DECEMBER 2015

www.highlandsucc.org
[email protected]
937-399-7493

1910 Saint Paris Pike

Springfield, Ohio 45504-1206

From the Pastor

Has it been a whole year since last Christmas with all the tinsel,
lights, presents, cookies, pies, and cakes, and family? Time does
have a way of passing all too quickly. Yet, one thing seems
constant. The world in which we live continues to be rocked by
uncertainty, terrorism, and war; hunger and homelessness; a callousness of human differenceswhatever they may bea world that is more divided;
less compassionate; less loving; less at peace. Jesus reminds us in Mark 13 (The
Message) that this condition is routine history. We are called to be vigilant and be
witnesses to the truth of Gods love. Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will guide us.
In 1968during the height of the Vietnam War, on the heels of the assassinations of
Dr. King and Senator Kennedy, and rioting in the inner citiesAstronaut Frank
Borman, Commander of Apollo 8; the first manned mission to orbit the moon prayed
the following prayer during one of his broadcasts back to earth:
Give us, O God, the vision which can see Your love
in the world in spite of human failure.
Give us the faith to trust Your goodness
in spite of our ignorance and weakness.
Give us the knowledge that we may
continue to pray with understanding hearts.
And show us what each one of us can do
to set forward the coming of the day of universal peace.
We are assured that Gods grace is boundless and abundantly available to us despite
our weaknesses, despite our failures, despite our inability to fathom Gods infinite love.
This Advent and Christmas season, I invite you to pray for understanding and open
hearts, and how you might contribute to peace in our community or in the world.
Perhaps you may even want to try the random acts of kindness during advent on the
calendar in this newsletteror invent your own random act. Either way, you will be
greatly blessed and perhaps the world will be just a little bit better place. May God
bless you all this season!

The Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar

Have you ever wanted a way to count down to Christmas and do something nice for a stranger?
This calendar came across my Facebook feed, it struck a chord and so, I thought Id share it.
The thing about kindness is that the cliche is true. It really is a gift for both the giver and the
receiver; a gift that is magnified when we join together and shower the world with kindness.
Widespread kindness makes a community feel happier. Thats why we share feel good stories
we yearn for the warmth that kindness brings to life. So this year, clear your schedule for kindness. It doesnt have to take long or be overly involved to count. I believe that small intentional
acts of kindness, and really good coffee, can change the world. It certainly will make yours
brighter! Our family will be trying to do these random acts of kindness through advent and perhaps we can continue giving random acts of kindness throughout the year.
Pastor Avery

Why Do We Have the Plastic Container for Box Tops?

One way we reach out to the community is by collecting Box tops for Education and UPC
labels for the Oesterlen Center in Springfield. Oesterlen Services for Youth began serving
needy children and families in 1903. Today the agency is respected statewide for its emotional
and behavioral health services and social services for children, adolescents, and their families.
They provide a full range of services including residential mental health treatment, foster care,
outpatient counseling, in-home programs, and in-school programs. Oesterlen is prepared to
help address the changing needs of children and adolescents statewide. We serve children and
adolescents regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, or handicap (unless specific
treatment programming is required.)
Oesterlen participates in the Campbells Labels for Education and General Mills Box
Tops for Education Programs which are among the largest earning programs across the
nation for more than 80,000 schools and organizations. Each Box Top is worth 10 and checks
are mailed twice a year to the participating organization which are used for items the
organization needs. Americas schools and organizations have earned over $114 million in
merchandise over the Labels for Education programs 42 year history. These little box tops mean
a lot to organizations like the Oesterlen Center.

Please dont forget this ministry!

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.

(More information is posted outside the kitchen door.)

Items for Interfaith Hospitality Network are being collected

Some of the members of Highlands Church are collecting items for
Interfaith Hospitality Network.
We have a box in the narthex if you wish to join us in this effort.
Once we have several items, we will take them to IHN.

Here are a few things needed:

Hygiene products, household products, health care products, such as band-aids, over the counter
pain relievers etc. A complete list is located on the Community News bulletin board.

Items that Food Banks Need but Dont Usually Ask For
Spices, Feminine Products, Chocolate, Toiletries, Canned meats and jerky, Crackers and tortillas,
Baby toiletries, Soup packets, Socks, Canned fruit other than pineapple

Of the items listed, the most commonly needed items are protein items (canned meats or
peanut butter), feminine products, baby toiletries, socks, and toiletries.
All are not usually as readily available as canned beans or pasta or cereal. If youre looking for an
easy way to help out with some of these appreciated items, pick some of these up while shopping
and drop them off in the food cart in the narthex.

Dont Forget the Food Cart!!

We collect food and non-perishable items year round for
Open Hands Free Stores food pantry.
You can help feed the hungry by dropping off items to
Highlands Church, 1910 St. Paris Pike, 6:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Come through the front door and the grocery cart is right inside
How Do I Know If Church is Canceled?
Is it snowing really hard? Is inclement weather forecast?
Are schools, churches, and other places closing due to weather?

If so...

Tune into these TV stations and watch for a notice if Highlands is also closing.
WDTN, Channel 2
WKEF, Channel 22
WHIO, Channel 7

Meijers Community Rewards Program

If you shop at Meijers you can help Highlands by enrolling in the

Meijers Community Rewards Program.

Applications are available at the church or at the Meijers store.

You can also complete an application on line at Meijer.com/rewards.
Make regular purchases using cash, a PIN debit card or a linked Meijer credit
card and you contribute to the donation Meijers makes to Highlands!
Highlands is a registered organization with the designation code 210405.

MUSIC! MUSIC!
MUSIC!
Thanks to the music students of Wittenberg University, Highlands will have live musicians
providing music for worship services!
We are really mixing things up with a variety of instruments such as
flute, clarinet, saxophone, and piano to accompany our hymns and provide special music.
We will also have an occasional vocal soloist performing during worship.
Come to church on Sunday mornings to experience good music
and to support these fine young men and women.
In addition, we are privileged to have Carol Harbaugh at the piano on December 13.
Your presence in worship is one way to say Thank you to these generous musicians.

...and speaking of music,

Please take time to say hello to our Wittenberg music student musicians.
Christian Babyak, Laura Bucher, Hannah Hatch,
Megan Holmes, Jordan Steiff, Lucy Timko.

LGBTQ Youth Information

An LGBTQ youth group has been formed which meets at First UCC
Springfield. This group provides a safe place for LGBTQ youth.
Contact Sheryl Witt at 937.926.6826 for meeting times or to volunteer.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, and bisexual, transgender,
questioning, and allies, meet the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7pm at Messiah
Lutheran Church, 1013 E. Lawn Avenue, Urbana.
The Dayton PFLAG Chapter meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month at
7:00 p.m. at Harmony Creek Church, 5280 Bigger Road, Kettering.

Thank you to all who have contributed to the cost, but help Is still needed.
Take some time to visit the lower level and see the updated rest rooms!
With the grant of $799 and contributions we have just a little further to go!
Your donations will help. Just note For the restrooms on your envelope.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, call 937-399-7493 to have your name
removed from the Outreach newsletter mailing list.

Christmas Eve Offering

Once again, at Highlands, we will be receiving a Christmas Eve Offering.

And as in previous years, the Christmas Eve offering
will not remain here at Highlands.
Our offerings tonight will be divided between the
Veterans of the Cross Special Offering,
which for 113 years has provided support for United Church of Christ pastors,
chaplains, and lay employees who have served the church,
and who now find themselves in need,
either in their retirement or their active years of ministry
AND to the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
Please join us for our

Christmas Eve Service

Thursday, December 24, 2015

7:00 p.m.
This will be a special time to slow down and focus
on the meaning of Christmas.
We will have music, and candles, and fellowship.

Semper Fidelis Womens Group

(All are welcome)
DATE:
Wednesday, December 16th
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Home of Betty Mougey, 2529 Casey Drive
HOSTESS:
Betty Mougeys family
DEVOTIONS: Victoria Smitson
Wear Red or Green!!

$4.00 Gift Exchange

6 Adult Discussion 9:30 am

10:45 am
12:00 pm
11:30 am
8:00 pm

10:30 am

10:30 am
10:45 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm
8:00 pm

Worship
Children
Fellowship
AA

10:30 am
10:45 am
11:30 am
8:00 pm

27 Adult Discussion 9:30 am 28

Worship
Children
Fellowship
Council
AA

20 Adult Discussion 9:30 am 21

Worship
In Gathering
Children
Trustees
Fellowship
AA

13 Adult Discussion 9:30a.m. 14

10:30 am
Worship
10:45 am
Children
11:30 am
Fellowship
12:00 noon
Diaconate
Fair Committee 12:00 noon
8:00 pm
AA

Mon

Sun

2015

29

22

15

30

23

16

Wed

Tue

18

11

Fri

31

Annual Meeting

UPCOMING:
1/9/2016, 9 am
Undecorating

24
25 Christmas Day
Christmas Eve
Service 7:00 pm

17

10

Thu

26

19

12

Sat

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