From the Transition Oversight Team: How you can be part of our next step

Transcription

1 VOLUME 43, ISSUE 4 A GLOBAL MISSION CONGREGATION APRIL 2015 From the Transition Oversight Team: How you can be part of our next step As you may remember, on February 17-18, Diane Mark, John Pahl, John Smith, Robin Woodrome and Jeff drove to Indianapolis to meet with Rick Morse, vice president of Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation. This is a daughter organization of the Church Extension General Ministry of Disciples of Christ. After meeting with Rick, we received a proposal to engage with Hope Partnership in a process to develop transformational leadership in our congregation. The goal: to become a more vital congregation with more clarity of mission so we can make a greater difference in our community. Rick emphasized that this process is not consultation focusing on institutional management. Rather, it is an experiential process helping leaders shift their focus onto transforming our congregation. The team unanimously voted to accept the Hope Partnership proposal. The cost for this process is covered by a grant we have received from the Bridgeton Fund for Congregational Transformation and from our own transformation fund. The exciting next step is an experiential learning retreat for congregational leaders. We will begin on Friday, July 10, with an appreciative inquiry session at WGCC. This is an opportunity for everyone to come together and share what you value about our congregation and to start to discern how our congregation can move forward to better serve God in our community. The leadership retreat will take place from 9 am Saturday, July 11, to 3 pm Sunday, July 12, for any adults/youth interested in helping lead the church s transformation. It will be held at a nearby location, to be determined soon. So, mark your calendars now More information and registration forms will be coming in May. Feel free to contact any transition oversight team members at any time: Diane Mark (chair), Mat DeKinder, Lea Gerdes, John Pahl, John Smith, Laura Stuetzer and Robin Woodrome -Diane Mark 1 AHEAD AT WGCC: PALM SUNDAY (Eat, learn and serve) MAUNDY THURSDAY (dinner and worship at Centennial CC) GOOD FRIDAY (Prayers in Love Chapel) EASTER SUNDAY (Join us for worship) TUESDAY MORNINGS (Prayers in Love Chapel) Details, Pages 2-3

2 Upcoming mission themes May: Sharing the Gifts of the Spirit at WGCC June: Sharing our Bounty July: Welcome Home -Radical Hospitality August: Power of Education September: Room at the Inn October: Peace and Reconciliation Palm Sunday Soup/Sandwich/Salad Lunch (Dessert and Beverage too) Palm Sunday: noon -2 pm in Fellowship Hall. Free-will donation to benefit Webster Meals on Wheels & Disciples Mission Fund EAT: Join us for Soup, Salad and Sandwiches hosted by CWF/DW LEARN: Hosanna Save Us How can we show others that God loves everyone? How can we celebrate Jesus with our words and actions? SERVE: Special Guest Melanie Matthew from Room at the Inn, will help us assemble Comfy Kits, including making knotted fleece blankets and repurposing fair trade coffee cans with laundry detergent for Webster-Rock Hill Ministries, and more November: Extravagant Welcome and Thanks December: Heifer International Mark your calendar for: Hosting Room at the Inn- Sunday, April 12 and Thursday, April 23 Food Run- Thursday, April 9 Up next on Eat/Learn/Serve April 26: noon- 2 pm in Fellowship Hall. EAT: A fabulous meal hosted by the Green Chalice Team LEARN: Let the Earth Rejoice How can our care and respect for earth be signs of our love for God? What does WGCC do to care for the earth? What else can we do? SERVE: Join us as we actively reduce, reuse and recycle right here at WGCC Hands on activities to help encourage us all to be good stewards of the earth and share our bounty with others. Come learn about how we use less resources at church, share our bounty with others through our new Re- Use Center, and recycle old containers in new ways. Plus, how you can be green with the tomato garden. 2

3 Maundy Thursday Worship at Centennial Christian This Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2015, Webster Groves Christian Church will be sharing in dinner and worship with four other Disciples congregations at Centennial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 4950 Fountain Ave., Dinner is at 6 pm, worship is at 7. This is a great opportunity to eat, pray, sing, and share with other people of faith as we remember Jesus' last meal with his disciples and his commandment that they love one another. Those who are willing to carpool should meet at Webster Groves Christian Church at 5:30 pm. Good Friday Prayer Vigil at Love Chapel We will be doing a prayer vigil in Love Chapel again this year from Maundy Thursday evening through Good Friday evening. Sign up sheets will be at church, or people may call the church office. There will be a brief liturgy of prayer and song in Love Chapel following the Centennial Christian Church worship, for those who wish to return to WGCC. Stations of the cross and a meditative experience with the Lord's Prayer will be set up in the Sanctuary on Good Friday. Everyone is invited to come sometime during the day for prayer and reflection. Tuesday Morning Prayers All are invited to join Pastor Jeff in Love Chapel on Tuesday mornings at 9:15 beginning April 7 to pray for the life and ministry of WGCC, our leaders, our neighbors, and the world in which we live. We will pray together, lifting up concerns from Sunday worship and beyond. Prayer is powerful and necessary in our faith lives. Please consider praying together each week on Tuesday mornings 3

4 Compton-Drew Concert Band Returns to Busch Stadium The Compton-Drew ILC Middle School Concert Band, under the direction of WGCC member John Gerdes, is returning to Busch Stadium. This year, the band will play God Bless America during pre-game festivities. Come see the band perform and stay to enjoy an exciting Cardinal baseball game To support our performance, we have Loge seats, which normally sell for $56, at the super-discount rate of $20. Proceeds benefit scholarships to summer music programs for Compton-Drew band kids. Wednesday, April 15 Time: 7:15 PM (band plays at 6:55) Cardinals vs. Brewers contact John by ASAP for your tickets (314) Care packages for our college students Finals can be a stressful time for our college students. What better way to let them know that they are still part of the WGCC family than sending care packages? We will be collecting goodies to help them study and feel the WGCC love throughout the month of March. The youth group will be assembling the packages and sending them in April. Feel free to donate your items of packaged snacks, pens, post its, highlighters, itunes gift cards, tea bags to the designated box outside of the sanctuary. The Youth Group will be assembling the boxes on Sunday, April 12. Please see Brendan Tedford or Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez for more information. If we are missing anyone on this list, please let us know. Ava Hughes Garrett Bell Amy Downing Lucy Downing Grace Garrow Becca Gerdes Duncan Kinzie OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS Ethan McNeill Katlyn McNeill Rachel McNeill Abbie Moore Daniel Moore Will O Brien Eric Piening James Pugh Jenna Rose Olivia Snare Elizabeth Swartz Keiler Swartz A day of service, a day of sharing Three youth, one spiritual mentor, and two parents answered the call for a Youth Service Day at Hylton Point Apartments. This National Benevolent Association senior housing was built by Centennial Christian Church in honor of Rev. Dr. Samuel W. Hilton, Jr. who served as pastor for 36 years. Rather than the expected dirty work, we were served a light and had a time of fellowship. After prayer and a few songs, residents shared their life experiences including a tale about an outhouse. Sidney Baker and other youth then shared their own experiences and hopes for their futures. An unexpected testimony was shared by Michael Brown's friend who encouraged staying out of trouble and getting an education. The overall theme was love, respect for self and others, as well as striving for the best as God's children. Pastor Jeff ended our time together in prayer. We can't wait to see what the next Youth Service Day will bring. - Carole Hughes 4

5 Reminder: April is the BRO Share-a-Book/ Share-a-Toy Collection Put your gently used items in the BRO box in the hallway. Take a hike against hunger on April 25 April 25 is The Annual Hike Against Hunger. The walk goes through the streets of South St. Louis (Tower Grove Park, St. Louis Hills & more) beginning and ending at the home of Rev. Margie Pride (3914 Botanical Avenue A). Join us at 7:45 am for prayer. We begin hiking at 8 am. Rev. Mary Jacobs, Interim Resource and Development Director for Week of Compassion, will join us. Proceeds go to Nigeria, Week of Compassion, and to support the food bank at Memorial Blvd. CC. Get on your walking shoes and COME A word from Susan Thank you so very much for your love and support Last week in the mail, I received a sweet card (handmade by CWF, of course) and an extremely generous gift from you all. Both were much appreciated and made me miss all of you. I smile every time I have an opportunity to tell others about the fine folks of WGCC. I am thoroughly enjoying my time at home with Alice. She is growing fast and learning so much each day; she just started to crawl last week I am truly a lucky person to have the opportunity to spend each day with her. Thank you, once again, for all the many ways you have supported my family and me. Peace, Susan 5

6 OUR GREEN CHALICE TEAM More than coffee and chocolate You may be wondering what the Green Chalice Team does besides providing the opportunity to buy delicious Fair Exchange coffee and chocolate. The Green Chalice Program is an official ministry of the Disciples of Christ. Its purpose is to encourage and assist local congregations who wish to live out their faith by being good stewards of God s creation. Our congregation is already recognized as a Green Chalice congregation. We achieved that by forming a Green Chalice team whose members have read and signed the Alverna Covenant and by taking three steps to put our commitment into action. We are now striving to achieve the next level, becoming a Certified Green Chalice congregation. In conjunction with Earth Day, the Eat, Learn and Serve lunch on April 26 is focusing on how we as a congregation and as individuals can walk more gently on the Earth. One important step is to have the congregation as a whole read and sign the Alverna Covenant at the luncheon. You can read the covenant and find out more about it at bit.ly/alverna Another goal is to increase our recycling efforts by having a recycling container next to every waste receptacle in the church. As a third step, we are creating a Reuse center in the narthex in an effort to reuse more responsibility as well as recycle. - Diane Mark So, how can you help? Beginning in April: 1. Bring coffee cans (with lids) and detergent scoops to help with our ongoing project of supplying Webster Rock Hill Ministries with laundry supplies. 2. Bring clean empty K-cups, which can be used for various craft projects. 3. Donate funds to purchase recycling containers and containers for the new reuse center. (Estimated goal of $200) 4. Come to the luncheon on April 26 to sign the Alverna Covenant, join the Green Chalice Team, sign up to help with the tomato garden, find out other ways you can help, and share your ideas. 5. Donate professional clothing to help underserved people dress appropriately for job interviews or court dates. 6 Donate the following medical supplies: Depends for men and women (opened or unopened packages) Chucks Bed pads Nutritional supplements like Ensure Big items like bath chairs, wheel chairs, walkers, see Beth Why medical supplies? Several caregivers have mentioned extra or left over supplies that they are unsure what to do with. STL Senior Help is a local organization that will help current caregivers with limited resources be connected to needed items. The idea of the Re-Use Center is a way to connect those resources. We will collect the above items at the Re-Use Center, but if you have items you think could help in the caring of a loved one and are not sure if they can be used, contact Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez for more information. 6

7 OUR MISSION PARTNERS SUNDAY, APRIL 19 12th Annual Taste of Webster-Kirkwood: Chef Wars 5:30-8 pm Kirkwood Community Center The theme has changed but the food remains spectacular Come to the Shepherd Center s signature fundraising event Taste of Webster- Kirkwood: Chef Wars. Featuring favorite libations from a local winery and area breweries, appetizers from favorite restaurants, and samples of main dishes and desserts created by chefs representing area senior living communities. Silent auction included. Tickets: $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Call the Shepherd s Center for information and to purchase a ticket. FRIDAY, APRIL 24 Annual Breakfast Gala to Benefit Room at the Inn 7-9 am Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge Road The breakfast includes an auction and lots of fun. This fundraising event will allow you to help the homeless and still get to work on time With the involvement of nearly 60 interfaith congregations, including WGCC, Room at the Inn offers temporary, emergency shelter for women and families, up to 20 people each night. All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the homeless of St. Louis County. SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Girl Scouts April Showers 9 am- 4 pm Fellowship Hall, Webster Groves Christian Church We have the honor, once again, to host the Girl Scouts April Showers event here at WGCC. Each year, the Girl Scouts nationwide encourage neighbors to give hygiene products to help augment local food pantries with essential items not always affordable on a tight budget. By partnering with Webster-Rock Hill Ministries for this event, all items collected in the Kirkwood- Webster area stay here in the neighborhood. So this is, quite literally, neighbor helping neighbor. Please consider helping us sort and assemble boxes. Volunteers are asked to stay for two hour shifts. See Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez for more details about how you and your group can be involved. 7

8 Is it time to dust off your will? When was the last time you reviewed your Last Will & Testament? During a lifetime, changes occur marriages (or re-marriages) happen, children are born or adopted, deaths occur. A change in any of these circumstances often triggers the need to change your will. No estate is too small for a proper will. If you want your legacy gifts to go where you desire, you must have a will. Reviewing your will provides you the opportunity to make sure the people and charitable causes most important to you are remembered. Have you ever seen a U-Haul attached to the back of a hearse? Advice from an attorney and other professional advisors should be sought when considering legacy giving. You also may want to contact the Christian Church Foundation, which is the general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) designed to help church members create a lasting legacy thorough planned gifts. Foundation development officers are ordained or licensed clergy who understand the church and stewardship. To speak to one, call (800) For the WGCC Legacy Fund Trustees Legacy Journey class to come to a close The Dave Ramsey Legacy Journey class will come to a close on Thursday evening at the church. The program, sponsored by the WGCC Legacy Fund trustees, has focused on advancing participants knowledge of using wealth to make a difference in the family and in the world. The seven sessions, led on video programs by Dave Ramsey and his team, helped participants wrestle with big questions, such as: Is it biblical to build wealth? Also, should Christians leave everything to charity? How much is enough? How can you pursue your Godgiven calling in life? In other words, it s important to figure out what to do with those incredible blessings God has entrusted to you. Class discussion focused on individuals stories, building a generational legacy and safeguarding one s legacy. Six persons participated in the class, coordinated by Max Ott and Tom Wood. --For the WGCC Legacy Fund Trustees 8

9 IN OUR PRAYERS RECENT PRAYERS Steve Kutheis s mother-inlaw, who is gravely ill Barbara and Kate Mack, as Kate recently passed away Sally Smith, who undergoes surgery on Friday Walter Doyle (neighbor of Donna-Wolff Crump) who is suffering from cancer The father of Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez, who recently had surgery Jenna Rose, as she participates in a mission trip to Jamaica Barbara Hudson, friend of Max Ott, who is recovering Floreine Marshall, who is starting rehab Lori Rose and family, after the death of Lori s father, Kirk Dodge Dick Savage, who recently had a pacemaker installed Gene Lynn, a longtime St. Louis musician who died this month Mary Joanne, mother of Lisa Cripe, who is suffering from a brain tumor Daun Hashberger s brotherin-law, who died unexpectedly Lea Gerdes cousin, who is in ICU with dementia and renal failure Rich Wilmoth, recovering from knee surgery JOYS Jim and Anna Mae Bottorff, celebrating 64 years of marriage Pat Roseman, on the joy of connecting with our congregation s older members Michelle Fielden, for the help she received during her move COMMUNITY Forgiveness for those involved in shootings in Yemen Prayers for the work of Heifer International & WGCC's fundraising efforts For all our health-care providers Prayers for healing and enlightenment after the events in Ferguson Those who are grieving the deaths of loved ones LONG-TERM HEALTH CONCERNS Gloria Bitza Louise Larsen Doris Derickson Dorothy Wood Marion Cadwallader John Norris Bob Maack George Estes The Jim Forbes photo exhibit has been extended through April 5 Donors who need their photo immediately can contact John or Carolyn Dyess. Otherwise, everything else will remain on display through Easter. We are hoping that Jim Forbes will be able to make it back to church and sign all the photos before you receive them. Thanks so much for your support. John and Carolyn 9

10 Grief support group starts on April 14 Mary Schrader of Healing Hearts Grief Support will be facilitating grief support groups at Webster Groves Christian Church. The first group will meet Tuesday, April 14, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Healing Hearts Grief Support is dedicated to meeting the needs of those in the communities we serve who have lost a loved one by providing a safe environment where they can mourn the death and heal from the pain of loss. Please contact Pastor Jeff or Steve Staicoff in the church office if you would like more information or you are interested in being a part of a grief support group at WGCC. Those wishing to participate need to complete an intake process with Mary before participating. Eden LIFE retreat April You re invited to take part in LIFE, the Lifelong Learner Institute of Faith Exploration. LIFE retreats take place five times a year on the Eden campus and provide participants with a more comprehensive way to explore their faith. This month s retreat is April and is a course in Caring in Community Pastoral Care. The instructor is Rev. Dr. Kristen Leslie, Associate Dean for the Chapel, Associate Professor for Preaching and Worship, Eden Theological Seminary. For details and schedule go to and click on the LIFE link under the PROGRAMS tab. Living in Conversations Continue & Result in Change Thursday, April 16, :00 pm Hudson Elementary School 9825 Hudson Ave. Webster Groves Diverse Panel of our Local Youth discussing: Living in Helping People Understand White Privilege Building Relationships with all Types of People Through Community Events Fostering Learning as a Community Improving our Governmental Agencies Increasing the Diversity of Voters in Local Elections For Additional Information call: (314) The Alliance appreciates the involvement of everyone and will only be as strong as you help make it. 10

11 APRIL EVENTS THURSDAY, MARCH 26: FRIDAY, MARCH 27: SUNDAY, MARCH 29: TUESDAY, MARCH 31: THURSDAY, APRIL 2: FRIDAY, APRIL 3: SUNDAY APRIL 5: TUESDAY, APRIL 7: THURSDAY, APRIL 9: FRIDAY, APRIL 10: SUNDAY, APRIL 12 TUESDAY, APRIL 14: THURSDAY, APRIL 16: FRIDAY, APRIL 17: SUNDAY, APRIL 19: TUESDAY, APRIL 21: THURSDAY, APRIL 23: FRIDAY, APRIL 24: SUNDAY, APRIL 25: SUNDAY, APRIL 26: MONDAY, APRIL 27: Beginning in April we will be moving from a weekly electronic news mailing to one midmonth news update (Mid-month at WGCC) to be sent out on or about the 15th. 9 a.m.: Cardmakers 5 p.m.: Room at the Inn 6 pm: Friday night kids (Heritage Room) Palm Sunday 9 a.m., 6 p.m.: Lenten Journey, Learning to Share our Story 10:30 a.m.: Worship Noon: Eat, Learn, Serve Luncheon 10 a.m.: Revelation Bible Study 11 a.m.: CWF meeting; noon: CWF luncheon 6 p.m.: Maundy Thursday at Centennial Christian Church all day: Good Friday prayer meditation at Love Chapel 6 pm: Friday night kids (Heritage Room) EASTER SUNDAY 9 a.m.: Christian formation 10:30 a.m.: Worship 9:15 a.m.: Prayer session, Love Chapel 6:30 p.m.: John Dyess painting group 7:30 a.m.: Foodbank Run CWF Group meetings 6 pm: Friday night kids (Heritage Room) 9 a.m.: Christian formation 10:30 a.m.: Worship 4:30 p.m.: Youth Group Meeting 9:15 a.m.: Prayer session, Love Chapel 11 a.m.: Grief support group 9:30 a.m.: Stitch and sew for BRO 6 pm: Friday night kids (Heritage Room) 9 a.m.: Christian formation 10:30 a.m.: Worship 9:15 a.m.: Prayer session, Love Chapel 9 a.m.: Cardmakers 5 p.m.: Room at the Inn 6 pm: Friday night kids (Heritage Room) 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Girl Scout April Showers (Fellowship Hall) 9 a.m.: Christian formation 10:30 a.m.: Worship Noon: Eat, Learn, Serve Luncheon Article deadline for next Witness

12 Webster Groves Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) A Global Mission Congregation 1320 West Lockwood Ave. St. Louis MO The current edition of the SEGA connection newsletter is available at Webster Groves Christian Church 1320 West Lockwood Avenue Saint Louis, MO Phone: / Website: Rev. Dr. Jeff Moore, Pastor jeffmoore@wgcc.org Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez beth@wgcc.org Director of Congregational Life & Mission Timothy Hearn, Choir Director Lisa Cripe, Organist Greg Hanser, Lead Custodian Gary Smith, Custodian Steve Staicoff, Office Manager Witness Articles timothyhearn@wgcc.org lisacripe@wgcc.org greghanser@wgcc.org admin@wgcc.org brosepd@hotmail.com