Richfield United builds on its history of community outreach

by Laura Straub

“The big question is what can we do to make the world a better place,” said Dawn Schilling, moderator at Richfield United Church of Christ.

Each day the congregation answers with donations and acts of service to make a positive impact that reaches near and far.

“Jesus kept it simple with just one commandment: Love one another. So we can’t just take care of ourselves, we need to extend compassion beyond our walls,” said Rev. John King, pastor at RUCC. “We don’t serve others because they belong to this church, we serve others because we belong to this church.”

Added Schilling, “Our focus in our church is loving others. It’s tough. It’s a daily intention to be loving to others. But when you’re part of a church where it’s important to love others and accept others, it makes it easier to accept that challenge.”

Senior apartments

The congregation’s support for the community reaches far outside the church’s walls as well, with many longstanding programs and volunteer partnerships. The Richfield Retirement Village provides 13 safe and affordable apartments for the elderly who can no longer maintain their larger homes. Built in the 1970s for members of the church, the units are now open to singles or couples 55 and older and in good health. Monthly rent at the Retirement Village is about $450.

“It’s great for the community because a lot of these people want to live in Richfield, but the housing cost has gotten so expensive that they can’t,” said Peter van der Meer, manager of the village. “There is a real need.”

Church members volunteer their time to maintain the apartments. Van der Meer became involved with the apartments 20 years ago and manages billing, rent payments, advertisements, as well as ongoing upgrades. He is an advocate for continually improving the units and hopes to build more.

Feed My Sheep

Parishioners also help nourish the community through Feed My Sheep, affiliated with the Akron Canton Foodbank. RUCC member Nagwa Ahlborg started volunteering with Feed My Sheep in 2010. She orders food and organizes preparing a hot meal every Friday when different churches volunteer as servers. Other RUCC members serve once a month.

 “We don’t close for the holidays, and we always serve a hot meal,” said Ahlborg. “It’s one meal, but it takes an army and a village to have it continue.”

Other parishioners work at the Open M hunger center in Akron. Through these organizations, RUCC members also donate bags of gently used clothing and Christmas presents.

In addition, the church makes annual financial contributions to community assistance organizations. Last year, RUCC gave $1,000 each to Feed My Sheep, Haven of Rest Homeless Shelter, the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and the United Church of Christ One Great Hour of Sharing campaign.

Sustainability

The church has also taken an interest in sustainability. Karen Butera spearheads a group of volunteers who maintain the church vegetable garden. The produce is given free to church members and the Richfield community. Donations that are received in exchange for the fresh vegetables support the education of a teenager in Colombia through Children International.

The committee also introduced a community compost bin, to help Richfield residents be environmentally friendly when they don’t have the space or equipment to compost on their own property. The bin is located in the parking lot behind the church.

Lunch program

New last year was RUCC free lunch program. In 2020, volunteers provided 2,225 free lunches to area residents through a COVID-safe, drive-through experience. The program offered food to those who may have lost a job and helped people feel safely connected during a period of isolation.

“It brought such joy to people that came,” said Jean Krankowski, chair of the Worship and Parish Ministry Board. “They were thankful and appreciative that someone was doing this with no strings attached.”

She said it was her favorite church project because it helped fill the social and emotional needs of others, especially seniors, while other outlets like the Richfield Senior Center were closed.

Disaster help

Beyond Richfield, a group of RUCC members travel to disaster areas when they are notified of a crisis.

According to van der Meer, he and his wife Betty took a group of about 13 to Appalachia on their first trip. Today, the adult mission group makes weeklong trips twice a year to tackle projects in areas hit by floods, hurricanes and tornados.

Over 60 people have volunteered with the group, going to 10 states, repairing the homes damaged by hurricanes in New Orleans, New Jersey, Indiana and Alabama.

“We raise the money ourselves,” he said. “It’s something we’re really proud of.”

He estimates that each trip costs between $3,000 and $4,000, plus they often leave a donation.

The younger generation gets involved with disaster relief through the Youth Service Mission. Last year, during COVID, they maintained the grounds of the church and Retirement Village and volunteered at various hunger centers.

Interfaith

King is especially proud of his involvement and the church community’s support of the Richfield Interfaith Coalition. Organized by King several years ago, the coalition brought together Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Catholics, Lutherans and members of the United Church of Christ for visits and a meal to the different houses of worship, all in Richfield. 

“We have become friends in the interfaith community and built bridges of mutual understanding and friendship,” said King.

Always there

In times of hardship, the RUCC is there. King said the church hosts a meal and reception after all funerals held at the church, whether for a parishioner or not.

“Funerals are difficult, but cordial hospitality means a lot,” he said.

The church helps individuals directly and discreetly. Sometimes it’s as simple as buying a tank of gas for someone in need. RUCC members are helping send a young El Salvadoran woman to college.

“Lupita is on track to become the first person in her family ever to graduate from college,” said King.

RUCC also provides shelter for 10 Syrian refugees through Shelter Box, which provides each with a tent, sleeping bag and cooking supplies.

For over 50 years, church members have shared homemade cookies with the Greenleaf Family Center in Akron. They send Valentine boxes to service members and college students and this year awarded $3,500 in college scholarships. 

“Many civic groups not religiously affiliated with RUCC utilize our buildings at no cost,” said King.

The church has hosted Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts since World War II. It has operated Hobbitts Preschool for generations and provides space for a book club, art gallery and Alcoholics Anonymous.

 “By the time we add up the financial contributions, the value of building space we share and the value of volunteer service hours,’’ said King, “It is clear that RUCC is quietly providing tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of service to the broader community.

“We serve others, because following the path of Jesus, we believe in helping one another. … It is how we live our faith. RUCC welcomes all with compassion and equality. When we say, ‘All are welcome,’ that means all are welcome – no exceptions, no kidding.’’ ∞