Reaching Heights June 2022
Reaching Heights June 2022
Links to this month’s news:
- Worship – for June
- Pentecost – June 5 – Outdoor worship
- Along the Path – from Pastor Roger
- Kate’s Cogitations
- Annual Meeting – June 12
- Pastor Roger’s Retirement Celebration – June 26
- Unity in Community Food Pantry
- Memorial Day Parade
- Summer Camp
- 2022 Regional Assembly
- Vigil to End Gun Violence – June 11th
- Shaker’s Got Talent!
- Book Group, Meditative Arts Group, and Plymouth Lunch Club – on break until September
- Gift Card Reminder
- Social Media
See the Serving Schedule
Worship and study
June Worship – Pentecost and beyond
We have returned to hybrid worship and hope that you will join us in person or online via Zoom (link on our worship page) or Facebook Live from our Facebook page. Beginning on June 12 we will be worshipping at 11:15 as we start sharing the chapel with Plymouth.
June 5 – 11:00 am – Pentecost – we will be worshipping and celebrating outdoors in the pavilion at Euclid Beach Park (16301 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland)! This service will also include the baptisms of the members of the Pastor’s class in the waters of Lake Erie. – John 14:8-17 – Dr. Kate preaching
June 12 – 11:15 am – “Hope Does Not Disappoint” – Romans 5:1-5 – Pastor Roger preaching
Annual Meeting (after worship – about 12:15 – more information below)
June 19 – 11:15 am – “One in Christ” – Galatians 3:23-29 – Pastor Roger preaching
June 26 – 11:15 am – “Fruit of the Spirit” – Galatians 5:13-14, 22-25 – Pastor Roger preaching
From the staff
Along the Path:
I remember when I had to write my first newsletter article for the October 2006 Reaching Heights. It seems like both a very long time ago, and just a few moments ago.
Now here I am writing my last newsletter article as your pastor and it has been a rewarding and wonderful journey along the path. I will always be eternally grateful for your willingness to journey with me through good times and not so good times as we struggled and worked and celebrated together over these last 15 years. Thank you for your support and your trust.
I move into retirement with full confidence in the leadership of Dr. Kate and your ability as members of this congregation to continue God’s work in Shaker Heights and beyond. You are the church and we pastors are just wayfarers along the way who have the great privilege of walking with you for a time. So keep up the good work and know that I am grateful for the opportunity to stick around, though in a different role.
While Debbie and I will be stepping back for the next couple of months, I look forward to seeing you, once again,…along the path!- Pastor Roger
Kate’s Cogitations
There is a meme that makes its way around social media from time to time:
“Speak the truth, even if your voice quakes.”
Sometimes I scroll by absent-mindedly, and other times, I think to myself: “Yes, we all must speak up – no matter what the consequence!” As I watch the news and try to take in the horror happening around the world, and as I try to imagine what on earth I can possibly do about it, I think again about this meme. For I believe we must continue to speak our truth, whenever and wherever we can. Whether we are afraid of the response it might provoke, or afraid it won’t do any good, speak we must. Our speech must be part of our action – for we must act. We must march, write letters, donate money, vote, and show up to hearings, rallies, vigils, support groups, food kitchens, classrooms, block parties, book groups, and wherever we might have opportunity to use our voice and action to share God’s love. Speaking the truth doesn’t always have to be at top volume, shouting down any opposition. Speaking our truth can happen in quiet one-on-one conversations, in prayer meetings, and through yard signs and emails. I encourage you to find your voice and use it – to push back against injustice, violence, and oppression; and to help others glimpse the Kin-dom God desires for us – one of peace and wholeness, generosity and abundance, collaboration and unity. Your voice matters. Even if it quakes.
in peace,
Kate
from the Board and Mission Teams
HCC Annual Meeting – June 12 immediately after worship
The Annual Meeting will take place in the Herr Chapel and over Zoom after worship. Light snacks will be served. Our guest speaker is this year’s Peace Award winner. There will be a new election of officers for 2022-23 and a presentation by Dr. Kate. Please plan to attend.
A Celebration in Honor of the Retirement of
The Reverend Roger D. Osgood
Sunday, June 26, 2022
11:15 a.m. Worship (Herr Chapel)
12:15 p.m. Luncheon (Fellowship Hall)
Heights Christian Church (Located in Plymouth Church)
2860 Coventry Rd, Shaker Hts. 44120
Unity in Community Food Pantry
The Unity in Community Emergency Food Pantry continues as an initiative of Shaker Heights congregations, neighborhood groups, and local residents of the city. Both volunteers and financial support are needed to sustain this pantry.
You can donate through HCC’s Givelify app or by visiting the secure giving site:
https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/1379088?widget=1
and select “Shaker Food Drive (Unity in Community)” as the fund.
Volunteers are needed on the following days this month; June 4, 6, and 13. Please use the Sign-Up Genius page to register for a volunteer shift. Most shifts are one hour in length. You can find additional information and register at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/unityfoodpantry
Please contact the Pantry Director, Matt Mondry, at uiccoordinator1@gmail.com with any questions.
Memorial Day Parade Highlights
HCC had a wonderful time in the Shaker Heights Memorial Day Parade May 30! Thanks to Mike S. and Larry, who offered to drive, to Roger and Mike D. who wore the giant puppets, to the Crosby and Sharpley families for carrying the church banner while handing out candy, to Bridget and the Osgood boys for handing out candy from their scooters, to Connee and Andrena for showing their HCC pride, and to Debbie and Donita for shepherding kids and puppeteers alike! Our new “You Are Loved” banner got a lot of cheers, applause, and gratitude. There were a LOT of Shaker residents and friends lining the streets to greet everyone going by. What a beautiful morning we had!
More Parade Pictures (click to see a larger version)
2022 Camp and Conference
We are thrilled that three HCC youth will be attending Camp Christian this summer! Camp is a significant experience for many, and we are grateful that we have been able to help make it possible for so many to attend over the years. This year, Chris Crosby and Aaron Sharpley will attend Chi Rho camp beginning June 12. Madison Durham heads to CYF July 17. Please keep these people in your prayers during their week away. If you wish, you may send a message of greeting and support to them while they are at camp. Please note: There is not an option to email the children and youth at Camp Christian. Letters can be faxed to (937) 348-2845, or mailed to 10335 Maple Dell Rd. Marysville, OH 43040. It’s always fun to get mail while at camp!
More details on camp can be found here: https://www.ccinoh.com/media/320839/camp_christian_info_2022.pdf
2022 Regional Assembly
Are you wishing you could have a taste of Camp Christian? Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 24 for our Regional Assembly and Family Reunion! This year’s Assembly will be filled with worship, fun and games, a short business session, delicious meals, and wonderful fellowship with friends and colleagues from around the Christian Church in Ohio and beyond. Adults, youth, and children are invited to attend. The Assembly is designed for all ages, and there will also be child care for Children ages 4 to 12. More information will be shared closer to the date.
Vigil to End Gun Violence – June 11
You are invited to join this vigil at Church of the Epiphany in Euclid. The vigil will follow on the heels of a Gun Buyback event at the same location earlier that day. Collected guns will be destroyed and melted down to be rendered into garden tools.
Call for Performers
Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) is sponsoring Shaker’s Got Talent (SGT), a juried event shining a light on Northeast Ohio’s hidden talent. Amateur performers – from poets and dog owners showing off their pets’ amazing tricks to singers, dancers and magicians – are welcome to audition with their family friendly talent.
Date of Event: August 7, 2022 – 4-6 pm
Location: Van Aken District in Shaker Heights – 3401 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, OH 44122
Application Due Date: June 30, 2022
View Call & Submit Application Here
Gift Cards – Support HCC!
Remember gift cards are available on Sunday mornings and in the office every weekday during normal office hours.
Social Media outreach
HCC is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and You-Tube! If you see something you like, share it on your page! This will increase our reach and may draw in our next visitor!