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Update and Resources
June 24, 2022
“When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt:
I am the Lord your God."
~Leviticus 19:33-34
Summer Worship at 10am in Chapel
Gather in our chapel for our 10am worship service in person or watch our live stream by clicking here.  You can also view the service later on our Kent UCC Video page. This week our youth are leading us in worship as they share their experiences from their immersion trip to the US-Mexico border. We'll also recognize and bless our graduates! Click here to print the bulletin for an order of worship for those worshiping online. For a children's bulletin click here. Coffee hour will be in the choir room during the summer months. 
Youth and Mental Health Discussion TOMORROW
The mental health crisis among America's youth is real—and it's getting worse. This is the driving factor behind the UCC’s own Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund's new book Blessed Youth: Breaking the Silence About Mental Illness with Children and Teens. There will be some copies available on Sunday in the narthex or you can order them HERE. You are invited to read the book and join us for a conversation TOMORROW, June 25 from 9-10:30 a.m. in the chapel. Light refreshments will be served, and childcare will be offered. This discussion will be especially poignant for parents, grandparents, and caregivers of children and teenagers, but all are welcome. Please sign up HERE
Recognizing our Graduates
It’s almost time to celebrate our graduates! We’ll recognize graduates from high school, college, graduate, and trade schools THIS Sunday, June 26. If you have a graduate to recognize, please email Pastor Kim with name, degree, and future plans of the graduate. Thank you! 
Ukrainian Musician to Perform Free Concert
at Kent UCC on Wednesday, July 6
Traditional Ukrainian musician Jurij Fedynskyj will perform a free concert in our Chapel on Wednesday, July 6 at 7:30pm. There will be a meet and greet beginning at 7pm. Since the war broke out in Ukraine, Jurij has been performing for refugees and soldiers with his small group of musicians across Ukraine. He performs the spiritual and historical songs of Ukraine to give moral support and inspiration during trying times. Jurij’s program includes sacred music as well as general folklore, kozak songs, some English Renaissance music, but mostly a traditional Ukrainian 'kobzar' repertoire. This free concert is open to the public so please invite your friends and family! We are partnering with the Standing Rock Cultural Arts organization of Kent to host this peacebuilding and musical event.
VBS Closer Than You Think
We are a few weeks away from our 2022 Vacation Bible School program at First Christian Church in Kent - Compassion in Action: Changing the World with Lovingkindness. VBS is July 11-14 from 6-8:15 p.m. We are looking for volunteers! Volunteers can lead a station, lead a group of kids, help with registration, pray for our week, and more! We're looking for helpers who are of middle school age all the way through adults. (No one is EVER "too old" to come to VBS!) If you're interested in helping, please fill out THIS Google form to help Jodi and I place you. Reach out to Pastor Kim if you have any questions. Thank you for prayerfully considering how you might help make this a successful and fun week for our children!
The Rubber Ducks Return!
Or rather we return to the Rubber Ducks. Join Fellowship for an outing to the 7:05pm game on Friday July 29th, complete with fireworks. Currently the Ducks are at the top of their division and promise you an exciting game..what more could you ask for...Friday, Friends, and Fireworks?
Cost is $12/seat. Call or email Kathy Robinson for tickets. 
Summer Outreach Program with Ben Curtis Foundation
Our Outreach Ministry in collaboration with the Ben Curtis Foundation will be helping with various duties at the Ben Curtis facility at 2121 Brady Lake Road from 11am -12pm every Friday through August 19. We need two volunteers each week. Please click here for the sign-up genius to volunteer. If you have any questions, please contact Linnea Ray, [email protected] or 330-931-2063.
Ukraine Relief
You are invited to prayerfully consider donating to Ukraine Relief by writing a check with “Ukraine Relief” in the memo line or by using Engage on-line. While the war rages on, we can make a difference by contributing to our denominational and ecumenical relief efforts.  
What is Text Giving?
  • Text Giving is another way you and your family can give to our church.  
  • Its super easy; just text the word GIVE to (330) 275-1772 and you'll immediately receive a text back with a link that takes you to our Engage page.
  • There, you can sign into your Engage account or continue as a guest.  The advantage of logging into your account is that our church staff can track your gift and include it in your quarterly giving summaries. 
  • You can from there choose to make a one time gift, or reccurring gift, and select the desired amount.  
  • You may also help our church by covering the processing fees; for example, if you give $5.00 then the processing fees are $.46 ; so your total gift for that transaction would be $5.46.
  • Once you submit your offering gift, you'll receive an email from the host company to serve as your receipt. 
  • Quick Tip: save the number as a contact in your phone as KENT UCC Text Giving and easily pull up the information while sitting in the pews on Sundays. 
Worship Volunteer Opportunities
There are many opportunities for you to serve. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
 

Usher
Ushers welcome worshipers and escort them to open seats and receive our offering. You’ll be part of a team of ushers consisting of four ushers. Sign up HERE
 
Greeter
Extend extravagant hospitality to visitors and members with a warm smile.  Sign up HERE
 
Liturgist
Liturgists participate in worship services by reading parts of the liturgy. You’ll get the readings in advance. Sign up HERE.
Flowers for Sunday Worship
By dedicating flowers for worship, you can remember and honor a loved one, celebrate a special occasion, lift up someone in our church family, or simply share your joy. Please sign up HERE to save a date and make your dedication. 
Prayer List
If you would like to ask the entire congregation for prayer for yourself, someone else or for our community and world, please submit it on our new website by clicking the “Prayer Request” tab here, or by letting our church office, a Deacon, or Pastor Amy know. We will share the prayer list in our weekly updates, as you see below. 
In Our Prayers
Rudy Capece, grandson of Debbie and Al Barber
David Ewers
Walter, brother-in-law of Harold and Mary Hight and
Margaret, sister of Mary Hight
Bev Feher, long-time friend of Barb Marken
Dezmond, Colena and Robert Hous, friends of Debbie Schinker
Carol Horner
Danielle Ingersol, Sue Otterson’s niece
Bruce Moore
Billy O’Malley, nephew of Annie O’Malley
Lawrence Prichard
Jason, son of Laurie Riddle and Zoe Walsh
Rev. Pat Russell
Pat Schubert
The Family of Megan Thompson, friend of Debbie Schinker
Donna Stefanik
Looking Ahead
  • June 26 – UYF Mission Sunday; recognition of our graduates
  • June 21 – 30 Pastor Amy at Spiritual Guidance Program Residency with the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation (continuing education)
  • July 6 – Traditional Ukrainian Musician, Jurij Fedynskyj in concert
  • July 8 – Green Retreat for Youth at the Wallace’s
  • July 11-14 – Vacation Bible School at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
  • July 29 – Akron RubberDucks Baseball Game Outing
  • July 31 – Holy Humor Sunday! and Pastor Kim's last Sunday
  • August 7 – Pastor Amy’s last Sunday in the pulpit before her sabbatical
  • August 9 – November 23 Pastor Amy on vacation and sabbatical
  • August 20 – BBQ & Blues Fundraiser for the Hansford NAACP Scholarship
  • August 27 – Akron Pride Festival
  • September 11 – Kick-off Sunday
  • September 16-17 – Rummage Sale 
This Week’s Sacred Text
Leviticus 19:33-34
“When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt:
I am the Lord your God."
Thanks be to God, who is still speaking!
Whoever you are, wherever you are on life's journey...
you're welcome here!