Reaching Heights January 2019

Heights Christian Church Icon of Two Followers Lifting a Cross

Reaching Heights
January 2019 

Links to this month’s news:
Worship – Epiphany and beyond
Second Hour – Adult Study
Along the Path – Thoughts from Pastor Roger
Pub(lic) Theology
Missions Team Report
Planning Retreat
Chili Cookoff – January 27
Mid-week Bible Study – Returns
Conversations in Courage – at HCC

See the Serving Schedule
Go to the church calendar

 

Worship

Jan. 6    Epiphany    Matthew 2:1-12
Jan. 13    The Baptism of the Lord    Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Jan. 20    MLK Sunday    Isaiah 62:1-5
Jan. 27    Family Sunday  “Many Members, One Body” 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Second Hour Adult Studies

Topic Study

Appreciating Spiritual Gifts
God calls us to serve one another using our spiritual gifts. How do we discover those gifts? 

The first session (1/6) explores what the Bible says about spiritual gifts and some common misperceptions. The second session (1/13) explores ways of discovering our spiritual gifts. 

The goal is not to label ourselves or others or to put people into boxes. Instead, the purpose in discussing specific spiritual gifts is to find a vocabulary to describe different ways of serving, so we can do a better job of serving one another with whatever gift or gifts each of us has received. 

Bible Study

Looking at prophetic lectionary texts for the season of Epiphany
January 6 – Isaiah 60:1-6:
Reading: Go to the Light

January 13 – Isaiah 43:1-7:
Reading: Hello My Name Is…

January 20 – Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10:
Reading: How to Read the Bible

January 27 – Jeremiah 1:4-10
Reading: In Pain with God

Check back for the additional texts and readings

Along the Path

Just as we start to settle in for those cold winter days of January and February, Heights Christian Church is heating up.  There are new activities planned (a Pub Theology group, a week of service, and, in February, a community meal) as well as returning activities (like a mid week bible study and the Chili Cook off).  You can read more about these activities through out this newsletter.

All of these activities are designed to help us connect with our community and are only possible because of the commitment and dedication of the leadership of this church.  And they will only be effective if we all find some place where we can fit in make them happen.

And in doing so, we’ll be following in the footsteps of Jesus, who didn’t sit in his hometown synagogue waiting for folks to show up, but went out meeting people where they lived.

Pastor Roger

New Pub(lic) Theology group to Meet January 15th

Come bring your questions, your curiosity, and pull up a chair.

What is Pub Theology?

People have been gathering in pubs and public spaces for ages, talking about life, philosophy, faith, and deep questions of meaning. Increasingly, people all over are rediscovering the pub as a safe, open space where they can explore and express their own doubts and questions, learn from others, and engage people of varying religious traditions. In our increasingly fractured society, these spaces are not only welcome, but needed.

The format is simple: beer, conversation, and God. Come bring your questions, your curiosity, and pull up a chair. Be ready to engage with people of varying religious traditions, philosophical perspectives and life experiences. You’ll be able to share your own wrestlings and thoughts while learning something new along the way, and hey— there’s likely to be a good craft beer you haven’t tried yet!

This new group will meet at 7:00 pm on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at Larchmere Tavern just north of Shaker Square (first meeting 1/15).  Hope to see you there.

from the Mission Team

Outreach
The Krafty Kids Care event on December 8th provided a four hour childcare service for our community neighbors. The children were ages 3-10 years old and engaged in arts and crafts, games, and cookie baking. A special thanks to the following who volunteered for this event: Donita Singerman, Kellie Brown, Freddie Holman, Joan Fronck, and Andrena Sharp. Other volunteers included MyCom students from Shaker Heights High School and their supervisor Sharon Bell. And a great big thanks to Madison Durham’s Girl Scout Troup volunteers which included Madison and her grandma Linda Durham.

As usual you generously donated to the Holiday Shop for Family Promise. We delivered many gifts and gift cards to them on December 14th. Thank you very much. And a special thank you to Grace Loudenstein for her continue service in coordinating this event.
 
Thanks to you, the congregation, for your November donations to the Hunger Fund. We collected $351.00. The Outreach Committee has selected to give this collection to the Food Bank.
 
Peace and Justice
Now that our busy December activities are over, please remember that the P&J Committee is collecting travel size personal hygiene items to donate during the MLK week of celebration beginning on January 13th. Baskets for the collection are located in the front entrance of the church and the Campbell Room. 
 
HCC members will be encouraged to engage in “A Day/Week of Service” in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther Kings’s birthday and his work by providing a service to others. At our worship service on January 13th, the congregation will be provided a list of service options from which to choose to serve our community neighbors. 
 
Campbell Court Liaisons
Val McMillian again provided a Thanksgiving feast for the Campbell Court residents. This year she had many volunteers from the congregation to help her. The residents shared their enjoyment and thanks for the meal.
 
CWF
The CWF core team is hard at work planning for the Thrift Shop. Our hardworking present coordinator, Nancy Newman, will step down from her position in March, but not from continuing to work at the shop. More volunteers are needed. If you would like to volunteer, contact Martha Cubberley.
 
 

New Initiatives Planning Retreat

January 20 at 11:30 am
Following up on the work done at the November Leadership Retreat, we will have a New Initiatives Planning Retreat on Sunday, January 20 from 11:30-2:30. Newer members and friends of HCC are especially invited to attend and to help discern and lead our next steps for deeper engagement with the wider community. We are imagining new possibilities for HCC in the neighborhood and are eager to hear your ideas! Please let us know whether you can attend by contacting Kese Webb in the church office by January 15. Lunch will be provided and child care can be arranged if necessary. The planning team is Val McMillan, Cindy Maxey, Kate Gillooly and Rev. Roger Osgood. Please feel free to speak with any of us regarding your questions or suggestions. 

Chili Cook Off – January 27

Pull out your recipes, warm up your soup pots, and get ready for a Chili Cook off on Sunday, January 27th at HCC.

This will take place after worship with prizes and other activities. More details will follow via email and bulletin inserts.

MidWeek Bible Study Returns! 

Beginning January 8th
Join us for an 8 week exploration of the book of Revelation. We will meet at Juma Coffeehouse on Chagrin Road Tuesdays at 1:00 pm from January 8 – February 26. We will take a few chapters each week and discuss imagery, main themes, and what this scripture has to tell us in our context. Bring your bible and purchase your own refreshments. We’ll provide the discussion starters and fellowship! All are welcome – invite a friend! Led by Kate Gillooly. 

Conversations in Courage News

February 22 at 7:30 pm
Shaker Heights Arts Council is currently editing a documentary focused on the 1965 Shaker visit of Martin Luther King, Jr. This film, based on excerpts from a one-act play The Meeting and interviews of eye witnesses to Dr. King’s Shaker visit, will be used as part of the Shaker Schools’ curriculum for Black History month. 

Friday February 22, 2019
Conversations in Courage: A theatrical performance of The Meeting
A fictional conversation between Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Starring Peter Lawson Jones as Malcolm X and Greg White as Martin Luther King,Jr.
Directed by Monica Boone
At Heights Christian Church
GO TO https://www.shakerartscouncil.org/conversations-in-courage.html to purchase tickets.