Update and Resources

October 16, 2026

"For they report about us what kind of welcome we had among you and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God"

~ 1 Thessalonians 1:9

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.

Special Congregational Meeting

NEXT Sunday, October 25

This year, our church has been piloting a new governance model to provide better representation for all of the church’s ministries while reducing the burden of unnecessary meetings and making it easier for people to get involved in work of the church. This model separates our church leadership into three distinct bodies: the Administrative Board, the Spiritual Life Council, and the Ministry Council. Each of these operates independently to coordinate that aspect of the church’s work, and representatives from these groups meet to coordinate across the church as a whole. The feedback we’ve received on this model has been positive. While there are many good suggestions for improving how we grow into this structure, there were not many concerns with the structure itself. Please plan to stay next Sunday, October 25 after worship. Your voice matters.

In preparation please review our Constitution and By-Laws here and the agenda for this special meeting here.

October Community Meal

THIS Sunday

October is here! It is time for the 3rd Sunday Community Outreach Meal THIS Sunday October 18th, 2026! Our own UYF and J- Walkers are going to be taking the lead on this meal. They will be serving pizza, a full salad bar, fruit and desserts! We are asking the congregation to donate yummy Fall or Halloween themed desserts (desserts should serve 15-20). Please drop off desserts during church in the kitchen or bring them between 4-5 PM that afternoon. We also need folks to sign up to help with clean-up dishes. Please click HERE if you are able to contribute in these ways! Please let Gayle Wall or Dan Mothersbaugh know if you have any questions.  

It’s Generosity Season!

Remember to pick up your “A Future With Hope” Stewardship packet/envelope this Sunday if you have not already done so. Packets are located in the narthex in alphabetical order. Pledges will be received on Sunday, November 8, Dedication Sunday. A celebratory meal will be served after the service. Main courses, beverages and table service will be provided. Please bring a dessert if your last name begins with letters A-M and a side dish or salad if your last name begins with letters N-Z. Please bring enough to serve 8. HOPE to see you there!

Fall Clean-Up, Saturday November 7

The property ministry is holding their annual Fall Clean-Up on Saturday, November 7 from 9am-noon and they need lots of volunteers. If you would like to help out with getting the church cleaned up for the winter months, please bring a rake, electric leaf blowers, electric trimmers, and any other yard tools you think would help. Rain date will be Saturday, November 14 at the same time. This is always a fun event to fellowship with friends from Kent UCC.

The Music is Back!

Our music ensembles have returned in the new year here at Kent UCC Each group is open to all regardless of musical experience. There is a place for everyone to make music at the Kent UCC

CHOIR

The choir rehearses Thursday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. We meet each Sunday at 9:15 to rehearse and to lead music in worship each week, September through May.

HANDBELL CHOIR

The handbell choir rehearses on Sunday after church from 11:15 – noon. We participate in worship usually once a month and for special services such as lessons and carols.

WHY MUSIC?

Music builds community, music fosters creativity and personal growth,

Music deepens worship and connection. Whether you want to sing or ring, there is a place for you in our music program. Please reach out to me if you would like to get involved! Because it brings us closer to God! Bob Carlyon. 

Creation Justice Ministry

The Creation Justice Ministry invites you to learn more about the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, technology and our changing world by attending this free presentation.

A Ballet of Leaves 

Fluttering, twisting, turning, floating

falling in the breezes of Autumn,

A ballet of Golden leaves

Entering the “Ground of Being,”

Awaiting their resurrection. 

~ Don Bubenzer

Kent UCC Helps Support

Safer Futures

At Hope In A Handbag

Our Outreach Ministry at Kent UCC seeks to offer financial and hands-on support of several agencies that serve people locally and globally; one important one is Safer Futures, which provides shelter, legal advocacy, and 24/7 support to women and families in crisis in Portage County. In addition to a $2000 donation, we were able to attend their once-a-year fundraising gala. A full table plus a few more members and guests were part of the UCC contingent.

From a light dinner to purse bingo, raffle baskets, and remarks from and about the people who staff and support this wonderful agency, it was an evening to celebrate the successes and to set intentions to continue this good work. If this sounds like something you’d like to attend, let someone on Outreach know next September; we’d love for you to join us!

Our Ministries—

There’s a Place for YOU!

In our new governance model, the Leadership Development Ministry replaces the Nominating Committee. We work with our ministers and ministries to identify new leaders and opportunities for members to get involved. Options abound! From short-term commitments, like the rummage sale or helping with facility projects, to serving on an ongoing ministry, we have a place for you! "This fall, you’ll learn more about each group through a weekly “Moment for Ministry” during worship. We’ve also just updated a handout, “How Are You Called to Serve?” You’ll find copies at church or here."  We will again offer an opportunity to sign up for one or more groups using flip charts, just as we did last year. We’ll do this on Stewardship Dedication Sunday, November 8, and the following week. As we think about the future, we hope that you’ll consider your own gifts and passions. Where might you be called to serve? We have a place for you!

College Care Packages

It can be hard being away from home! This year, the Faith Formation Committee will be sending a Care Package to all of our recent graduates who are now in college or in the military to remind them that their church family loves them and is praying for them.  Boxes will be sent out close to final exams, and will include special items of care and comfort. Please see the list of suggested items below. Sign up here if you or someone you know/love would like to receive a care package:

Protein Bars

Ramen Noodles and cups of soup

Macaroni and cheese

Cereal Bars

Microwave Popcorn

Little Snack Packs (e.g. cookies, crackers, nuts, etc)

Little bottles of hand sanitizer

Tissues

Spare toothbrush

Hand soap

Notebooks

Pens

Highlighters

Notes of encouragement from the congregation 

Kent’s Rainbow Weekend 5K Fun Run

TOMORROW

Join members of the Social Justice Ministry and your community of LGBTQ+ folks and allies TOMORROW, Saturday, October 17, at 11:00 am for a 5K walk and fun run. The route will take participants through the trees of the Portage Hike & Bike Trail and will start and end at North Water Brewing Company, where an End of the Rainbow Party will be taking place at the finish line. Register here!

Save the Date: November 4 1946 film screening

Join us Wednesday, November 4, 6:30 pm, VanMeter Hall, for a viewing of 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted a Culture. It’s a documentary film that investigates the grave consequences of an erroneous biblical translation of the word “homosexual."  The film chronicles the effect on culture, politics, religion, and the LGBTQIA+ community over the last century. 

Early Voting Underway in Ohio!

Make your voice heard in the coming few weeks leading up to the election November 3. Early voting has started and continues through Sunday, November 1. Consider the candidates and issues with our Kent UCC mission and values in mind as you are making your voting decisions. The League of Women Voters of Kent has contributed to Vote411, an online resource that provides more information about candidates and issues. More useful voting information is on the League’s website. Check your Board of Elections website for voting dates and hours. 

Do you like live music? Do you like helping a worthwhile cause?

Then Fun and Fellowship has an event for you! On Saturday, November 7, we have a block of tickets for the 25th Woodchoppers Ball at the Kent Stage, benefitting the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the concert is at 7 pm. The concert features guitarists who are veterans in the industry, as well as some up and comers. This year's event will feature nine performances across a vast array of musical styles.

Tickets are $34, with a processing fee of $7.96 for a total of $41.96 per ticket. Remember - it's benefitting a good cause!  We'll have sign-ups at coffee hour, or you can purchase your tickets directly under the name KentUCC by calling 330-677-5005.  Questions? Ask Jaime Baughman, 330-256-6899, sjbaughman1@gmail.com. 

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

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. 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

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God your work of faith and

labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, siblings beloved by God, that God has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy from the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For they report about us what kind of welcome we had among you and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God and to wait for God’s Son from heaven, who was raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.