This month the lunch gathering will be at McArthur’s on Kirkwood Rd. in Kirkwood. McArthur’s serves soup, sandwiches and salads with a “walk-up” order bar. This should speed up the process for everyone coming on his/her lunch hour. Join us!
Have you attended a “Coffee with the Pastor” in the past and are now ready to become a member of the church? Have you attended for years and now is the time to join? If so, please let Kathy Sherrick, Cat Harper, or Annie Epling know. We plan on accepting new members later this month. And in case you’re wondering, “What is the benefit of joining a church?” which is a valid question, here are some thoughts as to why you might join:
A church is a community, one with values and beliefs like yours. Joining a church will help you better understand and grow your faith, and provide a more direct path to serve God and others in your community.
Church becomes a spiritual home for your faith. A church:
∙Helps you meet new people
∙Helps you discover yourself
∙Helps you grow as a Christian
∙Provides a place for you to “practice” your faith
∙Helps you find meaning and guidance in the world
∙Helps you experience God’s love
When people gather in a church setting, they work together as a community to learn and live God’s word. We hope you’ll consider joining Faith Des Peres.
Cultural Leadership Selects Twelfth Class of Students to be Civil Rights Activists
Award Winning Program Trains Youth to Stand Up, Speak Out, and Take Action
ST. LOUIS, August 2016 — The award-winning Cultural Leadership program has announced the area high school students selected for their twelfth class. Cultural Leadership has received six community awards, most recently the 2015 Doing the Most Good Award from the Salvation Army. Cultural Leadership is a unique yearlong educational leadership program including classes, cultural activities, travel/study, public speaking, and conducting diversity workshops. The goal is to teach teens about social injustice, racism and discrimination and inspire them to work toward change, promote mutual respect and dispel stereotypes.
The 2016 Cultural Leadership Class 12 is comprised of 24 students representing 14 high schools from throughout the St. Louis region both public and private, and is racially and culturally diverse with students from 13 different houses of worship, and the voices of 13 Black students, 8 Jewish students, and 3 allies. The program began in 2004 originally for African American and Jewish students and has since expanded to accept students of all ethnicities.
"In St. Louis, like so many other communities in our country, we have not overcome the separation that leads to so many social injustices" says Holly Ingraham, executive director of Cultural Leadership. "Cultural Leadership is about bringing together youth from different backgrounds and training them to break down the things in St. Louis that separate us."
Cultural Leadership was modeled after Operation Understanding DC, www.oudc.org, a successful program in Washington, D.C. created 23 years ago. Both programs prepare students to become leaders in promoting interracial harmony and respect for diversity.
The students accepted into Cultural Leadership’s ninth year class are: Samuel Amacher, Parkway North, Bryce Berry, MICDS, Bryce Bolden, Chaminade, Camille Denton, Kirkwood, Mahogany Donaldson, Clayton, Tommy Epling, Kirkwood, Dani Gottlieb, Parkway Central, Josh Hagene, Clayton, Malone Hanis, Ladue, Amit Harir, Lafayette, Jordan Harris, Whitfield, David Jones, Vashon, Olivia Joseph, Clayton, Chenny Lee, Clayton, Elizabeth Mills, Clayton, Promise Mitchell, Central VPA, Amadi Morris, Homeschooled, Jeda Murphy, Maplewood Richmond Heights, Clara Grace O’ Connell, Metro, Leora Rauchman, Clayton, William Sherman, Bayless, Liam Simckes, Clayton, Eden Spiva, Central VPA, and Winston Waddell, Kirkwood.
Information about Cultural Leadership can be found online at www.culturalleadership.org. The phone number is 314-725-3222. Cultural Leadership is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.
The annual dinner to support the presbytery’s high school scholarship in Plan Grande 2, Nicaragua will be Monday, October 24 6:00 ~ 9:00 at LoRusso’s 3121 Watson Road, St. Louis. The scholarship program is really making a difference in Plan Grande #2. We’ve had 51 graduates since the program began and more than half of them have continued on to vocational/technical or university study. Currently 10 of them are primary school teachers! Tickets for the wonderful dinner at LoRusso’s are only $50! Reservations can be made by mailing checks made to “GLPBY” or “Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy” to 411 Tregaron Place, St. Louis, MO63131.
Dear Faith Des Peres Community,
This Sunday I’ll conclude the sermon series “Half Truths” with the cliché “Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin”. I’m going to extend the benefit of doubt to people who say this that they mean it with good intentions, but if it were said about you, how would it make you feel? People may mean it to be gracious and kind, and reflect the love they have for people, but let’s be honest – it’s said with a certain amount of judgment. And that’s why it’s only a half-truth, because it doesn’t carry the whole truth we find it scripture.
It’s no coincidence that we saved this half-truth for World Communion Sunday, because on this Sunday we remember that at Christ’s table, there is room for everyone; no one is excluded because of race, ethnic origin, economic status, social class, sexual preference, nationality, gender, or ability. On this Sunday, we “draw the circle wide” (you won’t want to miss the choir’s awesome anthem by this name!) just as Christ did!
It’s going to be a GREAT celebration. You won’t want to miss it! Is there someone in your life who has felt excluded by a church? Invite them to join us as we draw the circle wide and make Christ known!
Blessings,
Annie
Want to know how you can make a difference in people’s lives in just a few short hours? Come join members of Faith Des Peres at Food Outreach on Saturday morning, October 8. 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. Please sign up in the Gathering Space.
Have you attended a “Coffee with the Pastor” in the past and are now ready to become a member of the church? Have you attended for years and now is the time to join? If so, please let Kathy Sherrick, Cat Harper, or Annie Epling know. We plan on accepting new members later this month. And in case you’re wondering, “What is the benefit of joining a church?” which is a valid question, here are some thoughts as to why you might join:
A church is a community, one with values and beliefs like yours. Joining a church will help you better understand and grow your faith, and provide a more direct path to serve God and others in your community.
Church becomes a spiritual home for your faith. A church:
· Helps you meet new people
· Helps you discover yourself
· Helps you grow as a Christian
· Provides a place for you to “practice” your faith
· Helps you find meaning and guidance in the world
· Helps you experience God’s love
When people gather in a church setting, they work together as a community to learn and live God’s word. We hope you’ll consider joining Faith Des Peres.
The Worship Arts Center wants pictures of YOUR SAINT for a special All Saints Dayworship service. Your saint might be your Mom or Dad, brother or sister, coach or mentor; your saint is the person who molded you and helped you and shaped you into the person you are today. You can email your picture to Annie at pastor@faithdesperes.org , or bring your picture to church and leave it in the saint basket in the Gathering Space. We’ll make a copy of your picture and return the original to you. You won’t want to miss having your saint in the display, so don’t delay. We need your pictures by October 16. Thank you.
On October 16th, Dr. Terry Jones, Founders’ Professor of Political Science at UMSL, will kick off a series sponsored by the Faith Formation Center at Faith Des Peres titled “Faith and Politics”. Terry is the author of three books including, The Metropolitan Chase: Politics and Policies in Urban America, and has agreed to speak on the current political climate for both the national and statewide elections. He has spoken at FDP on previous occasions and provided insightful and thoughtful perspectives. Please join us after worship in the Gathering Space for a light lunch and an informative presentation.
This month the lunch gathering will be at McArthur’s on Kirkwood Rd. in Kirkwood. McArthur’s serves soup, sandwiches and salads with a “walk-up” order bar. This shouldspeed up the process for everyone coming on his/her lunch hour. Join us!
The annual dinner to support the presbytery’s high school scholarship in Plan Grande 2,Nicaragua will be Monday, October 24 6:00 ~ 9:00 at LoRusso’s 3121 Watson Road, St.Louis. The scholarship program is really making a difference in Plan Grande #2. We’ve had 51 graduates since the program began and more than half of them have continued gone on to vocational/technical or university study. Currently 10 of them are primary school teachers! Some of these young people are really emerging as community leaders. It’s awesome to see and be a part of. And tickets for the wonderful dinner at LoRusso’s are only $50! [Note: this price has not changed since LoRusso’s began partnering with NCP.] Reservations can be made by mailing checks made to “GLPBY” or “Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy” to 411 Tregaron Place, St. Louis, MO63131.
Dear Faith Des Peres Community,
I’m halfway through the sermon series on Half-Truths. Thank you for the positive feedback! This week we’re delving into the half-truth “God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It”. You’ve probably seen this saying on bumper stickers or billboards. Even though Presbyterians don’t read the Bible literally, when and how do we draw the line between what is “truth” and what’s a “half-truth” or no longer true? Is it solely based on whether we agree with it or not? Does the New Testament take precedence over the Old Testament? Spoiler alert: the answer to those last two questions is “no”.
We posted our “roving reverend” video for this week early, and I think you’ll find our on-the-street interviews insightful. As we seek to challenge the present to change the future to make Christ known, it’s important for us to hear what people outside the church think of these Christian clichés, because it affects what they think of Christians and therefore us! You can find the video here. This is also a great opportunity to invite someone to church, particularly someone who holds a skeptical view of church. What they hear here may surprise them! The key to fulfilling the vision God has given us is in large part your willingness to live your faith, and to invite others to join you on this journey.
See you Sunday.
Annie
You’re invited to “Coffee with the Pastor” on Sunday, September 25 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, we plan on accepting new members during worship in October. Questions? Ask Pastor Annie or Cat Trotter. It would be an honor to be your church family.
Plan to join the PW Bible study on Wednesday, September 28 9:30 am in the Gathering Space as we begin our monthly bible study. The book, Who is Jesus?, is available in the Gathering Space. Please prepare Lesson 1 for our first meeting. All women are welcome to attend.
If you missed the Shared Ministry Fair two weeks ago, there’s still a chance to sign-up for something. From “one and done” volunteer opportunities to something ongoing, there’s something for everyone. Many hands make light work! Look for sign-up sheets in the Gathering Space. Thanks!
The buddy packs program provides weekend meals for 5 students at Robinson Elementary school. There are three different types of volunteer opportunities for this school year. We need one or 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 Robinson 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 links below.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4aaba922a5fd0-buddy1
Want to know how you can make a difference in people’s lives in just a few short hours? Come join members of Faith Des Peres at Food Outreach on Saturday morning, October 8. 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. Please sign up in the Gathering Space.
The Worship Arts Center wants pictures of YOUR SAINT for a special All Saints Day worship service. Your saint might be your Mom or Dad, brother or sister, coach or mentor; your saint is the person who molded you and helped you and shaped you into the person you are today. You can email your picture to Annie at pastor@faithdesperes.org , or bring your picture to church and leave it in the saint basket in the Gathering Space. We’ll make a copy of your picture and return the original to you. You won’t want to miss having your saint in the display, so don’t delay. We need your pictures by October 16. Thank you.
The 2016 Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery History Tour will be to Bellefontaine Cemetery on Thursday, October 13 8:45 am– 3 pm. The cost is $63.00 per person which includes a boxed lunch. The tour will depart from Kirkwood Presbyterian Church. Register by calling Betsy Stoll at 314-821-0533.
Dear Faith Des Peres Community,
This Sunday I’ll continue the sermon series “Half Truths” where we are examining Christian clichés that don’t make sense once you start to really think about them. This week we’ll look at the saying “God helps those who help themselves”. Quick – is this in the Bible or not? Join us Sunday for the whole truth behind the truth!
This sermon series is a great opportunity to invite someone to worship. Maybe you know someone who is going through a difficult period, asking the perennial question “Why”. Maybe you yourself are asking that question and haven’t been to church in a while. Come on Sunday, and invite someone to join you, to discover the whole truth that brings more comfort than the half-truth. You can invite someone by forwarding this email to them. How much simpler could it be?
If you haven’t been to church in a while, consider coming back on Sunday. And, know that when you aren’t here, you’re missed.
Hope to see you Sunday.
Blessings,
Annie