NOVEMBER 2015

www.highlandsucc.org 1910 Saint Paris Pike

highlandsucc@sbcglobal.net Springfield, Ohio 45504-1206

937-399-7493

From the Pastor…

Change Change of seasons, change of leaves, as I write this the fall colors are exploding in a palette of reds and yellows shining brilliantly against the greens and browns. The change from summer to fall reminds us that the bitter cold, ice, snow, sleet will be here all too soon—with the promise of a coming spring and summer. Our lives also include changes, holidays, birthdays, graduations, new jobs, births and deaths. And so it is with our faith. We experience seasons of the church, we experience interactions with others inside and outside of the church. We experience God in worship, through reading our Bibles, devotionals, other books, prayer, or attending a discussion group. Each experience helps us to change and grow in our relationship with Jesus. We use the teachings of and try to emulate Jesus, an itinerant Jewish rabbi, in our Christian faith and daily living. Since the earliest days of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, the church has always been changing, progressing. Change has not always been linear and orderly. Mostly it’s been messy. I shared this view recently with a History of Christianity class at Urbana University. Jesus taught about love of God and neighbor versus following the law. Paul included Jews AND Gentiles as being welcome in God’s kingdom. Christianity was illegal prior to Constantine and become the “state” religion during his reign. Early church councils of Bishops established which books were to be included in the Bible we know today. Throughout history, Christianity has changed to meet new historical circumstances. Where slavery was once justified biblically, we now realize perhaps a new interpretation is in order. Where once wom-en were not allowed to preach in church, many Christians now accept that women are also called by God. History is replete with example after example of change. To me, ultimately, it seems, we are all grasping, trying to see through the glass darkly to experience Jesus in new and inspiring ways—to live a life of authentically loving God and loving neighbor. If you haven’t experienced a change of seasons in your faith life, maybe trying something different—a change— in your regular spiritual routine will inspire you…maybe you’ll discover Jesus firsthand, in fresh ways. Peace and blessings,

I was Coordinator of the Parents and Children Together Program for Mental Health Services of Clark County for 8 years and a provider of Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation in family and center-based child care facilities for 3 years. I want to share with you my thoughts about the impact Highlands has on the community that we have not truly understood. Based on my experience in the field of early childhood, I know what I’m talking about! Highlands provides space for one of the best programs that cares for the youngest members of our community and that helps prepare them for success in school and life. Kids World Christian Preschool and Day Care has been at 1910 St. Paris Pike for 10 years. They currently have enrolled over 35 children from over 30 families. Because they have children on site from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and need to maintain state-regulated staff to child ratios, they have a total of 10 paid employees. In addition, Kids World provides educational opportunities to an average of 8 students in social work and early childhood education each year through internships and practicum experiences. Throughout the year, there are as many as 24 professionals in the fields of education and psychology who come to observe the program. Evidence, clearly, that Kids World is a program that demonstrates best-practices in early childhood education and is well-respected in the field. Those are the facts. Here is the impact. Parents in over 30 families can go to work or school each day and feel confident their children will receive the highest quality of care. Some children are in the care of Kids World staff from opening at 6:00 a.m. to closing at 5:30 p.m. so, in a sense, they are being raised by these caregivers. Over 35 children are receiving caring, compassionate, and age appropriate guidance by professionally trained adults. They are also receiving opportunities for mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual growth. The children enjoy their time at Kids World and look forward to returning during the summer when school-age children are also served. Adults who are preparing themselves for professions where they will have the well-being of children in their care receive at Kids World the highest quality of training with guidance from experienced child care professionals. This multiplies the impact on the lives of children into the next generation and beyond. Ten years ago, we pledged our support for Kids World. Highlands supports this ministry by providing a safe, comfortable environment within which the Kids World staff can do their work. We can proudly count this program as one of the ways we contribute to the well-being of our community. With all this in mind, what will be the impact on the lives of these children and their families if Highlands is not able to continue to host them here? There are limited options for continuing services elsewhere. Do we let them down or do we say, “Not on my watch!”? Jan Kushmaul, LPCC

Highlands’ Impact on the Community

Items for Interfaith Hospitality Network are being collected Some of the members of Highlands Church are collecting items for

Interfaith Hospitality Network. We have a box in the narthex if you wish to join us in this effort.

Once we have several items, we will take them to IHN.

Here are a few things needed: Hygiene products, household products, health care products, such as band-aids, over the counter

pain relievers etc. A complete list is located on the Community News bulletin board.

Why Do We Have the Plastic Container for Box Tops?

One way we reach out to the community is by collecting Box tops for Education and UPC labels for the Oesterlen Center in Springfield. Oesterlen Services for Youth began serving needy children and families in 1903. Today the agency is respected statewide for its emotional and behavioral health services and social services for children, adolescents, and their families. They provide a full range of services including residential mental health treatment, foster care, outpatient counseling, in-home programs, and in-school programs. Oesterlen is prepared to help address the changing needs of children and adolescents statewide. We serve children and adolescents regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, or handicap (unless specific treatment programming is required.) Oesterlen participates in the Campbell’s Labels for Education and General Mills Box Tops for Education Programs which are among the largest earning programs across the nation for more than 80,000 schools and organizations. Each Box Top is worth 10¢ and checks are mailed twice a year to the participating organization which are used for items the organization needs. America’s schools and organizations have earned over $114 million in merchandise over the Labels for Education program’s 42 year history. These little box tops mean a lot to organizations like the Oesterlen Center.

Please don’t forget this ministry!

How Do I Know If Church is Canceled?

Is it snowing really hard? Is inclement weather forecast? Are schools, churches, and other places closing due to

weather?

Tune into these TV stations and watch for a notice if Highlands is also closing. WDTN, Channel 2 WKEF, Channel 22 WHIO, Channel 7

Items that Food Banks Need but Don’t Usually Ask For

Spices, Feminine Products, Chocolate, Toiletries, Canned meats and jerky, Crackers and tortillas, Baby toiletries, Soup packets, Socks, Canned fruit other than pineapple

Of the items listed, the most commonly needed items are protein items (canned meats or

peanut butter), feminine products, baby toiletries, socks, and toiletries. All are not usually as readily available as canned beans or pasta or cereal. If you’re looking for an easy way to help out with some of these appreciated items, pick some of these up while shopping

and drop them off in the food cart in the narthex.

Recycle at Highlands!

Paper, plastic, metal, cardboard all are collected and taken to the recycling centers 1602 W. Main St.

and between the Project Woman building and the Clark County Combined Health District building on East Home Road.

(More information is posted outside the kitchen door.)

Don’t Forget the Food Cart!!

We collect food and non-perishable items for Open Hands Free Store’s food pantry.

You can help feed the hungry by dropping off items to Highlands Church, 1910 St. Paris Pike, from

6:00 am to 5:30 pm. Come through the front door. The grocery cart is right inside!

Items donated to the food pantry in SEPTEMBER………. 152!! Items donated to Interfaith Hospitality in AUGUST………...59!!

And in SEPTEMBER…………..85!!

Thank you!

MUSIC! MUSIC! MUSIC!

Thanks to the music students of Wittenberg University, Highlands will have live musicians

providing music for worship services! We are really mixing things up with a variety of instruments such as

flute, clarinet, saxophone, and piano to accompany our hymns and provide special music. We will also have an occasional vocal soloist performing during worship.

Come to church on Sunday mornings to experience good music and to support these fine young men and women.

In addition, we are privileged to have Carol Harbaugh at the piano on November 8. Your presence in worship is one way to say ‘Thank you’ to these generous musicians.

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, call 937-399-7493 to have your name removed from the Outreach newsletter mailing list.

Your Help Is Still Needed Rest Rooms Upgraded!! Take some time to visit the lower level and see the

updated rest rooms! Thank you to all who have contributed to the cost. With the grant of $799 and contributions we have just a little further to go.

Your donations help. Just note “For the restrooms” on your envelope.

LGBTQ Youth Information An LGBTQ youth group has been formed which meets at First UCC

Springfield. This group provides a safe place for LGBTQ youth. Contact Sheryl Witt at 937.926.6826 for meeting times or to volunteer.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, and bisexual, transgender, questioning, and allies, meet the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7pm at Messiah

Lutheran Church, 1013 E. Lawn Avenue, Urbana. The Dayton PFLAG Chapter meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month at

7:00 p.m. at Harmony Creek Church, 5280 Bigger Road, Kettering.

U.C.C. SONKA 2015 FALL GATHERING Saturday, November 7, 2015

9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. St. Paul’s United Church of Christ

Middletown, OH

Save the Date: November 29, 2015 Installation Service for Pastor Avery

Please join us for a worship service to install Pastor Avery as our

called, settled pastor on

November 29, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.

Rev. Kathryn Anadein, Designated Association Minister, for the Southwest Ohio

and Northern Kentucky Association will conduct the service.

All are welcome. Clergy are invited to process and wear red stoles.

A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

NOTE: There will be no Adult Discussion or Morning Service on this date!

Hanging of the Greens

Sunday, November 22, 2015 a pizza lunch will be provided after the service.

As we prepare our church for the Advent season with the

“Hanging of the Greens.”

This is a great way to fellowship with one another and also prepare the church for the upcoming Advent season.

The more of us there are the easier it will be to complete this task. Hope you can stay and help out however you can!

Semper Fidelis Group Meeting

DATE: November 11, 2015 TIME: 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Highlands UCC ROLL CALL: Read John 14:13 HOSTESS/DEVOTIONS: Kathy Howard

Everyone welcome! Come join our group!

2

01

5

Su

n

Mo

n

Tu

e

We

d

Th

u

Fri

S

at

1 A

du

lt D

iscu

ssio

n

9:3

0 a

m

Wo

rsh

ip

10

:30

am

Ch

ild

ren

1

0:4

5 a

m

Fe

llo

wsh

ip

11

:30

am

Dia

co

na

te

1

2:0

0 p

m

AA

8

:00

pm

2

3

4

5

6

7U

CC

So

nk

a

Ga

the

rin

g

9-1

St

Pa

uls

UC

C

Mid

dle

tow

n

8 A

du

lt D

iscu

ssio

n

9:3

0 a

m

Wo

rsh

ip

10

:30

am

Ch

ild

ren

1

0:4

5 a

m

Fe

llo

wsh

ip

11

:30

am

Tru

ste

es

12

:00

pm

AA

8

:00

pm

9

10

11

VE

TE

RA

NS

DA

Y

Se

mp

er

Fi 7

:00

pm

12

13

14

15

NO

AD

ULT D

ISC

US

SIO

N

Wo

rsh

ip

10

:30

am

Ch

ild

ren

1

0:4

5 a

m

Co

un

cil

1

2:0

0 p

m

Fe

llo

wsh

ip

11

:30

am

AA

8

:00

pm

16

1

7

18

1

9

20

2

1

22

Ad

ult

Dis

cu

ssio

n

9:3

0 a

m

Wo

rsh

ip

10

:30

am

Ch

ild

ren

1

0:4

5 a

m

Fe

llo

wsh

ip

11

:30

am

De

co

rate

fo

r A

dve

nt

N

OO

N

Co

un

cil

1

2:0

0 p

m

AA

8

:00

pm

23

2

4

25

2

6 T

HA

NK

SG

IVIN

G

Ste

wa

rt f

am

ily/

fello

wsh

ip h

all

27

28

Sm

itso

n f

am

ily/

fello

wsh

ip h

all

29

NO

AD

ULT D

ISC

US

SIO

N

OR

MO

RN

ING

SE

RV

ICE

In

sta

lla

tio

n/P

asto

r A

ve

ry 3

:00

A

A

8

:00

pm

30

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

www.highlandsucc.org

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.

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

Return Service Requested