Reaching Heights October 2026
Reaching Heights October 2026
Links to this month’s news:
- Worship Themes for October
- Chasing Wonder
- Kate’s Cogitations
- Education Ministry
- Mission Ministry
- Food Drive
- Fellowship Ministry
- Thriving Church Book Discussion
- IGAH (Interfaith Group Against Hate)
- Wednesdays Together with Plymouth
- Resonance Project Concert at Forest Hill Presbyterian
- Gift Cards
- Social Media
- Birthdays
See the Serving Schedule
Worship Themes October 2026
October 4 World Communion Sunday
Guest Preacher: Deacon Tina Arnau Psalm 19
Hospitality in the Parlor after worship
For the last 3 Sundays in October we will continue with our “Drawn In” worship series we began in September.
Series Title: Drawn In: Living Out the Creative Life with God
adapted from a Worship series by Worship Design Studio/Marcia McFee
We spend too much time being “driven” rather than “drawn in.” We focus on what we “should” do rather than what we feel excited and compelled to do in our lives, in this world. During this series, we will connect with our inherent creativity and nurture this foundational aspect of being human, giving us renewed energy for passionate work, delightful play, and creative problem solving to make this world a better place for all.
October 11 Special Offering for Reconciliation Ministries received
Drawn In: Living the Creative Life with God – Listen Proverbs 4:1-9
Listening as part of creativity is about perceiving. We open our senses to see what is emerging. Perhaps what we start doesn’t end up looking like what we thought it would. Instead, once the act of creating begins, we listen to how the Spirit is guiding our next steps and unfolding possibilities we were previously unaware of. Without paying attention in this way, we act as if we have all the answers. And when we are up against something that doesn’t go our way, we see it as a negative. But what if those moments are simply Co-Creator God inviting us to see new ways of moving forward in our lives?
Hospitality in the Parlor after worship
October 18
Drawn In: Living the Creative Life with God – Re-integrate Romans 12:1-8 *Milestone Moments
Everything that is created is in relationship with all other things. God’s vision for birds had to do with the quality of the creation of air. How a song is experienced by those who sing it will change the composer’s perception of the song or even the song itself. Nothing exists in isolation. So too for our relationships with others. What happens for humanity is closely related to how we respond to each other. Are we willing to re-integrate, re-vise, re-vision our lives as we come in contact with others who are not like us? New possibilities await if we are willing to offer ourselves fully and be willing to be changed by our interactions.
October 25
Drawn In: Living the Creative Life with God – Rest Exodus 20:8-11 *Minute for Mission
Something grossly overlooked in the creative process is the place of effortlessness and play. In the story of creation, God rested. And this was very “good” as well! Staying too focused on deadlines and how every moment can be “productive” robs us of an important feature of what it means to be humans made in the image of God” rhythm. Pushing through is non-sustainable, and creativity suffers if we constantly labor. Celebration is necessary along the journey. God’s creativity is ongoing, so while the story said God was “finished” and then rested, in some ways it was simply a pause to reflect, to observe, and to celebrate, and then God continued God’s creative work among us and with us.
Intergenerational Event in the afternoon – dress for the weather!
Our worship will continue to focus on “Drawn In” and invite us to re-connect with our innate creativity. As we “Listen” and “Re-Integrate” and “Rest,” we might want some specific ways to approach the world with wonder and joy. Introducing: “Chasing Wonder” a Photo Bingo Challenge. Grab your phone (or camera!) and start chasing the beauty and joy and justice you find in the world around you! You can aim for a row or 4 corners, or complete the whole board! Send your photos to Kese@heightscc.org with a memo saying: Chasing Wonder” your name, and the square you’ve covered. We gather them all together to share with the congregation!
Kate’s Cogitations
On October 10 people from all over the state of Ohio will gather at Camp Christian for a one day Regional Assembly. Sometimes thought of as a big family reunion (we say the same thing about the denomination-wide General Assembly), the day will include worship, workshops, a vendor/exhibit area, lunch, activities for children of all ages, updates on the improvements at Camp Christian, and plenty of time for fellowship.
I am a big believer in “big church” events like Regional and General Assemblies, as well as more local gatherings in ecumenical and interfaith groups, and secular non-profits in our community and beyond. I can feel an increase in energy when we gather with others, united with a common purpose. And it helps me think outside what I already know (the way we do it at “my church”) and to consider other approaches.
Other activities can help us think outside the box. Reading, watching documentaries, visiting museums and nature centers, traveling, joining a new group and meeting new people or learning a new skill (cello? Swing dance?).
What might you do to increase your exposure to new people and new ideas, to help YOU think outside the box?
in peace,
Kate
From the Board
A brief congregational meeting was held after worship on September 13 with one item of business. The congregation adopted the new Mission Statement that had been created by a team last spring. Our new mission statement now reads:
At Heights Christian Church everyone is invited to worship and serve God wherever they are on their faith journey. We serve God in partnership with others by serving our neighbors and working together for a more just community and world.
We believe this describes who we are and who we aim to be in the world these days. Thank you for helping us to live into God’s mission in this way!
Education
Save the Date!
Fall Intergenerational Fellowship Event
The Education Ministry Team is planning a fun-filled, stress-free, relax and enjoy our church family event for Sunday, October 25th following worship. Everyone will be encouraged to bring their own bag lunch and join us for some fun and games, possibly outdoors on a beautiful sunny fall day (we can hope!) or indoors in the church parlor. Fellowship will be the point of the gathering! There will be activities for all ages!
Details will follow, but put the date on your calendar now and plan to join us then!
Fall Studies are Up and Running
The Education Ministry Team is currently offering two studies. On Sunday mornings a group is meeting at 9:30 a.m. to learn about and discuss Christian Nationalism, a topic getting lots of attention as we approach mid-term elections. There is no book to purchase, no readings to be done, simply come and join in a lively and thought-provoking study based on the book The Bible According to Christian Nationalists and handouts from the group Christians Against Christian Nationalism. Feel free to join in whenever it works for you!
The second study group meets on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. on Zoom. We are reading together and discussing the book Staying at the Table: Being the Church We Say We Are by the General Minster and President of our denomination, the Reverend Terri Hord Owens. Although we are working our way through her book, it is easy to attend without having done the reading. The discussion is always lively and the group welcoming. If you are available and interested, drop in and join us. The Zoom link is always in the Tuesday News that Kese sends out.
Mission Ministry
Grains and Legumes
-White rice -Beans-Canned or Bagged
-Masaharina (corn flour) or farina
Canned Goods
-Tomato Sauce or Paste -Canned corn, Pigeon peas -Canned tuna or chicken -Canned Armour Chicken Vienna Sausage -Chicken Broth
-Nido Fortificada Dry Whole Milk Powder
Cooking Essentials -Vegetable or Canola Oil
Spiced seasoning
-Adobo seasoning -Sazon packets -Instant coffee
-Klass Aguas Frescas Horchata with vitamin C,
Diapers -Newborn and sizes 6 and 7
Other Items
-Paper Towels –Toilet Paper
-Liquid Dish Soap – 28 oz. -Liquid-Hand-Soap
-Laundry Detergent – 40 oz.
-Body Bar Soap -Toothbrush – packs of 4 or more
-Toothpaste – Large any brand
If you wish to purchase a yard sign, see Andrena.
Fellowship Ministry
Regional Book Study continues
Our Regional Minister, Rev. Allen Harris, will continue to convene a monthly discussion of the book Thriving Church: What We Can Learn from Thriving Congregations by Rev. Dr. Erin Cash and Rev. Dr. Kory Wilcoxson. Members of Disciples congregations all around the region of Ohio gather monthly on Zoom for a stimulating conversation about a chapter in the book. On October 24, we’ll discuss how Thriving Churches Are Willing to Take Risks. You’re invited to join one or all the monthly discussions. Contact Allen Harris for the link.
IGAH is holdng the following events to bring together members of our congregations. That includes you!
Wednesday’s Together
Plymouth Church, UCC and Heights Christian Church are both blessed to call our building at 2860 Coventry Road home . Every Wednesday of the program year, we will share in fellowship and formation with one another and we seek to deepen our relationships. We look forward to seeing many folks from HCC and Plymouth at each gathering!
Book Group
The Book Group will meet on Wednesday, October 7 – 1:00 pm in room 102 at Plymouth Church. We will discuss the book, Eleanor of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLosier. In November we will be discussing the book The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. If you would like to have lunch before this meeting, bring your own and come at 12:30 pm. All are welcome to join at any time. Please contact Nancy Carpenter for more information.
Meditative Arts Group
On October 14 we will meet in the Atrium at Plymouth Church from 1:00-3:00. Everyone is welcome to join us for a relaxing afternoon and enjoy some meditative music. A Zentangle project will be provided for those who enjoy drawing and coloring, but you are also welcome to bring another quiet activity of your choice – knitting, crocheting, painting, sketching, etc. Come join us for a quiet, meditative time of fellowship and relaxation.
Lunch Club
Wednesday, October 21 at 12:30pm
(Tentative date . . . watch your mailbox)
Join us for a homemade lunch and fellowship at Patterson’s Fruit Farm.
The suggested donation for lunch is $10. RSVP to Pastor Dillon at dshipman@plymouthchurchucc.org or the sign-up sheet in the Welcome Center by October 18, which is necessary for food preparation.
Mid-Week Meditations
Mid-Week Meditations in Herr Chapel. (October 28)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!
Inspired by: Ten Kings of Hell
An Exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art
Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Forest Hill Church
In dialogue with the Cleveland Museum of Art’s exhibition Ten Kings of Hell: The Afterlife in Medieval Korea, this recital presents a program of evocative music that confronts mortality, moral reckoning, and the possibility of transformation. Soprano Anna Rathbun, pianist Irwin Shung, and harpsichordist Qin Ying Tan collaborate on a dramatic program featuring Fazıl Say’s Black Earth, Messiaen’s time-suspended La Colombe, and songs by Schubert, Britten, and Ives. At the heart of the program lies Liszt’s Dante Sonata, in which one seems to hear the moans of the damned, as well as catch a glimpse of heaven’s splendor.
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!
October
1 – Lynda Ackerman 3 – Anita Watson 3 – Ann Weisheimer
4 – Debbie Osgood 5 – Linda Durham 5 – Elliott Troha 14 – Alex Osgood
18 – Amber Sharpley 19 – Florence Chase 30 – Tommy Dunn
November
3 – Steve Dills 6 – Mark Cubberley 12 – Liam Osgood 13 – Ratt Woods
14 – Lisa Peabody 16 – Carl Cormany 21 – Dennis Merhing
26 – Yvonne Smith 26 – Christopher Crosby, Jr. 28 – Irwin Shung
30 – Daphne Broun
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 on our list. We want to celebrate you!