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OUR ORGANIZED LIFE |
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The life of the church is governed by its members. Representing the Membership is our Church Council, consisting of nine members.
The Council is responsible for policy, coordination of our total life, and
being the catalyst for future visions of our church. Council members are
elected by the congregation and serve a term of three years. Our church has eight Commissions, which carry out the
program and resource ministries of
our church. The congregation elects persons to the Commissions. In addition, there are several Committees
appointed by the Council. A Nursery
School Board with representatives from our church is elected by the
congregation. Elm Lawn Cemetery also
has a Board. |
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CHURCH COUNCIL |
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is
elected by congregational vote and serves as the agent for the congregation
to work with the Pastor(s) in
promoting the life of the church. Council serves to coordinate the
work of the various Commissions and Committees in both the planning and the execution of their missions. In
addition, Council ensures that church expenditures and income are consistent with the budget
passed annually by the congregation. Membership on the Council is for three
years with three of the nine members beginning or retiring from office each
year. The Council meets monthly and in
special session as required. Each
fall the Council works with the Stewardship Commission to prepare an annual
budget which is presented to the congregation for approval at a
congregational meeting in January. Council is also responsible for organizing
the Annual Meeting of the congregation on the first Sunday in June to review
the work of the past year and to elect new leadership for the coming year. |
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMISSION |
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feels that Christian Education
is a priority for all our members from birth through senior adulthood. The
caring environment of the church nursery and preschool class provides the
youngest among us with their first experiences of God’s love embodied by the
church. Kindergarten through fifth
grade participate in “Pathways of Faith” which happens right after the
Children’s Message at the 9:30am service.
The children rotate through one of each of these rooms each week,
learning a Biblical story: Storytelling (first person visits from Biblical
characters); Oasis (food preparation and tasting); Creation Station (arts and
crafts); Music and Movement (games and singing); Parkway Theatre (drama,
puppets, videos). Our Middle Highs
and Senior Highs also have classes of their own in the Youth Rooms at this
time. [Eighth graders are also part of a fourteen-month faith building and
questioning program called Confirmation, which meets on Monday nights.] |
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Stories and Songs is the
name of our Christian Education for children during the 11am service. This is a relatively new addition to our
ministry. |
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Adult classes are offered with a
range of topics covered (from current events, guest speakers to Biblical Study)
during both of the worship services on Sunday mornings and at other times
during the week. |
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The Christian Education
Commission also oversees the Middle and Senior High Youth Groups, the Advent
Workshop and Children’s Christmas program. During the summer months, various
events such as Music, Art, & Drama Camp are scheduled to enrich the
Christian learning of our children. |
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CHRISTIAN SERVICES COMMISSION |
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educates the congregation and
encourages support to the United Church of Christ Our Church’s Wide Mission (OCWM) and the St. Louis
Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference, as well as special
offerings for Neighbors in Need, One Great Hour of Sharing,
Strengthen the Church and the Christmas Fund. Contributions throughspecial
Lenten/Easter, Thanksgiving/Thank Offering, and Advent/Christmas Offerings
have been distributed to Eden Seminary, Inner City Neighborhood Houses,
Habitat for Humanity, Lydia’s House, Heifer Project, the Evangelical
Children’s Home and Emmaus Homes. In addition, a special Give-A-Meal Sunday
the first Sunday of every month produces many bags of groceries for Isaiah 58
– formerly known as Five Church Association. Each year, the commission organizes a work day for the UCC
Habitat for Humanity effort to build a house in St. Louis. The Commission
leads the congregation in meeting financial and physical needs that exist in
both the St. Louis area and beyond our local community. This is a critical part of who we are! |
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EVANGELISM COMMISSION |
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is at the heart of the church’s
life and mission. Evangelism is:
proclaiming the Good News of God’s gift of unending love in Jesus
Christ; demonstrating this Good News in acts of mercy, love and justice; and
inviting others to live as Christ’s disciples in the world. The Evangelism Commission plans and
implements programs within Parkway UCC that provide the
opportunity for its members to proclaim and demonstrate the Good News and
invite others to live as Christ’s disciples in the world. |
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LEADERSHIP COMMISSION |
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presents nominations of active church
members for the Council and for all Commissions of the church. If requested, it also provides
suggestions to other church boards and committees to meet their special needs for participants. |
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MEMBERSHIP CARE COMMISSION |
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oversees the social groups of
our church such as Friendship Dinners, Men’s Breakfast Group, Women’s Groups
and other fellowship groups. It is responsible for Fellowship Time following
church, and other special functions.
This commission works to be sure that members who are hospitalized or
homebound are visited. Meals are
taken to those who need them and various other activities are planned to meet our members’ needs
(including homemade cookies sent to our collegians in early December). If you
can help with visits or meals, please call our Parish Nurse, Carol
Wilbois (314) 569-1969 or Marilyn
McDougall, Convener, (314) 576-9659. |
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The Membership
Care Commission has a wide variety of responsibilities. In consultation with
the Pastor, we are responsible for the personal ministry of the church,
including visitation of members who are sick or shut-in, delivering meals to
members in need, welcoming new members to the congregation, preparing a
congregational directory, keeping records of member attendance and annually
reviewing the membership rolls. |
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We offer ways for
our members to know one another better through Friendship Dinners, Fellowship
Time after Worship services, pot-luck lunches and other social events. Each
year we coordinate a "cookie delivery" to our college students during
exam days. |
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We are dedicated
to caring for and nurturing the love and church outreach to all our members.
If you would like to help with visits or meals, or want to join us in caring
for others, please call the church office for more information. |
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PROPERTY COMMISSION |
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is responsible for the proper
use and care of the physical properties of the church including land,
buildings, and equipment. It employs, instructs, and supervises the necessary
help to maintain these properties. |
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STEWARDSHIP COMMISSION |
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is responsible for the overall
financial management of the church, including preparation of the annual
budget. This Commission is also
responsible for stewardship education in the church. |
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WORSHIP COMMISSION |
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works with the Pastor to plan
and conduct worship services. It is responsible for all matters relating
to services of worship, including music, ushering, decorations,
sacraments, patterns of worship and pulpit supply in the
absence of the Pastor. |
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PASTORAL RELATIONS AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE |
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consists of one representative
from each of the eight Commissions and Council. The Committee serves as a
liaison between the professional staff and the congregation. This group
oversees personnel issues and also coordinates an annual evaluation.
Typically, the Committee meets quarterly and at other times as necessary. |
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ELM LAWN CEMETERY BOARD |
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has five Trustees who are
members of PUCC. They operate Elm
Lawn Cemetery for Parkway United Church of Christ. Church members may purchase
burial rights and perpetual care lots in the cemetery at prices considerably
lower than the charges at other perpetual care cemeteries. To inquire about
lot prices, etc., call a Board member. |
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PARKWAY UNITED NURSERY SCHOOL (PUNS) BOARD |
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has provided a valuable
community outreach through its weekday nursery school Since 1970. PUNS has grown from one class of students
to twelve classes, ranging in age from 2 1/2 to 5 years old. PUNS offers a
developmentally appropriate curriculum, which enables children to experience
social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and physical growth.
In 1987 our school was awarded Voluntary Accreditation by the Missouri Board,
which recognizes the excellence of our early childhood program. In addition
to the preschool program, the Mother’s Day Out Program offers parents of
children ages 2 through pre-kindergarten
a play group for their child on a regular or occasional basis. |
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Our professional staff of 20+
teachers, caregivers, and administrators is dedicated to providing a caring,
enriching, and rewarding early childhood education. Please come visit
us! For more information call our Director,
Sally Dischinger, in the Nursery School Office (314-872-3018). |
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ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITEE |
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enhances the mission outreach of
the church and provides funds for use within the church as strictly provided
in the Bylaws dated October 25, 1990. |
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SANCTUARY COMMITTEE |
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enhances the physical space of
the sanctuary and Gathering Space with seasonally and theologically
appropriate decorations. It is a sub-committee of the Worship Commission. |
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CHOIRS |
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enrich our worship
services. The choir at the 9:30am
Traditional Worship service also provides special services throughout the
year. Rehearsals are held on Sunday
mornings at 8:45am and on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm from Labor Day through
Pentecost. Random Act is an
integral part of the 11am Informal Worship. They set the pace, teach new
words and help make a “joyful noise.”
During the summer months small groups and soloists provide special
music at both services. [Musical Wednesdays has started
with – children’s choir, bells, hand chimes, crafts and more!] |
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