WANDERINGS

July 2001

Confirmation Class, 9:00 a.m., Sunday July 1, 15, & 29

Independence Day - July 4th R.U.C.C. Booth at Sylvan Park, Redlands

Dedication Committee meeting, Sunday, July 8, 9:08 a.m.

Church Board meeting, July 10, 7:00 p.m.

All-Church Work Parties, July 11, 18, 25 & August 1, 4:30 p.m.

Fund-raiser for Pews - Scrapbook Class and Luncheon
Friday July 20 & Saturday 21 at 10 a.m. - 1368 Prospect Dr., Redlands

Youth Work & Play Day, Saturday, July 28, at 1:00 p.m.

Weeders & Whackers meet on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m.
And Saturday mornings at 8:00 a.m.

Prayer Healing Group meets every Sunday at the Naftzger's home at 5 p.m.
660 Walnut Avenue, Redlands

THE PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
--A PLEA FROM D.C.K.

Yes, I would even call this message a MOST URGENT PLEA. Fortunately, the Church Board decided at its June meeting to have ALL-CHURCH WORK PARTIES, followed by pot-luck suppers, on those Wednesday evenings of JULY 11, 18, 25, and AUGUST 1. It is abundantly clear that we simply will not have our church grounds and buildings looking their best for the Dedication festivities if WE do not accomplish many tasks. To see the need for these all-church work parties, just look around. I personally have made a list of sixty jobs which need to be done. I do know we need a core of 50 workers.

The details for this necessary event will be forthcoming, but generally some of us can start working at 4:30 p.m., others around 5:00 p.m. For those who cannot do yard work, perhaps you can give attention to the food or at least give words of encouragement to those workers with sore muscles and sweaty clothes.

Won't all of you please rise to the occasion and say, "I'll do what I can. Count on me."

In Christian Love,
Don Kleckner

R.U.C.C. DEDICATION

The following schedule for our church dedication was decided upon by the Dedication
Committee at their meeting June 10, 2001

Saturday, September 15, 2001
Dedication - Consecration Vespers
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 15, 2001
Dedication - Celebration Dinner
6:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 16, 2001
First Worship Service in New Sanctuary
10:30 a.m.

12:00 Noon - Light Lunch
Ongoing mini-tours and music from the end of worship until the Dedication Service

2:00 p.m. Dedication Service
Reception to follow

--Bonnie Killpatrick, Chairperson
Dedication Committee

A WORD FROM THE DOC

The heat of summer is upon us, not just in southern California, but across the nation. I went to Kansas last month with my daughter-in-law to show off my grandson (her son) and met oppressive heat and humidity. We looked forward to returning to southern California but got off the plane to more heat. And on the way home form the airport we were alarmed to see smoke billowing up over Mt. Baldy. The fire continued for the next two days though, thankfully, no homes were lost. Morning haze, summer heat, and brush fires are realities to those of us who live in southern Cal. In his book "Borrowed Light", Rev. Thomas Troeger helps give a new and inspirational meaning and interpretation to these phenomena.

All that rises toward the sky,
Mist and smoke and breath and haze,
Marks before the faithful eye
Prayer's ascending path of praise:
While the cloud of incense lifts,
Bless us, Christ, as living gifts.

All that rises from the earth
Through the purifying air
Joins the cycle of rebirth
That continues in our prayer:
While the cloud of incense lifts,
Bless us Christ as living gifts.

May you see God present in all you encounter this very warm summer, and may you be Christ to the neighbor who need that witness of caring and concern.

--With love in Christ,
Elizabeth J. Nicks, Associate Minister

CHURCH DEDICATION COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE AT 9:08 A.M. ON SUNDAY, July 8th.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC
There will be a blood pressure screening clinic on July 29th following the worship service. Come in for a check up before you have your coffee.

!!!FUND-RAISER FOR PEWS!!!

SCRAPBOOK CLASS AND LUNCHEON!!!

Learn how to preserve your family heritage and create a legacy for your family through preservation of your family photos and memorabilia. Class is FREE for those agreeing to host a future class (invite your friends and I'll conduct the class). For others, the class cost is $10, or $5 if you do not wish to participate in the hands-on portion. A light lunch will be served following the class. Invite your friends and family members too.

All profits earned from workshop fees and sales of photo albums and supplies will be donated toward the purchase of pews.

CLASS DATES TIME Place

Friday, July 20 10 a.m. 1368 Prospect Dr.
Redlands
Saturday, July 21 10 a.m. " "

Call me at (909) 792-4839 to reserve your spot. Reservations due no later than two days before the class date. Bring 3-6 photos with you.

Can't come but want to purchase photo albums and supplies? Call me at 909-792-4839 to purchase or order. Catalogs available from me anytime and after church during fellowship. All profits will be donated to the pew fund. These albums make great gifts!!
--Dianne Landeros

July Guest Speakers and Worship Leaders

1 -Rev. Dr. Robert Green
Craig Wesson
8 -Rev. Dr. Prof. James Hester
Katie Barton
15 -Rev. Dr. Prof. James Hester
Bonnie Parmenter
22 -Rev. Dr. Prof. James Hester
Gal Glanville
29 -Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Nicks
The Youth

HELP OUR MEMBERSHIP TO GROW

Here's a very worthwhile goal for each of us in 2001: Bring at least one new guest to our
church. Let them discover how much we have to offer!

Church Growth Committee

HELP!!!

This is the story of a young mother of five (ages 3 to 12 - there won't be any more). Before marrying her second husband she was on welfare. Now, four years later, she is off, thanks to her own hard work and determination. She works two jobs and her husband, who is only able to work part time, watches the kids while she is at work. Her dream, now that she is off welfare, is to move out of their small, 2 bedroom, ghetto apartment (getting her children away from the drugs and other bad elements) into a used, but good condition, 4 bedroom trailer in a better part of town. She has saved some money for the down payment, but with five children she needs help to realize her dream. Another UCC congregation (smaller and poorer than ours - but with a big heart) has made her family a mission project, but I am also trying to help her and could use your help. One couple in our congregation has made a donation. If you can help, see me after church or in the office during the week. Many thanks.

--Elizabeth Nicks

ATTENTION: YOUTH and their FAMILIES

We will be having another YOUTH WORK & PLAY DAY on July 28th. Meet at the church at 1 p.m. to work and then on to the McMeans' home at 3 p.m. for an afternoon of swimming and a potluck dinner. Families are invited to join us for the fun and food at the McMeans' (and to work if they want too). SEE YOU THERE!!!
INDEPENDENCE DAY - JULY 4
R.U.C.C. BOOTH

JOIN US for this patriotic fun-filled family day at Sylvan Park, Redlands!

Cold drinks and snacks will be sold to benefit our church youth. Volunteers are needed to work one and two hour shifts from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. especially to take down the booth around 4 p.m. Ice chest needed too (with some ice if possible). Your help will be greatly appreciated. Please sign-up at the table in the hallway.
--Church Growth and
Christian Education Committees.

THE ROOTS OF THE FUTURE

Who are we?
We are human beings.
We live on the blue planet.
We are part of a community of relationship, binding together in a great web of life all nations, species and elements.
Our Earth is sacred to us: in our Earth there is no south, north, no east or west.
We are all her native people.
We were created to play and to care for, to dream and explore and to give thanks to the Holy Creator for our life. We celebrate the dance of land and water, fire and wind, male and female; we rejoice in the beauty of the opposites.
Our diversity is our strength; unity is our hope. We cherish all the Earth's children and take responsibility for their nurture and well being. It has taken over four billion years to grow us; we are part of the purpose of our growing Earth; we are committed to realizing and completing it. Our faith is in life.
-- Anonymous, Contributed by Elizabeth Nicks

FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION
FOOD ITEM OF THE MONTH
Pancake mix and syrup

LUNCH WITH GOD

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six pack of root beer and he started his journey. When he had gone three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park, just staring at some pictures.

The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.

Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted.

They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave. Before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house, a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old women, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally! Have lunch with God.

(The Sonshiner 3, 2001)
--Contributed by Elizabeth Nicks

DECORATING COMMITTEE

The Decorating Committee is working on policies for the entire church building. These will allow us to have a comprehensive approach to the environment that is created. The first two of these policies are as follows:

* No tacks, push pins, etc. shall be used in walls.

* Any item proposed for donation to the church such as furniture, art, etc. must be cleared through the Decorating Committee.

Please give us any suggestions you may have as we continue to develop this policy. Thanks.

--The Decorating Committee

July Birthdays
1 John Macomber
3 Brooks Dierdorff, Betty Cahill
6 Mary Fung
7 Russ Turner
8 Andrea Schuiling
9 Diana Waters, Joel Wacks
11 Sheila Campbell
14 Steve Pokin, Terry Dickey
15 Rosemary Whitmer
16 Debbie Vuocolo, Chris Blumberg
19 Marjorie Benz
21 Erin Waters
28 Jacob Kaiser

Within the next couple of weeks, Kasper construction will complete their work on our church. They are currently building benches outside the entrance to the sanctuary. When these are completed, all exterior construction will be finished. Their work on the administrative wing is also complete. In the sanctuary, carpenters are working on the handicap access ramp which runs in front of the choir loft. The choir loft and chancel have been built. Still to be done are the platforms for podiums. Richard Hodson's "command center" enclosure has been built.

We are grateful for the excellent work done by Bob Kasper and his construction crew and for the continuing assistance of Gary Miller, our architect, who has continued to work with us and with Kasper to resolve design problems during the course of construction. The sanctuary is beautiful and the administrative wing is roomy, pleasant and will provide us with good space for meetings and classes.

While Kasper's work is nearing completion, we still have a lot to do to get the church ready in time for the Dedication Ceremony in September.

* The sanctuary storage room and the administrative wing need to be painted. We need to complete this by mid-July.
* The final clean-up needs to be done.
* The Decorating Committee is in the process of ordering office furniture, flooring material, and may soon be ordering pews. Flooring will be installed around mid-July.
* The Decorating Committee will soon be selecting an artisan to design and create a stained glass cross to fit within the outline of the cross in the sanctuary window.
* After the administrative wing is painted and carpeted, the office furniture can be installed. We will have to move the office from its present location to the new office.
* The old office (previously the old nursery) needs to be converted to a choir room and bride's dressing room. We can do this ourselves if any of you have carpentry skills, or this may be a job for the Mobile Missionaries who should be here in October, if all goes well.
* The pipe organ will have to be moved after the sanctuary flooring is in.
* Lots and lots of landscaping work needs to be done. The areas around all the new structures need planting, including the new planter box flanking the sanctuary entrance, the garden spot outside the north side of the sanctuary, and outside the windows on the south side of the sanctuary. The entire grounds need some TLC and general sprucing up.

Can you volunteer to help with any of the above? Let's all pitch in and help finish the work needed on our buildings and grounds.

--Dianne Landeros, Building Chair, 792-4839

July Lectionary

Liturgical color: Green

July 1: 2Kings 2:1-2,6-14 • Ps 77:1-2, 11-20 • 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 • Ps 16 • Gal 5:1, 13-25
• Lk 9:51-62
July 8: 2 Kings 5:1-14 • Ps 30 • Isa 66:10-14 • Ps 66:1-9 • Gal 6:1-6, 7-16 • Lk 10:1-11, 16-20
July 15: Am 7:7-17 • Ps 82 • Deut 30:9-14 • Ps 25:1-10 • Col 1:1-14 • Lk 10:25-37
July 22: Am 8:1-12 • Ps 52 • Gen 18:1-10a • Ps 15 • Col 1:15-28 • Lk 10:38-42
July 29: Hos 1:2-10 • Ps 85 • Gen 18:20-32 • Ps 138 • Col 2:6-15, (16-19) • Lk 11:1-13

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