scampbell@ppcsinc.org or 314.603.9991.

With the Christmas season approaching, many of us will find ourselves stressed out with the shopping, partying, and many other activities we will face.  Taking time out to be quiet and reflect on the meaning of God's dwelling among us can be something of a luxury.  To make it a bit easier, the Peace UCC church sanctuary will be open for quiet meditation every Sunday evening during advent (December 2, 9, 16 and 23) from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.  Feel free to stop by for a few minutes, an hour, or more to relax, rejuvenate and remember the good news that Jesus brought to the world.

Practice yoga with a warm, open community every Saturday morning, 9:00 - 10:30 am at the church (204 E. Lockwood Ave. Webster Groves 63119). We will begin this week, November 24th. This class is open to all to nurture mind, body, and spirit. Our instructor, Jeff Miller, has a gift for teaching, offering helpful individualized instruction to both beginners and advanced students. This is a donations-based class, pay what you can (most studio yoga classes cost $10-15 per session). Do not let cost stand in your way of participating. E-mail Jeff if you would like to receive class updates via e-mail. Contact Jeff Miller (mefjillito@gmail.com) or Jessica Rowley (jessica.rowley@stsclareandfrancis.org) with questions. 

Sts. Clare & Francis will celebrate Christmas Mass on Tuesday, December 25th at 10:00 am.  

For 4 - 6 months we are going to experiment with adding a Sunday mass once a month.  We are not changing the Saturday liturgy in any way.  Nor do we intend to.  However we have been told by some that they are not able to attend on Saturday evenings sometimes (or ever) and that they would like to have a Sunday mass option.  Mass will be held on the second Sunday of each month for the next 6 months, with Jessica and Frank alternating as presiders.  We'll begin on December 9th.  Janelle Carron has offered her home as a venue during this time of experimentation.  Let her know you are interested in coming so she can give you her address: janellecarron@earthlink.net.  A small group intends to be there each time; so you won't be the only one there!  Spread the word.  All are welcome!

John and Ginny Dahlberg, who are members of SCF, have agreed to help start a "mission" in Belleville.  A mission is a kind of "starter community" that is sponsored and supported by a more stable community.  They agreed to help us provide an ECC presence in Belleville for a core group of interested persons who found out about us during our "Alternative Catholic" campaign on St. Louis Public Radio.  

They celebrate the Eucharist  every other Saturday at 4:30 pm in John and Ginny's home.  The next Mass will be on November 24th.  Future Masses will be on December 8 and 22, and January 5, 2013. Rev. Kay Schmitt, a parishioner at SCF and an ECC priest, will preside.  If you would like to attend, call 618-334-8395 or e-mail milwginny@att.net to get directions.   

Here we grow again!  Get the Word Out!  Click here to read Ginny's report.  Each month Ginny will be reporting to the Parish Council about how things are going.  

If you were asked to lead a prayer in front of a group, would you feel out of place?  If someone asked you what it was like for you to pray, would you not quite know what to say?  Does meditation seem like something other people do?  Would you like to learn the basics of prayer?  Frank Krebs is going to have a series of classes on the first three Thursdays of December at church on the basic "how-to"s of prayer.  It's a way to celebrate Advent as a preparation time for meeting our God.  Also if you would like, Frank would be willing to visit your small group or to work with you individually around these same practices.  You may reach him at fekrebs@msn.com.  

If you would like to help your neighbor in need this Christmas, please take an ornament with a designated gift or gift card from our giving tree in the back of church.

Gifts, gift cards, or cash must be returned to church by Saturday, December 8, 2012.  Please do not wrap the gifts.

Our own Frank Krebs was asked to preach at the Healing Service at the Synod this year. He spoke of his pride in the inclusiveness of the ECC, and of the need for ongoing healing from exclusion. The video of the service can be found here. Frank's homily begins at 36:00.

Social Justice Committee Book Study

December 1, 2012

4:00 pm

Fireside Room

The Social Justice Committee invites everyone to join us for our book study of The Hole in Our Gospel: What does God expect of Us? The Answer that Changed my Life and Might Just Change the World by Richard Stearns. 

We will meet on the Saturdays above to discuss the book. It challenges us to embrace all of the gospel through the story of Rich Stearns, who discovered the full power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to change his own life. He uses his journey to demonstrate how the gospel - the whole gospel - was always meant to be a world changing social revolution, a revolution that begins with us.  It is available from Amazon - new, used, or as a Kindle edition.

"An urgent, powerful summons to live like Jesus. Stearns weaves solid theology, moving stories, and his own journey of faith into a compelling call to live the whole Gospel. Highly recommended!"

--Ronald J. Sider, President, Evangelicals for Social Action, 

Author of Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger