Reaching Heights June 2023
Reaching Heights June 2023
Links to this month’s news:
- Worship in June
- Kate’s Cogitations
- From the Moderator
- Annual Meeting
- Education Ministry
- Mission Ministry
- Book Group and Meditative Arts Group
- Gift Cards
- Social Media
- Birthdays
See the Serving Schedule
Worship and study
Worship in June
June 4 Matthew 28:16-20 The Great Commission
* Annual Meeting at Noon
June 11 Mathew 9:18-26 Just a Touch
* Switch to summer schedule – worship begins at 11:15 am
June 18 Matthew 10:5-14 Sent to Serve
June 25 Matthew 10:26-39 Of Stories and Families
Summer Worship
This Summer worship will continue in the Chapel and on Zoom and Facebook Live. We plan to keep our current “curved” chair arrangement through June. Our worship time will move to 11:15 a.m. beginning June 11. In July and August (and Labor Day weekend) Plymouth Church will be worshiping at 10:00 in the Chapel, since it is air-conditioned, and their Sanctuary is not. There will be many more chairs set up in the Chapel to accommodate their larger congregation, and only a brief time of transition between the end of their service and the beginning of ours. Please use the main doors (by the elevator) or the exterior stairs (by our folding sign) to enter the building if you arrive before 11:00. Each congregation has plans to worship outside on the front lawn once a month, to enjoy the shade of the big oak trees and to reduce the number of Sundays we’re both in the Chapel. HCC plans to worship outside on July 23 and August 20. On those Sundays, we ask that you bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. (If the weather does not cooperate, we’ll just worship in the Chapel.) We look forward to many beautiful summer days, and meaningful worship for all!
From the staff
Kate’s Cogitations
June is a time of graduations, weddings, and often many birthdays – a time of Milestone Moments. If you have been worshiping with us over the past few years, you’ll know we offer Milestone Moments once a month for people to share significant moments in their lives – and it gives us an opportunity to cheer and clap with them, or to grieve and pray with them. I believe it is important to recognize such moments, not only for the achievement or concern shared, but also as a way of looking back, looking forward, and being in the present moment – all at once. With a graduation, we might be proud of the accomplishment AND look toward a bright future. With a wedding, we celebrate the present love AND the commitment to future togetherness. Even birthdays are, for me, a chance to reflect, celebrate, and look forward.
We will do some of this at our Annual Meeting of the congregation on June 4. We will read reports of the Ministry Teams’ work over the past year, thank team leaders for their service, and elect a new board to serve in the coming year. I hope we will also celebrate the present moment in which we find ourselves as a congregation, even as we envision a bright future together. We have much for which to be grateful, and much to anticipate with joy.
in peace,
~Kate
FROM THE BOARD
Soon you may notice that there is an AED in a cabinet mounted on the wall in the Chapel narthex. Thanks to the generosity of Nancy Carpenter, our AED was purchased from the David Carpenter Fund while we were in the old building. It traveled with us and was in storage.
Supply chain issues delayed getting a new battery and electrode pads. When they arrived, nine members of the congregation attended a training in the use of the AED. The session was led by Michelle Berndsen of the Nursing faculty of Notre Dame College and focused on hands-on practice with a training AED. Many thanks to everyone who participated. This life saving AED is now in place in case it is ever needed.
Save the Date!
This year’s Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 4, immediately following worship in the Chapel. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Please plan on attending to hear from the Peace Award winner, to vote on the slate of officers presented by the Nominating Committee and to hear remarks regarding our future from Dr. Kate.
Education Ministry
There are 2 more sessions of our Spring MidWeek Bible Study – and you can join anytime! Thanks to Carolyn Troha and Andrena Jones-Sharp for sharing in the leadership of this study. Discussion has been lively and thought-provoking!
“Sent to Serve” an exploration of stories from the Acts of the Apostles Tuesdays 1-2 pm on Zoom May 9, 16, 23, 30 and June 6, 13
May 9 Acts 8:26-40 Philip and the Ethiopian
May 16 Acts 9: 1-19 Saul’s Conversion
May 23 Acts 10: 1-40? Peter and Cornelius
May 30 Acts 11:19-26 Barnabas to Antioch
June 6 Acts 16:6-15 Lydia’s Conversion in Phillippi
June 13 Acts 16:16-36 Paul and Silas in Prison
Sunday Morning “First Hour” Adult Study continues in June!
Meets in Chapel and on Zoom 9:30 – 10:30 am Facilitated by Cindy Maxey
Based on a DVD study with Dr. Diana Butler Bass, Embracing Spiritual Awakening explores the dynamics of experiential faith and its implications for living faithfully in the world today, beyond the traditional “religion and the church” we grew up with. Much is changing in both our culture and in spirituality, and this may be part of a “great awakening.” Find out more and add your perspective to the conversation.
June 11 “Behaving”
June 18 “Belonging”
June 25 “Awakening”
Missions Ministry
As this church year is coming to an end, our Missions Team looks forward to a robust 2023-2024 year. Thanks to the congregation for your support over many years. May it continue.
Moment for Missions – continues on fourth Sunday June 25th when a brief message/request related to Missions Ministry will be shared.
Outreach funded application – Big Hearted Blooms
(BHB) This nonprofit organization delivers joy through recycled flowers. BHB utilizes volunteers to collect fresh flowers once they’ve served their original purpose (from weddings, funerals, corporate events, past sale date retail, etc.) and would otherwise be thrown away. Volunteers are welcomed. If you wish to volunteer contact them at 216-467-7409. Also, they need donated vases.
June 2023 in support of Big-Hearted Blooms needs, we will collect donations of vases. (used or new) that you have but want to donate. There will be a tub in the Narthex to collect small to medium size vases. If the vase is glass, please wrap it in paper or other cover to prevent breaking. The dates are: June 11th, 18th,25th.
Neighbor Night – continues on last Tuesday of the month 6-8 usually at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones building. Sumer months we often meet at Chelton Park. Watch for our weekly newsletter update.
Partnerships
Food Bank volunteers – contact Paul coordinator (pqua@classicautocampus.com) if you wish to join him and other Plymouth UCC volunteers on the second Tuesday June 13th and/or third Wednesday June 21st from 6-8pm.
Plymouth UCC – Adult Faith & Life – Heights CC Missions Team Leader will continue join this committee on the second Sunday of the month to explore community needs and how we can partner with Plymouth congregation in serving those undeserved populations.
Information sharing:
National Gun Violence Awareness – Moms Demand Action/Every town: Events: Wear Orange
For more information go to websites: info@momsdemandaction.org and/or press@everytownorg
Saturday June 3- Survivors walk.10:00 am Corner of St. Claire Ave/Stevenson Rd. Cleveland, Ohio
Monday, June 5, Resources Midtown Tech Hive, 6815 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, Ohio
Key Dates for August 8th Election
July 10 voter registration ends
July 11 early voting begins
August 1st Absentee ballot request deadline
August 8th Election Day
Missions Ministry working to get cards with more information for the table in the Narthex.
Note: We invite your thoughts, ideas, suggestions.
Your diet isn’t only what you eat and drink. Be aware of what other things you are “consuming” (books, podcasts, TV shows) and make sure you are making healthy, balanced choices there too. from Bloom planner January-December 2023.
HCC Well Represented Memorial Day
What a joy for HCC to participate in the Shaker Memorial Day Parade again this year! Dr. Kate was invited to offer the Invocation and Benediction at the Ceremony by City Hall. Thanks to all who organized the event, and to the Singermans, Crosbys, Dills, Watsons, and Andrena and Connee for representing our church so well in the parade, and to all the members and friends who cheered us on from the sidelines! Glad to greet lots of members and friends along the route!
(Photo credit: Sandy J. and Chris C.)
Book Group
To celebrate the end of the year, lunch reservations have been made for Wednesday, June 7. Hope to see you then. Contact Nancy Carpenter for more information and for questions.
Meditative Arts Group
Our final Meditative Art gathering for this year will be on Wednesday, June 14. We will meet at 1:00 in the Atrium at Plymouth Church. Please join us as we draw, color, or create Zentangle designs while enjoying some meditative music. We will not meet during July and August, but will resume again in September.
Gift Cards
Remember gift cards are available on Sunday mornings and in the office every weekday during normal office hours.
We have on hand a limited supply of $100 Amazon, Lowe’s and Home Depot cards.
If you want them for your gardening and home update projects pick them up now. Your demand will determine whether we order more. We also have a few $25 Lowe’s and Home Depot cards from a prior purchase. Help HCC while you brighten your yard and home.
Social Media outreach
HCC is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and You-Tube and Linked-In! Several recordings of special worship services have been uploaded to our channel on 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!
June
2 – Annette Sutherland 3 – Grace Loudenstein 6 – Mike Droszcz
17 – Sally Donald 27 – Donita Singerman 29 – Kate Gillooly
29 – Carolyn Troha
July
5 – Greg Gillooly 6 – Carson Crosby 13 – Christopher Crosby
20 – Alicia Benson 31 – Ed Weisheimer
We are glad to share the birthdays we have on record each month and encourage members to reach out with greetings. We apologize if someone’s name has been omitted – please call Kese in the church office to share your birthday if we don’t have it in our list. We want to celebrate you!