First Sunday after Pentecost, May 31
"Our Image of God"
It is normal for many of us to capture an image of God early on in our lives and then hang on to most of that image for a long time. One of the concerns with that habit is that our questions, concerns and challenges can become more complicated throughout our lives - and our faith may remain simple, with a simple view of God. Join us this Sunday for worship - in person or online - at 10:30AM as we look at what a more mature, complicated image of God may look like for each of us! Rev. John H. Pomeroy
Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Last week's sermon: redlandsucc.org
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Jake’s Schedule In June
Our Transition Pastor is now working from home for the final month of his service with RUCC. Jake will lead in worship and preach on June 7, 14 and 28; during the week Jake will be in touch via phone, text and email with Veronica, Area Leaders and others to continue the work of the church. Jake will be at church from 9-1 each Sunday and available via email during the week at jake@redlandsucc.org
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Bring Your Prayers
For the time being, we are keeping the prayer requests sheet at the entrance of the Sanctuary before worship each Sunday. Please write down any prayers that you would like to have included in our worship - the prayers we have received in the office will be on the sheet already.
Prayer Request:
- Prayers for healing for John Hoeger, who had a procedure in the hospital last week.
- Prayers for peace in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, and the Sudan.
- Prayers for students, teachers, and staff members as the school year ends and graduations take place.
- Prayers for our Search Committee, Transition Search Committee, and Worship Area as they work to staff our pastor position in the months ahead.
- Prayers for safe travel for those who are away.
Ongoing concerns:
- Tom Miller
- Bill Buchanan
- Ruth Jordan
- Jon Herbert
- Carol Buchanan
Please send prayer requests to Pastor Jake at jake@redlandsucc.org
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Update from the Settled Pastor Search Committee
We began in July 2025, when our committee was formed and approved. Early on, our meetings focused on what we hoped to find in a new pastor, and how we were going to review and evaluate applications. Candidate profiles came to us from September through February. We conducted video interviews with all candidates, and second follow-up interviews with many of those. This process helped us to identify people we wanted to learn more about through an in-person visit.
In March and April, we brought three candidates to Redlands. We hosted welcome dinners, took them on tours of Redlands, showed them our beautiful campus, and had small group meetings over meals or coffee. On the last evening of each visit, we had a meal together and asked candidates to lead us in a short devotional. All of these interactions helped us get to know candidates on a much deeper level.
On May 8 and 9, we met to discuss the strengths and areas of improvement we found in the candidates. After several hours of deliberation, we unanimously agreed that one candidate was particularly impressive, having strengths and experience in all the areas we sought (pastoral care, administering activities of the church, and leading strong worship services). It was with great hope and excitement that we contacted the candidate to say that we wanted to recommend to the Board that they be called to be our next settled pastor.
It is here that I wish I could say that the person accepted and we could begin the celebration. But sadly, that is not the case. On Monday, May 11, the candidate declined our offer. We don’t know why they did so, other than the fact that they accepted a call from another church. We also want to note that the committee agreed that there was not a second candidate that we wished to call.
As you can imagine, we were devastated and disappointed. As one of us said, “I feel like we got down on one knee and proposed and then got turned down.” But we’ve known all along that finding the right person was not going to be easy. We expected there to be ups and downs and knew it could take time. So even with this setback, we remain determined to continue our search and feel optimistic that our experience to date has prepared us to move forward in a hopeful way. This time reminded us that “God is still speaking,” and when one door closes, another may soon open.
Our church profile remains on the conference website, and we will review profiles as they arrive. We also hope to actively identify and recruit potential candidates (which may include asking you to put names of potential candidates in a suggestion box). In the meantime, the Board will form a group to begin a separate search for a bridge pastor.
As usual, we will keep you up to date on our process. We ask for your continued prayers and support as we move into the next phase of our work.
| | Quarterly Meeting and Celebration of Jake, Sunday, May 31 |
Bible Study, Monday, June 1
Our Bible Study topic this week is the Old Testament figure of Hagar. Please join us this week as we discuss the Old Testament passages that contain references to this significant woman:
Genesis 16-21. We’ll also be using Chapter 7 of the book Fierce by Alice Connor as a supplementary text.
Please join us in the Youth Room on Monday, June 1, at 7:00 p.m. First-timers welcome!
For more information, contact Andrea Morics.
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Next Chair Yoga, Monday, June 1
Jeanne Andrews is a gifted yoga instructor. We thank her for leading us toward health and wellness. For the next week, chair yoga will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Covenant Hall. Give it a try! It is gentle yet effective. So good for your mind and body. Donations appreciated.
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RUCC Book Group, Sunday, June 7
The RUCC Book Group is reading A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst, and will be discussing this at the next meeting on June 7, at noon in Founders Room. The presenter is Diana Sommer.
“This is nonfiction that reads like fiction – the best kind.”- USA Today
“A Marriage at Sea is a study of couplehood in extremis: Sophie Elmhirst’s enthralling account of Maurice and Maralyn Bailey’s adventures on the ocean shows what the common hazards of married life look like amid utter disaster"- NY Times
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Pilgrim Pines 2026 Summer Camp information
Please see the attached flyer for Pilgrim Pines 2026 summer camp information, including dates and fees.
Pilgrim Pines flyer
| | Spanish Immersion Summer Day Camp, July 6-10 and July 13-17 | |
Caring for Kin in May
This Sunday is our last day to collect supplies for Redlands Animal Shelter. Please see below for a list of their most needed items. They also have an Amazon wish list with specific items. In addition to using these supplies at the shelter, they offer them to community members in need once a month.
Canned and dry dog and cat food
Dog and cat treats
Toys
Cat litter
Potty training pads
Collars and leashes
Inflatable cone collars
Bleach
Dish soap
Towels and blankets (used but clean OK)
In the month of June, we'll be collecting food for Redlands Family Service. Look for a list of most needed items in next week's View!
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Racial justice message
The NAACP is calling on Black athletes and fans to boycott the athletic programs of public universities in states that are taking steps that the nation's oldest civil rights group says are restricting Black voting rights. The "Out of Bounds" campaign urges prospective Black athletes, their families, alumni and fans to "withhold athletic and financial support" from major public universities in states that "have moved to limit, weaken or erase Black voting representation."
Source:https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/naacp-calls-for-boycott-of-southern-college-sports-programs-over-voting-rights
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Environmental justice message
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Here are some great climate solutions taken at the regional, state, and city levels.
- The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Montana are creating their own climate plans that incorporate traditional ecological knowledge. Their plan focuses on reducing wildfire risk by installing air quality sensors across the reservation and teaching people to build their own air filters to help during wildfire season.
- A coalition of cities and towns in Utah is leading a push to transition to renewable energy because currently, three-quarters of Utah's electricity comes from coal and natural gas.
- Denver, Colorado, has an ambitious plan to heat and cool its buildings downtown with geothermal energy, some of which will come from the warmth put out by treated wastewater.
- Portland, Oregon, has had a billion-dollar climate fund since 2019, which residents created by passing a 1% sales tax on large corporations operating in the city limits. Since then, proceeds have built a community solar project, given out more than 20,000 free AC units to low-income families, and paid for energy retrofits of more than 3,000 homes.
These actions show that at the local level, you can continue to move on climate strategies regardless of the federal government's attempt to dismantle all climate action.
- Summarized from NPR's annual Climate Solutions Week.
| | In the second quarter of 2026, RUCC Wider Ministries sent a donation to Pilgrim Pines Camp in April for operational costs, maintenance, and improvements at the church camp. Pilgrim Pines Camp and conference center in Oak Glen was founded in 1943 and is a ministry of the United Church of Christ. Through a variety of programs for all ages, the Camp seeks to provide an inclusive, peaceful, and safe environment for personal and spiritual growth while nurturing community. The Camp is accepting of a diverse population of opinions, beliefs, ideas and backgrounds in a cooperative and inclusive setting. They encourage care and concern for all of God’s creation and encourage a sustainable world through modeling environmentally just practices. https://www.pilgrimpinescamp.org/ | | Bless & Be Blessed is a space for our church family to share new or gently-used items they no longer need. Whether you’re looking to pass something along or find something useful, this is a simple way to care for one another and practice good stewardship within our community. Contact the office or send the information to the View when you have an item to offer or an item you need. | |
This week at RUCC
Saturday, May 30
- 1:00 p.m. - Private Funeral
Sunday, May 31
- 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Kids' Zone
- 9:30 a.m. - Seekers Group (social time 9:15)
- 10:30 a.m.- Sunday School (kids start in Sanctuary)
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary (First Sunday after Pentecost)
- 12:00 p.m. - Quarterly meeting and Celebration of Jake
Monday, June 1
- 10:00 a.m. - Chair Yoga
- 7:00 p.m. - Bible Study
Tuesday, June 2
- 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Primary Election Polling (Covenant Hall)
- 11:00 a.m. - Munch and Muse Lunch Group
Wednesday, June 3
Thursday, June 4
- 7:00 p.m. - Immigrant Justice Team meeting
Friday, June 5
Saturday, June 6
- 9:00 a.m. - Sacred Saturday
Sunday, June 7
- 9:15 a.m. - Kids' Zone
- 9:30 a.m. - Seekers group (social time 9:15)
- 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School (kids start in Sanctuary)
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary (Second Sunday after Pentecost)
- 12:00 p.m. - Book Group
- 12:00 p.m. - Grounds committee meeting
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- June 8-12 - RUCC Vacation Bible School
- June 27 - Game Night
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