A
MOVEABLE FEAST
Just about catching our breath
from Advent and Christmas, we find ourselves on the verge of burning last
year’s palms from Palm/Passion Sunday … so that we will have ashes for the
evening of February 6th, Ash Wednesday - which gives us a humble beginning to
the season of Lent – our journey to Holy Week and Easter. [Out of breath from reading that sentence?
Yes!]
Some have expressed dismay that
Easter is so early this year – March 23rd. In fact, it is one of the earliest
Easters possible. The absolute earliest Easter in any given year is March
22nd. The lunar formula for this
moveable feast is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring
equinox (March 21st). [Easter in 2011 will be quite late — on April 24th!]
Christmas is set on the solar
calendar – always December 25th … regardless of what day of the week.
Thanksgiving is always the
fourth Thursday of November – so it can be as early as the 22nd (which it was
in 2007) or as late as the 28th.
While Martin Luther King Jr’s
birthday is always the same date, we celebrate it on a Monday – like many other
national holidays.
We have this wonderful holiday
plate at our house. It’s hand-painted
and was a gift from one of our kids’ grandmothers. We can use it all year – it is cyclical, not linear. All kinds of holidays and holy days appear
in symbols and familiar characters. On this plate, all these days are happening
at once; they are all being celebrated in the same place at the same time.
As we enter the season of Lent,
we begin to ponder again what the Easter event means to us – how it informs,
shapes, calls, challenges, graces us toward faithful living. Easter, the ultimate moveable feast is happening
every day at every moment. Easter, the
celebration of God’s love that cannot be destroyed or deterred, is why we
gather each Sunday. It is at our core.
We are an Easter people! How do you carry this feast within you each
day? How do you share this feast and
welcome others to the table? In this
time of year that invites us inward to take inventory of who we are and at the
same time propels us outward to serve others, ponder this idea of being a moveable
feast yourself.
Peace, Kevin
PARKWAY
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Kevin Cameron, Senior
Pastor (kevin@parkwayucc.org)
Sally Dischinger,
Preschool Director
(puns@parkwayucc.org)
Cassie Schulenburg,
Office Administrator (info@parkwayucc.org)
John Jones & Johnny Brown, Caretakers
(info@parkwayucc.org)
Kim Livengood, Financial Secretary
(puccfs@parkwayucc.org)
Barbara Raedeke, Organist/Choir Director
(braedeke@aol.com)
Barbara Eggebrecht, President of the
Congregation (bpeggebrecht@sbcglobal.net)
Carol Wilbois, Parish Nurse (rpwilbois@aol.com)
John Nourse, Pastor Emeritus
VISION STATEMENT
We shall seek the way of God in today’s world through…
· Joyful Worshipping
· Inclusive Caring
· Compassionate Serving
MISSION STATEMENT
Parkway United Church of Christ seeks within the church universal to
respond faithfully to the promises of God as witnessed in the Old Testament and
New Testament. We seek to follow the
way of the crucified and risen Christ.
Therefore we will worship God, educate and nurture persons for
discipleship, build a caring Christian community, participate in God’s mission
to the world, and be stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us. May all that we are and do be to God’s
Glory.
CONGREGATIONAL STATEMENT
Parkway United Church of Christ, with God’s grace, seeks to be a
congregation that includes all persons, regardless of race, ethnic, or
socio-economic background while respecting differences of gender, marital
status, age, sexual orientation, and mental and physical ability. We aspire to
act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. We invite all to share in the life and
leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities
and blessings of participation in our
congregation.
Please read and pray through the scriptures before
each Sunday.
February 3 Exodus 24:12-18; Matthew 17:1-9 Partly Cloudy
Come to our open table as
we celebrate the sacrament of communion. All are invited!
(This is also Give-A-Meal
Sunday. Whenever we gather at the
table, we are mindful and intentional about reaching out to people who do not
have enough food on their tables.)
Today we will also
celebrate the baptism of Morgan Justiss at the 9:30 service!
February 6 Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Lent Sense
Ash Wednesday service will be at 7:00 p.m. — join us at 6:00 pm
for the Pancake Party!
February 10 Psalm 32; Matthew 4:1-11 Wilderness Encounter
First Sunday in Lent! Our children’s choir will provide beautiful
singing at both services.
February 17 Psalm 121;
John 3:1-17 No
Slumbering or Sleeping
Come for a delightful surprise this mid-February
morning. “I’ll lift up my eyes to the hills”
February 24 Psalm 95; John 4:5-42 Sychar Water
The sounds of the children’s bells and chimes will
fill the sanctuary today.
We will also celebrate the baptism of Gabriel
Grundy!
GIVE-A-MEAL SUNDAY!
Please continue
to remember our friends who have real needs. Be generous and bring
non-perishable food items on Sunday, February 3rd. We are inviting you
to bring the kinds of foods that you are likely to see in your pantry and
cabinets. Kid friendly items, paper
goods, toiletries and feminine hygiene items are always needed. Questions?
Contact Ruth
Murray at rbmurray@att.net or (314) 991-2623.
ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES - OUR MISSION
In response to God's transforming love, Parkway UCC commits itself to the
duty and joy of providing opportunities to increase each person's faith in
every stage of life. Together, as we worship, learn, and serve, we will offer
experiences which exercise both knowledge of God and trust in God. Adult
education will help persons to faithfully engage biblical, religious, social,
and political issues facing our contemporary community, thereby promoting
growth as Christ's servants dedicated to
fulfilling God's mission throughout the world. Do you have any
questions, comments, or ideas for adult education? Please contact the Adult Education team: Dottie Dwyer, Gale
Haggard, Florence Simonson, Edith Graber, or Lisa DiTiberio.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ADULT STUDY OPPS DURING LENT!
THIS MONTH IN ADULT EDUCATION
Adult Education
is available to everyone – each Sunday morning from 9:45-10:45 and 11:00-12:00.
So, whether you attend the 9:30 service or the 11:00 service, there is an opportunity
to participate in Adult Education. Childcare is available for infants and toddlers
and older children are welcome in Sunday School. (9:30 & 11:00 Sunday
School are very different, so you can come to both!)
February 3rd
The Spiritual Dimension of Medical Decision Making
At the core of our being are those beliefs and
values by which we live. Our beliefs and values shape life decisions,
priorities, and how we live our lives.
Perhaps one of the most intense places of applying one’s beliefs and
values is with medical decisions. And, that decision-making can become even
more complex when you as the spouse, significant other, durable power of
attorney for healthcare, or next of kin are in the position of deciding for
your loved one who is no longer able to make decisions for him/herself. Hear from a hospital Chaplain some important
considerations and guidelines for facing such a time in your life.
Rev. Cheryl Palmer is a UCC ordained chaplain at
Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
ADULT EDUCATION WILL FOCUS ON
FORGIVENESS DURING LENT
February 10
To be announced
February 17
“The POWER of FORGIVENESS” won best documentary at
Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival 2007.
Join us in Session One of viewing and discussing this new documentary
featuring stories on the Amish, Ground Zero, Thich Nhat Hanh, Elie Wiesel, and
more with reflections from Thomas Moore, Marianne Williamson, and James Forbes.
February 24
NO ADULT EDUCATION
Please enjoy the Thank You Reception and
Commission Fair,
organized by our Leadership Commission
March 2
“The POWER of FORGIVENESS” Session Two
(see description above)
Questions about Sunday morning Adult
Education?
Please speak with:
Lisa DiTiberio (636) 256-8178 stldt@charter.net
Joe Rowley (314) 872-9330 joe@parkwayucc.org
FLIP
OUT WITH US ON ASH WEDNESDAY!
In the tradition of Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras, we will be getting rid
of all the really good stuff to make room for some fasting and penitence during
Lent…so come help us eat tons of pancakes and play some pancake games at 6:00
pm on Ash Wednesday, February 6th at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall….
Then we will move into the sanctuary for our Ash Wednesday worship service.
Please join us for fellowship and worship on the 6th!
PATHWAYS
OF FAITH SCHEDULE 2008
The Good Samaritan January 10 – February 3
Jesus Saying Part I February 10 – February 24
Jesus Sayings Part II March 2 – March
16
Easter Workshop March 23
Resurrection Visits March 30 – April
13
The Lord’s Prayer April 20 – May 4
PUCC: History/Heritage May
11 – May 25
NEW BEGINNINGS SUNDAY – JUNE 1ST!
Every Sunday: SENIOR AND MIDDLE HIGH
Church
school and fellowship in the downstairs youth rooms with music, games,
challenges,
snacks, and faith exploration.
2nd Sunday: February 10th, 12:15pm ICE SKATING
Contact Joe (joe@parkwayucc.org or 314-872-9330)
for details
Have you ever felt lost? Or shaken?
Ever wished for a map on the
highway of life?
Theme: “Drivers’
guide for the high school highWAY:
How to survive the
potholes”
Event: Conference Youth Event
Time: February
16th-18th, President's Day Weekend.
Keynote speakers: The Revs Polly McWilliams and Joe Rowley
CYE is like all the fun of Summer camp rolled into one
weekend --
We'll play music, games, and join Jesus' ongoing
party.
UPCOMING EVENTS FROM MEMBERSHIP CARE
If you have questions about any of the Membership Care activities, contact
Judy Lindquist at
cjjslind@charter.net or 636-537-0877
PUCC FUN– BUILDING THE CHURCH FAMILY
Help us build a
strong church family! Singles, couples,
families- everyone is invited to join us for these events! No need to RSVP- just come! This year we will have a different host for
each. **We still need “organizers”
for Movie Night.** Contact Judy Lindquist if you are interested. Mark your
calendars now for the year ahead! Feel free to invite others – whether they are
currently connected with PUCC or not.
Saturday,
February 16th
Be Mine Party (make your own sundae) at the church –
6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March
8th
Movie Night 6:30 p.m.
Saturday,
April 12th
Disco Night at Parkway – 6:00 p.m.
May ??
World Bird
Sanctuary tour; picnic at Lone Elk Park – meet at 9:00 a.m. at Parkway.
BE MINE PARTY
Join us in
fellowship hall for a fun evening of games and activities on Saturday,
February 16th from 6:30 to 8:00. Come make your own ice cream sundae. There
will also be lots of surprises. Questions? Contact Julie Stappenbeck at
314-567-3965 or jstappenbeck@yahoo.com. Please note the change of date.
SECOND SATURDAY CINEMA
Do you enjoy
going to the movies? There is a new group at Parkway that will be attending
movies on the second Saturday (February 9th) of each month. You are
invited to come any time. Information about the February gathering will come
during the week before. Questions?
Contact Steffanie Rauscher at steffanir@sbcglobal.net or 314-994-9577.
A PICTURE-PERFECT THANK YOU!
A big thank you
to everyone who had a photograph taken by Olan Mills. We are in the process of
doing the layout of extra photographs and information for the directory, and
the finished product should be available around the end of February. This is a
great way for us to connect with each other and a wonderful tool in helping us
become a caring community. In addition to the family photograph and address
pages, there will be activity, history, and outreach pages with photographs.
YOUR OPINIONS COUNT AT PUCC!
WE VALUE YOUR
OPINION: Look for a questionnaire from the Ministry Planning and Review
Committees in March. Our two MPR committees, one that meets with Kevin and the
other with Joe, will seek input as we become a more vibrant congregation and
staff.
MPR MISSION
STATEMENT: Listening to God and one another, the role of the MPR
Committees is to focus on building up the church for ministry and mission
through
collaborative
planning and goal setting. This strengthens relationships between clergy,
church leadership, and the congregation... leading to a more creative,
cohesive, and faithful ministry.
AN INTRODUCTION TO PUCC CARE TEAMS
Membership Care Commission has been talking
about a concept called Care Teams. A Care Team is a group of volunteers working
together to offer practical, emotional, and spiritual support to individuals
and families with health care concerns or other special needs. Team members
simply do what they enjoy, when they can, but in an organized approach.
There are two ways to organize Care Teams. One is based on a common need of
several persons—a cooking team, yard work team, transportation team, and so on.
The members of those teams would provide one-time or short-term help. For
example, a meal would be provided to a family just returning home from the
hospital with a new baby, or yard work could be done for someone who has just
had surgery.
A leader would oversee each of these teams. The other is to organize a team
focusing on one person or family, and meeting a variety of needs. Anyone
interested in helping with a specific person or family would fill out a survey
indicating what they would be willing to provide, and indicating their
availability. That team may provide transportation, childcare for a parent who
may have a doctor’s appointment, meals on days that a little extra help is
needed, yard work, and general help around the house. A leader is also
designated for this type of care team. That person is the contact for the
one(s) being served. This ensures that the family is not inundated with calls
or services all at once, and that all needs will be met. Support on this type of
team would continue on a long-term basis.
Over the next few weeks you will hear more about this Care Team concept.
What we are asking is that you will consider participating on some level. Think
about what you enjoy
doing and how you
could use that gift to help someone else. We will also need Care Team leaders.
Trained leaders stay in touch with the members of the team to make sure
everyone is being used, and that everyone in need of that team’s services, is
being contacted. Information
will be available on Sunday, February 24th at the Leadership Commission
event in the gathering space between services.
Please help us “Share the Care.”
WOW - We
exceeded our goal!
Our 2nd mile
giving for Advent/Christmas reached $7, 125 —
far above our goal of $6,000.
Thanks for your generosity! WOW!
FROM THE STEWARDSHIP COMMISSION
Great news!
The congregation of Parkway once again finishes the year in great shape
financially. We met the budget and start 2008 with money in the
bank– a balance of $32,000! What do I do after I say I believe? We have an
answer to that question from the members of Parkway - it is their gifts of
time, talents, and money. We are blessed.
Sustain the
momentum!
Ross Livengood,
Convenor Jeannette
Mueller Pierre Tung
Brandi Osborne Richard Scherrer
ANNUAL PARKWAY UCC BUDGET MEETING
Sunday,
January 27th was the
annual budget meeting. Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting and
participated in the voting. More information about the Budget Meeting and other
information from the Stewardship Commission will be in the March
newsletter. Thank you to everyone for
supporting PUCC!
ESCRIP
– PARKWAY UCC #164503343
It’s FREE, it’s easy, and it’s powerful!
PUCC started
the eScrip program the latter part of 2006 and continues. Monies received
through October 2007 is $1,367.75! The eScrip proceeds have been used in the
past to buy Bibles and books for the PUCC youth. Most of the monies comes from
folks shopping at Schnucks and swiping their card before the end of a
transaction. We currently have 89 Schnucks supporters registered with at 67%
participation rate. Remember to shop at Schnucks for Give-A-Meal, goody bags
for college students, etc. Some folks have gone online to the eScrip website ( www.escrip.com) and registered their
credit card with businesses such as Office Depot and Dining Out. Macy’s joined
eScrip the latter part of 2007. Take time to visit the eScrip website to
register for for other fundraising opportunities to help PUCC youth. The PUCC
2008 Aspirational Budget has an eScrip line item of $1,000.
If you
have any questions, please contact Diane Tallyn, PUCC eScrip Chairperson at diane-tallyn@hotmail.com or 314-567-5433.
DO YOU GOODSEARCH?
In the year 2007,
Parkway United Church of Christ earned $7.38 just from people searching the
internet! You can help us earn more in 2008! Visit www.goodsearch.com, enter
“Parkway United Church of Christ” as your charity, and start searching! Instead
of googling, try goodsearching! Search and earn for your church. We have
decided to put this profit toward items for our church kitchen.
Questions? Contact the church office. Ladies and
gentlemen… start your searching!www.goodsearch.com
TUESDAY EVENING DIALOGUE LOOKS AT
BUDDHISM
Parkway
UCC's dinner and discussion group will meet in February on Tuesday
the 12th and Tuesday the 26th at 6:00pm in the Heritage Room at the church,
beginning a new study series looking at Buddhism, as explained by Viet Namese
Buddhist Monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. He is a renowned author
with more than six sought after books to his credit dealing with the search for
inner peace, mindful living, and realizing love and compassion in one's daily
life. The group's chosen book of many is BEING PEACE, paperback
copies of which are available in the church office for $11.15 each. The
book is a collection of essays that serve as a guide to meditation, a glimpse
into how Buddhism can help attain world peace, including poems and allegories
on Buddhism that are easily understood by Westerners yet not overly
simplified. It is also a portrait of a man whose sense of calm is
powerful, a book that gives life meaningful reasons to bring peace
to yourself and to the world. Come join the group to dish and discuss and
delight in the friendships that are spawned through regular participation in
this lively setting. No reservations necessary -- just bring some
food to share (entree, salad, or dessert), tableware and beverage are provided.
Childcare is always available until 8:00pm. You will enjoy the folks and the
food and probably learn something you haven't known before about this ancient
religion and how it is similar to or differs from Christianity. Your
thoughts are welcome!
Questions? Mary Jo Cannon - 314/469-3485 maryjo991@aol.com
Dottie
Dwyer - 314/821-6073 jjdwyer@charter.net
THE PARKWAY UCC TWENTY-SOMETHINGS
We’ll have a PIZZA
AND MOVIE NIGHT at 5:00 p.m. on either Saturday, February 2nd or
Saturday, February 9th. The date hadn’t been voted when we went to print,
so check with the church office to see if the date has been officially set! At PUCC – Heritage Room
(maybe the youth rooms) Where there are couches, tables, a sink, and room for
the projector! We’ll order pizza around 5:15 or 5:30 p.m. and the movie will
begin at 6:30 p.m.!
Please bring a
side dish, dessert, or other type of munchie to share and $5 - $10 for pizza.
Drinks will be provided. We’ll be watching a classic 80s movie that the group
voted on.We hope to see you there!
Contact Cassie
Schulenburg with any questions, votes, or to let her know you want to come!
Email info@parkwayucc.org or
cassie@productionconsultants.com or by phone at
(314) 872-9330 or
(314) 805-0821.
NEW SANCTUARY & CONGREGATIONAL
ANNIVERSARY
Isn't the building looking great? The new paint is wonderful. The
Hochs are doing a great job. You will be seeing more changes around the
church. We are shaping up and getting ready for our anniversary
celebration. We now have a date for our special anniversary
celebration - Sunday June 1st. We will have one worship
service and celebrate our 10th and 170th anniversaries. We will then
have a great lunch followed by the annual meeting.
If you want to get involved, just volunteer! There are still many
things to be done.
If you are interested please contact:
Barbara Eggebrecht at
bpeggebrecht@sbcglobal.net or 314-576-1375
Judy Lindquist at
cjjslind@charter.net or 636-573-0877.
PARKWAY PAPER CRAFTERS
The Parkway Paper
Crafters meet the 3rd Monday of each month in the Heritage Room from
5:00-10:00pm. We welcome anyone regardless of crafting experience to this new
group! Basic tools are available to borrow and snacks are provided. Please
bring your own beverage with a lid. Upcoming gatherings: February 18th, and
March 17th. Kindly
RSVP to Elise Bowman at pupp_e_love@hotmail.com or 636-549-3041.
Join us for coffee AND CONVERSATION
At the St
Louis Bread Company — Manchester & 270 on Tuesday, February 26th at
1:30pm Questions? Contact Kevin at kevin@parkwayucc.org or
314-872-9330.
SAVE THE DATE! - THANK YOU RECEPTION
The Leadership
Commission will host a THANK YOU RECEPTION & COMMISSION FAIR on SUNDAY,
February 24th, during Fellowship Time between both worship services.
Members are invited to explore meaningful ways to be of service to Parkway
Church by attending this first-ever PUCC event. Mark your calendars!!
Have you spent time praying in the Prayer Corner of the sanctuary? Our current prayer list, prayer books, prayer journal, a kneeler & chair, and a perpetual candle are there as well. Please help us to become a more prayerful community when we are here and out in the world. Amen! If you would like to pray with someone, Kevin will be in the Prayer Corner from 10:00 am — 12:00 noon on Tuesday, February 12th.
UPDATE AND NEW EVENT FROM THE ONA
COMMITTEE
Parkway’s Open and Affirming
Exploratory Committee has been thrilled with the attendance at the programs
presented during the past months. Two Listening Sessions were held
on September 30th and resulted in a great list of questions to be addressed.
The video, "That's a Family" was shown on October 21st with good
conversation after. The panel discussions on November 4th with
representatives from local churches who have gone through the process were well
received. The two evenings with Rev. Dr. Deb Krause on December 9th and 10th
exploring issues of human sexuality and the Church and
Biblical Texts were thought provoking.
We have invited Ann Hanson,
Minister for Children, Families and Human Sexuality Advocacy UCC Justice and
Witness Ministries from UCC headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio to present a
Workshop on Human Sexuality. Ann is a sexuality educator and trainer of
teachers for the United Church of Christ’s sexuality resources. She
believes that children, youth,
young adults – and, yes, adults of any age, need to be respected and loved
enough to receive sexuality education that will help them make life-affirming
and life-saving choices.
She will present a workshop at Parkway on
Saturday, February 9th from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. on the topic of human
sexuality. Ms. Hanson will also join Kevin and Joe in worship
leadership on Sunday, February 10th at both services. Please put
this event on your 2008 calendar. Childcare will be provided for the workshop
and refreshments will be served.
Questions? Please contact Carol Cobb at ccjcobb@aol.com or 314-965-4147.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION - Open &
Affirming Exploratory Committee
What
happened to them when their daughter "came out?” Bill and Vera Harrill changed churches,
became very active in PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and now
are eager to share their story with us.
On Sunday, February 24th at noon,
after a yummy lunch, the Harrills will talk about their experience and host a
question and answer session. We will also hear from some in our PUCC family
about their own personal experiences.
Questions? Please contact Carol Cobb at ccjcobb@aol.com or 314-965-4147.
EMMAUS HOMES 20th ANNIVERSARY DINNER
Open Your
Heart Dinner - Black and Red Ball to benefit the more than 340
men and women served by Emmaus Homes.
Join with other
supporters of Emmaus Homes mission for this very special celebration on Friday,
February 8, 2008, at the beautiful Hilton at the Ballpark in downtown St.
Louis. The evening begins with a social hour and silent auction at 6:30 p.m.,
followed by dinner at 7:45 p.m. and an oral auction and dancing to top off the
evening.
For an invitation
or reservation info, please call
636-534-5214 or e-mail Gabrielle Martin marting@emmaushomes.org
[Steven Stout,
PUCC member, is the Emmaus Homes Outgoing Board Chair]
2nd Mile
Offerings...
...for Lent
/Easter will go to support the work of: Lydia’s House; Neighborhood Houses; the
UCC’s Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi; and Heifer Project
International.
These
organizations have been selected by our Christian Services Commission and we
have set a goal of $6,000 that will be divided equally among these four
life-giving ministries.
Lydia’s House in St. Louis
Lydia’s House
works in faith to end domestic violence by being a place of healing and a voice
of hope for abused women and their children. The agency provides safe,
confidentially-located furnished apartments for up to two years, assists women
in creating and implementing goal plans that will help them live independently,
and increases community awareness of domestic violence.
Neighborhood Houses
At Community
Centers in St Louis City, Neighborhood Houses provides safe places for children
and youth. Here the kids participate in fun educational, recreational, and
cultural activities everyday so that they can develop the skills they need to
succeed in school and life. Families receive support through our Food Pantries,
Thrift Shops and Parish Nurse program.
Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi
Back Bay Mission
provides direct services to poor families while creating new independent
service agencies. Because of past and current UCC investment in Back Bay
Mission’s work, over $10 million in vital services are delivered annually to
South Mississippians in such diverse areas as education, legal aid, health
care, feeding programs, early childhood development, family counseling,
housing, and domestic violence. {Back Bay Mission was affected by hurricanes
Katrina & Rita and is still trying to recover}
Heifer Project International
Today, millions
of people who were once hungry will be nourished by milk, eggs and fresh
vegetables. Families who for generations knew only poverty will be building new
homes and starting businesses. Children who once headed out to the fields to do
backbreaking work will be heading into schoolrooms to learn to read. And people who never thought they’d be in a
position to help someone else will be experiencing the joy of charitable
giving. How is this possible? With Heifer’s proven approach – almost 60
years in the making – to helping people
obtain a sustainable source of food and income. Cornerstones guide our
efforts to end world hunger and care for the earth. Long term
suggestions emphasizing community involvement distinguish our work from
that of global relief organizations. “Passing on the Gifts” means
recipients agree to share the offspring of gift animals with others in need,
making them equal partners with Heifer in the fight to end world hunger.
FROM MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Dear Kevin,
“Wanted you to
know you’re being thought of and wished every happiness at the new year.” Also,
thank you for being our pastor—and all the wonderful things you do for us. The
party for Frank was great according to the workers in the home.
Sincerely,
Mildred (Hoxie)
and Frank would wish the same.
Dear Kevin and
Parkway Congregation -
Thank you so much
for your thoughts, letters, and Pizza Hut gift certificate during Nora’s
surgery. We have found everyone to be so thoughtful, kind, and welcoming. The
meal from Judy and committee [Membership Care Commission] was wonderful!
Love,
Dave, Melyssa, Katia and Nora Frederick
Dear Members,
Max and I wish to
thank you kind people for the beautiful flowers you gave us. Your thoughtfulness
is very much appreciated.
Max & Helen
Hoadley
Excerpt from a
December card from the granddaughter of
Vi Scheidt Emas:
“Please express
my eternal love and gratitude to the entire PUCC congregation! WOW! What
a wonderful, wonderful bunch of people! It makes me very proud to
be a part of such a great church! Grandma loved her church and her friends so,
so much! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Dawn Parker
We celebrate our
Very Important People this month when our children invite their favorite male
relative to come to school for a Saturday morning play day in the classrooms
and sing a long in the Big Room. We have a morning of fun with Daddies,
Grandpas, Uncles, Cousins, and sometimes a very brave Mommy, too! Love is in
the air as 150 small children exchange valentine cards—Valentine’s Day is equal
to Halloween and Christmas in the eyes and hearts of preschool age children! We are now enrolling for
fall classes. Just give the office a call at 314-872-3018 if you or a friend
would like information. We have programs for children age 2 through our special
K-Plus enrichment program for kindergarten children.
Come and see!
NEWS
FROM THE LIBRARY
Tenzin Gyatzo,
also known as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, has written a fascinating book entitled
The Universe in a Single Atom: The
Convergence of Science & Spirituality.
The Dalai Lama is the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and is both the
temporal and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. In this book he presents a
brilliant analysis of why all avenues of inquiry – scientific as well as
spiritual – must be pursued in our search for truth. Chapter titles:
Evolution, Karma and the World of Sentience, The Spectrum of
Consciousness, Ethics and the New Genetics.
Check out a
wonderful photographic collection – Faith of our Fathers: The Churches of
Missouri by Linda C. Kerns, presented by Rural Missouri. It begins
with a brief history of the church in Missouri, from its early settlement
Catholic churches to the influx of Protestants and freed slaves. Maybe you’ve
seen some of these remarkable buildings in the landscape of Missouri. You will
enjoy perusing this book.
For older
children: Have you ever looked at The Kids’ Book of Questions by Gregory
Stock? It’s a great way to engage with your kids. Sample questions: What is something you love doing now but
will probably not enjoy in two years? If you could be as talented as some
friend of yours at any one thing, what would you choose? (J2/170/STO)
WORKDAY: We will have a library workday to process
books, read the shelves and work on the card catalog on Saturday, February
23rd from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Call or email Lisa
DiTiberio (stldt@charter.net or 636-256-8178) if you can make it – or just show
up. It is always fun to work on wonderful
books and enjoy each other’s
company at the
same time.
Our Gift Book Program for our library is still going on!
Commemorate a special time by donating a book! A book plate will be placed in
each book. You can donate a book from the wish list, or if you would like, make
a $20 donation and we’ll choose the book for you. Contact Lisa DiTiberio
(stldt@charter.net or 636-256-8178) if you would like to donate!
ATTENTION SNOW BOARDERS AND
SKIERS!
There are major
changes in the PSST (Parkway Spring Ski Trip)! The group plans to go to
Hidden Valley in Eureka, MO, instead of Chestnut Mountain in Galena, IL. Interested?
We are looking at Saturday, February 16th for the trip. Questions? Want to
come? Please contact: Kent Tallyn at bsee74-pucc@yahoo.com or
314-567-5433.Same weekend, different playground. Think snow.
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING souperbowl.org
It’s a Super Bowl
tradition at PUCC and so many other churches across the USA! On Sunday,
February 3rd, after both of our worship services, young people will be here
with their big soup pots. They are
hoping and praying that as many people as possible will have $1 to put into the
pots. All your gifts will go to meet
the needs of those who are hungry. Our
outreach will benefit the Ronald McDonald Houses of St Louis.
AN INVITATION FROM LYDIA’S HOUSE
You are invited
to join our staff and faith advocates in a moment of silence, prayer, or
meditation for all the women and children of Lydia’s House and for all people
experiencing violence in their homes. The first Monday of each month - 10:00
a.m. - Where you are. For
more information, please visit
www.lydiashouse.org/abuseshelter/faithcommunity.htm
Come play with
us! In 2008 we will meet once each month (on the 2nd Friday) from 10:00 -11:30
a.m. at the church. We’ll have treats, crafts, games and lots of fun. Feel free to bring friends, neighbors,
visiting relatives, etc. Upcoming
dates: February 8th, March 14th, April 11th, May 9th.
Questions? Contact Lynn Toombs
(314) 835-0855 or lynngene4@sbcglobal.net
Brenda
Sperry (314) 909-0789 or brendalang@aol.com
AWOL – ADVENTUROUS WOMEN OUT LATE!
We’re headed back
to the Playhouse at West Port Plaza! PARENTING 101: A Musical Guide to Raising Parents is a
hilarious, new musical parody of parenting from birth to birth.
It begins where I Love You,
You’re Perfect, Now Change left off. Its potential core audience is even
larger than that of the recent smash hit Menopause: The Musical.
PARENTING 101 pokes fun at life’s
universal moments; in this case those shared by anyone who’s ever been a parent
(or had a parent).
It’s a loving look at the
trials and tribulations of raising children.
It’s a bonding experience; and it’s hysterically funny! The show takes you through a full generation
of life in scenes depicting labor, potty training, summer “relaxation,”
fighting siblings, puberty,
dating, marriage and …uh, labor. Audiences delight in recognizing their own experiences
as they tap their toes through familiar tunes, clever choreography, and a fresh
perspective on their own lives. PARENTING 101 touches on a vast range of human emotions.
This play has been a smash hit in
NYC and several other markets, and the original cast from the New York
Production is coming to St Louis! We
have 15 tickets to the matineeon Saturday, February 23rd at 3:00 pm We’ll meet at the church at 2:00 pm or meet
us there in the lobby of the Playhouse at Westport Plaza. Reserve your spot
today … tickets are $35.50 – checks made payable to PUCC. Questions?
RSVP? Carmen Bumgarner- cfbum@charter.net - 314-330-0813.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Gale Haggard will
present his personal faith journey to those who attend the Parkway Men's
Breakfast meeting on Wednesday, February 20th at 7:30 am in the Heritage
Room at the church. All are welcome and encouraged to bring friends, no
reservations necessary. The men will be served a hearty breakfast and the
presentation/discussion will conclude by 9:00am. A $5.00 donation is
requested toward funding the mission of the church. Y'ALL
COME! Questions?
Bart Coleman - (636) 227-2671 or twocolemans53@gmail.com
Parkway United Church of Christ
2841 N. Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO 63131
Telephone: 314-872-9330 Fax:
314-872-9014
www.parkwayucc.org www.ucc.org
www.stillspeaking.com www.mmsucc.org
Office Hours: Monday—Friday 8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
Sunday Morning Worship at
9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
ADA Accessible Child Care Provided
Open to all of God’s
people!
CHECK OUT OUR PUCC WEBSITE www.parkwayucc.org
LOOK AROUND AT CHURCH THIS SUNDAY...