Special Message from Rev. Joe

I am grateful that Rev. Ben Bohren can jump in and preach for RUCC this weekend. I am away visiting my wife's family as we mourn the passing of her father yesterday. We expected a prolonged hospice period, so this is a bit of a shock to our family. We appreciate all the love and support we've received from the church.

Caring for Kin 

For the month of May, we will be collecting non-perishable (non-expired) food items for Redlands Family Services. RFS did not request any type of food in particular, but some ideas include cereal, oatmeal, canned goods, peanut butter, pasta, rice, and beans. 

Third Annual RUCC Blood Drive

RUCC's blood drive will be held Wednesday, May 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Covenant Hall.

Flyers with detailed information, including how to make appointments, are available at church this Sunday. If you have any questions, Kerry Dunn will do his best to help you. Thanks for supporting this life-giving effort!

Seekers Meeting, Sunday, May 11

Seekers are planning to finish Bitten by a Camel: Leaving Church, Finding God this Sunday, May 11. The following Sunday, the group will begin discussing God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam by  Mirabai Starr. We'll be reading the 2012 edition, so used copies can be purchased from Amazon, ThriftBooks and perhaps other online sources. If you’re interested, please join us Sunday mornings in Founders Room at 9:15 a.m. for social time, with discussion of the book starting at 9:30 a.m.

Intergenerational Letter Writing Project Welcoming Refugees

We have an exciting project for all ages taking place during Fellowship Time on May 11 and May 18: we will be creating welcome letters and posters for newly arriving refugee families in Southern California. They’ll be collected and given to an organization which will distribute them.

We’ll have paper, stickers, markers and crayons: here’s a sample of the guidelines we’ll be following:

“Writing a Welcome Letter: The most important thing is to be you! Be real! Imagine how you would feel leaving the country that you loved that is now in utter turmoil and starting over in a new and strange land. Write from your heart.”

All ages are welcome to join our table during Fellowship time on May 11 and May 18. Contact al_education@redlandsucc.org if you have any questions.

Bible Study May 12: 1st Thessalonians

Beginning May 12, the RUCC Bible Study will begin an exciting new reading adventure: we plan to read and discuss the books of the New Testament in the order in which they are believed to have been written.

Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians has been considered to be the earliest of all the New Testament writings. We will be supplementing our study with various scholarly resources throughout. Please join the discussion! Mondays at RUCC 7-8:30, in person or online. 

May 16 - Game and Conversation Night

Enjoy an Ice Cream Sundae at Game and Conversation Night on Friday, May 16 at 5:30 p.m. in Covenant Hall. We will be playing a variety of games, seeing old friends and making new ones, and enjoying an art table. We will be partnering with Caring for Kin by collecting new socks of all sizes for children and adults - both fun socks and more basic socks. This event is for all ages so turn off the TV and come have some fun.

Book Group Meets June 1

The RUCC Book group will meet on Sunday, June 1, after church at noon, in the Founders Room. The group will discuss The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. Susan Matthews and Karen Walsh will be the presenters.

Also, a portion of the time will be used to discuss other good books members have enjoyed, and make some selections for the Book Group schedule for the rest of the year.

About The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store:“ … As these characters’ stories overlap and deepen, it becomes clear how much the people who live on the margins of white, Christian America struggle and what they must do to survive. When the truth is finally revealed about what happened on Chicken Hill and the part the town’s white establishment played in it, McBride shows us that even in dark times, it is love and community—heaven and earth—that sustain us…” (Amazon review)

Youth Leadership Project on Schools in Palestine - Saturday, May 17

You're invited to an evening of information on the war in Israel/ Palestine and an opportunity to help the situation. Enjoy a light meal while receiving crucial information. This event will be hosted by Sophia Beardemphl as an effort to raise money for the YWCA of Palestine School. This is part of Sophia Beardemphl's Youth Leadership Symposium project through the United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ. All are invited - this program is for youth and adults.

Date: Saturday, May 17th Time: 4:30-6:30

Place: Redland United Church of Christ in Covenant Hall 

RSVP to Sophia Beardemphl at beardemphlsophia@gmail.com

Kids and Youth Bowling Party May 25

All kids, youth and their families are invited to come bowling at the Empire Bowl on the afternoon of Sunday, May 25, at 12:45 p.m.



Our bowling package includes lanes, shoes, pizza, salad and unlimited soda pitchers! To reserve your spot contact al_education@redlandsucc.org. Let us know how many adults and kids are in your party, and how many of those would like to bowl. (Being a member of the non-bowling cheering squad is fun too!)

Registration is now open for Pilgrim Pines Camp

Campership Funds are Available

The beloved UCC Summer Camp Pilgrim Pines, which is close by in the foothills in Yucaipa, is now accepting registrations for this summer’s programs. There are programs running weekly from June 29 through July 25. The age groups range from “Family Pod Camp” which covers all ages (campers and families attend together), to 1st Grade, to Graduating Seniors.

Click here to find all the information you need on the Pilgrim Pines website.

There are camp scholarship funds available from both Pilgrim Pines itself and from our own RUCC Campership Fund. When combined, your tuition will be greatly reduced! We also provide campership funds for grandkids of RUCC members.

Please contact our Youth Director Kathy McCool at kathy@redlandsucc.org for more information.

Environmental Justice Message

There has been a tragic rise in the number of migrants seeking to flee from the growing poverty caused by environmental degradation.… Sadly, there is widespread indifference to such suffering, which is even now taking place throughout our world. Our lack of response to these tragedies involving our brothers and sisters points to the loss of that sense of responsibility for our fellow men and women upon which all civil society is founded.

Encyclical letter: “Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home” Pope Francis, 5/24/15

Racial Justice Reflection of the Week

Benito Mussolini was a fierce anti-Semite, who proudly said that his hatred for Jews preceded Adolf Hitler's and vowed to "destroy them all." Mussolini also talked about the warm reception he received from Hitler at the 1938 Munich conference - he called the German leader a "softy" - and attacked Pope Pius XI for his criticism of Nazism and Fascism.

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mistress-diaries-detail-Mussolini-s-racism-3209824.php

Southern California Nevada Conference Annual Gathering

This year’s Annual Gathering will be May 30th-31st in Claremont/Pomona. Please mark your calendars!

Conference leaders have received feedback from multiple participants over the past few years regarding accessibility barriers at Chapman that prevented full joyful participation from everyone gathered. As an Accessible to All (A2A) Conference, we are blessed to be in new space this year that can accommodate all of our needs as well as our growing numbers.

The Annual Gathering is hosted by the Claremont United Church of Christ. We will begin on Friday, May 30, for registration, opening worship, opening plenary, and some workshop opportunities. In the afternoon, we will transition to a nearby hotel in Pomona for dinner, evening events, fellowship, and our entire Saturday program.

Upcoming Dates to Remember

• June 21-22 - RUCC's 50th Anniversary Celebration

The complete church calendar is online at https://www.redlandsucc.org/calendar