December 2014 Outreach

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December 2014

www.highlandsucc.org 1910 Saint Paris [email protected] Springfield, Ohio 45504-1206

937-399-7493

rom the Pastor

December is here again. Didnt we just have Christmas last week? It creeps up on us and many of us are

counting down the days until Christmas wondering if we will get everything done. One of my favorite

Christmas stories is How The Grinch Stole Christmas. In this story, the Grinchs heart has become

hardened because he was focused on the trivia of Christmasthe trees, the ornaments, the presents, even

the roast beast. Sometimes maybe we feel a little like the Grinch with presents to buy and wrap, cookies tobake, decorations to put up, Christmas parties and family gatherings to attend, and Christmas cards to

address and mailwe get so caught up in the trappings of Christmas, we may miss the true meaning.

During Advent, we are reminded that we are not unlike the Hebrew prophets who were awaiting the

coming of a deliverer. Sometimes we ask, as did those prophets, how long, O God? Or, maybe we ask as

did the early apostles, disciples and followers of Jesus, when will you return?

One way to address the stress of the season is to have a time of quiet prayer and reflection. It is scientifi-

cally proven that meditation and prayer reduces stress. This season we are offering a community Taiz

prayer service December 7that 5:00 p.m. with communion. Taiz is contemplative prayer that draws us

out of the busy-ness of the day and calls us to become connected to God.

Perhaps during this season we can be in a season of prayer for what sometimes seems a world out ofcontrol. A world that still seems to address differences through war. A world that sometimes highlights

the differences (whether those differences are race, economic status, culture, sexual orientation or gender

identity and any number of identifiers that marks one as other). A world that seems to preach that more

is bettercompetition is always better and the losers get left by the wayside. Perhaps in addition to

prayer, we can put our hopes, our dreams, our love into action to make even one small corner of the

world a little bit better by sharing Gods love.

When we try to share Gods light in the world, sometimes we may become discouragedit may seem that

at every turn there is a gale force wind that tries to put out our candle. Despite the challenges we face as

we share the light and love of God, we can be reassured by the quote from an engraving over the sanctuary

doorway of an old Denver Methodist church building there is no amount of darkness that can overcome

the light of just one small candle. So may it be with us. May we continue to share the message of Godsunbounded, unconditional love and be a bold witness; living Gods love in the world, and illuminating the

darkness.

Maybe, in shining the light, our hearts, too, will be changed and perhaps we, like the Grinch, eventually

learn something we hadn't thought of before. Maybe Christmas... doesn't come from a store. Maybe

Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!


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ighlands Leadership

Pastor: Rev. Avery Sledge

Church Officers: Pam DixonModeratorJan KushmaulVice ModeratorLinda OwensTreasurer

Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday, Friday9:00 a.m.12:00 noon

Service for Christian Unity in the Taize Style

Sunday, December 7, 2014

5:00 p.m.

Highlands United Church of Christ

1910 St. Paris PikeSpringfield, OH 45504

The service for Christian Unity is open to all denominations and to those who may not be religious butare seeking to know God more deeply. In a candle-lit sanctuary, song, scripture, silent & spoken prayercombine to create an atmosphere of closeness to God. The service is patterned after the worshipexperienced in the Taize community in France, open to all, rejecting none. Invite your friends andfellow Christians to join this unique experience. Holy Communion is served. A time of fellowship withrefreshments follows the service.

Pastors Office ours

Monday and Thursday 9:00 a.m.12:00 noon

Wednesday 12:00 noon3:00 p.m.

You can reach Pastor Avery in the church officeduring those hours or at 937-429-1536.

LIVING TH QU STIONS

The Adult Discussion Group begins a study of the Living the Questions series whichexplores Christianity through looking at how the Bible and our Christian life applies inthe modern world. This is a video series and each week stands on its own, so no advancereading is required. Speakers in this series include theologians Marcus Borg, WalterBrueggeman, and John Dominic Crossan. We will discuss how the Bible was written,how it came to be viewed as authority and how we can live our lives in this fast-paced

and sometimes difficult world. Please grab a cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa, and join usfor a lively discussion.


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Worship Helpers for December

Greeters: Gus MarkinFlo Keaton

Acolytes: Alysha VlcekLydia Vlcek

Liturgist: Jan Kushmaul

Ushers: Judy RudePam Dixon 7 & 21

Sound system: Kathy HowardFellowship Hour: Alta Lou Miller 7

Judy Rude 14Geneva Falkner 21

Thank you to each one who assists in worship.Helping those who come to church each Sunday isa very rewarding experience. Sharing hospitalitywith those who seek a safe place to express their

faith provides much satisfaction to those who giveas well as to those who receive. Greeting peopleas they enter the church, helping them duringworship, and sharing food during fellowship timemakes us a member of the body of Christ sharingGods love with one another.

Sign up for January, February, and March 2015.The sign-up sheet is on the table in the hallway offthe kitchen. See where you can help; you will beglad you did.

Christmas Eve Service

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

7:00 p.m.

Join the Highlands Church family in a celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ. Joinyour voices in song as we hear again the story of Gods incomprehensible love for us.Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to this inspirational candle light service.

Highlands Supports Ministries

in the Clark County Community

Here are just a few of the ways Highlands helps:

Food for the hungry through our Food Cart (see the

article in this issue) and helping out at the SoupKitchen.

Recycle paper, plastic, cardboard, and metal.

Letters of support for Project Womans services.

Members provide meals for the homeless throughInterfaith Hospitality Network.

Members support the effort to keep Clark Countywater safe through the People for Safe Waterinitiative.

Members promote peace and non-violent solutionsto social problems through The Peace Alliance.

Opportunities to help are posted on the CommunityNews bulletin board on the wall in the fellowshiphall outside the kitchen window.


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Grandparent Grandchild Pairs

On November 9, 2014, the following pairs wereannounced. Pictures were taken and placed on thebulletin board outside the kitchen.

Grandchild Church GrandparentKorynn Huffman Vicki ConwayLydia Vlcek Alta Lou MillerP. J. Collier Barb KornSkylar Ivon Tom KushmaulDestiny Collier Betty MougeyMason Huffman Kathy HowardSydney Foster Dixie JenkinsNoah Wooten Barb KornAlysha Vlcek Millie Ann McNealMadelyn Ryon Geneva Falkner

This program has been in place for approximately 40years. The pairs develop special relationships bygreeting each other on Sunday and rememberingspecial occasions with small tokens of appreciation.

Kroger Community Rewards

Program

Thank you to each of you who has registeredyour Kroger Plus card and named Highlandsas your charitable organization. So far thisyear we have received $124.41. We can do

better than that if we all participate.

If you have not yet registered your card, andyou are not sure how to do it, please call Jan

Kushmaul at 206-1005. She can walk youthrough the process.

The November 2014Childrens Noisy

Collectiontotaled $37.00!!

Noisy Collection is the second Sunday ofeach month. $100 of the contributions youhave made during these collections this year

have gone to Heifer Project, aministry that gives people ahand up not a handout.

Next noisy collection will beDecember 14.

Semper Fidelis

Meeting(Please note date change.)

Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2014Time: 7:00 p.m.Hostess: Betty Mougey

Devotions: Cathy VlcekRoll Call: John 3:29

This meeting will be held at the home of BettyMougey, 2529 Casey Dr., Springfield. Gifts forshut-ins will be made. Members are requestedto wear red or green and bring a $4.00 gift toexchange.

All the women of the church are invited;come join our group!

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please call 399-7493 and ask to have your nameremoved from the Outreach newsletter mailing list.


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Are you looking for quality child care?

Check out Kids World located at Highlands Church, 1910 St. Paris Pike. Krista orKelly will be happy to answer all your questions. Kids Worldprovides a warm, caring environment that helps children growphysically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

937-399-2444

Food Cart

Did You See? The basket was filled to overflowing with food and hygieneitems for the Open Hands Free Store! We blessed this food and those whogave it and those who would receive it Sunday, November 23rdduringworship. It provided a great visual lesson to our scripture passage of the

day Matthew 25:31-46 and a wonderful sermon by Pastor Ebony. Thank you so muchfor your generosity to feed those who are hungry in Springfield. As Jesus says in Mt.25:40 just as you have done it to one of the least of these who are members of my

family, you did it to me. I recently saw a quote from Pope Francis which said Youpray for the hungry, then you feed them. That is how prayer works. Thanks you forpraying and sharing Gods love, one meal at a time.

You may drop off items between 6:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Highlands Support Community Ministries through Special Gifts

Highlands has been the recipient of several large amounts of money through bequests and other monetarygifts. It was decided that 10% of these gifts would be used to support community ministries. Here aresome of the ways we have helped:

Supplement to food stamps used at the Farmers Market in downtown Springfield.Support for Contemplative Practices Weekend (an ecumenical spiritual retreat).Support for missionary to Albania (Alta Millers granddaughter, Hannah).Support for materials to promote peace by The Peace Alliance during Culture Fest.

Support for a Project Woman two-day conference on the prevention of violence.

If you know of a need in the community that promotes Highlands stated mission, you may request adonation by using the application form on the table in the hallway off the kitchen. Give the completedform to Trustee Cindy Bowen or Jan Kushmaul.

As other gifts are received, we will add to this special fund.


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Church Governance Update

The United Church of Christ is a congregationally governed denomination. That means thatthe larger church (known as the General Synod) is composed of representatives from localchurches which come to general consensus about major issues, but leaves the decision of howto be church to the local congregations.

Highlands United Church of Christ is governed by the congregation which meets annually toelect the church officers and the leaders of the various ministry teams. The congregation setsthe annual budget for the year and makes policy decisions. It grants to the Church Councilthe responsibility to carry out the wishes of the congregation and do the everyday business ofthe church. All meetings (except those specific to personnel issues) of all boards, committees,and teams are open to active members of the congregation. Dates and times are posted onthe calendar outside the kitchen door.

Leaders Needed

Highlands Nominating Committee is preparing a slate of officers and members of theMinistry Teams for presentation at the Annual Meeting to be held January 11, 2015, followingworship. If you think you would like to be involved in guiding Highlands into the future, buthave not been asked to participate, please call either Geneva Falkner 399-7723 or Flo Keaton864-5268. Here are some of the areas you might be called to.

Christian Education Ministry Teamworks to enhance childrens spiritual development.

Diaconate Ministry Teammanages the worship and spiritual enrichment of the congrega-

tion as well as caring for the ill, infirm, and house bound.

Trustees Ministry Teamcares for church property and finances.

Fair Ministry Teammanages the food ministry during the Clark County Fair.

Nominating Committeeprepares a slate of officers and leaders for the Annual Meeting.


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Highlands United Church of Christ1910 Saint Paris Pike Springfield, Ohio 45504

www.highlandsucc.com

Return Service Requested

Mission Statement

Our Mission is to be the loving heart and healing hands of God in the world;we are a welcoming community of faith, seeking to accompany and support all

on their journey to Christ, and bearing authentic witness of Gods inclusive love

as proclaimed through Jesus.

Highlands United Church of Christ, is called by God

To open doors for all who seek a safe place for their spiritual journey To extend extravagant hospitality To set an open table for all who hunger To provide sanctuary for all who seek forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing To do justice and pursue peace

Highlands Open and Affirming Statement

The worshipping family within the faith community of Highlands United Church of Christ believes inChrist's gospel of unconditional love. We joyfully welcome into full participation, membership, andleadership of this congregation persons of every race, language, age, gender identity and expression, sex-ual orientation, physical or mental ability, economic or marital status, and faith background. We affirmand celebrate all loving, committed relationships affirming that all families defined by love are blessed."

Adopted by the congregation January 13, 2013

December 2014 Outreach

Documents

Transcript of December 2014 Outreach