|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you - This communication is made possible by your contributions to
|
The next eHappenings will be sent on Thursday, October 15.
The deadline for submissions is 10/13/15. Email events to kris@mmsucc.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allen's Message To You...
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Psalm 148
Dear friends and colleagues in the Gospel,
This Sunday is the intersection of World Communion Sunday and the Festival of St Francis, celebrated by many churches with the blessing of animals in honor of the saint who cared so deeply for creation. This year, Pope Francis, who took the name of the medieval saint, based his encyclical on the care of creation on a text from St Francis' lovely prayer song, Canticle of the Sun, written in the year 1224. What a good time to incorporate St. Francis' words into our personal devotions this week. We've printed them below for you.
Have a blessed day of unity with all people and with the world itself.
AllenRev. Dr. Allen M. Fluent Acting Conference Minister Canticle of the Sun
Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.
To You, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and You give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!  Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness. Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
and clouds and storms, and all the weather,
through which You give Your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water;
she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You brighten the night.
He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth,
who feeds us and rules us,
and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of You;
through those who endure sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace,
for by You, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Bodily Death,
from whose embrace no living person can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those she finds doing Your most holy will.
The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks,
and serve Him with great humility.
|
Installation of Rev. Mike Roth and Rev. Erica Roth
The St. Louis Association
of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ
and
St. Paul's United Church of Christ
cordially invite your presence for the installation of
Rev. Mike Roth
and
Rev. Erica Roth
as pastors and teachers
on Sunday, October 4, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 5508 Telegraph Road, Saint Louis, MO 63129
Rev. Keith Karau will offer the sermon
For clergy: Robes and red stoles are requested, please plan to gather by 2:30 p.m. for the procession.
|
Conference Annual Planning Event, November 14, 10am-4pm
Save the date! On November 14 at Columbia UCC, we will gather for our first Conference Annual Planning Event.
Please mark your calendars for this important planning event. All clergy, church leaders, association members,  and committee and covenanted ministry chairs/members are invited and NEEDED to help us move forward with the implementation of the Vision Team's recommendations for our Conference.
This is your opportunity to - Join the conversation. Be part of the plan. Be part of the vision. Listen to new ideas. Have your voice heard. Establish our future!
We will be determining our priorities for the upcoming year and determining how we can go about achieving the work we are being called to do in our communities. Your input is vital. We hope you attend - YOU ARE THE CONFERENCE.
Since a lunch is being planned for this day, please RSVP no later than Friday, November 6 to Joyce Bathke, Conference Moderator, at joyce.bathke@yahoo.com or to Renee Cordes at the Conference office, renee@mmsucc.org.
Thank you for your commitment to our Conference, and we look forward to seeing you on November 14!
|
"Neighbors in Need" in our Conference
As congregations receive the annual all-church offering, "Neighbors in Need," there is a reminder that each year persons in our own neighborhoods are served by this important resource.
This year, the Marshallese Ministry United Church of Christ of Springdale, Arkansas received a grant from the "Neighbors in Need" offering to establish a summer meals program for children in the community. The "Neighbors in Need" grant enabled the congregation to make necessary improvements to their kitchen facilities to meet local and state codes.
In partnership with other congregations in the area, Marshallese Ministry UCC provided daily meals for three hundred children during the summer. This fall, the church is planning another program, "After School Meals."
Albon Langbon, pastor of the Marshallese Ministry United Church of Christ in Springdale, Arkansas said, "The Neighbors in Need grant helped launch this much-needed ministry in our community. Thank you United Church of Christ for making this possible."
Know that all "Neighbors in Need" contributions benefit important wider church ministries: Native American Ministries, national and regional programs and local programs like the meals for children in Springdale.
-Rev. Dale Parson
Associate Conference Minister
|
| |
Ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new kitchen.
|
|
|
The Summer Food Program, which provided food to children not only at the Marshallese church, but at two other local churches as well. All children in the community were welcome.
|
|
| |
A brand new kitchen to nourish bodies and souls.
|
|
| |
Preparing a meal in the new kitchen
|
|
YOUTH - Conference Middle School Event
You could not, would not, want to miss a Middle School event quite like this! This year's Dr. Seuss themed retreat  will be held November 20 th - 21 st. The Conference Middle School Event (CMSE) is a tool for enhancing Middle School youth ministry in local congregations by helping youth connect with their peers from around the Missouri Mid-South Conference. The retreat will be full of all the great camp activities we love at MoVal, discussion groups, games, mission opportunities, and some Dr. Seuss fun. Check in will start at 7:00 pm on Friday, November 20 th and the event will end at approximately 5:00 pm on Saturday, November 21 st. Youth currently in grades 6 th, 7 thth, & 8 and their adult advisors are all invited to attend this life changing event. The cost is $60 per youth or adult. Scholarships are available. Please visit our Conference website for details and registration information.
|
Installation of Rev. Patrick Chandler
St. Peter's United Church of Christ and the St. Louis Association of the
Missouri Mid-South Conference UCC
Invite you to celebrate and rejoice at the installation of
Rev. Patrick D. Chandler
as Senior Pastor
on Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 3:00 pm
at St. Peter's UCC,1425 Stein Road, Ferguson, MO 63135
Guest Preacher - The Rev. Dr. Timothy Downs, Southeast Conference Minister (retired)
All clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles. A reception will follow.
|
Installation of Austin McCandless
Faith UCC and the Missouri Mid-South Conference UCC
Invite you to the installation service of
Austin McCandless
at
Faith UCC, 106 Kent Dr, Wentzville, MO 63385
on Sunday, October 11, 2015
at 3:00 pm
|
Heifer International Mid-Summer Newsletter 
Here's the latest newsletter from Heifer. Read about their summer activities, upcoming events, how you can volunteer, and even have a representative from their organization visit your church. They also offer free brochures and gift catalogs. http://www.heifer.org/
|
Justice Witness Ministry Team Message
To The Congregations of the Missouri Mid-South Conference: ANNUAL GATHERING RESOLUTION FOR DEATH PENALTY MORATORIUM Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen One.  At the Missouri Mid-South Conference Annual Gathering in June, the focus was deeply and powerfully on facing the reality and sin of racism in our culture. The speakers were moving and workshops meaningful. As the Gathering neared conclusion, a Resolution was submitted to and approved by a high number of the delegates advocating for a Moratorium in Missouri on the Death Penalty. The state of Missouri has executed 16 individuals from 2014 to this time in 2015. In the context of our pain about the depth and breadth of racism in our society, this resolution had particular impact as persons recent and approaching executions were of African American men sentenced by all white juries. Continue reading 
Also from Justice Witness -
UCC Black Lives Matters buttons are available for free from the national UCC Justice
|
Sacred Conversation on Race Ongoing - St. Louis Association
To be held at 7:00 pm on the 2nd Thursday of each month in the Eden Seminary library conference room. Next Meeting: October 8th.
This work group is an organically-formed body, called for by members of our association churches. Churches, members, clergy, students, and institutions in the St. Louis metropolitan area that choose to affiliate with and  support the mission of this group as it evolves are invited. The purpose for the group is to gather like-minded UCC folk to educate and inform ourselves and our communities about race, racism, and privilege, and to serve as a resource and a catalyst for churches and communities in embracing and proclaiming the diversity of God's people as sacred.
We believe the extravagant welcome of the United Church of Christ requires this, and our historic orientation toward abolition, education, and racial justice and inclusion, informs this. The monthly agenda and scope of the group reflect the interests and capacities of those that gather We discern together where God is calling us, month to month.Let's talk, pray, weep, rage, lament, listen, learn, own our complicity, hope, plan, and do together.
|
Installation of Rev. Dr. James Hogue
The Eastern Association of the
Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ
and Ebenezer "Stone Church" United Church of Christ
invite you to a worship service to install
Rev. Dr. James Hogue as pastor
on Sunday, October 25 at 3:00 pm
Ebenezer "Stone Church" UCC, 6162 Stone Church Road, Gerald, MO 63037
Clergy are invited to robe with red stoles and join in the procession.
A reception and meal will follow in the Church Hall.
|
One 2015 MMSUCC Boundary Session Remaining
There is one upcoming MMSUCC boundary training session in November:
ST. LOUIS - Friday, November 7, 2015 - First Congregational UCC - Webster Groves, MO - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
10 W. Lockwood Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119
Facilitators: Ms. Jane Porchey and Rev. Bruce Moeller
Please visit our Conference website for further information and to register, or contact Kris Scott at 314-918-2605 or kris@mmsucc.org.
|
Eden Seminary Bookstore - New Hours 
Bookstore hours have been changed temporarily until the appointment of a new Bookstore Director.
The Bookstore's new hours are:
Monday - Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
|
Free Church Pew Cushions Available 
St. John UCC in Manchester has the following free cushions: 30 (120x15), 7 (100x15), 2 (81x15), 2 (40x15) and 1 (71x15). They are made of a soft velvet.
Whoever would like the cushions will need to pick them up. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Kevin Gregory at 636-391-6655 or kevin@stjohnmanchester.org.
|
Free Risograph Printer Available
FREE RISOGRAPH PRINTER Model RN 2030 with Manual. The machine is 20 years old, last used in 2011 and it worked well. You must be able to pickup the printer on your own.
Call for specs and details: Linda Zappe at Immanuel UCC, 221 Church St.,Ferguson, MO 63135, 314-521-7324
|
Free Church Pews Available 
Kirkwood UCC, 1603 Dougherty Ferry Road is offering church pews (twenty-eight 9'8" and one pew 8'2"). The pews are free, transporting them will be up to the person or organization that is interested.
Please contact Vi Hennen at 314-650-1284 for further information.
|
Free Church Organ Available
Rev. Mary Ann Lawrence, previous Pastor of St. Matthew UCC and current Chaplain of Brooking Park SNF, knows a resident with a church organ they would like to donate. The resident who owns the organ is going into hospice and more space is needed for a hospital bed and other equipment.
The organ is not a small spinet, and it originally retailed for $18,000. It would be perfect for a church - might be too large for someone's home. If anyone is interested, please contact Mary Ann at 314-680-2796.
|
|
|
|
|
Employment postings will run for one month, unless otherwise specified.
Christ Church UCC Maplewood, Part-time Administrator, 10/2/15
This person will work during times of absence/vacation of our current Administrator. The successful candidate would possess a working knowledge and experience with the Powerchurch software program. Hours can be flexible, during the periods of need, but are typically 9am to noon, Monday through Friday. Please contact Ron at
rgaus15496@gmail.com
for more information.
Union Communion Ministries, Part-time Executive Director, 10/2/15
A church-related, neighborhood-based outreach agency. Average time commitment is 20 hours per week. Requirements: Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years administrative experience in human services, skill with diverse populations. Resumes to Union Communion Ministries Search, 826 Union Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63108, FAX (314) 367-8174, or markleerobinson@gmail.com. Application review will begin on September 8, 2015.
Parkway UCC, Part-time Music Director, 9/17/15
Parkway United Church of Christ, a faithful and progressive, warm and inclusive congregation at Ballas & I-64 seeks a part-time (approx 10 hours/week) Music Director for our Informal Worship Service. We invite you to visit our website, parkwayucc.org and the national website, ucc.org to find out more about us. If you feel that we could be a good fit for you and your gifts, please send a cover letter and resume to employment@parkwayucc.org. This is a great opportunity!
St. John UCC, Part-time Organist/Pianist, 9/4/15 Position Summary: St. John UCC is seeking an experienced, team oriented professional with a passion for sacred music and a heart for Christ. This person will be responsible for playing both the organ and piano during all worship services, accompanying the choirs during rehearsal and performance, and offering support to the rest of the music staff. During the program year, our choirs rehearse weekly and perform regularly during Sunday morning services, annual Christmas and Good Friday Cantatas, and for other special events. To see full job description, click here.
|
|
Contact Us
|
Missouri Mid-South Conference United Church of Christ 314-962-8740 or 877-877-5884 Email renee@mmsucc.org to submit information for a future issue. Not all submissions may be used in future eCouriers. |
|
|
|
|
