Valentine’s Day

Dinner Dance

Friday, February 14 Make a date for a delicious dinner and

dance to your favorite music.

Spaghetti with meatballs

mushrooms optional

Salad, beverage, dessert

$8 per person

Serving dinner with dancing from 4:30– 8:00 pm

Have that favorite special song that was

played on your first date?

Or the one you danced to at your wedding?

Be sure to request it so we can include it

on our play list. Request forms are on the Youth

bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.

Please RSVP on the sign-up sheet in the

Fellowship Hall on Sunday or

through the church office to help us plan.

Newsletter of the Richfield United Church of Christ

THE COLUMNS February 2020

Lenten Study Series

Searching for something more? Tired of running in circles, but not really living life with direction, purpose or passion? Our lives are filled with distractions that take us away from full life, abundant life in Christ. We run away from the fullness of life and from God.

Lent is a great time to “repent” -- to return to God and re-focus your life to be more in line with Jesus. It’s a 40-day trial run in changing your life and letting God change your heart.

So I invite you to join me in a six-week Lenten Study series. It will be based on an inspiring book by Brene Brown, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead.

Our six-week course begins on Ash Wednesday, February 26, and includes videos by the author. Learn alongside others how to live fearlessly, with an open heart, daring to bring the whole “God created you” to everything you do. We’ll explore ways that Biblical principles and the teachings of Jesus connect to these principles.

Classes are from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. To register, please call the church office or look for registration forms in the Sunday bulletin. You’ll want a copy of the book, which costs about $10. We can get you a copy, or you can bring your own. It is also available on Kindle and Audible.

I invite you to travel with me on this exciting journey through Lent this year. Dare Greatly as we, like Jesus, prepare ourselves to live out God’s dream for each of us.

– Rev. John

Three ministers were discussing how they determined their pay. One said, "I draw a circle on the ground and throw the money in the air and whatever lands inside the circle I keep for myself and whatever lands outside I give to the Lord." The second said: "I have a similar process but when I draw my circle and throw the money I keep whatever lands outside the circle and give what lands inside to the Lord." The third said: " I throw the

money in the air and I figure, whatever God wants, he can keep!" In the UCC, we have a slightly more advanced process for determining what to pay a pastor. Our Conference – the Heartland Conference (which includes all of Ohio and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky) issues guidelines for Clergy Compensation. Those “Conference Guidelines” are updated every year. While each congregation is free to follow those guidelines or not, Richfield UCC has entered into a covenant agreement to follow Conference Guidelines. It states, “The primary objective for these guidelines is fair and just compensation.” This is the kind of thing every UCC minister is familiar with, but not many people in the pews. Some might think we calculate the minister’s pay willy-nilly. Others might think we pay the pastor whatever is leftover after we’ve paid all the other bills. Since this question was raised again at the annual meeting, I’ll try to explain the guidelines we decided to follow in a covenant agreement. Here’s a one paragraph summary of an eleven-page document: 1) Starting Cash Salary — the minimum for all full time ministers with advanced degrees. 2) Additional factors to consider include a) Years of experience b) Size of the church c) Pastor’s level of education 3) Housing Allowance – many years ago, the pastor and family were provided with a house next to the church, but these days that concept takes the form of a separate pay supplement. 4) Certain reimbursable expenses, such as mileage, continuing education, etc.

5) Health care benefits —These guidelines are what Council follows in order to abide by our covenant agreement and compensate ministers according to Conference Guidelines. If you would like to review the full document, just call the office and we can get you a copy. The Heartland Conference and Living Water Association also suggest a couple of other helpful rules of thumb. They recommend a full-time minister be paid the average household income where the church is located. It’s easy to find that information; just Google it. By that standard, we’re close, but a few thousand below. Another rule of thumb is to pay about what a school principal makes in our area. By that standard, we’re about $10,000 low. It is awkward for anyone to talk publicly about their salary. It is especially so for a minister. I love to serve. This is my passion. And this is also my livelihood and that of my family. This is the career I have dedicated my life to. Because the question was asked, and the budget is examined by the whole congregation, I am trying to provide a helpful response. This is how we arrive at those numbers. I have never asked for, nor have I ever received more than we agreed upon when you first called me to serve. We follow the annually updated Conference Guidelines; no more, no less. Church Council decided to present the clergy compensation package that you see in the annual report because those are the “Conference Guidelines.”

We don’t’ toss the collection in the air, nor do we pay pastors

whatever is leftover. We keep our pledge. We follow the

guidelines we agreed upon. As stated in the Conference

Guidelines, “The concept of justice calls us to provide fair and

adequate support for those who labor in the local church.”

- Rev. John King

February Scriptures

February 2: Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12, (18:15-22)

February 9: Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Matthew 5:13-20

February 16: Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37

February 23: Scriptures: 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9

Saturday, February 22 9:00-noon

Our next church work day will be Saturday, February 22. We start a

9:00 and are finished with our projects before noon. Join us as we work on clean-up and fix-up

projects around the church. There is something for all

ages to work on.

Financial Snapshot

The table below shows that December was a very good month, financially, as we received more from the collection plate than we spent on payroll and upkeep. The top graph shows our monthly receipts as square symbols, along with vertical bars representing our high/low range over the last 10 years. The second graph shows our 2019 attendance trend compared to average attendance since 2005.

Full Year 2019 December

Receipts $ 236,561 $ 44,293

Expenses $ 238,396 $ 32,854

Difference $ (1,835) $ 11,439

Featured in the

Gathering Room Gallery

The beautiful watercolor paintings of Linda Nye

will be featured in the Gathering Room Gallery

in the month of February. A Meet the Artist

Reception will be held on Sunday, February 16.

“Today my art is even more personal as I sketch or paint in journals. I spend time with a larger format when inspiration calls. Showing my art when I follow that same inspiration. Painting is to me Poetry in Color. I Dream in Watercolor.” -Linda Nye Linda retired as the director of Cuyahoga Valley Art Center after 20 years. She taught beginner’s watercolor and collage classes. She studied drawing and sculpture at Kent State University, also with many well known artists across the country, including Don Getz, Fred Leach, and Marc Moon, and has taken numerous workshops from artists across the country, such as Don Andrews, Judi Betts, Tony Couch and Frank Webb. She is a signature member of the Akron Society of Artists, Women’s Art League of Akron, Whiskey Painters of America, and Ohio Watercolor Society. Linda has had numerous solo shows and has been selected for many juried competitions. Her works are held in several private collections in the United States, Scotland, and Belgium. Linda is spending more time sketching, painting, gardening, decorating and visiting family now in her retirement from 40+ years full-time work.

Sally Heston: Watercolors and Pastels

21st Annual Epiphany Arts Festival

The Bath Church United Church of Christ

3980 West Bath Road, Akron

The Epiphany Arts Festival includes 200+ regional artists

displaying all forms of media celebrating the joy artists

bring to our lives. Many pieces are for sale.

The festival is free and open to the public .

January 26-February 23, 2020

Festival Hours

Wed 1-5 pm; Saturdays 10-3 pm ; Sundays noon-3 pm

Youth Scholarships RUCC has two scholarships available to our congregation

youth, the Barb Simmons Scholarship for high school seniors and the Jim and Ruth Miller Scholarship for college students having completed at least one year of study.

Barb Simmons was a member of our congregation for many years. During that time, she was very active in the choir, church boards and teaching Sunday school. After her death in 2009, the Christian Education Board created the Barb

Simmons Scholarship for graduating high school seniors from the Richfield United Church of Christ congregation. The Barb Simmons Scholarship is for high school

seniors and applications are available in the church office. Jim and Ruth Miller were lifelong advocates of education and longtime members of the Richfield

United Church of Christ. Their desire was to leave behind a legacy scholarship to assist active RUCC members with some of the costs of higher education. After Jim passed away in 2014 (Ruth preceded Jim), the Christian Education Board

helped bring their legacy to life with this scholarship for college. The CE Board awards the scholarship to former youth group members who have completed at least one semester of higher education.

The Jim and Ruth Miller Scholarship is for college students. Applications are available in the office and youth can apply electronically by e-mailing the church office or on our web page

under the “Religious Ed” tab/Jim & Ruth Miller Scholarship. The names of the scholarship winners will be announced in May.

Youth Group February Dates

Saturday, February 1 10:00-noon Richfield UCC Kitchen

Making sub sandwiches for Super Bowl Sunday. Many hands make light work! We will have some

extra subs for those last-minute orders.

Sunday, February 2 We are ushers, greeters and reader at the

10:15 service. Bring dessert to share for Coffee Hour

and come help us serve. We will be selling sub sandwiches after worship.

After we clean up Coffee Hour we will be packing up the Boxes of Love.

Friday, February 14

Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance

**The Youth Group is looking for card tables to borrow for their February 14 dinner/dance.

Let Marilyn Freeman or the office know if you have one available.

Boxes of Love Thank you for all our your

donations during January

for the Boxes of Love,

which the youth group will

be packing on February 2

for family and friends who

are living away at college,

or are serving in the military.

Sub Sandwich Orders

Available on Sunday, February 2 Your preordered subs will be ready to pick up on

Sunday, February 2,

following the services.

A few extra subs will

be available for sale.

Sandwiches are $5.

Richfield Youth Group

February Birthdays 2/2 Dick Sprague 2/3 Lew Monegan 2/3 Ian King 2/4 Janet Marsh 2/7 Joe Reineck 2/8 Jeff Weber 2/11 Ruth Stang 2/11 Danielle Schwaben 2/12 Deanna Kramer 2/13 Marilyn Freeman

February Anniversaries 2/1 John & Janice Sikora 2/6 Allen & Marilyn Scarbrough 2/14 Kevin & Nagwa Ahlborg 2/20 Ray & Vernice Deuring 2/25 Bart & Laura Benedict

Breakfast with the Pastor Change of Venue

For several years, “Breakfast with the Pastor” has been

a predictable way to stay in touch and share whatever is on your mind

(though we try to steer clear of controversial politics.) For the first

time since I began this idea, I’m making a change.

The LOCATION is changing to a new place called “The Coffee

Club.” This new location is 500 E. Royalton Rd., Broadview Hts.

44147. Where’s that? It’s the southeast corner of Broadview &

Royalton roads (that’s Rts. 176 & 82). If you know where Handel’s Ice

Cream is, or perhaps The Boneyard Restaurant – it’s on the opposite

side of Rt. 82 from there. It is beside Romeo’s Pizza. I have found

that this new location is a bit more conducive to conversation. I think

you’ll like it.

The TIME remains constant – every Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. I hope

you can stop by sometime. Of course, you can always meet me the

old-fashioned way – you know, call and make an appointment. But

that can feel like you need some particular “reason” to

meet. “Breakfast with the Pastor” is different. You don’t need any

reason at all. Just stop by so we can stay in touch. Please join me

soon for a cup of joe. – Rev. John

Thank You to our church family

Thank you for all your good thoughts and prayers, your hugs and

cards and cookies on my desk and for the special package filled with

your love that was given to me during the congregational lunch.

-love to all of you,

Becky & Lew Monegan

2/18 Debbie Luther 2/20 Kevin Ahlborg 2/21 Jenny Mitchell 2/22 Bonnie Obenauer 2/23 Gretchen Gehring 2/23 Marianne Gnandt 2/24 Lillian Keppler 2/25 Debbi Osborne 2/26 Jeanie Kerns 2/27 Stacey Kiska 2/27 Bernie Sobieraj

Ushers for February February 2: Youth Group

Lew Monegan Jim Holan

JJ. Schweikert Laura Willis

Lay Readers February 2: Nolan Luther

Jim Schilling

A monthly calendar is posted for 2020 on the We Can Make It Happen bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall

for volunteers to sign up to be Lay Reader at our 10:15

services. We are still in need of Lay Readers for May

through December.

Boards and Council Meetings Monday, February 10

6:30 pm: The S&A Board

7:00 pm: Christian Ed Board & WPM Board

8:15 pm: Church Council

February will be the first meeting for newly

elected board members to attend.

Worship & Parish Ministry (WPM) Board meets

in the Gathering Room.

Stewardship & Administration (S&A) Board

meets in the main office.

Christian Education (CE) Board meets in the choir

room.

Council meets in the Gathering Room at 8:15.

End of the Year Reports The end of the year reports are in the back of the

sanctuary or the office for you to review.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Wednesday, February 12

1:30-6 pm

RUCC Fellowship Hall

Book Club Book Club will meet on Monday, February

24, in the Gathering Room. The reading

for February is The Dead Key by D.M.

Pulley.

February Activities February 1: Youth Group sub sandwich making February 2: Communion / Youth greet, usher and host coffee hour Youth Group’s Sub Sandwich Sale / Pack the Boxes of Love February 3: Hobbitts Registration Drawing

February 7: Cub Scout Pack meeting February 9: Boy Scout Sunday Scouts and their families will join us at the 10:15 service February 10: S&A Board meeting at 6:30 pm Christian Ed & WPM Board meetings at 7 pm / Council meeting at 8:15 pm February 12: Red Cross Blood Drive 1:30-6 pm

February 14: Youth Group hosts a Valentine Dinner & Dance 4-7 pm February 16: Meet the Artist Reception following the 10:15 service February 22: RUSH work day at RUCC 9-noon February 24: Book Club meets at 7 pm February 26: Ash Wednesday / Lenten study class at 7 pm

GATHERING OF THE CHURCH FAMILY

Richfield United Church

of Christ Phone: 330-659-3532 Fax: 330-659-2506

OfficeRUCC@gmail.com

EVERY SUNDAY 8:00 AM Early Worship Service 9:15 AM Sunday school 10:15 AM Worship Service 11:15 AM Coffee Hour Choir practice

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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