An updated church directory is now available. If you would like a copy emailed to you, please let Yolanda know. Her email address is adminasst@faithdesperes.org. Please remember to keep the church updated if you have a new address, phone number or email address. Thank you!
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dorcas Case on Tuesday, February 2. Dorcas wore many hats at Faith Des Peres: ruling elder, commissioner to Presbytery, Sunday School teacher, and most recently a point person for the Membership Expansion Center, just to name a few. She was a woman who had a deep love for lifelong learning and a desire to grow in her knowledge of faith and theology. She’ll be greatly missed. A memorial service has not yet been scheduled.
Dear Faith Des Peres Community,
Bring your sweetie to church on Sunday. We're having a chocolate bar after church! So skip the high priced dinner and come to church.
This Lent we are exploring Jesus as a boundary breaker. This Sunday in particular we are looking at the famous "wedding" passage from 1 Corinthians (love is patient, love is kind, love is not arrogant or boastful or rude), and how we are challenged to love others despite the differences we have with them.
The worship arts team has been hard at work getting ready for Lent. In the sanctuary you'll find four "prayer stations" with different "activities": writing a prayer or candle, leaving your spare change, etc. These stations are there to help you prepare for worship, so feel free to take part in them when you arrive. There will also be a time after the sermon for you to visit one of the stations.
There are plenty of other things going on at church during Lent, so make sure to check out the rest of this blog.
See you Sunday!
Annie
Faith Formation Survey
It’s not too late to complete the Faith Formation survey. It will help theFaith Formation Center plan their work and meet its goal. We would like everyone’s feedback.
Walking to Jerusalem
And we’re off! I hope you’re logging your activity. One mile equals 2000 steps, and 20 minutes of any activity equals 2000 steps. And regular old steps equal steps! You can email your weekly total on Saturdays to Annie or Terry Baker. You can also turn them in on Sunday at the door. Thanks to Diane Asyre there’s a really nice chart in the Gathering Space; you’ll find a basket and slips of paper with it. Put your name on the display as a traveler, too. We can do this!
Book Club Book – “Pastrix” by Nadia Bolz-Weber
“Pastrix” is a great book that was recommended to me a couple years ago by Emma Dolley. It’s an easy read (i.e. I read it at the pool), but thoroughly engaging, too. Nadia is a heavily-tattooed, profanity-laden ELCA (Lutheran) pastor in Colorado. She wrote this book “for people who hunger for a bit of hope that doesn't come from vapid consumerism or navel-gazing; for women who talk too loud, and guys who love chick flicks; for the gay man who loves Jesus, and won't allow himself to be shunned by the church. For people who listen to “This American Life” and have more education than money; for people who know the difference between American cheese and real cheese. In short, this book is for every thinking misfit suspicious of institutionalized religion, but who is still seeking transcendence and mystery.”
The plan is to read the book on our own and then get together to talk about it. Here are some proposed dates for talking about it:
Tuesday, March 1 or Thursday, March 3, in the evening. We can gather at the church or someplace a little more lively.
Saturday morning, March 5, definitely at a place where we can get a good cup of coffee or tea.
Let me know by all the usual ways which date works for you.
Also, this is for all ages and genders, and feel free to invite a friend – especially your cranky and beautiful friends who are both sinners and saints, because that’s how Nadia describes herself!
A Photo-a-Day in Lent
Are you interested in taking on a spiritual discipline this Lent? How about a photo-a-day challenge, where we share with each other how we perceive each given word of the day? (Words provided by www.rethinkchurch.org, a United Methodist organization.) This is about the practice of paying attention and being intentional, not being a great photographer. All you need is your phone or camera, and we share with each other our photos on Instagram or our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1543721165920582/ . Would you like to join me in this spiritual exercise? If so, let me know in all the usual ways. Invite your friends to join you.
Lent Study for Adults
February 17-March 16 6:00-7:15 pm
We’re offering a special Lent study for adults on Wednesdays from 6-7:15 pm. It’s a DVD-based study on spiritual practices. The series is an opportunity for all of us to learn about the rich history of spiritual practices and practice them ourselves. Daily exercises are suggested between sessions. We’ll cover prayer, food, worship, sacraments, money, service, and community. The sessions are designed to raise questions, flip established answers on their heads, and stay with you for months and years to come. During the class time we’ll also practice the practice. The sessions will include a light meal, so let us know you’re coming. We’ll eat and talk and explore spiritual practices together. Sign-up in the Gathering Space or email Annie or Yolanda to let us know you’re coming. Also, let us know if you need childcare. We can provide it. Hope to see you there!
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dorcas Case on Tuesday, February 2. Dorcas wore many hats at Faith Des Peres: ruling elder, commissioner to Presbytery, Sunday School teacher, and most recently a point person for the Membership Expansion Center, just to name a few. She was a woman who had a deep love for life long learning and a desire to grow in her knowledge of faith and theology. She’ll be greatly missed. A memorial service has not yet been scheduled.
Margaret works at Barnes Jewish Hospital on their wound care team. In her free time she is planning a June 2016 wedding and likes making jewelry. Mark is an analyst for the federal government. He is originally from Virginia but moved to St. Louis in 2009. His interests include baseball, photography and traveling. Margaret and Mark both wanted to join Faith Des Peres because of how welcoming and accepting everyone has been.
Sunday, February 14 Chocolate Bar!
After church on Sunday, February 14 (you know, Valentine’s Day), we’ll have a chocolate bar. Bring your sweetie and skip the fancy meal. Hope to see you here!
Let’s Have Lunch
Mark your calendar for February 16, 11:30am for lunch at J. Greene’s Pub on Manchester. in
Warson Woods. We’re forming a new monthly lunch group for anyone who just wants to have lunch. We’ll reserve the private room there, so please let us know you’re coming. Thanks!
Chili Cook-Off Friday, February 26
FDP’s second annual Chili Cook-off is Friday, February 26 in the Gathering Space. All varieties of chili welcome. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Sign up to enter your signature pot of chili or sign up to let us know you’re coming to eat and judge. First, second and third prizes awarded to the winning chefs. Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors to this fun and tasty event!
Rockhaven Ecozoic Center Spaghetti Dinner, Saturday, February27
Rockhaven Ecozoic Center is holding its annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, February 27 at Grace Episcopal Church 514 E. Argonne Drive in Kirkwood. Doors open at 5:30 and dinner is at 6:30. The cost is $20 per person ($24 at the door) and kids under 8 are free. Tickets can be purchased at www.rockhavencenter.org or you can get them in Kirkwood by calling Sister Cheryl Kemner at 314-965-3700.
Dear Faith Des Peres Community,
Last week I was in Chicago at the Associations of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) conference. It was a great conference and I picked up many ideas about what’s new in faith formation and how we can incorporate faith formation into our ministry at Faith Des Peres. As you know, one of our Vision 20/20 goals is to develop an Intergenerational Faith Formation program at Faith Des Peres that centers on bringing generations together in learning, caring, praying, celebrating, serving faithfully and inspiring the passion to make Christ known.
In this blog, you’ll read about a variety of opportunities we’re offering in Lent for faith formation. Some are on your own, some are with a group, and some are online. Others happen over the course of 5 weeks, and some are a one-time thing. I really encourage you to commit to one of them because we’re never too old or too smart to continue growing in our faith, and Lent (which means “spring”) is a great opportunity to do some “spring cleaning” of your soul. And speaking of, you shoud have received an email on Thursday with a survey about faith formation. Please complete the survey by February 10! If you didn’t get it, check your Spam box. We verified everyone’s email addresses before sending it.
This Sunday I’ll talk about courage. I want you to think about this question: Why do some people risk everything to do the right thing?
And last but not least, please let us know if you’re coming to the pancake supper and Ash Wednesday service. You can email Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org or sign-up in the Gathering Space. And, don’t forget the chocolate bar after church on February 14. It’s Valentine’s Day and the first Sunday of Lent.
Blessings,
Annie
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dorcas Case on Tuesday, February 2. Dorcas wore many hats at Faith Des Peres: ruling elder, commissioner to Presbytery, Sunday School teacher, and most recently a point person for the Membership Expansion Center, just to name a few. She was a woman who had a deep love for life long learning and a desire to grow in her knowledge of faith and theology. She’ll be greatly missed. A memorial service has not yet been scheduled.
Book Club Book – “Pastrix” by Nadia Bolz-Weber
“Pastrix” is a great book that was recommended to me a couple years ago by Emma Dolley. It’s an easy read (i.e. I read it at the pool), but thoroughly engaging, too. Nadia is a heavily-tattooed, profanity-laden ELCA (Lutheran) pastor in Colorado. She wrote this book “for people who hunger for a bit of hope that doesn't come from vapid consumerism or navel-gazing; for women who talk too loud, and guys who love chick flicks; for the gay man who loves Jesus, and won't allow himself to be shunned by the church. For people who listen to “This American Life” and have more education than money; for people who know the difference between American cheese and real cheese. In short, this book is for every thinking misfit suspicious of institutionalized religion, but who is still seeking transcendence and mystery.”
The plan is to read the book on our own and then get together to talk about it. Here are some proposed dates for talking about it:
Tuesday, March 1 or Thursday, March 3, in the evening. We can gather at the church or someplace a little more lively.
Saturday morning, March 5, definitely at a place where we can get a good cup of coffee or tea.
Let me know by all the usual ways which date works for you.
Also, this is for all ages and genders, and feel free to invite a friend – especially your cranky and beautiful friends who are both sinners and saints, because that’s how Nadia describes herself!
A Photo-a-Day in Lent
Are you interested in taking on a spiritual discipline this Lent? How about a photo-a-day challenge, where we share with each other how we perceive each given word of the day? (Words provided by www.rethinkchurch.org, a United Methodist organization.) This is about the practice of paying attention and being intentional, not being a great photographer. All you need is your phone or camera, and we share with each other our photos on Instagram or a Facebook group. Would you like to join me in this spiritual exercise? If so, let me know in all the usual ways. For more information, click the link. Invite your friends to join you.
Lent Study for Adults February 17-March 16 6:00-7:15 pm
We’re offering a special Lent study for adults on Wednesdays from 6-7:15 pm. It’s a DVD-based study on spiritual practices.. The series is an opportunity for all of us to learn about the rich history of spiritual practices and practice them ourselves. Daily exercises are suggested between sessions. We’ll cover prayer, food, worship, sacraments, money, service, and community. The sessions are designed to raise questions, flip established answers on their heads, and stay with you for months and years to come. During the class time we’ll also practice the practice.
The sessions will include a light meal, so let us know you’re coming. We’ll eat and talk and explore spiritual practices together. Sign-up in the Gathering Space or email Annie or Yolanda to let us know you’re coming. Also, let us know if you need childcare. We can provide it. Hope to see you there!
Love Life/Live Lent
Be the Change
These are daily devotions for you to do on your own during Lent, similar to the Advent devotion book. Books for adults and children were distributed at PALS in January, but a few extra copies are available in the Gathering Space or can be ordered. Just let us know if you want one and can’t find one.
Walking to Jerusalem (a special Lent activity) –
Did you know that it is 6437 miles from St. Louis to Jerusalem? That’s 12,874,000 steps (2000 steps in a mile)!! Did you know that Pastor Annie has challenged us as a congregation to walk collectively that distance during Lent? Sound crazy? Read on . . .
The Walk to Jerusalem is a walking program developed by St. John Providence Health System parish nursing and designed to increase the physical, spiritual and emotional health of participants. This “imaginary” trip to Jerusalem is accomplished by individuals within the church and their friends (anyone can participate) logging their own walking miles and/or exercise each week. The idea behind the Walking to Jerusalem program is that physical health impacts our spiritual health and vice-versa, so as a church we should be concerned about our physical health. After all, walking is good for the mind, spirit and the body.
You are asked to keep track of your steps during Lent. You can also keep track of any exercise – 20 minutes of activity equals 2000 steps. We will give you the tools you need to track, and we’ll keep track of them and watch our progress with a visual in the Gathering Space. If you can’t walk long distances, don’t worry. Do what you are able to do and let’s see how we do as a congregation.
And if 12,874,000 steps sounds like a lot, if 40 people participate in this each person would need to log roughly 7000 steps a day. That’s a lot, but keep in mind some will do more and some will do less, and doctors recommend people get in at least 10,000 steps/day. Join the walk!
Come for Pancakes, Join Us for Worship! February 10, 6:30 pm
The Worship Arts Team is hosting a pancake supper on February 10 at 6:30 pm followed by an Ash Wednesday service. Dinner includes pancakes and worship includes burning last year’s palms outside in a fire pit. Sign-up in the Gathering Space if you plan to attend and if you can, lend a hand. We need about 4 people or so to make pancakes before the service. Thanks!
Sunday, February 14 Chocolate Bar!
After church on Sunday, February 14 (you know, Valentine’s Day), we’ll have a chocolate bar. Bring your sweetie and skip the fancy meal. Hope to see you here!
Let’s Have Lunch
Mark your calendar for February 16, 11:30am for lunch at J. Greene’s Pub on Manchester. in
Warson Woods. We’re forming a new monthly lunch group for anyone who just wants to have lunch. We’ll reserve the private room there, so please let us know you’re coming. Thanks!
Chili Cook-Off Friday, February 26
FDP’s second annual Chili Cook-off is Friday evening February 26th in the Gathering Space. All varieties of chili welcome. Doors open at 6:30. Sign up to enter your signature pot of chili or sign up to let us know you’re coming to eat and judge. First, second and third prizes awarded to the winning chefs. Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors to this fun and tasty event!
Rockhaven Ecozoic Center Spaghetti Dinner, Saturday, February 27
Rockhaven Ecozoic Center is holding its annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, February 27 at Grace Episcopal Church 514 E. Argonne Drive in Kirkwood. Doors open at 5:30 and dinner is at 6:30. The cost is $20 per person ($24 at the door) and kids under 8 are free. Tickets can be purchased at www.rockhavencenter.org or you can call Sister Cheryl Kemner at 314-965-3700.
Faith Formation Survey
Last week the Faith Formation Center sent all members and regular attenders a survey via email about faith formation at Faith Des Peres. Please complete this survey by February 10! It will help the Center plan their work and meet its goal to develop an Intergenerational Faith Formation program at Faith Des Peres that centers on bringing generations together in learning, caring, praying, celebrating, serving faithfully and inspiring the passion to make Christ known. Thank you!
Old cell phones needed
Lydia’s House is looking for old cell phones that they can sell as a fund raiser. You will find a box in the Gathering Space where you can deposit your old cell phones. No smart phones please. Thank you!
Dear Faith Des Peres Community,
I’m currently in Chicago at the Associations of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) conference. It’s been a number of years since I attended this conference, but I’m excited to be here learning about what’s new in faith formation and how we can incorporate faith formation into our ministry at Faith Des Peres. As you know, one of our Vision 20/20 goals is to develop an Intergenerational Faith Formation program at Faith Des Peres that centers on bringing generations together in learning, caring, praying, celebrating, serving faithfully and inspiring the passion to make Christ known. I know APCE will help with this!
This Sunday we’ll welcome Rev. John Welton to the pulpit since I’ve been at APCE. John recently completed serving Steeleville Presbyterian Church as their designated pastor and is an alum of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary just like me (and Joe Marting!), so you know he’s a good guy. I hope you’ll be here to welcome John.
And last but not least, in this blog you’ll read about Ash Wednesday and something special we have for February 14. Mark your calendars!
Blessings,
Annie
FDP’s next GAME NIGHT is Friday evening, January 29th.
Grab your favorite board games, and snacks/drinks to share and meet in the Gathering Space. Doors open at 6:30. Invite your friends and neighbors to join us. Guaranteed FUN for all ages.
Don’t Miss Out!
The month of January is the time to call Trout Lodge (1-888-FUN-YMCA) to reserve your room for our annual Trout Lodge Weekend, April 22 – 24. Please pick up a price list and brochure on the table in the Gathering Space and let Yolanda in the office know you are coming. If you have not been to Trout Lodge and have questions, ask one of the 45 people that go each year or Terry Baker or Charlotte Ridley. Don’t miss this wonderful weekend with your church family!
Come for Pancakes, Join Us for Worship! February 10, 6:30 pm
The Worship Arts Team is hosting a pancake supper on February 10 at 6:30 pm
followed by an Ash Wednesday service. Dinner includes pancakes and worship includes burning last year’s palms outside in a fire pit. Sign-up in the Gathering Space if you plan to attend and if you can, lend a hand. We need about 4 people or so to make pancakes
before the service. Thanks!
Walking to Jerusalem (a special Lent activity) –
Did you know that it is 6437 miles from St. Louis to Jerusalem? That’s 12,874,000 steps (2000 steps in a mile)!! Did you know that Pastor Annie has challenged us as a
congregation to walk collectively that distance during Lent? Sound crazy? Read on . . .
The Walk to Jerusalem is a walking program developed by St. John Providence Health
System parish nursing and designed to increase the physical, spiritual and emotional health of participants. This “imaginary” trip to Jerusalem is accomplished by individuals within the church and their friends (anyone can participate) logging their own walking miles and/or exercise each week. The idea behind the Walking to Jerusalem program is that physical health impacts our spiritual health and vice-versa, so as a church we should be concerned about our physical health. After all, walking is good for the mind, spirit and the body.
You are asked to keep track of your steps during Lent. You can also keep track of any
exercise – 20 minutes of activity equals 2000 steps. We will give you the tools you need to track, and we’ll keep track of them and watch our progress with a visual in the Gathering Space. If you can’t walk long distances, don’t worry. Do what you are able to do and let’s see how we do as a congregation.
And if 12,874,000 steps sounds like a lot, if 40 people participate in this each person would need to log roughly 7000 steps a day. That’s a lot, but keep in mind some will do more and some will do less, and doctors recommend people get in at least 10,000 steps/day. Join the walk!
Sunday, February 14 Chocolate Bar!
After church on Sunday, February 14 (you know, Valentine’s Day), we’ll have a
chocolate bar. Bring your sweetie and skip the fancy meal. Hope to see you here!
Let’s Have Lunch
Mark your calendar for February 16, 11:30 am for lunch at J. Greene’s Pub on
Manchester. in Warson Woods. We’re forming a new monthly lunch group for anyone who just wants to have lunch. We’ll reserve the private room there, so please let us know you’re coming. Thanks!
Book Club at Faith Des Peres
There’s been enough interest expressed in forming a book club at Faith Des Peres that we can give it a go. Look for an announcement next week about the book we’ll read and some possible dates to meet. Thanks for your interest! Annie
Lent Study for Adults, February 17-March 16, 6:00-7:15 pm
We’re offering a special Lent study for adults on Wednesdays from 6-7:15 pm. It’s a DVD-based study on spiritual practices that includes a personal journal for you to use. The series is an opportunity for all of us to learn about the rich history of spiritual practices and practice them ourselves. Daily exercises are suggested between sessions. We’ll cover prayer, food, worship, sacraments, money, service, and community. The sessions are designed to raise questions, flip established answers on their heads, and stay with you for months and years to come.
The sessions will include a light meal, so let us know you’re coming. We’ll eat and talk and explore spiritual practices together. Sign-up in the Gathering Space or email Annie or Yolanda to let us know you’re coming. Also, let us know if you need childcare. We can provide it. Hope to see you there!
Old cell phones needed
Lydia’s House is looking for old cell phones that they can sell as a fund raiser. You will find a box in the Gathering Space where you can deposit your old cell phones. No smart phones please. Thank you!
Dear Faith Des Peres Family,
This Sunday we have seven 3rd-5th graders who will receive their first Bible during worship. Giving Bibles to these young people is really a rite of passage in the Presbyterian church. I still have the Bible I received from my church when I was that age. In many ways it serves as the precursor to confirmation and is one more step in their journey of faith. I hope you’ll be here Sunday to support them.
Coincidentally, this Sunday we’ll hear the story from Luke about Jesus returning to the synagogue where he grew up to preach a sermon there. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go so well. Can you imagine one of the young people here coming back in 20 years and preaching for you? What if they said something you didn’t like? How would you react? On Sunday we’ll explore that story and how to listen with open ears to messages we’d rather not hear.
Next week I’m headed to Chicago for the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators Conference. This is the mecca of conferences for educators, and I’m excited to see what’s new in faith formation, especially as we live into our Vision 20/20 goal of “bringing generations together in learning, caring, praying, celebrating, serving faithfully and inspiring the passion to make Christ known.”
See you Sunday,
Annie
Believe It or Not….
The month of January is the time to call Trout Lodge (1-888-FUN-YMCA) to reserve your room for our annual Trout Lodge Weekend, April 22 – 24. Please pick up a price list and brochure on the table in the Gathering Space and let Yolanda in the office know you are coming. If you have not been to Trout Lodge and have questions, ask one of the 45 people that go each year or Terry Baker or Charlotte Ridley. Don’t miss this wonderful weekend with your church family!
FDP’s next GAME NIGHT is Friday evening, January 29th.
Grab your favorite board games, and snacks/drinks to share and meet in the Gathering Space. Doors open at 6:30. Invite your friends and neighbors to join us. Guaranteed FUN for all ages.
Book Club at Faith Des Peres
There’s been enough interest expressed in forming a book club at Faith Des Peres that we can give it a go. Look for an announcement next week about the book we’ll read and some possible dates to meet. Thanks for your interest! Annie
Let’s Have Lunch
Mark your calendar for February 16, 11:30am for lunch at J. Greene’s Pub on Manchester. in Warson Woods. We’re forming a new monthly lunch group for anyone who just wants to have lunch. We’ll reserve the private room there, so please let us know you’re coming. Thanks!
Walking to Jerusalem (a special Lent activity) –
Did you know that it is 6437 miles from St. Louis to Jerusalem? That’s 12,874,000 steps (2000 steps in a mile)!! Did you know that Pastor Annie has challenged us as a congregation to walk collectively that distance during Lent? Sound crazy? Read on . . .
The Walk to Jerusalem is a walking program developed by St. John Providence Health System parish nursing and designed to increase the physical, spiritual and emotional health of participants. This “imaginary” trip to Jerusalem is accomplished by individuals within the church and their friends (anyone can participate) logging their own walking miles and/or exercise each week. The idea behind the Walking to Jerusalem program is that physical health impacts our spiritual health and vice-versa, so as a church we should be concerned about our physical health. After all, walking is good for the mind, spirit and the body.
You are asked to keep track of your steps during Lent. You can also keep track of any exercise – 20 minutes of activity equals 2000 steps. We will give you the tools you need to track, and we’ll keep track of them and watch our progress with a visual in the Gathering Space. If you can’t walk long distances, don’t worry. Do what you are able to do and let’s see how we do as a congregation.
And if 12,874,000 steps sounds like a lot, if 40 people participate in this each person would need to log roughly 7000 steps a day. That’s a lot, but keep in mind some will do more and some will do less, and doctors recommend people get in at least 10,000 steps/day. Join the walk!
Old cell phones needed
Lydia’s House is looking for old cell phones that they can sell as a fund raiser. You will find a box in the Gathering Space where you can deposit your old cell phones. No smart phones please. Thank you!
Volunteers Needed!
The buddy packs program provides weekend meals for 12 students at Tillman Elementary school. There are three different types of volunteer opportunities for this school year. We need two volunteers to pack the food in bags every week after church. We need one volunteer a week (on either Thursday or Friday) to deliver the food to Tillman Elementary School in Kirkwood. Finally, we need one volunteer a month to unpack the food and stock it in the buddy packs closet. Please consider helping this important cause. See Clarissa with any questions. Sign up using the following links.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4aaba922a5fd0-buddy
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4aaba922a5fd0-buddy1
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4aaba922a5fd0-buddy2
Want to feed hungry college students?
UKirk gathers weekly at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. for dinner and worship. If you would like to provide a home cooked meal or part of a meal (UKirk students love baked goods!) during the spring semester, email Pastor Miriam at ukirkstl@gmail.com to coordinate a delivery time to Trinity Presbyterian.
Adult Book Study continues Sunday, January 24.
The Adult Book Study will continue at noon this Sunday, January 24. Even if you have not read the book, Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi, by Amy-Jill Levine, you are welcome to join us.
Looking for a way to find God more deeply in prayer this Lent and Easter?
At this workshop, you’ll learn about prayer as relationship, the simple method of Centering Prayer, how to deal with thoughts during prayer and how to deepen your relationship with God. Everyone is invited to come away for a half-day retreat here in our own beautiful Gathering Space at Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church. Saturday February 6, 2016 — 9am-2pm (light breakfast & registration begin at 8:30am). Cost: $25 per person includes the workshop and an optional follow-up session to be held in April at Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood. Lunch: Bring your own lunch; Refrigeration and coffee & water will be provided. Please register at the COSTL website: centeringprayerstl.org/category/centering-prayer-workshop —pay online via PayPal by clicking the “Buy Now” button OR complete the online form and bring cash/check to the event, or send a check payable to Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis, 514 East Argonne Dr., Kirkwood, MO 63122. This workshop is open to the public so please register early as we will try to limit the class size to thirty participants. Once you have registered please let Jim Gerst jimgerst46@gmail.com, 314-303-8674, or Charlotte or Will Ridley ridleywp@att.net 314-821-852 know so we can keep track of the number of Faith Des Peres family attending.