The EPIPHANY - JOURNEY WITH VISION workshop originally scheduled for Saturday November 3, 2012 at St Paul United Church of Christ,  in Hermann, Missouri has been cancelled due to low registration.

Friends,

Hurricane Sandy now a "superstorm" has devastated many communities on the East Coast and inland to as far as Ohio.  Below is the first web and Facebook post that went out late yesterday afternoon.  As information is available we will continue to post on the UCC web site and the OGHS Facebook page.  I know that you will keep all in prayer.  The Church House is closed today due to electrical issues.  I am working from home and will be listening in on the first conference calls organized by State VOADs to gather information.

I look forward to hearing about UCC members and churches as you are able.

Peace,

Florence Coppola,
UCC Disaster Coordinator in Cleveland, OH.

Hurricane Sandy web link:

http://www.ucc.org/disaster/hurricane-sandy.html

The above message was delivered via e-mail to all Disaster relief Coordinators and Disaster Counselors throughout the United States. While short, it speaks volumes about the work that is being performed on your behalf in the face of Hurricane Sandy.  

While our first response would be, "What can we do?" I would reply that we must do what we always due in such times. Right now, rescue and recovery efforts are being handled by those best equipped to do such tasks. Fire, Police and First Responders are assessing damage, saving lives and planning what must be done to rebuild. While we might not be in a position to "give a helping hand" in such efforts, that does not mean we have nothing to contribute. First, as noted by Florence Coppola, we need to be at prayer for those in harms way. Already the death toll is mounting and millions are without power possibly for weeks to come. Please pray for strength to endure.  

Secondly, the need in the immediate future will be for monetary support. Your gifts will not only help the region rebuild, but will help their economy recover from the destruction. Receive a special offering. Have a bake sale. Collect loose change. Have a rummage sale. And let your friends and neighbors know that the UCC is there helping! Every penny raised and sent through our conference office or directly to the UCC will be used to help. Please send contributions for Hurricane Sandy Relief to the conference office, 483 E. Lockwood Ave, Suite 15, St. Louis, MO 63119, and please write Hurricane Sandy Relief on the check memo line.  There will undoubtedly be opportunities in the months and years ahead to help rebuild the east coast as work crews are set up.  

Please watch for opportunities on the UCC.org website.
And thank you all for your support.
 

Rev. Stephen J. Redman,
Your Disaster Relief Coordinator.

Saint John's United Church of Christ, located at 4136 N. Grand Blvd, is hosting its 4th Annual Beloved Community Conference November 1 - 4th to equip people of faith to work toward a Martin King, Jr.'s vision of peace and justice in light of the November 6th election.

Renowned speaker, author and scholar Dr. Obery M. Hendricks will open at a community forum, on Thursday, November 1st at 7pm, discussing "Martin Luther King and a New Political Economy of Justice." Friday speakers include Lara Granich of Missouri Jobs with Justice, Dr. Jonathan Smith of Saint Louis University and conclude with a lunch for faith leaders with Mayor Francis Slay and President Lewis Reed of the Board of Aldermen.

Hendricks is a visiting scholar in the department of religion and the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University and is professor of biblical interpretation at New York Theological Seminary.

The Washington Post called his book, The Politics of Jesus: Rediscovering the True Revolutionary Nature of Jesus' Teachings and How They Have Been Corrupted "essential reading for Americans." Last year he published a collection of politically and economically explosive essays under the title, The Universe Bends Toward Justice. He is a member of the National Religious Leaders Advisory Committee of the Barack Obama presidential campaign and also the Faith Advisory Council of the Democratic National Committee.

Before entering his theological career, Hendricks was a Wall Street investment executive. He received his master of divinity with academic honors from Princeton Theological Seminary, and both his MA and PhD in Religions of Late Antiquity from Princeton University.

The conference will launch 6 p.m. Thursday with a reception and 7 p.m .community forum with Hendricks as keynote. Music will be provided by Wayman Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church.

On Friday, the Faith Leaders' Institute will begin at 9 a.m. led by Hendricks. Skill-building sessions by Granich and Smith will help faith leaders use community organizing and worship liturgy to mobilize congregants to action. The session will break for a 12:30pm lunch with the mayor and president of the board of aldermen, both candidates for St. Louis city mayor in 2013.

Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the church is hosting its annual community health fair in partnership with BJC, Children's Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, Mercy, and Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Free health screenings, flu shots, physicals, prizes and a healthy lunch will await all participants.

The weekend will close with Sunday's 10:30 a.m. Community Worship Celebration with the Very Rev. Mike Kinman of Christ Church Cathedral preaching. After worship congregants will canvass the neighborhood to get out the vote in low-turnout wards.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.sjuccstl.org, call 314.570.1901 or email sjucc@yahoo.com.

24 Hour Prayer Watch

St. Paul's Church in Marthasville, ( 103 S. Second St.) will host a 24 hour Prayer Watch for the Nation on Monday, November 5 starting at 7pm with corporate worship,  prayer going 24 hours and closing with Corporate worship and Communion on Tuesday, November 6th, 6-7pm.
 
There will be people at the church praying during these times, as well as prayer resources available.  Please be encouraged to come, join your prayers with others of the community. The public is welcome.

For more info contact, Billie Kramme at billiekramme@hotmail.com  or 636-390-3564