music by Kurt Bestor ............................................Arranged by Andrea Klouse Rhymes with Orange

Scripture:..James 3: 3 – 5, 9 - 12...............................................Michael Dewey

Message: "Taming the Tongue"..............................................Dr. Kirchner-Rose

Offertory: We are… by Ysaye Barnwell .......................Rhymes with Orange

Doxology:.................................................................................,Sophia Ohanian

Prayer of Dedication: ................................................................Michael Dewey

Closing Hymn: # 319 Sing Them Over Again to Me (vs 1, 3, 4)

Benediction: ..........................................................................Dr. Kirchner-Rose

Time of Reflection: The Road Home..........Words by Michael Dennis Browne, ......................................adapted by Stephen Paulus Rhymes with Orange

Concerns:

Prayers for Scott, son of Dick Ault, who had three heart attacks in one morning and is recovering in the ICU.
Lisa Dewey requests prayers for her father, Joseph Alfano, who suffered a head injury and a hemorrhagic stroke. He received a craniotomy to relieve the pressure on his brain, and he has been unresponsive since then.
Lori Glass requests prayers for peace and guidance as she enters into a multi-subject credentialing program.
Prayers for the family and friends of Mary Rogers, sister of Sue Hammond, who passed from life to Life.
Carla Becerril requests prayers for her son-in-law, who had a hip replacement recently.
Prayers for the family and friends of founding member Bill Witmer who passed from life to Life May 4. The service will be held on Saturday May 28 at 11 a.m. at RUCC.
Prayers for Carole Wesson who has moved from Plymouth Village to Pacific Pines on Grove St.
Prayers for the sister of Connie Roener, Diane Reading, who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Jayne Miller requests prayers for her dear friend Richard, who is in chemo treatment for aggressive and rare cancer.
Jayne Miller requests prayers for Loreta who is in ongoing rigorous treatment at City of Hope for ovarian cancer.
Carla Becerril requests prayers for her family. Carla's cousin passed from life to Life.
Prayers for Gary Johnson, brother of Nan Root, who has been placed under hospice care.
Jennie Haney requests prayers for her mother, Mary Lou, who is facing ongoing health issues.
Maegan Hill requests prayers for her father, Lon, who is recovering from a heart procedure.
Rosemary Touhy requests prayers for her niece Teresa who is preparing for her final exam for her Master's degree.
Loring Fiske-Phillips requests prayers for Bev Ching who is undergoing Chemotherapy.
Prayers for Nan Root and her family. Richard Johnson, her older brother in Minnesota, passed from life to Life.
Paul Hodson and Charlie Wheeler ask for prayers for their friend Jerry Linkhart, who had a stroke recently.
Eliza Ames requests prayers for Jennifer, Nicole, and Brody who are struggling with a changing reality.
Floyd Orr requests prayers for Zelda Faye Smith who is facing health challenges.
Caroline McAllister requests prayers for Mark.
We continue to hold in our prayers the people of Ukraine.
Prayers for Dick Ault who broke his femur and is recuperating at home.
Rosemary Tuohy requests prayers for her neighbor, Lorenzo and his family. Lorenzo’s house burned down recently.
Prayers for Cid Breyer who fell and broke her femur in several places. She would welcome calls and cards! You may send cards to her home.
Jennifer Brainerd requests prayers for her father, Gary, who is in the hospital with extreme confusion and agitation. Cause unknown.
Kenneth Lee requests prayers for his mother, Melinda, who has had complications following surgery.
Debra Van Engelen and Mark Janz request prayers for grandson, Johnathan, who is in the army stationed in Germany during this time of Russian build-up outside Ukraine.
Prayers for Cynthia McGuigan who faces complications with her chemotherapy treatments. Cynthia and medical staff are determining next steps.
Jolene Barrow requests prayers for her mother, Karen Barrow, who is facing continued health challenges.
Rosemary Tuohy requests prayers for her friend Holly, who is recovering from surgery.
Prayers for Eleanor Kemp who broke her hip and is recuperating at Mission Commons.
Cid Breyer requests prayers for her sister in law, Karen, who is going through chemo and radiation for blood / bone cancer.
Prayers for Eber, brother of Lara Urrutia, who is undergoing tests for a mass in his neck.
Prayers for Lisa, friend of Beth Welsh, who is recovering from emergency surgery.
Eliza Ames requests prayers for her brother Coyne who is hospitalized and is very ill.
Beth Welsh requests prayers for her brother, Michael, who is recovering from surgery following a work accident.

Ongoing Concerns:

Joe Adcock, family member of Mary Mortensen

Anden, nephew of Michelle McNevin

Jerry Andrews

Jeff Bonadiman

Les Budai

Burt, family member of Johanna Ballard

Diane Campbell

Diane, Sister-in-Law of Heather King

Dave, brother of Johanna Ballard

Carol Chaney

Caroline, mother of Karen Blad

Claudine, grandmother of Paul & Dantae Welsh

Precia Gwenhwyfer Courtney-Hveen

Cousin of Rick Cruz

Norma Erickson

Michael Flores

Emma Grimauld

Katia Hage

Beki Hill

Jody Hoelle

Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother

Mark Alan Johnson, friend of Nancy Hotaling

Susi Jacobsen

Kim Johnson, friend of Gretchen Andrews

Jenny, Sister of Jules Rattray

Emily Jones

Hank Kirchner

Amber McGuigan

Sara Montez

Bill McIntyre

Maria Montano

Carmen & Jim Neafsey

Ryan and Evan Paul

Rick Peetz, Sr.

Kristin Farmer Preslica

Nancy Rojas

Adolph Romero

Joan Roth

Spencer, friend of Stacey Greene

Miguel Sewer

Doris Stockton, Kathi Roth's Grandmother

Heather Tee

Arika Torres

Rosemary Tuohy

Vasquez Family

Special note regarding the Prayer List: Please review the list for any prayer requests you made that are outdated or that may be removed. Please notify both [email protected] and [email protected] of any changes that are needed. Thank you.

Dedicating Flowers for Worship

If you would like to make a floral dedication, please select a date and contact DeeDee Seek either by telephone (951-534-3438) or by email ([email protected]). DeeDee will then reserve the date on her calendar, and if you wish, you may add your date selection on the flower calendar at the church.

The current cost for floral dedication is $75.00, which is paid to the church. You can pay either online, by mail or by placing a check or money order in the offering plate prior to the service date. In the memo, please note that the payment is for flowers and include the family name.

Party Time after RUCC Special Congregational Meeting on May 22

The Abushanabs will host a potluck/concert Sunday, May 22, following the Special Congregational Meeting. You don't want to miss this!

We will gather in the backyard after the activities at RUCC are finished. Bring a meal item to share or just come as you are. We will share some food and then have a bit of music. If you are interested in sharing a musical gift, let us know and we will add you to the afternoon program. Bring a bathing suit if it is warm and cool off in the pool!!

Please sign up even if you don't know what you might bring. It helps us make sure there will be enough seating, tables and utensils. To RSVP and sign up, please use this link: https://www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=QVIF5661

Reflection of the Week from the Racial Justice Team

Mainstream histories of the civil rights movement tend to praise a certain type of Black womanhood. Women such as Rosa Parks are reduced to limited images of obedient femininity or “accidental” matriarchs. This phenomenon of rendering Black women civil rights activists as two-dimensional steals their agency and reproduces what historian Jeanne Theoharris terms “gendered silences’ within the larger history of the movement. It also implies that Black women’s activism should be passive and unassuming.

Source: https://www.nps.gov/articles/women-in-the-civil-rights-movement-historic-context-statement-and-aacrn-listing-guidance-african-american-civil-rights-network.htm

From the Environmental Justice Team

Op-Ed: California can do better than carbon neutrality by 2045

Daniel Kammen, Los Angeles Times, May 17, 2022

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-05-17/california-air-resources-board-carbon-neutrality-2045-2030

“[T]he California Air Resources Board (CARB) last week released a draft of our state’s scoping plan, a blueprint for combating climate change that will guide California’s policy for years. Despite the stakes for Californians, and although my research indicates the state could actually become carbon negative by 2030, the draft proposal would delay reaching carbon neutral until 2045. The barriers to a target of 2030 are political, not technical. …

If we fall short of the climate action that science demands, Californians, and especially lower-income Californians and communities of color, will pay the price. … By the same token, if our state sets an ambitious but achievable goal — like carbon neutrality by 2030 or 2035 — the benefits ripple widely. Other states and nations are looking to California. If we set an ambitious target and focus future policy toward meeting it, others are more likely to adapt as well. Even when climate goals are not reached, they keep policies and investments moving in the right direction.”

Summary of Church Board Actions from May 17

A motion from Christian Education to approve the updated Children and Youth permission slip was approved unanimously.
A motion from the Personnel Committee to approve Erin Beardemphl's call letter, which describes the work Erin will be doing for our church during Jill's sabbatical, was approved unanimously.
The following topics were discussed: a revision of our church's alcohol policy, tying up loose ends for the Special Congregational Meeting, securing the church building after fellowship time on Sundays during Jill's sabbatical, and potential modifications of the RUCC bylaws.

Women of Faith Continue Work with Refugee Families

Dear Women of Faith and Friends,

Here is our newest list of the TOP TEN MOST NEEDED ITEMS needed for our refugee welcome kits. Most links are to Amazon and provided only for convenience. Comparable items anywhere else (including from home for some items) are fine and may cost less.

If you’d like to order online, you may choose to have your gift shipped directly to:

Women of Faith Interfaith Service Community

31838 Florida Avenue

Mentone, CA 92359

If you add your name after Women of Faith… , I can let you know when your gift arrives.

Many thanks, as usual!

1. Sets of kitchen knives - used could be okay if they are in really good condition and sharp. New are nice too. https://tinyurl.com/Cuisanart-Knife-Set

2. Electric pressure cookers - used are okay if in really good shape. https://tinyurl.com/Instant Pot-6-Quart

3. Vacuum Cleaners - used okay if clean and in very good condition https://tinyurl.com/Dirt-Devil-Vacuum

4. Fans – it’s getting close to summer and many families are reluctant to use the A/C due to the cost of electricity. They are already starting to request fans. https://tinyurl.com/Box-fan or https://tinyurl.com/fan-tower

5. Mop https://tinyurl.com/sponge-mop

6. 13-gallon kitchen trash cans https://tinyurl.com/13-gallon-trash-can

7. Shaving cream – full size

8. Toothpaste – full size

9. Clothes irons https://tinyurl.com/Amazon-basics-steam-iron

10. Ironing boards – full size https://tinyurl.com/full-ironing-board-Walmart

https://tinyurl.com/Amazon-full-ironing-board

It's Time to Register for Summer Camp at Pilgrim Pines!

We are very lucky to have the beautiful Pilgrim Pines Camp and Conference Center right in our own backyard!

Please follow this link to find information about this year's fabulous Summer Camp opportunities for kids of all ages, which will take place in July:

https://www.pilgrimpinescamp.org/summer-camp

This year’s Summer Camp theme is JOY!

Also, we are OVERJOYED to remind you once again that all RUCC members’ kids and grandkids can use our Campership Scholarships to receive 50% off their Pilgrim Pines tuition.

You can find all about our Campership Scholarships here:

https://uccredlands.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/ETNdB-75F-1Nh5EBZa-k_mYBvXr6eDAM0mjpM6KksMXEfw?e=HGWbgQ

Don’t miss this year’s Summer of Joy in the Mountains!

Next Discussion of the 1619 Project on Monday, May 23

Please join us for our next discussion session of the 1619 Project on Monday, May 23 at 5 p.m. The discussion will be online.

RUCC's own Patty Little, Professor of Sociology at CSUSB, will be leading our next discussion session of the 1619 Project.

Please join us!

Monday May 23 at 5PM (online)

Our topic—Chapter 2: Race.

Contact [email protected] if you would like to borrow a copy of the book.

Gearing Up for Pentecost Sunday on June 5

On Pentecost Sunday, it is traditional to wear red to symbolize the "tongues of fire" that descended on the apostles. Please plan to wear red, orange or other fiery colors that day to join in the celebration.

Because the "tongues of fire" also symbolize the apostles' ability to communicate and understand different languages, we're looking for folks who speak a language other than English to participate in a portion of the service. If you can volunteer, please contact Pastor Jill or Worship Co-Chairs Patty Little or Carol Robb. Thank you in advance!

Strengthen the Church Special Offering Will be Received June 5

The Strengthen the Church offering supports the expansion of ministry and growth of UCC local congregations. Your support of this offering will help the UCC fulfill its commitment to creating a just world for all by investing in new ministries and practices that meet the emerging needs of local communities.

As God calls our congregations to be the church in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults. We will receive the STC offering on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022.

All-Church Picnic - Sunday, June 5

On this day of Pentecost, let’s celebrate the church with good food, fun games, joyful music, and warm fellowship. Please bring a side dish. Hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, and drinks will be provided. All are welcome.

This year's picnic will be held on the back patio.

Seekers Study Group Plans for the Summer

Seekers will finish discussion of "We Walk the Path Together" this coming Sunday, May 22, and will not meet the following week, Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Their next book will be "God Has Many Names" by John Hick, and they will begin discussion of this new book on June 5th. Amazon’s description of the book says: A "major revolution in thinking about religion is called for in this challenging work by theologian and religious philosopher John Hick. The author persuasively argues for a true religious pluralism, respectful of the non-Christian traditions that have persisted over time--Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam." The book is a classic, and used copies are readily available; there should be enough time to get it before June 5th.

The group plans to cover the book in the four Sundays in June, but if it takes longer, that is okay also. After concluding “God Has Many Names,” the group will take a summer break, with the duration to be determined later

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Please join the LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Allies Faith Group, Sunday, May 29th after church on the patio for an meeting to brainstorm and discuss the future of the group.

If you have any questions please contact Jennie at 949-573-8400.

Recognizing our Graduates on June 19

We will celebrate our Graduates on Sunday, June 19. Please let us know if you or someone in your family is graduating this year (High School and above).

Please make sure that all names are submitted by Tuesday, June 24 to both the church office ([email protected]) and Carol Robb ([email protected]) so that we can have the information in time for the service and to place the names in The View.