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 immigrantMay 19, 2022 Elizabeth Shaw
Our final book discussion before we break for summer will take place (via Zoom) Saturday morning, June 18 from 10:30 to 12 noon. We will be discussing Professor Deborah Plummer’s book “Some of My Friends Are…The Daunting Challenges and Untapped Benefits of Cross-Racial Friendships“. Why do neighborhoods tend to be primarily of one race? Why do both Whites and Blacks generally only have superficial friendships with one another? This book delves into these questions. Deborah L. Plummer, Ph.D., is a psychologist, author, university professor and speaker on topics central to racial equality, inclusion, and mutual respect. She is most passionate about creating inclusive organizations and building peaceful communities.
Send an email to BlackCaucus@FHCPresb.com to register.
May 2, 2022 Antoinette Richardson
Saturday, May 7 • 9 am to 1 pm
Spring has sprung, and it’s time to house clean. We need people of all ages for many tasks, including: switching storms & screens, washing glass, gardening, mulching, and getting organized. Some supplies will be provided, but please label them yours if you have your favorite tool.
There’s plenty to do inside if it rains – outside tasks will be rescheduled.
Please wear your FHC name tag if you have one so that we can make new connections after being apart.
LUNCH will be served when our work is done.
A SCAVENGER HUNT is planned for the kids!
If you wish to signup, please fill out this form: https://fhc.breezechms.com/form/cb0e22.
April 26, 2022 Antoinette Richardson
Forest Hill softball season is right around the corner. Please complete the below form for anyone 16 years of age and older wishing to join the team. Games are played from the Sunday before Memorial Day to the Sunday before Labor Day on Sundays at 3 or 6 pm at Forest Hill Park. All are welcome.
If you wish to join, please sign up here: https://fhc.breezechms.com/form/50acb692.
April 4, 2022 Elizabeth Shaw
In The Whiteness of Wealth, author Dorothy A. Brown draws on decades of cross-disciplinary research to show that tax law isn’t as color-blind as she’d once believed. She takes us into her adopted city of Atlanta, introducing us to families across the economic spectrum whose stories demonstrate how American tax law rewards the preferences and practices of white people while pushing black people further behind. From attending college to getting married to buying a home, black Americans find themselves at a financial disadvantage compared to their white peers. The results are an ever-increasing wealth gap and more black families shut out of the American dream.
To participate in this Zoom discussion, send an email to the Black Caucus at: blackcaucus@fhcpresb.org or register here: https://fhc.breezechms.com/form/7b1894314.
February 1, 2022 Elizabeth Shaw
The Black Caucus Book Club will host a discussion of “How The Word Is Passed” by Clint Smith on Saturday March 5, 2022, 10:30 AM – 12:00 Noon. To receive the Zoom link, please email: BlackCaucus@FHCPresb.org
A deeply researched and transporting exploration of the legacy of slavery and its imprint on centuries of American history, How the Word Is Passed illustrates how some of our country’s most essential stories are hidden in plain view—whether in places we might drive by on our way to work, holidays such as Juneteenth, or entire neighborhoods like downtown Manhattan, where the brutal history of the trade in enslaved men, women, and children has been deeply imprinted.
Informed by scholarship and brought to life by the story of people living today, Smith’s debut work of nonfiction is a landmark of reflection and insight that offers a new understanding of the hopeful role that memory and history can play in making sense of our country and how it has come to be.
January 6, 2022 Antoinette Richardson
January 6, 2022
Dear Friends,
Yet another wave of Covid-19 is moving through our world. Even though our Christmas Eve service was Livestream only and we limited the musicians and singers to a minimum, there were several cases of Covid infections among the worship leaders. While we long for the day when we will worry no longer about Omicron and other variants, we are not there yet.
Recently, The Session passed a Covid protocol guideline that was formulated by medical leaders of the church and the Trustees. The purpose of the guidelines is to provide responsible and consistent messaging for all staff, volunteers and members of the church.
You may see the full Covid-19 protocol guideline by going to this link: FHC COVID-19 Policy.
If you are a volunteer for any of the many programs of Forest Hill Church (for example, you help lead worship, participate in one of the choirs, or serve at the pantry), you will be required to present a proof of vaccination to the designated leader of that program. Your information will be guarded securely. If there is a breakout of covid all those who are part of the program will be informed.
We understand how tired you are of this, because we share your weariness and frustration. However, being the beloved community means that we care for every member of the community and those we serve in the name of Jesus Christ.
Faithfully yours,
Veronica and John
January 2, 2022 Ann Williams
| Group Leaders: | Jennifer Blakeney and Lisa Vahey |
| When: | Monday evenings, 7:00-8:15 PM, January 24, 31, February 7, 21, and 28. Please note: this group will NOT meet on February 14. |
| Where: | On Zoom only. |
| Resource Text: | Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad. This book is widely available in print, digital, and audio formats from bookstores and local libraries. |
This book club is organized around the book Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad. At each meeting, we’ll discuss the book (which is organized into “weeks” of learning that we’ll follow). There will also be journaling and reflection as we read, share, discuss and grow so we can see, understand, and actively dismantle white supremacy.
To sign up: You can sign up here.
December 27, 2021 Ann Williams
The Ministry of Adult Spiritual Growth is pleased toannounce the following classes and groups for Winter of 2022. We believe that all adult Christians need lifelong Christian education and spiritual formation. Please consider signing up for one of these opportunities to learn and grow as a Christian!
How the Scriptures Came to be THE Bible
Follow Me: Baptize and Live in Community
Open our Eyes and Hearts to Racial Injustice
A Conversation with Susie Kaeser, author of Resisting Segregation, co-sponsored by the Black Caucus and the Racial Inequality Repair Committee.
Discuss Caste: The Origins of our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson, sponsored by the Black Caucus
“The Sum of Us” Book discussion
Reconnecting with God’s Creation
Preparing for End of Life — For your Family Members and You
Tags: Adult EdDecember 27, 2021 Ann Williams
| Group Leader: | Tom Zych and Kathryn Eloff |
| When: | Sunday mornings, 9:30–10:30AM, January 9–March 27, 2022 (12 weeks). The room will open at 9:00AM. |
| Where: | The class is offered as a hybrid so that you can join us via Zoom or in-person in South Hall. |
Have you ever wondered how our Scriptures came to be “the Bible”? Have you wondered how the books we study got into the canon in the first place, and who decided what was in and what was out? Or even when that came to pass? We share texts with our Jewish sisters and brothers, but we use different collections and use the texts in different ways. When and how did this happen?
We invite you to participate in a 12-week class on the development of the Biblical canon. A mix of presenters and styles, with a variety of readings, outside speakers and our own Pauline scholar, the course will be organized around Bart Ehrman’s “The History of the Bible: Making of the New Testament Canon.” There will be readings (including particular sections of scripture and extra-canonical books).
It’s hard to predict what will be best about the series, but the first class will certainly be a highlight. Our good friend, Rabbi Roger Klein, will start us off with an outline of Jewish thought on the formation of the canon of the Hebrew Bible. And he will pick up on an idea that has been raised in our own classes: should the canon be open to new books or to remove old ones? Is it a formal discussion in our own faith? Should it be? Do we have a tradition that parallels the oral and rabbinic traditions of the Jewish tradition? Does the text itself ask for ongoing interpretation?
To sign up: You can sign up through Breeze here. Or you can email your intention to Kathryn Eloff at kathryneloff@gmail.com.
Tags: Adult Ed
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