Parkway United Church of Christ  E-news
January 6, 2017

 
Ephany Worship this Weekend!

Stargazing!? Join us this Sunday at 9:30am Traditional and/or 11am Informal as we worship together on this Epiphany Sunday! The wise ones arrive and remind us that God breaks into the world with Jesus Love for those near and far! Our scriptures are Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12 with a sermon entitled A Word to the Wise.
 
Epiphany -
1. capitalized :   January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the  Magi   as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ
 
2 :   an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being
 
3a   (1) :   a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the  essential   nature or meaning of something (2):  an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) :  an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure
b :   a revealing scene or moment

 

Give-a-Meal Sunday this Sunday!  Drop off non-perishable food and personal items to be picked up by Isaiah 58 Ministries for their food pantry. Suggested donations for January are:
Peanut Butter & Jelly, Pears, Spaghetti-O's, Carrots, Pancake Mix and Toilet Paper.
 

Adult Education
Sundays | 9:30am & 11am | Heritage Room
Let's Talk
Open your mind, heart and spirit as you read this invitation to Adult Education this Sunday, January 8 at 9:30am or 11am in the Heritage Room....
Our UCC has come up with a new curriculum for churches to use in small groups. It's called White Privilege: Let's Talk... A Resource for Transformational Dialogue. We are inviting you to help take a look at it as we ponder if/how we can engage it in 2017.

We realize this is a challenging arena (some of you that started reading this promo probably put it aside already).

John Dorhauer, General Minister and President of our UCC and Traci Blackmon, Acting Minister of Justice and Witness of our UCC, both Missouri Mid-South Conference family, are part of the author team on this important work. Please come this Sunday to sample two sessions-one by Traci and the other by John.



Prayer Updates
Barbara Eggebrecht - sinus surgery the other day.
Andrea Barnes - metal plate just put in her arm.
Mona Herberg (PUCC Office Admin) and Family - as her mother begins cancer treatments; preparing for end of life - given months to live.
Cheryl Schrenker - fractured left knee skiing; recovering from surgery in CO.
Pete Eggebrecht - ankle replacement surgery on January 10.
Greg Schmelig - bicep tendon replacement surgery on January 11.
Nancy Brown - more medical tests.
Marsha & David Peek  -  grieving & giving thanks for her father,  Rev. Max Pepmeier.  Memorial Service on Saturday, January 28 at 11:00am at St. Paul's UCC in Waterloo, Illinois.
DJ Walker &family - at the death of his birthmother Donna Sue Jenkins.
Doug Watson - in the midst of treatments for cancer.
Marilyn McDougall - as she receives cancer treatments.




Into the Mystic is the Rev. John C. Dorhauer's weekly podcast on UCC.org. 



Community

Workshop on Interpersonal Nonviolence, January 14
Hosted by Rev Dr Mark Robinson here at Parkway

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Sun, Jan 22 | 7:00pm | St Justin Martyr, 11910 Eddie & Park Rd, St Louis
Join Christians of many traditions as we share an ecumenical prayer service for unity in the Christian faith. RSVP appreciated but not required. We are looking for a few PUCCers to be a part of this on behalf of our faith family. Interested? Please let us know: [email protected] | 314-872-9330

Toy Collection the month of January
We will be collecting USED TOYS for the BRO (Board of Religious Organizations) during the month of January from Jan. 8th to Jan. 29th. A large box will be in the Gathering Space. These toys will be renewed and given to needy families next Christmas. It sounds far off, but the BRO's elves have emptied their shelves and are anxious to get to work for next year. These toys go to St. Louis families: the largest number of recipients are referred by our UCC Neighborhood Houses.
Here's a good chance to clear out and RECYCLE for a good cause. Contact Naomi Runtz for more information: 314-993-0469 | [email protected]
 
Read our Missouri Mid-South Conference publications to find out what is happening around the Conference:



Video: 



 
Announcements
PUCC Inquirers!
Mon, Jan 9 | 6:30-8:00pm | Heritage Room
As we arrive in the new year, you may be reassessing your life and priorities - where you spend your time and resources...how it is that you are healthy in body, mind, spirit and relationship. This may mean that, as a visitor to PUCC, you want to learn more about who we are and who we are becoming.
 
We'd love to get to know you better too. Please come to an Inquirers' Gathering on Monday, January 9th from 6:30-8pm in our Heritage Room. We will have dessert and great conversation.  Childcare can be arranged if you need it.... just ask! 
 
Please RSVP to Kevin Cameron - [email protected]; 314-872-9330.
Karen Boyd - Karen [email protected]; 314-378-7575.
 
Tuesday Evening Dialogue: Hillbilly Elegy-Jan 9
2nd & 4th Tuesdays | 6:00-8:30pm | Heritage Room | Potluck & Discussion

AWOL (Adventurous Women Out Late) to see Hidden Figures
Sat, Jan 14 | Carpool from church 6:30pm, or at theater (TBA).
RSVP Carmen Bumgarner [email protected] or text 314-330-0813

We Are All Transformed as New Members Come to Parkway UCC
As far as New Year's resolutions go, attending church and being a part of a vibrant faith community is high on many lists. Congrats! You have come to the right place...we are bubbling up with the Spirit!
 
We consider ourselves to be a caring congregation filled with joy, creativity and faith. Our aim is not only build a strong covenant community here at PUCC, but to keep our eyes and ears open to learn about how we are needed in the world - how to put our faith into action.
 
We are eager to open our hearts and minds to welcome new members to the mix. When new people come, we are all transformed. We want to continue to grow in depth and width. We are looking for individuals and families who align with our vision and mission. We are inspired to welcome people of differing backgrounds and theologies. We blend well as we all seek the same source - the God of love and justice as revealed in Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
 
If you would like to talk more about membership, please contact us at your convenience. It's one of our favorite discussion topics!     
 
Sunday, January 22nd is our next New Member Sunday - at both worship services.
 
Kevin Cameron - [email protected]; 314-872-9330.
Karen Boyd - Karen [email protected]; 314-378-7575.
Inclement Weather Policy
If we need to cancel church on a Sunday morning due to wintry weather, we will communicate with you in a variety of ways:
  • Church wide email.
  • Facebook/Twitter post.
  • KSDK.com listing.
  • Voicemail at church.
Judgment whether to come to church rests with the individual. If you feel it is unsafe to drive, please don't risk it. Stay safe. Stay home.


Joke 
Did you hear about the sensitive burglar? He takes things personally.                                                 

Inspiration 
As freely as the firmament embraces the world, / or the sun pours forth impartially his beams, / so mercy must encircle both friend and foe. ~Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller