Professional Documents
Culture Documents
October 2015 OUTREACH
October 2015 OUTREACH
www.highlandsucc.org
[email protected]
937-399-7493
Over and over, on this long strange journey Ive named life, I have found this to be true. Homeless persons
long for relationship, hungry folk long for relationship, children whatever their circumstance long for
relationship. All to often, we substitute stuffgoods or money, for relationship. While the stuff has a
place, it is no substitute. A relationship does not necessarily mean a lifetime commitment. A relationship with
another human being means to engage the person as a child of God.
Mr. Rogers also asks the following questions. Have you had people who have touched younot moved you in
order to manipulate youbut touched you inside-to-inside? To which I add, have you reached out and
touched anothernot in order to manipulate thembut really touched them inside-to-inside?
As I mentioned before the congregational meeting to call a pastor last month, in your own ways, each of you
has touched me and I am forever changed. I thank you for your calling me to be your pastor. As we continue
the pilgrimage together, let us continue to reach out to our communityGods community to show our
love for all Gods people.
Finally, Id like to invite us this month to deeply reflect on these two questions. Who has touched you in your
lifetime? Who have you touched? You may be surprised at the answers.
Peace and blessings,
Highlands Leadership
Pastors Office Hours
Monday and Thursday 9:00 a.m.12:00 noon
Rev. Avery Sledge
Wednesday
12:00 noon3:00 p.m. Pastor:
Pam Dixon, Moderator
You can reach Pastor Avery in the church office Church
Officers: Jan Kushmaul, Vice Moderator
during these hours or at 937.429.1536.
Linda Owens, Treasurer
A Safe Zone
Outside the pastors office is a sign that says,
Office Hours are Monday, Wednesday,
This is a SAFE ZONE.
You can talk about anything here. Check it out! Thursday, Friday, 9:00 a.m.12:00 noon.
The wall in the narthex under the picture is being made into a Justice and
Peace Wall. The justice and peace activities that Highlands is involved in
will be displayed on a table where those entering the church can see them.
People have needed to borrow items from the church (i.e. tables, chairs, etc.) and, until now, there
has been no way to keep track of those items. It is possible that some of our chairs have been
borrowed and not yet returned. If anyone finds they have white folding chairs at home, please
bring them back. When you need to borrow items from the church, please sign the form in the
secretarys office so we know where church items are located. We wish to continue to help out and
appreciate your help in keeping track of church property! Thank you!
Board of Trustees
Box Tops & Labels collected for Oesterlen Services for Youth
A number of organizations collect BOX TOPS and food labels to raise funds for their non-profit
agencies. Highlands received a plea from Oesterlen and we have responded. If you would like to
help, a list of the items that are being collected is on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall
outside the kitchen window. A can is located on the table in the narthex to place the box tops and
labels. When we have collected a number of them, we will take them to Oesterlen.
Rest Rooms Upgraded!! Take a little time to visit the lower level and see the transformation in the rest rooms! Thank you to all who have contributed to the cost.
With the grant of $799 and contributions of over $1,000, we have just under $1,000
to go. Your donations help. Just note For the restrooms on your envelope.
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 on the First Saturday of
April, June, August and October.
More information is posted outside the kitchen door.
We ran this article a year ago and it bears repeating from time-to-time, to remind us that there
are many items that arent foods that are STILL needed by food pantries, food banks, free stores
over and above food items. Typically the items in this area that are high demand are toiletry
items and proteins. Items that are most appreciated by homeless folks as well as folks
struggling to make ends meet include socks. When working a ministry to the homeless in
Denver, the folks who we met and talked with were most appreciative of the two pairs of plain
white athletic socks they received. Socks will become even more important as colder weather
approaches. Some items are in high demand at the food bank and you may not realize it. But,
because they arent essentials, food bank staffs dont usually ask for them. A recent survey on
Reddit.com asked volunteers what items people would be most appreciative of and the top 10
are listed below. Having worked with folks who rely on food banks in several states and in
Appalachia, I can vouch for these items which are sorely needed and greatly appreciated. ~
Pastor Avery
Items that Food Banks Need but Dont Usually Ask For
9. Socks. Fr om a for mer homeless per son: Socks mean the world to you. They keep
you warm, make you feel like you have something new, and just comfort you.
10. Canned fruit other than pineapple. Food banks get a lot of pineapple donated.
Their clients love it when other kinds of fruit are available.
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.
October 27,
November 2
ABW
DKG
7:00 pm
6:00pm
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please call 937-399-7493 and ask to have
your name removed from the Outreach newsletter mailing list.
Pastor Avery will offer Blessing of the Animals for our furry,
spiky, slimy, feathery, great and small pets, in the picnic shelter behind the church. Please ensure your furry baby is safely secured by
a leash or other means. All are welcomeeven if you are not currently owned by a pet!
Open House
Pastor Avery cordially invites you to an open house
to celebrate the next chapter of our journey together.
October 10, 2015
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
829 Vernis Drive
Beavercreek Ohio
Come when you can, leave when you must.
Taize Prayer Service for Hope and Justice in the World
October 11, 2015 5:00 p.m.
Taize worship is a participatory prayer service to achieve a contemplative state
through song, prayer and silence. The songs are short and are repeated to give a
meditative character. Using few words, the songs express a basic reality of
faith. Taize worship also includes communion, which is open to all.
Children of all ages from Springfield and Clark county are welcome!
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.
Mon
27
25
Adult Discussion 9:30 am
10:30 am
Worship
10:45 am
Children
11:30 am
Fellowship
8:00 pm
AA
26
20
18
19
Adult Discussion 9:30 am
10:30 am
Worship
10:45 am
Children
11:30 am
Fellowship
12:00 pm
Council
8:00 pm
AA
11Adult Disc
Worship
Children
Trustees
Fellowship
TAIZE
AA
13
Tue
9:30 am 12
10:30 am
10:45 am
12:00 pm
11:30 am
5:00 pm
8:00 pm
4
5
Adult Discussion 9:30 am
10:30 am
Worship
10:45 am
Children
11:30 am
Fellowship
12:00 pm
Diaconate
8:00 pm
AA
Sun
2015
28
21
14
Wed
29
22
15
30
23
16
Fri
Thu
31
Fall Harvest
Festival
12:30-2:30
24
17
10
Open House at
Pastor Averys
2-4
3
Blessing of the
Animals
1030 am
Sat
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.
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