Update and Resources

August 28, 2026

"Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good."

~ Romans 12:9

Sunday Worship at 10:00 AM

Join us for worship in our sanctuary at 10am this Sunday. The online bulletin can be found here. You can also worship live online via the Kent UCC Video page here or anytime on our Kent UCC Video page.

Calling All Elves

Chapel Chair Deconstruction Party #2

TOMORROW!

It’s time for the next chair dismantling workshop at the Wallace’s. We really need extra help breaking down the chapel chairs. Come, learn the art of staple removal!

Tomorrow, Saturday, August 29 9:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. WALLACE BARN IN DOYLESTOWN. Food and Beverages Provided

Text or call Julie (330) 329-2708 to RSVP

Faith Formation Sunday

September 13

This is our annual Faith Formation Sunday, a kick-off to the program year here at Kent UCC. Worship will include a special Blessing of the Backpacks; all students are invited to bring their school bags! After church, come to VanMeter Hall for some food and games! The Fun and Fellowship committee is preparing a meal, and the Faith Formation Committee is providing games and activities for all ages to enjoy! Fellowship ministry is preparing a picnic with grilled hamburgers and hotdogs with all the fixings (with some vegetarian options as well), fresh veggies, chips and ice cream sandwiches for dessert! The Christian Education Ministry is providing inter generational games for each table to enjoy together!   

Mark Frisone Speaking--Wednesday, September 23

Mark Frisone, executive director of Axess Family Services (formerly Family and Community Services), will be our next speaker in “The Law and My Neighbor” series. In “Advocating for Our Neighbors,” Mark will share his perspective working with financially vulnerable families in Portage County and beyond. What are their economic needs? How has federal and state legislation affected them? The program will be held at 7 pm in the Chapel. 

NAACP Freedom Fund Luncheon October 3

Join members of the Social Justice Ministry on October 3 at the NEW Center at NEOMED. The Freedom Fund Luncheon is a fundraiser of the Portage County NAACP, supporting its scholarships. This year, our own Frank Hairston is receiving the NAACP President Award! Contact him at (330) 351-3980 to obtain tickets.

Anti-Racism Book Group: Fall Book

The Anti-Racism Book Group invites you to join us this fall as we read The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future by Robert P. Jones. Taking the story of white supremacy in America back to 1493, and examining contemporary communities in Mississippi, Minnesota, and Oklahoma for models of racial repair, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy is “full of urgency and insight” (The New York Times) as it helps chart a new course toward a genuinely pluralistic democracy. We meet the 4^th Monday of the month at 7-8:30 pm via Zoom and welcome new members. Contact Barb Hanniford for more information and the Zoom link.

UCC Take Action: 

Demand Dignity for Detained Immigrants

The UCC Action Center website highlights many advocacy actions we can take to influence legislation. One of these bills is the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act (H.R. 6397 / S. 3702). The Bible is clear about our call to feed, clothe, house, and welcome the immigrant (Matthew 25:35-40). The current climate of detaining immigrants directly contradicts scripture and Jesus’ teachings. Learn more about this proposed act here and take action.  

Men's First Saturday Prayer Breakfast

The Men's First Saturday Prayer Breakfast will resume Saturday, Sept. 5th, 8-9 a.m. at Mike's Place in Kent. For more information, please contact Ralph Kletzien.

Outreach Alert:

A Habitat Build Day is Up Ahead!

Kent UCC has generously supported Portage County Habitat for Humanity builds for several years, both with monetary donations and our own church members working on site. We have an opportunity to join with another church group to do the same next month, so, if you are one who has the desire to help, here you go! The first date/time we have set aside is Saturday, September 26 from 9 AM to 2 PM. More details to come.

Kent UCC Rummage Sale

The Rummage sale is getting closer and closer. September 18-19 is not that far away! Your Rummage Sale Committee has been meeting and planning for our biggest fundraiser of the year, and the needs in our community, our nation, and the world are bigger than ever. Our volunteer sign up will run through Sunday Sept 13. Look for the tables in the narthex and downstairs by the elevator. We need both people to work the sale (30-40 volunteers) and food donations for those working the sale. Drop offs will run every Wednesday from 5-7 and every Saturday from 10-12 through Saturday, September 12. On Sunday the 13th, we will have drop offs AFTER CHURCH ONLY from 11-1 and then Sunday evening 5-7. That will be the best time for large drop offs. Please contact Kathy Robinson if you need a pick up for large items that night. We will also do drop offs from 5-7, Monday-Wednesday the week of the sale.

This is such an important event because it helps so many of our Outreach partners. Those we can give to and how much we can give will be determined by the Rummage Sale Committee and shared with Outreach, the Administrative Board, and the Joint Ministry Council. Organizations and groups under consideration are our Community Meal, the International Institute of Akron (refugee help), Habitat for Humanity, Townhall 2 (new homeless shelter), UCM, our own UYF, Safer Futures, the County Clothing Center, Miller House, Akron Canton Food Bank, Kent Social Services, Freedom House, KIFA, and NAACP. Your help with this huge project will be much appreciated!

Host Coffee Hour

We need one or two volunteers each week to simply brew a pot of coffee or two, prepare some pitchers of cold water and perhaps bring a few snacks. Members of Fellowship are happy to coach you through it. Sign up here from now until the end of October (this link will go away soon)! The NEW coffee hour sign up is here for November through next year.

Kent Social Services

Volunteers Needed!

Our primary local partner, Kent Social Services, helps us provide food security to our neighbors. We are seeking volunteers on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 10am -1pm to help serve lunch. Sign up here to indicate when you can help. Thank you so much for your willingness to work in our community, share God’s love, and help those in need.

Sign Up to Greet

ATTENTION! WE need Summer GREETERS! What is easier than standing by the door and welcoming people into our church both members and new folks?! We need 2 people every Sunday to arrive about 9:40 AM and say "HI!" as people come to worship. Then head up to church at 10:00 AM. There is no paper sign up for June and July so the only way to sign up is on the SIGN UP GENIUS! (There will not be duplicates this time-- sorry! ) Think of this, if everyone at church signed up to greet one Sunday, that would be more than enough people for the whole year- by taking one turn each! Please consider this easy way to show Extravagant Hospitality. Thanks, Gayle and Eileen, From Welcome and Membership. Click here to access the greeter sign up sheet! If you have any questions please contact Gayle Wall. 

This Week’s Sacred Text

Romans 12:9-21

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.