Feb 12
The history of African Americans is weaved into the tapestry of America. African American History has impacted history of our church, community and world. We give special attention to the lives of African American Disciples who have committed their life and ministry to be a blessing to the entire Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Join us in celebrating Black Disciples History now and always!
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
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:
Please welcome Rebecca to ministry with us.
Dear Church,
Recently, our friend Celia Pemberton shared a quote from her father that she treasures: “Faith is the abiding trust that life is a gift.” Indeed, it is!
‘Tis the season… and faith is also the abiding trust that:
A power greater than ourselves is ever coming to be born anew; No matter how dark darkness is, it cannot overcome the light; We are not alone… Emmanuel, God is with us; With God, all things are possible.
Long have you kept and practiced this Advent-Christmas faith with one another and in ministry in the world. So, too, have you done in this interim time and I know you will continue to do so.
May your Advent-Christmas faith go with you in the coming year and fill you with continued hope and vitality in the next chapter of ministry!
Thank you for the part you have blessed Kim and I to share with you these last two years!!! As we know you will keep us in your prayers, so will you ever be in ours.
Love and Blessings Always,
Steve and Kim
Prayers of the Community
Please hold in prayer: Walt T., Howard M., Millie S., 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 M., Leslie L.’s parents, Carolyn H’s sister. We rejoice in Nick S.’s recovery. 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 to worship in person on Sundays at 11 a.m. Masks are optional; do what works for you. We circulate during Passing of the Peace; if you prefer to keep a distance, feel free to remain in your pew and wave. Please 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 via Signup Genius
Sunday Morning Study Continues
Rev. Steve is sharing short videos and leads discussion at 10 a.m. in the Church Library. First Light: Jesus and the Kingdom of God, is a 12-session study of the historical Jesus and the Kingdom of God, featuring John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg, two of the world’s leading Jesus scholars.
Congregational Meeting to Elect Officers
Notice was given in worship on December 3 that we will have a meeting of the congregation on Sunday, December 17 immediately after worship for the purpose of electing Officers, Elders, and Deacons for 2024.
Farewell Reception for Steve and Kim Westbrook
The last day of Steve and Kim’s intentional interim ministry with CHCC will be Sunday, December 31, but since many of us travel during the holidays, a farewell reception in recognition of their 2+ years with us will happen on Sunday, December 17 immediately after the above mentioned Congregational Meeting. This is a time to celebrate our Interim Journey together, and to offer thanks to Steve and Kim for their ministry. There will be light refreshments, cake, a chance to offer thank you notes, and a surprise or two!
Christmas Eve Service and Caroling
Although Sunday, December 24, is the 4th Sunday of Advent, our 11 a.m. worship will also contain our Christmas Eve worship, and we will not have an evening service on that Sunday. Members who want to go caroling will gather after worship for light refreshments and then go out in the neighborhood in the afternoon to continue CHCC’s long tradition of caroling on Christmas Eve.
Birthdays
Book Club Meets on January 13
Compton Heights CC Book Club usually 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! For January, the group is reading ”Killers of the Flower Moon,” by David Grann.
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.
Christmas Offering Supports Our Mid-America Region
Open Mic Night With a Christmas Theme
December Open Mic Night was a success with several new contributors. After break, some CHCC members led the audience in Christmas carols. Earlier, Janet and her granddaughter played ukuleles and sang “Jingle Bells.” Everyone enjoyed the fellowship and refreshments! Thanks to Diane R. and her musical friends for an inspiring evening!
Equal Exchange Supports Small Farmers, Sustainable Growing
At CHCC, we offer Equal Exchange Coffee during weekly Coffee Hour. The display in the hallway includes DeCaf and 3 regular ground coffees (Columbian, Ethiopian, and Morning Blend.) There are some varieties of tea, and also Organic, fair trade chocolate bars. Making these available 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 more kinds of chocolate, tea and coffee, nuts, fruit, and olive oil. Let Judi L. know if you would like something.
Events and Opportunities during Advent
Let Us Celebrate that Easter is Not About the Date!
The liturgical and calendar date of Easter is designated as the first Sunday after the paschal (Passover) full moon which falls on March 21… the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the Autumnal Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.
But obviously, Easter is not about this date.
Easter is God bringing new creation out of that which is void and empty. Easter is God raising new life out of death. Easter is the pattern of all that exists: Life-Death-New Life. Easter is the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is Risen. Christ comes again.
Easter is God’s grace picking us up when we cannot get up on our own. Easter is God making a new pathway for us when no way forward seems to exist.
And this can happen any day, anytime… and does happen somewhere all the time… just not all the time for any single person or living thing! And so, the date of Easter Sunday and the following weeks of Eastertide may or may not be experienced as Easter for any particular one of us.
There may instead be those among us (and innumerable ones beyond us) who are in the thick of distress and death in all its myriad forms. Which means that the particular days of April 9, 2023 and following will not be joyful for them in any way.
And yet, we will nonetheless open a tiny space in our hearts, exactly for them, praying that they will also be able to open a tiny space in their hearts for Easter to come for them… when it will!
Because we know first-hand that Easter is not about the date, but about the love and power of God to raise us to new life. When has Easter come? When is Easter coming? When will it come again?
For each of us, for Compton and for the world, may there be a little more joy that brings a little more hope in just thinking about it!
Easter Blessings, Steve
Prayers of the Community
Please hold in prayer: Walt T., Penny and Howard M., Courtney H., Joan J. for her aunt Adeline in hospice care; Diane R’s mother and her cousin Mona, DebE M.’s friend Sheila, Marsha M.’s nephew, Trey W., Matt W. in the loss of his grandfather Bobbly Walton; 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. Those affected by extreme weather events. Everyone struggling with loneliness, depression and isolation. All who grieve the loss of loved ones. Anyone experiencing pain and alienation: may you know that God loves ALL of us.
Coffee Hour News : Volunteers Needed!
Coffee time following worship service is a time for us to have conversation, reconnect with one another, and fellowship with each other. We are looking for volunteers to help sustain this ministry. Anyone who would like to volunteer and be one of the coffee hosts and/or to provide the snacks for coffee time, please sign up on sheets on the doors to the library or contact Marsha McGuire. There are separate sheets, one to be coffee host – to prepare coffee and set up the room etc. and a separate sheet to provide snacks. If you are willing to do both, be sure to sign up on both sheets. After June, will will have 5 coffee time hosts, we would like to have 8-9 coffee hosts so that each volunteer would be only be providing snacks once every couple of months.
Around Compton Heights
Building Assessment: Jim Michel of Church Extension conducted an assessment of our building on February 14. We anticipate getting his report and suggestions in May.
Search Committee: Five members have been named to the Search Committee for our settled minister. They are Leslie Latham, Marcia Hendrix, Darrell Hughes, Rev. Becky Klemme-Elicieri, and Orion Peterson. We will be hearing soon about what the search process entails. Keep them in prayer!
Mission News and Opportunities
Volunteer Contact needed
Cornerstone Center for Early Learning is located at the corner of 39th Street and Russell Blvd in the Shaw neighborhood. When Cornerstone was started, it was housed in our building, Compton Heights Christian Church. At that time, it was named Helping Hand. Compton Heights has had a connection with Cornerstone since it began. Karen Lucy, Director at Cornerstone, would like some contact persons at Compton Heights that are interested in continuing this community connection between Compton Heights and Cornerstone continues in the future. Please contact Marsha McGuire if you are interested in being a contact person.
Bag of Blessings for Isaiah 58 Ministries
Please bring these to the baskets at back of the Sanctuary on Sundays
All fruit and vegetable suggestions are to be canned and, if possible, low sodium and/or in their own juice.
May
Canned Chicken, Rice; Flour (2#bags) Sugar (1#bags); Toothbrush, toothpaste; Laundry detergent, 50 oz or smaller.
Mid-America Region
Mid-America Disciples Women will meet on Zoom on Saturday, April 22 at 9 a.m. All women are welcome. For a link to the meeting, send an e-mail to Coordinator Jennifer Long
Summer Camp Enrollment is now open! Scholarships are available and volunteer counselors are still needed! For information visit our Regional website.
For news about other groups and churches in Mid-America, sign up for the Weekly newsletter by contacting Susan Moore.
April:MayFinalPdf
General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
What is General Assembly? It is a gathering of Disciples from all around the country and all around the world for five days of worship, speakers, workshops, meals, service projects, business and fellowship. The schedule of gathering every two years was interrupted by Covid, but now we are back on track. Our congregation will be able to send a couple of voting representatives, but anyone can attend. There will be activities for children and youth also.
Registration remains open until the start of Assembly. To learn about the schedule and register, please visit ga.disciples.org
February 2, 2023
Dear Church,
The Vision Action Team (VAT) was grateful to be able to present our work this far during this past “Souper” Sunday! As we continue, we wanted to continually provide the congregation with updates!
On Tuesday 1/31 the VAT met to identify additional ministries to more deeply engage the congregation in our discovery efforts. These ministries will complement current ministries at CHCC and we imagine will continue to evolve with our needs. They include:
o Community Engagement Team
o Arts Team
o Worship Team
The Community Engagement Team will work to network CHCC in the city of St. Louis through attending Neighborhood Association Meetings and other Community/Civic Organizations. After upcoming municipal elections, this team may contact members of the newly elected Board of Aldermen and others to exchange information and ideas about community engagement potential for CHCC/Isaiah 58 Ministries. If you are interested, please contact John Colhouer at jpcolhouer@gmail.com.
The Arts Team will work to create events across various disciplines that could be featured in CHCC spaces. Open Mic Night and other concerts, knitting groups such as the prayer shawl group, etc. could be featured, created, marketed or presented by this team. If you are interested please contact Brenda Booth at brendabooth58@gmail.com.
The Worship Team will work to create thoughtful, creative and seasonal ways to enrich our worship services. Through our Oneing events it was clear that the congregation was eager to introduce new ways to celebrate our worship together beginning with the upcoming Lenten season. To contribute input or participate, please contact Steve Westbrook at swestbrook.22@gmail.com.
We look forward to sharing our updates as they develop and are thrilled to get these teams into “action”!
Steve
Steve’s thoughts for the Season After Pentecost
Sermon excerpt from Sunday, June 5 in celebration of Pentecost Sunday…
The world rages mightily today with division, fragmentation and “othering.” We don’t need uniformity, but we do need more unity. We need more people throughout the earth today to celebrate and promote our common humanity and the common language of our existential equality as God’s diverse peoples.
This is what those first Jewish disciples, with the gift of the Holy Spirit, were doing on Pentecost and during the years that followed. May it be so today and may we be among those who passionately fan those flames!
In this season of Pentecost and in this month of PRIDE, may we celebrate and promote our common humanity and the beauty of all God’s diverse peoples.
Prayers of the Community
Please hold in prayer: Walt T, Penny and Howard M, Janet U, Katherine K’s granddaughter Esha, Shannon W., Diane Richardson’s cousin Mona, DebE M’s friend Sheila, Leslie L’s parents; Carolyn H’s sister; Ryan (husband of Steve R’s niece.) We Also pray for: An end to fighting in Ukraine. All who have been killed, injured and driven from their homes to refuge in other countries. Those affected by extreme weather events. Everyone struggling with loneliness, depression and isolation. All who have lost family to Covid-19 and other illnesses. Migrant farm workers suffering unfair wages and labor laws. Anyone experiencing pain and alienation: 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.
Upcoming Events
Longtime member, Audrey T, died to this life on June 3. A celebration in honor of her life will be held Friday, June 17, at 5 p.m. at the church. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Walt, to daughters Susan and Alyson and their children, and all other family. Audrey and Walt celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on May 21.
We also extend our sympathy to Janet U on the passing of her mother, Mary, age 92, on June 8. Visitation was held on June 12. with services and burial to be in Arkansas on June 15. We hold both of these families in prayer.
We Do Not Lose Heart…..or Hope
Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD is a Franciscan Sister of Washington, DC and American theologian specializing in the area of science and religion, with interests in evolution, physics and neuroscience and the import of these for theology. Dr. Delio currently holds the Josephine C. Connelly Endowed Chair in Theology at Villanova University and is the author of twenty books. She writes:
Christianity can help us realize that death and resurrection are part of the path toward wholeness; letting go of isolated existence for the sake of deeper union. Something dies but something new is born – which is why the chaos of our times is, in a strange way, a sign of hope; something new is being born within. Out of chaos, a star is born. Breakdown can be break through if we recognize a new pattern of life struggling to emerge.1
While we continue to mourn and decry what Dr. Delio refers to as the “chaos of our times,” we do not lose heart or hope.
Though the chaos of our times includes great social division, massive gun violence, the war in Ukraine and the pandemics of Covid-19 and racism, we do not lose heart or hope, for as Dr. Delio says: “Out of chaos, a star is born.” Out of death, new life springs forth…
The sacred story of Jesus dying on the cross and rising again in the lives of those who followed him and who began ministering in the power of his Spirit. The sacred story of death and resurrection that we soon gather to celebrate during Holy Week. The sacred story that gives us the heart and hope to say for ourselves and for the world that there is, as Dr. Delio says, “a new pattern of life struggling to emerge.”
Exactly in these times of chaos – as long, painful and disheartening as they have been – let us come together this Holy Week proclaiming, Christ is risen, Christ is risen indeed, which means that a break through to a new pattern of life is always and ever on its way and hope springs eternal!
Blessings!
Steve
1 Delio, Ilia. 2020. “Dear God,” The Omega Center, March, 2020 Link to Omega Center “Dear God”
Compton Oneing
Many thanks to everyone who participated in our Compton Oneing day on Saturday, March 26! A great time of food, fellowship and story-telling was shared by all, revealing the “pearl” that is Compton Heights Christian Church! Twenty-six people turned out for this first gathering!
The morning started around the food table with fruit, bagels & cream cheese, Krispy Kreme donuts, juice, tea and coffee.
Then, gathered as ONE in one large circle, Steve offered a brief reflection on two scriptures and invited us into a time of joy and having fun with the activity: “Guess Who Fun Facts.”
Moving then, to small groups, everyone shared stories of everyday acts that someone in the congregation has done that have been admired or that have touched people in some way. Out of these stories, lists of values were generated. (e.g. quiet caring, belonging, inclusiveness)
After a break, we gathered again as ONE in the large circle of chairs where each small group shared their list of values.
The next activity was designed for us to identify Five Top Core Values within the life of the congregation. But, alas, we just couldn’t narrow things down. We learned that we value a great many things! ☺
Reflecting on our congregational core values, the final activity was to develop a list of things that might be good for us to be attentive to in this interim time.
And, before we ran out of time, three things were identified, revealing three questions:
Before closing with a prayer, Steve gave us some homework:
“What other things,” he asked, “do you see would be good for us to be attentive to? Call/text/email/ visit with me any time as you think of things!”
Steve Says: Compton Oneing continues! It is a blessed time that we share. All are invited to wonder, imagine and share in what God will continue to reveal along the way!
Answers: 1. Millie Slack, 2. Cathy Hutcherson, 3. DebE Miner-Martin
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Worship Notes
NOTE! Compton Heights Christian Church is worshiping in Person on Sundays
Volunteers are needed for in-person worship: Live Stream Technician, Greeter, Liturgist, Elders, and Deacons. Click here to go to Signup Genius. If you want to serve but need help with the online signup, let Kathy Mead know and she will walk you through the process.
Serving Schedule
April Home Communion: Elder: Marsha McGuire; Alt. Joan James; Deacon: Dennis James
Prayers of the Community
Please hold in prayer: Audrey and Walt T., Penny and Howard M., Katherine K., 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 exhausted and facing burnout. Migrant farm workers suffering unfair wages and labor laws. 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.
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We remember former member Clarence Diedriech, who died to this life on March 14. He and his wife, Wanda, were long-time active members of CHCC. They also led the creation of Helping Hands Day Care Center in 1969 at CHCC, and Wanda was its founding director. It became the first accredited Day Care Center in St. Louis in 1984. In 1993 the center changed its name to Cornerstone Center for Early Learning and moved to its present home at 39th and Russell Blvd. Clarence and Wanda continued to support Cornerstone after retirement and also stayed in touch with CHCC, including contributing to support CHCC and recently, the Lift Project. Wanda preceded Clarence in death in 1997. Clarence’s memorial service was March 18 at Lake of the Ozarks. We send our sympathy to their son Dan, their daughter Linda, and all of the family.
Upcoming Events
APRIL
MAY
News and Notes:
HOLY WEEK and EASTER EVENTS
Our gifts to the Easter Offering are part of God’s enduring love…
Love that creates…
Love that inspires…
Love that makes a difference…
Our gifts benefit Disciples of Christ General Ministries, allowing us to do more together than we can do alone!
“Compton Oneing”
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
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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.
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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!
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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
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.
Calling All Deacons
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.
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 