Reaching Heights March 2025
Reaching Heights March 2025
Links to this month’s news:
- Worship Themes for March
- Lenten Dinners with Plymouth
- Stewardship Annual Campaign: “Imagine Together”
- Kate’s Cogitations
- January contributions
- Education Ministry
- Mission Ministry
- Week of Compassion
- Did you know…?
- Wednesdays Together with Plymouth
- Gift Cards
- Social Media
- Birthdays
See the Serving Schedule
Worship Themes for March 2025
March 2 Last Sunday after Epiphany Philippians 4:6-9
“Heard and Seen” Special Offering for Week of Compassion
March 5 Ash Wednesday
Worship service with HCC and Plymouth Church
Noon and 7:30 pm in the Chapel and on Zoom
During Lent we will use worship materials from A Sanctified Art called Everything in Between: Meeting God in the Midst of Extremes. This series is an invitation to navigate the polarities in our lives with more faith, intention, and openness to be transformed. Each weekly sub-theme explores two supposed binaries to discover nuance and complexity. This Lent, we’re trusting that God shows up in shades of gray, rainbow hues, and everywhere in between.
March 9 First Sunday in Lent Luke 10:25-37
Everything [in] Between: Stranger & Neighbor
March 16 Second Sunday in Lent Luke 10:38-42
Everything [in] Between: Faith & Works
March 23 Third Sunday in Lent Luke 13:6-9
Everything [in] Between: Rest & Regrowth
March 30 Fourth Sunday in Lent Luke 15:1-7
Everything [in] Between: Lost & Found
April 6 Fifth Sunday in Lent Luke 19: 1-10
Everything [in] Between: Righteousness & Mercy
Lenten Dinners
Plymouth Church has invited HCC to join them for a meal and reflection every Wednesday during Lent.
Suggested donation: $10/person or $25/family
Wednesdays 6-7:30pm (Dinner will be held on Maundy Thursday instead of April 16.) Sign-up in the Welcome Center (outside the church office) by the Sunday before each meal.
March 5 (Ash Wednesday)
Stuffed Shells, Salad, Garlic Bread, Dessert
March 12
Chicken Divan over Rice, Salad, Bread, Dessert
March 19
BBQ pulled Chicken Sandwich, Sweet Potato Fries, Veggies & Dip, Dessert
March 26
Turkey Meatloaf, Corn Casserole, Coleslaw, Dessert
April 2
Chicken Tetrazzini, Salad, Rolls, Dessert
April 9
Cheesy Potato Ham Bake, Salad, Rolls, Dessert
April 17 (Maundy Thursday)
Oven Fried Chicken, Couscous Salad, Fruit, Dessert
Stewardship Annual Campaign Fiscal Year 2025 “Imagine Together”
Thanks to everyone who has participated in our Stewardship Annual Campaign this year! We held three gatherings to “Imagine Together” what God may be dreaming for our future mission and ministry. The results of these discussions will be synthesized and sent to the Board of Trustees for conversation about how best to prioritize and implement the imaginative possibilities we named. Look for more information about this later this spring. We held a festive Commitment Sunday on February 16 during which we blessed the commitment cards we have received.
Note: It’s not too late to turn in your commitment card for your pledge! Pledging is a spiritual practice that helps the pledger prioritize and plan, and it helps church leadership plan our budget. If you have questions about your pledge, please reach out to our Treasurer, Mike Singerman, who would be happy to talk through the process. Many thanks to Larry Watson, Administration Team Leader, and Shirley Blackwell, Assistant Team Leader, and Jane Troha, Moderator, for all their work planning and leading the campaign this year.
Kate’s Cogitations March 2025
Everything In Between
With an increase in attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, especially against trans and non-binary folk, several versions of a poem or meditation are making their way through social media again. I don’t know where it originated, but one version I like a lot is written by Rev. Emily Wilkes, a Presbyterian pastor in North Carolina. In it, she goes through days of creation as described in Genesis 1. She mentions the binary (light/dark, day/night, land/sea) and states that God didn’t just create binaries, but everything in between. For each she lists a few of the in- between creations: shadows and fog, multicolored sunrises and hazy sunsets, marshes and beaches.
Then she writes, “In the beginning, according to my tradition, God created binaries. Which is to say God also created everything in between. The ancestral poet who wrote that first chapter of Genesis trusted us, descendants of this tradition, to know that none of those binaries were literal. They trusted their inheritors to understand rhetorical shorthand.”[1]
This Lent, our theme is “Everything [in] Between. Using materials from A Sanctified Art, we will explore familiar stories from the Gospel according to Luke which at first glance appear to be full of binary-thinking. Upon further reflection, we discover the nuances and complexities of these familiar stories. We’ll try to see the full spectrum of each story, and look for God in the in-between. In this way, we are invited to reject the divisions and false dichotomies thrust upon us, and instead work towards wholeness of humanity and all creation. This may be challenging, but it is designed to offer deeper understanding, richer relationships, and the opportunity to be engaged in the important work of reconciliation.
quote from Bread and Roses, Too blog. Revemilywilkes.substack.com
“Everything In Between” Jan. 23, 2025
HCC Board of Trustees January Donations
At its January meeting, the Board of Trustees received recommendations from two members suggesting that donations be made from our designated mission funds.
The first motion, which was approved, recommended a $500 donation to Baby2Baby for disaster relief from the devastating fires in California. Baby2Baby helps supply families in poverty with young children with necessities such as diapers and clothing. Additionally, they have a disaster relief fund that helps provide the same necessities after a disaster. They are currently helping in the wake of the fires in Los Angeles and have helped in other disasters such as the hurricanes that hit last year.
The second motion, which was also approved, requested a donation to NEOCH, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, who work to get unhoused folks off the street. They’re renting hotel rooms in this cold weather crisis and are looking for monetary help with this. The Board approved a donation of $500 to this worthy cause.
At the time of the sale of the Van Aken building monies were set aside and designated for mission donations to groups outside of our own congregation. Each year $3500 is designated for local outreach causes and an additional $3500 for broader mission concerns. These are the first two donations made for the 2025 calendar year. Please keep in mind that any congregant can recommend a donation to the Board for consideration. It is a blessing to be able to help where there is need.
Education
Sunday Adult Study
On Sunday mornings during Lent our Adult Study will explore the art and artist’s statement from A Sanctified Art associated with the scripture for the day. Using a process of visio divina, or “divine seeing,” we will see what the artwork illuminates for us about the nuances and dynamics of the story. We will include other forms are art (poetry, music, etc.) to expand our understanding and appreciation. All are welcome – no prep needed. We meet in the Chapel at 9:30 am each Sunday morning.
Mid-Week Bible Study Lenten Offering 2025
Turning Over Tables: A Lenten Call for Disrupting Power
The Mid-Week Bible Study will begin its Lenten study on Tuesday, March 4th at 2:00 p.m. on Zoom. The study will run for 6 weeks, through Tuesday, April 8th. It is open to everyone and you are invited to join us for this year’s offering.
We will be using the Lenten devotional book, Turning Over Tables, by Kathy Escobar. She is the co-founder and co-pastor of The Refuge, a hub for healing community, social action and creative collaborations serving in North Denver since 2006. She invites us to devote the season of Lent to a time of reflection on power.
Many Christians know the image of a gentle and peaceful Jesus, but few have truly encountered the Jesus who boldly challenged systems of power, flipped tables and demanded justice for the poor, oppressed and marginalized. In this compelling and deeply pastoral devotional, Kathy Escobar invites us to walk alongside this radical Jesus—the one who not only taught but embodied the vision of a more just and equal world. This resource is both inspiring and challenging, offering Christians a transformative guide to aligning their lives with the way of Jesus, especially on the Lenten journey. Come and join us as we accept her invitation!
Snack packs for HCC college students
Thanks to your generosity, seven care packages full of tasty treats are on their way to surprise our college students. The packages contain an assortment of snacks – popcorn and Swiss Miss, fruit and nut bars, a little candy, many different kinds of cookies, ramen, cracker sandwiches, cup of soup and muffin bars and chocolate chip bars and more…..
Packages are being sent to 7 college students in these families: Chase, Choi, Dunn, and Durham.
Because you were so generous some of the snacks will also be donated to the Shaker library after school snacks program which HCC has supported. Younger kids and college ones will be delighted to receive these snacks.
Missions Ministry
It is already March and it is cold outside. Let’s see what we can do to brighten the long winter days. Here are some suggestions to keep busy and help spread some winter joy!
- Little Free Pantry: Bring something nonperishable (and not in a glass jar) for the Little Free Pantry. It’s easy to do. The Little Free Pantry is just steps away from the HCC entry into the Herr Chapel where we worship. Help our hungry neighbors.
- Items for Lomond School Children: We have delivered several big black bags of warm clothing to Lomond School. Right now we have at least one more bag to deliver. We are still collecting items through the end of March. Requested items include socks, gloves, scarves, hats, underwear, and T-Shirts (sizes 6-8 and 10-12) for Lomond children (grades Kindergarten through fifth grade.) Tissues (i.e., Kleenex, Puffs, etc.) are also needed for classroom use. Let’s keep our younger neighbors warm and dry!
- Egg Cartons: We have collected 11,319 at the last count on February 16, 2025. This does not include cartons donated by church members independently and neighbors who previously donated through our church who now do so individually. It does include donations made in partnership with Plymouth Church. Ask your friends and neighbors if they want to help as well. I think it was Mother Theresa who said that we should do small things with great enthusiasm. Think of all the egg cartons which did not end up in the landfill. I am also enjoying doing the distribution. I have met many wonderful, interesting people at the market. Thanks!
- Tutoring: The tutoring of basic English and/or Math skills at Boulevard Grade School students has started. If you did not sign up and would like to do so, contact Jane Troha, who can see if more tutors are still needed. This is a great chance to make some young friends!
- IGAH (Inter-Faith Group Against Hate) and WAMWAO (We are Many. We are One). There are lots of events. Check your monthly Reaching Heights Newsletters, weekly church bulletins and weekly e-mail updates to see if there are events which interest you. Several of us have attended coffee or dinner groups. It is a rare chance to make friends from other religions and speak frankly to increase our understanding of how others worship God. One can be amazed at how much these different religions have in common with us and how eager people are to learn from each other. Another chance to make new friends!
- As stated in the previous paragraph, our church is a member of IGAH. As such we have been invited by CVIC (Chagrin Valley Islamic Center), in Solon to attend an Annual Interfaith Iftar dinner on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 6:00. Dinner is served at sunset – about 8:00. The Iftar dinner marks the end of the month of Ramadan – a month of reflection, gratitude and spiritual renewal. We have been invited to join in an evening of friendship, faith and food. The address is Chagrin Valley Islamic Center (CVIC), 6909 Liberty Road, Solon, Ohio 44139. Please let Kese know if you want to attend so she can contact CVIC by Friday, February 28th, so they can plan for the wonderful evening that awaits us.
So do what you can and warm your heart in the process! Keep up the good work!
~Connee Choi
Week of Compassion Special Offering March 2, 2025
As the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),
Week of Compassion works with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world.
For more than a week, massive wildfires have been burning in Southern California, scarring thousands of acres, destroying thousands of homes and structures, and displacing hundreds of thousands of people under evacuation orders. Week of Compassion remains in frequent contact with pastors and regional leaders, responding as needs emerge and joining partners in conversation about the long-term recovery ahead.
This disaster is just one of many – including hurricanes, war, and famine – to which Week of Compassion is still responding. Increasingly severe and frequent weather-related and human-caused disasters continue to fragment communities around the world. Adding to the destructive impact of disasters in these regions, political unrest and climate change continue to increase the number of displaced people worldwide and complicate the work of recovery.
This is the essence of Week of Compassion – the work of the church in creating sanctuaries of healing, joy, and hope in the face of trauma and devastation. The gifts you give ensure that the stories, needs, and celebrations of vulnerable communities are heard and seen – and that our whole church is equipped to respond. As our General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens often says, “When Week of Compassion is there, the whole church is there.”
HCC will receive this special offering on March 2. Please plan to contribute on that day or beforehand by sending a check to the church office or making a contribution online via our website. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity as we seek to be the Church in the world.
On December 29, as part of our “Lessons and Laughter” worship, we used a “Prayer Hoop” to collect prayers of gratitude from the congregation. People were invited to write their blessings on cards and tie them to ribbons on the prayer hoop. We kept it up through January and into February, during our Stewardship Annual Campaign called “Imagine Together.” Since many of our spoken prayers during prayers of the people are intercessions for people in need, our prayer hoop provided a nice way to gather our thanksgivings as well. We’ve taken the Prayer Hoop down for now, but expect it might return in another season. Meanwhile, here the prayers of thanksgiving people offered:
Singing and music bring me joy! * Being with my husband and children and dogs bring me great joy! * I have joy in spending a week with 2 of my daughters and for safe travel. * I have joy from my oldest daughter and her family. * I have joy in my ongoing journey with Christ. * Joy: my wife, our children and grandchildren * Thankful for abundant blessings in all forms and ways
I’m very much looking forward to my daughter coming to visit me.
Thank you, God, for rain in Zambia! (X3)
Grateful — healthy family, are home, creative world
For grandchildren who bring me joy and make me laugh!
For caregivers, most especially for my wife who has been beside me and carried me often. * God, thank you for the basics (food and shelter)
I am grateful for my wife, children and grandchildren. * I am grateful for my church family. * I am grateful for God’s love and strength.
Dear God, I am grateful for time with family, time to rest, and a wonderful celebration of Christmas. Amen. * Juneau goes to college * Thank you for safe travels, * for Love * Gratitude for family near and far and for those who only exist when we draw the curtains of our memories! * Gratitude that the sun still comes up in the morning and the moon at night Gratitude for the faithfulness of friends! * I am grateful for my husband and best friend. * I am grateful for Myles, Taylor, John John, and Genevieve * I am grateful for our health and peaceful home. * IGAH (Interfaith Group Against Hate) and all who work for justice and mercy. * All who welcome the stranger and build the kin-dom
I am thankful for my wife who often brings me joy with her thoughtfulness.
My daughter’s thoughtfulness also brings me joy with her gifts.
For a supportive family, for choice, for a hopeful future, for a loving and caring daughter * Our grandchildren and good friends * My good health, family + friends, adequate resources * Gratitude for nature and now it nurtures me
I am grateful to have my family here from the Netherlands * Something that brings me joy is my dogs * God, thank you for my life and I am grateful for everything I have. * For caring people
God, thank you for my family and my great niece * Thank you for the men who put in my furnace. Thank you for everything. * Loving God, I am grateful for moments of calm and quiet when I can listen for your voice guiding me forward in service and mission. * My family and my work * Prayers of gratitude for good medical care. * I am grateful for my family and friends
A poem for Valentine’s Day, or not just one day, but always.
(Connee Choi creates her own Valentine’s Day cards each year and writes a poem as part of it. This is this year’s poem for her card. Printed with her permission.)
Valentine’s Day 2025 by Connee Choi
Valentine’s Day –
Just one day a year to celebrate love?
Let love be shouted from the mountain tops.
And echo back from the valleys.
Let the whales of the sea sing of love
And let the birds in the sky answer them.
Let the flowers in the fields celebrate in riotous colors.
Let the deer and the rabbits stop in their tracks in wonder.
Let the stars and the sun and the moon brightly shine.
Let all the universe celebrate.
Shall we celebrate too?
Not one day, but always.
Did you know . . . Rascal House in University Heights offers members and friends a 10% discount in all orders. All you have to do is mention this offer or use our code (which is 2860) when you order! And 5% gets donated back to HCC! Win-win-tasty win!
Fairmount is hosting our annual Mardi Gras celebration on
Tuesday, March 4 from 5:30-7:30pm.
We’ll have live music, art, dinner (gumbo and chicken+waffles), and a magic show. And YOU are invited!
This is an intergenerational, interfaith community gathering. In other words, everyone is invited—people of all faiths, all ages, all everything.
The one difference this year is that we’re branding the gathering as part of our “No Strangers Club.” We’re asking all guests to either leave their phones and other digital devices at home, or to safely leave them at our secure “phone check” when they enter (and receive them back whenever they’re ready to leave). Because we believe the most meaningful connection happens when we put aside our biggest distraction.
You are receiving this invitation as a representative of your congregation/organization, but please feel free to invite others to join as well! Everyone can register here.
Navigating a New Year: Supporting Our Newcomer Neighbors
Thursday, March 6th 6:30 pm at First Baptist Church in Shaker Heights.
Please join local organizations, faith leaders, and other community partners to learn what’s new in 2025 and how you can help support immigrants and newcomers. Join members of the We Are Many We Are One Collaborative, AMIS, and Re: Source Cleveland and others in the community as we provide updates on newcomer services in 2025. This event is specifically for community members looking to volunteer or support local organizations providing services to our city’s newcomers. The event will feature a forty-five minute presentation and questions followed by opportunities to meet local organizations and sign up to help out. This event will be held March 6th at 6:30 pm in Shaker Heights at First Baptist Church.
Advance registration is required, the link below will provide further information and the registration page. Please feel free to share the registration widely with your networks and also feel free to sign up for your church or organization or to share with another recommended community partner who might be interested.
The event registration page is here:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/bbhp4ru/lp/4110eae3-e55f-4767-9e6c-92e398554f7e
Wednesday’s Together
Plymouth Church, UCC and Heights Christian Church are both blessed to call our building at 2860 Coventry Road home. This coming year, both congregations are looking forward to growing friendships between our members, as well as discerning what ministry opportunities and events we can embark on together! One way we are seeking to expand our relationship is through sharing “Wednesdays Together.” Each Wednesday of the month (except at holiday time), we will share in fellowship and formation with one another. We look forward to seeing many folks from HCC and Plymouth at each gathering!
Book Group – First Wednesday
The Book Group will meet on Wednesday, March 5th in Room 102 at Plymouth Church. If you would like to have lunch before this meeting, bring your own and come at 12:30 pm. We will be discussing the book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
All are welcome to join at any time.
Meditative Arts Group – Second Wednesday
Our Meditative Arts group will begin our monthly gatherings on Wednesday the 12th. we will meet at 1:00 pm in the Atrium at Plymouth Church as we enjoy some quiet music and meditative artwork.
Please join us to draw, knit, stitch or work on your choice of relaxing projects.
Lunch Club – Wednesday, March 19 at 12:30pm – Third Wednesday
Join us for a homemade lunch and fellowship, as well as a time of hearing from Plymouth’s Green Team on exciting new initiatives that they will be introducing to our congregations, including a Memorial Forest! The suggested donation for lunch is $10. RSVP to Pastor Dillon at dshipman@plymouthchurchucc.org, which is necessary for food preparation. Reservations are due Sunday, March 16.
Wednesday, March 26 at 1:00pm – Fourth Wednesday
join us for Mid-week Meditations in Herr Chapel.
This simple service will center on prayer, study, song, meditation on scripture, and devotions to take with you for the week ahead. Just bring an open heart to deepening your spiritual journey with God and your fellow pilgrims!
Gift Cards
Remember gift cards are available on Sunday mornings and in the office every weekday during normal office hours. Support Height Christian Church while you shop. (Cash or check only, please)
Social Media outreach
HCC is on Facebook, Instagram, Linked-In, and You-Tube ! Our Sunday morning worship services are live-streamed on Zoom and FacebookLive. 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!
March
1 – Victor Mullen 3 – Avery Dunn 5 – Neil Chase
9 – Jani McWilliams 12 – Vel Scott 15 – Michele Moreland
16 – Danielle McDonald 18 – Nikki Crosby 20 – Daniel Chase
24 – Kese Webb 30 – Jane Troha
April
9 – Shirley Blackwell 13 – Max & Owen Osgood
23 – Bobbi Phelps 28 – Bill Dunn
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!