TCC News

by Phyllis Belcher

The pews in the sanctuary of Tehachapi Community Church (UCC) last Sunday, were all covered with quilts. It was quite a surprise to see so many beautiful quilts on exhibit. These Comfort Quilts had been placed there by Tehachapi Mountain Quilters. Pastor Rev. Keslinn Kohfeld-Stout learned about the group since they meet the 3rd Monday of each month from 10:00 until 2:00 in the church’s Friendship Hall. She invited them to share their mission of quilting with the congregation because it demonstrates love and caring for others.

Cheryl Johnson, spokesperson for the group, explained it is a teaching guild which donates completed quilts to various places.  While they always try to donate in Tehachapi first, their donations reach out to many as they give to veterans, children, and others who are ill or hospitalized. Often quilts are given to bereaved parents. The Tehachapi Mountain Quilters have found that the quilts provide warmth and security; they send the message that those who are suffering are not alone.

The Guild has been donating quilts to Los Angeles Children’s Hospital for over 20 years. They estimate they have given about 3,000 quilts within that time period. After quilts are finished, they must be washed, placed in plastic bags, and delivered to Los Angeles. Members of the guild work together to complete this process.

Rev. Kohfeld-Stout spoke about the need for providing for children. She cited incidents, even in Tehachapi, where children do not have adequate food and care. She praised the work of the Tehachapi Mountain Quilters and urged those in the congregation to find ways they can show love and concern for children.

Tehachapi Community Church, located at 100 East E Street, worships Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Their motto is, “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

by Julie Bulloch

We shared a joyful service on Mother’s Day of history, remembrance, color, and love, while we heard the story of the beginning of the art form of patchwork quilting in America.

The Sanctuary was filled with color from the patchwork quilts of Marlene Rodriguez.

Carlyn Grantham displayed the patchwork quilt given to her by her grandmother, that included patches from her life and from the life of her mother, Sally, and their lifetimes.

Carolyn Pearson talked about the quilting group that meets monthly in Friendship Hall.  She brought some of the items made by the group, and invited everyone to stop and see them.

Phyllis Belcher talked about the patchwork quilts that had been made here at the church for many years.

Jan Roberts talked about the patchwork quilts that have been made to help support the Pearls of Africa Children’s Home in Uganda, Africa.  She brought some of the quilts for us to see.

It was a Sunday full of joy, color, and love!

by Phyllis Belcher

Caring for our world is so important to members of Tehachapi Community Church that environmental awareness was featured in the Sunday Worship Service. Chris Rush, the leader of the Church’s Environmental Team, introduced Carol Rush as consultant to the team since her career was devoted to understanding the positive and negative forces within nature.

Carol Rush explained that environmental problems are growing as climate changes. There are problems with consumption, the use of plastics, and others serious impacts to life on earth. She explained there are some solutions possible if all people work together. She summed up her talk by showing a video recorded by Carl Sagan. It was called the Pale Blue Dot and centers on a photograph of earth taken in 1990 by Voyager I. It tells about dangers to the environment while it holds out hope for improvement.

Jan Roberts, one of the E-Team members, told the congregation about the almond tree which grew next to the sanctuary for many years. It recently had to be cut down because it was cracking the sidewalk and leaning into the roof. The E-Team planted an American Purple White Ash on church property, but away from buildings and cement. It reportedly grows to a height of 40 – 60 feet and has brilliant purple foliage in the fall. The team declares it represents hope for the future.

Another E-Team member, Cheryl Harris, explained various cleansing products, and personal hygiene items that are environmentally friendly. She displayed several such items in Friendship Hall for people to observe at the after-church-potluck which is held the last Sunday of each month.

Tehachapi Community Church, the oldest protestant church in town, was established as a Congregational Church. In 1957, that denomination merged with three others to become United Church of Christ. Now the church is known as Tehachapi Community Church (UCC). See https://tcccucc.org for other information.