September/October News Volume 71, No. 6

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.” Psalm 125:1

Dear Church: As you all know by now, at year’s end, I will complete my work and partnership with you in our interim journey.

From the start, (November 1, 2021) our mutual intention as congregation and Interim Minister was to work together until Compton called a Settled Minister.

But, alas, the financial resources of the congregation at this time cannot ethically justify the continued high overall percentage investment you have placed in an Intentional Interim Minister over these last two years, which you have made in great good faith!

This reality and circumstance is the fault of no one! The Cabinet/Board will be working to outline a plan for the new interim phase in the New Year. Stay tuned.

The structural foundation to support and sustain the entire interim journey has been formed. Through Compton Oneing and the Vision Action Team, every idea, project, process, and initiative for all ages is being “tracked” and nurtured in Four Ministry Areas:

Worship & Faith Formation
Congregational Fellowship
Community Engagement
Care/Use of the Building & Relationship with Isaiah 58 Ministries.

Much of the fruit of this work is being realized this fall.
Knitting Group, September 7, October 5
Disciples 101 Sunday School, September 10, 17, 24
Compton Oneing, October 1, Work on challenges with inter-generational ministry Creative Worship, October 1, African-American Spirituals & Reconciliation Sunday Trivia Night, November 17

Final round of grant proposal for shared youth minister with Oak Hill & St. Johns Formulation of “capital campaign/fundraising” team for outstanding building debt Advent Congregational Fellowship, TBA

In 2024, Compton Heights Christian Church will continue this interim work and journey.

In the meantime, we continue to do as much as we can together. All of us have placed our trust in God’s goodness and grace for a very long time. We do everything that’s within our power to do, and then, we trust God to ever show us the way in all circumstances.

That’s who we are as congregation. That’s who we are as clergy. That’s why we call it our FAITH journey!

In continued gratitude, faith and trust,

Steve

Prayers of the Community

Please hold in prayer: Walt T., Penny and Howard M., Nancy O. for her mother, George H., Joan J. for her aunt Adeline in hospice care, Diane R.’s mother and her cousin Mona, DebE M.’s friend Sheila, Leslie L.’s parents, Carolyn H.’s sister. We Also pray for: An end to fighting in Ukraine; an end to gun violence in the USA; all who have been killed, injured and driven from their homes to refuge in other countries and those affected by extreme weather events. Everyone struggling with loneliness, depression and isolation. All who grieve the loss of loved ones. All of our LGBTQ family and friends. Anyone experiencing pain and alienation:may you know that God loves ALL of us.

Weekly Worship Notes

CHCC continues worshiping in person on Sundays at 11 a.m. Masks are optional; do what works for you. We now circulate during Passing of the Peace; if you prefer to keep a distance, feel free to remain in your pew and wave. Continue to sign the Greeter’s register as you enter, and pick up a bulletin and communion elements.

SIGN UP to participate in worship: Streaming Tech, Greeter, Elder, Deacons, Liturgist and Nursery Volunteer. PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME! Click here to sign up.

New Study On Sunday Morning: Disciples of Christ 101

Have you ever wondered where the name “Christian Church Disciples of Christ” came from? Or why we have regions and a general minister and president? Why we take communion every Sunday and who is welcome at the table? What it takes to become a member?

Answers to these and more will be shared in a new Sunday morning adult short study for everyone—new and longtime members and guests. The Rev. Brenda Booth will lead these sessions for 3 weeks beginning Sept. 10 at 10:00 a.m. in the library. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and join a lively half hour of discovery!

Erasers Are Still Needed

We are still collecting pink erasers for the school backpacks that Isaiah 58 ministries will distribute in 2024. Our goal is 200, and at last count we had 140; shop those sales!

Upcoming Events

• Sunday Worship is at 11 a.m. in person and live stream on Facebook
• Choir Rehearsal at 10 a.m. on Sundays
• Disciples 101 beginning Sunday, Sept. 10 at 10:00 a.m., Library Spirit Bloom on Zoom Mondays at 7 p.m.
• Board of Ministry: Wednesday, September 6, on Zoom
• Book Circle: Saturday, September 16 at 1 p.m. on Zoom
• Elders Circle: Wednesday, September 20, on Zoom
• Tower Grove PrideFest: September 23-24, 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
• Pastor’s Cabinet: Wednesday, September 27 on Zoom
• Open Mic Night: Friday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
• World Communion Sunday Celebration, October 1
• Oneing Event & Lunch re Ministry with Children and Youth: October 1 after Worship
• Ministry Groups: Wednesday, October 4, 7 p.m. on Zoom
• Yarn Craft Circle: Thursday, October 5, 7 p.m. at Judi Linville’s home.
• Festival of Sharing ShareFest: Saturday, October 7 at LifeWise

Tower Grove Pride September 23-24

Once again, Compton Heights will have a presence at Tower Grove PrideFest the last weekend in September. Our booth offers us a chance to bear witness to God’s love and a chance to connect LGBTQ+ people, hear their faith stories and possibly find a welcoming church home.

Our booth is located in the Orange Zone on the above map, we will be on south side of Humboldt Circle – booth O-SIC-3 – which means Orange, South Inner Circle 3. Our booth is staffed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Click here to sign up to help staff our booth.

Open Mic Night – September 29th

Bring yourself and a friend or two to our next Open MIC Night on Friday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Sing, Play, Speak! Light snacks are provided. Make a new friend or two as well. Advance registration is appreciated but not required. Contact Diane R. to sign up to share your talent.

Special Oneing Event October 1

Join us for lunch and discussion immediately following worship – Dale Kuhn, LCSW, former Executive Director of Care & Counseling will lead us in a conversation to name our challenges and identify
next steps to bring greater unity of mind and purpose in caring for and partnering with children, youth and families. Lunch will be provided.

What/Who is Compton’s Community?

This was the topic for reflection at the Sept. Board of Ministry meeting. One person’s notes included the following ideas:

A community that supports people, heals wounds, encourages faith. A safe place to question and explore questions of faith. An authentic welcome and radical hospitality. The Good News is that You Are Loved just as you are. A place of nurture, of striving for Wholeness in a Fragmented World. A place that tries to Walk the Walk…Black Lives Matter, PrideFest, All Means All, Differing Abilities. We are all flawed and sometimes fail, but we try to do the best we can; we try to take away barriers. A place where people of all faiths and of no faith can experience the love of God.

What would you add? If our Church closed its doors tomorrow, who would miss us?

Special Offering for Reconciliation Ministry

The Reconciliation Ministry Special Offering is received each year in congregations on the last Sunday in September and the first Sunday in October (in solidarity with World Communion Sunday). Funds generated by this special emphasis are used throughout the year to provide grants to ministries and congregations actively developing and implementing programs that promote our Church’s Pro- Reconciliation and Anti-Racist identity. These programs and efforts seek to reveal, re-educate, and remove systemic and structural barriers in our communities that serve to deny the image of God and human thriving based on race.

This past summer a grant from Reconciliation Ministry helped our partner, Isaiah 58 Ministries, create a special program for their highly successful Juneteenth Celebration on June 17 that was attended by more than 150 folks from the community.

Our gifts to Reconciliation Ministry strengthen our Church’s witness to God’s unending love for all of humanity. With our generosity, leaders, communities, and our congregations are being equipped to witness to God’s love and justice in all times and in every season. The time is always ripe to stand up for justice to ensure that all of God’s children are treated equitably.

Stewardship: Every Gift Matters

Beginning on October 15, we will be hearing from some of our members about what Stewardship—of time, talent, money—means to them. Also we will think about what Stewardship of creation, of our building, and of our relationships and personal health mean. All of this will be leading up to a time of personal commitment for our giving in 2024 that will be held on Sunday, November 5.

We don’t yet have a theme. Maybe you can suggest one: contact Judi L., Marty H., or Kathy M. Some of our past themes have included: Forward in Ministry Forward in Faith Generous Living, Generous Giving More than Enough

Remember

Please volunteer for Coffee Hour; see the sign up sheets on the library doors. October needs you!