A message from our pastor and teacher

Sunday, August 18 ~ Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost ~ "Two Is Better Than One"

Our SummerSong worship series of special and unique music continues! After the joy of "New Vintage" shining a light last Sunday, we are now welcoming the Peppermint Ridge Rejoicers in worship this Sunday. Peppermint Ridge is a UCC-affiliated nonprofit that provides services for the intellectually and developmentally disabled, including housing. One of the activities at the Ridge is a choir! And they will be singing "Amazing Grace," "Lean on Me," and "Puff the Magic Dragon" (they just love singing that one).

During the Offertory they will sing "Lean on Me" about the power of friendship and supporting one another in hard times. I will preach on this topic, rooted in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 which tells us that "two is better than one" because you can help each other and withstand adversity together. So, join us this Sunday as we celebrate the power of friendship!

Sunday's Scripture

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

Caring for Kin - Help Angels' Closet

During August, we will be collecting for Angels' Closet, an organization that collects clothes and hygiene and grooming items for middle school and high school youth in the Redlands area. Some of their most-needed items include new toiletries, such as shampoo, soap, and deodorant, in full-size (not travel size) containers, as well as underwear, socks, and new or gently-used clothing appropriate for teens.

Rev. Joe Wants to Meet with You!

Rev. Joe wants to meet as many people from the church as he can in these first few months. He's open to invitations to coffee, lunch, or dinner or other gatherings, but there's also an opportunity to set up a 30-minute "Welcome Meeting" with him online using this link: https://calendly.com/jdzarro/30min. This is an informal meeting with no agenda other than to get to know each other better. The meetings can be in Rev. Joe's office at the church, or online via teams (or other video chat). He's also willing to talk on the phone. If the times don't work, or you would like to make other arrangements (like a home visit), just email Rev. Joe at joe@redlandsucc.org or call the church office at 909.793.3520.

Social Justice film Thursday, August 22 at 6:30 p.m.

On Thursday, August 22, at 6:30 p.m. in Covenant Hall, the Social Justice Shepherd Group will present the film, "Bad Faith." This documentary exposes Christian Nationalism, the most powerful anti-democratic force in America. The documentary is 1.5 hours long and will be followed by a brief discussion for those interested in staying. Popcorn will be provided. Feel free to bring a meal to have during the film!  

Next Book Group Meeting is September 1

The RUCC Book Group selection for the September 1 meeting is We Should Not Be Friends by Will Schwalbe, and the presenter is Mark Leggett. The group will meet after church on Sunday, September 1, at noon in Founders Room.



“From New Haven to New York City, from Hong Kong and Panama to a remarkable school on an island in the Bahamas—through marriages and a divorce, triumphs and devastating losses—We Should Not Be Friends tracks an extraordinary friendship over decades of challenge and change. Schwalbe’s marvelous new work is, at its heart, a joyful testament to the miracle of human connection—and how if we can just get past our preconceptions, we may find some of our greatest friends.” (Amazon review)

Racial Justice reflection of the week

The Alliance of Anti-Racist Educators in Sacramento wants to establish accountability measures for teachers who are found guilty of professional misconduct. They propose building an antiracist educational environment for both students and staff. A Restorative Practices Committee would determine the appropriate response if a staff member were found to be at fault. The staff member would be provided with sensitivity training including the use of real experiences of systemic racism. The committee would regularly evaluate the educator, and if they are deemed unwilling to grow and repair the harm caused, they could be fired.

Source: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article290917399.html

From the Environmental Justice Team

Methane (CH₄), the major component of natural gas, is also a powerful greenhouse gas, and its concentration in the atmosphere has more than doubled since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. It is estimated that this increase in atmospheric methane has caused up to 30% of the climate warming that has occurred in that time (Source: “Methane,” NASA, https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/methane/?intent=121). 

Methane’s atmospheric lifespan of 7-12 years is much shorter than that of carbon dioxide, the most significant greenhouse gas. Atmospheric processes are responsible for most of the removal of methane from the atmosphere, but soil bacteria do their part by breaking down atmospheric methane for energy. Now a research team led by Professor Vincent Gauci of the University of Birmingham has discovered that bacteria living in the bark of trees, particularly in tropical forests, also absorb substantial amounts of methane, and may do as much as soil bacteria to reduce levels of methane in the atmosphere. In a comment on this work, Professor Gauci says, “The Global Methane Pledge, launched in 2021 at the COP26 climate change summit aims to cut methane emissions by 30 per cent by the end of the decade. Our results suggest that planting more trees, and reducing deforestation surely must be important parts of any approach towards this goal.” (Source: “Trees reveal climate surprise – bark removes methane from the atmosphere,” news release, University of Birmingham, 7/18/24:

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2024/trees-reveal-climate-surprise-bark-removes-methane-from-the-atmosphere) 

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

• Aug. 16 - 7 p.m. - Womens' AA Meeting
• Aug. 19 - 7 p.m. - Bible Study
• Aug. 20 - 11 a.m. - Munch and Muse lunch group
• Aug. 20 - 7 p.m. - Board meeting
• Aug. 21 - 1 p.m. - Mah Jong
• Aug 22 - 6:30 p.m.- Showing of the film "Bad Faith"
• Aug. 23 - 7 p.m. - Women's AA Meeting
• Sept 1 - 12 p.m. - Book Group (see article above)
• Sept 15 - 12 p.m. - Wider Ministries meeting to consider donations

The church calendar is found at redlandsucc.org

Click on "calendar" in the red banner near the top of the page