newsletter of the richfield united church of christ the columns · 2020. 3. 18. · my proverbial...
Post on 07-Nov-2020
3 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
Sunday, July 27, Richfield UCC held a congregational meeting to accept
Rev. John King as Pastor. The meeting was called to order at 11:30 am and I opened with
a short summary of John’s history. Newt Heston accepted the motion and it was seconded by
David Butera. Votes were counted and John’s acceptance as our head Pastor was a resounding
YES. I really hope that Greg is able to edit out the happy dance from the video. Truly not one
of my best…but I didn’t want to practice and throw a jinx on the whole day.
Committing to be on a search team is a serious investment. Not financially, but time-and
emotion-wise. While our discussions will remain private, the time we spent together impacted
our families and I want to say a second time THANK YOU to them for generously
allowing us to meet. We couldn’t have done this without your continued love and support.
John’s first day with us will be September 1.
We welcome you with open arms and open hearts.
God bless,
Will Hart My proverbial door is always open: willhartcpp@hotmail.com
Outdoor Worship Service Sunday, August 24 Richfield Woods
10:00 Fellowship & Refreshments
10:30 am Service
Come join us in the Richfield Woods pavilion for our
annual outdoor service with the Brecksville UCC. Rev. Ralph will be
sharing a message in music with his original songs. Come early for
fellowship with our Brecksville neighbors and enjoy some refreshments.
Lawn chairs are suggested due to limited seating at the picnic tables.
Please dress for the weather, but if it rains,
the outdoor service will be inside at RUCC.
No 8:00 service on Sunday, August 24th.
Newsletter of the Richfield United Church of Christ
THE COLUMNS August 2014
Moderator's Moment
Writings From The Rev (August, 2014) As I sit down to write this article there’s a song that’s playing in my head. It’s the theme song for the
Interim Ministries that I’ve been a part of since I began this special call to ministry in December 2006.
Richfield UCC is the fifth congregation that has called me to help in their time of transition. However, this
has been the most unusual Interim, but unusual in a very good way. I have been describing this time with you
as being an Interim, Interim. I have been asked to come and help as the Search and Call Team completed the
final stages of bringing a Candidate for Minister before the congregation.
The strange thing is, as I head into my final month of this short three-month Interim, I feel like I have
been here for so much longer. And that has everything to do with you as a congregation. You have welcomed
me, a stranger, into your church family. You have invited me to share in the journey that you have been on
for almost a year and half. You’ve made me feel right at home in your ministry here.
In some ways I feel like the guy who joins the team just as they make their way to the play-offs. All the
hard work and extra effort has been done, and now I get to celebrate with you as you call your new minister.
This experience has given me a whole new insight into Jesus’ parable of the “workers in the field.” Not the
ones who were hired at the beginning of the day, or even the middle of the day, but that last one, the one who
was given an opportunity to work at the end of the day. I am sure he was surprised and humbled when he got
to share equally with all the others when the wages were passed out.
So, the song that’s been playing in my head is titled, “Joy in the Journey” by Michael Card. It’s the song
that I have shared at the beginning of each of my Interims over the years. But, since this was a unique
situation with all of you, I couldn’t figure out how to use it in this time when I was beginning, but you were
coming to an end of your transition journey. Anyway, these are the opening words to the song:
There is a joy in the journey. There's a Light we can love on the way.
There is a wonder, and wildness to life, and freedom for those who obey.
As you have made your way through this time of transition, working so well with Rev. Gifford, at
looking at where you have been, where you are now, and where you are hoping to go in the future, I hope that
there has been a “Joy in the Journey.” May you continue to find freedom in allowing the Spirit of God to
guide you in your mission and ministry for Jesus Christ.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this faith journey. And may God bless the calling of your new
minister and the new adventures you will be sharing together.
“The Peace of God Be With You!”
Interim Pastor, Rev. Ralph Wearstler
We Need Your Help! Now that most of us have filled out the church information sheet
over the past several weeks, we need to put this information into a data form.
This data will help the church office and our new minister,
Rev. John King, to better communicate with everyone.
We are looking for 2 or 3 people who have some experience with
Microsoft Excel and can put the information into a simple spreadsheet.
If God has blessed you with this gift, please contact Becky
in the church office or Rev. Ralph as soon as possible.
Rev. King was raised in the Catholic church, and experienced the call to ministry there. His transition to ministry in the UCC felt surprisingly easy to him, because the UCC felt
like the Church in which he had deeply and personally believed for a very long time.
He says in his biography:
“I find in the UCC a Church that:
Truly believes that the people are the Church, God is still speaking through us all.
Is committed to unity, while embracing diversity.
Respects scientific inquiry and does not ask me to check my brain at the door.
Is committed to justice and care for the poor, with a historical record to prove it.
Welcomes all people with equality, not based on gender, orientation or marital status.
Encourages integrity, honesty and diversity in thought and belief. To be a disciple of Jesus is to live his singular commandment: ‘Love one another.’ So the Good News is
about serving one another in action.”
Rev. King has lived in Richfield since 2007, with his wife Katie and their two children: Maya, a sophomore
at Revere High School; and Ian, who will be entering 1st grade at Hillcrest Elementary. Rev. King loves
scuba and downhill skiing and is a member of the Richfield Historical Society.
I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude to you, the congregation of Richfield
UCC, for calling me to be your pastor at the congregational meeting on July 27th.
It was a joy for my family and me to join you in worship that day. We all felt an
extraordinary sense of hospitality from each one of you. Thank you!
September 7th is Rally Day and also my first Sunday as pastor of RUCC.
Rev. Dr. Rita Root, the General Minister for the Eastern Ohio and Western Reserve Associations,
will be with us that day to officially "install" me as your new pastor.
Albert Einstein did not begin to speak until such a late age that his worried parents took him to a
doctor. When Einstein did begin to speak, he stunned his family by speaking in complete sentences with
correct grammar! I like to think that perhaps little Albert was listening carefully the whole time, taking
it all in, putting it all together before he decided to say a word. I suspect he chose not to say anything
until he knew he could say it right.
I'm no Einstein, but I believe a good pastor will take care to listen carefully and put it all together
before deciding to say a word about the direction a congregation needs to take. One of the most
egregious errors a pastor can commit is to attempt to change too much too fast. I do not do that, because
I am humbly respectful of your traditions and the ways that God has been speaking in this congregation
before my arrival.
I like Covey's adage, "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." So my goal for the next year is to
listen very carefully to each and every member of Richfield UCC. I'm interested in your personal faith
journey. I want to hear the history of this congregation, the story of your engagement in it and where
you want it to go.
So please feel free to give me a call at the church office, (after September 7th) so we can find a
time to sit down and talk. If you feel comfortable doing so, I would be delighted to meet you in your
home. Otherwise, we can certainly meet in my office too. Please, nothing fancy, just a cup of coffee or
glass of water, and a place where we can get to know one another.
At your invitation, I am eager to hear your faith story and your vision for the future. Nothing
could get us off to a better start, for within your story is the continuing testament of our still speaking
God.
Rev. John D. King
Welcome Rev. John D. King
Richfield United Church of Christ
Richfield email — youthdirector@richfielducc.com
Text me ~ Cell number is 330-697-7132.
Youth Group Presentation Sunday, August 3
Back from their summer events, the Youth Group will make a presentation about
The Safety Town Project and their Regional Youth Event in Wisconsin on
Sunday, August 3, at the 10:15 service. The Youth Group will also be greeting,
ushering and hosting Coffee Hour that day.
New Church Directory The church will be compiling a new directory this fall.
Universal Church Directories will be taking individual and family photos on
Friday, September 12, 2-8:30 pm. and Saturday, September 13, 10:30 am to 5pm.
Each family photographed receives a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a directory,
with the option to purchase additional photos if desired, which will be viewed at the time of the
photo take. On August 3, 10, and 17 we will have a sign-up sheet and a committee member in the
Fellowship Hall for dates and times. This is a great opportunity to update that family photo!
Pets and generational guests are welcomed. Even if you do not feel the need for a photo, we want
YOU to be in our directory so our new pastor and new members can put a name with a face.
The whole process should take less than an hour.
If you have questions, call Betty van der Meer at 330-659-3275 or the church office.
Congregation Snapshots A new church directory is in the works, with picture-taking time scheduled for September.
However, Rev. Ralph has started on a collection of digital snapshots of congregation members to
assist him and our future pastor, in the time before our directory is printed. Meet Rev. Ralph in the
Fellowship Hall, after both services, during the month of August for your snapshot. There is also a
general information sheet to fill out which will assist our new pastor in getting to know us.
August birthdays 8/1 Ryan Wolff
8/1 Karrie Swan LaRock
8/4 Elizabeth Wolff
8/5 Gail Beach
8/5 Ruth Joslyn
8/7 Melanie Swan
8/8 Susan DiMassa
8/9 Kathy Hayes
8/12 Dorothy Buettner
8/12 Andrew Johnson
8/12 Larry Harsey
8/12 Ian & Alex Hackworth
8/13 Kathy Hako
Howard Michael Wheeler was born on July 16, at Eglin Air Force
Base, Florida. He was 8 lbs. 8 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. He is the
son of Sean and Melissa Wheeler and the grandson of Michael and
Polly Wheeler. Congratulations to the Wheeler family.
Red Cross Blood Drive Wednesday, August 13 RUCC Fellowship Hall 1:00– 6:00 pm
A final VBS tally of our
Mission Projects
*176 cans of food collected for the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen.
*53 3/4 pounds of coins = $464.83 check sent to Heifer International to purchase
fingerling fish for families to raise. *130 bags of snack mix to the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen
The WPM Board would like to thank all the church
bakers for your yummy donated treats throughout the
year. From coffee hour, ice cream socials, pot lucks,
memorial services...YOU ARE THE BEST! You are
always ready to help out and all it takes is a request.
Thank you!
Congratulations
Ushers for August 1st Sunday of the Month: Youth Group
Lew Monegan Mindy Remec
Jim Holan Laura Willis
August Lay Reader
Ian Hackworth
Boards and Council
August 11
Church Boards meet at 7 pm Church Council meets at 8:15 pm
Bell Choir Chimes
The bell choir has been an active part of the church music program for many years. We are in need of
chimes to replace the current chimes which have been used beyond their years. The bell choir members were able to raise almost $400 as a start to this purchase by participating in the garage sale day, but are now looking
to the congregation for additional funding. The four octave set will cost $2890. Each chime costs about
$50, so if you would like to contribute to this project in honor of a special someone, or in memory of a loved one, please fill out the donation slip. We have so far
received $800 from generous donors. Would you please consider support of this project? We hope to
have the purchase made by the end of September for dedication by the holidays. Thank you!
Please accept my donation of $______ for the purchase of chimes for the Richfield United Church of Christ Bell Choir. I would like my donation recorded as: In honor of _____________________ In memory of___________________ Donor’s name:__________________
August Anniversaries
8/3 Robert & Mary Patrick 8/5 Dick & Rosemarie Sprague
8/28 Joe & Sue Reineck 8/29 Shellie & Will Hart
8/13 Brad Opsincs
8/13 Polly Wheeler
8/14 Mike Wheeler
8/16 Thomas Barker
8/17 Lois Eastwood
8/17 Lynne Johnson
8/18 Amy Harsey
8/20 James Miller
8/27 Chris Hayes
8/28 Rebecca Monegan
8/29 Frank DiMassa
8/30 Maryke Bard
8/31 Jan Nagel
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID Permit No. 4
Richfield United Church of Christ 4340 W. Streetsboro Rd. Richfield, Ohio 44286
August Activities August 3: Communion /Youth greet, usher & host coffee hour/Youth presentation of
their summer events during the 10;15 service.
August 5: Hobbitts Bd. Meeting at 7 pm
August 11: Church Boards meet at 7 pm. / Church Council meets at 8:15 pm
August 12: Hobbitts Orientation at 7:30
August 13: Red Cross Blood Drive at RUCC 1:00-6:00 pm
August 24: Outdoor Worship Service with Brecksville UCC at Richfield Woods
10:00 Refreshments and Fellowship/ 10:30 am service
There is no 8:00am service on August 24th.
August 31: Our last Sunday with Rev. Ralph
The Gathering Room Gallery Stop by the Gathering Room Gallery to see the paintings of
Sally Heston and the textile & fiber work of Becky Monegan during the month of August.
There will be a reception in the Gathering Room on August 17.
GATHERING OF THE CHURCH FAMILY
Richfield United Church
of Christ Phone: 330-659-3532
Fax: 330-659-2506
Richfielducc@windstream.net
Web page: richfielducc.com
EVERY SUNDAY 8:00 AM Early Worship Service
Sunday school will resume in September
10:15 AM Worship Service
11:15 AM Coffee Hour
WED
6:30 AM MEN’S GROUP
10:00 AM WOMEN’S GROUP
8:00 PM AA
EVERY WEEK
MON 7:30 PM AA
TUES BOY SCOUTS WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER
THURS BELL CHOIR PRACTICE WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER
SAT 8:30 PM AA
top related