APRIL 2016

www.highlandsucc.org
highlandsucc@sbcglobal.net
937-399-7493

1910 Saint Paris Pike

Springfield, Ohio 45504-1206

From the Pastor

Weve come through another busy seasonEaster. Weve eaten the Easter ham, any
remaining ham is now frozen, found its way into casseroles, into omelets or sandwiches.
In the words of the GEICO commercial thats now in its second year, Its what you
do. I remember Easter ham fondly as a child as it was one of the few times we could
afford it. Easter ham, baked sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, potato salad, green beans
from last years gardencooked until they were no longer a danger to anyone, fresh
yeast rolls, pine-apple raisin sauceand this child was in heaven!
Every so often, I wonder how did we come to celebrate Easter, the crucifixion of a
Jewish rabbi with hamone of the forbidden foods of the Jewish people? It also has
occurred to me that by eating a forbidden food, we would be lumped with those
unclean heathens, the Gentiles. And yet, we proclaim our Jewish heritage through
Jesusthe itinerant Jewish rabbi, and the wandering Jewish apostle, Paul.
Then I wondered do we really want it both ways? Do we proclaim our faith and follow
this Jewish rabbi, yet ignore the prohibitions against eating pork? [Nevertheless these
shall ye not eat]And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he
cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Leviticus 11:7 KJV.
Do we draw a line in the sand over who follows best?
The Good News is that as Peter learned in his dream (9 About noon the next day, as they
were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He
became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell
into a trance. 11 He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming
down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12 In it were all kinds of fourfooted creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 Then he heard a voice saying, Get
up, Peter; kill and eat. 14 But Peter said, By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten
anything that is profane or unclean. 15 The voice said to him again, a second time,
What God has made clean, you must not call profane.) [Acts 10:9-15 NRSV] that
everything God created is cleanall of us, all foods, all trees, birds, flowers, fishes,
water, air.
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Lines drawn in the sand, accusations of who follows the Bible most closely, designations, regardless of from where they come, do not honor a God who created all the earth
and all creatures and persons within itand called it Very Good!
This month, we will celebrate our annual celebration of Creation Sunday on April 17,
and give thanks for all that God has created. What in Gods marvelous, vast and diverse
creation are you thankful for? Crisp fall days? Winter snow? Flowering trees, shrubs
and bulbs of spring? Working the warm damp earth while tending a garden? I am
thankful for all of theseand Easter ham.

Blessings,

Worship Helpers for April

Greeter
Liturgist

Ushers
Sound System
Fellowship hour

Barbara Romaca 3, 10, 17, 24

Dixie Jenkins 3, Barbara Romaca 10, Pam Dixon 17,
Linda Owens 24
Judy Rude 10 & 17
Kathy Howard

See where you can be of service and give glory to God by serving during worship.
Sign-up on the table in the narthex.

Highlands Leadership
Pastor:

ANNOUNCEMENT!
The Adult Discussion
Group will no longer
meet on Sunday
mornings.

Rev. Avery Sledge

Church Officers:
Pam Dixon-Moderator
Jan Kushmaul-Vice Moderator
Linda Owens-Treasurer
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Highlands Looks to the Future!

In January, we introduced you to Highlands Futures Team. Its time for an update.
The Team made recommendations for changes to the worship service. The ones that were
implemented include:
Being seated after the Invitation to Gather as Community section so we dont have to
stand so long.
Passing the Peace to those closest to us.
Standing in the pews to sing Let There Be Peace on Earth.
Changing Childrens Noisy Collection to just Noisy Collection. We will keep collecting
coins to give to ministries that serve children.
The Team has also been looking at how Highlands can live into its Mission to be Gods
loving heart and healing hands in the world. Here are a few facts we are considering:
For over a year now, the church has not met its financial responsibilities with the income
generated. In 2015, we used $11,000 of Fair Funds to meet expenses.

As we look around us on Sunday mornings, we can see that there are fewer people
coming to church than there were a year ago.
The Team is reviewing a number of options that could move Highlands into a more
viable future. This is a work in progress and will be reported as we have a clearer idea
of what options will best help Highlands live into its Mission.
How can you help?
Your participation regularly in Sunday worship will provide a sense of purpose and
support for Highlands ministries.
Your financial contribution will help Highlands continue its quest for ways to reach
out to the community to promote Gods love, peace, and justice.
Your ideas and suggestions of where and how you believe Highlands is called to be
in ministry to the world is encouraged.
YOU are the body of Christ. When you join with others, that body grows until it is
capable of healing the hurting and bringing reconciliation to those who have lost
their way. Together we can make a difference.
You may contact any member of the Futures Team or the Pastor or the Moderator. They are:
Pastor Avery, Pam Dixon, Kathy Howard, Dixie Jenkins, Flo Keaton, Jan Kushmaul, Millie
McNeal, Linda Owens, or Sandy Ryon.

Passing the Peace

Highlands has begun passing the peace to those who are closest to them in the pews
instead of trying to connect with every member of the congregation.
How do you do that when you find yourself seated alone with no one nearby?
Perhaps when that happens, you could move into a position near others. Moving to the
center of the sanctuary would bring all of us closer together; helping not only in the
passing of the peace, but in a sense of closeness in our worship experience.
Something to think about?

Semper Fidelis (Women's Group)

Class meets Wednesday, April 13, at 7:00 p.m. at the church.
All women are welcome.
Serving meal on Monday, April 4th, at 6:00 p.m.
Serving meal on Tuesday, April 26th, at 7:00 p.m.
If you can help with meals, let Betty Mougey know.
Semper Fidelis provided the palms that were distributed on Palm
Sunday as well as the small palms in the chancel area. Many thanks for
these contributions.

Additional Ways to Help Highlands financially that are easy and beneficial:
Kroger Community Rewards Program
Applications are available on the table in the Narthex or sign up at:
www.krogercommunityrewards.com. Highlands NPO number is 82186

Meijers Community Rewards Program

Help Highlands by completing an application available on the table in the
narthex or on-line at www.Meijer.com/rewards. Highlands code is 210405.

Highlands has received an urgent request from

Interfaith Hospitality Network
to help stock the shelves.
Listed are the items most needed at this time:
HYGIENE: Face soap, toothpaste, body wash, deodorant, toothbrushes, diapers,
(size 3,4,5,6) baby wipes, lotion, laundry detergent.
FOOD: Pasta, rice, soup, canned vegetables, canned spaghetti sauce,
canned fruit.
In March, Highlands donated 24 items including soap, shampoo, toothbrushes,
and toothpaste.
Monetary donations are always welcome!

Box Tops for Oesterlen Services for Youth

Highlands continues to collect box tops and bar codes from certain products for
Oesterlen. Last month we delivered 128 items worth 10 cents each. We received a nice note
of thanks. Thank you for saving and bringing these box tops and bar codes!

Names of products that have box tops and bar codes are listed on the Community Bulletin
Board outside the window to the kitchen in the fellowship hall.

Kids World of Springfield

KIDS WORLD of Springfield is a Christian Pre-School/Day Care with a mission of developing the
whole child, keeping the love and nurturing of children as our top priority. KIDS WORLD will create
a caring, value-based environment while providing safe boundaries and opportunities for children
to grow developmentally with structured learning activities.
Krista Yost, Admin/Owner & Kelly Stewart, Owner 399-2444

*****************************************
Highlands United Church of Christ is pleased to have this high-quality
pre-school/day care program in our facility. We hear high praise from
parents whose children attend.
Trustees of Highlands
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Items donated to the Open Hands Free Stores

food pantry in March!!
Feed the Hungry Sunday, March 13, was a huge success with good chilies and lots of food
donated for the Open Hands Food Pantry.
Eighty (80) items were brought in during March including peanut butter, crackers, baking
products, veggies, cereal, snacks, canned meats, pasta and sauce. There were also bathroom and kitchen supplies. Thank you for your continuing to feed the hungry For as much
as you have done it for the least of these, you did it for me. Matt. 25:40.
Bring your food donations in during the week between 6:00 and 10:00 a.m.
and 3:00 and 5:30 p.m. At other times, the doors are locked and the door
bell for Kids World can be rung. Please place items in the grocery cart inside
the entry to the sanctuary.

Community Bulletin Board

April 1, 2016
6-8 p.m.

Cake and Comedy for Cause

Northminster Presbyterian Church

April 9, 2016
610 p.m.

Fuller Center (formerly Habitat for Humanity)

A night of fun, laughter, and dessert is held in support of the Clifton Avenue
Church of God Food Pantry. Musical act Tom and the Sopranos and comedy by
Dwight McCormick and Chris Cherry will be the highlights of the night. Tickets are
$10.00 per person with children under 6 free. Child care is provided.

Spring Celebration will be held at Windy Knolls Derby Hall. Pleasant St. Blues Band
will perform A silent auction and raffle will be held. Tickets are $10.00 each.

April 22, 2016

Project Womans Rockin 5K Run/Walk
6:30 p.m. Registration at 5:30 p.m. Snyder Park will be the site of this annual event in support of
services provided by Project Woman. Details are located on the Care and Share
bulletin board in the fellowship hall.

Think Tank/Americorps VISTA

Think Tank serves non-profit organizations that work to create community and alleviate poverty by placing VISTA workers with them. Currently there are 11 open positions.
Call Sarah Hill at 937.332.4970
Or sarah@thinktank-inc.org

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, call 937-399-7493 to have your name
removed from the Outreach newsletter mailing list or email
highlandsucc@sbcglobal.net.
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Worship
Fellowship
AA

24

Worship
Fellowship
Council
AA

17

10:30 am
11:30 am
8:00 pm

10:30 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm
8:00 pm

10:30 am
Worship
11:30 am
Fellowship
12:00 pm
Trustees
Mougey Family 1:00-6:00pm
8:00 pm
AA

10

10:30 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm
8:00 pm

25

18

11

Meal by Semper
Fidilis
6:00 pm

Worship
Fellowship
Futures Team
AA

Mon

Sun

Meal by Semper
Fidelis
7:00 pm

26

19

Clergy mty with

SONKA
12:001:30 pm

12

Tue

April 2016

Relay for Life

6:00pm

Thu

27

20

28

21

13
14
Semper Fidelis
7:00 pm

Wed

29

22

15

30

23

16

Sat

Fri

Highlands United Church of Christ

1910 Saint Paris Pike
Springfield, Ohio 45504
www.highlandsucc.org

Return Service Requested

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 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