Dear Church Family,

After worship on the First Sunday of Advent this year, many of us witnessed the joyful and boisterous collision of two timeless church traditions– Coffee Hour and Pageant Rehearsal. 



This was actually an accident, because just recently we decided to host Coffee Hour down in the Social Hall when possible. The acoustics are better for hearing each other and there’s more space to sit around tables. Similarly, we decided to move the Christmas Pageant to the Social Hall from the Sanctuary, on a wonderfully-built stage for just such an occasion. But even if it was an accident, I have to tell you– the scene took my breath away. As I came down the stairs and saw the fullness of the Social Hall, I stopped to take it all in: intergenerational fellowship on stage and around tables, making music, meeting new people, learning to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, drinking coffee, all together in a space we dreamed of and brought to life together, with the help of God. 

Greetings from your new Director of Music Ministries!

I want to thank you all so much for the warm welcome over the past few weeks. I hope that I can continue in the tradition of excellence and inspiration that this church is used to in their music ministries, and I look forward to making music alongside many of you in the coming months and years.

Fall is an exciting time for music (although really, what season isn’t?). At church we have Rally Day and the return of the Chancel and Handbell Choirs, and special music surrounding celebrations like World Communion Sunday, All Saints Day, and Thanksgiving. In the broader spectrum we observe Hispanic Heritage, LGBTQ+ History, Native American Heritage, and so many more important cultural and social groups. Whether exploring the choral works of Carlos Chàvez or casually singing along to Lady Gaga, I hope that you’ll find time to celebrate or reflect with some music.

Join us in a rehearsal:

• Handbell Choir rehearses every Thursday evening from 6:45pm-7:45pm, in the sanctuary
• Chancel Choir rehearses every Thursday evening from 8:00pm-9:00pm, in the sanctuary

Looking forward to a great Fall!

Peter Hampton, Director of Music Ministries

MIRACLE JAR - Heifer International 

Many of you may be familiar with Heifer International as LCC has supported the organization in the past and has sent our youth to their farm in Massachusetts for two mission trips.

Their mission is to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities throughout the world. They provide a seed investment of livestock or agriculture and then mentorship to help project participants build a business, ultimately gaining access to supply chains and markets. Families are able to earn a living income and pass on their knowledge to the next generation of leaders.

This year, the children's Miracle Jar collection will be donated to Heifer International. We will also hold a Living Gift Market in December, offering members the opportunity to "purchase" animals in honor of a loved one at Christmas. Our children will be learning more about Heifer International in Faith Formation.

Thank you to everyone who's helped out with the Worship Team and Communion this year! You are so valued and important to LCC. If you would like to volunteer to help serve communion in future services, just use this SignUp Genius link! (insert)

If you would like to join the audio/video team and assist with the live worship stream, please contact me at darrentlakewood@gmail.com and we'll arrange for training. 

Darren Toms, Worship Liaison

The fall months for Building and Grounds have been filled with the normal maintenance associated with a structure of this size as we have tried to both keep up and stave off issues big and small.

Read Full report HERE from David Spahr, our Buildings and Grounds Exec Team Liaison

Centennial Garden Update

Our LCC Centennial Garden paver bricks have arrived and may already have been put in by the time you receive this! A Blessing of the Garden litany will take place; the date will be announced during church worship/communications. Thank you for your support of our beautiful garden!

If you do not know what The Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC) is, then you must talk to Patti Komperda! Ask her questions about the organization, its mission and vision, and its membership. Or attend an ENGAGEGCC meeting the 4th Thursday of every month at 7:00pm, the location varies each month, so check the bulletin board in the West Clifton hallway…or ask Patti Komperda!

As quoted from the November 2, 2025, Plain Dealer article, Faith Leaders, Congregants are Navigating Societal Turmoil, “Greater Cleveland Congregations recently led listening sessions to better understand the anxieties of their congregants. Among the issues most cited amongst 17 congregations were: civil discourse, housing, education, healthcare, and food insecurity.”

Patti Komperda will lead a Listening Session for LCC on Sunday, February 1, 2026, after worship in the Chapel (11:30ish). All are invited to attend and share your thoughts and feelings about the course our country is on right now. Our discussion summary will be shared with GCC’s Strategy Team for future planning.



Please think about starting the New Year feeling empowered and supported whether you are a member of the LCC GCC CORE Team member or anyone else interested in learning more about the non-profit, non-partisan, faith-based, justice-focused organization on February 1st! Bring your mug of coffee and a piece of Birthday cake and plan on sharing your thoughts and ideas until about 1:00pm!)

You are encouraged to explore the Greater Cleveland Congregation’s (GCC) website at greaterclevelandcongregations.org to find out more information about it.

Do you have an idea for an Event or Program?

We'd love to hear about it. Please use the attached form here (or found on the West Clifton Bulletin Board). Upon completion, turn your form into the office and we will get it to the appropriate chair for review. EVENT/PROGRAM FORM

ESL - Conversational English

Sociable discussions with immigrants who already have a basic understanding of English, but who need practice to improve employment and social prospects. Classes are small and by appointment only, usually on Monday and Thursday evenings.



IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE AS A TUTOR:

(no training required as all we do is chat), or if you know of someone who might participate as a student, please contact Ron Petrie, 216-789-2301.

Please join us for Second Saturday on Saturdays

December 13 and January 10

Please join us for Second Saturday. We meet at 9am in the church parlor for an hour of discussion, reflection and prayer. All who identify as female are welcome to join this intergenerational group. It's a great chance to get to know each other better in a relaxed setting. Hope to see you there!

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on the following Tuesdays at 7pm

December 9 at Jan Young's

January 13 in the Parlor

Bring whatever project you are working on,

even if it's not a shawl. 

We have a pretty creative group, and the conversation is always terrific!!!Questions?

Call or text Debi Kasper

ADVENTURES IN READING

CALLING ALL READERS

Come to Adventures in Reading

(LCC Book Club)

the second Wednesday of each month

Next Meetings: December 10 (holiday potluck at 12pm)

January 14, 12:30pm

All are welcome

Discussion leaders and books have been chosen for our 2025-2026 season of reading.

Our 9 selections in random order are:

1. The Pull of the Stars (2020) by Emma Donaghue

2. A Gentleman in Moscow (2016) by Amor Towles

3. Coyote Waits (1990) by Tony Hillerman

4. March (2015) by Geraldine Brooks

5. The Hate U Give ( 2017) by Angie Thomas

6. The Day the World Came to Town (2002) by Jim DeFede

7. The Nightengale ( 2015) by Kristin Hannah

8. State of Terror (2021) by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny

9. How to Read a Book (2024) by Monica Wood

We meet the second Wednesday of the month - September - May. We gather in the LCC parlor - 12:00pm for lunch and conversation.  Our discussion begins at 12:30pm. All are welcome.

There are copies of many of the Adventures in Reading books available for borrowing for LCC members.

The books are in the library/archives and can be signed out.

Tai Chi at LCC

Just a reminder that we have been finding our Chi and experiencing Zen (and a lot of laughter) for over 15 years in our LCC Parlor during our weekly Tai Chi class led by Jeannie Koran. The class is for beginners right up through experienced tai chi-ers and is held in the LCC Parlor on Mondays from 5-6pm.

There is NO FEE for your first time, and then the cost is $10 per class.

See Patti Komperda or Ceil Dorsch if you have any questions.  

Bill & Debbie Langenhop /  Ann & Joe Schleckman

Office Hours:

December 2-16: 9:00am-1:00pm

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00am-3:00pm

Closed from 12/25-1/1