"Journey Through Loss and Grief" This special seminar will be held at St. John United Church of Christ, Highway 135 and JJ, Florence, MO 65329. The presenters are Larry E. Gallamore and Janis Burke Gallamore.
Seminar Schedule:
Registration begins at 7:30am (coffee, tea provided)
Seminar begins at 8am
Lunch Break: 12 noon to 1pm
Seminar Ends at 3pm
Cost of Seminar: A free will offering will be taken to cover the cost of meal and materials
Register for this course by email to: k8Njer2@windstream.net or call Kathy Headrick at 573-377-3063, or send a note to St. John UCC, PO Box 116, Florence, MO 65329
March 5, Wurstmarkt/Sausage Dinner, 2pm-6pm
St. Peters United Church of Christ, 1425 Stein Rd. (corner of Stein and West Florissant) will be holding this dinner from 2-6pm (please note time change from past years). Dine in or Carry-out-walk-ins welcome. Adults are $10, Children (ages 6-12) $5.
Menu -Bratwurst,Kraut w Pork Chunk, Peas w/ German Spalese Noodles, Real Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Peeled Apples w/ Cinnamon, Helfers Pastries, Beverages. All served family style - All you can eat! For ticket information: 314-521-5694 or 314-831-3822.
March 5, Bryan Sirchio - In Concert, 4pm
St. Paul United Church of Christ, 127 N St. Paul St., Columbia, IL invites youth & adult to come, enjoy and be moved in the Spirit of God's Peace and Justice. Please join us! (Columbia is the first town in Illinois after crossing the Jefferson Barracks Bridge). For information call: 618-281-5102.
March 6-8, 25th Annual Rural Ministry Conference
Where leaders in rural communities and congregations gather to gain insight and inspiration, to network and neighbor that our ministries might be empowered. This ecumenical conference includes worship, keynote speakers, workshops and Bible study. A unique opportunity for participants to network with others who are active in and concerned about rural ministry.
Location: All sessions held at Best Western Plus Hotel, Dubuque, IA- Registration is limited to the first 200 people and includes lunches and dinners. Does not include lodging.
Early bird rate due by Feb 8:
1 person: $170, 2 or more: $150/person
Standard is due Feb 29:
1 person: $185, 2 or more: $165/person
Monday Afternoon Workshops Only: $50/person
SAVE $50 If you are a pastor who has been serving in a rural congregation for less than 5 years, you save $50! Sponsors and Support: Partially funded by a grant from The Esther and Carl Merklein Foundation. Click link below for more information.
March 6, 13, & 20, Sunday Morning Adult Education Classes, 10:45am-11:45am
"Our Mental Health, Our Faith" - Kirkwood United Church of Christ, 1603 Dougherty Ferry Rd. 63122 will hold these classes three Sundays in March. According to the Interfaith Network on Mental Illness, "one in four people in your congregation are affected by mental illness...there are many people who are living with a mental illness/brain disorder who are looking for a faith community that offers an inclusive welcome and provides spiritual support." Our Adult Education presentation will focus on the following themes:
-What wellness and resiliency look like in mental and emotional health
-How mental and emotional struggles impact families and relationships
-Signs of mental and emotional struggles
-Research about the correlation between an active faith life and resilience and recovery
Our guest speakers will be Terri Morr-Jones & Rev. Dale Kuhn from Care and Counseling, Inc. Terri Morr-Jones holds an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana and a BS in Environmental design from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Rev. Kuhn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, & Ordained Minister of the Lutheran church Missouri Synod. For information call 314-822-2240. Event FLYER
March 8, An Evening of Music, 7pm
The Kenyon College Chamber singers will present an evening of music at Hope United Church of Christ, 6273 Eichelberger, St. Louis, MO 63109. The group is noted for its versatility of vocal style and broad repertoire. At this stop on their 2016 Spring Tour, the 48-member group will present an eclectic mix of a cappella pieces including Bach, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and South African folk music. The event is free and open to the public.
March 11, Fish Fry, 4pm-7pm
Immanuels United Church of Christ in Holstein, will hold a Fish Fry featuring: Fish, Macaroni & Cheese, Stewed Tomatoes, Green Beans, Corn, Coleslaw, Applesauce, Cornbread and Homemade Desserts. $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, and children 5 and under are free. Carry-Outs will be available. Immanuels UCC is located south of Warrenton off of Hwy N. Please call the church office at 636-932-4646 for information or directions. Event FLYER
March 11 & 12, 25th Annual Super Trivia Weekend
St. Philip's United Church of Christ, 10708 Lavinia in South County, is hosting this Trivia weekend. There are different sets of questions (10 rounds with 10 questions per round for each night) and teams are welcome to play both nights. New this year!! Questions both nights by Dave Burton, STL Trivia Guy. Doors open at 6:15pm - trivia begins at 7:00pm. $160.00 for a table of 8 each night. Cash prize for 1st Place. Feel free to bring your own snacks, beer and/or wine. Soda, water and coffee will be complimentary. Please contact Kathy at 314-843-4223 or kathyshelton@swbell.net for reservations. Advance payment is required.
March 12, St. Patrick's Day Lunch and Dinner, 11:30am
Samuel United Church of Christ, 320 N Forsyth in Clayton will be hosting its Annual St. Patrick's Day Meal. This year Chef Matt Sherman of Kern Meat will bring another professional chef with him to help us prepare the very best St. Pat's Dinner to be had--this year with an additional twist: Irish Stew and Soda Bread for lunch and the great taste of our Corned Beef, Colcannon (Irish mashed potatoes), carrots, cabbage, and breads for dinner. Lunch and dinner will be topped off with beverages and our great dessert bar. A few evening diners will be able to reserve Irish Stew for their evening meal by calling the church ahead of time. All proceeds support the United Church of Christ Habitat for Humanity Build. Almost every dollar of your ticket goes directly to the project. Watch for Matt Sherman on Fox2Now on March 5th as he talks about Kern's Corned Beef and, hopefully, our St. Pat's Dinner. Adult tickets for either lunch or dinner are $10. Children 3-12 are $5. Children under 3 are free. Contact the church office to reserve your tickets at secretary@samuelucc.org or at 314-727-9540.
March 12, Trivia Night, 6:30-8:30pm
Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ 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). 50/50 raffle and cash prize for winning. To reserve a table, call Stephen Lowry lowrys5358@gmail.com or the church office ivychapelucc@ivychapel.org 314-434-4991. Doors open at 6pm. Click HERE for flyer
March 12, Eleventh Annual Breakfast Buffet, 8am-1pm
Blue Springs Terrace, Inc., 312 SW 19th Terrace, Blue Springs, MO 64015, is hosting this fundraising buffet of fun and fellowship. Please bring your family and friends. We will feature homemade food which includes Pancakes, Sausage, French Toast Casserole, Biscuits and Sausage Gravy, Egg, Potato and Ham Casserole. Coffee Cake, Fruit Bowl, Coffee-Milk-Juice. Donations will be gratefully accepted!
Blue Springs Terrace is a home facility for retired Pastors and/or spouses in partnership with UCC/Christian Church (DOC) FLYER
March 12, Fundraising Concert, 5pm-7pm
For the fifth consecutive year, the roots music band 'Mayor Taylor' will play a fundraising concert at Epiphany United Church of Christ, 2911 McNair, in Benton Park (63118). 'Mayor Taylor' is Lydia Ruffin (guitar/ukulele), Charlie Pfeffer (mandolin), and Mike Tiefenbrun (bass) performing a wide variety of music from bluegrass to jazz to folk to spirituals-original songs too, a vocal & acoustic treat! Appearing with them is Peter Ruthenburg, Epiphany's keyboard player, a man of enormous talent. A freewill offering will be taken, and refreshments and a raffle are available in the fellowship hall during intermission. There are many fine restaurants in Benton Park; bring your friends, and stay for the evening, enjoying dinner after the concert. For more information, call 314-775-3261.
March 12, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, 9am-11am
Calvary United Church of Christ, 2501 Hartland Ave., Overland, 63114 whose mission is "Loving God by Serving Neighbor," invites everyone of all ages to join us for Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. The cost is $4 per person, with children 2 years and younger free. Cost includes breakfast, crafts, and an Easter Egg Hunt. RSVP by calling 314-429-7463 or email us at calvary2501@gmail.com. Other special services open to all are Palm Sunday, March 20, 9:30am, Maundy Thursday, 7pm, and Easter Sunday, March 27, 9:30am. No matter where you are on life's journey, you are welcome at Calvary UCC.
March 12, Bread for the World Advocacy Training, 10am-4pm
Bread for the World is holding a state-wide advocacy training event entitled "Justice for All" at Third Baptist Church, 620 N Grand, St. Louis, MO 63103. The event is free, and lunch is provided. Register online at http://goo.gl/forms/0FmkolvR2r (the character after the final slash is a zero). Questions? Contact Clint McCann at cmccann@eden.edu
March 12 & 13, 31st Annual Missouri State Sacred Harp Convention, 9:30am-3pm
Shape Note/Sacred Harp singers from many states and from Canada will once again gather in Warren County for the Annual Missouri State Sacred Harp Convention. This year's event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 12 and 13, at St. John's United Church of Christ, Pinckney Township. Singers of this Early American form of singing love to come to this 1870s church building because of the warmth of the host congregation, because of the building's wonderful acoustic qualities, and because the building is reminiscent of the colonial New England churches where this style of music originated and of the rural Southern churches where it was lovingly preserved. Singing will be from 9:30-3pm both days, with the customary pot-luck style "Dinner on the Grounds" at noon. There is no admission charge to attend, but a free-will offering will be received during the course of the convention. Contributions of food dishes are also gratefully accepted. Contact Rev. Jeanne Lischer at 636-932-4646 for directons, or visit tinyurl.com/Pinckney
March 12 & 13, 19 & 20, New Melle Community Passion Play
The players of the New Melle Community Passion Play will present the story of the last days in the life of Christ for the two weekends before Easter. Shows are Saturday, March 12 at 7pm and Sunday, March 13 at 2pm and 4:30pm, and again on Saturday, March 19 at 7pm and Sunday March 20 at 2pm and 4:30pm.
What began as a legacy of love by Mariam & Gene Steward has now, over a quarter of a centry later, become an annual labor of love by many who are involved in the production as well as those who return every year to watch the portrayal. The volunteer actors, singers and people behind the scenes bring new twist and talents each year, adding new life to the production.
The New Melle Community Passion Play will lbe presented in the New Melle Sports & Recreation Center's main building at 4700 Highway Z in New Melle. Please join us for one of these performances. It is a great family Easter event. Admission is a free will donation only. For additional information and large group reservations call Donna Curdt at 636-791-3497.
Check us out on Facebook at "New Melle Community Passion Play." Event FLYER
Directions to New Melle Sports & Recreation Center DIRECTIONS
March 13, Sausage & Sauerkraut Dinner, 11am-2pm
All You Can Eat! Immanuel United Church of Christ, North 4th & Elm, Wright City, MO will be hosting this meal which features, Link Pork Sausage, Sauerkraut, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Applesauce, Homemade Bread, Dessert & Beverages. Carry-Outs are available. Adults- $10, Children 6-12-$5, under 6, free. Click HERE for flyer
March 13, Book Discussion; Between the World and Me, 11:45am
Hope United Church of Christ, 6273 Eichelberger, St.Louis, MO 63109, will host a discussion of Ta-Nehisi Coates' book, Between the World and Me in the Friendly Room. This book on racial history in the United Staqtes is woven from personal narrative, reimagined history, and fresh, emotionally charged reportage. Between the World and Me clearly illuminates the past, bracingly confronts our present, and offers a transcendent vision for a way forward. All are invited to read this book and join in the discussion.
March 13, Sausage Dinner, 11:30am - 6pm
Femme Osage United Church of Christ will be hosting a Sausage Dinner. Adults, $10, Children (6-12) $5, Children under 6 are free. Please call the Sausage Shop at 636-357-3180 for pre-orders.
March 13 & 14, Jeanne Bishop-Change of Heart: Justice, Mercy, and Making Peace with My Sister's Killer
Come to hear a powerful faith story from Jeanne Bishop, sister of a murder victim, who has come to oppose the death penalty. Bishop is the tenacious woman at the center of this true-life murder story and memoir. All are Welcome at these Free Events:
Sunday, March 13, Noon
Southwood United Church of Christ, 7904 Raytown Rd., Raytown, MO
Sunday, March 13, 2:30pm
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 1001 E 52 St., Kansas City, MO
Monday, March 14,
Jefferson City: Morning Press Conference at the Capitol; Visits with legislators and state officials
Monday, March 14, 3pm
St. Louis: Eden Theological Seminary, 475 E Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO
March 24 - 26, Clothing Sale
Spring and Summer clothing is needed for the Shannondale Clothing Sale. If anyone would like to donate NEW and good CLEAN items, please drop off at the conference office by Monday, March 14th.
March 24, 25, & 27, Easter Events
St. Luke's United Church of Christ, Independence, is presenting a "Living Last Supper; on Maundy Thursday, March 24, at 7pm. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be served. All are welcome. On March 25th at 7pm, St. Luke's UCC will also hold a Good Friday Service. All are welcome. On Easter Sunday, St. Luke's will have the following services/activities: Sunrise Service at 9am, Easter Breakfast served by the Youth Group at 9:30am, Easter Egg Hunt for the children at 10:15am, and Easter Worship at 10:45am. All are welcome to attend. Communion will be served at worship.
March 25, Good Friday Cantata, 7pm
St. John United Church of Christ, 405 S Fifth St., St. Charles, Music Ministry presents "The Weeping Tree": by Joseph Martin. Please joins us www.stjohnucc.org, 636-946-09061.
March 26, Easter Egg Hunt, 10am
Samuel United Church of Christ will be hosting it's Annual Easter Egg Hunt on the church grounds at 320 N Forsyth in Clayton. Children of all ages are welcome to join us for a morning of storytelling, snacks, the egg hunt, an egg drop, crafts and a maze! This fun event is free and open to everyone. Please join us!
March 26, Easter Egg Hunt, 11am
Zion United Church of Christ, 5710 N Hwy 67-2 blocks west of Jamestown Mall) invites all children in the community to participate in their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 26, 2016 beginning promptly at 11am. Please call 314-741-1590 with questions or visit www.zionuccstl.org for more information about this free event. Come and join the fun-and please bring a basket for your eggs! Sponsored by Zion Youth.
March 29 & 30, Spring Convocation
Join us here at Eden Theological Seminary, 483 E. Lockwood Ave., St. Louis, Mo 63119 for our Annual Spring Convocation. We will focus on empowering the ministry of pastors and communities in responding to the challenge of racial justice in the church and its mission. Both clergy and laypeople are invited to Spring Convocation to listen and interact with outstanding biblical and theological scholars. Event FLYER
April 2, Sausage Supper (Wurstmarkt) 4:00-6:30pm
St. Paul United Church of Christ, 3510 Giles Ave. (at Potomac) presents its annual Sausage Supper - Carry-outs available! Adults $11, Children 5-11 $4, Children under 5 are free. For more information, call 314-772-4772. Event FLYER
April 2, Taste of Home Cooking School, 9am-3pm
Join us at The Scheidegger Center, 2300 W. Clay St., St. Charles, MO 63301 for our first ever Spring Taste of Home Cooking School in St. Charles! Shop from our vendor fair featuring local vendors including food, flowers, jewelry, health & fitness, clothing and more! Learn 10 NEW spring recipes taught by Taste of Home Culinary Specialist Karen Davis while enjoying a day out with friends. Every attendee receives a gift bag full of giveaways, magazines and gifts! General Admission tickets starting at just $20-VIP and Super VIP upgrades available that include premium seating, catered lunch and the newest Taste of Home Cookbook. Buy your tickets today. For group ticket pricing (20+ tickets), contact Chris at 636-534-5218 or adamsc@emmaushomes.org.
April 3, 10, 17, & 24, Sunday Morning Adult Education Classes 10:45am-11:45am
"Greening the Bible: The Bible & Ecology" - Kirkwood United Church of Christ, 1603 Dougherty Ferry Rd. 63122, will be holding these classes during the month of April. This course is designed to illustrate the variety of Biblical texts that are capable of addressing the current ecological crisis. To be sure, the Bible offers no easy answers to the complex issues and troubling realities confronting us. But as Ellen Davis points out, "What the Bible can offer us are 'vision and principle' from the past" that may begin to equip us to think and act differently. Topics to be covered include:
-April 3 - Introduction: The Ecological Crisis & Faith-based Resources
-April 10 - Texts & Topics from the Prophets (Israel's Agrarian Prophets)
-April 17 & 24 - Texts & Topics from The Writings and the New Testament
We will be lead in this study by Rev. Dr. Clint McCann, Evangelical Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Eden Theological Seminary. Call 314-822-2240 for more information.
April 6, Child Advocacy Day, 6am-5pm
Get on the Bus with Deaconess for this very important day!
In the spirit of our faith heritage, we seek to make child well-being a civic priority and give priority attention to the most vulnerable of our children. Get on the Bus with Deaconess to Child Advocacy Day in Jefferson City! Ride with us to raise your voice on behalf of children. Individuals and groups welcome. For more information, contact Alex Stallings, Director of Advocacy and Communications, Deaconess Foundation at alexs@deaconess.org. Transportation, meals, snacks and materials provided free of charge.
April 7, The Festival of Young (Women) Preachers
You are invited to join the Alliance of Baptists at Eden Theological Seminary for this event!
The event is inspired by the work of the Academy of Preachers (AoP), which has existed since 2009 "to identify, network, support, and inspire young people in their call to Gospel preaching." Young preachers are asked to invite a mentor who will help them prepare for the event, and will also receive feedback from a preaching coach following the afternoon preaching sessions.
Note: Others who will be in St. Louis for the Alliance's Annual Gathering and who would like to show their support for these young preachers and their mentors are welcome to attend the Festival as well. Please choose the "Guest" option on the registration form.
April 9, Trivia Night, 6pm
Come join the fun at St. Johns Evangelical UCC, 11333 St. Johns Church Rd. in Mehlville, for Trivia! Doors opening at 6pm - questions starting at 7pm. $20 per person / 8 per table. Featuring 50/50 Heads and Tails, free soda, pretzels and popcorn, BYO food and drinks (alcohol is allowed). Proceeds support Youth Programs at St. Johns. Please make your reservations by April 4th, to Pastor Debby at: Debby@stjucc.org or 314-892-0848. Click HERE for flyer
April 9, Bike Blessing, 11am-1pm
St. Paul United Church of Christ, 903 Meier Rd, Old Monroe, MO, will hold a Bike Blessing. Food and refreshment available. There is an alternate date of April 16 in case of rain. This is an alcohol and drug free event. Event FLYER
April 9, Trivia & Chili Supper, 6pm
St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 1425 Stein Rd., Ferguson, MO 63135 will host this event. All proceeds go to St. John's Community Service Ministry, Inc. Trivia starts at 7pm. Cost is $25 per player which includes your chili dinner, soda, and snacks during the game. No alcohol is allowed at this location. Please contact Amy Yakel, 314-725-8039 for more information.
April 11, "Witnessing Whiteness" Discussion Group, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Kirkwood United Church of Christ will be hosting a 10-session discussion group centering around the book, Witnessing Whiteness: The Need to Talk About Race and How to Do It, by Shelly Tochluk (2nd edition) beginning Monday, April 11th. "Witnessing Whiteness" groups are designed for people who identify as white. They work to seed and grow communities of white people who can turn to one another to ask questions about race and racism, reflect on their growing up, and learn how to respectfully interrupt acts of prejudice with empathy and compassion. So much of the dismantling racism work ahead requires engaging the very large number of white people who are essential if we are to move forward as a community. This group will meet at Kirkwood UCC on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month from 6:30-8:30pm beginning April 11th, and Pastor Betsy will be serving as one of the co-facilitators. Childcare with a certified caregiver will be available for a free-will offering. Please request this service when you register. The 10 sessions will take us through August 22nd; while we recognize participants may not be able to make all session, a commitment to make most sessions will be expected. There is a limit of 25 participants to the group. Please contact Donna Bay at donna@kirkwooducc.org to register. Questions? Contact Betsy at betsy@kirkwooducc.org. The book can be ordered through Betsy or through amazon.com. Tell your friends!
April 15-16, Bi-Vocational Ministry Conference
MESA and its predecessor bodies have long been a part of Professional Church Leaders (PCL), an annual convening of ecumenical denominational leaders. PCL is pleased to announce that it will host a conference, "Bi-Vocational Ministry in the 21st Century," April 15-16, 2016 at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simon's Island, Georgia.
This conference is designed for bi-vocational ministers and for governing body and judicatory executives, with workshops and keynotes at a beautiful location. Registration is now open! Contact Elizabeth Dilley (dilleye@ucc.org) if you have any questions.
April 18-20, Polity Conference, "Mission, Church Polity, and the (Dis)Unity of the Church"
MESA will make available a limited number of scholarships - up to $250 each - to help support applicants whose papers are accepted to attend the conference: "Mission, Church Polity, and the (Dis)Unity of the Church," 18 - 20 April 2016, at Princeton Theological Seminary. In return, we would ask that you make your paper available to MESA to share with other teachers and learners of UCC History, Polity, and Theology. Please send your request for scholarship assistance once your paper has been accepted. You may send the request directly to Kathy Clark (clark@ucc.org). Conference information can be found at: April 18-20, UCC Clergywomen Leadership Event
The 2016 UCC Clergywomen Leadership will host an event April 18-20. The theme is "Preparing for, Stepping Into, and Sustaining Our Leadership." Keynote presenters are 2015 Antoinette Brown Award winners the Rev. Traci Blackmon, the Rev. Sharon Ellis Davis, and the Rev. Martha Spong.
The event will take place April 18-20, 2016 (noon to noon) at the Carefree Resort and Conference Center in Carefree, Arizona. It is designed for any UCC clergy who identifies as female, and will provide a mix of plenary sessions, smaller group times (for networking, mobilizing, and learning from one another), and free time to refresh and be energized by the beauty of Arizona. The $100 registration for the event includes housing in single rooms and four meals during the event, additional discounts are provided for Antoinette Brown Society Members (click here to join). Child care will be provided.
The website for the event and the registration portal can be found here: April 23, Wurstmarkt Sausage Supper, 4pm-7pm
Come and enjoy sausage made from an old family recipe at Christ Church UCC, 2200 Bellevue Ave., Maplewood, MO 63143. More information to follow.
April 23, Western Association Spring Meeting
Hosted by Immanuel UCC, New Franklin, MO. More information to follow.
April 23, 6th Annual Trivia Night, 6pm
Grab your smartest friends and sign up today knowing you'll have a great time while supporting a great cause! Neighborhood Houses will be hosting this evening of trivia at the Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63127. A VIP Table of 10 - $300, Table of 10 - $250 - Sponsor a Round - $150. Raffles, auction, door prizes, games, prizes for the top 3 teams, and more! Soda, beer, and water provided. Bring your own snacks!
To Register:
- Online: http://neighborhoodhouses.org/events/get-tickets/
- By Mail: Fill out attached flyer and send credit card information or check made payable to Neighborhood Houses to 326 S 21st St. Ste 301, St. Louis, MO 63103
- By phone: Call Kathy McCadden at 314-561-3337
April 24, Eastern Association Spring Meeting, 2-5pm
Hosted by Faith UCC, Wentzville. More information to follow.
April 29-May 1, 2016 Women's Retreat
Come join us for a weekend of spiritual renewal, recreation, crafts, and fellowship at Camp MoVal in Union, Missouri. Scholarships are available. Our speakers, Susan Drake and Julie Jennings, will share their thoughts on "Finding Freedom in Forgiveness" - the what, why, and how - as we delve into how giving and receiving forgiveness impacts our daily lives.
Look forward to good fellowship, thoughtful discussions, and fun as we learn more about becoming the women God intends us to be.
Click HERE for registration brochure.
May 5, St. Louis Association Spring Meeting
