What is God Like?

In a world that has many perspectives on what God is like… it can be hard to know what is the true God and when and where we see God in the world. June’s sermon series is inspired by the children’s book “What is God Like…” by Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner. A book that explores children’s wonder and curiosity around the extravagance and love of God. Join us as we explore what God is like with open and curious eyes like a child.

June 4: What is God Like…

June 11: God is like a Guardian

June 18: God is like Nature

June 25: God is like a Mystery

July Sermon Series

Grief Unbinded

Grief is a product of the human experience. It can come in all shapes and sizes: in the death of a family member, the death of a friend or the loss of a friendship, the loss of a job, the loss of a marriage, the death of a child or ability to reproduce, the end of a dream, the loss of a community, or the loss of memories. These losses can be hard to weather alone.

Join us in July as we unpack the story of Lazarus from different perspectives of Lazarus’ death and resurrection. Each week will be unpacking their grief and trauma surrounding its events and how we can better embrace our grief with empathy and love, rather than denial and avoidance. Grief will continue on for the ages, but how can we better grow with the grief and around the grief rather than be defined by it.

July 2: Dying Lazarus

July 9: Projecting Disciples

July 16: Grieving Sisters

July 23: Weeping Jesus

July 30: Unbinding Resurrected Lazarus

Recap of Stephen Ministry Continuing Education God’s Extravagant Welcome, May 1st

“On the evening of Monday, May 1st, HPCUMC had the honor of hosting Sue Jelinek, MDiv., BCC, the Trans-Clinic Chaplain from Cincinnati Children’s come and talk to our community about Trans 101 terminology as well as some of her theology surrounding God’s Extravagant Welcome to members of the transcommunity. It was a well-attended night and many came away inspired with new understanding and perspective on human-beings and the God we love and serve. Some of the verses she referenced in her theology of extravagant welcome were: Psalms 139:13-18, Acts 8:26-40, and Jeremiah 29:11. If you were unable to make the presentation and would like to know more information about trans terminology use the QR code to visit: https://www.thetrevorproject. org/resources/guide/a-guide-to-being-an-ally-to-transgender-andnonbinary-youth/

And if you have any questions about the theology portion of the presentation, please do not hesitate to reach out to either Rev. Suzanne Allen, Rev. Kate Smith, or Sarah Knapton. The hope is to have Chaplain Sue Jelinek back in the Fall or next Winter for more continuing education. The more information we have the better we can love and support the rights of our trans-siblings in Christ.”

Summer Suggested Book Catalog

Check out our Summer Suggested Reading List!

See a book that interests you? Buy one for yourself and a copy to share and donate to our faith community’s new Free Little Library. (Or after you finish the book, donate it to our library for others to enjoy.)

The hope of this Free Little Library is to broaden our perspectives beyond our church walls. As a community of faith, we invite you to read about different cultures, viewpoints, and imaginations this summer as we commit to learning with one another and the community that shares our building.

Pick up a catalog in the Welcome Center, outside the Church Office, or use QR code to view a pdf. Any donations can be given to either Meredith Menius or Sarah Knapton.

& Introducing Donuts and Discussion!

Books and Beverages with Sarah and Meredith is returning in the fall, with an additional opportunity for conversations: Donuts and Discussions!

Donuts and Discussion will use the same book of the month, and will meet on the Sunday morning of the same week as Books and Beverages.

We are so excited about this opportunity for more people to be involved in the conversations about the books we are reading! Be on the lookout for a sign up link and location details for all dates closer to August!

Fall 2023 Dates

Books and Beverages:

Wednesday, September 27, 6:30pm

Native by Kaitlin Curtice

Wednesday, October 25, 6:30pm

Living Resistance by Kaitlin Curtice

Fall 2023 Dates

Donuts and Discussions:

Sunday, September 24, 11:00am

Native by Kaitlin Curtice

Sunday, October 22, 11:00am

Living Resistance by Kaitlin Curtice

The Endowment Funds

Learn more…

Legacy Sunday was May 21st. Rev. Dr. Michael Vilardo shared many celebrations from the ministries of our church that our endowment supports and helps make possible. If you have questions or would like more information about the endowment funds, please contact Michael at mpvilardo@gmail.com.

Kaitlin Curtice is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Kaitlin writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives. She also speaks on these topics to diverse audiences who are interested in truth-telling and healing.

As an inter-spiritual advocate, Kaitlin participates in conversations on topics such as colonialism in faith communities, and she has spoken at many conferences on the importance of inter-faith relationships.

Besides her books, Kaitlin has written online for Sojourners, Religion News Service, Apartment Therapy, On Being, SELF Magazine, and more. Her work has been featured on CBS and in USA Today. She also writes at The Liminality Journal. Kaitlin lives in Philadelphia with her family.