March 21, 2023 Amy Wheatley
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
FHC Fellowship Hall
Parents, grandparents, babies, toddlers,
children, and teens – all families are welcome!
Family Meal
A family-friendly taco bar, drinks and dessert will be provided.
(No need to cook or shop tonight!)
After Dinner FUN for Everyone!
Games and activities for kids of all ages
Dessert, coffee, and conversation for grown-ups
This event is free for families, but please register before March 29:
https://fhc.breezechms.com/form/c79c4e
February 15, 2023 Antoinette Richardson
Using the Follow Me curriculum during the Education Hour on Sunday mornings (9:15-10:15 AM), we welcome you to join us by Zoom.
The following is a brief description: We forgive because God first forgives us. When we forgive one another, we participate in God’s way of being in the world. At its root, the word forgiveness draws on a Greek word meaning “to let go.” When we forgive one another, we let go of anger over wrong; we let go of a desire for getting even; we let go of the burdens of shame and guilt. To forgive is not to forget; it is an active decision to not live in the past and to build toward a future. Forgiveness does not deny the realities of sin: betrayal, violence, anger, and jealousy. It ensures that wrongs do not have the last word. The final word in forgiveness is God’s grace, available to those who seek to forgive and to move beyond separation and brokenness toward restored relationships with God and one another.
There is an Adult Reflection guide available for pick up in the office. The cost is $9.00 for those who want to contribute to its cost.
A second option for a Lenten study is the class titled -Discovering the Beloved Community in the Gospel of Matthew. This class is already in progress by Zoom on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15. Each session is an independent exploration. It is not too late to join. The class would be glad to have you join it.
If you wish to join, please register here: https://fhc.breezechms.com/form/448ccd.
February 15, 2023 Antoinette Richardson
Music She Wrote, March 4 from 4-6 PM
Forest Hill Church Presbyterian
Tea reception and discussion at 4 PM, Fellowship Hall, with Jessica Kelley
Concert at 5 PM in the Sanctuary
We are excited to kick off Women’s History Month with a concert celebrating the works of female composers from the baroque era. Historically-informed musicians Guillermo Salas-Suárez (violin) and Andréa Walker (soprano) will present a dazzling performance of musical pieces with Qin-Ying Tan on the organ and harpsichord. In addition, our youth group will present recitations of poetry composed by female writers through the ages during the performance.
There will be a light tea reception and discussion of women’s civil rights at 4 PM in the fellowship hall before the concert led by CWRU sociology professor Jessica Kelley.
For more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Ying at music@fhcpresb.org.
February 15, 2023 Antoinette Richardson
The Black History Education Committee of Forest Hill Church is happy to announce our 2023 theme: Reparations vs. Jubilee. During the month of February, the Black History Education Committee will lead the church in exploring this theme through a variety of interactive, open-to-the-public weekly activities.
Forest Hill Church, Presbyterian welcomes the opportunity to learn, grow and fellowship with our neighbors in Cleveland Heights and beyond.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
February 19 (immediately following worship): Teach In and Talk on Reparations vs. Jubilee
What are the differences between reparations and Jubilee? This is the grounding question we will explore at our teach-in and talk. Black-owned Food Trucks will be available onsite, so grab a plate and settle in for a robust discussion!
February 25 at 6:30 PM: Honoring Mother Willie Mae Wright
The Wright Family Singers and Elégie will split the bill to offer a gospel concert on Saturday, February 25th at 6:30 PM. FREE and open to the public.
This event comes with an extra layer of emotion for The Wright Family Singers, as it will be the first family concert since the passing of the family matriarch, Mother Willie-Mae Wright. Mother Wright was the original singer of the family and founded The Wright Family Singers with her 8 children in 1978. 3 of her children Bridgett, Deborah and Eric (the group’s original accompanist) preceded her in death, yet the group continues on with her remaining living children and their children.
February 26 at 4:00 PM: Live Ancestral Listening
Join us for a special jazz concert at 4 PM which will feature local jazz musicians Robin Blake, Joshua Stone, Malika Turner, Kenesha Terrell and many others. This event will be followed by an open forum discussion facilitated by a special guest speaker, giving both participants and patrons the chance to discuss and perform the music. FREE and open to the public.
For more questions or more information, please email Blackhistory@fhcpresb.org.
December 19, 2022 Antoinette Richardson
The Black History Education Committee announces a return of programming for the full month of February.
Watch for more information in the New Year!
And Save the Date for the Black History Concert on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
December 19, 2022 Antoinette Richardson
For the Winter of 2023, the Ministry of Adult Spiritual Growth is pleased to announce the following classes.
We have tried to balance our offerings of classes in a variety of areas of Spiritual Growth:
We hope these classes will help people connect with each other, building our community of faith.
About Sunday Morning Class times:
Please note that the starting time for Sunday morning classes is 9:15 AM. This gives us time to complete our classes comfortably and allows people who need to be elsewhere at 10:30 AM to arrive on time.
Study of the Book of Luke
Facilitators: Kathryn Eloff and Tom Zych
Dates and Times: Sundays, January 8 through February 19, 2023, 9:15-10:15 AM
Format: Hybrid (both in person at church and on Zoom)
Resource Text: We will use the book about the Gospel of Luke, “Good News for All,” from the Kerygma series as a common reading to begin the discussion. In addition, each week, the facilitators will send an email containing reflections and suggested readings from the Bible and other sources.
Class Description: This class continues our long tradition of Sunday morning Bible study. Luke’s Gospel is uniquely inclusive, involving all people. Good News is for the outcast and the establishment, for the religious and those searching. Luke speaks to women, to men, to the strong and healthy, to the weak and dispossessed. Its relevance today inspires faith, spirituality, and action.
To sign up, click here: https://fhc.breezechms.com/form/3a3065.
Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living
Facilitators: Ann Williams
Dates and Time: Sundays, January 8 through February 19, 2025, 9:15-10:15 AM.
Format: Meeting by Zoom only, to include people who live outside northeast Ohio.
Resource Texts: “Make Peace” from the Follow Me series, and your own Bible
Class Description: The Follow Me classes are designed to help us to follow practices that Jesus taught for spiritual growth. As we learn about each practice, we will have ample opportunity to share our experiences, encourage each other, and build community.
To sign up, click here: https://fhc.breezechms.com/form/3a3065.
The Gospel of Matthew
Facilitator: Ron Zimmerman
Dates and Times: January 8 through April 2, 9:15-10:15 AM
Format: On Zoom
Resource Text: Your own Bible and Gospel of Matthew: God With Us by Matt Woodley, part of the Resonate series from InterVarsity Press. Though the book is out of print, it is available as an ebook through Amazon and InterVarsity Press(https://www.ivpress.com/the-gospel-of-matthew-ebook).
Class Description: Using the Bible plus the easy-to-read commentary, Gospel of Matthew: God with Us by Matt Woodley, the class will journey through the Gospel, exploring a thematic study on kingdom building (developing a beloved community) with the intent to listen for God’s voice in how to live out an active faith in real-time.
To sign up, click here: https://fhc.breezechms.com/form/3a3065.
Praying with others through the Challenges of Life
Facilitator: Leslie Clement
Dates and Times: Friday afternoons, 5:30-7:00 PM, January 6- February 10, 2023.
Format: IN person at church
Class Description: Do you long to deepen your prayer life in company with others who have the same longing? Leslie will be sharing a five-part series written by faculty, program directors, and leaders from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary community.
To sign up, click here: https://fhc.breezechms.com/form/74fa0d190.
Racial Equity Book Club
Facilitator: Quentin Smith
Dates and Times: January 11 and January 28, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM
Format: On Zoom
Class Description: Please join us on January 7 & Jan. 28 (10:30 a.m. to noon via zoom ) when we discuss the New York Times best-seller historical novel Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi. Ms. Gyasi was born in the African nation of Ghana but raised in America. Consequently, she views Africa and America through unique eyes.
To request the ZOOM link, please email: racialequitybuddies@fhcpresb.org.
About Books for Classes
Many of the books used in the following classes are widely available through local public libraries and major online booksellers. Most are also available in audio format. Inexpensive, used copies can be purchased through used booksellers like AbeBooks.com, Biblio.com, or ThriftBooks.com. Books for the Follow Me and Kerygma classes will be purchased by the Ministry of Adult Spiritual Growth. If you are able, please donate $8 per book to Forest Hill Church, specifying that it is for books for a class. But if this expense would be difficult for you, please consider the book to be our gift to you.
Tags: Adult Ed, spiritual creativity, WorshipDecember 19, 2022 Julie Lustic
Summary of December 14, 2022 meeting
Present: Jeff and Anne Smith, Julie and Gary Lustic, Steve Sedam, Sharon Shoemaker,
Nonie Stack, Chris Henry, Quentin Smith
Excused: Virginia Weiss, Charity Stock, Cynthia Lehman
A summary of the discussion is provided below:
Posting of Recorded ITF Forums
Julie reported she spoke with Kurt Haas who advised her the length of the recorded ITF
forums would take up too much space on the website. The group discussed options,
with no final decisions made. There will be a revamping of the FHC website.
Upcoming Trip to the Border
Jeff reported on the meeting with congregational members who were interested in going
to the trip to the Border. At this time there are 13 who have committed to going to the
Border, which leaves 2 potential openings. Quentin suggested that an e-mail be sent to
4 individuals who had expressed an interest in going but have not yet committed, to let
them know that there are 2 openings so that it will be on first come, first served basis. In
addition, the 13 who have committed to going will need to provide room preferences for
the hotel.
Mark and Carol Wedell have offered their home so that the group can view the
documentary, “Missing in Brooks County”. Steve suggested we arrange a time to speak
with Anna Hinajosa who can discuss with us issues of white privilege as it pertains to
the immigration issue. Jeff will check with the Wedells to see if they are available on
January 12 or 13 with a proposed time of 6 PM. Steve will check with Anna regarding
her availability for a zoom meeting with those planning to attend the Border Trip.
We have approximately $3500.00 from Justice and Mission to spend on supplies,
donations to the various organizations we visit. We can also subsidize costs for those
who will need the assistance. We will determine who might need financial assistance. A
possibility remains to use some of the monies to lower overall costs for each person
going.
Jeff will check with those who are committed to going to see if they are amenable to a 7
AM departure, as proposed, or if they would rather leave at a later time. Depending
upon the time of departure, it may impact the cost.
Concerns about Emergency Care in Lake County
Sharon discussed a situation in which a co-worker had taken someone who is Latino to an
Emergency Room in Lake County. The waiting time was excessive and the person who was ill
eventually left. She later died. Another person waited a long time and was later admitted with
symptoms of a stroke. Someone reported that they were told that because they were Latino it
was assumed they were using the ER as an urgent care center and so were triaged as low on the
list to be seen. The group discussed various options as how to approach the hospital to discuss
our concerns regarding what appears to be an inequitable treatment of Latino patients in the
ER. The group discussed the potential of obtaining statistics regarding Latino patients in the ER
and whether they experienced a delay in treatment well beyond the average non-Latino
patient. Quentin suggested that we talk to Hola regarding their experiences and for feedback,
with a potential to have a meeting with the Director of the ER. Sharon will get additional
information to verify that the reported incidents are occurring at the same hospital.
The next meeting will be scheduled dependent upon input from those going to the Border and
information/recommendations from Caly.
November 28, 2022 Antoinette Richardson
Advent is a time of waiting, anticipating the coming of Jesus Christ in a physical body just like ours. Christians everywhere and throughout time have used Advent to reflect, to deepen their experience of God coming to us in the flesh.
For Advent this year, the members of the Ministry of Adult Spiritual Growth have decided to try something different. In the past, we have offered special Sunday morning Advent classes as a way for people could enhance their spiritual growth. However, many people find attending Sunday morning classes difficult or not appealing. We know that such classes reach only a small portion of our worshiping community.
At our most recent meeting, we considered ways to reach out to the entire church community during Advent. We decided to have an Advent Email each week on Monday morning, with a reflection about the theme of the week and its application to everyday life. We know that our fellow church member, Jean Reinhold, has written wonderfully poetic Advent reflections. So we asked, and Jean has generously agreed that we can use her writings for our Advent emails this year.
Each week during Advent, you will receive an emailed reflection by Jean on the theme of the week from the Ministry of Adult Spiritual Growth. You will find the first Advent email, on the theme of Hope, on the next page. We hope that you will read and re-read this reflection throughout the week as a way of deepening your experience of this time of waiting.
from Ann Williams and the entire Ministry of Adult Spiritual Growth
Tags: Adult Ed, advent, faith, growth, trust, WorshipJuly 20, 2022 Antoinette Richardson
| This week, I encourage you to stop by the library to browse through the selection of magazines that round out the collection. If you used to enjoy going through the magazines in the library and have missed paging through them during the last few years, you will find a selection of older issues that you are welcome to take home, keep and read. These giveaway magazines are on a church pew by the library windows. They are free to anyone interested. ~Zivile Khoury |
May 25, 2022 Julie Lustic
Attending: Gary and Julie Lustic, Steve Sedam, Sharon Shumaker, Quentin Smith, Nonie Stack, Virginia Weiss
Anne and Jeff Smith were unable to attend this evening. To help keep the task force informed, Jeff sent a couple of emails in advance of the meeting. They are summarized here:
The church continues to receive monthly donations of $100 from a person who lives in Twinsburg. She has faithfully been donating to the Sanctuary Fund in support of Leonor for a few years. Another person donated $500 to the Sanctuary Fund at the end of March. With funds available, Jeff is able to send Leonor Garcia financial support monthly. He believes the balance in the Sanctuary Fund remains at $1,209.
Emmanuel has been working a fair amount so he has money for his personal living expenses. Jeff asked for ideas on how Emmanuel’s iPhone can be inexpensively upgraded to at least an iPhone 7, either through a purchase or donation.
The task force met on Zoom for an hour. Here is a summary of their deliberations.
The Task Force supports the purchase or donation of a new iPhone for Emmanuel.
Sharon spoke to Leonor Garcia recently. Things seem to be going well in general. The application for Jose is proceeding. Eric is graduating from high school soon. Leonor wants to do another party like what was done for her wedding last fall but have this party be for Eric and Aidan; Eric in honor of his high school graduation and in celebration of Aidan’s birthday this summer. Details forthcoming.
Task Force members were asked for their evaluation of Bringing the Border Home. Their reaction was uniformly positive. Steve and Sharon presented a list of possible follow-up activities for the task force to consider as follow-up to Bringing the Border Home. There was consensus for:
Task Force will discuss in more depth later:
The next meeting of the Immigration Task Force is July 23 at 7 p.m.
Tags: Immigration Justice and Reform, Immigration Task Force, Task Force Activities, the immigrant
RSS
