Women’s Retreat Saturday, January 9 9am – 4pm
Please join us on Saturday January 9, from 9am-4pm, for the 2016 Presbyterian Women's
Retreat. Reverend Carolyn Berry Carnes will lead us in "Claiming Our Story." Together- through discussions, inner reflection, and fellowship- we will explore how we can impact our world and how we can truly be a community that challenges the present, to change the future, to make Christ known. This year’s retreat will be held at Faith Des Peres (childcare will be available) and the cost is $25 which includes lunch. Sign-up in the Gathering Space. Please see Clarissa Schuller-Meyer with any questions.
Coffee with the Pastor
The next “Coffee with the Pastor” is on Sunday, January 10, at 9:30 am in the Gathering Space. There, you will have the opportunity to discover more about Faith Des Peres and get answers to questions about what it means to be Presbyterian in a friendly and fun environment while also meeting some great people. If you’ve already attended a “Coffee with the Pastor” and are interested in joining the church, please talk to Annie or Cat Trotter. It would be an honor to be your church family.
Welcome New Member Rachel Neuner
Rachel Neuner was brought to Faith Des Peres through the choir and has been the soprano section leader since 2011. Faith Des Peres has given her a sense of community which she has never previously experienced. She is excited to be joining a church that is welcoming to all and offers everyone a chance to serve.
Staub/Davis Memorial Mission Fund
Recently we announced the establishment of the Elliot and Bernice Staub and Katharyn and Bernard Davis Memorial Mission Fund. This fund was established thanks to a generous gift from Leila and Bernie Davis. This fund will help the church to do even more for mission in our local community and beyond. We’re grateful to the Davises for supporting the church in this way. Just like the Janet Boyer Music Fund, anyone may contribute to this fund in honor of or in memory of someone they know. This is a great time of year to give a gift like this. Thank you.
Upcoming Book Study
For 20 years the annual Faith Des Peres book study has offered opportunities to read and discuss books featuring current scholarship on biblical, historical, or theological issues. This year’s book is, Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi, by Amy-Jill Levine, New Testament and Jewish Studies Professor at Vanderbilt University. Books can be purchased at Barnes & Noble ($15.99 for paperback) or from Amazon ($13.40 for paperback, $9.99 for Kindle). A limited number of copies will be available from the church office; see Will Ridley for details.
The book study will be on three alternating Sundays beginning January 10, January 24 and February 7 from noon to 1:30 after church in the Gathering Space. Lunches will be made available for a nominal fee. This year’s study should be informative and fun. Plan to join us!
Guest Preacher January 10
On January 10, we'll welcome Rev. Jillian Embrey to the pulpit. Jillian is the organizing pastor of Southampton Presbyterian Church, a new church in an old building in the Southampton neighborhood of St. Louis. As some of you know, I was involved in this project from the time of the old Southampton church closing to researching whether it was feasible to start a new church there, including helping to raise funds to make it possible to start a new church. Jillian has been on-board as the organizing pastor since October and is already doing great things there. I hope you'll join us on January 10 to learn more about this exciting initiative. I'm eager to hear her, too! Annie
Year-end donations to the church
Contributions that you wish to include on 2015 tax documents must be in the church office or postmarked no later than Thursday, December 31.