November 2014

www.highlandsucc.com 1910 Saint Paris Pike

Highlandsucc@sbcglobal.net Springfield, Ohio 45504-1206

937-399-7493

From the Pastor…

“As I write, the colors of fall are at their peak; there is crispness in the morning air; leaves crackle under our feet; the sun’s rays grow longer in the evening sunset, as the honking geese fly to their winter homes. The changing seasons reminds us that the church also has seasons.”

These are the words from last November’s letter to you. When I wrote those words, which seems like a lifetime ago, I was anticipating ordination. I will celebrate my first

anniversary on November 17th and, like a year ago I still anticipate the ministry opportunities which will open for us at Highlands.

As the leaves peak this year and I walk into the crispness of the morning air, and we prepare for shorter days, I was struck by all that has happened at Highlands within the last year: getting to know you better, deaths, members leaving, visitors, a prophet-

ic witness at City Commission supporting equal protections from housing and employ-ment discrimination for LGBT persons, quarterly Taizé services, the Chili Supper to collect food and money (and our on-going food cart collection) for those who hunger

through our partnership with the Open Hands Free Store, Harvest Festival, a joyous Christmas Worship celebration, Spring Fling, a Creation Care worship service and a

month of putting our faith into action, the yard sale, the Clark County Fair, Cross-roads Cluster meetings, Cluster Lenten Worship Services, and Community-wide Con-templative weekend with our friends at First Baptist Church. My, we have been busy

this year—living our faith in the world.

As the seasons change and we reflect back, we are reminded of the rhythms of life—

people come and go; the rhythms of the seasons—they change, bidden or unbidden; rhythms of the church year—the many activities and worship services that mark our

faith. We look forward, knowing that rhythms ground us—remind us that we are alive in God and that we are grateful we can share God’s love in our world.

Requests for Assistance

Cold weather will come to Ohio sooner than some of us would like. With the changes in weather and with the holidays also coming on top, we will see an increase in requests for fi-nancial help. Just to refresh you, there are processes in place to assist folks both within the church and through community agencies.

At Highlands, we do not provide cash assistance. If someone has a need, for example a utili-ty payment, the matter is referred to our compassion fund team. They have rapidly respond-ed in the past, and will continue to do so. If approved, a check is issued to the utility, and mailed by the church to the utility.

Within the Crossroads Cluster (a group of seven UCC congregations in this area), we also have some ability to assist with winter utility bills. The offerings we collect during the Lenten worship services provide funds for this ministry. This assistance is managed by Mary Jane Rumpke at First UCC in Springfield (in Mary Jane’s absence Jan Kushmaul also assists with this fund).

In addition, Springfield-Clark County is blessed with many other resources—food pantries, Interfaith Hospitality, soup kitchens, assistance with abuse issues. Many of these can be ac-cessed through calling 211 which provides information and referrals, limited housing. The 211 program is sponsored by the United Way and serves Clark, Champaign & Madison coun-ties. They connect folks and provide referrals to an array of different not-for-profit organiza-tions that may be able to assist. More information on these services can be found at http://211uwccmc.blogspot.com/. While at any given time we cannot guarantee any assis-tance, we wanted you to be aware of the assistance available to those who may encounter a time need.

Grandparent/Grandchild Program

Highlands’ Grandparent/Grandchild Program will be celebrated on Sunday, November 9, 2014 during the church service. A carry-in meal will follow. Bring table service and a dish of food to share. Pictures of the Grandparent/Grandchild pairs will be taken to be placed on the bulletin board outside the kitchen.

This is an all-church activity and everyone is encouraged to attend. Help us celebrate our children.

If you received this newsletter in error or you do not wish to receive it, please call 937-399-7493 and ask to be removed from our mailing list.

Birthday Party for Betty Mougey The congregation is invited to attend a birthday celebration for Betty. Saturday, November 1, 2014 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. At Highlands United Church of Christ 1910 St. Paris Pike Springfield, Ohio No gifts please.

Semper Fidelis Meal to be served Monday, November 3, 2014

Serving Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority

6:00 p.m. Help needed. Meeting Wednesday, November 12, 2014

7:00 p.m.

Church Lounge

All women of the church are invited at attend.

Change your clocks! Saturday, November 1, 2014, we Fall Back to Eastern Standard time at 2:00 a.m. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hours.

Volunteers for November services Greeters: Flo Keaton 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Gus Markin 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Ushers: Alta Lou Miller 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Geneva Falkner 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Liturgist: Barbara Romaca 2 & 9 Linda Owens 16

Highlands’ Leadership Pastor: Rev. Avery Sledge Church Officers: Pam Dixon—Moderator Jan Kushmaul—Vice Moderator Linda Owens—Treasurer Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Pastor’s Office Hours Monday and Thursday 9:00 a.m.—12:00 noon Wednesday 12:00 noon—3:00 p.m. You can reach Pastor Avery in the church office during those hours or at 937-429-1536.

Hanging of the Greens

Sunday, November 22, 2014—a pizza lunch will be provided after the ser-vice. We will prepare our church for the Advent season with “Hanging of the Greens.” It takes many hands to make this happen. Hope you can stay and help out.

Thanksgiving Ingathering

On Sunday, November 16, Highlands will help those who are having a hard time during the Holidays with bags of food and non-perishable items (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.). Bring your items anytime during the week. They will be distributed after church.

ThanksLiving from the Crossroads Sunday, November 9, 2014, at 3:00 p.m., First United Church of Christ, 2000 East High Street, Springfield, will host a gathering of churches in the Crossroads Cluster (that extends from West Liberty to Plattsburg, Fairborn to South Vienna).

Join the churches for an afternoon of music, fellowship, and information about our Mission Partners (those community agencies that assist those in need throughout the cluster.

Choirs and special music will be provided by various churches. You are invited to join the combined choir for a portion of the service. Copies of the music are available in the church office.

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Highlands United Church of Christ 1910 Saint Paris Pike Springfield, Ohio 45504

www.highlandsucc.com

Return Service Requested

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 in Christ's gospel of unconditional love. We joyfully welcome into full participation, membership, and leadership of this congregation persons of every race, language, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, economic or marital status, and faith background. We affirm and celebrate all loving, committed relationships affirming that all families defined by love are blessed." Adopted by the congregation January 13, 2013

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 God’s inclusive love as proclaimed through Jesus.