Friday, July 3, 2026

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Worship at RUCC

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, July 5

"Where to From Here? Hearing the Call"

We have been so blessed these past few years to have heard the Gospel According to Jake on so many Sunday mornings. His humor and his wisdom have touched us all. Not exactly post-resurrection material but we are in a place of wonderment and no small amount of confusion on this first Sunday of the post-Jake story. Where to from here? James Cone, writes in his Black Liberation Theology, that ‘…everybody is put on earth for a special vocation.’ RUCC, of all places, should understand that this community of believers stands in the light of Cone’s concept of vocation. Professor Cone emphasized that human beings are deeply relational and socially situated creatures. Our purpose and location are not just geographical, but theological and ethical. What we believe is the liberation of humanity. Whatever it is that we believe comes next must inform us in a way that will never allow us to be neutral in the fight against oppression, against cruelty, against a spirit of meanness. Because we share a common humanity, we have a shared responsibility for every injustice here and now, calling us to show up, as Cone says, ‘…where the most vulnerable are.’ My friend and neighbor in Vermont, Frederick Buechner (in Wishful Thinking), says ‘…vocation is the place God calls you. It is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.’ I am reminded that Parker Palmer has some thoughts about vocation and calling in his book, Let Your Life Speak. Palmer writes that ‘…vocation is that which you can’t not do.’ What is calling you on this Sixth Sunday After Pentecost? John Walsh

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 NRSVUE

Last week's sermon: redlandsucc.org

Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who was a part of the worship service and picnic last Sunday - what a loving and caring goodbye for a Transition Pastor! The music, kind words, cards, and hugs were all so appreciated - Marlene and I send our prayers for a healthy and happy relationship with another transition pastor and Settled Pastor in the near future for RUCC. I am grateful for my time at RUCC and the opportunity to work together as a faith community! Rev. John H Pomeroy (Jake)

Sacred Saturday, July 4

Yes, even on July 4th, we will gather for Sacred Saturday. The threshold between what was, and what is not yet, is where we find ourselves again and again. In this time of pastoral transition, and perhaps your own personal transitions, you are encouraged to come and give your soul the gift of intentional quiet time, contemplative community and a morning on our beautiful church campus. We meet in Micah Room of Mosaic Hall at 9:00 a.m. and have time for community and individual prayer and meditation. We close our time together at 12:00 noon. 

Caring for Each Other

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 peace in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, and the Sudan.
• Prayers for safe travel for those who are away.
• Prayers for Kim; her uncle John passed from life to Life.
• Prayers for Judith Turian -daughter’s husband to receive his passport on time.
• Prayers for Debra Van Engelen and Mark Janz for health concerns.
• Prayers for Craig Wesson's hospital discharge.

Ongoing concerns:

• Tom Miller
• Bill Buchanan
• Ruth Jordan
• Jon Herbert
• Carol Buchanan
• Mary Lou Haney

Please send prayer requests to the office at office@redlandsucc.org

Transitions

Summer at RUCC

(from Barbie Fiske-Phillips, Worship Area Leader)

When Jake announced he would be leaving RUCC, one of my first thoughts was a weary, "Oh no, here we go again!" We've had such a long haul of it for quite a few years. Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to saying goodbye to Jake, and I wasn't looking forward to all the unknowns coming up. And there are parts of this transition time I'm still not looking forward to. But here's what I know. We have weathered changes like this before, and in many cases have come out the other side even more committed to being church, more dedicated to welcoming one another and new folks, still wanting to be together—knowing that we are "grateful" and "all in" for the journey ahead. So, whether you are road-weary or eager for the next adventure, here we go! We can do this! The Spirit of Love will guide us along the way.

To help Spirit along, we have some generous and inspirational preachers coming our way in July and August! There are preachers from within the congregation (John, Ben, Erin, and Kraig) and guests from other parts of our journey. We have a variety of voices and sermons from varied perspectives. I'm excited to hear from each of these preachers! May we gather together to hear what Spirit might be saying to us through them.

We have also been gifted pastoral care for July and the beginning of August by Rev. John Walsh. John will cover July 2 - August 1. You are also encouraged to reach out to your Shepherd Leader should a need arise in your life. If you don't know who your Shepherd Leader is, contact Judith Turian who can help you get in touch. It is so good to be in this community of support and care for one another.

So, here we go! We got this, and I'm sure we will come through it, made even better!

Groups & Gatherings

RUCC Book Group, Sunday, July 5

The next meeting of the RUCC Book Group will be on Sunday, July 5, after church at noon in Founders Room. Judith Ashton will be leading the discussion on the book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith.

 “By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans’ daily experiences in this classic novel are tenderly threaded with family connectedness and raw with honesty. Betty Smith has, in the pages of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life-from "junk day" on Saturdays, when the children of Francie’s neighborhood traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry…This enduring portrait of a bygone Brooklyn is a story of survival, resilience, and the quiet moments that define a life.” (Amazon review).

Bible Study, Monday, July 6

Please join us in Garden Room as we discuss a selection of readings in Ezekiel which feature the ancient city of Jerusalem, metaphorically described as a woman. 

Specifically, we will look at Ezekiel 16 and 23.

We'll also be using the book Fierce by Alice Connor as a supplementary text.

Please join us in the Youth Room Monday 7/6 at 7PM. First-timers welcome!

For more information, contact Andrea Morics.

Next Chair Yoga, Monday, July 6

Chair Yoga may sound like it is easy-peasy, but it is quite a wonderful yet gentle workout. For the last eight months, 15 to 20 friends and neighbors of RUCC have gathered on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. in Covenant Hall to stretch, strengthen, and breathe. Our fearless leader, Jeanne Andrews, a gifted certified yoga instructor, challenges us to work a little harder in modified yoga poses. Afterwards, you feel the best kind of tired. It is for people of all abilities. We would love to have you give it a try. Donations appreciated.

It's Garden Season at RUCC

Have a friend or neighbor who would like a space to grow veggies and flowers? The RUCC community garden has space to offer. We have a list of items that are required to keep the plots maintained and healthy for all to enjoy.

• Weed eating with a hula hoe between garden plots so weeds don't invade.
• Collect pine needles from the surrounding garden area and add them to the needle mulch pile.
• Water gardens, pull weeds as needed.
• Fill water bowls around the garden for critters.
• Refill bird feeder as needed.
• Water starter plants near the shed.

Contact Gretchen if you or someone you know is interested. Thank you!!

Christmas Craft Faire, November 14 & 15

Looking Forward to the Christmas Craft Faire!

The Christmas Craft Faire will be 11/14 from 10 to 2 and 11/15 from 12 to 2. The Faire is designed to showcase the creative talents of RUCC folks. We can host about 25 craft vendors in Covenant Hall and Founders Room and most are from our church. If you would like to be part of the Faire as a vendor, please let Ginny Cruz know asap as we have limited spaces left. Each vendor has a six-foot table that is provided by the church. It is fun and friendly – a no stress zone. There is a $10 cost to particpate and that money goes toward advertising the event.

Each year we have “stores” within the Christmas Craft Faire. All the proceeds from these stores go to support church activities. In the past we have given thousands of dollars each year to the Pastor’s Fund to help individuals and families in need. So, if you have gently used items for the Puzzle Store or the Christmas Store, please put them aside and we will collect them in the fall. (left over items reappear at the Rummage Sale). Bakers get ready to contribute to the Bake Store. Last year we had more than 75 people from RUCC participate in the Faire including vendors, Faire volunteers, contributors, set up and cleanup crew, etc.

One of the goals of the Faire is outreach to welcome the community. Last year in spite of the pouring rain, the event was well attended, generating interest in and support for our church.

Children and Youth

RUCC Youth Summer Activities, Tuesday, July 7

Contact Kara Tolan if you are interested or have questions. The children and youth will need sunscreen, a water bottle, and clothes to get wet in. We will have popsicles and a light snack. It will be in the lower grass at RUCC.

Helping Hands

Caring for Kin in July

In the month of July, we will be collecting school supplies for Women of Faith, an interfaith service organization dedicated to helping migrant and refugee families in Redlands and the surrounding areas. We have been collecting school supplies for Women of Faith every summer for the past few years, and they are very appreciative of our support.

The organization especially needs the following items for the upcoming school year:

Backpacks (especially large ones for high school and college students in addition to smaller ones for younger children)

Wide-ruled notebooks

Loose-leaf college-ruled notepaper

Pencils and pencil sharpeners

Pencil pouches

Glue sticks

Scissors (medium-sized)

Black Sharpies

Crayola crayons - 64 count box (Crayola brand specifically requested due to superior quality)

Crayola markers (Crayola brand specifically requested due to superior quality)

Thank you,

Diana Steele-Jones

Environmental justice message

The Wider Church

In the second quarter of 2026, RUCC Wider Ministries donated to the Family Service Association of Redlands (FSA). FSA has been dedicated to helping those in need in the community since its founding in 1898. Family Service of Redlands provides a safety net designed to assist with basic needs, such as housing and clothing for the homeless, at-risk homeless, and low-income residents of the East Valley. One of the major goals of the agency is to assist in the process of securing longer-term stable housing for families that meet certain income qualifications while guiding them into the often difficult process of self-sufficiency. https://www.redlandsfamilyservice.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.

Around Town

• Redlands Events July 2026

Calendar

This week at RUCC

Saturday, July 4

• 9:00 a.m. - Sacred Saturday

Sunday, July 5

• 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 (Sixth Sunday after Pentecost)
• 12:00 p.m. - Book Group

Monday, July 6

• 10:00 a.m. - Chair Yoga
• 7:00 p.m. - Bible Study

Tuesday, July 7

• 11:00 a.m. - Munch and Muse
• 11:30 a.m. - Artist Journey Group
• 2:00 p.m. - Education Kids & Youth summer activities

Wednesday, July 8

• 1:00 p.m. - Mah Jongg

Thursday, July 9

Friday, July 10

Saturday, July 11

• 8:00 a.m.-noon - Grounds work day
• 5:00 p.m. - Private Funeral

Sunday, July 12

• 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 (Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)
• 12:00 p.m. - Environmental Meeting
• 12:00 p.m. - Shepherd Leader meeting

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