June 15 ~ Juneteenth ~ "Eating the Menu"
This weekend is Father's Day weekend, but also Juneteenth weekend, and we will be acknowledging both in worship. We will be singing what is often referred to as "The Black National Anthem," a Christian hymn: Lift Every Voice and Sing. Peter Tupou and his daughter Sage will be providing music, and our summer camp kids will be sharing a song they learned this week in camp! We hope you will join us in worship.
My sermon will be on how Jesus speaks to God as a father, but how his father is not like many fathers of the era, but instead compassionate, forgiving, nurturing and kind. I will also be preaching on a phenomenon called "eating the menu." It's when we take our symbols, metaphors and stories too literally and mistake them for the substance instead of something that points to the substance. Just like words on a menu describe and point to something that exists in an entirely different way—a meal in the kitchen—metaphors are ways to understand God but should not be mistaken for the literal truth. God is not a man in the clouds, just because we say "Our Father who is in heaven."
Second (Focus) Reading: Matthew 6:9
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Transition Update from Rev. Joe
Church family,
Thank you so much for the grace, understanding, and love that has been shown to me and my family after announcing our departure from Redlands UCC. Your notes, offers of support and, above all, your prayers are very appreciated. The week has given me a chance to have some conversations with my Pastoral Relations Committee and others that have been very helpful, and will help us set some priorities and goals for the next several weeks before I leave.
My last Sunday will be July 27, which gives us seven more weeks together. It will go fast but is also enough time for serious planning to take place. I know Dan Abushanab, Diana Steele-Jones, and other lay leaders are hard at work preparing the way for a transitional minister and the church profile needed to find a settled minister. I also know that the calling to be on the pastoral search committee is being put in people’s hearts right now, ahead of the June 29 congregational meeting. [see below]
I will keep you updated on the transition, and continue to do what I can to ensure a smooth transition, and to serve faithfully for the remainder of my time with you.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Joe
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What's next on the RUCC journey?
As the Zarro family prepares to return to Massachusetts after their last service with RUCC on July 27, the board is also preparing for a smooth transition after Rev. Joe departs. As I explained on Sunday, there are three main activities underway:
1. Nominate/elect the Settled Pastor Search Committee
At our board meeting next week, the board will assemble a slate for formal acceptance by the congregation at our upcoming congregational meeting on June 29. If you are interested in serving on this 9-member committee, please nominate yourself by speaking to any board member, and you will be on the list for consideration. Also, if you would like to nominate someone else, please talk to them first, and then give their name to any board member. This committee will be assembled by the board who will keep in mind that those chosen need to represent all the rich diversity of our church. We have healthy interest, which is wonderful! Deadline for nominations is Tuesday, June 17, at noon.
2. Update the RUCC Profile
Diana Steele-Jones is leading our effort to update the profile. The profile we prepared in 2023 is still highly relevant. We're updating some of the statistics and including some of the happenings since then, like the 50th anniversary activities and the infusion of new folks coming from the UCC in San Bernardino. We'll publish the profile for review and comment by the congregation next week, then get it to the Conference, who will use it as a key part of the job posting for a settled pastor.
3. Hire a transitional minister
Barbie Fiske-Phillips, Patty Little, and Stacy Kaiser have written a job description for a transitional minister, Conference Minister Rachael Pryor has blessed it and the committee has started getting candidate profiles to consider. We aim to have someone in place before Joe leaves, or at least to make the gap between then and the next person as short as possible. If you would like to be a guest preacher this summer during a potential gap, please speak with Barbie.
I've received nothing but positive feedback and support from the congregation about handling this unanticipated transition. "Many hands make light work" and we do indeed have many people ready to step in and help lead us through this transition process.
With hope for the future,
Dan Abushanab
Board President
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Concerns:
- Prayers for Judith Turian and the family and friends of her dear friend Judith Barthel, who passed last week and whose memorial will be this week.
- Prayers for our church community and the Zarro family during this time of transition. Prayers for a loving, grace-filled departure, and for the Holy Spirit to continue to accompany us on the journey.
- Prayers for the Sforza family as Rick's father Frank has entered hospice.
- Ongoing prayers for Mary Lou Haney, and her daughter and caregiver Jennie, and Jennie’s fiancé Patrick. We celebrate her return to worship and her ability to travel with a specialized van.
- Prayers for Floyd Orr who has transitioned to hospice care. Prayers for good care, peace and wholeness.
- Prayers of Thanksgiving for the strong presence of RUCC at the Interfaith Prayer Vigil supporting LGBTQ+ students ahead of the Redlands School Board meeting on Tuesday, June 10.
- Prayers of gratitude for the children, volunteers and staff who participated in our “Parable of the Sower” week-long camp. A special thank you to Stacey Kaiser, Ken Hurley, Andrea Morics and Jules Rattray for their significant volunteer time this week!
- We pray for the victims of violence and oppression around the world. Right now, we pray for our very own City of Los Angeles, and the ways it has been targeted by ICE and the federal government. This has led to a dangerous situation of unrest and protest. Help us cherish and protect the freedom of speech and assembly, and awaken the conscience of our nation. Protect everyone: protestors, police, and military, for God does not seek destruction but transformation.
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Ongoing Concerns:
- Those affected by wildfires, including the UCC in Altadena
- Dick Ault
- Jerry Andrews
- Ron Bickford
- Tim and Ida Blakely
- Bill Buchanan
- Judith Gregory
- Beki Hill
- Harriet Holt, Beki Hill's mother
- Paisley Parcell
- Amber McGuigan
- Cynthia McGuigan
- Dondon and Scott Mong
- Carl Parish
- Dee Dee Seek’s great grandson Jaxson
- Robert Silver
- Tom Miller
- Janet Wilson’s great niece Amelia
- Michael White
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Caring for Kin
For the month of June, we are collecting supplies for the Redlands Animal Shelter. The shelter is frequently in need of items such as bleach, dish soap, canned and dry food, and toys for dogs and cats.
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Helping with Fellowship Time is fun!
Fellowship Time after church is where the sacred snacks and holy hospitality happen. It’s that magical part of Sunday where we sip coffee and punch, nibble on treats, and chat with friends—whether we’ve known them for years or just met them at the table.
But here’s the secret: the snacks don’t appear by divine intervention (though they are heavenly). We need a few friendly folks each week to help make the magic happen—bringing goodies, setting up, and yes, helping with cleanup—because even holy hospitality comes with a few crumbs.
Want to be part of this behind-the-scenes miracle? Click here to sign up! Your church family (and their taste buds) will thank you!
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Are you seeking?
Do you find thoughtful conversation intellectually stimulating? Come be a part of the dialogue at Seekers! We meet on a weekly basis to explore theological perspectives selected from a diverse range of scholars. We welcome your participation wherever you are on your journey. All points of view are respected. We meet on Sundays, 9:15 a.m., in Founders Room. Childcare is available.
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RUCC VBS-Style Camp’s Wildly Successful Debut!
This week, June 9-13, our church and grounds provided a blank canvas for our kids and youth to learn and grow.
Our curriculum was nature-oriented, and focused on Jesus' parable of the sower. Our days were filled with games, crafts, and lots of time spent exploring the beautiful grounds of our RUCC campus!
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Redlands UCC and “No Kings” Protests
If you are looking for the comfort and solidarity of fellow church members at either the Redlands or the Riverside “No Kings” rallies, RUCC will be there. Rev. Joe, Rev. John Walsh and many others from the church plan to be at the Redlands “No Kings” Rally from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 on the corner of Redlands Blvd. and Orange St. Later in the day, at 4:00 p.m., there is the opportunity to meet at the RUCC parking lot to carpool to Riverside for their 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. rally in downtown Riverside on Market St. between Mission Inn and University Ave. Many of us are concerned about mass deportation, executive overreach, and the freedoms of our neighbors that are being violated. If you are unable to come, please pray for our safety. We expect both Redlands and Riverside protests to be peaceful and meaningful.
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Racial Justice Message
Four years ago, in the wake of the massive protests following the killing of George Floyd, and in a Senate riven by partisanship, the bill to make Juneteenth a national holiday passed unanimously. Now, the mood of the country has shifted. This has spurred an erasure of Black history and Black symbols in some quarters, having a dampening effect on the upcoming observation of Juneteenth, as multiple cities have cancelled celebrations altogether. In this sad new reality, America's youngest national holiday is now caught in the crossfire of America's raging culture wars.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/from-celebrating-juneteenth-to-the-erasure-of-black-history-charles-m-blow-on-america-today/
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Environmental Justice Message
"There's a lot of evidence that shows that the stronger a community's social cohesion is, the better chances they have of resilience from climate hazards," said Rishi Sugla, a climate resilience scientist at the University of Washington. "Close-knit communities tend to share resources like transportation, information and caregiving during climate-fueled hazards. And all of these things can help buffer the impact."
Source: Why knowing your neighbors can be an important climate solution by Chloe Veltman and Ryan Kellman, National Public Radio, 6/10/2025
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Thank you to Patty Little, John Walsh, and Erin Beardemphl for their recent recap of our UCC Conference Annual Gathering. Materials can still be reviewed on the Annual Gathering website. Nominees, committees, bylaws, and budgets were approved with no changes.
This year was a time of marking transitions. We welcomed two new Associate Conference Ministers: Rev. Dr. Phiwa Langeni, who began June 1; and Rev. Chad Tanaka Pack, who begins by September. A heartfelt thank you and good-bye to Rev. Ellis Arnold and gratitude for Rev. Jude Johnson’s service as Board chair.
The inspiring keynote address from Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson challenged and encouraged us to live more boldly into God’s call for justice, unity, and hope. You can download her message here or watch the video here.
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RUCC History Project book on sale soon!
The RUCC History Project book is being printed! Copies will be for sale soon for a suggested amount of $20, which can be paid in cash or check (made out to RUCC) .
The book is already available on our website at https://redlandsucc.org/history/ if you want to start paging through it now.
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All are welcome to the celebration!
We want to make sure that all our friends, family, and former members know about our upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration on the weekend of June 21-22 (see poster below). Some invitations have already been sent, but we want to make sure we don't miss anyone.
Help us get the word out! Contact Kathie Blakley to provide additional email addresses for invitations.
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Many hands make light work
RUCC's Hospitality Area is looking for volunteers to help with both the Saturday after-concert reception and the Sunday after-church picnic at our 50th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday/Sunday, June 21/22. Contact Kim Lara-Kane if you have questions, or sign up here.
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This week
Sunday, June 15
- 9:15 a.m. - Kid's Zone
- 9:30 a.m. - Seekers (social time at 9:15 a.m.)
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship
- 10:30 a.m. - Summertime Sunday School
Monday, June 16
- 11:30 a.m. - 50th Anniversary Planning Committee
- 7:00 p.m. - Bible Study (email for info), in person or online
Tuesday, June 17
Wednesday, June 18
- 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Mah Jongg, Mosaic Hall
Thursday, June 19
- 7:00 p.m. - Choir practice
Friday, June 20
- 9 a.m. - 50th anniversary set up
- 7:00 p.m. - Women's closed AA meeting
Saturday, June 21
- 3:00 p.m. - Celebrate Life 50th anniversary concert and reception
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- June 21-22 - 50th anniversary celebration (details above)
- June 29 after worship in the sanctuary - Congregational Meeting to elect Search Committee
- July 13 - Weekly Summer Series begins
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