Parkway UCC - THE GOOD NEWS
September 2007
Recently I heard a
particular quote about clergy again … one that bothered me the first time I heard it several years ago. “Every clergyperson has one sermon that
they keep preaching over and over again.”
I generally disagreed with this idea.
But then I think that we may all tend to have one worldview, one
slogan, one mantra. If we had one tv
commercial, public service announcement to offer, what might yours be? What do you find yourself thinking about,
hoping for, praying about, talking about with your family and friends? If you are having trouble
with this, perhaps you could ask someone close to you what they think about
your message, your priority, your ideal. Since this quote came up
again recently, in an effort to hold up a mirror to myself, I went back over
some old sermon titles to see if I could find any patterns or one issue or
focus that came up again and again. A Pint Holds A Pint Are
You a Hypocrite? Bad Fruit Finding Your Voice Counting
Chickens Pew Tour Keep
Drinking Shoulder Tap We3K Loud Love Melted
Courage Fired Up Will and Grace Lighter
Later Mezuzah Cross Culture Future
Tense Blah! Loose Ends Dry
Kleenex Fickle You might work on figuring out
for yourself what it is that you are saying over and over with your thoughts,
words, actions. You may like what you
discover or you may not. Maybe it’s
time for a new ideal or slogan? Blessings! Peace,
Kevin PARKWAY UNITED
CHURCH OF CHRIST Kevin
Cameron, Senior Pastor (kevin@parkwayucc.org) Joe Rowley, Associate Pastor
(joe@parkwayucc.org)
Sally
Dischinger, Preschool Director
(puns@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) 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
September!
Please read and pray through the scriptures
before each Sunday. It will make for a much more meaningful worship experience.
September 2 Psalm 81:1,
10-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14 Reciprocity Come to our open table as
we celebrate the sacrament of communion.
All are invited! (This is also Give-A-Meal
Sunday. Please bring your gifts for
our hungry neighbors) September 9 Psalm 139:1-6,
13-18; Philemon 1:1-21 Knit
Together Our Children’s Choirs
will sing. Baptism of Dexter Lang Cameron at 11am September 16 Luke15:1-10; 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Super Savings Plan to come early or
stay late for Adult Education this month at 9:30am or 11am September 23 Luke 16:1-13 Hey,
Shrewd Why not sit somewhere
different this morning? A change of
perspective is healthy. September 30 Psalm 91:1-6,
14-16 Fixed
Chasm Our youth chimers and
kinderbells will share their gifts with you today. “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 being presented in 12 sessions, the third Sunday of each
month, January – December of 2007 from 6-8 p.m.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 16, 2007! This will be our next gathering at 6:00
p.m. Childcare will be available for all
sessions. This is a great
adventure! Further sessions are set
for October 21, November 18, and December 16, 2007. WE
WILL ALSO START THIS WHOLE ADVENTURE OVER AGAIN — ON THE 4TH
TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM 12:30-2PM in Kevin Cameron’s office. MEMBERSHIP CARE Last year Parkway sponsored monthly
family activities for everyone. We are recruiting volunteers to coordinate
these adventures, which can include bowling, visit to Grant’s Farm, camping
on the church grounds, etc. The calendar has not been set, but if you would
be interested in being the organizer for any of these activities, please
contact me, Judy Lindquist (info below). The photo directory will be updated for
those of you new to Parkway, or whose picture may not have been included last
year. Stay tuned for details. If you would be interested in providing
pastries on Sunday morning, please check the poster on the bulletin board in
the gathering space. There are still a few openings left! Other events this year will include
friendship dinners, progressive dinner, college care packages, secret pals,
caroling to shut-ins, and more!! If you are interested in helping us in any
way, please call Judy Lindquist. We need people who are interested in
providing meals, writing notes, visiting shut-ins, and driving someone who
may need a ride to a doctor’s appointment.— Judy Lindquist 636-537-0877 cjjslind@charter.net GIVE-A-MEAL
SUNDAY! Please remember our friends who have
real needs. Be generous and bring non-perishable food items on Sunday,
September 2nd. We are inviting you to bring kid friendly foods such as
cereals, 100% juices, macaroni & cheese, PB&J. Paper goods,
toiletries and feminine hygiene items are always needed. Questions? Contact Ruth Murray (314) 991-2623. This is such an important piece of what we do at Parkway UCC. NEWS
FROM THE LIBRARY The
Christian Century is a biweekly publication that our library receives. Their slogan is “thinking critically,
living faithfully”. The magazine features writing by pastors, professors
about current issues facing the country and churches. The August 7 issue has an article about
consumer debt, being a Muslim woman in America, and “fairer” trade.
Check it out in the library. Would you like to read and learn
about religious thought and social issues but are overwhelmed by huge
books? Devotional Classics,
edited by Richard Foster and James Smith, is a collection of readings by
writers as diverse as Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, John Calvin,,
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Soren Kierkegaard, and Annie Dillard. Each selection is wonderfully short
(averaging about 7 pages) with an introduction about the author, an excerpt
of his writing, a Bible selection relevant to the topic and reflective
questions. You’ve got time for 7
pages! Check it out in the library. IT’S
BUDGET PLANNING TIME! Along with the return to school and
(hopefully) the arrival of cooler temperatures, it is also the time for the
church leadership to begin plans for the 2008 operating and missions
budget. Jeannette Mueller of the Stewardship Commission is chairing the
budget process again this year and is contacting the church commissions and
convenors to request their financial "aspirations" for 2008.
Convenors, please make sure budget planning is on your next meeting
agenda! Once the complete
"aspirational" budget is assembled (target date of early October),
the congregation will have the opportunity to review and comment during a
late October Adult
Education class. Thus, the congregation is aware of Parkway's financial
goals and hopes as the annual Fall Stewardship Pledge campaign begins. The Stewardship Commission prepared
the 2007 budget in the above manner - and your support of the 2007 financial
"aspirations" has been great! Thanks to the congregation,
2007 began with a healthy balance and income has continued to be gifted quite
regularly this summer. We are entering our normal
September/October "cash flow" problem months with a POSITIVE bank
balance! Keep up the great support! Many great programs and
events are happening at Parkway WITH YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT! Together we
CAN make a difference in God's world! Ross
Livengood, Stewardship Convenor ADDRESS, EMAIL, AND PHONE UPDATES REMINDER:
If you change your contact information, mailing address, home phone,
cell phone, and/or email address, please alert the church office so we can
update our records. Thank you! For the snowbirds among our members,
please let us know the approximate dates you will be out-of-town and the
mailing address of your winter abode.
COLLEGIATE ADDRESSES NEEDED As the college
members of our congregation begin their transition from home to school,
please email the church (info@parkwayucc.org) with school year addresses and
emails. It would also be quite
helpful to have cell phone numbers.
(Don’t worry, parents, we will not call them during peak
times!) CHURCH PICNIC– SAVE THE DATE! We hope you have marked your calendars for the second annual Parkway church picnic, which will be Sunday, October 7th at Stacy Park in Olivette. The
fun begins at 4:00. (Set up begins at 3:00) Last year over 100 members and
friends of Parkway attended. There will be many activities, including cakewalk, face painting,
duck pond, sack races, 3-legged, races, water balloon toss, croquet,
volleyball, washers, horseshoes, bean bag toss, and more. We have reserved
the spacious pavilion. So--bring your own picnic food, lawn chairs, sporting equipment (ball
gloves, frisbee, etc.). And please
bring a dessert on a disposable plate to share. Some desserts will be used for the cakewalk;
some will be enjoyed by everyone after the picnic. Vespers will be at 6:15. Directions to Stacy Park from Parkway: Merge onto I-64 E/US-40E toward St. Louis Merge onto Lindbergh north (Exit 28B) (2.5 miles) Turn right onto Olive Blvd. (.9 mile) Turn right onto Old Bonhomme (.2 mile) Stacy Park is on the right. If you
have any questions, please contact Marsha
Peek, Judy Lindquist or Harold Cobb. **If the picnic
must be postponed due to inclement weather, it will be held October 14 at
4:00 on the church grounds.** APPLE
BUTTER MAKING 2007 Mark
Friday and Saturday, September 21st and 22nd on your
calendar for our apple butter making event. Come join the fun preparing the
hars and getting all things ready to cook on Saturday starting around 7:30
a.m. The butter will cook about 5 hours with constant stirring. Many
hands are needed for this project. Look for the sign up poster in the
gathering space. If you plan to help on Friday, bring your own lunch. If you
come on Saturday, bring a dish to share. Meat and drinks with be provided. Donations of money, half-pint and
pint jars and lids would be welcomed.
If you have questions, please see a Quilter or Crafter. END
OF SUMMER CLEARANCE SALE!!! Sunday,
September 16th The
Quilters & Crafters have a surplus of handmade items they are offering at
reduced prices. Don’t miss this opportunity to purchase baby quilts,
comforters, blankets, etc, miscellaneous table linens, designer aprons, and
other gift items. Come early
– sale begins at 9:090 a.m. and will end after the 11:00 service. BOOK DONATION
PROGRAM
We are excited
to announce a Gift Book Program for our newly refurbished library as a means
of expanding the library collection while commemorating special times
and special persons: birthdays, holidays, grandparents,
teachers, etc. 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
will choose the book for you.
Donation forms and a wish list will be available in the Library and
the Gathering Space soon. THANK YOU Dear Parkway Church and Pastor Cameron,
Thank you so much for the care and attention given to me during my
recent surgeries and hospital stay. The lovely flowers, Pastor Kevin’s
visits, the many cards and letters, and the offers of assistance to Jeremy
and the children were so appreciated! And the extravagant welcome upon my
return to church clearly shows what I know: that our church family is warm,
welcoming & caring—and a place my family is blessed to be a part of! Many thanks, Elise Bowman FROM THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR SEARCH
COMMITTEE A final note from Harold Cobb, committee chair As we celebrate our selection of a
new Associate Pastor, Joe Rowley, I would like to recognize and thank the
many people who helped our committee to reach this successful conclusion. All of the members of the Search
Committee (Melanie Muchnick, Steve Tallyn, Pat Owens, Karen Nolte, Judy
Lindquist, Charlotte Sableman, Marcela Williams and Gene Toombs) worked very
hard, were very faithful, asked hard questions and made good decisions. We worked together as a unit to reach our
goal. I would like to special
recognition to several committee members for their specific
contributions. Karen Nolte served as
Assistant Chairman and Judy Lindquist as Secretary and played large roles in
the committee’s work. Marcela
Williams did outstanding work creating the church profile we sent to
candidates and the biographical brochure for Joe Rowley. She spent many hours and considerable
effort to produce them. Gene Toombs
was a one-man compensation committee, who assembled the information and
developed the call document. John Dorhauer, the Associate
Conference Minister, was our guide and mentor, got us started in the right
direction, gave us excellent advice and answered many questions from me as we
proceeded in our deliberations. Skip
Larson, who chaired the Senior Pastor search committee, was always available
to advise me on “what next” and was very generous with his time. Rick Oberle met with us as we were
beginning to talk about Christian Education and his duties and later to give
us his comments on several of the candidates that he knew in seminary and
through other activities. Bart
Coleman and Kim Livengood met with Gene Toombs and myself to review the
details of the compensation package and
proper language of the call.
Barbara Eggebrecht as Council President was always very supportive and
encouraging throughout the process. Lastly, I would like to thank
Kevin. He was an enormous resource,
giving us a pastor’s perspective on the profile. He met with us as we were just starting to help us understand
the roles of senior and associate pastors.
He was always available to me as we moved through the process with
encouragement and insights which helped the committee reach our goal. As you can see, many people played
important roles in this process and we owe them all our grateful appreciation.
THANK YOU
AGAIN TO THE ENTIRE SEARCH COMMITTEE E-SCRIP SCHNUCKS COMMUNITY
CARD Thank you to
all PUCC members who are using their Escrip cards when shopping at Schnucks.
This is such an easy fund-raiser for the church. If you would like to obtain a card, you can visit your local
Schnucks store to get one. Any questions/concerns please contact Diane
Tallyn, 314-567-5433, diane_tallyn@hotmail.com PUCC Chairperson of eScrip. EXCITING E-SCRIP news!!!!!! We have 78 PUCC e-Script supporters and 63% are
participating!!!!!!! With just a swipe of the card PUCC
has a total of $743.20 to date. 2006 October -
December $180.40 2007 January -
May
$562.80 GRAND TOTAL TO
DATE
$743.20 CALENDARS Remember to
start saving 2008 calendars for our troops overseas. Calendars can be dropped
of in the church office. John
Williams will get them to the USO. Thanks! REDUCE,
REUSE, RECYCLE! After several church-wide events and
meals this spring and summer, our supply of recycled take-out containers is
depleted! Please bring your empty
butter, cool whip, cottage cheese size containers to the kitchen sometime
this month. Simply put them on the
back counter. Thanks! OPEN AND AFFIRMING UPDATE The Open and Affirming
Exploration Committee, an ad hoc committee formed by the Church Council, met
in June. After discussion, we
recommended that Parkway enter into an Open and Affirming study. The Church
Council gave its approval at its July meeting. Presently, the ONA Study
Committee is interviewing representatives from ONA United Churches of Christ congregations in the area regarding
the process they used in their settings.
Our August meeting will involve sharing these comments and planning
educational events for the fall and winter. There is no specific timetable for
this process and we ask for your prayers as we begin this journey
together. Committee members continuing from the Exploratory Committee
to the ONA Study Committee are Carol Cobb, Conrad Damsgaard, Gale Haggard, Tom McKenzie, and Cherie Stolze. The Council will be adding three more
members this month. 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 & 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 on
Tuesday, September 5th from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Join us for coffee and conversation at the St Louis Bread Company — Manchester &
270 on Tuesday, September 11th at 2 p.m. Questions? Contact
Kevin (314) 872-9330 kevin@parkwayucc.org Have you walked & prayed a Labyrinth? Here’s your
opportunity! Meet at the church on Wednesday, September 26th at 10am 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 at 2039 North Geyer Road, just a few miles
from our church. Search the Web using www.goodsearch.com and bring a benefit to Parkway
UCC! Instead of
using Yahoo, Google, or other Internet search engines, consider adding Good
Search to your favorites list as the top spot for internet searches.
Each time you search the internet via the Good Search website, pick our
congregation as your charity and our congregation will get credit. Be sure to key it in as “Parkway United
Church of Christ.” When enough credits are earned, a financial payment
will be provided to the church. The Good Search website was
described recently in the Wall Street Journal and brought to the
attention of the Church Council. After some investigation, the
Council endorsed establishing an account with Good
Search. Just think, every time you search the internet you
will be reminded of your faith family and will be giving us a gift! LOOK
AROUND AT CHURCH THIS SUNDAY... and notice
three people that you do not know.
Make a point to reach out to them sometime this month. Introduce yourself to them …even if you
feel like you should know their name and they should know your name. Just do it! Please! We will build a
stronger faith community! PUCC PLAY GROUP
Come play with us over the summer –
on the 2nd Fridays and 4th Mondays of September from 10-11:30 a.m. at the
church. We’ll have treats, crafts,
games and lots of fun. Feel free to
bring friends, neighbors, visiting relatives, etc. [This will be the new rotation
for the academic year as well.] Questions?
Contact Kevin Cameron (314) 872-9330 or kevin@parkwayucc.org or Brenda
Sperry (314) 909-0789 or brendalang@aol.com VBS
PERFORMANCE VIDEOTAPE If anyone
is interested in a copy of the videotape from the VBS Thursday night
performance on 7/26, please contact Brenda (314) 909-0798 or brendalang@aol.com LIFT OFF! PARKWAY
PAPER CRAFTERS (PPC) Do patterned
paper, rubber stamps, ribbon, and pictures of loved ones make you giddy?
Please join PPC the 3rd Monday of each month anytime
during 5:00-10:00p.m. All are welcome in the Heritage Room for any part
of the meeting. Our time includes a
technique demonstration with opportunity for you to try, a brief opening
fellowship time, and snacks are provided.
Novice to expert paper crafters of all types are welcome, including
those simply needing time to organize photos. New to paper crafting? We have basic tools to share! Please bring your supplies and own
beverage with lid. Please mark your
calendars for our upcoming gatherings: September 17th and October 15th.
Questions? Call Elise Bowman (636-549-3041) or email her at pupp_e_love@hotmail.com AWOL: Adventurous Women Out Late Enjoy fantastic Italian food with AWOL! AWOL is going to Nicoletti’s for dinner on
Friday, September 21st! RSVP to Carmen Bumgarner @ cfbum@charter.net or (314)
330-0813 and meet at church at 6:00 p.m. on September 21st. See you then! Nicoletti's Steak & Pasta (636) 225-4222
1366 Big
Bend Square Shopping Center; Ballwin, MO 63021-7618
APPLE
BUTTER WEEKEND - SEPT. 21-22– We Need You! Plan to be here
to take a turn at peeling, chopping and stirring! PATHWAYS
OF FAITH SCHEDULE 2007 Daniel August 12 – September 2 Ruth & Naomi September 9 - 30 Jonah
October 7 - 28 PUCC: History and Heritage November 4 - 25 PUCC Celebrates Christmas December 2 - 23 Christmas Program December 23 @ 11:00 Epiphany December 30, January 6 MUSICAL
WEDNESDAYS Ring in cooler
weather and the autumnal season with gusto on Musical Wednesdays beginning
Wednesday, September 5, 6:30-7:30pm.
(Children of adult choir members are, as always, welcome to stay until
8:00, when adult choir rehearsal is over.)
Ages 4 to 7 are welcome in Kinderbells; ages 8 and up are welcome in
chimes+ (the “+” signifies additional instrumentation and experimental
musical exploration, safety equipment provided). Don’t miss the fun of making a joyful noise! We Need YOU!!! To lead a rotation for one of
our upcoming units in Pathways of Faith Ruth and Naomi Jonah PUCC: History and Heritage **The children are eager, their
warm smiles delightful, and the curriculum is ready** To be part of the Middle
High/Senior High leadership team with Joe Sunday mornings Fellowship Mission Opportunities **Contact Joe to say “YES!” to
working with our exciting and fun young people** To help care for our “little
ones” in the Nursery One Sunday a Month Substitute Extra Pair of Hands **An opportunity to rock a baby
or play blocks with a two year old is waiting for you** We Need YOU!!!!! Contact: Joe Rowley ( joe@parkwayucc.org or 314-872-9330) ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES For more
information, pick up the Christian Education Opportunities booklet in the
Gathering Space, or contact Dottie Dwyer, Gale Haggard, Florence Simonson,
Edith Graber, or Lisa DiTiberio – The Adult Education Team! Dr. Ghazala Hayat returns September
2, @ 9:30 & 11:00 in the Heritage Room Dr. Ghazala Hayat is an Associate
Professor at St. Louis University, and the Director of the Neuromuscular
Division of the Department of Neurology at St. Louis University Health
Sciences Center. She will be rejoining
us to discuss the basics of Islam, and explore just what it means to be a
practicing Muslim. Sept 9, 16, 23 @ 9:30 &
11:00 in the Heritage Room Clint McCann, our guest presenter,
is Evangelical Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Eden Seminary. · Clint’s research and writing have
focused on the Psalms. A noted biblical scholar, he served as chair of the
Psalms Section for the Society of Biblical Literature for 10 years. His
publications on the Psalms include: The Shape and Shaping of the Psalter
(1993); A Theological Introduction to the Book of Psalms: The Psalms as
Torah (1993); the Psalms commentary in The New Interpreter’s Bible (Vol.
IV; 1996); Preaching the Psalms (2001); and annotations on the Psalms
in The Access Bible, The Learning Bible, and The Westminster
Discipleship Study Bible. His most recent book is Judges (2002) in
the Interpretation commentary series. Dr. McCann
is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and served as
co-pastor of three churches in North Carolina from 1978 to 1987. His wife,
Sarah, is one of the pastors of Hope United Church of Christ in St. Louis;
and he has three daughters: Jennifer, Sarah and Annalise, and a son Ian. Bert
Merrill and our Changing United Church GENERAL SYNOD
UPDATE! Sept 30 @ 9:30 &
11:00 General Synod
26 is over, our 50th anniversary has been celebrated, and resolutions have
been passed. So what happened at
General Synod, anyway? Bert Merrill
is a lay person at First Congregational UCC in St. Louis City, and was a
delegate to GS26. Come hear his
report on what happened at this gathering, what opportunities it offers for
churches in the UCC, and what future excitement is on the horizon. CALLING ALL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTALISTS
Music is
instrumental to the life of the church, and Parkway is gifted with many
members with great musical talents. In
an effort to coordinate new opportunities for musical expression and
celebration please contact Joe Rowley if you play any musical instruments, no
matter what musical style. Thanks for
sharing your wonderful gifts with the church! joe@parkwayucc.org
314.872.9330 Choir Call |