Reaching Heights May 2025
Reaching Heights May 2025
Links to this month’s news:
- Worship Themes for May
- Kate’s Cogitations
- Congregational Information Session
- Annual Meeting
- Parking Signs
- Education Ministry
- Mission Ministry
- An Art & Spirituality Retreat & Learning Event
- Resonance Project with Irwin Shung
- Fostering Community Sharing Cultures
- IGAH
- You Mean the World Media Launch
- AMIS (Americans Making Immigrants Safe)
- Memorial Parade
- Did you know…?
- Wednesdays Together with Plymouth
- Gift Cards
- Social Media
- Birthdays
See the Serving Schedule
Worship Themes for May 2025
The Unexpected Acts of God
Following the lectionary passages for Eastertide, we will explore stories from the Acts of the Apostles – stories that highlight sudden reversal of expectations and other ways God continues to surprise and bless the early followers of the Way and us. As we experience the journey of surprises in these texts, we will learn the spiritual habit of welcoming an unpredictable God.
May 4 Third Sunday of Easter Acts 9:10-20 An Unlikely Friendship
Hospitality and Congregational Information session after worship
May 11 Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 9:36-43 An Astonishing Imitation
May 18 Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 11:3-17
An Unexpected Change of Menu
Milestone Moments
May 25 Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 16:9-15 An Amazing Detour
Minute for Mission
Kate’s Cogitations
I am grateful for HCC’s participation in the Interfaith Group Against Hate (IGAH). We partner with others from various faith traditions to build trust, learn about current challenges to peace and reconciliation, and strategize together to respond with love. We hosted the group here in April and I offered the following prayer.
Opening Prayer for April meeting of the Interfaith Group Against Hate
God of all creation,
we are grateful for signs of new life all around us –
budding trees, blooming flowers, warmer temperatures, and longer, sunnier days.
We are grateful for new possibilities,
for friendship, for good work to do, for small successes.
May these signs of hope motivate us and strengthen our spirits,
for there is also much to fear, to resist, and to speak out about —
injustices, large and small, all around us;
violence and hatred given permission to rise;
hunger and poverty in this land of abundance.
And so we gather – we gather in your name, whatever names we use –
we gather in solidarity with one another, alike and different –
we gather to pray, to learn, to plan, and to do –
to do justice, to resist oppression, to work against hate.
May we work together – with each other and with you –
to speak out against injustice, to show love in the face of hate,
to advocate for those who have no voice or vote,
and to do our part to help bring about liberation, restoration,
to work toward reconciliation and true peace.
Bless our time together this evening. Amen.
I wonder how you might band with others in solidarity to work against the hate you see in our world?
Board Announces Congregational Information Session
DATE CHANGE!
Now Sunday, May 4th following worship
The Board of Trustees invites all congregants to remain after worship on Sunday, May 4th for a Hospitality Hour with a short program presenting an opportunity to hear about the results of the focus groups that met during our stewardship campaign, Imagine Together. We will hear brief reports on the state of the congregation from our Treasurer, Mike Singerman, the Chair of our Invested Funds Ministry Team, Neil Chase and our Moderator, Jane Troha, as well as a summary of the information gathered from the focus groups.
The meeting is planned for about 30 minutes, but will go on longer if there are questions to be answered. The Board wants the congregation to feel fully informed as to the current position of the church.
Please join us for this informational session. It is an exciting time to Imagine Together where we presently stand and what amazing possibilities God may have in mind for our church! I look forward to seeing you there!
~ Jane
Annual Meeting of the Congregation
June 1, 2025 following worship
Can you believe we are soon to wrap up another program year! We will gather to celebrate at our Annual Meeting which will be held on June 1, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. in the Chapel. We will hear our Peace Award winner speak briefly, will elect new officers and other leaders for the 2025 – 2026 program year and receive other reports. We are hoping to see as many of you as possible in the Chapel. The meeting will also be available on Zoom.
Come and join us! It is always a joy to look back over the year that has been and even more exciting to look forward to the wonderful year ahead! See you there!
Jane Troha, Moderator
Annual Reports are due Monday, May 12
For the annual mtg on Sunday, June 1
Some Parking Spots Now Reserved for HCC
building are occupied by the time HCC members arrive for worship. To help alleviate the situation, we will reserve several spots close to the Chapel doors each Sunday morning. Please thank Larry when you see him – this is a wonderful solution!
Education
Sunday Adult Study
Faith and Feeds: An introduction to Christian Nationalism Online
Week 1: What is Christian Nationalism?
In our first session we will define Christian Nationalism and outline some of its major tenets. We will discuss online spaces and make sure that everyone has a working knowledge of the different platforms and types of content that are available online. We will look at some evangelical pastors and how the post online to see some of these ideas begin spreading.
Week 2: Creating Christian Content
Next, we will dive into Christian content creators, who are actively making Christian content. We will also look at some conservative media spaces that have flourished online. While these spaces may not espouse direct Christian values, they often uphold many of the same beliefs and prevent people from within the movement from being exposed to other values.
Week 3: Taking the Pill
In week 3, we will look at the stealthy ways that Christian Nationalism is spread online. Many digital creators help spread christian nationalism by making lifestyle content. We will explore the phenomena of tradwives and self-optimization content that are much more subtle about the ways they spread christian nationalistic ideas and entice people into more extreme content.
All are welcome – no prep needed. We meet in the Chapel at 9:30 am each Sunday morning. Carolyn Troha leads these sessions.
Mid-Week Bible Study
Exploring the General Assembly Worship Scriptures
During the month of May, the Mid-week Bible Study group will explore the scriptures that will serve a s the focus of worship as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) gathers in Memphis this summer for General Assembly. The GA theme this year is “Beyond,” inspired by Ephesians 3:20-21:
Now to the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to them be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!
In inviting the church to the General Assembly, First Vice Moderator Liza Miranda said, “These verses invite us to step beyond our comfort zones, beyond our limitations, and into the vast expanse of God’s infinite power and love which is at work in us.”
Join us in this Bible study by exploring this and other scripture passages, poetry and visual art through group study and conversation. No materials are needed other than a Bible. We will meet in four sessions as follow:
May 6th – Ephesians3:20-21
May 13th – 1 Corinthians 1:25-27
May 20th – Colossians 3:12-17
May 27th – Luke 4:16-21
Each session stands alone, so come and join us for any or all of them! Looking forward to seeing you on Zoom at 2 p.m. Tuesdays during May!
Missions Ministry
It will be May soon and cold weather is hopefully almost gone!
- Little Free Pantry: Bring something nonperishable (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: This collection is done for this year, at least! We delivered five big black bags of warm clothing and tissues to Lomond Elementary School. Good job!
- Egg Cartons: As of Easter Sunday we have collected 11,557 egg cartons to donate. The farmers are grateful, we have disposed of our cartons responsibly, and the “fill” in the landfill is a little less!
- 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 news e-mails to see if there are events which interest you. A few examples:
- On Friday, May 2nd we are invited by Temple Emanuel, 4545 Brainard Road, Orange Village, to a Shabbat Service with a nosh and a dessert reception. This event starts at 5:45 for the nosh part and 6:15 for the service. The dessert reception follows. If you have ever wondered what happens at a Shabbat Service, this is your chance to find out!
- On Saturday, May 4th we are again meeting at the Nervous Dog at 2:00 for networking and socializing. I have found this to be a wonderful experience. It is a rare chance to make friends from other religions and speak frankly to increase our understanding of how others worship God. I have been 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!
Keep up the good work. Even a small light shines brightly! And right now the world needs all the light it can get!
~ Connee Choi
The Resonance Project
The next concert in the series “In The Face of Silence” with Irwin Shung on piano, is Friday May 2 at 7:30 pm at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights. More info at RMseries.com.
Fostering Community Sharing Cultures
Join us for conversation, music & worship
Presented by Temple Emanu El’s Advocacy Committee
Friday, May 2nd
Temple Emanu El
4545 Brainard Road Orange Village, OH
5:45 pm – Shabbat Nosh
6:15 pm – Shabbat Service
Dessert Reception to Follow
Please join IGAH for Coffee & Conversation at the Nervous Dog Shop.
if you would like to attend, please respond as soon as possible and click on this registration link: https://forms.gle/m7THN1MTwqMfjUhG6
May 8 Media Launch!
Watch your social media beginning May 8 for a video, wonderful graphics, and information that is part of a campaign called “You Mean the World.” This is an effort to raise awareness of the experiences of immigrants in the Cleveland area and what they bring to our region. It was put together with the help of many people and organizations, including “We Are Many; We Are One” which is a coalition of IGAH (Interfaith Group Against Hate) members – including HCC’s Connee Choi and Dr. Kate – and staff from local organizations dedicated to supporting immigrants and refugees. The campaign is positive, upbeat, and inspiring. We hope you get a chance to see it and to share it with others!Join us on May 8th for an evening at LAND Studio on May 8th to celebrate the launch of You Mean the World to CLE. (Pre-registration is needed: You are very welcome to join us for this special evening and all you need to do is register at the link below.
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/3p2z3yf
You Mean the World is a local Greater Cleveland campaign and exhibit that shares stories, information and portraits of immigrants who have come to Cleveland. Each person represented has become a citizen and has made this place even more vibrant, dynamic and successful.
Cleveland has a time honored tradition of welcoming newcomers. Our region is stronger for being welcoming. Our economy is stronger, our food is tastier ad our lives richer for it. Find out more at: http://www.youmeantheworld.com
Mark your Calendars for Sunday, May 18
– after worship we’ll have a chance to hear from members of AMIS (Americans Making Immigrants Safe). AMIS is involved with WAMWAO (We Are Many; We Are One) a coalition of congregations and agencies supporting immigrants and refugees. We will hear about what AMIS is doing and how we might be able to help. Refreshments will be served – we hope you will join us!
Ready to March?
We hope to participate in the Shaker Heights Memorial Day Parade again this year! We’re hoping for a big turnout from HCC – either in cars, on bikes, or walking! If you’d like to participate, please let Donita Singerman know and indicate whether you’ll walk, ride or bike! Let us know if you need an HCC T-shirt!
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!
Wednesdays 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, May 7th 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
After Annie by Anna Quindian.
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 14th. 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, the 21st at 12:30pm – Third Wednesday
Join us for a homemade lunch and fellowship, as members of Heights Christian Church and Plymouth Church get to know each other better during our last Lunch Club of the program year! We’ll resume in September.
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, May 18th.
Mid-week Meditations – Wednesday, the 28th – Fourth Wednesday
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.
We now have a limited supply of Arby, Burger King, Walmart and Wendy’s cards, as well as Amazon, Home Depot, Panera, Starbucks, Target, Subway and grocery store cards.
Support Heights Christian Church while you shop. Make your life less stressful. Gift cards are easy. (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!
May
5 – Val McMillan 8 – Felix McDonald 15 – Cindy Maxey
15 – Brian McDonald 20 – Nancy Carpenter 22 – Autumn Mehring
25 – Claire Dunn 26 – Sylvia Farley 30 – Connee Choi
June
2 – Annette Sutherland 3 – Grace Loudenstein 6 – Mike Droszcz
17 – Sally Donald 27 – Donita Singerman 29 – Kate Gillooly
29 – Carolyn Troha
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!