Pride Sunday, June 7
"Open and Affirming"
When persons have experienced persistent and violent discrimination and exclusion over a period of centuries, it is our calling and a faith requirement to offer an intentional welcome. This Sunday we celebrate being an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ - a place where we work each week to provide a wider welcome than other churches and other organizations. We take the caring and compassionate step toward those who have been hurt and marginalized by both society and faith communities. Come join us for worship at 10:30 a.m., in the Sanctuary or online as we celebrate our commitment to diversity and inclusion in our faith!
Rev. John H. Pomeroy
Scripture:1 Corinthians 13:1-8a
Last week's sermon: redlandsucc.org
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Sacred Saturday, June 6
Sacred Saturday is a time for you and your soul, and a time to gather in a contemplative, supportive community. We will be together from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. We begin our time together in community in Micah Room/Mosaic Hall, setting the tone with thoughts and reflections. Then we’ll gently move into a spacious time of individual silence, contemplation, and rest—an opportunity to step away from the noise of daily life and be in God’s presence.
During this time, you are invited to read, journal, walk, or simply sit quietly, allowing your heart and spirit to breathe. We’ll then gather again as a community to share in a brief closing, bringing us back together before we return to our day.
If you’ve been longing for a pause, a breath of fresh air for your soul, or a moment to reset, this is for you. Sacred Saturday is a gift of rest and renewal, and all are welcome.
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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 Mary Lou Haney, who has returned to the hospital.
- Prayers for peace in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, and the Sudan.
- Prayers for safe travel for those who are away.
- Prayers for all who struggle with mental health, especially depression and anxiety.
- Prayers for Rosemary Tuohy's friend, Terri Taylor, who had a stroke.
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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Note from Susi Jacobsen
Dear RUCC family,
I am writing this in gratitude for all the prayers, care, and love you have surrounded me with. (And for all you English nerds- you know who you are) all the love with which you have surrounded me, this is and always has been a very special place for me. RUCC keep doing you.
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Pastor 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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Update from the Settled Pastor Search Committee
Here is an 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.
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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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No Bible Study, Monday, June 8
No bible study on Monday, June 8. We will resume on June 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth room.
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Next Chair Yoga, Monday, June 8
Jeanne Andrews is a gifted yoga instructor. We thank her for leading us toward health and wellness. We will meet in Mosaic Hall on Monday, June 8, because vacation bible school will be held in Covenant Hall. Donations appreciated.
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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
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Caring for Kin in June
In the month of June, we will be collecting unopened, non-perishable food items for Family Service Association of Redlands. The five most needed items that FSA puts in every prepared box that they distribute are:
1) Cooking oil
2) Sugar (4 lb. bags)
3) Canisters/bags of oats and/or oatmeal packets
4) Peanut butter
5) Spaghetti sauce
Other items are welcome too! Ideas include canned soup, beans, vegetables, and meats; boxed pasta and macaroni and cheese; cereal; pancake mix; and crackers, chips, and other snacks.
Thank you!
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Racial justice message
A ProPublica investigation reports that U.S. lawmakers are demanding reforms to immigration officers’ use of tear gas and pepper spray, after findings showed that scores of children were harmed by these chemical agents during the federal immigration crackdown. Lawmakers say the evidence demonstrates an urgent need for stronger limits and oversight on force used against migrants.
Source:https://www.propublica.org/article/lawmakers-demand-reforms-tear-gas-children
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Environmental justice message
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Summer is often a time when we travel; and flying remains one of the most carbon-intensive parts of modern life, especially on short trips where takeoff and landing consume the most fuel.
If you are flying this summer, small choices can help reduce your impact. (But make sure you share what you know with others, to scale larger change!)
Packing lighter doesn’t have a big impact on helping to cut emissions, but choosing nonstop flights and flying economy definitely helps. Travelling by car with others or taking the train if that’s an option can reduce emissions even further.
Sometimes, though, the most meaningful shift is simply slowing down. Staying longer in one place, exploring destinations closer to home, or choosing fewer trips with deeper experiences can reduce emissions while making travel feel less rushed and more memorable.
Whatever you choose: think about it, give it a try, and let others know what you did!
| | 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, June 6
- 9:00 a.m. - Sacred Saturday
Sunday, June 7
- 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 (Pride Sunday)
- 12:00 p.m. - Book Group
- 12:00 p.m. - Grounds Committee
Monday, June 8
- 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Vacation Bible School
- 10:00 a.m. - Chair Yoga (Mosaic Hall)
Tuesday, June 9
- 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Vacation Bible School
- 11:00 a.m. - Munch and Muse Lunch Group
- 12:30 p.m. - Worship Area Committee Meeting
Wednesday, June 10
- 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. -Vacation Bible School
- 1:00 p.m. - Mah Jongg
Thursday, June 11
- 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Vacation Bible School
Friday, June 12
- 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Vacation Bible School
- 7:00 p.m. - Education end of the year pool party
Saturday, June 13
Sunday, June 14
- 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 (Third Sunday after Pentecost)
- 12:00 p.m. - Environmental Justice meeting
- 12:00 p.m. - Shepherd leader meeting
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- June 27 - Game Night
- July 6-16 - Office will be closed
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