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 Update and Resources
October 15, 2021
" I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did...” ~2 Timothy 1:3
Laity Sunday Worship at 10am
Join us in our sanctuary on Sunday for our 10am worship service in-person! Or watch our live stream by clicking here. You can also view the service our Kent UCC Video page at any time. Click here to print the bulletin for an order of worship for those worshiping online. For a children’s bulletin, please click here

Laity Sunday celebrates the ministry of all Christians to love God and neighbor. We honor the priesthood of all believers! On Laity Sunday we lift up the vocation of all to follow Jesus and to inspire others to follow him— particularly as we remember the gift of those persons, our ancestors and mentors of faith, who loved us into a Spirit-led life of discipleship. Frank Hairston, Renee LaCombe, Sam Madden, Patrick Mason, and Brenda Schneider will be sharing our message!
 
To prepare for our in-person Sunday service:
  • Please wear a mask that covers the nose, mouth and chin when inside our church building.  
  • Practice good hygiene and social distancing. Hand sanitizer and sanitizing products are readily available throughout the church. 
  • Ushers will seat you, but feel free to choose where you sit
  • Bring your offerings to place in the secure containers in the narthex. 
  • There will be no childcare or Sunday School but there will be boxes for each child/family for use during worship in the pews. The lounge will be available for any parent or guardian in need of a quiet space.
  • We will stay in our pews but will turn to pass the peace of Christ.
  • There will be no greeting line after worship; the ushers will release you from your pews following the service. 
  • There will be no coffee hour or other food or beverages consumed inside.  
In Person Health and Safety Policy
As a covenantal community we ask you to read and support our revised policy HERE. The COVID Advisory Team, Council and staff are diligently working to ensure the health and safety of our congregation and community, weighing the physical, mental, spiritual, and financial risks to our health. If congregants, friends or guests have any concerns about these guidelines or restrictions, they are encouraged to reach out to the moderator team or Council. As a covenantal community of faith, it is up to each of us to support this policy so that we all remain safe and healthy.
Prospective Member Orientation
Our next Prospective Member Orientation is on Sunday, October 24, immediately following worship. Please join Pastor Amy and the Hospitality and Membership Committee to learn more about Christian discipleship, the UCC, and what it may mean for you to become an active member of our congregation and mission. For those interested and in discernment, please sign up here. We will receive new members in worship on November 7.
Tailgate + Vespers!
Kent UCC Sunday School families are invited to join us in the back parking lot on Friday, October 22 from 5-6:30 p.m. for a tailgate and vespers before the final regular season Kent Roosevelt and Stow-Munroe Falls football games! We'll provide pizza if you'll help us provide the trimmings. We'll have outdoor games to play, and we'll end the evening with a short vesper service. If you can attend, please email Pastor Kim. If you would like to bring a drink, snack, or dessert to share, please sign up here.
Space for Grace
Contemplative Prayer
Begin your Tuesday mornings in prayer with others also seeking the Living God. We will pray with scripture, in silence, and with one another. Join us on Tuesday mornings at 7:30am on Zoom for some much needed peace and space for grace. Please email Pastor Amy for the Zoom link.  
Fall Adult Education Class
“I wish I knew the Bible better.” “I don’t understand why that’s in the Bible!” “I want a different kind of relationship with the Bible.” If you’ve ever found yourself saying these phrases, our fall adult education class is for you! Join Pastor Kim to discuss Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans. We’ll meet on Zoom from 7-8 pm on Wednesdays through Wednesday, November 24. Please sign up HERE.
Support Domestic Violence Survivors
Safer Futures Domestic Violence Shelter’s “Hope in a Handbag” annual fundraiser will be held virtually on Friday, October 22 at 6:30pm. Our Outreach Ministry is collecting gently used or new designer handbags to be auctioned off to support Safer Futures, the only domestic violence and resource center in Portage County. Please bring a purse to church this Sunday, October 17th. A member of Outreach will be at the round table by the stairwell to collect your designer purses! To register for this fun and festive event and to support the cause, click here. Even if you can’t attend the virtual event, buying a ticket supports the cause. Thank you! 
NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner
The Portage County NAACP’s Freedom Fund Fall Scholarship Fundraiser will be a hybrid event, held at Kent State University’s Rockwell Hall on October 23 at 3pm with a limited group of masked participants, and livestreamed on Zoom.  The Portage County NAACP supports students in our local community by providing scholarship support to low income, high achieving students. We work closely with area high school counselors to identify students who are college ready but need that additional financial support to reach their dream. Additional donations to the scholarship fund are welcome! We will feature your name and/or logo in the program as a sponsor for a $50 donation.
To register click here.
To donate via PayPal click here.
Celebration of Life for Fritz Barker
A celebration of the life of Fritz Barker will be held in our sanctuary on Saturday, October 30 at 11am. There will be a calling hour at 10am to visit with the family prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to our Kent UCC United Youth Force (UYF high school youth group), at the family’s request.
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
Bev Feher, long-time friend of Barb Marken
Pete Jones and family, friends of Leah Davis
Lydia Kittle, granddaughter of Lori and Steve Babbey
Dick Leppo
Billy O’Malley, nephew of Annie O’Malley
Bruce Moore
Lawrence Prichard
Tallu Schuyler Quinn, friend of Pastor Amy
Terri, friend of Megan Snyder
Need Support?
The pandemic is not over. This continues to be a heartbreaking, anxiety-producing, exhausting and divisive time. All of us could use an extra dose of patience, grace, and loving kindness. Please know that you are not alone. Pastor Amy is available for spiritual care and prayer as are our lay leaders.
  • For confidential help and spiritual care needs, devotional materials, prayer, or just to talk this week, contact Pastor Amy, a Deacon or a Stephen Minister.
  • Contact Pastor Amy: [email protected] or (330) 673-9534
  • Contact a Deacon: [email protected]
  • Contact a Stephen Minister: [email protected] or (234) 417-2335
  • For free and confidential counsel from a mental health professional, please call the COVID Careline, 1-800-720-9616. The careline is open daily from 8am-8pm.
  • For financial assistance from our Congregational and Community Assistance Fund, please let Pastor Amy or the Deacons know. Our next CCAF offering will be received on October 31 (and on every 5th Sunday).  
Looking Ahead
  • October 17 – Laity Sunday, Community Meal
  • October 24 – Stewardship Sunday, Prospective Member Orientation
  • October 30 – Fritz Barker Celebration of Life Service
  • October 31 – All Saints Day (observed), CCAF offering received
  • November 7 – New Members Received in worship
  • November 14 – Dedication Sunday
  • November 21 – Thanksgiving Sunday
  • November 28 – First Sunday of Advent with Service of Baptism
  • December 3 – Outdoor Christmas Tree Lighting
This Week’s Sacred Text
2 Timothy 1:3-7
I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Thanks be to God, who is still speaking!
Whoever you are, wherever you are on life's journey...
you're welcome here!
OUR MISSION:
Enlivened by the grace of Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit,
Kent United Church of Christ does justice, embraces faithful love, and walks humbly with our God to serve and transform lives, our community and the world. (Micah 6:8)