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Art, for Heaven's Sake! is October 18, 19, and 20, 2024
Three weeks away!!! It's coming up fast!!!...
...and we need your help to make this event a success. During the next three weeks, the art show committee will be recruiting members and friends to help with the show.
You can volunteer to:
- Set up the show (Monday, October 14, Thursday, October 17, and Friday, October 18)
- - Set up pop-up canopies
- - Help with lighting and decorating
- - Assist artists in setting up their booths
- Make cookies or appetizers for Friday night
- Serve cookies, appetizers, and punch Friday night
- Provide show support by:
- - Providing brief breaks for artists during the show
- - Monitoring doors, eating area or cashier line
- - Checking the bathrooms for supplies
- - Being a runner to pick-up purchased art from the artists’ booths, etc.
- Take-down when the show is over at 5 p.m. Sunday
Sign-ups will be available before church in the Gathering Area and after church in Covenant Hall or contact Pam Dunn, pamdunn23@gmail.com
You can also help us advertise the Art Show. Postcards are available at the sign-up table and in the church office for you to notify your colleagues and friends. Also please “like” us on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/artforheavenssake. Every time you “like,” comment on and/or “share” the Art Show posts, potential guests and community members are introduced to our annual art festival.
Or you can sign up to be a sponsor to our show. Look for the form at the AFHS table. Deadline is Monday, September 30, 2024.
Art Show Hours
Friday, Oct. 18, 6 – 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a..m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 20, 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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A message from our pastor and teacher
Sunday, September 29, 2024 ~~ 19th Sunday after Pentecost ~~ "Resting in Peace"
Even as a people of Resurrection and new life, death can be a difficult topic for us. How do we cope with fear of death and judgment? How do we find inner peace when it comes to death and the afterlife? My brother, Matt Zarro, will be preaching on this hard and important topic, using the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). He has a friend who worries a lot about God's judgment in the next life, and he himself has been on a journey of understanding and seeking peace. This Sunday, I will be assisting in worship, the Simmons family will be our worship leaders, Caroline McAllister will do the children's message, and Matt Zarro will be preaching. Sophia, David, Evan and I will be providing special music with our rendition of "I'll Fly Away" by Albert E. Brumley (recorded by many, including Allison Kraus). It's going to be a great Sunday — plus my grandmother and parents are planning to join us.
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Concerns
- Dee Dee Seek’s great grandson, Jaxson was admitted to the ICU on Tuesday, Sept. 24 with respiratory issues. Prayers for this young kid to heal, so that he may breathe and laugh easily again.
- Kimberly Anderson had major surgery on Tuesday, Sept. 10. She continues to have significant health challenges but is now at home in Redlands. Prayers for Kimberly’s healing and her family: her husband Danny and children Charles and Julia.
- Mary Lou Haney continues to have complications and remains in the hospital. Prayers for Mary Lou and her daughter and caregiver Jennie appreciated.
- Carol Robb had her long-anticipated knee surgery on Sept. 24 and is now at home recovering. Prayers for her healing and ongoing physical therapy.
- Prayers of gratitude for the youth group of Live Oak UCC for hosting our youth group for an overnight last weekend, and for the ties that bind us to sibling churches throughout the region.
- We continue to hold in our prayers the victims of violence and oppression around the world. We say a special prayer this week for the people of Afghanistan. After decades of war, the Taliban have returned to power and have reimposed harsh restrictions on women’s rights. The instability of many decades paired with a repressive government has caused a massive humanitarian crisis. 24.7 million Afghans required humanitarian aid as of February 2024 (source: cfr.org global conflict tracker).
Ongoing Concerns:
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Jerry Andrews
Johanna Ballard's brother
Andrew Barrow
Bill Buchanan
Denise Cain
Kathy Economen's son Jeff
Judith Gregory
Sue Hammond
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Beki Hill
Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother
Paisley Parcell
Jules Rattray’s sister, Jenny
Amber McGuigan
Cynthia McGuigan
DonDon and Scott Mong
Floyd Orr
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Carl Parish
Charlie Seek
Spencer, friend of Stacey Greene
Robert Silver
The Steffen family
Sforza family
Tom Miller
Janet Wilson’s great niece Amelia
Michael White
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California Council of Churches Ballot Proposition Recommendations
Our Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ represents RUCC as a member of the California Council of Churches. California Church IMPACT advocates in the public policy arena for justice, equity, and fairness in the treatment of all people, particularly those who have been abandoned or harmed by our society.
Here are their recommendations for Statewide Propositions and Initiatives in the November 2024 General Election.
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Caring for Kin - Yucaipa Animal Placement Society
This Sunday, September 29, is the last Sunday we will be collecting for Yucaipa Animal Placement Society (YAPS). Their most needed items include towels and blankets (used but clean is OK), bleach, dish soap, canned/dry food for dogs or cats, and toys.
Looking ahead to October, we will be collecting Thanksgiving holiday food to be delivered in early November to Steps 4 Life. Steps 4 Life provides safe transitional housing in Redlands. Suggested food items include baking items (e.g., flour, sugar), stuffing mix, boxed mashed potatoes, and canned goods (e.g., pumpkin, cranberry sauce, green beans, sweet potatoes).
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We're back!
Hello church! Heather and I were delighted to be back with you for in-person church this past Sunday! We had a great summer in Gig Harbor WA, enjoying visits to “RUCC North” by Pam & Kerry, Keith & Sara, Barbie & Loring, and Jennifer & Trevor. We also got to watch the services online, so we didn’t feel that far away, but it’s still great to be back.
I noticed many changes this past week. There’s a new Dollar Tree store at the bottom of the hill next to Stater Bros. Joe is taller than I remembered. And, most surprisingly, Mary and Dan are now sitting on the other side of the sanctuary.
One more thing that’s changed - there are many, many new people in church for us to get to know. So I have a favor to ask, of all of us—could we make a renewed effort to faithfully wear our name tags? I know I could use the help as we reconnect with our church family, and I bet I’m not alone. If you don’t have a name tag, you can get one by putting your name on the clipboard in the Gathering Area.
Thanks, and see you in church!
Dan Abushanab
RUCC President
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Racial Justice reflection of the week
Black girls face more discipline and more severe punishments in public schools than girls from other racial backgrounds. The Government Accountability Office found that in K-12 public schools, Black girls had the highest rates of suspensions and expulsions. The study found that Black girls received nearly half of these punishments, even as they represent only 15% of girls in public schools.
Black girls accounted for 45% of out-of-school suspensions, 37% of in-school suspensions and 43% of expulsions for actions like "defiance, disrespect, and disruption." Nationally, Black girls received such exclusionary discipline at rates 3 to 5.2 times those of white girls. The study also found that when they had a disability, discipline rates for Black girls grew even larger.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2024/09/19/nx-s1-5118365/black-girls-discipline-public-schools-gao-watchdog-report
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Children and youth activities this month
RUCC Kids and Family Nature Hike Saturday September 28, 9-11 a.m.
Kids and their families grades 12 and under: join us at the Oak Glen Preserve for a fun morning celebrating nature. We’ll meet in the Oak Glen parking lot at 9 a.m.. If you can, bring a snack to share—but if not, come anyway, there will be plenty to share!
Please RSVP to education@redlandsucc.org if you plan to attend.
Youth Group Meeting Sunday,
September 29 at noon
The RUCC Youth Group will gather in the Youth Room at noon on Sunday September 29. This will be our first chance to begin discussing this year’s Christmas pageant! Other important fall activities will be discussed as well.
RUCC Youth Group is open to all kids in grades 6 and above. Please join us!
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Monday September 30 - Bible Study 7 p.m., in person or online
You are cordially invited to join our weekly Bible study which meets Monday evenings at 7 p.m. We have recently begun a new series: “The Stillspeaking Bible Study.”
Please consider joining us in person in Founders Room, or online. Use this link to join the group online.
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Skills for disagreeing better - September 29 at RUCC
Braver Angels is a national organization whose mission is to depolarize America. As part of our sermon series on peacemakers, we are excited to offer a workshop on “Skills for Disagreeing Better,“ on Sunday, September 29, from 12-2 p.m. in Founders Room. Information on registration is at this link. If you have questions, contact Keith Osajima (keithosajima@gmail.com).
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Book Group will meet Sunday, October 6
The next RUCC Book Group selection is The Splendid and the Vile by Eric Larson. The group’s presenter will be Judith Ashton. The group will meet on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at noon, in Founders Room.
"In The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson shows, in cinematic detail, how Churchill taught the British people 'the art of being fearless.' It is a story of political brinkmanship, but it’s also an intimate domestic drama, set against the backdrop of Churchill’s prime-ministerial country home, Chequers; his wartime retreat, Ditchley, where he and his entourage go when the moon is brightest and the bombing threat is highest; and of course 10 Downing Street in London…
“The Splendid and the Vile takes readers out of today’s political dysfunction and back to a time of true leadership, when, in the face of unrelenting horror, Churchill’s eloquence, courage, and perseverance bound a country, and a family, together.” (Amazon Review)
Upcoming Book Group selections:
Nov. 3, 2024 Selection: The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Presenter: Diana Sommer / tie in with Heather King’s grant study
Dec. 1, 2024 Selection: An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the US by Roxanne Dunbar- Ortiz Presenter: Nan Root
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Looking for volunteers to help us do a blessing in many tongues!
Do you know a language other than English? On October 6, World Communion Sunday, we will do a special benediction during worship. It will be the ancient Aaronic Blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26 (“The Lord bless you and keep you…”), but we will say it in as many different languages as we can! Hundreds of translations of the Bible can be found at www.biblegateway.com.
We welcome all languages, and have a special request for Hebrew, Arabic and Asiatic languages. You don’t have to be fluent, just able to read the language aloud. Sign up by emailing Rev. Joe at joe@redlandsucc.org, and he will confirm if your language is available and give you more instructions.
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Neighbors in Need Special Offering - October 6
In 2024, the Neighbors in Need theme is “Mental Health Justice For All!” In 2015, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ passed a resolution to become WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged) for mental health.
A just world for all is a world where the human rights and well-being of people with mental health challenges are respected, no matter who you are or where you are in life’s mental health journey.
One-third of the offering supports Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds are used by Justice and Witness Ministries to provide grants to UCC churches and organizations as well as supporting a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects.
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- Sept. 28 - 9 a.m. -- RUCC Kids and Family hike
- Sept. 29 - 12 p.m. -- Braver Angels "Skills for Disagreeing Better"
- Sept. 30 -- Office closed
- Oct. 5 -- 9 a.m. -- Sacred Saturday
- Oct. 6 -- World Communion Sunday and Neighbors in Need Special Offering
- Oct. 8 -- 7 p.m. -- Stewards' Meeting
- Oct 18-20 -- Art, for Heaven's Sake!
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Nov. 5 -- Election Day, 2024 General Election
The church calendar is found at redlandsucc.org
Click on "calendar" in the red banner near the top of the page.
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Sunday, September 29
- 9:20 a.m. Social/9:30 a.m. Meet – Seekers, Founders Room
- 9:30 a.m. – Kids’ Zone
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship service and Sunday School
- 11:30 a.m. – Fellowship/Coffee hour
- Noon - History Committee, Garden Room
- Noon - Braver Angels, Founders Room
- Noon - Youth Meeting, Youth Room
Monday, September 30
Tuesday, October 1
- 11 a.m. - Munch & Muse Lunch Group, Covenant Hall
Wednesday, October 2
- 9 a.m. - Office closed 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.; open 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- 1 p.m. - Mahjong, Mosaic Hall
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Thursday, October 3
Friday, October 4
- 7 p.m. – Woman’s AA Meeting
Saturday, October 5
- 9 a.m.-noon Sacred Saturday
Sunday, October 6
- Social-9:20 a.m./Meetup-9:30 a.m. – Seekers
- 9:30 a.m. – Kids’ Zone
- 10:30 a.m. – Worship service and Sunday School
- 11:30 a.m. – Fellowship/Coffee hour
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RUCC Staff
Senior Pastor: Rev. Joe Zarro
Music Director: David Wells
Associate Music Director: Sophia Ohanian
Children's Education Director: Susi Jacobsen
Director of Youth Ministries: Vacant
Office and Property Manager: Veronica Bermudez
Child Care: Caitlin Walsh
Website: www.redlandsucc.org
Phone: 909-793-3520
Staff and Other Emails
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pastor@redlandsucc.org
musicdirector@redlandsucc.org
childrenseducation@redlandsucc.org
youth@redlandsucc.org
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office@redlandsucc.org
weddings@redlandsucc.org
theview@redlandsucc.org
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