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Parkway UCC
THE GOOD NEWS
May
2007
We just had a very successful workday with Habitat for Humanity St Louis on Monday, April 23. What a way to spend a spring day! The One Great Hour of Sharing offering has been received… to benefit and bless people around the globe with clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, emergency relief, advocacy and resettlement for refugees and so much more. Our Lent/Easter Second Mile collections were over $7,000, which are being split between Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi; La Clinica, Lydia’s House and Neighborhood Houses in St Louis. This month we are partnering with Bread for the World to focus on issues of hunger – including a letter writing campaign to our legislators. There is a baby shower for Caroline Mission (part of Neighborhood Houses) as they recently expanded their ministry to infants – you can purchase items or gift cards from the registry at Target. Our monthly Give-A-Meal Sunday is set for May 6th when we receive non-perishable food items for those who are hungry. We are collecting cash in $5 increments to create Christmas Bags for children in Nicaragua – through the Rainbow Network. [PUCC sponsors a high schooler there.] The Erin Bode concert is a couple of weeks away as we participate in the Camp MO-Val capital campaign to continue our vibrant outdoor ministries. At the end of the month we will be receiving the UCC Strengthen the Church offering that furthers our denominational commitment to be a multiracial, multicultural church, open and affirming and accessible to all – with new congregations and exciting programs for youth and young adults. With these opportunities and others, we are becoming more aware of the needs of God’s people, more motivated to give from our abundance, less attached to the things of this world, and better aligned with the Spirit of God and the ways of Jesus. Join us this month as we reach out near and far to people of differing languages, cultures, traditions, histories, dreams, hopes, fears and joys – our siblings. Peace, Kevin PARKWAY
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Kevin
Cameron, Pastor (kevin@parkwayucc.org) Beverly Clancy, Church Office
Administrator (info@parkwayucc.org)
Sally
Dischinger, Preschool Director
(puns@parkwayucc.org) John Jones & Johnny Brown, Caretakers
(info@parkwayucc.org) Kim Livengood, Financial Secretary
(puccfs@parkwayucc.org) Rick
Oberle, Christian Education & Youth Ministries (dce@parkwayucc.org) Barbara Raedeke, Organist/Choir Director
(braedeke@aol.com) Barbara Eggebrecht, President of the
Congregation (bpeggebrecht@sbcglobal.net) Alan Stein, Music Director for Informal Worship
(just.us.3@sbcglobal.net)
Jan Wiese, Professional Nursery Attendant (info@parkwayucc.org)
Carol Wilbois, Parish Nurse (rpwilbois@aol.com) All Members of Parkway Church
– Ministers
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. WORSHIP with us in
May!
May
6 Psalm 148; Acts 11:1-18 Food
Fight
Celebrate the sacrament of communion at our open table! Give-A-Meal Sunday…. See related article on page …an opportunity to write letters to politicians about issues of
hunger May 13 Psalm
67; John 14:23-29 Our
Advocacy Group
It’s Mother’s Day or the Festival of the Christian Home
Our Children’s Choirs will be with us We will dedicate the offering of letters with Bread for the World. We’ll gather around the baptismal font with Ava O’Bryan at 9:30.a.m. Mother’s Day Breakfast and Neighborhood Houses’ Shower as well May
20 Psalm 47; Acts 1:1-11 Rick and Kevin – dialogue sermon
ONE SERVICE AT 10AM
Listen to the Chimers
and Kinderbells Join us after worship for a shared meal and a farewell to the Oberles May
27 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Acts 2:1-21 It’s Pouring
It’s
Pentecost – sharing the gifts of the Holy Spirit! Please wear red!
It’s time to Strengthen
the Church with our offerings (see below)
[Rick’s Ordination
at 3 p.m. - Eden UCC in Affton. All
are invited!]
Strengthen the
Church As the UCC celebrates our 50th anniversary, we hear
spirited voices speaking about God's deeds in our midst: reaching out to new
communities, new immigrants, and new populations through new church starts,
mobilizing youth and young adult leaders, and calling new generations to
ministry in our increasingly diverse church. Through our gifts to Strengthen
the Church, our spirited voices speak about God's deeds of power. Through our gifts to Strengthen the
Church, we further our commitment to be a multiracial, multicultural
church, open and affirming and accessible to all. We strengthen and renew
existing congregations. We fund leadership for new congregations. We provide
exciting new programs for
youth and young adults. We fund leadership development for the whole church.
Your generous gifts are used, half by our Missouri Mid-South Conference and
half by the national Local Church Ministries, for these purposes. Please help us to strengthen the church!
BIOGRAPHIES—
This month, we feature biographies of people who will
be graduating and moving on to new things this May. Be sure and keep up with their activities – and pray for them! JT Lindquist- JT (John
Tyler) was born September 30, 1988, lives in Chesterfield and has been
attending Marquette High School. JT
officialy joined Parkway United Church of Christ about 18 months ago. He has been very active in the Senior High
Youth Fellowship, and has been on two mission trips with Habitat for
Humanity. He recently attained Eagle
Scout status, receiving his badge last month. He will graduate May 21, at 7:00 p.m., and was accepted to
several schools: Wichita State,
Nebraska, Kansas State, and Central Methodist, but has decided to go to
Kansas State. Laura McKenzie- Laura grew up
at Parkway United Church of Christ, as did her mother. Laura has been active with the Parkway
United Church of Christ Senior High Youth Group, going on three mission trips
with Habitat for Humanity, and offering her talents in other ways. She is the editor of the Ladue Horton
Watkins High School yearbook. She was
accepted to several schools: Mizzou,
American, Boston, Brown, New York, and George Washington Universities; but
hopes to attend New York University if all works out. She plans on concentrating her studies in
Psychology and Art History. Meara Schneider- Meara has been with Parkway United Church
of Christ all her life. She was
baptized here in 1988 when she was five months old, and confirmed here in
June 2003. She has been a part of the
Parkway United Church of Christ Senior High Youth Fellowship, and has
participated in two mission trips with Habitat for Humanity. She has taught Sunday School in the past,
and alsoworked in the nursery. She
will be graduating from Metropolitan High School on June 7. Denyse Schrenker- Denyse grew up here at Parkway United
Church of Christ; her parents and grandparents are both very active as
well. She is a horse fan; she has a
horse of her own, and another that she takes care of. She has been very active with the Senior
High Youth Fellowship at Parkway United Church of Christ, and has been on two
mission trips with Habitat for Humanity, where she honed her skills with a
table saw! She graduates from Parkway
West High School on May 19; and she is deciding between Truman University,
Murray State, William Woods College, and Colorado State. She plans to major in veterinary medicine,
and equine science. Kyle Schwent- Kyle has been attending Parkway United
Church of Christ for a few years now with his mother, father, and sister,
Devin. Kyle will be graduating from
Crossroads College Prep on Sunday, May 20th.
He has been accepted to a handful of colleges, and has narrowed the
decision to Washington University; Case Western Reserve University, or
Georgia Tech. He plans to major in
aerospace engineering, with a focus on spacecraft design. Ryan Shelton- Ryan has been an active member of the
Parkway United Church of Christ Youth Fellowship, and has participated in two
mission trips with Habitat for Humanity. Ryan is active in Senior High Sunday
School, adding much to the discussion in that class. Ryan was confirmed here
in June 2003. Ryan will be graduating
from Parkway North High School on May 15th. He will be attending Ranken Technical
College in the automotive technology field. William Simons- William joined Parkway United Church of
Christ with his family in 2003, and has always been a quiet, gentle presence
at 11:00 worship. William will be
graduating from Berkley High School on May 22nd and is still considering his
options for colleges. He would prefer
to go away somewhere, and begin seeing the world! He is planning on studying the culinary arts, but he is already
quite a chef! Steven Tallyn- Steven grew
up at Parkway United Church of Christ, as did his father. Steven has been very active in the Senior
High Youth Fellowship, has been on three mission trips with Habitat for
Humanity, and attends Senior High Sunday School almost every week. Steven is a master at “Dance, Dance
Revolution.” He is currently on the
Associate Pastor Search Committee.
Steven will graduate from Parkway North High School on Tuesday, May
15, and will be continuing his education at the University of Missouri-Rolla
majoring in computer engineering. Other Graduations of
Note: Rachel Livengood graduates
from Webster University on May 12th with a BS in mathematics. She is looking into taking some classes at
Mizzou this summer, for teacher certification. David Schulenburg is graduating in May from Mizzou, with
a BS in communications. Jameson
Tallyn will graduate from University of Missouri-Rolla on May 12 with a
BS in computer science, and another BS in mathematics. He has accepted a software engineering
position with Boeing. Christina
Gregor is graduating May 12 from DeKalb University with a Master’s of
Fine Arts degree. She is probably
moving back to St. Louis, but has no definite plans yet. Matthew Scherrer will receive his MBA from Harvard Business
School this June; and Mauri Peaco and Rick Oberle will receive their
Master’s of Divinity degrees from Eden Seminary on May 18. COUNCIL UPDATE: April 2007Everyone is urged to attend the Erin Bode concert on May 6th. All proceeds above expenses will go to Camp Mo-Val Capital Campaign. March giving was slightly below expenses, but Easter giving, including $7,000 for 2nd mile giving was strong. We are in a stronger financial position at this time of year than in any year since 2002. Continued maintenance of pledges will minimize the usual summer swoon. The Council had a discussion about the “Open and Affirming” (ONA) process and designation in the United Church of Christ. It was decided that we should investigate this issue further to determine what it means to be ONA and whether it even matters in a prophetic, vital, vibrant community of faith. Nominees for a committee to address these issues are invited from the congregation. Nominations should be addressed to the Church Council. Council will select the committee at its May meeting. It is expected that the committee’s work could last a year or more. GIVE-A-MEAL SUNDAY! Please remember our friends who have real needs. Be generous and
bring non-perishable food items on Sunday, May 6th. Suggested are protein items like tuna, beef stew, pastas,
peanut butter. Paper goods,
toiletries and feminine hygiene items are always needed. Questions? Contact Ruth Murray (314) 991-2623. PRAYER CORNER - an opportunity to pray with someone
Have you spent time praying in the Prayer Corner of the
sanctuary? Our current prayer list,
prayer books, prayer journal, a kneeler and 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 Cameron
will be in the Prayer Corner on
Wednesday, May 30, between 9-11 a.m. FROM THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE
We have received (and will continue to receive) several profiles from potential candidates for our Associate Pastor. Our next few meetings will be to review these profiles and discuss which candidates we will continue to pursue. We would then call references and interview the candidates themselves. It is encouraging to know that there are many qualified people who are interested in being a part of our church. We appreciate your trust. Judy Lindquist, Secretary Associate Pastor Search Committee And now a word from our
Stewardship Commission…
Financially, 2007 is starting off well at Parkway UCC. The congregation heeded the call for improving the beginning annual cash balance of the church’s General Ministries Fund. (General Ministries includes expenses pertaining to staff salaries and benefits, Christian education supplies, worship supplies, utilities and building maintenance, insurance, and monthly support of the national and state UCC ministries.) We started the year with a $22,000 balance and in January through March 2007, members continued to respond by giving faithfully and regularly. Some members are using online payments to insure their giving is done automatically each month. For all this, the Stewardship Commission is grateful. In January the congregation approved an exciting budget for 2007. Using historical giving data and expense data, the 2007 budget was allocated monthly as shown in the chart below. As you can see, the amount of monthly expenses is rather consistent throughout the year. Income, however, varies by month and usually lags the expenses until the very end of the year. You can easily spot the expected Easter income by the spike during the month of April. Surprisingly, and thankfully, by the end of each year the total income finally catches up with the total expenses, which this year are expected to be about $411,000.
Hopefully the Budget chart provides a good picture of why a healthy cash balance is needed in the General Ministries Fund. It also might give an understanding of why the church leadership often appears a bit nervous about church finances in October, the month in which the cash flow problem is at its worst. So, how do the January through March 2007 actual income and expense amounts compare to the budget predictions? Look at the chart below.
January income was better than expected, but the total January-March income of $91,896 comes very close to the expected January-March budget income of $90,520! Expenses for January-March are about $5000 less than expected because expenses for the Associate Pastor Search are just now beginning. Cash flow is a problem all churches experience. (It’s too bad that Jesus was a December baby instead of a January baby!) Hopefully this information helps to clarify the need for regular and faithful giving. If you have questions pertaining to this topic, or other church financial matters, contact a Stewardship Commission member.
Ross Livengood (Convener), Jeannette Mueller, Brandi Osborne, Sue Stohr, Pierre Tung ADULT
MISSION TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS We’re Going
Back - To NOLA, that is!
After the incredible
experience by our 19 member Recovery Team made up of members from 5 different
West County UCC churches, we have begun plans to return to New Orleans and
continue the work, which continues to be extensive. We have already
confirmed the dates with the UCC Volunteer Office and with St. Matthew’s UCC
church in New Orleans where we will once again be staying. So mark your
calendars now for September 8-15, 2007. Maybe this year will be
your year to share in this important ministry. We are beginning to
receive your applications for consideration as a part of this year’s Recovery
Team. As last year, each of the five churches will have 4 spots
reserved on the Team until July 1. After that remaining spots will be
filled on first come first served basis. Please fill out the attached
form, including your $50.00 deposit and return to the church office.
(If things hold true as last year, the total cost for each team member will
be your $50.00 deposit, plus meals enroute and any spending money you wish to
have in New Orleans.) If you want to be assured a place with the Team,
do not delay your registration. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ “This form is an application to be considered as
a volunteer for the UCC Recover Team to St. Matthew’s UCC, New
Orleans.) September 8-15, 2007 Name Phone
Address _______________________________________ e-mail
_________________________________ Member of Church
Enclosed
reservation fee $50.00 Mail checks,
payable to Ivy Chapel UCC, to: Rev. Dan Wilson, Ivy Chapel UCC, 820 North Woods Mill Rd., Chesterfield,
MO. 63017-1717. Office Use: Check #
Date
Received Join us for
coffee and conversation at the St Louis Bread Company — Manchester &
270 on Tuesday, May 8th
at 1:30 p.m. Questions?
Contact Kevin (314)
872-9330 kevin@parkwayucc.org PARKWAY
UCC PLAY GROUP This fun group meets from 10-11 a.m. on the second Wednesday and the
fourth Monday of each month in our
PUCC Nursery. All parents and
children are warmly welcome. Come ready to play and make
connections!! Questions? Contact Brenda Sperry (314) 909-0798 BrendaLang@aol.com. Upcoming
dates: May 9, May 28. AWOL: Adventurous Women Out Late Meet new friends and keep the old …. A
great way to strengthen the church. Join us on May 11th for dinner… now
that the warm weather is here to stay, we will dine out on a patio! As always, please feel free to bring a
friend with you! Add Friday, June 15th to
your calendar as well. We will go to
a summer movie and chat about it over ice cream. Questions? Please call Carmen Bumgarner
(314) 330-0813 cfbum@charter.net MEN'S
CLUB TO HEAR FAITH JOURNEY Jamie
Cannon will present his personal faith journey to those who attend the
Parkway Men's Breakfast meeting on Wednesday, May 16 at 7:30 a.m. in the
Heritage Room at the church. Jamie is a longtime member of the United
Church of Christ, and a member of Parkway Church congregation since
1995. His story is interesting and will touch and inspire you as you
seek after Christ and ways to do His will. 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 9:00 a.m. 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 Have
you walked and prayed a Labyrinth?
Here’s your opportunity! Meet at the church at 10 a.m. on Saturday,
May 19th at
8 a.m. in Kevin
Cameron’s office. We’ll talk a bit
about labyrinths and then head for the great labyrinth at the nearby Mercy
Center. This is a wonderful spiritual
exercise. If you can’t be with us
that day, you can always go there on your own…. The Mercy Center is located at 2039 North Geyer Road, just a
few miles from our church. EVENING DIALOGUE BEGINS NEW
STUDY UPPER ROOM NOW AVAILABLE to support the good work that is happening at Neighborhood Houses. Check it out at neighborhoodhouses.org! Come to our Baby Shower on Sunday, May 13th during Fellowship Time. Gifts may be dropped off before, during, or after church services that day. An area will be designated for drop-off. The gifts will be delivered that week. We are registered at Target under: Carmen Bumgarner (“mother”) or Kevin Cameron (“father”); or purchase a ‘BABY BLESSING” in increments of $25, $50, or $100. These are used as scholarships for children who can’t afford care. Questions? See Carmen Bumgarner 314-330-0813 cfbum@charter.net. Thanks! PROGRESSIVE DINNER! What a GREAT night it was on April 14th for well
over 75 of us! Thanks to all the
hosts for their hospitality. You
won’t want to miss this next time! SAVE THE DATE – SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 Pool Party and Conference
Family Picnic – Celebrate a summer of fun, fellowship and faith development,
and the one year anniversary of the new accessible pool and shower house at
Camp Mo-Val. Join with your
Conference family as we bid farewell to summer with one last picnic. Bring
your lawn chair or picnic blanket, your swimsuit and sunscreen, and friends
from church! Pack a picnic lunch or
pick up something along the way. The
grounds will be open from 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; the pool from 12:30-4:00 p.m. YOUTH MISSION SHARE - Take a swim from 12:30-3:00 p.m. Then gather in the Fireside Lodge from 3:30-5:30 p.m. This annual event is a great oportunity to
share the details of your summer mission experience or to learn about
specific mission opportunitiers your youth group can participate in. K-PLUS ADVENTURE CLASS – WORLD
TRAVELERS! Monday, Wednesday and Thursday AM class 8:45-11:45; PM class 12:30-3:00 PUNS - Parkway United
Nursery School 314-872-3018 Calling all half-day kindergarten students for fall
2007! We have a special program just
for you! In this unique enrichment
class we explore the culture, geography, music and art of countries around
the world. You will keep a journal of
your travels, have your own passport, fly on a magic carpet, and star in two
programs for your families featuring the music and language of the countries
we visit. This fun filled class has
something for everyone and surpises around every corner. Come and explore the world with us! Call the office for more information or to
come visit us. PARKWAY
CHURCH PICNIC OCTOBER 7th Mark your calendars now for
the church picnic on the afternoon of October 7th. The Picnic Committee from last year was thrilled with the
site and response generated by the first annual Parkway UCC picnic, and is
equally thrilled to be hosting another one.
We will return to Stacy Park in Olivette for another afternoon of fun. For those of you who missed
this opportunity for PUCC fellowship last year, you may have heard about the
100+ people who attended and how much fun they had. You don’t want to miss it again! Mark your calendars now, and save the date! NEW
BEGINNINGS SUNDAY COMING UP June 3, 2007! New Beginnings Sunday
is coming up ---- Sunday, June
3, 2007! Now that our Sunday School is
in session all year, and since the public schools are starting so early, it
does not make sense for our children to wait until the middle of September to
advance to the next grade level. So
starting this year, our Sunday School will begin its new year and new
rotations the first Sunday of June.
This year, June 3 is New Beginnings Sunday! On New Beginnings Sunday, we
will be recognizing all the workshop leaders and teachers who have shared
their gifts with us this year. If you
are one of them, you will want to attend!
We will also have a special “moving up” ceremony for our Sunday School
classes! This will be a great arrangement
for our children, and it will help us to emphasize that our relationship with
God does not stop in the summer. Get
ready for New Beginnings Sunday! PATHWAYS OF FAITH SCHEDULE 2007 Mary &
Martha May 6- 27 (No Sunday School May 20) New Beginnings June 3 Creation June 3-24 David, the boy
July 1-15 David, the King July 22-Aug 5 Daniel August 12-26 Jonah Sept. 16-30 Ruth &
Naomi October 7-28 PUCC
History/Heritage Nov. 4-25 SUNDAY SCHOOL PERFECT ATTENDANCE
Lucia McKenzie; Steven Tallyn; Sara Tallyn; Emily Oehler; Alexandra Toombs; Graham Toombs; Ryan Bowermaster; Eddy DeLong; Nicole
Ristau; Claire Stolze; Tyler Wessel; Ben Williams; Samantha Williams; Sam
Byerly; Rachel Byerly; Andrew Wessel; Nathan Rauscher; Ryan Ristau; Jenna Watson; Julia Watson Congratulations! PUCC LIBRARY GRAND RE-OPENING ON JUNE
3RD! Join us on New Beginnings Sunday when we re-open the church library. You won’t believe the transformation – including the children’s area! There have been so many angels working on this… and we are so very grateful for all their efforts! SUNDAY
SCHOOL MISSION Our Sunday School children
always appreciate the lessons they learn as they work in mission with
others. This year, the mission dear
to their hearts is Heifer Project. HPI provides livestock to people for
food purposes and to help farm the land.
The gifts of Heifer Project are truly gifts that keep on giving; the
animals reproduce, providing the needy families with more livestock in the
future. Each Sunday, the children of our Sunday
School have an opportunity to give their money to support this cause. Our goal is to collect $1000 by the end of
the year, May 27, 2007. So far we
have collected over $700! This month
is our big push- we want to get to $1000 by the end of May! You can keep track by checking the bulletin
board in the Education wing and counting the cows in the field! Help our children reach their goal by
encouraging them to participate in this mission work. What a great lesson in stewardship this
is, giving to Heifer Project! 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! Feel free to invite others – whether they
are connected with PUCC or not. Saturday, May 12th – Grant’s Farm –
meet at 9 a.m. at the Gift Shop Saturday, June 30 –
Family Progressive Dinner!
Come be with us! We always
have a great adventure together! MUSICAL
WEDNESDAYS RINGING ALONG Friendship Company, the
children’s component of Musical Wednesdays, has been ringing along all year! We meet every Wednesday for an hour – from
6:30-7:30 p.m. (Children of adult
choir members are welcome to stay until 8:00, when adult choir rehearsal is
over.) During that hour, we open with
a Bible story, and a discussion of how our week is going, then we all sing
together as one large Friendship Company choir. At 7:00, we split into two groups – the younger ones begin bell practice, while the older ones
practice chiming. At 7:20, we share a
story together until 7:30. Our kids have been having a blast ringing and
singing throughout the year. Our last
Musical Wednesdays for this academic year will be May 23, when we will have a
big party. We will also be ringing and
singing in church on Mother’s Day and on May 20th. Be sure to check us out! Do you want to be a ringer or a
singer? It really is joyful around
here! Questions? Contact Rick at dce@parkwayucc.org VACATION
BIBLE SCHOOL – LIFT OFF! July 22-26 The summer is filling up
fast! Don’t forget to keep God in
your summer plans! Our Vacation Bible
School this summer is a great way to lift off with your faith journeys in our
VBS program LIFT OFF! That’s right, the theme this
year is LIFT OFF! and we will be encouraging all participants to let their faith
soar! Just like the colorful hot air
balloons that will soon be seen drifting through the sky all summer long, we
have the opportunity to let our faith soar just as high, bringing joy and
delight to the world, just like the balloons we love to watch soar. You will soon be seeing hot
air balloons all over the Parkway UCC facility as this Vacation Bible School
adventure is anticipated. Mark your
calendars now to come and let your faith soar with us! LIFT
OFF! will kick off at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 22, in
the Gathering Space with some awesome songs and stories. The children will
rotate through four workshops, and end the evening at 8:00 p.m. The program will end Thursday night, when
we will have a potluck dinner for all. There is a lot of excitement
in the air around Vacation Bible School 2007! Plan now on attending!
Join us for LIFT OFF! Registration forms are included with this newsletter, and are
also availible on the information table in the Gathering Space at
church. Questions? Contact Brenda Sperry (314) 909-0798
BrendaLang@aol.com. * * * * * * * SAVE
THE DATE … SUNDAY,
MAY 20, 2007 FOND
FAREWELL TO RICK OBERLE AND FAMILY ONE CHURCH SERVICE AT 10:00 A.M. FOLLOWED
BY A DELICIOUS LUNCHEON. * * * * * * * Erin
Bode Live in Concert at Parkway
United Church of Christ! Sunday,
May 6th at 6:30pm… St.
Louis’ newest rising star will be in our Sanctuary! Erin
Bode has recently been featured on “A
Prairie Home Companion” and
“Show Me St. Louis” (among
other places) She
will be here for a benefit concert to
raise money for Camp Mo-Val’s Capital Campaign! Tickets
($25) are available by emailing: dce@parkwayucc.org Tickets
are selling out fast! All
profits raised will go to benefit Camp Mo-Val. And…
visit www.erinbode.com for a sample! ADULT
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES Churches
Uniting in Christ May
6 9:30 & 11:00 Rev. Patrice Rosner is the Executive
Director of CUIC – an ecumenical organization made up of nine member
denominations (including the UCC as a charter member) united in partnership
to continue our faith journey together.
Rev. Rosner will be here to discuss CUIC, and examine the new shapes
of churches united in mission. No Adult Education classes May 13 (Mother’s Day), 20 (Oberle Farewell),
or 27 (Memorial DayWeekend)… More
exciting Adult Education opportunities to begin on New Beginnings Sunday,
June 3. Watch for a new schedule to come
out in the June Newsletter! For more
information about these classes, email Rick:
dce@parkwayucc.org “LIVING
THE QUESTIONS” VIDEO SERIES The Adult Education Committee
is hosting discussion groups revolving around the video series “Living the
Questions” all year long. This video
series is an exciting departure from
the usual faith journeys, as it explores the nature of God in some incredible ways. Some of the themes include “Biblical
Authority;” and “What Does Faith Look Like in the 21st Century?” All are led by contributors such as Marcus
Borg, Nancy Ammerman, Stanley Hauerwas, Tex Sample, and John Shelby
Spong. This a very exciting
adventure as we journey together. It
is presented in 12 sessions, the third Sunday of each month, January –
December of 2007 at 6:00 p.m. We eat
a light meal together, and begin the videos and discussion right away. It ends at 8:00 p.m. although you are
certainly welcome to discuss further after it is over! Mark your calendars for May 20, 2007! This will be our next gathering at 6:00
p.m. Childcare will be available for
all sessions. This is going to be a
great adventure! Further sessions are
set for June 17; July 15; August 19; September 16; October 21; November 18;
and December 16, 2007. PARABLES
OF JESUS April 12-May 3 Thursdays 1:00-2:15p.m. What are the Parables of Jesus? Why were they delivered to us? Did Jesus mean for them to be stories designed to tell us what to do and how to live, or stories for some other purpose? How do parables act in our lives? Rick Oberle will lead this course for four Thursday afternoons as we examine Parables in general, and focus on four different parables in particular. Join us for one or all of these sessions! |
