Fall/October 2024 News – Volume 72, No. 7

Dear Church: I’ve told you a few basic details about me in the past few weeks, and you’ll learn even more in my time with you. I haven’t yet told you the most interesting thing about me: When I was on a trip to Japan in my mid-20s, I dislocated my shoulder while climbing Mount Fuji. At night! You may be asking: “Why would you climb Mount Fuji at night?” It seemed like a good idea at the time, and some guidebooks even recommended it. If you climbed the mountain during the night, you could be at the summit when the sun rose the next morning. That’s apparently a glorious sight. I wouldn’t know, because at dawn, I was in the emergency room of a Japanese small-town hospital.

I really wasn’t a youthful daredevil, but I did have a little more appetite for risk then. Sometimes, I think I’m so much wiser now. Other times, I’m thinking I’d really like to have some of that appetite for risk back. Climbing the mountain at night may have been foolish. There was also a potentially glorious sight waiting in the morning. It’s hard to discern at times if we should be safe to avoid a foolish decision, or if we should take a risk for the sake of experiencing something that takes our breath away.

Discernment: As I shared at the congregational meeting this week, that’s one of the favorite terms of interim pastors. It’s also easier to talk about than to practice. In the words of theologians Dorothy Bass and Craig Dykstra, discernment is lived out as we “seek, recognize, and intentionally take part in the activity of God in concrete situations.” (Dorothy Bass and Craig Dykstra) It takes listening, praying, and waiting. It takes choosing hope over fear. It takes allowing God to direct our choices- sometimes saying No to avoid an unwise decision; sometimes saying Yes and taking a risk, not knowing the outcome. It takes allowing God to be our companion in this journey and listening to God speaking in one another.

I’m thankful to be a companion and pastor at Compton Heights as you discern the next steps in your mission. I can’t guarantee this is a journey without some scrapes, or some drastically different results than the one we expect. I’m sure of something else, though: as we allow God to be at work among us, and we discern how God is at work, there may even be some moments of light dawning among us that take our breath away.

Pastor Jody

Life of Compton Community

Compton calls Rev. Joseph “Jody” Clegg as Transitional Pastor

At the Congregational meeting on August 4, members voted to call as part-time transitional pastor Rev. Joseph D. (Jody) Clegg. He began his ministry with us on August 18.

Pastor Jody is a 2016 M.Div. graduate of Eden Theological Seminary. He was ordained into pastoral ministry in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in 2017 through Kirkwood Baptist Church (Kirkwood, MO), where he is a member. Before starting seminary in 2013, he was an active lay leader at KBC, serving as adult education teacher, deacon, trustee, and church pianist. In fact, it was through his work as an adult education teacher that he discerned a call into professional ministry- something that, as a pastor’s kid, he said he’d never do!

He is a Georgia native who graduated with his B.A. in Political Science from George Washington University and moved to St. Louis to attend Washington University Law School- then stayed in St. Louis! Before seminary, he served as a compliance officer for 13 years, first for an employee benefits administrator and then for an investment adviser.

He has previously served as Sabbatical Pastor at Affton Christian Church, Hope United Church of Christ (St. Louis), Webster Groves Christian Church, Community Christian Church (Manchester), and as Bridge Pastor at Union Avenue Christian Church.

He and his wife Kathy live in Affton and have two children: Aidan, who is about to begin his junior year at Pennsylvania State University; and Lily, who graduated from Affton High School this past May. Welcome, Pastor Jody!

Prayer Requests

Please hold in prayer: Millie S., Walt T., Howard M., Celia P.’s sister; Nancy O.’s mother and her neighbor Stacy; George H., Joan J.on the death of her aunt Adeline; Diane R.’s mother, her cousin Mona, and her uncle Jimmy; DebE M.’s friend Sheila..

We are thankful that former members Larry and Jan K. and Josh W., Jenn T. and their daughters are unhurt and pray as they continue to recover from Hurricane Helene. We continue to pray the safety of those in Hurricane Milton’s path, including the Larry and Jan K., Courtney H., and Joan J’s cousin Gary.

We Also pray for: An end to fighting and human suffering in Ukraine, Gaza and Israel; solutions to gun violence in the USA; all refugees from war, violence, or economic injustice; everyone affected by natural disasters. All people experiencing loneliness, depression, isolation and grief. All of our LGBTQ family and friends. Anyone experiencing pain and alienation:may you know that God loves ALL of us.

Special Offering for Reconciliation

On Sunday October 13, we will receive an offering for the Reconciliation Ministry, which funds anti-racism training, and projects that seek to bring people together in search of wholeness in a broken world. Please support this as you are able. Envelopes are available and there is also a link on Givelify.

Weekly Worship Notes

• We worship in person on Sundays at 11 a.m. and service is also LiveStreamed and recorded
  • 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.
• Please sign the Greeter’s register as you enter, and pick up a bulletin.
• We offer Communion by intinction. 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 as you enter the Sanctuary.
• Worship Change on October 20
  • We will worship with our sister congregation, Webster Groves Christian Church, at 10:30 a.m. in their sanctuary at 320 West Lockwood Ave, St. Louis, Mo 63119 – like Compton, WGCC is in a time of transition. They have sold their building and this is a homecoming weekend for them – celebrating the ministry they have had in their building as they prepare for the next steps in their journey as a community of faith.

Calendar of Events

• Sunday Worship is at 11 a.m. in person and live stream on Facebook
• Spirit Bloom on Zoom: Mondays at 7 p.m.
• Elders meeting: Wednesday, October 16, 7 p.m. on Zoom
• Worship at Webster Groves CC, October 20, 10:30 a.m.
• Open Mic Night: Friday, October 25, 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
• Prayer Shawls Circle: Thursday, November 7 at 7 p.m. at Joan and Dennis J.’s home
• Book Club: Saturday, November 9 at 1p.m.
• Compton 130th Anniversary Celebration, Sunday, November 17, click here for details.

Be a Genius!

Let our Pastor and Worship Team know That You can help on Sunday mornings! Liturgists , Elders and Deacons have been scheduled. If you cannot serve, please trade with someone!

SIGN UP to participate as: Streaming Tech, Greeter, Liturgist, Elder, Deacon, Nursery, Coffee Hour.

Use Signup Genius

October

• Bud O – 10/5
• Cassie S. – 10/17
• Liz V. – 10/28
• Davy S. – 10/31

November

• Peter R. – 11/9
• Joan J. – 11/11
• Linda L. – 11/14
• Arlene A. – 11/27

Opportunities to Connect

Coffee/Fellowship Hour is a Vital Ministry!

Fellowship Hour after worship is a great time to connect, and also to get to know our new transitional pastor, Rev. Jody Clegg, better! Please volunteer to host or help with refreshments; see the sign up sheet 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 Fellowship Hour signup is also available on SignUp Genius.

Spirit Bloom: Weekly Reflections

Spirit Bloom on Zoom is open to anyone with questions about spiritual development, or who would like to study scripture or spiritual questions for an hour and reflect with others. The group begins a new video series, “Dream.Think.Be.Do” on October 7. Join us at 7 p.m. on Mondays.

Open Mic Night Friday, October 25 If you have been planning to come “Sometime,” why not come this month? Do you sing, play, recite poetry? Whatever your talent, we invite you to participate in our Open Mic event for all ages. Advanced registration is appreciated, but not required. Contact Diane R. to sign up to share your talent.

Calling All Readers: Compton Heights Book Club

CHCC Book Circle is open to all readers, and we meet every other month, usually on the second Saturday of the month from 1-2 p.m. Our next meeting will be on Saturday, November 9. Watch the weekly announcements for the choice of book.

Opportunities to Show Up and Serve Others

Prayer Shawl Circle November 7

Each month, a small group meets to create shawls, blankets and more for our Prayer Shawl ministry. In November we meet at the Joan J.’s home. If you knit or crochet (or you would like to learn) come join us. Or enjoy a time for refreshments and fellowship; you are welcome too.

Isaiah 58 Ministries

October Bag of Blessings: Beef Stew, Canned Greens; Flour 2 lb bags, sugar 1 lb box; toilet paper, multi-All purpose cleaner. Bring items to the bins at the back of the sanctuary.

Thanksgiving meals: We are collecting 75 boxes of all purpose Baking Mix such as Bisquick and various house brands. Bring these to worship and add to the tower in the chancel. November 10 is the deadline.