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Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Around the Conference
 

REMINDER: Please submit your news, events and photos by noon each Tuesday to be included in the Wednesday eCourier. Items received after the deadline will be in the next issue. Thank you! 

Final Boundary Training Session of 2012

 

The final boundary training session hosted by the MMS UCC will be held on Thursday, October 11 at St. Peter's UCC in New Haven, MO from 9am to 4pm.  Cost is $20.00, and the fee is waived for retired clergy.  The facilitators scheduled for this session are Rev. Bruce Moeller and Mrs. Francie Turnure.  Click here for the registration form.  

Mark Your Calendar 

Gateway ONA will meet on October 30 at 7:00 p.m. and in the McCarthy Room at Eden Seminary.

Missouri Mid-South Conference Holds Initial Mission 4/1 Earth Consultative Meeting

 

The first step on the path towards sustainability and environmental justice was taken when lay-leaders, pastors and Missouri Mid-South Conference staff members gathering at Columbia UCC, in Columbia, Missouri on September 27,2012 to kick off their intention to engage the 149 congregations, agencies and partnership ministries in the Mission 4/1 Earth project in 2013. Not satisfied to wait until the starting date on April 1, 2013, these visionaries representing all three associations within the MMSC met to share their thoughts and prayers for a greener church which will heal the Earth and proclaim the Cosmic Christ's claim over Spaceship Earth.

 

Twenty people from churches across the MMSC responded to the call to gather to consider how local congregations, Cluster Groups, Associations and the MMSC can respond to the national effort to plant trees, mobilize political support for conservation and environmental concerns, and participate in meaningful volunteer efforts during the 50 days of the Mission 4/1 Earth campaign commencing on Easter Sunday and ending on Pentecost. A clip from the film Koyaanisqatsi which was created between 1975 and 1982 was viewed. Koyaaanisqatsi is a Hopi Indian word meaning "life out of balance" or "crazy life" is an apocalyptic vision of the collision of two different worlds -- urban life and technology versus the environment. The powerful musical score was composed by Philip Glass. After a reading of the creation Psalm 104 the group viewed the Mission 4/1 Earth campaign video and engaged in a serious conversation on topics related to the biblical views of creation and humanity place in it, Green Theology and practical opportunities to engage congregations in preparation for the project.

 

 The group identified the need for encouraging local congregations to develop their own projects. One goal mentioned was the importance of ecumenical partnerships and outreach and participation in non-religious groups that are committed to conservation and the protection of nature and animals. Another goal is to encourage stewardship of energy resources by education on the subject of Dark Skies - which eliminates unnecessary and wasteful light in the skies which prohibits the ability to see the night sky and the marvels of God's cosmos. According to the project director for the MMSC Mission 4/1 Earth, the Rev. Dr. Marc A. Wessels, Associate Conference Minister, "Our efforts to preserve Spaceship Earth is a response to our biblical and theological awareness which arises from our hearing the groaning and travail of the planet and its creatures."


NEW DATE! Justice Revival & Voter Rally, October 8th, St. John's & Christ the King UCC Host

 

On Monday, October 8th Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ (UCC) in Chicago, will join prophetically-inclined local pastors as Christ the King and St. John's UCC co-host REVIVING JUSTICE: AN ACTION OF WORSHIP at Saint John's, located at 4136 N. Grand in North St. Louis. The event - which was re-scheduled due to an urgent family matter for Moss - will begin with a voter registration & mobilization rally at 6:00 p.m., transition to worship at 7:00 p.m. and close with a call to action connected with the upcoming election.

 

New partners in the effort include the Souls to the Polls Initiative, the Urban League's Occupy the Vote Campaign and Concerned Clergy of St. Louis. The night of faith-inspired activism was the brainchild of Pastors Starsky Wilson and Traci Blackmon, of St. John's and Christ the King respectively and reclaims the "justice revival" for Christians with more progressive theological and political leanings. The new date afforded the opportunity to partner with other local collaborations of church mobilization for voter empowerment.

 

There may be no more appropriate voice to make the call for Christians to mobilize for justice in an election year than Moss who was thrust into the national spotlight during the 2008 presidential election as he was taking the reins of Trinity, the largest church in the United Church of Christ denomination and former spiritual home of President Barack Obama.

 

Moss is an honors graduate of Morehouse College, Yale Divinity School, and he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. He is an ordained minister in the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the UCC and has published three books, Redemption in a Red Light District, The Gospel Re-Mix: How to Reach the Hip-Hop Generation and Preach!: The Power and Purpose Behind Our Praise. The work and legacy of Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the pastoral ministry of his father, Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. of Cleveland, OH, have been primary mentors for spiritual formation.

 

All are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information on REVIVING JUSTICE visit www.sjuccstl.org or e-mail sjucc@yahoo.com.


Local United Church of Christ Churches

Faith in Action Weekend

 

On September 15 and 16 nearly 100 volunteers spread out into the community for another Faith in Action Weekend. This is the sixth year the local churches spent a weekend doing service projects that will touch lives around the world.

 

One team of volunteers spent the afternoon on the lawn of Ebenezer UCC enjoying the Augusta Harvest Festival relaxing in their rocking chairs to raise $336 in support of kid's camps at Camp Mo-Val in Union, MO. Another group of volunteers worked to spruce up the grounds of the Emmaus Home's Marthasville campus. They did yard work, washed windows, played games and assembled toys with the residents.

 

On Sunday, the smallest team went to work just outside the New Melle city limits along Hwy F. They picked up eight bags of trash and one very large bag of aluminum cans that will be recycled. It was a small group with a big impact. The largest team met at Faith UCC in Wentzville for an assembly project. They packaged donations into 101 Food Packs that will be distributed throughout Missouri and 45 Health Kits that will be sent around the world. The culinary experts spent Sunday afternoon preparing a home cooked meal that was delivered to 23 home bound friends and neighbors. Each meal delivery also included a few minutes for visiting. Twelve volunteers spent the week working to help with the recovery in Joplin, Missouri. They helped to repair the damage done by the tornado that ripped through the town in Spring of 2011.

 

The service projects were sponsored by the Heritage Cluster of United Church of Christ Churches. Participating churches include Ebenezer UCC, Augusta; Faith UCC, Wentzville; Femme Osage UCC, Femme Osage; Friedens Peace UCC, New Melle; and St. John's UCC, Cappeln.

Rainbow Scarf Project: Help the Church Stand Against the Bullying of LGBTQ Youth

Calling all knitters, crochet artists and weavers! We need you to help us fulfill a dream: turn General Synod into a landscape of bright colors to raise awareness about LGBTQ teens endangered by bullying-and the related risk of suicide. With your help, we're confident we can distribute 3,000 brightly-colored scarves to delegates and guests when General Synod meets June 28-July 2, 2013, in Long Beach, California.

Each person at Synod who accepts a free scarf will sign a pledge to take an action against violence. Resources and workshops on how to prevent violence against LGBTQ teens, women, elders, people of color and others will help individuals and congregations take practical steps in their community, and we'll keep the momentum going after Synod adjourns.

Steps to help:
Make a scarf (as many as you can!)
▼ about 60 inches long ▼ about 4-6 inches wide ▼ any pattern you like
Use Red Heart Super Saver Color: "Primary."

So help us bring the rainbow to Long Beach! If you join our Facebook page we'll keep you informed about steps your church can take to protect youth from bullying! Want to learn more? Email rainbow@ucccoalition.org.
Click here for additional information and where to send your scarf.

The Mission & Social Concerns Committee of the Eastern Association of the MO Mid-South Conference, UCC invites you to

 

Deepening the Conversation:

A Moderated Panel on Religion-Government Relations

 

(the second panel in our "Deepening the Conversation" series)
Click here for a printable bulletin insert 

 

3pm, Sunday, October 21

St. Peter's UCC, 20 East Fifth Street, Washington

 

Refreshments to follow.

 

Whether it's a news story covering President Obama's former pastor or Governor Romney's Mormon faith, religion and religious language continue to play an important role in contemporary U.S. politics. At the same time, questions arise in each election cycle surrounding the application of the First Amendment and the appropriate relationship between religious institutions and wider political processes.

 

Join our discussion in thinking about how houses of worship and faith-based groups relate to government institutions and what role people of faith are called to take on regarding electoral politics in our society.

 

Our Panelists: 

 

David Gerth

Executive Director, Metropolitan Congregations United

 

Allen Ladage

Chair of the Board, Missouri Interfaith Impact

 

Mary Ann McGivern

Sister of Loretto and Missouri Network of Nuns on the Bus

 

Jeanette Mott Oxford

Missouri House of Representatives, 59th District

Clear Understanding

 

Health Literacy of Missouri offers this workshop to help parish nurses gain a greater understanding of how improve the health information they share with the people they serve. Evidence has shown that people who understand the teaching that is being provided about their health care have lower health care costs, health outcomes and client satisfaction.

 

Parish nurses will be taught four proven strategies for clear communication: teach back method, use of plain language in speech, medication review, and principles in universal

precautions.

 

Thursday, October 25, 9:30am - 11:30am

Eden Seminary, McCarthy Room

 

Due to a generous grant from Missouri Foundation for Health, this workshop is free and open to all parish nurses in the Greater St. Louis region.

Psalms Festival

 

You are invited to "Singing our Faith: A Festival of Psalms" on Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 7:00 p. m. in the Wehrli Chapel at Eden Theological Seminary, 475 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves. The event will feature the singing of Psalms in various styles, led primarily by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, Eden Seminary's Artist-in-Residence and an accomplished composer, poet, and singer. Other participants include Donita Bauer, Eden's Interim Director of Music; the Eden Seminary Choir; Professor Clint McCann (who will briefly introduce the Psalms); Rev. Sarah McCann (who will lead Psalms from Taizé and the Iona Community); and Asst. Professor Laurel Koepf Taylor (who will lead plainsong and Psalms for children). Questions or more info? Please call Clint McCann at 314-395-5826 or email him at cmccann@eden.edu.

 

Eden Theological Seminary's 25th Annual Schmiechen Lectures

 

Constructing Mission and Peace in the Shadow of Empire

October 10, 2012 

To register, please contact Kathy Thomas at 314-918-2565.
Registration Fee: $40

Click here for additional information.
 

Ordination Service of Nancy Mack   

 

The St. Louis Association of the United Church of Christ and Peace United Church of Christ in Webster Groves cordially invite you to the ordination service of Nancy Mack into the ministry of Word and Sacrament. 

 

Sunday, October 7, 3pm

Peace United Church of Christ
204 E. Lockwood Ave.
Webster Groves, MO 63119   

   

Clergy are invited to robe and process (red stoles please).

A reception will follow the service.  

 

 

    

Change the things you can...

Marcus Engel, Motivational Speaker

 

Sponsored by SHYG of First Congregational UCC of Webster Groves

10 W Lockwood, Webster Groves, MO 63119  

Saturday, October 20, 2012 3-5 pm

Memorial Hall

 

Youth and Adults are invited to join us for an inspirational talk with Marcus Engel followed by small group breakout sessions.

 

Questions can be directed to youthcoordinator@firstchurchwg.org. 
All are invited.  Donations of school supplies are encouraged in lieu of admission tickets. 


Marcus grew up in the St. Louis area and as a part of the Mid Missouri South Conference of the UCC.

 

On a cold autumn night during his freshman year of college, Marcus' life took a dramatic turn. Following a Saturday night hockey game, Marcus and some friends were headed to a local diner for a midnight snack. They never made it.

 

When he awoke to a world he would never again see, Marcus faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles: survive hundreds of hours of reconstructive facial surgery, adapt to blindness and find happiness in a world changed forever.

 

Marcus' story has empowered, enlightened and entertained audiences around the nation to overcome personal adversity and make intelligent decisions.                                 

   JN logo  

 


Featuring
St. Louis' premier jazz vocalist, Kim Massie 

December 8 & 9 in St.Louis

December 15 in Kansas City 

  

  
Eastern Association News
 
St. Louis Association News
 

Fashions for the Faithful 

 

At 7:30pm on Monday, October 8, 2012, jeff wunrow designs presents "Fashions for the Faithful," a runway show of liturgical vestments at  , 1210 Locust St. in downtown St. Louis. On the eve of St. Louis Fashion Week, clergy and lay leaders from several faith traditions will be modeling stoles and chasubles in the Gothic space of the Cathedral and against the backdrop of the historical reredos, the massive and delicately carved stone screen behind the altar.

 

Among the "models" is the Rev. Katy Hawker, pastor at Peace United Church of Christ in Webster Groves.

 

Since 2004, Jeff Wunrow, a 20-year-resident of St. Louis, has designed and sewn banners and vestments for clergy and churches. His work can be found in collections across the country and in six foreign countries www.jeffwunrow.com.

Save the Date, November 18, 2012

   

On November 18, 2012 Joint Neighborhood Ministry will have an afternoon and evening of celebration marking 45 years of service in the Benton Park area of south St. Louis.  A celebration service will be held at Curby Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2621 Utah Street, St. Louis, 63118, beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a reception to follow.  A celebration dinner will be held that same evening at Mathew's Kitchen, 5625 Hampton Avenue, St. Louis 63105. The reception will begin at 5:00 and dinner at 6:00. Cost: $45.00 per person.  Details and an announcement will be sent to all area churches in September.

Western Association News
 
Upcoming Events
 
Conference News
St. Louis Association
Western Association
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Conference
Quick Links
 
 
 
 
Upcoming Conference Minister Preaching

Sunday, 10/7/12
Marc Wessels @ Hope DeSoto, 10:30am

Sunday, 10/14/12
Jeff Whitman @
Pershing, 10am

Sunday, 10/21/12
Jeff Whitman @
St. John's High Hill, 10am

Dale Parson @
Immanuel UCC, Sedalia, 10:30am

Sunday, 11/11/12
Marc Wessels @ Carondelet, 9am

St. Martin's UCC - Dittmer 29th Annual Fall Festival - Saturday, October 6, 2-8:30pm

Dinners served from 2-7 pm with choice of Fried Chicken or BBQ Ham plus sides, dessert and drink. Adult tickets - $9.00 / Children 4-11 $4.00 / 3 and Under Free - We have a fun filled day of great family entertainment! FREE Kids activities include - Farm Animal Petting Zoo - Kevin Dobbins and his Amazing Animals (4-7pm) - Horse Drawn Wagon Rides - Games - Face Painting - Prizes - Cotton Candy - Popcorn - Hot chocolate - CHFPD Safe House! Christian Contemporary Music and Gospel Music starting at 4 pm - end the evening with Fireworks! Enjoy a stroll through our Country Store for our famous Apple Butter & German Potato Salad Sauce along with baked goods, jams, jellies, crafts and more!    

 

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St. Johns Evangelical UCC, Harvest Fest, Saturday, October 6, 4-7pm
Entree choice of rotisserie chicken or pulled pork. Activities in the gym, basket auction, fresh produce, homemade apple butter and games. 11333 St. Johns Church Road (Lindbergh & 55) - 314-892-0848

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Upcoming Events at St. Peter's UCC 
1425 Stein Road (at West Florissant), St. Louis, MO 
 
Click each listing below for the full event flyer and additional info.
  

October 6 - Blessing of the Pets - 11am to 1pm

 

October 14 - Free Concert, St. Peter's Cabaret - 7pm 

 

October 20 - Community Barbeque - 11am to 6pm 

 

October 21 - Free Concert, Kirkwood Community Gospel Choir - 3pm  


October 28 - Trunk or Treat - 12pm to 1:30pm     

 

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44th Annual Chicken Dinner, Sunday, October 7, Noon - 6pm

Immanuels United Church of Christ, 17510 Church Street, Marthasville, 636-932-4646

Inside and outside dining and carry outs. Adults $10. Children (6-12) $6. Children under 5 free. Come enjoy a country store, quilt raffle, famous Holstein apple butter, bounce house, games and music by Friedens UCC Celebration Band. Take Hwy 47 to Hwy N. Go west on Hwy N about 4 miles to Holstein. Turn left on Church Street after you pass the church cemetery. Watch for signs!   

 

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Whole Hog Sausage & Roast Beef Dinner, Sunday, October 7, 2012 - Noon until 6pm

Friedens Peace United Church of Christ, New Melle

3560 Mill Street, New Melle, MO 63365  

(1/2-block south of the Hwy D & F intersection)

All-you-can-eat, whole-hog sausage and slow-cooked roast beef dinner

including our homemade fixin's of mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, sauerkraut, applesauce, bread, and your choice of dessert, served cafeteria style!

Adults $9  /  Children (Ages 6- 11)  $5  /  Children (5 & younger) FREE /  All Carry-outs $9

Apple Butter and Fresh Sausage available.  Craft tables, beer garden, and music!

Pre-orders or Questions call 636-828-5980!

Join us on facebook at: 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friedens-Peace-United-Church-of-Christ/122879711068097

 

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Grace UCC  Rummage and Bake Sale, Saturday, October 13th 8am - 1pm 
Grace UCC Church 8326 Mexico Road, St. Peters, MO. All Rummage Sale items are available for a free will offering with proceeds going to church missions. We have furniture, clothing, toys, household items, and many other treasures to be found. Bake sale items, and brats and hot dogs will also be available. The event is indoors and will happen rain or shine. Come and support the community, there is something for everyone!

 

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Chili-Soup Dinner, Saturday, October 13, 11am - 7pm

Blue Springs Terrace, 312 SW 19th Terrace will be hosting their 7th annual Chili and Soup Dinner, a fundraiser for fun and fellowship. Bring your family and friends! Enjoy homemade chili, vegetable soup, chicken noodle soup, salad bar, dessert, coffee, tea and lemonade. Donations accepted.    

 

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Calvary United Church of Christ, "Loving God By Serving Neighbor", All You Can Eat Pasta Dinner, Saturday, October 13 from 3:30 - 6:30pm

Cost is $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for children 6-12, and children 5 and under eat free. Price includes salad, bread, dessert, and drink. Calvary UCC is located at 2501 Hartland Avenue, St. Louis, MO 

 

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St. Martin's UCC - Dittmer MEGA Yard Sale - Saturday, October 13,  7am - 2pm   

Sponsored by STM UCC held at Arrowhead Sales Facility located at 8343 Hwy B (Next to Windy Hill Farm Supply), Cedar Hill, MO. HUGE assortment of items: clothes, baby items, specialty items, household, small appliances, and more! All proceeds benefit STM General Fund for church expenses.  

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Every Child's Hope Annual Trivia Night, Friday, October 19, 7pm

Play begins at 7:30pm. Maryland Heights Community Center, 2344 McKelvey Road, Maryland Heights, MO. Tables of 8 for $160 or $20 per person. Category sponsorship available for $150. Don't have 8 people? We'll match you up! Beer, wine, soda, water and light snacks provided. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own snacks. Prize for first, second and third place will be awarded along with numerous door prizes. Register at www.ech1858.org or call 314-427-3755. Deadline October 12. 

 

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October 19 and 21, St. John's High Hill will be celebrating "125 Years of Caring".
202 Spruce Street, High Hill, MO 63350 

 

October 19 - Marcus Engel, as son of the church, will be speaking at 7pm. Marcus will be sharing how his faith in God and the support of his church helped him during his recovery from a tragic accident that left him permanently blinded.  There will be a time of fellowship and refreshments following his presentation.  The public is welcome to attend.

 

On October 21, the service of worship, which starts at 10am will be a celebration of the life and history of St. John's.  There will be a complimentary fellowship dinner served following the service of worship.  Again, all are welcome.

 

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TriviaJoint Neighborhood Ministry's 5th Annual Trivia Night, Saturday, October 20  

*Please note corrected address* 

At St. Paul United Church of Christ, 3510 Giles Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63116. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Trivia begins at 7pm $20.00 per person (plus non-perishable items) at tables of 8; RSVP to Joan at 314-771-3987. Soda and water provided. Evening will include silent auction, raffle, mulligans and door prizes. There will be a prize for the best decorated table. Cash prize for trivia winning table.   

   

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 Zion UCC Mayview's Parish Life, Halloween Carnival/Party Saturday, October 27, 5pm  Games, food, fun!  Come costumed if you wish.  660-237-4355 with questions.


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St. Martin's UCC - Dittmer Trunk-Or-Treat, Saturday, October 27, 5 - 8 pm

FREE for area children 12 and under. Adult supervision required. Treats - Games - Prizes - Food - Photo. Story Walk on our Marshmallow Trail. Car decorating contest.

 

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Emmanuel UCC Sausage Supper, Sunday, October 28 

Dine-in buffet style - Whole hog sausage - Roast beef

Serving from noon - 6 pm    

 

Emmanuel United Church of Christ
6210 Highway 94 South
Weldon Spring, MO 63304    

 

Adults $10 - Children 6-12 $5 - Children 5 & under FREE - Carry Outs $10

Questions: 314-630-8001 or 314-703-9789 or 314-799-3103

 

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St. Luke's UCC Chicken Dinner and Bazaar, Sunday, October 28, Noon - 4pm 
St. Luke's U.C.C., 6610 St. Luke's Church Rd. Imperial, Missouri. (2 miles west of I-55 on Hwy. "M", turn right on St. Luke's Church Rd.) Carry outs available. Adults $10. Children $5 (12 and under) Morning worship at 10am.  

 

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St. Martin's UCC Dittmer, Family Trivia Night, Saturday November 3, 7 pm

$15.00 per person   $120 for a table of 8

Popcorn - soda - coffee - provided...bring snacks to share with your table (No Alcoholic Beverages)

50/50 ~ Heads or Tails - Silent Auction


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Fourth Annual Tannenbaum Auction and Celebration to be held November 6 -15  with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Friends of Emmaus The proceeds will go towards purchasing two vans with lifts for the residents. YES, we are on a mission. YES, we have a goal. And, YES, you can help. Donate a decorated tree, topiary, wreath or centerpiece to help us reach our goal of 150 donated items or you can volunteer to work with us to achieve our goal. Interested contact Barb Hellmann at 314-239-1941 or Gayle Hachman at 314-239-9530.

 

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Ivy Chapel UCC's Craft and Vendor Fair, Friday, November 30, 6pm-10pm

620 N. Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017

Come join us to shop local vendors, handmade crafts, baked goods, one-of-a-kind  jewelry and more! Finish up your Christmas shopping, hang out with friends and pick up some snacks to eat now or later! ivychapel.org or 314-434-4991. For more information visit our website at ivychapel.org.  Registration forms to rent tables at the fair are also available on the website. Or contact Erin Winship at ewinship@marykay.com 

 

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Contact Us

Missouri Mid-South Conference United Church of Christ
314-962-8740 or 877-877-5884
 
Email Julie@mmsucc.org to submit information for a future issue.