JULY 2016

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

1910 Saint Paris Pike

Springfield, Ohio 45504-1206

From the Pastor

On Saturday, June 18, 2016, Springfield came together at Diesel Bar and
Nightclub (one of two LGBTQ bars in Springfield) to remember and grieve
the violence at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando during which 49 persons
were killed and 53 injured. It was a time of sharing from the LGBTQ
community, Mayor Warren Copeland, and several clergy. Pastor Dwight McCormick of
Northridge Presbyterian Church read a statement of support from some of the clergy and civic
leaders in Springfield [a copy of this statement is elsewhere in the newsletter]. I shared the
following reflection with the packed house that included LGBTQ persons, families, allies,
children, clergy, and city officials. After the service inside, we adjourned outside to release
49 balloons, each with the name of one of those killed in Orlando.
For many in the LGBTQ community, places like Diesel are sanctuaries--a place
where one can feel safe, connect with others, and find not only acceptance but most
importantly love. Many cities like Springfield have such sanctuaries. These sanctuaries
are like a home to which they go. One of Orlandos was PULSE. Listen to the stories
anyone who has found sanctuary in a place such as this and you hear in their voices
as they tell you about ita feeling of acceptance, welcome, gratitude and yes, even
reverence. I, too, spent many years as a pilgrim searching for sanctuarya place
where I was loved for who God created me to be as a transgender person.
Some churches such as the ones represented here tonight are also sanctuaries, though
we admit that the church has a long history of contributing to systemic violence against
those we call them or the otherand as weve changed our hearts, we are
working together for change. Weve become allies and friendscommitted to civilly
working through difference.
49 folks killed and 53 injured under any circumstance hits us hard. But for those of us
in the LGBTQ community, what happened at Pulse hits as hard as shootings in churches such as the one in Kansas and New Life Church in Colorado Springs a few years
back hit for Christians; as hard as the shooting at the Overland Park, Kansas Jewish
Community Center hit for Jewish people; as hard as shootings in the Emanuel AME
Church in Charleston hit for black Christians. Each person at PULSE was a human
that was loved and loved, was connected to family and friends, and impacted the lives
of so manylives that were so full of promise.
Continued on page 2

But, it's not just the death toll or that it was a hate crime or perhaps even terrorism. Its not
that it may or may not be an issue of assault weapons. It's that this violence happened in a
sanctuary. Despite the news of violence and violation in Orlando, were still standingand
each one of us can be a sanctuary for another.
So we gather to grieve in our own ways individually and in communityand we plan and
hope for a better city and world tomorrow. Here's my hope for all of us: that we remember we
are wonderfully made and are all of sacred worth. I hope we will go into the world with
radical love. A love that is active, and strives to build a beautiful, beloved community where
all are welcomed and treated justly. As Dr. King said, the arc of the moral universe is long,
but it bends towards justice. I hope you recall where you first found sanctuary and commit to
providing it for others.
Let us share our hopes and prayers for the future as we release these balloons as we
remember lives lost and lives forever imprinted last Sunday morning.
Postscript: As the balloons were released, Over the Rainbow performed by the Hawaiian singer Israel
Kamakawiwoole softly played. We gathered as community, we hugged one another and held one
another, even strangers. As Israel sang the words Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly, and the
dream that you dare to dream, oh why, oh why can't I? a flock of birds flew through the 49 balloons
drifting slowly upward. During this service, there was a mixture of sadness, grief, yet hope for the future.
Though, I thought about this question why does it take such a tragedy for us to engage in acts of
inclusion, to engage in acts of justice for all Gods people, rather than doing what we are called to do in
the first placeto love our neighbor? How are we going to work for justice for persons who are created
in the image of God? Or are we content to sit back?

Pastors Office Hours

Monday and Thursday 9:00 a.m.12:00 noon

Highlands Leadership
Pastor:

Rev. Avery Sledge

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

Wednesday

12:00 noon3:00 p.m.

You can reach Pastor Avery in the church office

during these hours or at 937-429-1536.

A Safe Zone

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!

The below Statement of Support and commitment to work together for justice for the LGBTQ
Community in Springfield was read at the vigil on Saturday, June 18, 2016 and Pastor Avery read
it as part of her sermon on June 19th.

Clark County Fair July 22 29

When the end of June rolls around everyone at Highlands knows that the Clark
County Fair is not far away. It also means it is time to get the White House, our
cafeteria-style building, all spruced up and ready for us to serve food to many people
who will be stopping by for a good meal while at the fair.
On July 12th & 13th (Tuesday and Wednesday), we will be doing meat preparation as well as cleaning and
washing the things that still need done. We will begin at 8 a.m. and end around noon.
The fair committee will meet on Thursday, July 14th, to set prices and take care of other business.
Tuesday, July 19th, most of the supplies will be delivered (beginning time to be announced). It is quite a job
to get things checked in and put away so if you can come out on that day for a couple of hours it will be a
great help.
It is then time to really get into full swing. On Thursday, July 21st, beginning at 8:00 a.m., we will need
to do any final dish washing (if not already done) and prepare all of the salads and food so we are ready to
open for business. We will try to be done no later than 4 p.m.
Beginning Friday, July 22nd, we will be open for business as the Fair begins that day. This means we will
try to get passes to those scheduled to work on Friday during Sunday morning worship July 17. The Fair
will continue through Friday, July 29th. This means we need your help to get the work done.
I know this sounds like a lot of days and hours, and a BIG job. Well, it is just that and that is why you are
needed. There are several kinds of jobs to be done, such as washing dishes, dishing up salads, preparing
food for the line, running the cash register, cutting pies, serving food and beverages, clearing tables,
cleaning trays, clean up and prep for the next day, and the list just goes on and on. If you need a sit down
job, we always need to have rolls and bread wrapped.
Also a very important job is to have a night person (someone to spend the night in the building) who might
help with the final clean up and then help open the building at 6 a.m. It is a MUST that this job be filled
Friday through Thursday.
I have only named a few of the things that need to be done each day from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. or 12
midnight. As you can tell there are jobs for everyone. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS and SIGN
UP to help. We wor k har d, put in lots of hour s; however , we also enjoy the fellowship and have a
good time as a church family. There are many people who do not attend Highlands regularly that come to
help at the Fair. If you are one of these, please consider signing up to help.
We have the following shifts set for each day as follows: 6 a.m.-12 p.m., 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 3 p.m.-8 p.m.,
6 p.m.-12 p.m., 9 p.m.-6 a.m. If you ar e unable to wor k any of these times, but can wor k 9 p.m.-12
midnight that would help out with clean up and prep for the next day. If the above does not fit your
schedule, you may sign up for the hours that do. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WE KNOW THE HOURS
YOU ARE PLANNING TO WORK as we need to know we have enough help at all times. We also
need to get a pass to you so you do not have to pay to work. Call Kathy Howard at 323-5015 or Betty
Mougey at 399-1437. Please call if you are unable to work a scheduled time, telephone number at the
fairgrounds cafeteria is 325-2277.
If you are not able to actually work at the fair grounds, maybe you can help with transportation, picking up
supplies, watching children, sitting with someone, (so others can come out), or maybe you would like to
bake some things to add to our desserts. We are very aware that some of you are not able to come out.
However, you will be a great help if you pray for us to have enough help and also for safety.
If you have any questions, you can talk with any member of the Fair Committee: Kathy Howard, Alta
Miller, Steve Mougey, Tammy Vlcek, Dixie Jenkins, Vicki Conway, Scott McSpadden, Victoria Smitson,
Judy Rude, Cindy Bowen, Geneva Falkner, Jan Kushmaul, or Betty Mougey.
You are needed. Please sign up!
4
Betty Mougey, Chairman

Highlands Looks to the Future!

The Futures Team has compiled a list of options for Highlands potential future. The Team is currently
gathering supporting data for all nine options. During the Summer, we will have talked with the Designated
Association Pastor, Kathryn Anadein, an attorney, a real estate agent and any other person or persons who
might be deemed necessary.
All the information will be shared with the Congregation during a called Congregational Meeting to be held
in September 2016. (Date to be announced.) In the months that follow, conversations will be held with
opportunities for discussion on all the options. It is anticipated that a course of action will be presented to
the congregation at the Annual Meeting in January 2017.
If you have suggestions, questions, or ideas, contact a member of the Team and make your voice heard,
Jan Kushmaul, Kathy Howard, Dixie Jenkins, Millie McNeal, Linda Owens, Flo Keaton, Sandy Ryon,
or contact Pastor Avery or Moderator, Pam Dixon.

Worship Helpers for July

Greeter
Liturgist
Ushers
Sound System
Fellowship hour

Thank You!

Many thanks for the support for Relay for Life;

luminaries, donations, walkers, and all those
who helped put up the tent, take pictures, serve
walking tacos, and offer prayers. Your help is
very much appreciated.

Linda Owens 7/3, 7/10

Dixie Jenkins 7/24
Kathy Howard
Barbara Romaca 7/3
Linda Owens 7/10
Millie McNeal 7/17
Pam Dixon 7/24

Betty Mougey and Relay Team

Liturgists, Ushers and Greeter needed

Please consider being an usher or greeter in June.
The sign-up sheet is on the table in the narthex.
See where you can be of service and give glory
to God by serving during worship.

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
[email protected].

Highlands Helps the Springfield/Clark County Community

40 items donated to the Open Hands Free Stores food pantry in June: veggies, peanut butter, syrup, mac
& cheese, fruit, boxed meals, cereal, pie filling, toilet paper, and toiletries.
23 items donated to Interfaith Hospitality Network: mac & cheese, cereal, baby lotion, and laundry
detergent.
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.
$100 from noisy collection to On the Rise program for youth.
$100 from noisy collection for Blanket Project through Church World Service.
$80 from Next Steps for Justice budget to Equality Springfield for the billboards during PRIDE month.
$50 from Tithe Funds* to Farmers Market to aid customers using food stamps.
$1,500 from Fair Funds to Relay for Life.
*Tithe Funds came from large donations made to Highlands a few years ago. 10% of those donations
were set aside to serve ministries in the community. There is still over $500 in the fund. Applications
are on the table in the narthex for ministries in need of assistance. Applications go to the Trustees for
approval.

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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Worship
Fellowship
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Fellowship
Council
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Fellowship
Trustees
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10:30 am
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8:00 pm

10:30 am Fair continues

11:30 am 6:00 am10:00
8:00 pm pm

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

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

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

Worship
Fellowship
Diaconate
AA

Mon

Sun

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Fair continues
6:00 am10:00
pm

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Supplies arrive
at Fairgrounds
Time tba

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Meatloaf &
clean for Fair
8:0012:00 am

Tue

JULY 2016

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Fair continues
6:00 am10:00
pm

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Meatloaf &
clean for Fair
8:0012:00 am

Wed

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Fair begins
6:00 am10:00
pm

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Fair continues
6:00 am10:00
pm
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Fair continues
6:00 am10:00
6:00 am10:00 pm
pm

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Final prep for
Fair Ministry
8:00 am

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Sat

Fri

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Fair Committee
Meeting
7:00 pm

Thu

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