Courageous Conversation on Race Sunday, March 26, following church

Join us after church on March 26 to take part in a courageous conversation on race. These conversations will be facilitated by students from the Cultural Leadership Institute which includes our own Tommy Epling. Cultural Leadership's award-winning high school program is a year-long experience that educates students about social justice through the lens of the African-American and Jewish experience. Based in St. Louis, Cultural Leadership is dedicated to creating a more just community by training area youth to be the next generation of civil rights leaders. They do that by training high school area youth over a year long program, to stand up, speak out, and take action. Students learn about our country’s civil rights history, Jewish and African American history and cultures, and develop the skills to be agents of change. 

To RSVP, please sign-up in the Gathering Space or email Kendra in the church office at adminasst@faithdesperes.org. A light lunch will be provided.

Food Outreach - April 1st

Save the Date: April 1st, Next Food Outreach, 8 am

Come join members of Faith Des Peres at Food Outreach on Saturday morning, April 1st. There we will pack food into individual meals that will be given to those living with HIV/AIDS and cancer that are living at or below the poverty level. We start at 8am and are done before 11 am. Food Outreach requests that volunteers be at least 11 years old and in 5th grade.

Easter Week Preparations

Palm Sunday Musical, April 9, 10:30am

On Palm Sunday, April 9th, our choir and guest instrumentalists will present a cantata, “In the Final Week”.  It is a beautiful choral setting of the last days of Christ’s life leading up to Easter.

Maundy Thursday, April 13, 7:00pm

The Worship Arts Committee invites you to take part in what is known as an “Agape Meal”.  Please sign up by emailing Kendra at adminasst@faithdesperes.org or by signing up in the Gathering Space.  This event is for all ages!

Easter Morning, April 16, 10:30am

Invite your friends and families to worship with us at 10:30 Easter morning! Join us for worship to hear an inspiring message, special music by a brass quartet and beautiful flowers proclaiming Christ is risen.  He is risen indeed!  

Easter Flowers

We will decorate the Sanctuary witha variety of blooming flowers (6” pots).  Cost per plant is $10.  See the sign up sheet in the Gathering Space to place your order or email Kendra at adminasst@faithdesperes.org.   Please designate if the flowers are being given in honor of or memory of loved ones.

 

Trout Lodge April 29th-30th, 2017

We are excited to again be traveling to Trout Lodge for an all church overnight, April 29-30.  Activities being planned are a pontoon ride Saturday afternoon, art activity, happy hour, and brief worship Sunday morning. Optional participant pay (some are actually free) activities include horseback riding, archery, mini golf, zip line, and much more. See Trout Lodge's website for more details and costs; sign-up in advance to guarantee your spot.  Saturday night’s stay includes Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast, and Sunday lunch. You may purchase additional meals and/or a Friday night stay if you’d like to extend your time at the lodge. Please make your room reservation online at http://www.ymcaoftheozarks.org/ as soon as possible.  We have not reserved a block of rooms as in years past, so it’s first come, first serve. 

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

So I’ve always thought it a little bit odd that we hear a reading from Matthew's gospel on Ash Wednesday in which Jesus tells us not to practice our piety before others, and then we go and do just that by putting ashes on our foreheads for everyone to see.

The tradition came after the Bible, of course. As you heard me say on Sunday, Ash Wednesday came about in the 6th and 7th century, long after Matthew composed his gospel. And I understand the tradition – that we begin the season of Lent acknowledging our own mortality, and acknowledging that unless we’re willing to die to our old ways, we’ll never be resurrected into new life. So we begin Lent admitting that we’ve sinned, and we pledge ourselves to live anew.

But still, this black smudge tells everyone on the street, “Look at me! I’m a Christian.” For some of us, Ash Wednesday is as visible a sign of our faith as some will ever get, unless you wear a cross or your FDP t-shirt.

And for some people, saying “I’m a Christian,” can feel a little weird. It’s not that they’re denying their faith, it’s just that they don’t want to be lumped in with the type of Christianity that gets the most press; you know the kind – it’s more intolerant than inclusive, a little more hateful and homophobic.

It was out of that reality that the Glitter Ash Project was born. If we’re going to wear our piety on our foreheads, some people said, why not let it speak to the hopeful, inclusive, called-to-love-our-neighbors’ message Christ told us to be about.

Why not add some glitter to our ashes, they suggested? The glitter will be a sign of hope, they said. The glitter with the ash will signal our promise to repent, but also our promise to show up, to witness, and to work for Christ’s inclusive love. Because glitter never gives up. Any contact with glitter and it gets all over you. You can’t get rid of it. Want to put it back in the bottle? Good luck with that!

Glitter is like love, Christ’s love. It should get all over people.

Now you should know that the Glitter Ash project was born out of the LGBTQ community. No surprise there, I suppose. But it goes beyond the LGBTQ community. Glitter says, “I won’t live in fear”; I won’t tolerate racism; I won’t tolerate antisemitism or homophobia; and I won’t be a part of the hatred running rampant. Because I’m Christian. And I believe Jesus really does call us to love our neighbor.

So I’ll get ashes, because I know I don’t always do that.

But I can also get a side of glitter, because I believe on the other side of Lent is the resurrection, and with that comes new life which believes life destroys death and that love conquers hate. Always.

Can I just say, I've never seen people so excited to receive ashes? "Glitter me up," someone said as they brushed their hair away from their forehead. "I could use a side of hope," said another. And afterwards, "I feel like I need to go somewhere with my glitter ashes!"

It was an awesome experience.

Our theme for Lent this year is “Reflect, Renew Rejoice”. As we move through Lent we will:

·         Reflect on our own season of life.

·         Renew ourselves spiritually and personally.

·         Rejoice in the life that is possible through Christ.

And it all began on Ash Wednesday with glitter. 

Glitter me up!

I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Annie

PS: This Sunday we will also have communion, so don’t forget your food for Feeding the Flock.

Congratulations to the Samantha Stout & David Bitterbaum

Congratulations to Sam & David on the birth of their son, Clarkson Joseph-Raymond Bitterbaum. He was born February 28 and weighed 4 lbs. 2 oz..

Office Staff Change, Kendra Rains

Welcome to our new administrative assistant, Kendra Rains.  Kendra is married to Jasper who is on staff at Parkway Baptist Church.  They have one son, Jackson who is 10 years old.  Kendra lives in Maryland Heights.   Kendra loves to cook, bake and travel.  She also teaches piano lessons, water aerobicsand Zumba.

Parking Request

The State Licensing Board requires that there be no traffic in the back parking lot when the children are out at play. Please park in the front of the church if you need to visit during the week from 9 am to 3 pm when the children are here. Thanks you for your cooperation.

One Church, One Book

“Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race”
White privilege. We’ve all heard the phrase by now, a phrase that may repel you, puzzle you, guilt you, or own you. Either way, it’s time to talk about it.
During Lent, the Faith Formation Center is hosting a conversation around white privilege – what it looks like, how to be aware of it in our own lives, and how to overcome it in the
service of mutuality and fairness.  
The discussion will be centered on the book, “Waking Up White” by Debby Irving.  
So we invite you to join the conversation. Conversations will take place after church March 12, April 2 and April 9. You can pick-up the book on Amazon or at your local library.

Courageous Conversation on Race

Sunday, March 26, following church
Join us after church on March 26 to take part in a courageous conversation on race. These conversations will be facilitated by students from the Cultural Leadership Institute which includes our own Tommy Epling. Cultural Leadership's award-winning high school program is a year-long experience that educates students about social justice through the lens of the African-American and Jewish experience. Based in St. Louis, Cultural Leadership is dedicated to creating a more just community by training area youth to be the next generation of civil rights leaders. They do that by training high school area youth over a year long program, to stand up, speak out, and take action. Students learn about our country’s civil rights history, Jewish and African American history and cultures, and develop the skills to be agents of change. 

To RSVP, please sign-up in the Gathering Space or email Kendra in the church office at adminasst@faithdesperes.org. A light lunch will be provided.

Trout Lodge April 29-30th, 2017

We are excited to again be traveling to Trout Lodge for an all church overnight, April 29-30.  Activities being planned are a pontoon ride Saturday afternoon, art activity, happy hour, and brief worship Sunday morning. Optional participant pay (some are actually free) activities include horseback riding, archery, mini golf, zip line, and much more. See Trout Lodge's website for more details and costs; sign-up in advance to guarantee your spot.  Saturday night’s stay includes Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast, and Sunday lunch. You may purchase additional meals and/or a Friday night stay if you’d like to extend your time at the lodge. Please make your room reservation online at
http://www.ymcaoftheozarks.org/ as soon as possible.  We have not reserved a block of rooms as in years past, so it’s first come, first serve. 

Dear Faith Des Peres Community

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

It’s hard to believe but Lent is almost here. It begins this Wednesday, March 1, with Ash Wednesday. We’ll have an Ash Wednesday service at 6:45-7:15 in the Gathering Space. I’ve found this service is very meaningful and helps me to start Lent “on the right foot”, so I hope you’ll find time to attend and start your Lent “on the right foot”, too.

Speaking of Lent, this Sunday the Worship Arts Center has planned a very special worship service where you’ll learn all about Lent, the meaning behind the symbols of the season, and the history behind Lent. I think both newcomers and old-timers will learn something on Sunday. We’ll also do something different, like “bury the alleluias”, and you’ll take part in burning last year’s palms for this year’s ashes. It will be very multi-sensory! I’m looking forward to it.

Consider inviting someone to church this Sunday. At this time of year, people are thinking about church, especially people who have been away from church for a while. They may have grown up hearing about Lent and knowing that it’s important, but not always understanding why it’s important. On Sunday, we’ll answer both of those questions. Plus, there are pancakes after church. What’s not to like?!

Finally, I mentioned last Sunday the importance of giving up something for Lent or “taking on” something for Lent. I hope you’ve given that some thought. Your Lent, and therefore your Easter, will be much more fulfilling if you do. I’ve posted suggestions on the church’s Facebook page that you can find here.

I hope to see you Sunday.

Blessings,

Annie

Ash Wednesday Service, March 1 at 6:45 pm

Plan on joining us next Wednesday, March 1 for a brief (30 minute) Ash Wednesday service. All are welcome as we enter the season of Lent.

Feeding the Flock Sunday, March 5

Please remember to bring your food Sunday, March 5 as we collect for Feeding the Flock.
Thank you.

Office Staff Change, Yolanda Mortimer

As many of you know my husband, Doug, had a triple bypass and aorta replacement last month. His recuperation is going well, but he still has a long road ahead for a full recovery. I have decided to step down as the administrative assistant at Faith Des Peres at the end of this month to spend more time with him and the rest of my family. It has been my pleasure to serve FDP the last 2 1/2 years. I will still see you Sundays in worship!

Parking Request

The State Licensing Board requires that there be no traffic in the back parking lot when the children are out at play. Please park in the front of the church if you need to visit during the week from 9 am to 3 pm when the children are here. Thanks you for your cooperation.

One Church, One Book

“Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race”
White privilege. We’ve all heard the phrase by now, a phrase that may repel you, puzzle you, guilt you, or own you. Either way, it’s time to talk about it.

During Lent, the Faith Formation Center is hosting a conversation around white privilege – what it looks like, how to be aware of it in our own lives, and how to overcome it in the service of mutuality and fairness.  

The discussion will be centered on the book, “Waking Up White” by Debby Irving.  
So we invite you to join the conversation. Conversations will take place after church March 12, April 2 and April 9. You can pick-up the book on Amazon or at your local library.

Trout Lodge April 29-30

We are excited to again be traveling to Trout Lodge for an all church overnight, April 29-30.  Activities being planned are a pontoon ride Saturday afternoon, art activity, happy hour, and brief worship Sunday morning. Optional participant pay (some are actually free) activities include horseback riding, archery, mini golf, zip line, and much more. See Trout Lodge's website for more details and costs; sign-up in advance to guarantee your spot.  Saturday night’s stay includes Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast, and Sunday lunch. You may purchase additional meals and/or a Friday night stay if you’d like to extend your time at the lodge. Please make your room reservation online at http://www.ymcaoftheozarks.org/ as soon as possible.  We have not reserved a block of rooms as in years past, so it’s first come, first serve. 

Congratulations to the Cass Family

Congratulations to Cody & Katie Cass on the birth of their daughter, Annie Laura. She was born February 6 and weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. Carter is happy to be a big brother!

Dear Faith Des Peres Friends,

Years ago, Bobby McFerrin wrote a song titled "Don't Worry Be Happy". It was a be-boppy tune with the simple message "In every life we have some trouble/When you worry you make it double/Don't worry, be happy." If it were only that simple! I have 4 kids to worry about it, a job to worry about it, parents to worry about  . . .the list goes on and on.

But in the Bible Jesus tells us not to worry. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"

Easy for him to say. He doesn't have teenagers. Not worry? Ha!

But the reality is, Jesus was on to something here. Because there's worry, and then there's worry that gets the best of us. That eats away at us. That becomes our master. And that sort of worry isn't healthy at all. 

If you find yourself worrying these days and need a place to come and find your center, then this Sunday is a good day to come. Hopefully, you'll leave having some tools to use when worry gets to be too much. Do you have a friend that is worried about stuff? Invite them! 

I hope to see you Sunday!

Annie