A Message from Pastor Junie

Thanks be to God for all who helped make Presbyterian Church USA’s General Assembly (GA) such a success here in St Louis!  Our ability to pray, deliberate and decide how to move forward in issues of governance, worship, and polity make it a joy to be Presbyterian.

Thanks be to God that we stood up in GA for those imprisoned as child immigrants as well as those in jail who cannot pay cash bond here in St  Louis.  If you missed the local nightly news, we raised over $48,000 to let those in jail here go free.  May the children separated from family at the border be reunited soon.  May God have mercy.

In Christ,

Junie Ewing, Rev Dr

Gap Pastor

Circle of Concern

It’s a communion Sunday which means the kids will pull the wagon and collect food for Circle of Concern during the offering time. The idea behind Feeding the Flock is that while we are spiritually fed at Christ’s table, we are called to physically feed others. This is an important outreach ministry of Faith Des Peres, and is one that gets everyone involved. Even if you forgot food today, you can always donate food to Circle of Concern by dropping it off at the church. Thank you.

Friday Foodies, July 6th at 7pm

Please join a group from Faith Des Peres for Friday Foodies at 7pm, July 6th at Sugo’s Frontenac.  This is a great time to get to know folks better while enjoying a meal together. Please RSVP to Beth Willock at 618-978-0992 if you need childcare so we can make appropriate               arrangements.  A sign up to let us know who to expect for dinner will be available in the gathering space on Sunday, 7/1 or RSVP directly to Beth Willock. 

Join PALS for a Trip to Sunken Cities

On Sunday, July 8 Faith Des Peres PALS will be going to the St. Louis Art Museum for an afternoon tour of the Sunken Cities: Egypt's Lost Worlds exhibit.  All parents and other church members are invited to join the PALS group for this fascinating excursion.  We will have a pizza lunch in the Gathering Space following worship and will leave the church around 12:15 or 12:30 p.m. to head to the Art Museum.  We should return to the church before 3 p.m.  We will need several drivers to provide carpooling to the Museum.  Any questions and to let us know if you plan to join us and are willing to drive: contact Will Ridley or Barb Abbett.            

Annual Congregational Meeting July 15

Faith Des Peres will conduct its annual meeting on Sunday, July 15 immediately following worship service.  The purpose of the meeting will be to elect elders for the 2019 -2020 term.  The budget for the next fiscal year, July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019, will be presented.  Brief updates on other news and activities around Faith Des Peres also will be provided.  Please be sure to attend this meeting to help elect members to serve on the  Session and learn more about the church's budget for next year.

Picnic in the Park, Sunday, August 12th at 10:30 am

Mark your calendars for our fourth Church in the Park worship service! Church will be at Scout Shelter in Kirkwood Park.  There is ample parking near to the pavilion and space for the kids to run around. We’ll bless the backpacks of all our students and afterwards enjoy a BBQ lunch. The church provides burgers, dogs, drinks and paper products. It’s potluck for the sides, salad and deserts.  It will be lots of fun, so we hope to see you there.  Wear your t-shirts! Please sign-up in the Gathering Space or by replying to this email to RSVP. Let us know how many are coming.

A Message From Junie

The General Assembly of the PCUSA this week in St. Louis condemns the separation of families at the border, as does our neighbor, Congregation Shaare Emeth. Called to love our neighbors, this is a real opportunity to “Challenge the Present, Change the Future, and to Make Christ Known.”,     

                                                                                                                                                        The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love the stranger as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Eternal your God.
- Lev. 19:34
 
Yesterday, President Trump signed an executive order ending the policy of separating children from their parents while continuing to adopt a zero-tolerance policy for unauthorized border crossings. The zero-tolerance policy means the administration will still aggressively pursue prosecution of parents, so parents and children will now be imprisoned together in detention facilities for an indefinite period of time. The executive order does not allow for families to apply for asylum and does not include a plan to reunite families who have already been separated. While we are relieved to see that children will no longer be taken from their parents at the border, this policy is still inhumane. It does not reflect our values as Americans; nor does it reflect our Jewish values.
 
Many of you have reached out, asking what you can do. Below, please find a list of current actions that we can take as individuals and as a community. We cannot remain silent in the face of such immoral and destructive policies. We must continue to use our voices to speak out on behalf of families who are suffering and who cannot speak for themselves.
 
Now is the time to act. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to be in touch.
 
L’shalom,
Rabbi Jim Bennett                                          Rabbi Jonah Zinn
Rabbi Andrea Goldstein                                 Rabbi Jeff Stiffman
Cantor Seth Warner
 
1. Contact our members of Congress.
Phone numbers and a sample script are listed at the bottom of this email.
2. Provide tangible support.
Support detainees and separated families by sending care packages listed below to a Reform congregation in Texas who will get the items to the detainees. You can drop these supplies off at Congregation Shaare Emeth or send them directly to: Michael Blum Social Action Chair, Temple Emanuel, 4300 Chai Street (North C Street) McAllen, Texas 78504. Please note: we will only accept items from the list below.
 Pedialyte; Blankets; Women's underwear in sizes 5-6 – new;
Women's bras and sports bras in 32-36 – new; Maternity pants;
Children's shoes in all sizes, particularly athletic shoes – new;
Shampoo, body wash, soap, razors,
men and women’s deodorant (must be new);
Children's toys – small and new
3. Make a donation. 
Consider a donation to an organization that advocates for the rights and best interests of unaccompanied immigrant children. To read more and make a donation visit: RAICES.org or The Youth Center
4. Attend a rally. 
Register here to join the Families Belong Together mobilization on June 30, 2018. There will be a delegation from Shaare Emeth attending this rally. If you would like to share a ride, contact Debbie Bram at dbram@sestl.org or 314-569-0010.
5. Stay Informed.
The news regarding our nation’s immigration policies is ever-changing. Stay informed with these organizations who are taking action and who represent our Jewish values.
 
•             The Religious Action Center
•             The Jewish Community Relations Council
•             The MICA Project

Information for Contacting Our President, Senators and Representatives
 
Call the offices below.
State your name and tell the person answering the phone that you are a constituent and an active member of Congregation Shaare Emeth.
 
Sample script: While I appreciate the executive order signed by President Trump on Wednesday, June 20, I am still deeply concerned about our nation’s immigration policies. At best, this executive order will result in parents and children being imprisoned together. I believe these families should have the right to apply for asylum and I would like to be informed of a plan for reuniting the families who have already been separated. My religion teaches us that we are to welcome the stranger and the oppressed and I believe our country can do better.
•             President Trump: (202) 456-1111
•             Senator Claire McCaskill: (202) 224-6154
•             Senator Roy Blunt: (202) 224-5721
•             Representative Lacy Clay Jr.: (202) 225-2406
•             Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer: (202) 225-2956
•             Representative Ann Wagner: (202) 225-1621
 

Thank You!

It was wonderful worshipping with 70 Commissioners/ FDP Members at the Old Meeting House to celebrate the 223rd General Assembly. Thank you to all that contributed in making this a wonderful event. Thank you to Carol Beth True Trio for great music and Thank you Rev. Joe Marting for preaching about the history of Elijah Parish Lovejoy

Picnic in the Park, Sunday, August 12th at 10:30 am

Mark your calendars for our fourth Church in the Park worship service! Church will be at Scout Shelter in Kirkwood Park.  There is ample parking near to the pavilion and space for the kids to run around. We’ll bless the backpacks of all our students and afterwards enjoy a BBQ lunch. The church provides burgers, dogs, drinks and paper products. It’s potluck for the sides, salad and deserts.  It will be lots of fun, so we hope to see you there.  Wear your t-shirts! Please sign-up in the Gathering Space or by replying to this email to RSVP. Let us know how many are coming.

A Message from Junie

Many here have labored long and hard to help bring us together, made one by the Holy Spirit,

into communal space through PCUSA’s General Assembly. Thanks to all for their efforts.  

Thanks be to God for our connections and connectedness as congregation and PCUSA. 

Called to share our gifts, we bring different gifts together to share for the good of all.

Walter Brueggemann says it well in his poem below, called “We are different”:

“We are counted your people,

    We are grateful to be called by you, and

        glad for our specific way of faith in the world.

You have marked us and named us and signed us,

        and we are different,

                  different memories,

                  different hopes,

                  different fears,

                  different commands,

                  different ways of being.

That difference we find glorious, but at times a burden too severe.

     We yearn to be like others,

                  like others in power,

                                    in money,

                                    in freedom,

                                    in certitude,

                                    in security,

                 like the others

                             uncalled, unburdened, unembarrassed.

We come to you in that deep trial of difference and likeness.

      Engage us in our difference,

       Give courage for our different vocations,

            and energy for our different hope.

In the name of your crucified, Easter One, so unlike the others.

Amen.”                                                                                                                                                              From “Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth:  Prayers of Walter Brueggemann (p. 89)”

Special General Assembly Worship at the Old Des Peres Church Sunday

Please join us at the Old Des Peres Church (aka Old Meeting House) next Sunday, June 17, as we welcome and worship with commissioners from General Assembly. Please sign up on the sheet in the Gathering Space so we know how many to expect. And don't forget to wear your blue FDP shirts ... they're a great way to show the commissioners who we are!

Summer Worship

We hope to see many of you this Sunday at the Old Des Peres Church (OMH) when we will welcome about 40 commissioners who are in St. Louis for General Assembly.  Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by lunch under tents on the lawn.  If you plan to attend you may want to talk to others and think about carpooling from the Clayton Road Church.  We hope to see you this Sunday.

We will return to the Clayton Road Church for worship on Sunday, June 24.  Other days we will worship at the Old Des Peres Church this summer are Sunday, Aug. 5 and Sunday, Sept. 2.

With Sympathy

Our sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Jayne Burks, a former member of Faith Des Peres who served as a ruling elder from January 1996 until January 2002.  Jayne passed away on May 26, 2018.  She moved to Crawfordsville, Ind. several years after her husband, Mel Rubenstein, passed away in 1995.  Jayne's ashes will be interred at the columbarium at the Old Des Peres Church in July.  More information will be available in the future.  

Volunteers Needed for 223rd General Assembly in St. Louis

From Saturday, June 16 through Saturday, June 23 several thousand Presbyterians from all corners of the country will be in St. Louis for the Presbyterian Church (USA) 223rd General Assembly. Volunteers are needed in many areas -- helping to prepare and serve communion, usher at worship services, greet arriving guests at one of several downtown hotels and a           myriad of other tasks.  A website -- stlouisga.org -- hosted by the Committee on Local           Arrangements (COLA) lists the many volunteer opportunities during the gathering, which will be held at the Convention Center in downtown St. Louis.  Please visit the website --               stlouisga.org -- in the next few days and sign up to volunteer.  Ushering or helping with    communion at the opening worship service at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 16 offers a special opportunity.  On June 23 at the closing worship service each church in the Giddings-Lovejoy Presbyterian is encouraged to have two volunteers to help serve communion.  Hopefully, you will consider being a part of this exciting and important gathering of Presbyterians.  If you have questions, check with Dianne Modrell, Roy Lenox or Barb Abbett who are volunteering with COLA in some of the planning areas.  

Welcome Rev. Joe Marting June 17

When GA Commissioners come to Faith Des Peres' Old Des Peres Church (aka Old Meeting House) on Sunday, June 17 the Rev. Joe Marting will be preaching and leading the worship service.  Rev. Marting is a retired minister who served Southminster Presbyterian Church in Crestwood before his retirement several years ago.  Joe has filled in as preacher at Faith Des Peres on a number of occasions since his retirement.  We are happy he will be with us at the historic Old Des Peres Church to help welcome approximately 40 Commissioners to the 223rd General Assembly being held in St. Louis.  Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by lunch under tents on the lawn.  Please plan to join us for worship on June 17.

Hosting General Assembly, June 17

General Assembly is a little over a month away. FDP is hosting roughly 40 guests from around the country on Sunday 17, 2018 at the Old Meeting House. We will be having a special service and a catered lunch after. We are needing some volunteers to help with the event. If you are available here are the areas we could use some help:

· 2 Members to ride with the commissioners on the bus from the Convention Center to FDP. The two members will need to be downtown by 8:30 to help escort them  on the correct bus.

·  Members who will help set up at the Old Meeting House. (Tables & Chairs)

·  Members that will donate bottled waters, soda, bottled tea, Coolers

·  Members who will want to help with clean up.

Please let Danny Mortimer, Erica Abbett, or Ashley Laws know if you can help.

Special General Assembly Worship at the Old Des Peres Church Sunday, June 17

Please join us at the Old Des Peres Church (aka Old Meeting House) next Sunday, June 17, as we welcome and worship with commissioners from General Assembly. Please sign up on the sheet in the Gathering Space so we know how many to expect. And don't forget to wear your blue FDP shirts ... they're a great way to show the commissioners who we are!

Welcome Rev. Joe Marting June 17

When GA Commissioners come to Faith Des Peres' Old Des Peres Church (aka Old Meeting House) on Sunday, June 17 the Rev. Joe Marting will be preaching and leading the worship service.  Rev. Marting is a retired minister who served Southminster Presbyterian Church in Crestwood before his retirement several years ago.  Joe has filled in as preacher at Faith Des Peres on a number of occasions since his retirement.  We are happy he will be with us at the historic Old Des Peres Church to help welcome approximately 40 Commissioners to the 223rd General Assembly being held in St. Louis.  Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by lunch under tents on the lawn.  Please plan to join us for worship on June 17.

Volunteers Needed for 223rd General Assembly in St. Louis

From Saturday, June 16 through Saturday, June 23 several thousand Presbyterians from all corners of the country will be in St. Louis for the Presbyterian Church (USA) 223rd General Assembly. Volunteers are needed in many areas -- helping to prepare and serve communion, usher at worship services, greet arriving guests at one of several downtown hotels and a           myriad of other tasks.  A website -- stlouisga.org -- hosted by the Committee on Local           Arrangements (COLA) lists the many volunteer opportunities during the gathering, which will be held at the Convention Center in downtown St. Louis.  Please visit the website --               stlouisga.org -- in the next few days and sign up to volunteer.  Ushering or helping with    communion at the opening worship service at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 16 offers a special opportunity.  On June 23 at the closing worship service each church in the Giddings-Lovejoy Presbyterian is encouraged to have two volunteers to help serve communion.  Hopefully, you will consider being a part of this exciting and important gathering of Presbyterians.  If you have questions, check with Dianne Modrell, Roy Lenox or Barb Abbett who are volunteering with COLA in some of the planning areas.  

Hosting General Assembly, June 17

General Assembly is a little over a month away. FDP is hosting roughly 40 guests from around the country on Sunday 17, 2018 at the Old Meeting House. We will be having a   special service and a catered lunch after. We are needing some volunteers to help with the event. If you are available here are the areas we could use some help:

· 2 Members to ride with the commissioners on the bus from the Convention Center to FDP. The two members will need to be downtown by 8:30 to help escort them  on the correct bus.

·  Members who will help set up at the Old Meeting House. (Tables & Chairs)

·  Members that will donate bottled waters, soda, bottled tea, Coolers

·  Members who will want to help with clean up.

Please let Danny Mortimer, Erica Abbett, or Ashley Laws know if you can help.