APRIL 2015

www.highlandsucc.org
[email protected]
937-399-7493

1910 Saint Paris Pike

Springfield, Ohio 45504-1206

From the Pastor

The writer of Mark records that after Jesus resurrection, he charged the disciples to spread the gospel
throughout the world. And he said to them, Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the
whole creation. Mark 16:15 (NRSV). Have you ever wondered about verses like this? What do they
mean? Does it only charge English speaking churches to go into the world and share the good news?
In January 2012, I was blessed to travel to Cuba to visit several congregations who live the gospel and
share the gospel. I have been fortunate to know pastors from other countries including Kenya, the
Ukraine, India and Thailand among others who shared the gospel. It seems that Gods love and Jesus
gospel know no boundaries. The gospel can thrive anywhere at any time.
On Monday, April 20th, at 1:30 p.m., we will be blessed to have co-pastors Beatrice (Bety) and Gustavo
from the Shema Church in Havana visit us to tell us how they share the gospel and to hear how we share
the gospel. The Shema Church is a house church (as are most Cuban congregations) and is affiliated with
the Fraternity of Baptists. One of their missions is to share the good news of Gods love for those within
the LGBT community in Havana.
The name of Shema church comes from the Shema, a Jewish prayer which originates in Deuteronomy
6:4-9 which gives us the origins of the first great commandment the LORD our God, the LORD is one.
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
And as Jesus says in Matthew 22:36-40, He [Jesus] said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with
all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all
the law and the prophets.
Shema church, like Highlands extends Gods love and extravagant welcome to all people no matter who
they are or their life journey. We truly are engaged in proclaiming the good news! Wont you join us on
April 20th to visit with our friends from Cuba as we rejoice in our joint ministries and lift one another up in
prayer and support?
Blessings,

Maundy Thursday
The Maundy Thursday service will be held on April 2nd at 6:00
p.m.. We will be joining South Vienna church again this year.
We will enjoy a light meal with scripture before moving into the
sanctuary for the foot washing/hand washing service. This
service is a very moving and meaningful time.
Please attend if you can and
renew your spiritual growth during this special season.

Highlands Leadership
Pastor:

Rev. Avery Sledge

Church Officers: Pam DixonModerator

Jan KushmaulVice Moderator
Linda OwensTreasurer
Office Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

9:00 a.m.12:00 noon

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.
A Safe Zone
Outside the pastors office is a sign that says, This is a SAFE ZONE. You can talk
about anything here. The sign lists some of the many things you can discuss.
Check it out.

Blooming the Cross

We will celebrate Easter again on Sunday, April
5, at 10:30 a.m. with Blooming the Cross.
Bring a flower to bloom the cross on Easter
Sunday. The flower can be live or
artificial. If you forget your flower, dont worry,
we will have some extra available.

Christian Contemplative Retreat with the Earth

Saturday, April 25, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, all are invited to participate in a quiet
morning on the nature trail behind the National Parks and Trials District office, 1300
Mitchell Blvd., Springfield. This is an opportunity to commune with nature as we care
for the earth. We will pray, observe spring, and consider Gods marvelous creation as
we assist in cleaning the walking trail.
There is no charge for this session, but you are welcome to bring a snack to share.
Pease bring your own cup and plate to avoid waste. Wear comfortable clothes and
shoes.
This contemplative event is co-sponsored by First Baptist Church of Springfield and
Highlands United Church of Christ. For more information or to register, call First Baptist
Church at 937-325-5537.

LIVING THE QUESTIONS

The Adult Discussion Group continues a study of the Living the Questions
series which explores Christianity through looking at how the Bible and
our Christian life applies in the modern world. This is a video series and
each week stands on its own so no advance reading is required. Speakers in this series include theologians Marcus Borg, Walter Brueggeman,
and John Dominic Crossan. We will discuss how the Bible was written,
how it came to be viewed as authority and how we can live our lives in
this fast-paced and sometimes difficult world. Please grab a cup of coffee,
tea, or hot cocoa, and join us for a lively discussion.

Dont Forget the Food Cart

We collect food and non-perishable items for Open Hands Free Stores food pantry. In February, we donated
42 items. That was a month when we had to cancel two worship services. You can help feed the hungry by
dropping off items to Highlands Church, 1910 St. Paris Pike, between the hours of 6:00 am and 5:30 pm. The
grocery cart is inside the narthex. Come through the door under the covered walkway, turn right into the area
outside the office doors leading to the sanctuary and the stairs to the lower level.

Worship Helpers for April

Greeter: 5/12
5/26
Liturgist:
Ushers 5/26
Sound system:

Dixie Jenkins
Sandy Ryon
Jan Kushmaul
Sandy Ryon
Kathy Howard

Fellowship Hour:

5 EASTER
12
19 Sandy Ryon
26 Judy Rude

The sign- up sheet for April, May, and June is

on the table in the narthex. See where you can
help; you will be glad you did.
Thank you to each one who assists in worship.
Helping those who come to church each
Sunday is a very rewarding experience. Sharing
hospitality with those who seek a safe place to
express their faith provides much satisfaction
to those who give as well as to those who
receive. Greeting people as they enter the
church, helping them during worship, and
sharing food during fellowship time makes us
a member of the body of Christ sharing Gods
love with one another.

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 of whether or not
Highlands is also closing.
WDTN, Channel 2
WKEF, Channel 22
WHIO, Channel 7

Boards Change Meeting Times

The governing boards of Highlands United
Church of Christ are holding their meetings on
Sundays following the fellowship hour.
Diaconate meets the first Sunday.
Trustees meet the second Sunday.
Council meets the third Sunday.

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

Kroger Community Rewards

The Kroger Community Rewards Program
has generated $157.89 during 2014. The
more people who use their Kroger Plus
cards and designate Highlands Church as
their organization of choice, the more
Community Rewards dollars the church will
receive. Thanks to all who do.

Box Tops & Labels collected for

Oesterlen Services for Youth
A number of organizations collect BOX
TOPS and food labels to raise funds for
their non-profit agencies. Highlands received a plea from Oesterlen and we have
responded. If you would like to help, a list
of the items that are being collected is on
the bulletin board in the fellowship hall
outside the kitchen window. There are too
many products to list.
A can is located on the table in the narthex
to place the box tops and labels. When we
have collected a number of them, we will
take them to Oesterlen.
Highlands continues to
Recycle
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 Rd.
Household hazardous waste is also collected for
a fee of $1.00 per pound at the W. Main St.
location on the first Sat. of these months: Apr.5,
June 7, Aug. 2, and Oct. 4. More information is
posted outside the kitchen door.

The March 2015

Childrens Noisy
Collection
totaled $41.00
As determined by the children of Highlands,
donations have already been made to On the
Rise in Clark County and The Heifer
Project through Heifer International.
A check has been made out to the Blanket
Project through Church World Service
and another will be sent to Project Jericho
in Springfield.

Noisy Collection is the

second Sunday of each
month. Next noisy
collection will be April 12

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 - such as bath, hair, and body products.
Household - such as cleaning, storage, paper,
products.
Health care - such as ointment, band-aids, baby
items, pain relievers, over the counter
medications.
A complete list is located on the Community
News bulletin board in the fellowship hall
outside the kitchen window.

What does Highlands Stand For?

One of the sentences in our Vision Statement reads Highlands United Church of Christ is called by God to set an
Open Table for all who hunger.
What do we mean by that?
First and foremost, the Communion table at highlands is an open table where all are invited to partake of the bread
and the cup. The pastor says each time communion is served, It is not our table, but Gods table where no one is
excluded. Communion is served the first Sunday of every month and on significant days of the church calendar.
Every Sunday, following worship, we meet together for a time of fellowship with a few snacks and once in a while, we
hold a carry-in meal. We welcome all to the table every Sunday, no exceptions.
In addition, Highlands welcomes all to the spiritual table where we worship each Sunday. Those who hunger and
thirst after righteousness are invited to enter the sanctuary at Highlands to be nourished by the Spirit of the Living
God. Once a quarter, Highlands holds a Service of Prayer for Christian Unity in the Taize style where all
denominations and those without a church but who seek a closer relationship with God can come and worship in
silence, scripture and song.
During worship, participants are fed not only from the texts written centuries ago but from the writings and songs
that come from contemporary witnesses to Gods inclusive Love. At a recent worship service we heard the Peter,
Paul, and Mary song, Take the Chance performed by Peter Yarrow and Judy Collins. Highlands holds to the principle
that God is still speaking if we only take the time to quiet ourselves and listen.
Of course, Highlands is also known for the actual food that is provided to the community in a variety of ways. The
food ministry at the Clark County Fairgrounds has been around since 1950 (65 years). We held our Annual Chili Supper in support of the Open Hands Food Pantry last month. The ladies cook meals for community groups. We take a
meal to Interfaith Hospitality Networks shelter periodically. We are open to other opportunities to feed those who
hunger.
If you need a place to gather whether for your family or for a group you are with, call Highlands Church at
937-399-7493. We are happy to serve.

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.
Opening in 2005, ten years later, our mission is still going strong while also reaching out to the community.
We have developed a relationship with Wittenberg University and our center is a site for Psychology and
Education students who are able to observe children in all different developmental stages and conduct their
Pre-School teaching practicum in our classrooms. We also enjoy working in collaboration with Highlands
United Church of Christ to provide a Harvest Festival in the fall to our students and the community alike.
KIDS WORLD is your family away from home so give us a call and check out our wonderful pre-school/
day care program.
Krista Yost, Admin/Owner & Kelly Stewart, Owner 399-2444.

9:30 am
10:30 am
10:45 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm
8:00 pm

26 Adult Class
Worship
Children
Fellowship
AA

9:30 am
10:30 am
10:45 am
11:30 am
8:00 pm

19 Adult Class 9:30 am

10:30 am
Worship
10:45 am
Children
11:30 am
Fellowship
12:00 p.m.
Council
8:00:pm
AA

12 Adult Class 9:30 am

10:30 am
Worship
10:45 am
Children
11:30 am
Fellowship
12:00 pm
Trustees
8:00 pm
AA

5 Adult Class
Worship
Children
Fellowship
Diaconate
AA

Sun

Springfield Zen
Group 7:00 pm

27

Springfield Zen
Group 7:00 pm

28

21

Relay for Life

6:00 p.m.

Springfield Zen
Group 7:00 pm

20

14

Tue

13

Springfield Zen
Group 7:00 pm

Mon

April 2015

29

Earth Day

22

15

7:00 pm Semper
Fidelis

30

23

16

1-3 p.m. SONKA

MEETING with
Kathryn A

Maundy Thursday
@ South Vienna
United Church
6:00 p.m.

Thu

Wed

24

17

10

Fri

25
9-1:15 SONKA
Gathering
9-12 Contemplative Event

18

11

Sat

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