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Give Now!

Winter/Spring (February/March/April)

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

This edition of The Columns is packed full of information about the rest of the Winter and early Spring at LCC, but we're still finalizing a few details about our Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th. So, stay tuned for a separate email from me in the coming days. I am excited to tell you all about our plans to work with Illustrated Ministry's Lent theme entitled The Work of the Imagination.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th this year and ends on Easter Sunday, April 5th.

With Hope and Gratitude,
Pastor Joanna

This time around for our All Church Read, we're taking a look at "For Such a Time As This: An Emergency Devotional" by Hanna Reichel. This book is accessible and hopeful, and very relevant for this moment in time.

What is an All Church Read? It's Pastor Joanna's vision for a book study that meets you where you are. Basically, we choose a book we think the members and friends of LCC would find meaningful here and now. We invite you to read it (or skim it, find to a podcast about it, read a book review, or ask a friend to tell you what happens).

We encourage you to reflect on the book on your own, online, one-on-one, or in small groups. ***For this book, we have also scheduled a group discussion for anyone who would like to attend on February 15th after worship (around 11:15) in the parlor.***

An All Church Read is for a church of people who can't always align our schedules for a consistent in-person study group. LCC is a church of people working different shifts, traveling South for the winter, living away for college, caring for sick spouses, taxi-driving kids to soccer games, or walking the dog after a long day.

An All Church Read is also for a neurodiverse church. LCC is a church full of people who receive and process information in different ways. We are a church of extroverts and introverts, external and internal processors, and everything in between. Some of our folks love a group discussion, and some prefer one-on-one chats, online or email conversations, or journaling on their own time and at their own pace.

What we know is this: LCC is a church of people who love to connect and learn. So we hope you will join us in the ways that work for you.

Stay tuned for a separate email introducing our Lent Theme,
but save the dates for the first two Lent events:

Message from the Director of Music Ministries

Although the winter months can feel long, there is so much to look forward to in our music life together. In February, the Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, and others will share a variety of spirituals and gospel music in honor of Black History Month. Through this music, we celebrate the rich and lasting contributions of the Black American community to both sacred and secular traditions. We hope you’ll join us for these meaningful and joyful offerings.

As Ash Wednesday approaches, we also get to enjoy Mardi Gras Sunday on February 15. This service will be filled with lively, uplifting music—and perhaps even a little dancing—as we mark the season together with joy.

In March, we’re excited to host the annual LCC Talent Show on Saturday, March 14, at 6:00 pm. This year’s theme, “Talents and Treasures,” invites you to break out your pirate costumes and practice those sea chanteys for an evening of food, fun, and creativity. Proceeds from the Talent Show support the Festival Arts Fund, which helps make possible special guest musicians throughout the year, provides sheet music for Music Sunday, and supports the care and upkeep of our handbells and other equipment. More details can be found in the flyer below, as well as in the bulletin and worship announcements in February and March.

While the Chancel Choir welcomes new singers at any time, we especially invite you to join us this spring as we prepare special anthems for Easter Sunday and Music Sunday. Our Easter celebration will feature two anthems, along with the beloved “Hallelujah Chorus” at the close of worship. Then, on May 3, we’ll gather for Music Sunday, featuring music from our children and youth, the Handbell Choir, and the Chancel Choir presenting the social justice work A Vision Unfolding.

Thank you for your continued support of the performing arts at LCC. There is much to celebrate, and I’m grateful to share it with you!

Peter Hampton, Director of Music Ministries

Children, Youth, and Family Ministries Information

Fall 2025 Children, Youth, and Family Ministries (CYF)

Hello, Church Family~

It’s only the second month of the year, and although we’ve already faced a few weather-related scheduling snafus, we are in full swing with worship, faith formation, and fun at LCC.

We cast the youth musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and held a read-through at the end of 2025, then began rehearsals on January 4. Rehearsals take place every Sunday afternoon from 12–4 p.m. (unless we experience another dangerous Arctic event!). We’ve had four rehearsals so far and will keep going strong until the performances on April 17, 18, and 19.

[Click below to continue reading...]

Read Rachel's full letter

Faith Formation Registration

Youth Music

We have begun rehearsals for our upcoming 2026 youth musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. We started right away in the new year on January 5. Rehearsals are every Sunday from 12-4. We will have our tech Sunday rehearsals on April 12, and tech week rehearsals will be in the evenings April 13-15. Performances will be in the social hall on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18 at 7 pm, and Sunday, April 19 at 2 pm.

I am currently in the process of putting together a pit orchestra, so if any youth or adults are interested in playing in the pit, please contact me. I am working with Peter on planning an anthem with the Chancel Choir that will feature some of our youth. The date for that is TBD.

-Tim Hampton, Director of Children and Youth Music

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.

Happy Holidays and mark your calendars for registration for Haynes. Registration for the 2026-2027 school year has begun! Contact Shannon Lubas at Haynes@lcc-church.org

Director of Congregational Programming

As we continue to dream together about the future of our church, I want to invite you to share your ideas through our VISIONING FORM. This simple form is a way for every voice to be heard—whether you’re imagining a new small group, a seasonal event, an outreach opportunity, or something we’ve never tried before. Your insights help shape the programs and gatherings that nurture connection, spiritual growth, and joy in the LCC community.

So, if you have an idea, please take a few moments to fill it out and let us know what’s on your heart; together, we can bring these visions to life!

Peter Hampton, Director of Congregational Programming

General Volunteer Sign-Ups (Click on the images below)

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!

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

Faith in Action

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 22, 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 22nd!

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

LCC Meetings, Opportunities & Events Schedule

February 2026 calendar

March 2026 Calendar

April 2026 Calendar

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.

Volunteer Sign Up

Community Meals are BACK!

After a January break the LCC Community Meal returns February 5th and will continue the first Thursday of each month.

If you’d like to help out and Thursdays don’t work out for you, no worries, we’re looking for bakers to provide desserts for our 50 or so guests! All volunteer positions are located in the church sign up directory.

Our next meals will be February 5, March 5, and April 2, at 5:30pm, in the Social Hall, and all church family is invited to attend. If you’d like to help with the meals, please see volunteer opportunities in the Sign-Up Genius. Thank you!

Please join us for Second Saturday on Saturdays

February 7, March 14, & April 11

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!

ADVENTURES IN READING

CALLING ALL READERS

Come to Adventures in Reading

(LCC Book Club)

the second Wednesday of each month, , 12:30pm

Next Meetings:

February 11 | March 11 | April 8

All are welcome

Our schedule for the next four months follows:

February 11: The Hate U Give (2017) by Angie Thomas. Discussion Leader - Barb Longest

March 11: The Pull of the Stars (2020) by Emma Donaghue. Discussion Leader - Joanellen Hurley

April 8: Coyote Waits (1990) by Tony Hillerman. Discussion Leader - Peggy Shaw

May 13: How to Read a Book (2024) by Monica Wood. Discussion Leader - Linda Majkrzak

Come at 12:00 - bring your lunch - share conversation and fellowship - discussion begins 12:30

Please R.S.V.P. to Kathy MacDougall

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.

Looking Ahead at LCC

Easter 2026 Flower Order Form

2026 Women’s Retreat

Block off October 3-4, 2026, on your calendars for our next LCC Women’s Retreat to be held at Bellwether Farm in Norwalk, Ohio. More details to come in late spring!

Our planning Team consists of Catherine Lawrence, Melissa Parlanti-Klein, Julie Warren, Jill Richardson, Lauren Smigelski, and Patti Komperda.