Rally Day Sunday, September 10

Join us Sunday, September 10, for the beginning of our Sunday school

programs, a special coffee hour treat from the Christian Education Board

and the restarting of many church groups after a summer’s rest.

September Sunday School

Our Sunday school classes begin on September 10

Our adult class will meet in the Gathering Room at 9:10. Join your fellow

congregation members for the Adult Sunday School study. The group discussion

will be facilitated by Jim Schilling.

Our youth class for grades 6-12 will meet in the upstairs youth room at 9:15.

Marilyn Freeman, Bob Ballinger and Rev. King will be the class teachers.

Sunday school for preschool through 5th grade is available at two different

times: 9:15 and after Children’s Time at the 10:15 service. The Christian

Education Board is excited to announce that Bethany Westphal will be joining

the kids at the later class for a little music fun before they start their class study

and activities.

September Food Collection We will be collecting cans of

creamed soups for the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen

during the month of September. Help your team in our

rematch of the piano-side pews vs. the organ-side pews

by bringing your donations to the front pews.

Newsletter of the Richfield United Church of Christ

THE COLUMNS September 2017

A Community Day Thank You

From the WPM Board

The WPM Board would like to thank all who helped with the

Richfield Community Day project. We had about 36 participants

in our Community Day efforts, including those who helped build

the float, label bottles, print labels, blow up balloons,

decorate the float, walk in the parade, play music on the float,

and staff our booth. The work began with the congregation

donating candy and water bottles to hand out along the parade

route and stuffed animals for our booth game prizes.

Thanks to Polly and Mike Wheeler of Novex Systems printing

company for the donation of the water bottle labels and

Luther Farms for donating a hay wagon for our float.

Thank You for your generous support!

Welcome Tote Bags for Refugees

Thank you for your generous support! I delivered 12 overflowing

welcome bags to the International Institute of Akron, where they

will be given to 42 newly arrived refugees from Bhutan, the Congo

and Afghanistan.

Thanks for helping to provide a warm welcome. -Kathy Hayes

Moderator’s Moment September 2017 I have two things this month.

The Pastoral Relations Committee (PRC) has been meeting with Reverend King to devise a method to provide him with constructive feedback regarding his ministry with our church. In this issue of the Columns you will find a form that should help in this process. The first side has a number of questions that can be completed with a checkmark. Obviously, a smiley face is good and a frowny face indicates some improvement is in order. At the bottom are three questions where you can elaborate as you see fit. Adding your name is optional. We will collect these forms on Sunday, September 24. We will have a collection box in the office if you will not be in church on 9/24. It is important that after 3 years ministering in our church that Reverend King get honest and constructive feedback to help him going forward. As we have mentioned earlier, money is still pretty tight at the Richfield United Church of Christ this year. Unfortunately, our building is not new and there are some small maintenance things that should be done. For example the ceiling tiles in the library are falling down. The rest of them should be removed and the ceiling refinished with drywall. We should also look at freshening up the hallway by the office. This will make the church more presentable to visitors and prospective members. A lot of these projects will not require highly technical skills; many in our church have the necessary skills. I would like to propose creating a volunteer group to tackle a project here and there to maintain our facility and keep costs to a minimum. If you are retired or have a bit of available time and would be willing to help, please let me know by calling (440) 773-7968 or email me at newth3@cox.net. Or you can contact Kevin Ahlborg at kahlborg@gmail.com

Together the mountains are not so steep.

I love RUCC, & I love ministry! And I believe that continued growth and learning are essential to life.

As a pastor, it is essential for me to continue that process of growing and learning. You can help me with that.

In his article, RUCC Moderator Newt Heston wrote of how the PRC & I have put together this assessment.

I hope you will take the time to think about it and fill it out. Please indicate how you feel about the following

areas of my pastoral ministry. Feel free to add notes as you like.

Your name (optional):______________________________________________________________________

On a separate page, please share your thoughts about the following areas:

What do you most appreciate about Rev. John’s ministry in Richfield United Church of Christ?

Please share how you feel about Rev. John King’s pastoral leadership at

Richfield United Church of Christ. Thank you!!

Rev. John’s sermons…

…help me to understand the Bible.

… help me to deepen and live my faith.

…are practical and real.

… are interesting and inspiring.

…are clear and understandable.

…are not too long.

Rev. John appropriately

…works with youth and children.

….reaches out to the wider community.

… practices what he preaches.

… serves grieving families and leads funeral services.

… leads prayers in a way that helps me deepen my spiritual life.

When writing our Congregational Profile, we prioritized 12 pastoral leader-

ship traits. How is Rev. King doing on them?

Is an effective preacher/speaker.

Helps people develop their spiritual life.

Makes pastoral calls to the sick and those unable to come to church.

Is effective at planning and leading worship.

Is a good leader.

Is effective in working with children.

Works regularly at bringing new members into the church.

Is a person of faith.

Is effective at working with youth.

Encourages people to relate their faith to their daily lives.

Encourages others to assume and carry out leadership.

Is a compassionate and caring person who deals effectively with conflict.

Our Office Email Address Has Changed

Please change your contact information to our

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS:

OfficeRUCC@gmail.com

September Scriptures

September 3: Scriptures: Romans 12:9-21

Matthew 16:21-26

Sermon: “Love Your Enemies—’cuz it really messes with their heads”

September 10: Scriptures: Exodus 12:1-14

Matthew 18:15-20

Sermon: “Gospel Conflict”

September 17: Scriptures: Exodus 14:19-31

Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon: “By checking this box, I agree to the terms and

conditions of this prayer.”

September 24: Scriptures: Exodus 16:2-15

Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon: “Tensions in the Wilderness”

Our Church Garden

As summer ends, there is still garden work to do and

crops to harvest. If you have a few minutes to

volunteer, stop by the church to dead-head the flowers,

pull a few weeds or water the plants. Our garden harvests are

offered to the congregation on Sunday mornings. Your cash

donations for the produce will be used to sponsor Leidi, a

14-year-old girl from Colombia, South America, through Children

International. If your family garden has extra produce, feel free to

bring it in to share with your church family.

We have received a new picture of Leidi and it is posted on the

bulletin board and on the garden table. Here is a translation from

her latest letter.

Dear Sponsors,

Receive a cordial greeting and I hope that you are well in health.

I thank you for the present received. Let me tell you that on

weekends, I go out with my mom and with my friends to the park

and on Sunday, I go to the park and I also go to the church to listen

the God word. Well, in these moments, I am attending to the gym

(she likes weight lifting). I love the medical controls and I do very

well, thank God. My studies are well. Well, I say goodbye.

With affection,

Leydi

As we start the Sunday school classes this September, we would

invite those who are interested in teaching to contact Sarah Luther

or the church office.

We are looking for additional teachers in the pre-school through 5th

grade, our choice of a 9:15 class or the class after Children’s Time.

One- or two-month teaching sessions are available and curriculum

is provided.

Northeast Ohio Sheltie Rescue

The Northeast Ohio Shetland Sheepdog rescue is participating in

the Acme Fresh Market Community Cash Back program again

this year. If shopping at Acme, please save your register receipts

dated August 10 through December 30. The receipts may be left

in the church office in the box designated for NEOSSR or given to

Tim or Linda Hnath. Thank you from Linda & Tim and all the

foster Shelties!

September Youth Events September 3: Youth greet and usher at the 10:15 worship service and host Coffee Hour.

Bring a Coffee Hour refreshment to share.

September Youth Picnic at the Gerber’s

Watch for a future announcement with date and time.

September Birthdays

9/1 Leah Mulheim 9/3 Amanda Walker 9/3 Allison Remec 9/4 John Ahlborg 9/4 Aaron Stanley 9/5 Brenda Lindsey 9/5 Katie Mackeigan-King 9/6 Amanda and Nicole Schwaben 9/9 Jean Gentner 9/9 Robert Neillie 9/9 Tim Wheeler 9/10 Anna Keppler 9/12 Karen Butera 9/12 Maya Mackeigan-Moore

September Anniversaries

9/1 Tom & Sherri Barker 9/4 Dan and Marny Kuczmarski 9/6 Mark & Jenny Mitchell 9/10 Tim & Linda Hnath 9/11 Lew & Becky Monegan 9/11 Dale & Chris Stanley 9/14 Pieter & Betty van der Meer 9/15 Harold & Marian Stertzbach 9/21 Vince & Stacy Westphal 9/22 Daniel & Nancy Owen 9/25 Todd & Maryke Bard 9/28 Dennis & Jean Krankowski

In Loving Memory

Kenneth Bennett

Our sympathy to the family of Ken Bennett, who passed away

on August 9.

Daniel Emmett

Our sympathy to the family of

Dan Emmett, who passed away

on August 25.

9/14 Gary Lindsey 9/16 Helen Grabo 9/17 Rolland Petek 9/18 Rebecca Johnson 9/19 Budd Snow 9/20 Summyr Petek 9/21 Kathryn Schreiner 9/23 Nadia Ahlborg 9/24 Gary Summers 9/24 Keith Grabo 9/25 Heather Heston 9/26 Ruth Ackermann 9/26 Abby Reagan 9/27 Barbara Luther

Ushers for September

September 3: Youth Group Gordon Brown, Dave Johnson, Bud Snow, Dave Hakos

September Lay Readers September 3: Youth representative Bob Neillie

Boards and Council

Monday, September 11

7:00 pm Church Boards meet

8:15 pm Church Council meets

Men’s Health Group

The Men’s Health Group will meet on Thursday,

September 14 in the Gathering Room at 10:00 am.

For more information, contact Bob Ehlers or Tom Kerns.

Book Club 18 Years and Still Reading!

The Book club will meet on Monday, September 25 in the

Gathering Room at 7:00 pm. Their September selection is

Inheriting Edith by Joe Fishman.

The Gathering Room Art Gal-

lery

Jeanne Henderson

The Gathering Room Gallery will feature the

artwork of Jeanne Henderson in

September and October.

After 30 plus years as an art teacher, Jeanne is now exploring

her own artistic journey.

Although she has worked mainly with enamels and fibers, her

art has taken a new turn. She has recently fallen in love with

color pencil, mixed media and oils. Jeanne discovered how

versatile these approaches an be; from the layering, to the

rich textures and use of patterns. Presently she is exploring

new images of wildlife, pets, and people. Her goal is to

nurture her style which ranges from realism to scribbles.

“I love scribbling because of its expression

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 4

Richfield United Church of Christ 4340 W. Streetsboro Rd. Richfield, Ohio 44286

September Activities

September 3 : Communion / Youth Group greets, ushers

and hosts coffee hour at the 10:15 service.

September 4: Labor Day / Office closed

September 6: Hobbitts Classes begin

September 7: Bell Choir practice begins at 7 pm

September 10: Rally Day: Sunday school begins; choir practice begins

September 11: Boards and Council meetings / Boards meet at 7:00 pm and Council meets at 8:15 pm.

GATHERING OF THE CHURCH FAMILY

Richfield United Church

of Christ Phone: 330-659-3532

Fax: 330-659-2506

EVERY SUNDAY

8:00 AM Early Worship Service

9:15 AM Sunday school

10:15 AM Worship Service

WEDNESDAY

6:30 AM MEN’S GROUP

THURSDAY

7:00 PM BELL CHOIR PRACTICE

EVERY WEEK

MON 7:30 PM AA

WED 8:00 PM AA

SAT 8:30 PM AA

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