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