Isaiah 58 Ministries provides a list of food, pantry essentials, personal care items and cleaning supplies each month. You are invited to bring any of these items to place in the Isaiah 58 Offering Basket on Sunday morning or you can drop off donations in the alley behind the building, which is where Isaiah 58 Ministries’ entrance is. The alley can be accessed from Flora Place. Donations are received M-F, 10am-1pm.
Julian of Norwich said, “The love of God creates in us a ‘oneing’ that when it is truly seen, no person can separate themselves from another person”(Julian of Norwich, Showings, 65.)
The love of God has “oned” us together at Compton Heights Christian Church where ALL are welcome! And so, similar to the Compton Rising process several years ago, Compton Oneing is a new name we have chosen for the journey of our interim ministry together, where over the next 12-18 months, we will engage our Heritage, Leadership, Mission, Connections and Future as a congregation.
Compton Oneing is everything we do in the interim period to build up and strengthen CHCC. It’s an invitation for everyone to dream, imagine, and create, in a variety of ways and formats.
As we are returning to in-person worship this month, we would also like to come together (in-person) for a Compton Oneing event! We want to spend a little time together enjoying one another’s company and engaging with our interim ministry. Steve will facilitate some fun and meaningful activities focused on intentionally naming and celebrating the core values that serve as the underlying passion and spirit of our mission and ministry together.
WHEN: Saturday, March 26 TIME: 9:00am – 11:30am WHERE: Fellowship Hall at Church FOOD: ☺ Breakfast: Fruit, Bagels & Cream Cheese, Donuts, Coffee, Tea, Juice Lunch: Going out for those who can
We hope everyone can come. Everyone is needed. God’s love makes us One. See you on Sundays and see you on Saturday, March 26! Steve
Mid-Week Lenten Worship
Dear Church, Once again, we are entering into the season of Lent. It is the season of journeying with Jesus to the cross, and therefore, it is the season of not “sweeping under the carpet” his suffering, our own suffering and the suffering of the world. It is the season of drawing near to God and to the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ comes again.
We enter this season in humble reverence because we know that the inevitable journey to and through the cross is holy, sacred, life-changing, world-changing. So, as we journey together during this season, in addition to Sunday worship, let’s come together for midweek worship too! Let’s meet on Zoom on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm.
Worship will be reflective and conversational, offering an additional touchstone with the Spirit and with one another each week.
To center our worship each week, we will use the Daily Lectionary Gospel Texts and Eugene Peterson’s interpretation of the Bible: The Message. (See information on The Message below)
Here are the assigned scripture passages and some conversation starters for each week: March 9 – Luke 21:34-22:6 “Don’t Fall Asleep at the Wheel” March 16 – Luke 13:22-31 “Strangers to Grace” March 23 – Luke 13:18-21 “How Can We Picture God’s Kingdom? March 30 – Luke 9:10-17 “Graciously Welcomed” April 6 – Luke 18:31-34 “What Didn’t They Get?” See you on Sundays AND Wednesdays during Lent! Grace & Peace, Steve
A little about The Message… “While I was teaching a class on Galatians, I began to realize that the adults in my class weren’t feeling the vitality and directness that I sensed as I read and studied the New Testament in its original Greek. Writing straight from the original text, I began to attempt to bring into English the rhythms and idioms of the original language. I knew that the early readers of the New Testament were captured and engaged by these writings and I wanted my congregation to be impacted in the same way. I hoped to bring the New Testament to life for two different types of people: those who hadn’t read the Bible because it seemed too distant and irrelevant and those who had read the Bible so much that it had become ‘old hat.’ [My] primary goal was to capture the tone of the text and the original conversational feel of the Greek, in contemporary English.” -Eugene H. Peterson
******************************
Worship Notes
NOTE! CHCC is returning to in-person Worship on Sunday, March 6
Volunteers are needed for in-person worship: Streaming Tech, Greeter, Elders, Deacons, and Liturgist. Elders and Deacons are asked to enter the dates they are serving on line and to arrange for a substitute if they cannot serve on their selected dates. Click here to go to SignUp Genius.
If you want to volunteer but need help with the online signup, let Kathy Mead know and she will walk you through the process.
Serving Schedule
March Home Communion: Elder: Judi Linville; Alt. Rev. Millie Slack; Deacon: Heather Stout March 6: Liturgist: Nancy Obermiller; Communion: Diane Richardson; Stewardship: Carolyn Harry; Deacons: Kathy Mead and Liz Vollmar March 13: Liturgist: Susan Miller; Communion: Judi Linville; Stewardship: Nancy Obermiller; Deacons TBA March 20: Liturgist: Brenda Booth; Communion: Rev. Millie Slack; Stewardship: Joan James; Deacons TBA March 27: Liturgist: Madeline Haraway; Communion: Leslie Latham; Stewardship: Marsha McGuire; Deacons TBA.
Please hold in prayer: Audrey and Walt T., Karen P., Howard M., Katherine K., Cathy H., Shannon W., Diane R., Ryan O. (husband of Steve R.’s niece.) We Also pray for: An end to violence as Russia invades Ukraine. All who have been killed, injured and driven from their homes to refuge in other countries. Those who are affected by extreme weather events. Everyone who is struggling with loneliness, depression and isolation. All who have lost family to Covid-19 and other illnesses. Workers facing burnout; exhausted medical workers and teachers. Anyone who experiences pain and alienation from past experiences: may you know that God loves ALL of us. May we find hope and choose to build healthy relationships within ourselves, with others, and with creation itself.
*****************************
Congratulations To former pastoral intern Rob Van Ness (2009-2010), who has accepted a call to be Senior Pastor at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Rob has been Senior Pastor of Holy Trinity Community Church (UCC) in Memphis, TN since 2016. He and his husband, Nicky Banks, (and their two cats) will be relocating at the end of April. Rob concluded his announcement on FaceBook with this quote: “You never really leave a place you love; you take a part of it with you…and leave a part of you behind.” So true for all of our Pastoral Interns at CHCC!
*****************************
Thank you to everyone who answered the call on Saturday, March 5 to transform the Sanctuary for Lent (by taking down the last of the Advent/Christmas decorations) and prepare the building for our return to in-person Worship on March 6.
Happy Birthday!
MARCH
16 David F
18 Courtney H.
19 Bob M.
22 Dave M.
APRIL
20 Leslie L.
25 DebE M.
26 Karen P.
29 Madison P.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, March 6, Morning Worship, 11 am
Monday, March 7, Board of Ministry, 7 pm on Zoom
Wednesday, March 9, Lenten Worship, 7 pm on Zoom
Saturday, March 12, Book Circle, 1pm on Zoom
Sunday, March 13, Morning Worship, 11am
Deacons meet after worship
Wednesday, March 16, Lenten Worship, 7 pm on Zoom
Sunday, March 20, Morning Worship, 11 am
Tuesday, March 22, Elders Circle, 7 pm on Zoom
Wednesday, March 23, Lenten Worship, 7 pm on Zoom
Saturday, March 26, Compton Oneing Event, 9 – 11:30 am
Sunday, March 27 Morning Worship, 11 am
Monday, March 28, Cabinet Meeting, 7 pm on Zoom
If you are not on the church email list and need Zoom link information, fill out the form below with information on which event you want to attend and we will send you the link.
Please plan to meet briefly after church on March 13. The Deacons need to choose a chair and discuss scheduling and responsibilities.
Book Club News
The CHCC Book Club will meet Saturday, March 12 at 1 pm on Zoom. We are reading “The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness” by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.
In-person Worship Protocol
We will continue to wear masks and observe social distancing in the pews as we return to worship in the sanctuary. Please sign the Greeter’s register as you enter and pick up a bulletin and communion elements.
Mission Notes
Wider Church Opportunities
Disciples Women in Mid-America will hold their regular monthly gathering on Saturday, March 26 at 9 a.m. Grab a cup of coffee and learn about missions in other churches of the region. For a zoom link, visit Click here for Zoom link information. Restoring Nature: What People of Faith Can Do to Heal the Earth is a Webinar jointly sponsored by the Christian Church DOC and the United Church of Christ on March 23 at Noon Central Time. Here is a description: Douglas Tallamy’s books have awakened thousands to the problem of wildlife decline and the solution that resides in habitat restoration. This is a solution of which you and your faith community can be a part. The solution can be as close as your backyard or the property surrounding your place of worship. In this webinar, Tallamy will outline the crisis faced and what we can do in response. The green teams and green thumbs of faith communities will learn not only about cultivating native plants in the landscapes around them, but also what can be done to create a transformative movement full of actions ordinary people everywhere can take. To care for God’s creation, we can start by simply stepping outside the doors of where we gather for worship to make the most of our sacred places. In this webinar, Tallamy will raise our awareness and equip us to make a difference in our world.Click here to register.
Response in Ukraine
Week of Compassion is already there! Our partners, through ACT Alliance, have already responded to the immediate needs by shipping 28 tons of food in the first days of the conflict to support those fleeing to Hungary, and staff have been working with refugees at the Ukraine/ Hungary border. Shipments of canned food, flour, sugar, oil, rice, pasta, biscuits, long-life milk, tea and hygiene products are arriving at centers for families forced to flee their homes. Shelter capacities are being scaled up, and humanitarian information points are being established to help those arriving to the border and awaiting entry. WOC also has connected with International Ministries of the American Baptist Church and their work through the European Baptist Federation in Poland and Hungary. Note: We have received $460 so far in the February special offering. Contributions for Week of Compassion can be given at any time and are still being received in the current appeal. Checks may be made to the church and designated for WOC or click here to donate through Givelify or click here to donate through PayPal
Marty Renner-Hughes, our financial secretary, is still receiving estimates of giving for 2022. If you have not yet returned your estimate form, you may simply email her with your giving intentions for 2022. We hope to have a good report of Giving at the March 7th Board Meeting.
Isaiah 58 Ministries provides a list of food, pantry essentials, personal care items and cleaning supplies each month. You are invited to bring any of these items to place in the Isaiah 58 Offering Basket on Sunday morning or you can drop off donations in the alley behind the building, which is where Isaiah 58 Ministries’ entrance is. The alley can be accessed from Flora Place. Donations are received M-F, 10am-1pm.
March Bag of Blessing items:
Food: Sardines, Hearty Soup
Pantry Essential: Cooking Oil, 48 oz or Smaller
Personal Care Items: Shampoo, Razors, Shaving Cream
Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Your gifts to Week of Compassion bring hope out of despair, find blessings amid devastation, and help transform loss into new life. Your contributions bring tangible relief and change the course of lives.
When you give, you help rebuild communities recovering from disaster. You also empower farmers to grow new kinds of crops in a changing climate; you support refugees; you empower youth through education, and empower women through vocational opportunities. In so many different ways, your gifts of love have the power to transform lives. Love is shelter. Love is a listening ear. Love is community. Love is a hopeful future. Love is a path forward. When all else seems lost, love remains.
Isaiah 58 Ministries provides a list of food, pantry essentials, personal care items and cleaning supplies each month. You are invited to bring any of these items to place in the Isaiah 58 Offering Basket on Sunday morning or you can drop off donations in the alley behind the building, which is where Isaiah 58 Ministries’ entrance is. The alley can be accessed from Flora Place. Donations are received M-F, 10am-1pm.
You are a light! You are inspiring! How your community of faith and your ministries of inclusivity and justice are so very needful in St. Louis and in our world today! How great has been the depth of your passion and commitment, especially in these months since bidding farewell to Pastor Jacque and Dave Boger! You have simply done church exceedingly well!
And so now, how shall we build up and strengthen CHCC for the future that God has in store for you? This is the “big-picture” call for this blessed time that we call interim ministry in the life of congregations.
The Center for Congregational Health outlines Five Focus Points for congregations to engage during the interim period. I shared these with the Board at our December meeting. The Board agreed that there is value in spending time engaging these Five Focus Points.
How we will do this has not been pre-determined by the Board or by me. There is no “point A to point B” roadmap to follow. I will simply bring the Board, and you, ideas and possibilities for engaging these Five Focus Points as we journey along. We may determine that some Focus Points need more or less attention than others. The methods for engaging the Focus Points may include one-on-one, small group, large group and congregation-wide activities, conversations or events.
In addition to the Five Focus Points, we will also be attentive to the interim work that the Board outlined last year to do: support CHCC’s on-going ministries of inclusivity and justice; work through challenges of intergenerational ministry; work through grief on Pastor Jacque’s retirement; discern CHCC’s call as a community of faith as it calls a settled minister. In fact, we feel that much of this work is connected to the Five Focus Points and will, therefore, be tended.
As you know, CHCC is my first call to Intentional Interim Ministry. I could not ask for a better congregation in which to begin this new chapter of my ministry. I am learning and growing alongside you. I welcome and covet your straight-forward, honest feedback and suggestions. Though my focus is on building up and strengthening you for the future, I am also here to care for you (and with you) in this interim time. Please don’t hesitate to call on me if I can help pastorally. I respond to phone calls, texts and emails.
Both Kim and I thank you for your great welcome and hospitality to us these first two months! We wish you and your families a very blessed New Year! May God’s goodness and grace energize and inspire our interim work together!
Grace & Peace,
Steve
The Work of the Congregation During the Interim Period: Focus Points Steve Westbrook, Intentional Interim Pastor
In order to successfully navigate the transition period, a congregation pays attention to these Five Focus Points developed by the Center for Congregational Health: Heritage, Leadership, Mission, Connections, Future.
Heritage:reviewing how the congregation has been shaped and formed. The congregation’s heritage, both corporate and individual, is the foundation upon which the present rests. Paying attention to heritage means encouraging and hearing all of the stories about the congregation’s past, and embracing the rich variety that makes up this particular congregation. Leadership:reviewing the membership needs and its ways of organizing and developing new and effective leadership. Transition time provides opportunity for individuals and the congregational organizations to examine the types of leadership needed. New leaders will emerge, while some seasoned leaders may re-commit or may decide to refocus their gifts. Mission:defining and redefining sense of purpose and direction. The primary work in this area involves clarifying the faith community’s identity and core values, working to develop mission and vision statements, and perhaps even working out short-term tactical plans. Connections:discovering all the relationships a faith community builds outside of itself. Sometimes congregational life is so busy that congregations and their leadership forget to attend to their connections both to their denomination and to the network of communities around them. Transition is an appropriate time to re-asses old links and to consider new ones. Future: developing congregational and pastoral profiles. Focusing on the future requires a healthy and honest assessment of the other focus points so that the congregation can turn its energy toward proactive decision-making for the future.
The Interim Period offers the congregation a variety of possibilities to engage the Five Focus Points. Knowing that each situation is unique, the Interim Minister strives to discern the tools that are most appropriate for the specific situation. Reflecting upon these five Focus Points helps a congregation to answer the questions, “Who are we?” “Who are our neighbors?” and “What is God calling us to do?”
Worship Schedule
NOTE! Starting on January 9, Worship will be on ZOOM and not In Person. The Board made this decision on January 5. Transmission of COVID-19 is very high right now and all hospitals are overwhelmed with infected patients. The Board will revisit this decision as the month progresses.
Calling all who worship with us! There are several volunteer opportunities to participate in worship each week. Click here for SignUp Genius
If you want to server but need help with the online signup, contact Kathy Mead.
January Home Communion:Elder: Leslie Latham; Alternate: Nancy Obermiller; Deacon: Tom Litton January 9: EPIPHANY SUNDAY – Communion: Carolyn Harry; Stewardship: Diane Richardson January 16:Stewardship Emphasis: Forward in Ministry – Communion: Judi Linville; Stewardship: Leslie Latham January 23:Stewardship Emphasis: Forward in Ministry – Communion: Becky Kelmme-Elicieri; Stewardship: Nancy Obermiller January 30: Dedication of Annual Stewardship Commitments – Communion: Leslie Latham; Stewardship: Marsha McGuire;
February Home Communion: Elder: Becky Klemme-Elicieri; Alternate: Diane Richardson; Deacon: Kim Litton February 6: Communion: Diane Richardson; Stewardship: Carolyn Harry
Prayers of the Community
Please hold in prayer: Audrey and Walt T., Karen P., Howard M., Bud and Nancy O., Katherine K., Cathy H.
Also: Those who have been affected by recent tornadoes. Those who are struggling with loneliness, depression and isolation this time of year.
Those who have lost lives and family to COVID. Medical workers who are facing increasing cases in the latest outbreak.
All who experience pain and alienation that they may know that God loves all of us, and we may choose and build healthy relationship with ourselves and others.
JanuaryBirthdays
1 – Kim L and Xavier L
6 – Ron H
9 – Susan P
19 – Jan K
21 – Judi L
23 – Raymond S
28 – Shannon W
February Birthdays
5 – Deanna S
14 – Maddie K-E
18 – Matthew C and Lynda G
20 – Hugh R.
21 – Annabelle M
23 – Celia P
28 – Nancy O
Book Club News
Thanks to Madeline, we will have the pleasure Vivian Gibson’s company for our discussion of her book, “The Last Children of Mill Creek”. Ms. Gibson will meet with us at our usual meeting time on Saturday, January 8 at 1:00 p.m. An email explaining this opportunity for discussion, with the Zoom link, will be going out to the entire congregation. Thanks everyone for helping to choose a great book. Thanks, especially, to Madeline for arranging to have Ms. Gibson join us. —Liz Vollmar
Wednesday, January 5, Board of Ministry Meeting
Saturday, January 8, Book Club, 1 pm
Sunday, January 9, Epiphany Sunday Worship on Zoom 11 am
Monday, January 10, Spirit Bloom on Zoom 7 pm
Sunday, January 16, Worship on Zoom 11 am
Monday, January 17, Spirit Bloom on Zoom 7 pm
Wednesday, January 19, Elders Meeting Zoom 7pm
Sunday, January 23, Worship on Zoom 11 am
Sunday, January 23, Annual Congregational Meeting on Zoom, immediately following worship service.
Monday, January 24, Spirit Bloom on Zoom 7 pm
Sunday, January 30, Annual Stewardship Commitment Sunday, Worship on Zoom 11 am
Ministry and Mission Notes
We plan on telling some Worship & Wonder stories in the nursery in the new year when in-person worship resumes. Watch for a schedule. Several members have expressed an interest in volunteering to help with Worship and Wonder. Please contact Leslie Latham or Kathy Mead and we will arrange for Safe Church boundary training and Storytelling training.
Kitchen Remodeling
The kitchen renovation is proceeding with the first stage was completed during Christmas holidays. A new epoxy floor is the first step, followed by installation of a new stove. Other projects in 2022 will include a vent hood, new movable tables, installation of a donated dishwasher and two refrigerators. New painting and lighting will complete the work, which is funded in part by donations in memory of Judy Hunter.
Winter Weather
When we resume in person worship this winter: If snow, ice, or other hazardous conditions happen on a Sunday, we will switch to worship on Zoom. Everyone will be notified by a telephone call from your care elder or phone tree member. Please make sure that the church has your current phone number(s). Notify Madeline Haraway of any changes to your contact information, please.
Isaiah 58 Ministries
Isaiah 58 is remodeling to transition to a Choice Pantry to serve their guests. A fundraising project is underway and you can find ways to help by checking their website. Click here for I58 website Also, Isaiah 58 Executive Director, Rev. Brenda Booth, is posting every day on the Isaiah 58 Ministries FaceBook page about the ministry. Check it out!
Stewardship and Outreach
Our annual Stewardship Commitment emphasis will take place January 16-30. Please watch for a personal letter and estimate of giving form in your mailbox and/or e-mail inbox soon! As 2021 came to a close, it was clear that the Overflowing Generosity of our congregation had not only continued our historic ministry at Compton Heights Christian Church through a pandemic, but also had some distinct highlights. A full list of those will be included with your letter. Please read it and recall how much we managed to do for ministry despite many obstacles and restrictions! Now it is time to consider how we can continue to support and grow this ministry that embraces ministry in the city. In 2022, as we move Forward in Ministry, we will begin the work of discernment of our strengths, our areas that need attention, and our future mission as we are led by our intentional interim pastor to involve everyone in the process of discovering our call and ministry priorities. Please prayerfully consider your time, talents and treasure as we gather estimates of giving and plan to dedicate them on January 30 in Worship. Remember that these statements from you are handled in confidence by our Financial Secretary, Marty Renner-Hughes.
Isaiah 58 Ministries provides a list of food, pantry essentials, personal care items and cleaning supplies each month. You are invited to bring any of these items to place in the Isaiah 58 Offering Basket on Sunday morning or you can drop off all donations in the alley behind the building, which is where our entrance is. The alley can be accessed from Flora Place. Donations are received M-F, 10am-1pm.
There are several volunteer opportunities for members to participate in worship each week. The schedules for Elders and Deacons have been prearranged and are included here. Elders and Deacons are asked to arrange a substitute if they cannot serve on their assigned dates and inform Kathy Mead so that she can change the schedule on Sign Up Genius. Other roles each Sunday are listed on Sign Up Genius, go to the “Get Involved” tab on the church website https://comptonheights.wordpress.com/get-involved/
Isaiah 58 Ministries provides a list of food, pantry essentials, personal care items and cleaning supplies each month. You are invited to bring any of these items to place in the Isaiah 58 Offering Basket on Sunday morning or you can drop off donations in the alley behind the building, which is where Isaiah 58 Ministries’ entrance is. The alley can be accessed from Flora Place. Donations are received M-F, 10am-1pm.
December Bag of Blessing items:
Food: Tuna, Canned Ravioli with Meat
Pantry Essential: Pancake Mix, Syrup
Personal Care Items: Diapers Sizes 5, 6, 4T, 5T, Baby Wipes
A ministry that celebrates the gifts, the faith journey, and the love and mission of God’s people of every race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ability. We worship the God of all creation who gifts us with life. We worship God who is Love, who is revealed in the life of Jesus the Christ.
The God of Jesus is the God of:
Hope
Peace
Joy
Love
Compassion
Forgiveness
Grace
Mercy
Come, join us in becoming a
community of Jesus the Christ!
Compton Heights Christian Church 