Let us give thanks this month

by sharing with those in need.

OPEN M Christmas Food Baskets

OPEN M has asked us to help fill baskets with boxes of granola bars and breakfast bars.

Our goal is to collect at least 210 boxes. Help us fill the back pew with your donations for

OPEN M. There is also a collection container if you would like to make a cash

donation and the WPM board will make the purchase for you.

OPEN M Christmas For the Love of Children

The WPM board, with your help, will be supporting OPEN M’s project

For The Love of Children again this year. We have asked to sponsor 20 children.

Their names will be available by mid-November and the WPM Board will

have a sign-up table set up in the Fellowship Hall to assist you.

Sponsor a child by purchasing 1 or 2 gifts (value of $25 each).

After you sign up, you will receive the name, age, gender, and gift suggestions.

Help put a smile on a child’s face this Christmas and show our RUCC love.

Adult Mission Group Election Day Bake Sale

The Mission Group, along with the Hobbitts Preschool, will be

conducting an Election Day bake sale on November 7. The shared

profits will offset our mission work expenses. There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship

Hall. We appreciate any baked goods you might provide. We are able to continue this

outreach through your support.

Newsletter of the Richfield United Church of Christ

THE COLUMNS November 2017

God gave me one mouth, but two ears. It seems proper, therefore, that I should listen twice as much as I speak. It is my observation that we are a nation that is deeply divided. Often we simply refrain from speaking about matters that might become controversial. We talk openly about divisive opinions, but only with those who already agree with us. We listen to that with which we already agree, creating a rather dangerous echo chamber. When we do start talking with someone who disagrees with us, we can end up talking past each other. In the part of the conversation where we look like we’re listening, we are actually strategizing, planning our response, coming up with something that proves that they are wrong and we are right. We don’t listen to understand, we listen to retort. But there is another way. That way involves actually listening – actively listening in a way that respects the other person. Such respect means that even when I strongly disagree, I can seek first to understand, then to be understood. Such respect builds bridges instead of walls. I want to invite you to participate in two projects that invite such respectful listening. First, the Richfield Interfaith Coalition will conduct an Interfaith Open House on Saturday, November 18. This event is a real exercise in active listening. We begin here at Richfield UCC. Together with my friends from the Lutheran and Catholic churches, I share with people of different faiths what I love about Jesus. We don’t pull any punches – we share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Then, something extraordinary happens. We go the Hindu temple and listen as they share what they love about Hinduism. Respectfully, we listen, we learn, we build bridges. Then we go to the Buddhist temple and learn meditation from a Tibetan monk. Respectfully, we listen. Likewise at the Jain and Sikh temples, we listen honestly, we share a meal, we build relationships and friendships. Such listening in no way diminishes my own love of Christ or Christianity. Such listening does not demand that I dilute my core beliefs. On the contrary, such respectful listening is an expression of my core beliefs! To paraphrase the Golden Rule, “hear others as respectfully as you want to be heard.” Second, I support Unite Against Hate’s petition asking our governor to declare that our state officially embraces diversity and is welcoming, tolerant and inclusive. This is similar to the resolutions that we promoted and helped pass locally – but now advances it to a statewide level. Please look for this petition at the back of the sanctuary and sign it as an expression of our support. Unite Against Hate is a grassroots group founded by church members Kathy & Chris Hayes. I invite you to see these two ideas as a way to promote good listening. This is the kind of listening that is respectful, mutual, active and life-giving. This is the kind of listening that builds the kind of community in which I want to live. Listen – God is still speaking. - Rev. John King

November Scriptures

November 5: Scriptures: Micah 3:5-12 Matthew 23:1-15, 24-35 Sermon: “When the Very Religious Are the Very Worst”

November 12: Scriptures: Amos 5:18-24 Matthew 25:1-13 Sermon: “Wise and Ready”

November 19: Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-25 Matthew 25:14-30 Sermon: “Galilee’s Got Talent”

November 26: Scriptures: Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46 Sermon: “As Clear As It Gets”

November Youth Events Mark Your Calendars Dates to Remember

November 5: Greet & usher at the 10:15 service.

Anna Gerber is our Lay Reader for November 5.

Host coffee hour. Bring a dessert or snack to share.

Saturday & Sunday, November 18-19: Fall Youth Event

At Pilgrim Hills. Open to all youth in grades 9-12.

Your cost is $20/balance is paid from Youth Fund.

Contact Marilyn if interested in attending.

November 24: Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen

Our volunteer day of serving others. Any youth interested in

attending, please let Marilyn Freeman know. We will leave

Richfield UCC at 8:30 am and return between 2- 2:30 pm.

Looking Ahead to December

In December we plan to bake some cut-out cookies and take them to a local nursing home to assist the residents in a

cookie icing activity while we sing Christmas carols. Stay tuned for times and dates.

Thank You To the RUCC Congregation Thank you for your OCWM giving from the bottom of my heart! I have been blessed in the past 8 weeks to attend three wonderful retreat/events that have inspired and encouraged my creativity and energy for the ministry of faith formation and youth leadership. The Youth Leaders retreat at Sunset Shores in Vermillion was a beautiful setting for lessons in “Mindfulness.” Practicing the experience of mindful meditation, eating, seeing, and walking, heightens the senses to be present in the moment. I am practicing more mindful listening. The Educators Retreat at Pilgrim Hills offered opportunities for “Play, Plan, Pray.” For some of us, this was our tearful goodbye to Pilgrim Hills as it has been sold, and we move on to new camping adventures at Templed Hills. We networked with colleagues shar-ing best practices, made plans for association-wide events and brown bag lunches to foster relationships with educators across the Eastern Ohio and Western Reserve Associations. And we prayed together as we were led through a series of guided prayer meditations and praying in color. Our GLAUCE (Great Lakes Association of United Church Educators) annual gathering was held at Pokagon State Park – Potawatomi Inn. The weather was outstanding! Beautiful fall colors, breathtaking sunsets on Lake St. James, inspiring worship, networking with colleagues, walking the labyrinth in silence, workshops in Bible exegesis, Creativity as a Spiritual Practice, Service Sunday, A Confirmation Conversation, Prayer Stations, Hands-on Bible Stories and a two-hour Messy Church—all in two days! Each of these events are planned, led, organized, staffed—any combination of this—by Association, Conference and/or National UCC staff people. A portion of your OCWM giving provides the salaries for this staffing, which makes these events happen. So THANK YOU! My spirit has been fed, and my creativity has been inspired! Feeling so blessed, Marilyn Freeman

As I write this in late October it is a chilly blustery day, not

good for much outside (even though I did play golf with Dave Hakos and a couple other guys). The change in the weather means my outside activities are going to be much more limited. Golf and the volunteer work I do in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park will soon be over until next spring.

But that means that we are coming to what may be my favorite holiday. It is not Halloween. It is Thanksgiving. Even though I love pumpkin pie and even an occasional pumpkin spice creamer in my coffee, that is not what I love about Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving because it is a quieter holiday (as long as you can avoid the temptation of Black Friday) focused on family. We are also more focused on being thankful for all of the blessings in our lives. While Christmas is a wonderful time to for worship and family, the run up to December 25th can get so busy and stressful that it can be a bit harder to focus on the importance of the event. So look forward to Thanksgiving as a time to reflect and be thankful.

And on the Saturday after Thanksgiving get out there and put up your outside Christmas decorations. Make sure you put up more than last year (just kidding).

With love in Christ,

Newt Heston

Endowment Fund Giving

The Endowment Fund was established several years ago to be used for special needs and outreach other than local operating or building expenses. Its guidelines allow us to use up to 5% each year of the average fund market value for the previous 5 years for these purposes. The fund has grown substantially over the years so that recently we have been able to use it to upgrade the Retirement Village, for seminary scholarships, and part of mission trips. Recently it has funded our benevolence budget of Community Concern and OCWM, and will again this year.

As a result of the turmoil in the Middle East, the Syrian refugees are suffering, and a request came from a member of our congregation for us to do something. We have sent a total of $5000 from the endowment to the UCC One Great Hour of Sharing and to an organization called Shelterbox, earmarked in both cases specifically to help the refugees. Though Shelterbox is not connected to the UCC, it works worldwide to provide immediate temporary housing and supplies for those families that have been devastated by the war. A portion of the thank you letter from them reads as follows:

“By supporting ongoing efforts in Syria, you have provided a temporary home, clean water, warmth and protection from the elements to families who need it most. So far, Shelterbox has sent aid to support over 8,500 families in Syria, Iraqi Kurdestan, Lebanon and Jordan. Our work is only possible thanks to the generous support of people like you who are truly making a difference.”

Moderator's Moment

Children International

Our first letter from Carolina Dear sponsors,

I hope you are doing well. I welcome you to

Children International and thank you for

sponsoring me. About me, let me tell you

that I’m doing well in school. My teachers

are very loving to me. They help me during the classes.

Also, I go to visit an aunt with my parents on weekends.

She is very special to us. How many children do you have?

I hope you will write to me soon. God bless all your family.

With love, sincerely,

Carolina F.

Caroline is our sponsored child through

Children International. Her monthly sponsorship is paid

from donations collected for our garden’s produce.

Our Church Garden

As our garden season ends, we would like

to thank Karen Butera, our garden

manager, for the many hours she has

spent planning, planting, weeding and

harvesting the crops of vegetables and

herbs. Harvesting ran from the first of

June to the last of October. $458 was raised this summer for

the Children International sponsorship of Leydi and now,

Carolina. Many thanks to all for your cash donations on

Sunday morning and to those who donated plants and seeds

and to those who helped to weed and water through the

summer.

2017

Christmas Cantata

The journey from Advent to Christmas is filled with

vivid images of beloved traditions: the lighting of

candles, Christmas trees representing the light of

Christ, decorations of evergreens, symbols of the

promise of rebirth; the emergence of stars atop the

trees to guide the pilgrim journey, and the presentation

of gifts in celebration of God's great gift to us

all. Throughout the centuries, believers have sung

carols that celebrate these traditions.

In celebration and anticipation of our congregation's

200th birthday, the RUCC choir has created its own

Christmas cantata, selecting favorite songs, carols and

hymns from cantatas performed in the past.

The music is from five cantatas and tells the

timeless Christmas story of Christ from prophecy to

birth. Please join the RUCC adult choir, narrators,

soloists, bell choir, and instrumentalists for this

inspiring performance on Sunday, December 10, at the

10:15 service.

Richfield Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 24

RUCC singing voices are needed on Friday, November

24, at the Richfield Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00

pm. All ages are welcome. Meet at RUCC at 5:00 pm

for a short practice. A great way to let the Richfield

community know about RUCC.

Hanging of the Greens Christmas is coming and our church will be preparing by decorating on Sunday, November 26,

following the 10:15 service. This is a huge project but, with lots of help, it only takes a little time.

We need strong men, women and children who love decorating for Christmas.

Come join the fun and give a hand, enjoy some fellowship and set the mood for a great Christmas season.

November Birthdays

11/3 Barbara Hayes 11/4 Albert Falther 11/5 Rosemarie Sprague 11/6 Allison Ellis 11/7 Robyn Patrick 11/9 Jeff Duricko 11/9 Corey Linek 11/12 Kate Holan 11/13 Anne Gill 11/13 Tim Hnath 11/14 Kathy Brown

November Anniversaries

11/29 Richard & Kevan Hudak

Richfield Interfaith Open House Tour

Saturday, November 18

The Richfield Interfaith community will have a second open

house tour in 2017, on Saturday, November 18, beginning at

RUCC at 8:45 am.

This is a wonderful opportunity to visit Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh,

Christian and Jain places of worship. Reservations are

required, as there is a limit of 150 guests. Call the church office

to RSVP.

Sunday School Classes

Our adult class will meet in the Gathering Room

at 9:10. Join your fellow congregation members

for the Adult Sunday School study. The group

discussion this year is a Listen Up! Bible study on

1 Corinthians that will be facilitated by Jim Schilling.

Our youth class for grades 6-12 will meet in the upstairs youth

room at 9:15.

Sunday school for preschool through 5th grade

is available at two different times, 9:15 and after Children’s Time

at the 10:15 service.

Confirmation Class: November 5 & 19 12-2pm. Interfaith Tour on November 18

11/14 Staci Lindsey 11/19 Newt Heston 11/19 Lois Eckart 11/21 Gerald Dabernig 11/24 Marian Stertzbach 11/28 Patricia Worton

Ushers for November

November 5: Youth Group Chuck Ellis Paul & Michal Swan Larry & Amy Harsey

November Lay Readers November 5: Anna Gerber Tim Hnath

Boards and Council Monday, November 13

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, November 9,

in the Gathering Room at 10:00 am. For more information,

contact Bob Ehlers or Tom Kerns.

Book Club 18 Years and Still Reading!

The Book Club will meet on Monday, November 27, in the

Gathering Room at 7:00 pm. Finding Gobi is the selected

book for November, by author Dion Leonard. It's a story

about a little dog with a big heart. Join us in the love of

reading.

Northeast Ohio Sheltie Rescue The Northeast Ohio Shetland Sheepdog Rescue is

participating in the Acme Fresh Market Community

Cash Back program again this year. If shopping at

Acme, please save your register receipts dated

August 10 through December 30. The receipts may

be left in the church office in the box designated for

NEOSSR or given to Tim or Linda Hnath.

Senior Citizens’ Brunch and Fall Play

You are cordially invited

Thursday, November 16 Revere High School

9:00 am brunch in the school cafeteria

10:00 am Fall Play in the auditorium

Much Ado About Nothing, performed by the Revere Players

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 4

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

November Activities

November 5:Communion / Youth Group greets & ushers / Confirmation Class at noon

November 6:Election Board meeting at RUCC 6:30 pm

November 7:Election Day / Hobbitts and Mission Group Bake Sale at RUCC entranceway

November 9:Men’s Health Group meets at 10 am in the Gathering Room

November 13:Boards and Council meetings / Boards meet at 7:00 pm and Council meets at 8:15 pm.

November 14:Hobbitts Board meets at 7 pm

November 18:Richfield Interfaith Open House Tour

November 19:Confirmation Class at noon

November 23:Happy Thanksgiving / Office closed

November 24:Youth Group at the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen

Richfield Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6pm, meet at RUCC at 5 pm

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

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