In 2018, our church will celebrate its 200th birthday. Your Bicentennial Committee has

been hard at work getting ready for an exciting and eventful year.

We are planning social and historical activities, a banquet, a service project, and a

special 200th anniversary church service. We will have souvenir items available

throughout the year including mugs, t-shirts, note cards, ornaments, and a bicentennial

history book.

Our first social activity will be a Winter Fun Fest at the Brushwood Lodge at Furnace

Run Metro Park on Sunday, February 11. Join us for indoor and outdoor fun for all ages.

Please keep checking The Columns and the week-

ly Sunday bulletins for news of our future events and

activities.

Mark Mitchell

Chairman, Bicentennial Committee

Bicentennial artwork designed by Sally Heston

Our Annual Congregational Meeting and

Soup Pot Luck Lunch

Sunday, January 28

Our annual congregational meeting will be Sunday, January 28,

Newsletter of the Richfield United Church of Christ

THE COLUMNS January 2018

In 1811 a little group of

pioneer settlers met for

open-air prayer services in a

grove of trees. These were

among the first settlers of

Richfield. The Connecticut

Missionary Society sometimes sent itinerant

preachers, who travelled here by foot & horseback.

Each missionary sermon lasted about two hours!

There were two sermons before noon, and a third

two-hour sermon after Sunday School! So you

might offer a prayer of gratitude that my sermons

are mercifully brief.

Five years later, in 1816, the settlers built a log

cabin “meetin’ house” near the southwest corner of

what we now call Brecksville Road and Route 303.

It was a crude shelter, poorly heated, with

roughhewn floors and split log benches. But they

were proud of their meetin’ house, which served as

a town hall, one-room schoolhouse, and part-time

church/jail.

Eventually those missionaries organized a little

church in Richfield. Twelve founders wrote up and

ratified a church constitution. They were: Elijah

and Hanna Welton, Stephen Pixley, Newcomb

Carter, Birdseye N. Oviatt, Augustus Adams, Mary

Oviatt, Sarah Sturtevant, Lydia Carter, Martha

Farnham and Isaac and Anna Welton.

The organization of our church was effected on

May 15, 1818. Thus, 2018 is the bicentennial of

the founding of the Richfield United Church of

Christ.

You’ll see a lot about our bicentennial in this

edition of The Columns. In fact, you’ll be hearing

a lot about it throughout this year. Keep watching

for special announcements and events.

The journey of the Gospel has led us to face new

challenges with bold vision and tenacious hope.

We supported abolition, women’s suffrage and

even prohibition (oops – well we couldn’t get it

right all the time).

A lot has changed since those early days of log

cabins and circuit riders. New church structures

have come and gone. New church members have

lived and died. We honor their legacy as we look

to the future. This much is certain: just as our

forebears faced and resolved the new issues of

their generation, the challenge of the Gospel will

lead us to face the new issues of our time and

future times.

For faith is about enlightening our

present and enlivening our future

as we apply the treasure of

tradition in ways that are ever

new, ever bold.

January Scriptures

January 7: Scriptures: Acts 19:1-7 Mark 1:4-11 Sermon: “The Baptism of Jesus” or Immersed in Christ

January 14: Scriptures: 1 Samuel 3:2-9 John 1:35-51 Sermon: “Awake from our Slumber”

January 21: Scriptures: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Mark 1:14-20 Sermon: “Changing Directions”

January 28: Scriptures: Numbers 11:10-17, 24-29 Mark 1:21-28 Sermon: “To Bestow the Spirit on Them All!”

Moderator’s Moment January 2018

Wow, it is 2018 already. I do not know about

you, but I am ready for a new year. Maybe, the

new year will be a little more civil than we were

as a nation over the last couple of years.

Our church is the right place to be. We care

about and for each other, reaching out in many

ways to the community. We may not always

agree, but we do like each other and respect

each other.

Plus this year is the 200th birthday for our

congregation. We can look forward to a number

of celebrations marking this historic year.

And let’s not forget that the last Sunday in

January is the date for our annual meeting.

There is a lot of information made available at

this meeting and you have to opportunity to ask

questions. The meetings generally do not last

very long and there will be a lunch following the

meeting.

Finally, this month I would like to thank Tom

Kiska, Gary Obenauer,

and Terry Bard for their

help in repaint- ing the hall-

way outside the office. It

looks much better.

Newt Heston

The office reminds the following that your end-of the-year reports are due by January 10.

WPM Board Christian Ed Board S&A Board Youth Group Retirement Village Board

Moderator Treasurer Pastor Endowment Hobbitts Church Board

Adult Mission Group Personnel Committee

Ohio Buckeye Trail Presentation at RUCC

Looking for a way to beat the

January doldrums? Join the

Friends of Crowell Hilaka

(Richfield Heritage Preserve) in

the church sanctuary on

Tuesday, January 16, at 7 pm for

a presentation by Andy Niekamp.

He hiked the Ohio Buckeye Trail

in 2011 and published a book about his 88-day expe-

rience. His inspiration and

photos will change the way you see Ohio and may

even inspire you to hike the Buckeye Trail! You do

not need to be a member to attend. Hot beverages

and refreshments will be served. See Betty van der

Meer if you have questions. More info on Andy

Niekamp’s book is at: http://buckeyetrailhiker.com/

Book Presentation by Dr.

Terry Gordon

On Sunday, January 21, we will welcome Dr. Terry

Gordon for a presentation and signing of his book,

No Storm Lasts Forever. The program will follow

the 10:15 service and the WPM Board will

provide refreshments.

The WPM Board would like to thank the congregation

for its generous support of our cookie project and

sponsoring the twenty children for the OPEN M

project, Christmas for the Love of Children. A special

thanks to Maryke Bard for stepping in to help assign

each child a sponsor, offering to shop for some and

offering her children as shopping assistants and

http://buckeyetrailhiker.com/

BOXES OF LOVE FROM HOME

The Youth Group is collecting items to assemble for family and friends who are living away at college, or are serving in the military. Here’s how you can help us with this project. 1. If you have a family member in the military or away at college, please provide us with the correct mailing address. 2. Donate any of the following items no later than Feb. 5.

There is a collection box in the Fellowship Hall for your donations.

Suggested items Stationery items: pens, pencils, notepads, stamps, highlighters, post-it notes, index cards, letter paper, assorted blank note cards w/envelopes Personal items: chapstick, nail file, dental floss, hand cream (small sizes), breath mints, disposable razors Food items: any wrapped, non-perishable candy, cookies, snacks, gum, soup mix, hot cocoa mix, tea bags, microwave popcorn You may also donate money for purchasing the above items and/or for the mailing expenses; it costs about $12 to mail a medium flat-rate box.

Thank you for your generosity in helping us to stay connected to family and friends living far away.

Youth Group

Sub Sale Richfield UCC’s youth group is

selling sub sandwiches that will be

ready on Super Bowl Sunday, February 4. The subs have turkey,

ham, and cheese and come with the option of being on white

bread or wheat bread.

A bag of veggies (lettuce, tomatoes, and onions) is also optional.

Order deadline is Sunday, January 28, and the cost is $5.

Checks are to be made payable to “RUCC: Youth Group.”

Order forms can be found in the Sunday bulletins or call the

office to place your order.

January Youth Events

January 7: Greet & usher at the 10:15 service.

Tristan Bard is our Lay Reader for January 7.

Host coffee hour: Bring a refreshment to share.

MLK Overnighter

January 14, 7pm—January 15, 9am All Senior High youth are invited to attend this overnighter at

First Federated Church of Chagrin Falls. It will be everything you

would expect at a typical overnighter—games, pizza, music,

craziness and little sleep. Plus, an opportunity to explore the life,

faith and the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The cost is

only $10 per person. Pizza, snacks and breakfast will be provided.

Please bring a sleeping bag, pillow and a snack to share. Contact

Marilyn Freeman if you are interested in attending with her.

Temple Israel Visit

January 26, 7:30 pm The Confirmation Class will be attending the Interfaith Youth

Service at Temple Israel, 91 Springside Drive. Anyone wishing to

attend should let Marilyn know so she can arrange transportation.

Any adults who can provide transportation, please let Marilyn

know. We should plan to leave Richfield UCC by 6:45 pm.

Youth Group Winter Par-

ty

Sunday, January 28

Grades 6-12 If there is snow, we can build a snowman—or a snow fort! Pizza!

Games! Hot chocolate!

4-6pm at Richfield UCC.

Sub Sandwich Assembly! All Youth Group members mark your calendars:

January Birthdays 1/1 Victor Stanko 1/1 Sharon Muhlheim 1/2 Amber Kover 1/5 Sue Reineck 1/5 Dawn Schilling 1/5 Vince Westphal 1/11 Kathy Kiska 1/13 Lilly Miller 1/14 Stuart Myers 1/14 Rev. John King 1/16 Anna Gerber 1/17 Sally Vyrostek 1/17 Rebecca Wheeler 1/18 Mary Smith 1/18 Anne Taylor 1/20 Phyllis Sommer

January Anniversaries 1/12 Meagan & Sam Haas 1/14 Ken & Liz Wolff 1/14 Sally and John Gill

New Members

We welcomed Joanne Cowden, Donna Nelson, Mariann Gnandt, Rebecca Cinadr and Brad and Marty as new members to RUCC on December 17.

Baptized Rebecca Cinadr, December 17

In Loving Memory

Alice Jane Emmett, November 23

Fred Larson, December 13

Hobbitts 2018 /2019 Registration

· February 1, 2018: enrollment begins for current

enrolled families & RUCC families.

· February 15, 2018: enrollment is open to the public.

1/20 Nikki Aquino 1/23 William Schreiner 1/27 Jessie Monegan 1/27 Brody Pieter Bard 1/28 Julie Hooper 1/30 Victor Hart 1/31 Pete Shepker 1/31 Don Cass

Ushers for January

January 7: Youth Group

Gary Obenauer Keith Grabo

Tom & Sherri Barker

See Lew Monegan on Sunday mornings

if you would like to join a monthly team of ushers.

January Lay Readers January 7: Tristan Bard Brenda Lindsey

2018 Lay Readers Sign-up

A new monthly calendar is on the

We Can Make It Happen bulletin board for

volunteers to sign up to be Lay Reader at

our 10:15 services.

Boards and Council Monday, January 8

7:00 pm Church boards meet

8:15 pm Church Council meets

Men’s Health Group

The Men’s Health Group will meet on Thursday, January 11,

in the Gathering Room at 10:00 am.

For more ,information, contact Bob Ehlers or Tom Kerns.

Book Club

19 Years and Still Reading!

The Book Club will meet on Monday, January

22, at 7 pm in the Gathering Room.

The selected reading for this month is

No Storm Lasts Forever, by Dr. Terry Gordon.

Adult Mission Trip to Florida

The Adult Mission Group is working out details of a trip to Florida in

February (9-21) to assist in the disaster

relief for recent hurricanes. If you are

interested in joining the trip, contact Betty

van der Meer immediately for security

paperwork details.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 4

Richfield United Church of Christ 4340 W. Streetsboro Rd. Richfield, Ohio 44286

January Activities January 1: Happy New Year / Office closed

January 7: Communion / Youth greet, usher and host coffee hour / Confirmation

January 8: Church Boards and Council meet / Boards meet at 7:00 pm and Council meets at 8:15 pm

January 9: Hobbitts Board meeting at 7 pm

January 11:Men’s Health Group at 10 am in the Gathering Room

January 15: 200th Committee meeting at 7 pm

January 16: Ohio Buckeye Trail presentation at 7 pm

January 21: Book Presentation by Terry Gordon after the 10:15 service

January 25: Unite Against Hate meting at 6:30 pm

January 28: Annual Meeting and Soup Luncheon

January 28: Youth Group Winter Party 4-6 pm at RUCC

GATHERING OF THE CHURCH FAMILY

Richfield United Church

of Christ Phone: 330-659-3532

Fax: 330-659-2506

EVERY SUNDAY

8:00 AM Early Worship Service

9:15 AM Sunday school

10:15 AM Worship Service

WEDNESDAY

6:30 AM MEN’S GROUP

THURSDAY

7:00 PM BELL CHOIR PRACTICE

EVERY WEEK

MON 7:30 PM AA

WED 8:00 PM AA

SAT 8:30 PM AA

Like us on Facebook

Facebook.com/

TheRichfieldUCC

http://www.Facebook.com/TheRichfieldUCChttp://www.Facebook.com/TheRichfieldUCC