Sunday, July 20 ~ 6th Sunday after Pentecost ~"God or Caesar?"
Just last week, the IRS changed its long-held prohibition against pastors endorsing candidates from the pulpit without jeopardizing the tax exempt status of the church—a significant shift from a rule established in 1954. Don't worry, I'm not going to endorse a candidate for office Sunday morning—neither locally nor nationally.
RUCC is rooted in the tradition of the social gospel, and deeply believes we should be addressing matters of social justice. Sometimes, like during Proposition 8, it means engaging directly in electoral politics. But we must also remember that it was the progressive Christians of the past who supported separation of church and state, not only as a matter of justice and fairness, but for their very survival. This rule is dangerous to society and to religious minorities, including and perhaps especially Open and Affirming churches with queer and trans members. My sermon this Sunday will be on what it means to render unto Caesar the things of Caesar, and how we are ultimately called to obey God, not human authority.
First reading: Mark 12:13-17
Second reading: Acts 5:27-42
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Pastoral coverage for August
With Joe departing and Jake not starting until September, we will have a gap in pastoral coverage for the next month or so. If you have a need for pastoral care, please first contact your Shepherd Group Leaders, listed below. If you aren't sure which group is yours, you can log into Realm, or you can ask Shepherd Area Leader Maegan Hill or Veronica in the church office.
Hopefully your shepherd group can provide the support you need. But if more help is needed, the Revs. Erin Beardemphl and John Walsh have volunteered to offer that support for the first and second half of August, respectively. Your shepherd group leader will help facilitate in any case.
- Group 1 - Barbie and Loring Fiske-Phillips
- Group 2 - Scott Mong or Joette Orman
- Group 3 - Cid Breyer or Maryn Mineo-Wells
- Group 4 - Maegan Hill or Jayne Miller
- Group 5 - Heather Abushanab or Judith Turian
- Group 6 - Kevin and Dawne Simmons
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Susi Jacobsen is Retiring
After 13 years of faithful service as RUCC's Christian Education Director, Susi Jacobsen is retiring. On August 10, we will have a special recognition of Susi in worship and fellowship time. Future updates on the search for a new CE director will be provided periodically by the board.
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Search in process
Please share our settled pastor listing with anyone you feel would be a qualified candidate for our next minister. The Search Committee members are Sophia Beardemphl, Lisa Dewey, Pam Dunn, Kathy Economen, John Hoeger, Nick Mineo-Wells, Keith Osajima, Julie Phillip and Jules Rattray.
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In our thoughts and prayers
- Prayers for Susi Jacobsen’s ex-husband, James Huffstutler, who passed from life to Life on July 16, 2025. Prayers for Susi and her family.
- Ongoing prayers for Carol Chaney who fell and hurt her knee. In addition to the pain, she’s been unable to drive.
- Prayers for our church community and the Zarro family during this time of transition. Rev. Joe’s last service will be July 27, when there will be an official liturgy of release.
- Ongoing prayers for Mary Lou Haney, and her daughter and caregiver Jennie, and Jennie’s fiancé Patrick. Mary Lou is recovering from a surgical procedure earlier this week.
- Prayers for summer camp at Pilgrim Pines, which is currently in week 3 of 4. Prayers for campers, including Eli Baker, and Nathan and Ellie Zarro.
- Prayers for congregations whose members have special concerns about ICE raids, even at their church services. Prayers for their safety, and prayers for our ability to be allies in support and solidarity.
- Every week we pray for the victims of violence and oppression around the world. This week we pray for the people in the United States being detained by ICE without a hearing, without access to advocates or attorneys, without proper oversight of the conditions of facilities, and sometimes even sent to countries where they are not citizens and there are known human rights abuses. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
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
- Floyd Orr
- 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
There are two weeks left in the month of July, and we are collecting school supplies for Women of Faith, a local organization that supports refugees in the Inland Empire. Items of special need include college-ruled notebooks and paper, colored pencils, markers, scissors, and backpacks for all ages. A few items that are NOT as needed are glue sticks, pens, and pencils.
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Come to seek and save the lost
Our Lost and Found box is overflowing like the leftover baskets of loaves and fishes. Somewhere between Pentecost and potluck, your jackets, coffee mugs, and that one mysterious single sock have made a home for themselves in Covenant Hall!
We’re not saying your reusable water bottle has been consecrated, but it has been through six committee meetings and a funeral. So please—stop by, dig through the box of sacred relics, and reclaim your belongings. After August 1, they’ll be donated to a good cause or added to the rummage sale where you can repurchase your own item!
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Hospitality schedule open through August
Fellowship is looking for friendly folks to help out with one of the most amazing hours of our church time together..After the Service Fellowship Time!
- We need people to help with set-up at 9:30 to make sure the tables and chairs are ready, make coffee and lemonade, and put out napkins and cutlery.
- We also need at least 5 people to bring delicious goodies to share.
- Last, but not least, we need folks to help clean up after all our talking and connecting has finished.
If you are excited to help out in this way, make delicious cookies and snacks, or are willing to put in some elbow grease before or after, please follow this link or email Kim@redlandsucc.org.
The schedule is now open through August; please sign up or contact Kim Lara-Kane or Loring Fiske-Phillips who will add you to the schedule.
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Young and Middle Adult group, Trivia Night, July 18
Tonight!
Join in the fun tonight, Friday, July 18, at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands! "Through the Decades" trivia night runs 5-9 p.m. with trivia beginning at 6:30 p.m. Museum admission fee is $5 (a 50% discount!).
Feel free to dress for your favorite decade! The quiz will focus on the 1960's-2000's. Click this link to sign up, or let Jules Rattray or Diana Steele-Jones know you will be there, so we know to look out for you! Hope to see you there!
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Have you had your Dinner for Eightish?
We're now into the second round of Dinners for Eightish but some folks didn't get together for round one. It's not too late! If you were listed as host and life got in the way, please reach out to your group now and find a date to get together. Also, if your host hasn't contacted you, feel free to give them a nudge (or even offer to help). RUCC folk consistently report that these small gatherings of friends, old and new, are a great way to connect with our church family. Questions? Contact Kim Lara-Kane or Loring Fiske-Phillips or email d48ish@redlandsucc.org.
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RUCC Book Group selections
These are the book selections for the RUCC Book Group for the remaining months of 2025:
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Singing in the Pines
Do you love singing? Solos? Choirs? Small ensembles? Do you love being in the great outdoors and singing out for all you're worth? Register for the Unitarian Universalists' Singing in the Pines, August 7-11, to join Malcolm Hawkes, a collegiate vocal instructor, pedagogue, and choral director.
Lots more information and registration is available at this link. (This event is connected to "Hope Renewed" below.)
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Racial Justice Message
Racial Justice reflection of the week:
The Council for Racial and Ethnic Ministries (COREM) is a ministry of racial and ethnic groups of the United Church of Christ – United Black Christians, Ministers for Racial Social Economic Justice, Pacific Islander Asian-American Ministries, Colectivo de UCC Latinx Ministries, Council for American Indian Ministry and United Samoan Ministries. COREM advocates for the racial and ethnic concerns within the United Church of Christ.
More info: https://www.ucc.org/about-us_council-for-racial-and-ethnic/
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Environmental Justice Message
Three definite habitats form the 200 acres of San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary (STNS), in San Timoteo Canyon between Alessandro Road on the east and San Timoteo Canyon Road on the west: riparian, grassland, and hillside chaparral. Most of the 160 acres in San Tim are covered by non-native invasive grasses which have forced out the native vegetation which the wildlife depended on. The [Redlands] Conservancy has been charged with removing non-native plants and re-vegetating with native plants. Volunteer Land Manager Martin Lemon has worked since 2018 to do just that, with significant success … most notably at the Alessandro Road entrance, along the trails, and surrounding Bobcat Bowl. As you enter San Tim from the Alessandro Road entrance, watch for the signs that announce this very important re-vegetation project.
Source: Redlands Conservancy, San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary
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John Walsh is keynote speaker at "Hope Renewed" camp
Member Pat Gordon is on the board of directors for the Unitarian Universalists' Camp de Benneville Pines, located in Barton Flats, on Jenks Lake West. She invites the RUCC community to the 2025 Summer Break Camp for Adults & Singing in the Pines featuring member Rev. John Walsh as keynote speaker.
John will address the impacts of climate change on our planet and our government’s reluctance to respond. John asks, “What can we do to find a path to environmental awareness? How can we live mindfully green?” The voices of John Muir, Rachel Carson, Annie Dillard, and other mindful writers ask us to respond to their environmental warnings.
Much more information and registration at:
https://www.uucamp.org/camps-retreats/adult-camps/2025-summer-break-camp-for-adults-singing-in-the-pines/
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Both immigrant justice resolutions pass
RUCC's Justice Moment on Sunday focused on these two resolutions under consideration at the 35th General Synod in Kansas City, Missouri. Here are the results:
Delegates voted to approve (627 in favor, 8 against, and 1 abstaining) the resolution calling to reaffirm UCC’s commitment to immigrant, migrant, and refugee rights. The resolution comes amid rising anti-immigrant policies, including expanded detentions and the rollback of protections. Read more.
Approval was also overwhelming (626-10-3) for a resolution opposing the administration's immigration policies, supporting immigrants and refugees, and calling for antiracism work. It also encourages “all churches and members to increase their financial support so that the much-needed work of this resolution can be adequately funded.” Read more.
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This week
Saturday, July 19
Sunday, July 20
- 9:15 a.m. - Kid's Zone
- 9:30 a.m. - Seekers (social time at 9:15 a.m.)
- 10:30 a.m. - Summertime Sunday School
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary
- 12 noon - Environmental Justice meeting, Garden Room
Monday, July 21
- 2:00 p.m. - Church Growth meeting
Tuesday, July 22
- 11:00 a.m. - Munch & Muse, Covenant Hall
Wednesday, July 23
- 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Mah Jongg, Mosaic Hall
Thursday, July 24
Friday, July 25
- 7:00 p.m. - Women's closed AA meeting
Saturday, July 26
Sunday, July 27
- 9:15 a.m. - Kid's Zone
- 9:30 a.m. - Seekers (social time at 9:15 a.m.)
- 10:30 a.m. - Summertime Sunday School
- 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary (Joe's last day)
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Upcoming Dates to Remember
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August 3 - Quarterly Gathering
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August 10 - Retirement celebration for Susi Jacobsen
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September 2 - Rev. Jake Pomeroy begins as Transitional Pastor
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