SEPTEMBER 2016

www.highlandsucc.org
highlandsucc@sbcglobal.net
937-399-7493

From the Pastor

1910 Saint Paris Pike

Springfield, Ohio 45504-1206

Why are there coffee shops?

I recently have been reading a book entitled Daring Greatly: How the
Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and
Lead, by Dr. Bren Brown. In her book, she writes Connection is why
were here. We are hardwired to be connected with others, its what gives
purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering. Dr.
Brown spends quite a few pages discussing human connection which
prompted me to go to the dictionary and look up the word connection, which also led me to the word
relationship.

connection (knekSH()n/) noun: connection; plur al noun: connections; noun: connexion; plur al noun:
connexions
1. a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else. "the connections
between social attitudes and productivity"

synonym: Relationship, interconnection, interdependence, association;

relationship (r lSH()nSHip/) noun
relationship; plural noun: relationships
1. the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.

Thirteen years ago, I found myself in Thailand having surgery. Noting that my mom and dad didnt
raise a complete dummy, I was very quick to recognize that I spoke no Thai and most of the hospital
staff spoke no English. I found myself wondering how can I connect with these wonderful, friendly
people when we do not (in general) share a common language? I observed that the Thai people
wanted to form a connection with me as much as I needed to be connected with them.
Reflecting on Dr. Browns statement and remembering my own times of longing for connection,
prompted a Google search of connections and that search yielded hundreds of possibilities for
connecting folks with one another: The Chicago Dance Connection, Teen Travel Connections,
Community Blood Donation Connection, Athens Family Connection For Schools, Food Connection,
Music Connection~all connection networks serving to connect folks with one another.
As many of you know, I frequent Un Mundo Caf. I was there to meet a clergy friend when a
Wittenburg professor friend noticed my copy of the book and said he was reading it. When my clergy
friend arrived, she told me she had read it as part of an education requirement. I frequently read
bookssome religious, some notat the coffee shop and am surprised at how many folkseven total
strangersengage me solely because of something I am reading. This opens the door for conversation
and human connection. We engage at our basic humanityrespecting each others dignity as a
beloved child of God.
Continued on page 2

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Jesus also calls on us to build connections. In Matthew 22:36-39 (NIV), he responds to the
question:
36

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? 37 Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

We are to love (be connected with) God and neighbor. As Dr. Brown observes we long for connection.
God longs for us to be connected. Being connected does come at some risk. We may have to be
vulnerable. We may have to risk being rejected. We may have to risk showing that we dont have all the
answers; that we all struggle with life even though our struggles may be different. We have to risk
disappointments.
But I have also observed that by taking these risks, by being vulnerable, by supporting one another rather
that pulling each other down, by engaging one another, we can build not only a community, but a beloved
community.
and that my friends, is why there are coffee shops.

Highlands Leadership
Pastor:

Rev. Avery Sledge

Church Officers:
Pam Dixon-Moderator
Jan Kushmaul-Vice Moderator
Linda Owens-Treasurer

Worship Helpers for September

Greeter
Liturgist

Ushers
Sound System
Fellowship hour

Pastors Office Hours

Monday and Thursday 9:00 a.m.12:00 noon
Wednesday

12:00 noon3:00 p.m.

Linda Owens 9/4

Dixie Jenkins 9/11
Pam Dixon 9/4, 9/18
Kathy Howard

Liturgists, Ushers and Greeters needed

Please consider being an liturgist, usher or greeter in
September. The sign-up sheet is on the table in the
narthex.

You can reach Pastor Avery in the church office

during these hours or at 937-429-1536.

A Safe Zone

Outside the pastors office is a sign that says, This

is a SAFE ZONE. You can talk about anything
here. The sign lists some of the many things you can
discuss. Check it out!

See where you can be of service and give glory

to God by serving during worship.

Highlands Looks to the Future!

Special Congregational Meeting!

A Special Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, September 11, 2016 immediately following the
worship service. A light refreshment will be served. Because of the importance of the work done, we
anticipate it may take longer than the traditional congregational meeting.
A letter with information to be discussed will be sent prior to the meeting. The meeting will be an
opportunity to clarify questions and share the plan to engage in further discussion prior to the Annual
Meeting in January.
If you have suggestions, questions, or ideas, contact a member of the Team and make your voice heard,
Jan Kushmaul, Kathy Howard, Dixie Jenkins, Millie McNeal, Linda Owens, Flo Keaton, Sandy Ryon,
or contact Pastor Avery or Moderator, Pam Dixon.

Semper Fidelis to serve meal to Delta Kappa Gamma

The womens group (with much help) will serve a meal
to the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority
at 6:00 p.m. on September 12.
Save the date! Plan to help!
Highlands Helps the Springfield/Clark County Community
44 items donated to the Open Hands Free Stores food pantry in August: boxed meals, peanut butter,
cereal, snack packs, toiletries, and cleaning items.
54 items donated to Interfaith Hospitality Network: toiletries, toilet paper, peanut butter, medications,
and canned meals. Box Tops and bar codes for Oesterlen Services for Youth: check out the list on the
bulletin board outside the kitchen window in the fellowship hall.

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, call 937-399-7493 to have your name
removed from the Outreach newsletter mailing list or email
highlandsucc@sbcglobal.net.

Clark County Fair

Meat Loaves Anyone?

Help needed!
The FAIR has been over for a while, however, bills are still being paid, items moved to the church etc.
How we need your help is to put out the word that we have a number of 2 1/2 pound frozen meat
loaves that we would like to sell for $10.00 each.
Having company for a meal? Buy a meat loaf.
Betty Mougey and the Fair Committee

Items for Interfaith Hospitality Network

are still being collected
Highlands Church collects items for Interfaith Hospitality Network. We have a box in the narthex under the
table. Items collected include pasta and sauce, toiletries, hygiene products, vitamins, manicure kit, and baby
lotion. Once we have several items, we will take them to IHN.
Here are a few things needed:
Hygiene, such as bath, hair, and body products. Household, such as cleaning, storage, paper, products.
Health care, such as ointment, Band-aids, baby items, pain relievers, over the counter
medications. A complete list is located on the Community News bulletin board
in the fellowship hall outside the kitchen window.

Dont Forget the Food Cart!!

We collect food and non-perishable items for
Open Hands Free Stores food pantry. You can help
feed the hungry by dropping off items to
Highlands Church, 1910 St. Paris Pike, from
6:00 to 10:00 am and 3:00 to 5:30 pm.
Come through the front door under the covered walkway.
The grocery cart is right inside!
See the article on the next page for more information.
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Ways we can help our community

Live United: United Way Community Challenge Weekend
September 9-10, 2016

Friday, September 9:
United Way Community Golf Scramble
Reid Golf Course North
8:30 a.m.
Registration
9:00 a.m.
Shotgun start
1:00 p.m.
Lunch & Awards

Saturday, September 10:

United Way Community Challenge/Hoof it for the Horse 5K/
Challenge Team 5K/Individual 8K
Snyder Park
7:30 a.m.
Registration
Activities for the Community
9:00 a.m.
Races begin
10:00 a.m. Post-race party& Awards
7:30 a.m.
Food trucks
8:00 a.m.
Kid Zone Open
Pickleball, Kickball, Cornhole, Tug-of-war
10:00 a.m. Entertainment &
Snyder Park
Adult Obstacle
10:00 a.m. Events begin
Course opens
2:30 p.m.
Winners announced
123
Beer sales
Hoof it for the Horse: 5K Fun (Part of the Community Challenge Weekend)
Saturday, September 10
Check-in 7:30 a.m. Race at 9:00 a.m.
Pre-Register at speedy.feet.com or download form at:
www.rockinghorsecenter.org.
$20.00
Register day of race
$25.00
Call 324-1111 ext.110 with questions or to register by phone.
All proceeds go to benefits patients of Rocking Horse Community Health Center
Healthy Families 16
Tuesday, October 4
Hollenbeck-Bayley Conference Center
5:007:00 p.m.
Community Health Foundation offers a way to explore possibilities for fun,
fitness, and good health for everyone.
Man Cave
Kids Clubhouse
Super Senior s
Just for Women
Food and Fitness
Contact Joan Elder for more information 937-523-7007.
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Recycle at Highlands!
Paper, plastic, metal, cardboard all are collected and taken to the recycling
centers 1602 W. Main St. and between the Project Woman building and the
Clark County Combined Health District building on
East Home Road.
Household hazardous waste is collected for a fee of $1.00 per pound
at the West Main Street location 9:00 a.m. to noon on the First Saturday
of March, April, June, August and October.

Box Tops for Oesterlen Services for Youth

Highlands continues to collect box tops and bar codes from certain products for
Oesterlen. In April, we delivered 128 items worth 10 cents each. We received a nice note
of thanks. When we have collected another nice batch, we will take them over. Thank you
for saving and bringing these box tops and bar codes!
Names of products that have box tops and bar codes are listed on the Community Bulletin
Board outside the window to the kitchen in the fellowship hall.

Kids World of Springfield

KIDS WORLD of Springfield is a Christian Pre-School/Day Care with a mission of developing the
whole child, keeping the love and nurturing of children as our top priority. KIDS WORLD creates a
caring, value-based environment while providing safe boundaries and opportunities for children
to grow developmentally with structured learning activities.
Krista Yost, Admin/Owner & Kelly Stewart, Owner 399-2444

*****************************************
Highlands United Church of Christ is pleased to have this high-quality
pre-school/day care program in our facility. We hear high praise from
parents whose children attend.
Trustees of Highlands
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Worship
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Worship
Fellowship
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2:30 pm

10:30 am
11:30 am
8:00 pm

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10:30 am Ohio State

11:30 am Parents
12:00 pm
10:30 am 8:00 pm

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10:30 am
Worship
11:30 am Semper Fidelis
Fellowship
Special Congregational Meet- meal for DKG
12:00 pm
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6:00 pm
8:00 pm
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10:30 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm
8:00 pm

Worship
Fellowship
Diaconate
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Wed

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Highlands United Church of Christ

1910 Saint Paris Pike
Springfield, Ohio 45504
www.highlandsucc.org

Return Service Requested

Highlands Open and Affirming Statement

The worshipping family within the faith community of Highlands United Church of Christ believes in
Christ's gospel of unconditional love. We joyfully welcome into full participation, membership, and
leadership of this congregation persons of every race, language, age, gender identity and expression,
sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, economic or marital status, and faith background. We
affirm and celebrate all loving, committed relationships affirming that all families defined by love are
blessed."
Adopted by the congregation January 13, 2013

Mission Statement
Our Mission is to be the loving heart and healing hands of God in the world;
we are a welcoming community of faith, seeking to accompany and support all
on their journey to Christ, and bearing authentic witness of Gods inclusive love
as proclaimed through Jesus.

Highlands United Church of Christ, is called by God

To open doors for all who seek a safe place for their spiritual journey
To extend extravagant hospitality
To set an open table for all who hunger
To provide sanctuary for all who seek forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing
To do justice and pursue peace