In the early 50's and 60's, Liberation Theology developed as a movement within the Catholic Church in Latin America in light of the hope and suffering of the poor and their struggle for freedom from oppression. Gustavo Gutierrez, a Peruvian priest, wrote "A Theology of Liberation" in 1971 that located God in the midst of the poor and critiqued the structures of church and society. In the time since then, the movement has become ecumenical and international. It has inspired faithful people in many contexts to develop theologies of liberation suitable to their own settings.
Kirkwood UCC's Adult Education will explore the roots of Liberation Theology, and in subsequent sessions, variations on the theme that fit our context in the U.S.: Black Liberation Theology, Womanist Theology, and Queer Theology. Student Pastor Julie Kies will lead these sessions on Sunday mornings in the Adult Ed. Classroom.
February 1, Colleguim Vocale of St. Louis, 3pm
COLLEGIUM VOCALE OF ST. LOUIS PRESENTS VICTORY OVER DEATH: Four Sacred Cantatas of Christoph Graupner. In the Sanctuary at First Congregational Church of St. Louis,
6501 Wydown Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105.
The Collegium Vocale of St. Louis is proud to present "Victory over Death: Four Sacred Cantatas by Christoph Graupner," a concert of baroque sacred music, on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at 3pm in the Sanctuary of First Congregational Church. Music director Dr. Bruce Carvell will provide an introductory lecture at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free, and free parking is available on the adjacent church lot. The four cantatas to be presented have been newly edited from Graupner's manuscripts especially for this concert and will be the American premieres of this music. Accompanying CVSL is an ensemble of top local baroque wind and string players. Event flyer.
February 3, EA Pastor's LunchWill be held at Zion UCC in Troy. Please see
event flyer for details. Weather date: 2/10/15
February 6, Emmaus' 2nd Open Your Heart Through Art, 7pm - 10pmJoin us for Emmaus' 2nd Open Your Heart Through Art event! This night of fun will include a raffle, oral auction, live performances from our Emmaus Bell Choir, summer theater group, and a live artist's gallery! We will have delicious passed h'or devours and food stations catered by Spiro's along with an open bar. This night is a true celebration of our clients creative abilities. All proceeds benefit the more than 270 adults with developmental disabilities Emmaus serves. Sponsorship and ad opportunities still available! For tickets, please visit
www.emmaushomes.org/events. If you are interested in sponsoring or purchasing an ad, please contact Kristen at
stewartk@emmaushomes.org.
February 7, Annual Spaghetti Dinner, 4-7pm
Ivy Chapel UCC will hold its annual Spaghetti Dinner in our Fellowship Hall. Guests can either dine in or carry out. The menu will consist of delicious homemade spaghetti with tomato or meat sauce, salad, bread, drinks and dessert. Be sure to come hungry! Tickets will be sold at the door - $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. We will also have prizes to raffle off. Be sure to mark your calendars today so you don't miss out on this delicious meal!
Event flyer.
February 7, Mayor Taylor Concert, 5-7pm
A concert to benefit Epiphany United Church of Christ, 2911 McNair, St. Louis, MO 63118. Mayor Taylor is Lydia Ruffin (guitar/ukulele), Charlie Pfeffer (mandolin), and Mike Tiefenbrun (bass) doing "roots music" from jazz to folk to spirituals & original songs too, a vocal & acoustic treat. And Special Guest Artist: Peter Ruthenburg. A Freewill Offering Will Be Taken/Refreshments During Intermission. Also participate in our raffle: Prizes on display at the church. Ticket prices: 1 for $1; 6 for $ 5; 13 for $10; 27 for $ 20; 70 for $50; 150 for $100. Raffle drawing will be Feb. 7. You do not need to be present to win. Registration/event flyer.
February 8, Sausage and Beef Supper, 11am-6pm
Friedens United Church of Christ, 1703 Old Highway 94 So., St. Charles, MO 63303. Phone: 636-946-2884. Adults $12.00,Children (4-12) $5.00, Family Style, Carryout's Available $12.00
Basket Raffle, Country Store, Quilt Raffle. Event flyer. February 8, Boy Scout Sunday, 9:45am
Boy Scout Sunday - Feb 8th, 9:45 am - We honor the 115 years of Boy Scouting in our church and community. We have proudly been a charter for Troop 894 and Pack 552 for many years and have several Eagle Scouts within our congregation. for the past several years, Pastor Scott has mentored our Scouts with religious study programs. Today we will honor their commitment to God, family and country by presenting the God & Family and God & Country Merit Badges. All Scouts, parents and leaders are invited to attend. St Martin's UCC, 7890 Dittmer Ridge Rd, Dittmer, MO 63023
February 13, 3rd Annual Bracke Lecture, 10:30am
Dr. Mark Chaves will speak at Eden Seminary on "Continuity and Change in American Religion" on Friday, February 13, 2015 at 10:30 am. He will draw on his extensive research as director of the National Congregations Study (NCS), a wide-ranging survey of religious congregations conducted in 1998, 2006-07, and 2012. Results from the NCS have increased understanding of many aspects of congregational life in the United States, including impact on social problems. Event flyer and registration.
February 14, Valentine's Day Concert, 8:15pm
First Congregational Concert Series, Valentine's Day Concert, First Congregational Church of St. Louis, UCC, 6501 Wydown Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105. Appetizers & Dinner in the Social Hall, 6:30pm - $25 per person. Spacing is limited, so please RSVP by Sunday, February 8.
RSVP Link:
Concert in the Sanctuary, 8:15pm. Free Admission. A love offering will be received to enrich FCC's recital ministry. Please contact office@firstcongregational.org with any questions.
February 15, Fried Chicken Dinner, Noon-6pm
Friedens Peace at 3560 Mill Street in New Melle, MO 63365 will be having their annual Special Recipe Fried Chicken Dinner from 12:00 to 6:00. The meal will include: mashed potatoes and gravy, baked beans, slaw, cornbread and desserts. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 for those 6 to 11 and under 5 are free. All Pastors eat free also.
February 15, Sausage Dinner, Noon-4pm
St. Luke's UCC, Imperial, MO. Event flyer.
February 15, Valentine's Dinner, 11am-2pm
St. James UCC, Morrison, MO. Event flyer.
February 18, Soup/Chili Supper, 5-6:30pm
Free-Will Offering dinner sponsored by STM Youth Fellowship. Worship Service to follow at 7 pm, St Martin's UCC, 7890 Dittmer Ridge Rd, Dittmer, MO 63023
February 22, STM Learning Center Recognition Sunday, 9:45am
This special worship will recognize our Pre-School / Day Care Programs and have offerings designated to a tuition scholarship fund. All former and current students, teachers and parents are invited to attend and to be recognized for this long standing community service. St Martin's UCC, 7890 Dittmer Ridge Rd, Dittmer, MO 63023
February 27, Church Yearbook Deadline
If you need our Conference to enter your yearbook information online, your reports must arrive at our office no later than February 27.
February 27 - March 1, Book Sale
Huge book sale with something for everyone! Early-bird shop ($5 admission) on Friday, February 27th from 5-8 p.m. No admission fee on Saturday, February 28th, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sunday, March 1st, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. St. Philip's United Church of Christ, 10708 Lavinia Dr., 63123.
Click here for a flyer, or get more information at
www.stphilipsucc.com or 314-843-5100.
February 28, Gateway ONA, 9am-3:30pm
The fourth annual Gateway ONA convocation will be held on the campus of Eden Theological Seminary on Saturday, February 28, 2015 beginning at 9:00 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. Cost will be $15.00 per person up to 5 people and then $75.00 per church regardless how many attend from any one church. Event flyer.
March 1, Celebrate Chinese New Year Sunday, 2:30pm-2:00pm
Samuel United Church of Christ and First Congregational Church of St Louis invite you to join us on Sunday March 1 for a celebration of Chinese New Year. Also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, this event marks the beginning of the year for many people. Come join us for a day of food, fellowship, and fun, as we learn the importance of the color red and who Nian was. This year's celebration will be at First Congregation Church of St Louis at 6501 Wydown Boulevard. Admission is Free, but reservations are required so that we can prepare for you!
If you have any questions regarding the event, please email Dr. Guangyu Lou, Minister of Outreach at Samuel UCC at guangyulou@gmail.com or call the church office at 314-727-9540.
March 1, 8, 15, 22, Discussion of the History of Christianity
From Jesus to Us: Understanding Our Christian History. Join us in March at Kirkwood UCC for a four-week discussion about the history of Christianity. How did we get from Jesus and friends hanging out in Galilee to a global religion of 2.8 billion people worshipping in all sorts of
different ways? If we are all Christians, why do we have so many different churches? How did we come to affirm some beliefs and reject others? Our instructor will be the Rev. Dr. Adam Ployd, Assistant Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Eden Theological Seminary.
March 1: What Is Christian History?
March 8: Where Did It All Go Wrong?
March 15: Tradition vs. Scripture?
March 22: Our Past as a Gift
March 6 & March 7, Trivia Nights, doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Celebrating our 24th annual Trivia Nights! Different questions for each night plus basket raffles and sports memorabilia silent auction. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., questions start at 7 p.m. $120 per 8-person table. St. Philip's United Church of Christ, 10708 Lavinia Dr., 63123. Click here for the registration flyer, or more info at www.stphilipsucc.com or 314-843-5100. Join the fun!
March 7, Trivia Night, 6:30-8:30pm (Doors open at 6:00 pm)
Ivy Chapel UCC invites you to a family friendly night of trivia. All are welcome! Tables of 8 are $80 or $12 per person. Tea, lemonade, popcorn and pretzels are provided and you are welcome to bring outside food and drink (beer, wine, soda). Two Mulligans for the best St Patrick Day-decorated table. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and cash prize for winning. To reserve a table, contact Stephen Lowry at stephenlowry@juno.com or the church office at ivychapelucc@ivychapel.org or 314-434-4991. Event flyer.
March 9, Church Yearbook Deadline
Churches have until March 9 to enter their own information in the National data hub.
March 14, Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner Supports UCC Habitat Build, 4-7:30pm
You can double your support of our UCC Habitat build in 2015 by simply buying your ticket early! This year, an anonymous donor will match up all ticket sales purchased before March 1st, up $1000.00. We are challenging you to get the word out about the dinner and purchase tickets early so we can give Habitat double the money! Mark your calendar for March 14 for a great dinner with Samuel friends. Simply send a check to Samuel and we'll put your tickets aside.
$10 for adults; $5 for children 4-12; under 3 are free... or you can make a gift of any size.
Can't make the dinner? Buy a ticket as a gift or give the tickets away friends!
Packets of ten or more tickets are available for you to share with friends and neighbors to gather more support for Habitat for Humanity. Please join us for a fantastic dinner and a worthy cause.
For more information, call 314-727-9540 or email secretary@samuelucc.org
March 19, Documentary: Anne Braden: Southern Patriot, 7pm
East Central College in Union, MO. HS100 - Panel Discussion - Being a White Ally.
Website. Event flyer.
March 29, Confirmation and Palm Sunday, 9:45am
Today we celebrate Palm Sunday and Jesus ride into Jerusalem to face his destiny, while we prepare our Confirmands to stand for their beliefs and confess their lives to following the teachings of the UCC. A reception will follow service in Fellowship Hall as we welcome these young adults into our church membership. St Martin's UCC, 7890 Dittmer Ridge Rd, Dittmer, MO 63023
April 3, Good Friday Service, 7:30pm
This solemn service of darkness will be sure to touch your soul. Confirmands will also partake in their first Holy Communion. We invite all to worship with us on this Holy Day as we prepare for His coming. St Martin's UCC, 7890 Dittmer Ridge Rd, Dittmer, MO 63023
April 5, Easter Services
Sunrise Service 6 am, Worship Service 8 am, and Easter Cantata 10 am. Youth Sponsored Breakfast served between Sunrise and 8 am services. All are welcome. St Martin's UCC, 7890 Dittmer Ridge Rd, Dittmer, MO 63023
April 8-16, IPM Columbia Trip
Join IPM on our first ever Immersion Experience to Columbia, April 8-16, 2015! Don't miss out on a week with Joseph Cistone building cross-cultural relationships with IPM's Project Partners, and experiencing Columbian culture. This immersion is open to all! For additional information please contact Melanie Strout at mstrout@ipmconnect.org or 207.801.9020.
April 9-11, 2015, UCCOSSN Annual Gathering
Registration is NOW OPEN! Support Staff Network Gathering To Be Held In Ft. Wayne In 2015. Support staff members (administrative assistants, secretaries, office managers, bookkeepers, etc.) from all settings of the United Church of Christ are strongly encouraged to join the United Church of Christ Office Support Staff Network (UCCOSSN) at their 2015 Annual Conference to be held in Ft. Wayne, Ind. April 9-11, 2015. "Rediscovering the Joy of Play" will be the theme for this time of networking, fellowship, professional growth and retreat for those who keep our offices running. Acclaimed storyteller Valerie Tutson will be the keynote speaker. For more information, contact Lettie Eagar at lme@plymouthfw.org. Or Renee at our Conference.
April 12, Camp Sunday, 9:45am
We will kick off Camp Registrations with a fun filled service dedicated to camp. Offerings will be designated to help with camp scholarships. A Pancake & Sausage Free-Will Offering Breakfast will follow service. Proceeds will go to the Camp Fund. St Martin's UCC, 7890 Dittmer Ridge Rd, Dittmer, MO 63023
April 18, EA Quilt Show
To be held at St. Paul's in Gerald. More details to follow.
April 25, Western Association Spring Meeting
Will be held at Peace UCC in Hartsburg. Theme: Sacred Conversations on Race - A Family Talk. More details to follow.
May 1-3, Annual Women's Retreat
Save the date! The Annual Women's Retreat will be held on May 1-3, 2015, at our own Camp MoVal. This year's theme is "Under the Shelter of God's Wings", with the leaders of Sue Ulmer and Devoree Crist. More information and registration materials will be shared very soon. Keep watching the eCourier/eHappenings for details!
May 7, St. Louis Association Spring Meeting
The evening of Thursday, May 7, 2015. First Congregational Church of St. Louis, United Church of Christ. Hold the date. More details to follow.
June 4-6, Conference Annual Gathering (CAG)
The CAG will be held in Columbia, MO - more details to follow as we get closer to this great event!
June 26-30, Thirtieth General Synod, Cleveland, OH
Visit the
UCC national website for further information.
Click here for a printable poster to display at your church.
August 17, Annual Church Picnic, Noon-6pm
Femme Osage UCC, 4360 Cappeln Osage Rd, Augusta, MO 63332, is having the Annual Church Picnic on Sunday, August 17 with serving beginning at noon and continuing until 6 p.m. The featured cuisine is kettle-cooked beef and fried chicken. There is live music and a raffle for a Bose Soundlink III Bluetooth speaker system. There is also a used book sale with proceeds going to the Marthasville Food Pantry. The cost for adults is $11.00. Children under six eat free. Call 636-228-4586 for more information.
August 30, Outdoor Benefit Concert, 5:30-9pm
The Heritage Cluster of churches of Eastern Association are holding an outdoor benefit concert on the hills of Femme Osage UCC, 4360 Cappeln Osage Road, Augusta 63332. The concert is Saturday, August 30 and features the music of the Augusta Bottoms Consort. Proceeds benefits the family of Trevor Joerling, a teen from Friedens/Peace UCC in New Melle who lost his three year fight to cancer. Proceeds also benefit Dalton and Katie Prager, members of Femme Osage UCC. This young couple each have Cystic Fibrosis and they are both on the list to receive bilateral lung transplants.
It is going to be a fun evening with snack foods, wine, beer and raffles to raise money for these two families. The cost is $15 in advance from the churches of the cluster (Femme Osage; Faith, Wentzville; Friedens/Peace, New Melle; Ebenezer, Augusta; St. John's, Cappeln; St.Paul's, Defiance), $20 at the gate. The gate opens at 5:30 pm. The concert is from 7 pm - 9 pm. Call 636-228-4586 for further information.
September 12, EA Confirmation RetreatMore details to follow.
