November 2013

www.highlandsucc.com Highlandsucc@sbcglobal.net 937-399-7493 1910 Saint Paris Pike Springfield, Ohio 45504-1206

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 suns 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. We will soon enter the season of Thanksgiving and we have much for which to be thankful. Advent and preparations for celebrating the birth of the Christ child will soon follow. I have been with you a month now, and have begun to learn names, recognize faces, learn something of your lives your joys, your concerns, your hopes. As a blessed Christian community, we share our joys, concerns, and hopes every Sunday during prayer time; either by placing prayer requests on the cross or by naming aloud prayers of joy and concern. On Mondays, I take the requests and pray with them at the altar and we also print them in the bulletin. I hope you will note all the prayer requests and join me in praying during the week. This summer I read a book on prayer by Anne Lamott, entitled Help, Thanks, Wow! In this book she talks about the types of prayer she has experienced. Earlier in her walk in the faith, she says she seemed to have only two prayers, Help me! Help me! Help me! and Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! and sometimes these prayers were for selfish purposes such as please God, let the light stay green. Many of us have said these same kinds of prayersI know I have. Anne says that as she matured in her relationship with God and would just be talking with God, she experienced a closeness that can only be described as Wow!a real connection with a God of mercy, grace and joy. May we not forget to ask God for help or to give God thanks, but let us also enter into a relationship with God where we are open to Gods wondrous presence, so we too are continually amazed and exclaim Wow! One season that doesnt change is the season of prayer. Blessings,

Avery
Pastors Office Hours
Monday and Thursday 9:00 a.m.12:00 noon Wednesday 12:00 noon3:00 p.m. You can reach Pastor Avery in the church office during those hours or at 937-429-1536.

From the Moderator

As I write this, the snow has covered the ground and it looks like a Winter wonderland. ...in October? Well, it has me thinking of what we can look forward to in the months ahead. Are we ready? What does Highlands Church need to do to be ready for the Autumn and Winter Seasons - the Seasons of Advent and Christmas? Several things come to mind. Harvest: We gather the fruits of our labors in preparation for the lean months ahead. At least we did when most of us were farmers. Fruits and vegetables were canned; meats were salted and smoked or otherwise preserved. We made warm quilts, down comforters, and woolen clothes. Wood was chopped and stacked beside the house for fireplace or stove. Grain and hay was stored in storage bins to feed the animals when the snow covered the ground. It was a lot of work, but life depended on it. At Highlands, we do not need to do that kind of harvesting, but there is another harvest that we depend on for our spiritual life. We gather together to share the love of Christ that has been nurtured throughout the year. We work together to prepare the church for the Advent of the Christ child and celebrate that birth with joy and praise. We seek ways to declare the love that came at Christmas to those in our community who do not know of it. A harvest of souls coming to God is a fulfillment of God's vision for Highlands. God has declared that not one of God's creation will be lost. We are the body of Christ in the world sharing the message of unconditional love and acceptance. Winterization: We may not have it as tough as our forbearers, but we still have much to do to prepare for the months of winter. We service our cars and check the tires. We have the furnace checked and winterize the house with storm windows and doors. At the Fairgrounds, we put antifreeze in all the water pipes and bring in the fire suppression system bottles that contain water. At the church, we check the boilers and heat exchanges, we make arrangements for snow removal, we check the roof for leaks. We prepare the things that keep us warm and safe physically. What do we do to prepare our spirits for the season? We worship regularly with meaningful messages and uplifting music. We share around the tables during a time of fellowship, hearing one another's stories and supporting each other on our spiritual journeys. The warmth of caring between us goes with us into the world and helps us pass the caring on to each person we meet along our way. We join together to decorate the church for the Advent Season marveling as the sanctuary is festooned with the hanging of the greens. The spirit soars at such times. It helps us weather days when it seems gloomy and dark with little hope for sunshine and light. Getting through the dark times: Winter can bring with it dark days; not just outside when skies are cloudy and dull but also when life seems to have lost its meaning. Some of us have SAD episodes (Seasonal Affective Disorder) due to lack of sunshine. It is hard to prepare ahead for those times. What we can do, though, is hold to a mantra that may help us through: "Day by day, in every way, God means good for me today." You may want to write a note and place it on the mirror in your bathroom so you see it first thing each morning that says, "God loves me." When you feel loved, you are able to be love to others. Then the harvest is rich and winter is not such a bad time. At Highlands, you are not only welcome, you are affirmed as you are. God's love is yours no matter what.

Jan Kushmaul, Moderator

Officers
Jan Kushmaul Pam Dixon Alta Miller Moderator Vice Moderator Treasurer

Church Office Hours

Tuesday through Friday 9:00 a.m.12:00 p.m.

November 2013
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Sun

3 Adult Group 9:15 am Worship 10:30 am Children 10:45 am Fellowship 11:45 am Diaconate 11:45 am 13 Semper Fidelis 7:00 pm 14

Meal served to 5 6 Delta Kappa Gamma 6:00 pm Christian Education Springfield Zen 7:00 pm Group 7:00 pm

10 11 12 Adult Group 9:15 am Worship 10:30 am Children 10:45 am Springfield Zen Fellowship 11:45 am Group 7:00 pm 20 Trustees Council 27 6:30 pm 7:30 pm 28 21

15

16

17 18 19 Adult Group 9:15 am Worship 10:30 am Children 10:45 am Springfield Zen Fellowship 11:45 am Group 7:00 pm

22

23

29 Thanksgiving

24 25 26 Adult Group 9:15 am Worship 10:30 am Children 10:45 am Springfield Zen Hanging of the Greens Group 7:00 pm

30

Adult Education for November 2013

Please join our merry band at 9:15 Sunday mornings, in the parlor, as together, we wrestle with issues of being a Christian in the modern world. Drop in for a week or become a regular. We have lively, open, honest discussions where your views are heard and respected. November 3rdWatch and discuss part 2 (we watched and discussed part one on October 27th) of the DVD Call Me Malcolm, a video of one mans struggle with faith and gender identity. Rev. Malcolm Himschoot is an ordained UCC Pastor, currently serving as Minister for Ministerial Transition, Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization for Local Church Ministries, UCC National Office in Cleveland. November 10thPastor Avery will be out of town. Gather for prayer for our church, our community, our nation, and our world. November 17thWatch and discuss part 3 of the DVD Call Me Malcolm. November 24th, December 1st, December 8thWe will be showing the DVD The Asphalt Gospel and discussing it. This documentary is about six ordinary people who left their homes, jobs, and families on Easter of 2006 to walk across the United States from Phoenix to Washington D.C. The team was led by Rev. Dr. Eric Elnes, UCC Pastor. Their message is that God loves all people-a central belief of Highlands UCC. The movie inspires those who see it with its story of how the walkers interact with more conservative congregations and small towns (and some large cities) across the United States. The responses they received to their message may surprise you.

HANGING OF THE GREENS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 11:45 A.M. (after service) A fun time for ALL! Pizza will be served Children will make ornaments to decorate our tree in the narthex

Operation Christmas Child (Shoe Boxes)

As you know our Highlands Church family has been filling shoe boxes for several years. It is really fun to go shopping for the contents and try to feel the joy a little boy or girl feels when they open their box. If you would like, you can include your address and even a picture. As far as we know, we have had two responses from our boxes over the years. All the information you will need when filling a box can be found on the table in the Narthex. If you would like to be a part of this very rewarding outreach, but can not get out to shop, we will be happy to shop for you. Just let Betty Mougey know you would like to do this. 399-1437. Get your shoe box, wrap it, fill it up and place it at the altar. Last day boxes can be turned in is November 17th!!

Sunday, November 17th, 2013

Thanksgiving In-Gathering

An in-gathering of non-perishable food will be held Sunday, November 17th. Please bring your contribution and place it at the altar. Let Pastor Avery or Tammy Vlcek know if you are aware of someone who could use our help.

Semper Fidelis Class

Womens Group Meeting Hostess: Kathy Howard Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Devotions: Wanda Kohl 7:00 p.m. Church lounge Roll Call: Psalm 106:1

The class will provide funds for two shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We will also prepare and deliver Thanksgiving gifts to our shut ins.

Notice
On November 4th at 6:00 p.m. we will prepare and serve a meal to Delta Kappa Gamma. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

ThanksLiving at the Crossroads

November 10, 2013 3:00 p.m. First UCC 2000 E. High St., Springfield You are invited to join all the churches in the Crossroads Cluster of the Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association for a concert of musical selections by member churches. Information will be shared by the Cluster Mission Partners that we support with our benevolence offering. Come to this fun event.

Kroger Community Rewards Program

Many of you have registered your Kroger Plus card with the new Community Rewards Program and we thank you. The use of your Kroger Plus card at the checkout has already started earning Highlands extra income. If you have not yet registered, you need to know that you need a personal email account through which to register your card. If you have access to a computer, you can set up an email account that does not cost you anything and doesn't have to be maintained, but could be used for the purpose of registering your Kroger Plus card. For more information, or for assistance in registering your card, call Jan at 206-1005.

Children's 'Noisy' Collection

The October collection was $58.50. Thank you, congregation, for supporting the children with such generosity! This collection will be used to pay the postage for the Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes; $7.00 per box.

Help Highlands Help the Hungry

Remember the food cart at Highlands. Nonperishable food items may be brought to the church between 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Your contributions help feed the increasing number of hungry families in Springfield.

Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch will not be held this month due to the date being just one day before Thanksgiving Day! Everyone have a happy and blessed holiday and the Lunch Bunch will resume in January.

Recycling Continues
Members of the congregation at Highlands continue to bring paper, cardboard, metal, glass, and plastic # 1 & 2 for recycling. The collected items are taken once a week to the recycling bins located near the Clark County Combined Health District on East Home Road. If you do not have recycling at the curb where you live, you may bring your items to the church.

Are you looking for quality child care?

Check out Kids World located at Highlands Church, 1910 St. Paris Pike. Krista or Kelly will be happy to answer all your questions.

937-399-2444

Highlands United Church of Christ 1910 St. Paris Pike Springfield, OH 45503 www.highlandsucc.com 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 door s for all who seek a safe place for their spir itual jour ney To extend extr avagant hospitality To set an open table for all who hunger To provide sanctuar y for all who seek for giveness, r econciliation, and healing To do justice and pur sue peace