Newsletter of the Richfield United Church of Christ
THE COLUMNS
May 2014
Clean Up Sunday May 4
Mark your calendar to wear your work clothes to church
today. Enjoy a quick lunch and then we will start our
inside and outside Spring cleaning. Please bring tools for
yard work and indoor repairs, painting, and cleaning.
Teacher Recognition Sunday
May 11
Join us at the 10:15 service as we say thank you to our
Sunday school teachers. Pre-school & Kindergarten:
Beth Gerber; 1st, 2nd 3rd grade, Becky Monegan and
Patty Ellis; 4th & 5th grade: Sally Gill & Jessie Monegan;
middle school & high school: Amy Shepker; adult class:
Jim Schilling. We would also like to thank those who have helped with
childcare at our 10:15 service: Ceec Bard, Sherri Barker, Patty Ellis, Becky
Monegan, Abbey Sobieraj, Betty van der Meer, Gabby Sorensen,
Emma Butera, Maggie Gerber and Tristan Bard.
Graduation Sunday
May 18
We will be honoring our high school and college grads at
our 10:15 service on May 18.
The awarding of the Barb Simmons Scholarship
will also take place at this time.
Our Church Garden
Our thanks to Kevin Ahlborg for tilling our church garden and
to the Butera family for again being our garden managers. A
load of good Luther Farm compost is coming the first of May,
with the Youth Group spreading it into our garden on Clean
Up Sunday. Watch for your chance in May to donate plants
and seeds and to pick a week during the growing season to
watch over our garden with weeding and watering.
For this, my last Columns article, I though it might be fun to list
some of my favorite memories and images from my time with you.
I hope no one will feel slighted if I don’t mention a moment or event you valued.
These are just a few of what occurred to me early Sunday evening.
(Becky is hard taskmaster and demanded an article by first thing Monday morning.)
In no particular order of importance:
* The candles that wouldn’t blow out on Jesus’ birthday cake.
* Sam running down the aisle to Children’s Time.
* The Spring Hike last year.
* The creativity and cooperation that made Season of Creation so fun and effective.
* The amazing music ministry of Cindy.
* Falling UP with a pot of chili in one hand and a tray in the other and thinking “THE CHILI!”
before falling down.
* Holy Week services 2014. The readers were so expressive. Children, like George, wanted to
share in bearing the cross.
* Riding around Carter’s farm and talking trees, conservancy and, well, life. Thank you, Carter.
* The banner project and resulting 2014 Lenten Series on the Path of Jesus.
* Directing a band whose members did not look at me.
* Listening to the children’s bells.
* Watching the Retirement Village project take shape.
* Working with Jim on adult education and protesting the XL Pipeline together at the
West End Market.
* The church Community garden and mission for Maria.
* Serving a lunch at the Feed My Sheep soup kitchen. Everyone needs to try this or something
like it.
* Having to remind Becky to at least let me take off my coat before asking me about the bulletin or
whatever. By the way, she is a remarkable asset to the congregation and, a wonderful fabric artist.
Unforgettable.
Thank you for your generous gift and gracious receptivity of my ministry. I am really touched by the decision
to place NRSV bibles in the Gathering Room and to place my name in the front of each book. Biblical
literacy and understanding has been a keystone of my ministry and this gift reflects that priority. To be
remembered in this way couldn’t be more appropriate.
I look forward to hearing great things about you in the future.
With much affection,
Interim Pastor, Rev. Stephen Gifford
Bibles For the Gathering Room
The Christian Education Board has purchased 10 Bibles for the Gathering Room, using
money from the Remembrance Fund, honoring Rev. Gifford’s interim time with us.
The Bibles will be helpful for Adult Sunday school studies as well as other group studies,
in that they are all the same Bible version.
Rev. Gifford always encouraged us to read and study the Bible and we will remember with
fondness his interim time spent with us at RUCC.
Moderator's Moment
Well, we knew this day was going to come. Even after kicking down the
“For Sale” signs and rearranging the house numbers...Stephen and Judith were
able to sell. Personally, I couldn’t be happier for them. They are going to be
closer to family and get to enjoy watching their new grandchildren grow up. How exciting for them!
In honor of the time Stephen spent with us, we have purchased 10 new Bibles which will be placed in the Gathering Room and used for
Adult Sunday School. Inside each Bible will be a label stating that they represent the time and effort that Stephen dedicated to us for the
past year and a half.
I’m also glad that Stephen was able to preach from the heart on Sunday and again share his love for nature. How fitting that clean-up day
at RUCC is just around the corner.
One of the greatest compliments he could have received from us was what he probably didn’t hear. Those of us on the Search Committee
heard many times that we should just hire Rev. Stephen…or find someone just like him. Our new minister will have some pretty big shoes
to fill (literally….have you seen his feet?)
Stephen & Judith, good luck and God bless. We’ll miss you.
Warmest regards,
Will Hart
Richfield Garage Sale Day
Saturday, June 7
Your Own Spot At Our Great Location
Inside or outdoor spaces are available at our
great location for a $5 donation to the Youth
group this year. Inside spaces are
approximately 100 square feet, with one
table provided. You set up, price, sell and
clean up your spot and keep your profit.
Contact the church office for your space.
Youth Food Sales Donations
Our youth group will again sell food and
drink at RUCC during the Richfield garage
sale. Donations of sloppy joes, hot dogs,
hot dog and hamburger buns, cookies,
brownies, canned pop, iced tea, lemonade,
bottled water, variety packs of chips/snacks,
and nacho chips are needed to stock their
booth. If you would like to help by donating
an item, the youth group will have
a sign-up sheet beginning on May 4th,
in the Fellowship Hall.
June 16,17,18,19
9:30-11:30 am
Ages 4 years to those completing 5th grade
Cost $10 or family of 3 or more: $25
Gangway to Galilee
Crafts, Music, Snacks, Games, Bible Stories
Mission Projects: Kids, start saving your
pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters for our
boys-vs-girls daily offering contest. We will be
raising money to purchase fish, through Heifer
International, for a family somewhere in the world.
We will also be filling our nets and boat with cans
of fruit for the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen.
Watch the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall
and articles in the Sunday bulletins for
pre-registration information, ways the
congregation members can help,
and VBS staff sign-ups.
Richfield United Church of Christ
Youth Group 411
Upcoming May Youth Events
Sunday, May 4 ~ First Sunday
Youth come prepared to be ushers, greeters, reader, and assist with Social Hour
Bring a dessert or other goodies to share.
Mackenzie Emilio is the reader. Thanks, Mackenzie!
The WPM Board has named this as a work day to help clean up specific areas in the church.
The garden will be receiving a load of composted top soil that will need spreading
--- SOOO00. . . that will be our task!
Bring rakes, shovels, work clothes/shoes and work gloves.
There will be some lunch food, so plan to stay.
Saturday, May 10 ~ 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Free Community Lunch Service Project @ Pilgrim Church
PLEASE- REGISTER FOR REGIONAL YOUTH EVENT BY MAY 1ST!
You do not need to pay on line—just register.
Check Facebook and your email for more information.
Sunday, June 1st – Youth Picnic
We will gather with youth from Pilgrim UCC to hike, eat and do some summer planning.
Stay tuned for time and place—weather permitting.
Saturday, June 7 – Richfield Garage Sale
Please put this on your calendar. We will need ALL of you to help with set up,
kitchen concessions and clean up ALL DAY!
Save the date – July 9 -13 – Regional Youth Event Sheboygan, WI
Lakeland College Campus; Registration deadline is May 1st.
All youth grades 6-12 are invited to come on the journey!
Adults - Please let me know if your are willing to be chaperones and/or
drivers for any of our scheduled events
Richfield email —[email protected]
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, ideas
Text me ~ Cell number is 330-697-7132.
Ushers for May
1st Sunday of the Month: Youth Group
Chuck Ellis
Paul & Michal Swan
Larry & Amy Harsey
Lay Reader
First Sunday: Mackenzie Emilio
Brenda Lindsey
Boards and Council
Board & Council Meetings
will be Monday, May 12
Boards: 7:00 pm
Council: 8:15 pm
Men’s Health Group
Thursday, May 8
2:30 pm
Gathering Room
May birthdays
5/1 John Treufeldt, Jr.
5/2 Lucy Snow
5/2 Ann Walker
5/2 Gary Obenauer
5/3 Mark Mitchell
5/4 Charles Ellis
5/4 Lauren Owen
5/5 Dorothy Ellis
5/9 Emily Luther
5/10 Ken Bennett
5/12 Rev. Thomas Kerns
5/12 Daniel Owen
5/13 David Wilmot
5/14 David Hakos
5/14 Laura Willis
5/15 Pieter van der Meer
5/16 Tristan Bard
5/18 Todd Bard
5/19 Eugene Mortimer
5/19 Megan Bard
5/20 Charlie Simmons
5/22 Breandan Wheeler
5/23 Ben McKay
5/23 Rachael Brown
5/24 MacKenzie Monegan
5/24 Daniel Butera
5/29 Bryce Petek
5/29 Maria
Anniversaries
5/9 Jeffrey & Donna Treubig
5/10 Thomas & Karen Kiska
5/12 Mike & Polly Wheeler
5/18 Charles & Patty Ellis
5/18 Richard & Kathy Bumblis
Baptized
Book Club
The book selection for May is
“The Orphan Train” by Christina
Baker Kline. Because of
Memorial Day, Book Club will meet this
month on Tuesday, May 27th at
7 pm in the Gathering Room.
Congratulations
Eagle Scout Liam Smart
We would like to congratulate
Liam Smart from Boy Scout Troop
387 for being awarded his
Eagle Scout Award on April 26 at
RUCC. Liam supervised the construction of
picnic tables for use at The First Energy
All-American Soap Box Derby.
A Musical Tribute to Peter Ertel
Saturday, May 3
Historic Masonic Hall of Richfield
Music begins at 10:30 and Memorial service at 11am.
Lillian Adeline Keppler, born on February 24
to Emily (Ellis) and Jason Keppler,
was baptized on Sunday, April 27.
Gathering Room Gallery
The featured artists in the Gathering
Room for May will be Barbara Johns
from Medina and Linda Mertus from
Ravenna. Both artists are active in the
Women’s Art League of Akron.
There will be a Meet the Artist Reception
on Sunday, May 25, following the 10:15 service.
Richfield UCC Adult Mission Group
Plans are underway for a June mission trip to
Atlantic County, NJ. The group will leave on
Sunday, June 8, and return on June 14.
If anyone in the congregation is
interested in joining this work
mission trip, contact
Pieter van der Meer or the
church office.
Richfield United Church of Christ
4340 W. Streetsboro Rd.
Richfield, Ohio 44286
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 4
GATHERING OF THE CHURCH FAMILY
EVERY SUNDAY
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:15 AM
11:15 AM
11:30 AM
Early Worship Service
Sunday School for all ages
Worship Service
Coffee Hour
Choir Practice
May Activities
EVERY WEEK
WED
MON
7:30 PM AA
6:30 AM
TUES
7:00 PM BOY SCOUTS
THURS
MEN’S GROUP
6:00 JR. BELL CHOIR
10:00 AM WOMEN’S GROUP
7:15 ADULT BELL CHOIR
8:00 PM
SAT 8:30 PM
AA
AA
Richfield United Church
of Christ
Phone: 330-659-3532
May 4: Clean-Up Sunday/lunch and Spring cleaning at RUCC after the 10:15 service
Fax: 330-659-2506
May 6: Voting Day at RUCC
[email protected]
Web page: richfielducc.com
May 8: Men’s Health Group meets at 2:30 pm.
May 11: Teacher Recognition Day at RUCC / Our Sunday school teachers are great!
May 12: Church Boards meet at 7pm / Council meets at 8:15 pm.
May 13 & 14: Hobbitts Graduation Day
May 18: Graduation Sunday / Awarding of the Barb Simmons Scholarship Award / Last day of Sunday school
May 25: Meet the Artist Reception, following our 10:15 service, for Barbara Johns and Linda Mertus.
May 26: Memorial Day / Church office closed today.
May 27: Book Club at 7:00 pm in the Gathering Room
Scouting at RUCC:
Boy Scouts meet on Tuesdays at 7pm/Bear Cubs meet at RUCC on First Monday/Wolf Cubs on third Monday
Tiger Cubs on first and third Wednesdays/Webelos meet at RUCC (second & fourth Thursdays)