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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

The next eHappenings is scheduled for Thursday, September 15, 2016

Deadline for submissions is 8:00 am on 9/14/16 

 

 Issues will be emailed on the 15th and 30th/31st of each month - or the nearest weekday.  Email your  

church/organization/agency events and any items you wish to advertise to Kris at [email protected].

Full issues of eHappenings 

FUTURE EVENTS
Conference Minister's 2016-2017 Worship Calendar

If your church is interested in inviting Ginny to preach at your church or visit with your congregation in 2017, please contact Kris Scott at the MMSUCC Conference office at 314-918-2605.  At this time, Ginny's 2016 schedule is filled. Thank you to all of the congregations for their "Extravagant Welcome and Hospitality" in 2016!
2016 Mercy Hospice Summer/Fall Community Grief Support Groups

Groups are open to the community, free of charge.
-Morning Drop-In Group is the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, 10-11:30am -New members are welcome to join at any time, no registration required.

OR

-Evening 6-week Closed Group, August 15th thru September 26th, and October 10th thru November 21st. These groups close to new members after the 2nd meeting of the 6-week session. Pre-registration is required. Please call the Mercy Hospice Bereavement Program at, 314-729-4419. Mercy Hospice is located at, 1000 Des Peres Rd., Des Peres, MO 63131.
Second Saturday of Each Month, "Friendship Plate" 4:30pm
 
The Friendship Plate is a new community organization providing free meals to anyone who would like to enjoy good food and fellowship. On the second Saturday of each month, you are invited to join us for a free meal and table fellowship. The church doors open at 4:30pm and the meal is served from 5-6pm. Volunteers are also welcome to come and help us serve the community. St. Peter's UCC is located at 607 Maupin Ave., New Haven, MO. For more information about the Friendship Plate organization, checkout their page on our website at www.nhucc.org
 
 
September 3, Annual Church Picnic, 3-8pm
 
Zion St. Peter United Church of Christ, Pershing, MO is holding their annual picnic which will feature "Our Famous Fried Chicken Dinner" which includes cole slaw, German potato salad, vegetables, homemade bread and desserts, and a new addition this year: roast beef!  $10 for adults, $5 for children (6-12).  There will be delicious homemade ice cream; vanilla, pineapple, and chocolate. 75 cents per scoop/$6 per quart. The "Country Store" will feature a variety of items for sale, including homemade baked goods, homemade craft items, and more. A raffle will be held as well featuring many prizes! Tickets available at the picnic.
 
 Event FLYER   
 
September 6, Fall Convocation & Picnic, 10:30am

Please join us at Eden Theological Seminary, 483 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, for Fall Convocation in the Wehrli Chapel.  After Convocation, you'll want to stay and enjoy the fellowship of a picnic lunch immediately following.
 
We hope you'll click the link below to read about all the exciting changes at Eden!

      
September 10, Annual Fundraiser Trivia Night, 6pm

Zion United Church of Christ, 5710 N Hwy 67, Florissant, MO is hosting this event to raise $1000 for Habitat for Humanity. Any funds above our goal will be used for other missions. The cost is $20 per person, $150 for a table of 8, $100 to sponsor a round of trivia, $1 for a hot dog. Fresh popcorn and soda provided (no alcoholic beverages). Door opens at 6 - trivia begins at 7pm. Additionally, there will be a Silent Auction. Checks can be made out to Zion UCC with "Trivia Night" on the memo/for line. For information, please contact Pat Danzer at 314-838-2435 or the church office at [email protected]  or 314-741-1590.
 

September 10, Conference Annual Planning Event (CAPE), 9:30am-3pm
 
Please join us!
 
We will be gathering at Columbia United Church of Christ, 3201 Interstate 70 Dr. NW, Columbia, MO 65202,  for our second Conference Annual Planning Event. Registration begins at 9:30.  This is a very important function for the life of our Conference.  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-Take action. Join the conversationBe 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. Lunch will be provided.  YOU ARE THE CONFERENCE.
 
   
September 10, Early Christmas Bazaar, 9am-4pm

Zion United Church of Christ, 9th & Faraon St., St. Joseph, MO, will hold this Bazaar with proceeds going to help with future outreach projects. A variety of vendors will be present. We'll feature a quilt raffle, and the kitchen will be serving beef burgers and homemade vegetable soup. Questions? Please call Shelly Kirschner at 816-617-2489.
 
         
September 11, Church Picnic, Noon-2:30pm
 
St. John United Church of Christ, 405 S Fifth St., St. Charles will hold their annual picnic at McNair Park in St. Charles in pavilions 1 and 2.  This year the picnic will feature the "Bubble Bus" from 1:00-2:00pm. All are welcome! Contact the church office for more information, 636-946-0961.
 
   
September 11, 9/11 15th Anniversary Memorial Service, 7pm
 
St. John United Church of Christ, 405 S Fifth St., St. Charles will host a 9/11 Memorial Service in the sanctuary. Contact the church for more information, at 636-946-0961.
 
September 11, Annual Homecoming Sunday, 9:30am
 
St. Luke's United Church of Christ, 727 N Main, Independence, MO will have its annual Homecoming Sunday- Sunday School for all ages will start a new year beginning at 9:30am. Worship will be at 10:45am with a dedication of the new Peace Pole at the end of the service. At noon, the Youth Group will provide a freewill offering lunch to kick off the fundraising for the July 2017 Mission Trip to Deer Lodge, TN.  All are welcome! 
 
 
September 12, "Witnessing Whiteness" Discussion Group, 6:30-8:30pm
 
Kirkwood United Church of Christ, 1603 Dougherty Ferry Rd., Kirkwood, 63122, will be hosting a new 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, September 12th.
September 16-17, LIFE Program

The LIFE (Lifelong Learner Institute of Faith Exploration) program will kick off the new academic year with a weekend retreat on the Eden Campus. The LIFE Program welcomes laity and clergy seeking to explore their Christian faith. Participants spend Friday evening and Saturday on campus in fellowship with others, taking either a certificate or an elective course, worshipping and eating together. The certificate course is NT Scriptural Studies with Rev. Dr. Deb Krause. This class will offer participants an introduction and overview of the New Testament. Deborah is Eden's Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament. The elective class is Welcoming the LGBTQ Community to Your Church, taught by Dr. Jill Baker, adjunct professor at Eden. This class will provide an overview on formal and informal ways clergy and congregations can be welcoming to the LGBTQ community.

For more information on the LIFE retreat, contact: Jill Schantz, [email protected] or call 314-961-3627. To register, click link below:

 


September 19-21, Persons In Ministry (PIM) Retreat  
 
Many Paths, One Mountain-
The World's Religions: Primary Perspectives and a Closer Look
 
Local church pastors, retired clergy, chaplains, youth ministers/directors, Christian educators, and music directors are all invited to this year's PIM! Our journey will begin with an overview that groups religions into three families with similar traits and vastly different ways of approaching the central questions of faith. Then we will spend time exploring Islam, Daoism and Hinduism in more detail. How can we better understand our neighbors? How can really seeing them help us better understand ourselves and our own faith? Our presenter will be Brian Carwana, Director of the Encounter World Religions Centre in Toronto.
 
Enjoy time for fellowship, rest and renewal, as well. Spouses/partners are welcome! The cost of registration is $125 until 9/8/16; $135 after that date. Accomodations are at the Inn at Grand Glaize, site of the 2015 PIM (www.innnatgrandglaize.com). Rooms are $89 (king) and $99 (double beds) plus tax, and must be reserved directly through the resort. See the Missour Mid-South website (www.missourimidsouth.org) for registration and further details. Questions? Contact Betsy Happel at [email protected]  Read new details about the retreat, see link below.
 

 
September 19, Faith & Life Matters, 7:30pm
 
Please come to the PSU Theater (Plaster Student Union), 1110 E Madison St., Springfield, MO 65897,  to hear guest speaker, Ursa Ghazi where she will discuss "How Interfaith Dialogue and Awareness Informs Us as Citizens and People of Faith." 
 
Ursa has worked in the nonprofit sector on interreligious engagement for over ten years. She has previously worked with HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad in Amman, Jordan and developed interfaith youth initiatives in both Jordan and the U.S.
 
 Event FLYER
 
   
 
September 20, Greening Your Community:Saving the Planet One Garden at a Time

Please join us at 7pm at the Saint Louis Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Rd. 63117.  Keynote speakers include: Meteorologist Mike Roberts, Sweet Potato Project Executive Dir. Sylvester Brown, Jr.  Panelists include, Matt Schindler with Gateway Greening, KB Frasier with Cultivating Justice, Kim Reiss-Sugar Creek Gardens, and Christ Hartley-Butterfly House. Don't miss this informative and inspiring event. It's free and open to the public, but registration is required at:
 
 
 
Event FLYER

 
September 21, Gay-Straight Christian Fellowship Discussion, 6:30pm

Tyler Connoley, Sabbatical Associate Conference Minister, will speak to the GCF (Gay-Straight Christian Fellowship of Zion Church: an Open and Affirming congregation, 816 Faraon St., St. Joseph, MO. A fellowship dinner will be served. Tyler will speak on Hathach, the transgender hero from the book of Esther. GCF is reading "The Children are Free: Reexamining the Biblical Evidence on Same-sex Relationships" co-authored by Tyler along with the Reverend Jeff Miller. You are encouraged to attend.
 
September 23-24, Partners In Building (PIB) Training Event
Extending REGISTRATION DEADLINE to August 26th!
 
You may recall receiving an invitation to CB&LF's upcoming event to be hosted by the UCC Southern California Nevada Conference at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown, 500 E 1st St. Long Beach, CA 90802.  This is a premier training event for church leaders. Since 2009, PIB has helped over 500 UCC and other church leaders to gain valuable information and assistance on how to build, renovate, purchase, raise money for and/or finance church building projects.
 
The purpose of this message is to encourage you to identify congregations and church leaders  from your Conference that need assistance with this kind of training. Please encourage them to attend PIB and receive expert assistance on managing, re-purposing, renovating, selling, owning, leasing, financing or re-financing or re-financing church-owned property (and for specific church property challenges, we offer an opportunity at PIB for a 30-minute consultation with CB& LF staff). We invite you to forward this email directly to any church leaders you'd like to refer to sign up for PIB.

The registration cost to PIB participants for 2 days of training is only $100 per person. CB&LF pays for housing, meals and travel expenses for up to three leaders of each church or church organization. The deadline to register for this year's PIB has been extended to August 26, 2016. We ask interested church leaders to please click the link below to complete a 10-minute survey- which will take you afterwards to the PIB registration website.  https://www.research.net/r/LC3QSQY
 
Additional information is available at cblfund.org
 
For PIB registration information, please contact our Office Administrator, Donyale Copeland at [email protected] or call 216-736-3834. If you'd like to speak directly with Church Building & Load Fund Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Patrick Duggan,  you may reach him on his cell at: 516-724-2099, or send him an email:  [email protected]
 
   
September 24, Eastern Association Fall Meeting, 11am-3pm
 
Emanuel UCC, 304 E Adams St. Jackson, MO will host the Fall Business Session of the EA. More details to be announced later.  Mark your calendar!
September 24, St. Louis Association Fall Meeting, 8:30am-3pm
 
It's that time of year! St. John's United Church of Christ, 15370 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, MO 63017 will host the Fall Business Session of the SLA. Registration will begin at 8:30. The building is fully accessible, and members of St. Johns are planning tasty breakfast treats as we gather, and a delicious lunch to share.
 
The theme for the Fall Meeting is: Mission to Motion: A Model for Church Vitality. We are very excited to welcome as keynote speaker, Rev. Cheryl Cornish, pastor of First Congregational Church in Memphis, TN. As many of you know, First Congregational has become a thriving hub of community engagement and deeply-valued ministry in its city, and Cheryl has had a vital role in shepherding its growth.
 
 Registration FORM 
 
September 24, Festival of Sharing Traveling Quilt Show, 8:30am-2pm
 
St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 5508 Telegraph, St. Louis, MO 63129, will be hosting the Festival of Sharing Traveling Quilt Show.  Admission is free. 
 
September 24, Joint Neighborhood Ministry Trivia Night & Auction, 6pm
 
For the 9th year, Joint Neighborhood Ministry presents this event. First Congregational United Church of Christ, 10 W Lockwood Ave will be hosting, where the doors open at 6pm, and the fun begins at 7pm .  $20 per person, 8 ppl per table.  Find your 7 smartest best friends and be ready to win! Please bring non-perishable food items to help stock JNM's food pantry. Bring food, wine and beer for your table to enjoy.  JNM provides soda and water. In addition, there will be a Silent Auction, Raffle, Mulligan's and Door Prizes. Come join the fun! $ Cash Prize $ for Trivia Winning Table.
 
RSVP to Sonya at, 314-771-3987 or Jan at, 314-352-6645 by September 17th.
 
 Event FLYER
 
    
September 25, 2016 CROP Hunger Walk, 12:30pm
 
The walk will be held at Eden Theological Seminary, 475 E Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, where registration/check-in will begin at 12:30pm, and step-off at 1:30pm.  As in the past, we will have both a one-mile and a three-mile route through the lovely neighborhoods of northeastern Webster Groves.
 
Also, please check our website for updates: www.crophungerwalk.org/stlouismo and please see our Facebook page. On Facebook, search "CROP Hunger Walk St. Louis 2016" and please "like" the page to help us spread the word.
 
Church World Service, of which CROP is the division that addresses issues of hunger and poverty, both locally and throughout the world. Hunger remains a reality for nearly 20% of the world's population; and in Missouri, 17% of families are regularly hungry and/or food insecure. The needs are real, and CROP helps to address these needs, both with direct aid and with development assistance. Our local partners for 2016 are Operation Food Search, Circle of Concern, and Webster-Rock Hill Ministries. 25% of funds raised stay in the St. Louis to benefit these partners.
 
Questions? Contact Clint McCann at 314-395-5826; or contact Jordan Bles, CROP's Community Engagement Specialist at [email protected]
 
   
September 25, Sausage and Turkey Dinner, 11am-5:30pm
 
Join us at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 150 Defiance Rd., Defiance, MO for this dinner which includes fresh made Apple Butter for sale, a Quilt Raffle and a Country Store. Adults-$11, Children-$5 - kids under five eat free. All you care to eat! 
       
September 29, Boundary Training, 9am-4pm
 
Southwood United Church of Christ, 7904 Raytown Rd., Raytown, MO will host a Boundary Training session.  The Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman will facilitate.  To register, please call Kris Scott at the conference office, 314-918-2605, or [email protected]  Or register online:
 
 Registration FORM
 
    
October, Global Ministries Missionary Visit Opportunity
 
James and Jayanthi Wilson, who have most recently served the Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC) in Johannesburg, South Afria, will be visiting our region the whole month of October. 
 
Don't miss an opportunity to have the Wilsons' share their stories and adventures with you.  If you would like to have a visit at your church, men's group, women's group, youth group, etc., now is the time to speak up! Do not think you have to have a large group present. A simple dinner in a home can be relaxing and informative. Perhaps you have a civic group to which you would like to invite them to speak.
 
To arrange a visit, contact Clela Anderson [email protected]  She will assist you with arrangements


October 2, 48th Annual Chicken Dinner, Noon-6pm

Immanuels United Church of Christ, Holstein, 17510 Church Street, Marthasville, MO is hosting this annual dinner.  Featuring a Country Store, inside and outside dining, Fried Chicken and all the fixin's, Apple Butter and Homemade Pie! 
 
 
October 2, Eastern Franklin County 25th Annual CROP Walk for Hunger, 12:30pm

This year's walk will begin and end at  St. Peter's UCC in Washington, MO.  Registration for the walk begins at 12:30pm. The Walk will start at 1pm. The route is one mile long, but can be walked as many times as a walker wishes to walk it. The 1/4 of the proceeds for local ministry will be divided among the six food pantries in Washington and Union. Everyone is invited to walk to help the hungry!  CROP Rockathons will be held on Saturday, October 1, the day before the Walk at Frick's Grocery Market in Union and at the Washington Walmart. The Rockathons will begin at 10am and end at 4pm. Volunteers will rock in a rocking chair, to raise money for CROP Hunger Ministries. We hope many of you will join us for the two days of Walking and Rocking-you will find a blessing in helping---SEE YOU THERE!
 
October 3-7, Mission Trip: New Orleans, Louisiana, St. Bernard Project (SBP)
 
Parkway United Church of Christ is sponsoring this mission trip. There is much to be done to get Katrina victims back in their own homes. We will be traveling Sunday the 2nd and Saturday the 8th. This will be about a 12-hour drive. SBP has volunteer housing available for a very reasonable fee. We have worked with the SBP folks before, and they have a great operation. Please send any questions to Tom at [email protected] or visit the SBP website at http://www.stbernardproject.org/  Please do some thinking and praying and consider this opportunity.
 .
 October 9, 11th Annual Sausage Supper, 11am-6pm
 
St. John United Church of Christ, 405 S Fifth St., St. Charles will host this supper which will also feature Roast Beef.  Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children. There will also be a quilt raffle for a queen-size embroidered quilt made by the St. John social Service Sewing Group. Raffle tickets are $1 each or $5 for 6 tickets. Call the church for more information or stop by to purchase tickets. 636-946-0961
   
  
October 12, ECH Ladies Aid Fall Luncheon & Market, 11am
 
Join the wonderful ECH Ladies Aid members for a delightful afternoon of food and fellowship. All funds go directly to support the children and families of ECH Every Child's Hope. Parkway United Church of Christ, 2841 N Ballas Rd., St. Louis 63131 is hosting this event. Tickets are $10 and includes lunch, dessert, raffle, and shopping at the vendor market. To register by October 5, please call the ECH Development Office at 314-427-3755.
October 21, A Day For Sharpening 02717, 9:30am-4pm
 
You are invited to join us for this event at First Christian Church, 2500 University Ave, Des Moines, IA, where we'll continue the dialogue: "Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing For Racial Reconciliation."

For more information:

For registration: 
 

October 22, Western Association Fall Meeting, 10am-3pm
 
Mark your calendar for the Fall Business Session of the WA.  Southwood United Church of Christ, 7904 Raytown Rd., Raytown, MO 64138, will be host. More details to follow.
 
October 22, Boundary Training, 8am-3pm 
 
First Congregational Church, 1000 South Cooper Ave. Memphis, TN 38104 will host a Boundary Training session. The Rev.Joe Pfeiffer will facilitate.  To register, please call Kris Scott at 314-918-2605 or [email protected]   Or register online:
 
    
October 23, Hymn Festival, 3pm
 
St. John United Church of Christ, 405 S Fifth St., St. Charles, presents this festival in the sanctuary. The Hymn Festival will feature St. John Chancel & Adult Handbell Choirs with organ and piano. All are welcome! Contact the church office for more information. 636-946-0961.
 
   
November 3-5, Ecumenical Symposium: Revitalizing Ministry through Jazz

Register Now! "Jazz for the Journey" featuring Keynote presenter The Reverend Geoffrey Black, retired General Minister and President of The United Church of Christ.   Join us at Eden Theological Seminary, 475 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO for this second National Jazz Symposium!  For more details, visit www.eden.edu/jazzjourney. For further information, contact Cliff Aerie, Symposium Producer at [email protected]


 
November 4, Art & Soul VI, 6:30pm

SAVE the DATE!

Now in it's 6th year, Art & Soul is a celebration of Neighborhood Houses and how art reaches across the boundaries such as poverty and challenging urban neighborhoods to help strengthen children and youth. The emcee will be Cory Stark, weekend anchor from KMOV. The event will feature unique works of art in many forms, done by artists of all ages. Guests will enjoy cocktails, fabulous food, Howl 2 Go Dueling Pianos, silent and live auctions, and Fund the Need.

Link to purchase tickets:    http://neighborhoodhouses.org/events/get-tickets/


April 28-30, 2017,  Women's Retreat
 
SAVE the DATE!
 
The 2017 Women's Retreat will be held at Camp MoVal on April 28-30, 2017. More details available closer to the event!
ADVERTISEMENT SECTION
St. John's United Church of Christ, Mehlville, MO has approximately 40 black and white choir robes that we are willing to donate to a church in need. The robes are in good condition. Please let us know if you are aware of a church that may be able to "make a joyful noise" wearing these robes. Contact Pam Nazzoli at [email protected]
St. John United Church of Christ, 405 S Fifth St., St. Charles, MO,  has an altar they are no longer using.  The altar is free.  Please contact Dave Kinzel at 636-946-0961 if interested.
  
Advertising Guidelines - Items for Sale/Free
Items that are offered for free or for sale within our Conference (i.e. robes, pews, hymnals, books, etc.) will now be advertised in our eHappenings eblast.  Items will be shared for one month, which means the ad will appear twice.  If you would like the item(s) to be shared the following month, please contact Kris with your request.  The maximum time frame is two months.

As a reminder, the eHappenings is our Conference eblast which shares the upcoming church/organization/agency events occurring within our surrounding area and from our national office in Cleveland.  The eHappenings is emailed each month on the 15th and then again on the 30th or 31st. 

Please send any items you care to advertise, as well as your upcoming events, to Kris at [email protected].  Thank you.
 

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Contact Us
Missouri Mid-South Conference United Church of Christ, 314-962-8740 or 877-877-5884,
 
Email [email protected] to submit information for a future issue. Not all submissions may be included.