OCTOBER 2016

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

1910 Saint Paris Pike

Springfield, Ohio 45504-1206

From the Pastor

Three years ago you invited me to share the journey with you when you called me to be
your pastor. It is hard to believe how quickly the time has flown! We have shared
many ministries together, joyful times of celebration, and some sad times of loss. We
have watched as more and more congregations in Springfield have joined together to
publicly proclaim their welcome to all persons including those who identify as LGBTQ.
We have shared through our gifts to the wider church, and through box tops for the
Oesterlen Center, food for the Open Hands Free Store, and through toiletries for Interfaith Hospitality. We have joined in the vigils for lives lost to absurd acts of violence; in
publicly taking a stand on inclusivity at city commission; and we have shared our
ministry at Culture Fest and the Springfield Pride Celebration. Finally, many of you
have volunteered and continue to volunteer your time in the community to share Gods
love.
As I began my first From the Pastor newsletter article to you and I quote, I am
reminded of the hymn This Is a Day of New Beginnings, which begins with verse one
This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on
Verses four and five continue
4 Christ is alive, and goes before us to show and share what love can
do. This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new.
5 In faith we'll gather round the table to show and share what love
can do. This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new.
On September 11, we held a congregational meeting during which the futures team
identified several possibilities for Highlands UCC to explore new beginnings. The
congregation voted to authorize the futures team to begin exploring the details of these
possibilities and to recommend an option for congregational vote at the regular congregational meeting in January 2017.
The work of this team means there will necessarily be changeand change is very
hard, even in the best of circumstances. There are many, many memories of the ways
in which God has worked through Highlands (and its predecessor namesakes) in
Springfield since 1883. This is hard work for there are many business aspects to
consider, but more importantly there are many more spiritual aspects to consider,
most notably the question of: In what ways can we continue to share Gods love in the
world?
Continued on page 2

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The futures team will offer listening sessions each Sunday between now and the
January congregational meeting, during fellowship hour in the parlor, to share
questions, concerns and ideas of how to move forward. Additionally, as your pastor,
I am available to listen to what is on your heart.
This indeed is a day of new beginnings. We listen for Gods still speaking voice to guide
us. We pray ceaselessly for guidance, wisdom, open hearts and minds; knowing and
trusting that God is doing a new thingand that the same God who has been with us
these 133 years still walks with us.

Highlands Leadership
Pastor:

Worship Helpers for October

Rev. Avery Sledge

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

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.

Geneva Falkner 2,9,16,23,30

Barbara Romaca 2
Pam Dixon 9
Dixie Jenkins 16
Geneva Falkner 2,9,16,23,30
Kathy Howard
Dixie Jenkins 2
Alta Lou Miller 9
Geneva Falkner 16
Judy Rude 30

Liturgists and Ushers needed

Please consider being an liturgist, usher or greeter in
October. 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

See where you can be of service and give glory

to God by serving during worship.

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!

Highlands Looks to the Future!

You have read Pastor Averys article detailing the action taken by the congregation on September 11. The
Futures Team has just a few additional remarks regarding the Listening Sessions.
Each session, there will be two members of the Team ready to listen to questions, ideas, suggestions, or
feelings regarding the possible options for the future. These can be confidential sessions if desired. The
Team urges each member of the congregation to be involved in these discussions. We will make every
effort to answer questions and provide as much information as is available.
You may also contact a member of the Team directly to make your voice heard.
Committee members and the numbers to reach them are as follows:
Jan Kushmaul,
937-206-1005
Kathy Howard,
937-323-5015
Dixie Jenkins,
937-561-0240
Flo Keaton,
937-864-5268
Millie McNeal,
937-206-2130
Linda Owens,
614-561-4641
Sandy Ryon,
937-325-5021
or contact
or Moderator
Pastor Avery
937-429-1536
Pam Dixon
937-869-0289
We know the future holds many changes for the church that will affect us in different ways. Our hope is
that the legacy of Highlands can live on in the community in some way. Your input will help to assure that
happens.

Highlands Helps the Springfield/Clark County Community

45 items donated to the Open Hands Free Stores food pantry in September: peanut butter and jelly,
spaghetti and sauce, paper products, canned meats, cake mixes, toiletries, and soup.
30 items donated to Interfaith Hospitality Network: toiletries, peanut butter and jelly, paper products and
cereal.

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.

Semper Fidelis to host Special Event

Wednesday, October 12, 2016
6:00 p.m.
Golden Corral
1740 North Bechtle Avenue
As a Thank You! to all the ladies that have helped out with meals throughout the past
years, Semper Fidelis invites you to meet and be treated to a meal at Golden Corral.

Please join the Semper Fidelis ladies at this special event. Call Betty Mougey for more
information. 937-399-1437.

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!
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The 2016 Billboard is UP!

This years billboard is up on E. Main Street in Springfield. This campaign first started in 2014
with a discussion among Rick Incorvati of Equality Springfield, Pastor Charlotte (then of Christ
Episcopal Church), Pastor Dwight of Northminster Presbyterian Church, Pastor Jeff (then of
Faith UMC), and Pastor Avery. The first billboard listed our four congregations. Highlands has
contributed paying a share for these billboards for the past three years. We have now grown to
seven congregations who not only welcome our LGBT neighbors, but publicly proclaim that all
are welcome; that the dividing walls have been broken down.
As the passage from Ephesians states: 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made
both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.
Dr. King said, the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. Change is
coming! Thanks be to God!

Safe Harbor to hold Equipping Conference

October 2025, 2016
Thursday, Oct. 20

SHINE Prayer Walk /official 5K

7:00 p.m. Vineyard Church, 137 E. Main St. $20
Friday, Oct. 21
Benefit Concerts
7:00 p.m. First Christian Church
3638 Middle Urbana Rd. $20
Saturday, Oct 22
Equipping Conference
9:00 a.m.4:30 p.m. Southgate Baptist Church
2111 S. Center St $50
Sunday, Oct 23
Safe Harbor Sunday
Local congregations may host a Safe Harbor speaker
for a love offering.
Call 937-717-5908 for more information.

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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Semper Fidelis &
guests b at
Golden Corral
6:00 pm

Wed

OCTOBER 2016

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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