February 2024 News Volume 72, No. 1

Meet Rev. Rebecca Turner, Our New Transitional Minister

Dear Compton Family,

It is a real pleasure for me to be joining you as Transitional Minister. “Transitional”: it’s a great word for a new year, isn’t it? It’s a between time. We’re traveling between the past and the future, not knowing exactly where we are going, only knowing that God leads us, surrounds us, and maybe even pushes gently from behind. I think a transition is a time for experimentation, like trying on new clothes to see what fits. A spirit of experimentation allows us to “play,” to do new things and see where our hearts take us. Come, let’s play! “Delight in YHWH, and you’ll be given the desires of your heart.”-Psalm 37:4

Let’s get acquainted during the coffee time after worship, okay? 

Rebecca

Prayers of the Community

Please hold in prayer: Rev. Rebecca T. as she begins ministry with us; Walt T., Howard M., Dennis J. as he continues to recover; Celia P. in the loss of her brother-in-law, Warren; Nancy O. for her mother, George H., Joan J. for her aunt Adeline in hospice care, Diane R’s mother, her cousin Mona, and her uncle Jimmy; DebE M.’s friend Sheila, Leslie L’s parents, Carolyn H’s sister. We Also pray for: An end to fighting in Ukraine, Gaza and Israel; 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; if you need one, they are available as you enter the Sanctuary. We circulate during Passing of the Peace; if you prefer to keep a distance, feel free to remain in your pew and wave. We also have begun offering Communion by intinction, where you are invited to come forward to receive the bread and dip it into the cup. If you prefer to take communion in your seat, the individual cups are available to pick up as you enter the Sanctuary. Please continue to sign the Greeter’s register as you enter, and pick up a bulletin.

Calendar

Click here to view the church calendar

• Deanna S. – Feb. 5
• Maddie E. – Feb. 14
• Matthew C. – Feb. 18
• Lynda G. – Feb. 18
• Hugh R. – Feb. 20
• Anderson M. – Feb. 21
• Celia P. – Feb. 23
• Nancy O. – Feb. 28

Book Club Meets on March 9th

Compton Heights CC Book Club meets the second Saturday of every other month on Zoom at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join the discussion, even if you haven’t finished (or read) the book! The group will read Democracy Awakening:Notes on the State of America, by Heather Cox Richardson. Dr. Richardson is an academic historian, author of the newsletter “Letters from an American” and professor of history at Boston College. Click here for more information and/or to get the zoom link.

Coffee Hour Hosts Needed

Please volunteer for Coffee Hour; see the sign up sheets on the library doors. You can simply bring a few snacks, or set out juice and make coffee, or both. Napkins, plates and cups are provided. Coffee Hour signup will also be available on SignUp Genius

Equal Exchange Supports Small Farmers, Sustainable Growing

At CHCC, we offer Equal Exchange Coffee during weekly Coffee Hour. (You may help offset this cost by placing some change or cash in the can next to the hallway display.) The display in the hallway includes DeCaf and 3 regular ground coffees (Columbian, Ethiopian, and Morning Blend.) There are several varieties of tea, and also organic, fair trade chocolate bars. Making these available to you at cost is part of our outreach ministry for a greener and more just and sustainable earth. We can order anything you like from Equal Exchange. Check it out; coffee beans are also available, and many kinds of chocolate, tea and coffee, nuts, fruit, and olive oil. Let Judi L. know what you would like, and we can order it for you.

Congregation Elects Officers for 2024, Adds Deacons, Elders, and a Trustee

Meeting after church on December 16, the congregation elected the following slate of officers presented by DebE M. for the Nominating Committee. Officers will serve one year and deacons, elders and trustees serve 3-year staggered terms unless otherwise noted. (Final term year is in parentheses below.) Officers, elders, deacons and trustees are members of the Board of Ministry at CHCC.

Officers: Moderator, Darrell H.; Vice Moderator, Rev. Susan M.; Treasurers, Tom L. and Kathy M.; Financial Secretary, Marty R-H; Clerk, Judi L.

Elders: Janet U. and Nancy O. (2026). Elders continuing are Joan J., Rev. Millie S. (2024), and Rev. Susan M., Rev. Madison P., (2025).

Diaconate: Andy M., Bud O., and Dennis J. (2026). Deacons continuing are Darrell H., Michael H., Rev. Meredith J. and Liz V. (2024), and John C. (2025).

Trustee: DebE M. (2026). Continuing trustees are Madeline H. (2024), and Nancy O.(2025).

Ordained Elders are CHCC members who are recognized members of the clergy. They may choose to serve in rotation or in other ways they choose. Our CHCC Ordained Elders are Rev. Brenda B., Rev. Meredith J., Rev. Katherine K., Rev. Becky K. E., Rev. Millie S., Rev. Madison P., and Rev. Susan M.

New Transitional Pastor Brings Leadership and Service to Compton Heights Christian Church

Moderator Darrell H. wrote the following in a recent letter to the congregation.

Rev. Rebecca Turner began as Transitional Pastor of Compton Heights Christian Church on January 8th. Rebecca came through our ministerial search process as a candidate who brings excellent leadership skills and a strong background in pastoral service.

She has recently retired from Christ Church UCC in Maplewood, Missouri after serving from 2016 to 2023. Rebecca has served in a variety of pastoral and ministerial positions in UCC and Disciples congregations, including Union Avenue Christian Church. She has also worked as the Executive Director for Faith Aloud, a non-profit providing compassionate religious and spiritual support to women facing pregnancy. She is deeply committed to justice issues. During her tenure in Maplewood, an immigrant facing deportation was housed in the church until immigration issues were settled.

Rebecca’s position is part time (approximately 15 hours per week). She will primarily focus on worship leadership, including the bulletin, sermon, children’s time, pastoral prayer and presiding at the communion table. She will meet with the Board of ministry/executive committee approximately once per month, and the congregation quarterly to help plan ministry for the upcoming quarter. Rebecca will also provide pastoral care to members in emergency situations, for example in cases of bereavement and sudden illness. She will work with the Elders regarding pastoral issues that arise in this capacity.

The church will need to honor Rebecca’s part-time commitment. The Board, Elders, Diaconate and other members will need to assume leadership in areas that were covered by our interim, Rev. Steve Westbrook. For example, our study and Sunday School classes will need to develop other leadership options.

Moving to a part-time pastoral position does not mean our commitment and dedication will change. We do not know where our future will lead us. Our continued faith, hope, and love will preserve in ways we have yet to explore and realize. Our current mission statement remains unchanged:

It is our stated mission, as Compton Heights Christian Church, to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to declare his love for all people. To this end we commit ourselves to:

• the public worship and service of God, striving to live daily to God’s glory, and grow in our love and knowledge of God.
• the love and service of one another, receiving and supporting one another in everyday life, as well as in specific times of joy and sorrow.
• reaching out to others in word and deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they may come to know him, his death and his resurrection and to enter into relationship with him through this congregation.

Please welcome Rebecca to ministry with us.