Posts tagged ‘christianity’

May/June 2024 News – Volume 72, No. 4

We are in the midst of some important conversations about the future of Compton Heights Christian Church. My goal is to help you to not be afraid of the future, but to become excited about planning for ministries that give you purpose. The world has changed a lot in the past few years, and the Church must adapt to new challenges while keeping true to its heart and mission. But this has always been true. The churches of Paul’s day looked nothing like our own. Churches in different countries practice in very different ways. New churches are being birthed all the time. They may hold services in a park, a bar, a home, a community center, or in the street. They may have music or not. They may be focused on feeding their neighbors, building homes, confronting racism, serving young mothers and their children, responding to disasters, or planting trees.

What kind of church would stir your heart and keep you engaged? What kind of church is God calling us to be? Who are the neighbors that God is calling us to serve?

At the first meeting, we faced the reality of our challenges with the building, finances, and finding a permanent pastor. At the second, we talked about the values that we want to represent in the world, and our relationship with Isaiah 58.

On Wednesday, May 22, we will have our third meeting. We will be presented with possible options that include whether to partner with another congregation, whether to sell our building, and whether to move with Isaiah 58. We won’t be making any final decisions, but we will narrow our options and empower our leadership to pursue answers to our questions.

Please be present, in person or on Zoom, and bring your wisdom and love to these important conversations. Once we’re sure of our reason for being, the next steps will become clear.

Rebecca

Life of Compton Community

Prayer Requests

Please hold in prayer: Walt T., Howard M., Celia P.’s sister; Nancy O.’s mother and her neighbor Stacy; George H., Joan J’s aunt Adeline in hospice care; Diane R’s mother, her cousin Mona, and her uncle Jimmy; DebE M.’s friend Sheila. Best wishes for Bob M. and Katherine K. on their recent retirements. And recognition for Dave Boger whose activism was recently featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

We Also pray for: An end to fighting and human suffering in Ukraine, Gaza and Israel; an end to gun violence in the USA; all who are refuges from war, violence, or economic injustice; everyone affected by extreme weather events. 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. NOTE: Howard M. is currently recovering from a fall at Bethesda Dilworth rehab facility, 9645 Big Bend Blvd, St Louis, MO 63222. He would appreciate cards and also calls.

Calendar of Events

• Sunday Worship is at 11 a.m. in person and live stream on Facebook
• Choir Rehearsal: 10 a.m. on Sundays in Choir Room
• Spirit Bloom on Zoom: Mondays at 7 p.m.
• Elders meeting: Wednesday, May 15, 7 p.m. on Zoom
• Book Signing and Fellowship with Rev. Timothy Murphy: Sunday, May 19 after worship
• Congregational Meeting #3: Wednesday, May 22, 7 p.m. on Zoom or in Person at Church
• Open Mic Night: Friday, May 31, 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
• Yarn Craft Circle/Prayer Shawls: Thursday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at Joan James’ home

Be A Genius!

SIGN UP to help lead worship as: Streaming Tech, Greeter, Liturgist, Elder, Deacon, Nursery, Coffee Hour via SignUpGenius

Summary: Congregational Meeting on May 5

Ways of serving we feel passionate about: supporting Isaiah 58 Ministries; open and affirming for LGBTQ+ individuals; actions for racial justice; practicing radical hospitality; being a hub for the Beloved Community.

We would LOVE being part of a community that: talks about the hard stuff; takes accessibility seriously; provides spiritual formation; encourages people to use their gifts for ministry and mission; has a relationship with Global Ministries; is constantly learning new concepts and unlearning outdated ideas; looks outside the walls and shows up for inclusion and justice in the world.

The next all church meeting is May 22 at 7 p.m. You are encouraged to come to the church library (in-person exchanges can be more spontaneous) or attend on Zoom.

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 transitional pastor, Rebecca Turner, 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. Feel free to join us, even if you live out of town, at 7 p.m. on Mondays.

Book Signing with Rev. Timothy Murphy on May 19

Some members will remember Timothy Murphy served as a pastoral intern at Compton while studying for his M.Div. at Eden Seminary in 2006-07. Since graduation he has earned a doctorate, published several books, and worked as a justice activist. Currently he serves as pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church in Fort Wayne, IN. He recently published his first children’s book. “Jesus Learns to Glow,” which he hopes will encourage children to let their own lights shine. Timothy is on sabbatical and will visit us on May 19. He will bring copies of the book for purchase that he will gladly sign during coffee hour. More information about the book is on Amazon. We also have a copy of the book in our Library for children.

May

• Marty R – 5/15
• Bryan R – 5/16
• Diane R – 5/19
• Sarah H – 5/27

June

• Dennis J – 6/14
• Steve R – 6/22
• Lucy M – 6/26

Open Mic Night – Friday, May 31

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.The next Open Mic Night will be Friday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Come and experience Motown in May!

Calling All Readers: Compton Heights Book Club

CHCC Book Club is open to all readers, and we meet every other month on Zoom, usually on the second Saturday of the month from 1-2 p.m. Our next meeting will be on Saturday, July 13. We will read “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride.

Opportunities to Show Up and Serve Others

Prayer Shawl & Yarn Craft Circle June 6 – On Thursday, June 5 at Joan James’, join us to create shawls, blankets and more for our Prayer Shawl ministry. If you knit or crochet (or you would like to learn) come join us. If you would just like to enjoy a time for coffee/tea and fellowship, you are welcome too. If you need directions, send Joan a message.

Bag of Blessings for Isaiah 58 Ministries -Please bring these items and place them in the bins or baskets at the rear of the Sanctuary.

• May – Canned Chicken, Rice; Flour (2lb), Sugar (1lb); Toothbrush, Toothpaste; Laundry Detergent
• June – Tuna, Canned Ravioli with Meat; Coffee, Tea; Diapers (sizes 5,6,4T, 5T) Baby Wipes; Multi-All Purpose Cleaner

Special Event on Curbing Gun Violence – This is the second of a 4-part series sponsored by our neighbors at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church. Gun Sense for the Common Good on Thursday, May 30, 7-8:30 p.m. The meeting is in the church hall at the corner of 39th and Flad streets, entrance off of 39th. Attend and learn about several ways to participate in local gun violence prevention efforts, both in the city and in St. Louis County. Click here for more information.

St. Louis Pride is June 28-29

Compton Heights CC will once again join other Disciples Congregations at St. Louis Pride. Save the dates and watch for information on volunteering for a shift at the booth! This is one of the ways we show up for the LGBTQ community. We will also be at Tower Grove Pride in September.

Restore and Rewind: Pentecost Special Offering May 19 & 26

When it comes to church: many of us have a lot of negative tapes playing in our heads:

“Church is judgmental.” “Church is hypocritical” “They think they are better than everyone else.”

It’s time for restoration.

Rewind the tape by participating in the 2024 Pentecost Offering. Our gifts support emerging and affiliating congregations—places of generosity and justice—in our own Mid America region and elsewhere.

Celebrate: Compton’s 130th Anniversary

April 2024 marks the 130th Anniversary of the founding of Compton Heights Christian Church. We will be celebrating throughout the year. If you would like to help plan celebration activities, please talk to Darrell H or Rev. Rebecca.

Now, here is a little bit of history, appropriate for the Pentecost season. After all, Compton Heights was a NEW CHURCH once upon a time, and who knows—we may be NEW again!

On April 1 1894, 162 people signed the charter document and dedicated a small chapel at the Corner of California and St Vincent Avenues near Lafayette Park. They had borrowed $5,500 from a private lender, a widow who belonged to another church, to build a place to conduct a new ministry, the first Disciples of Christ congregation in South St. Louis. In the charter, they created a covenant and “pledge(d) each other to do all in our power to promote peace, unity, and prosperity of the church and to extend the Kingdom of Christ in all of the world.”

In the next two years, the new church grew rapidly. So many were coming that the first pastor, Rev. J. L. Parsons, wrote in 1896 about plans to put up a tabernacle on the property that could hold 1,000 people. But tragedy struck the young congregation on May 27 of that year, when it was barely over 2 years old. A tornado devastated a large swath of South St. Louis. The little chapel sustained damage to roof, walls and floors; about 30 families lost their homes and moved out of the area. Rev. Parsons wrote: “In the judgment of many, it is not worth repairing; our congregation is poor, and many of them have left.” And they still had that $5,500 debt that they were struggling to pay the interest on every 6 months.

Nevertheless, local people donated some funds, and churches outside of the city answered an appeal to donate more, and they raised $1,100 to rebuild the chapel, larger than before. In 1900, Compton Heights consolidated its remaining debt and got its first loan from the Board of Church Extension, for $3,500. In 1902, after a merger with Fifth Christian Church, the congregation began construction on a new, larger building which was dedicated in 1903 on the original site. Compton Heights was only 9 years old, and they would meet and serve in that place for almost 30 more years.

So, when and how did Compton wind up at Flora Place and Grand Boulevard? Watch for the next installment in the June/July newsletter! Meanwhile, did you notice that from the very beginning, Compton has dealt with many challenges concerning buildings and finances? Maybe coping, surviving and thriving is in our DNA!