Parkway United Church of Christ  E-news
November 3, 2017
 
Remember the time change! Get ready to fall back this weekend. Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00am Sunday, Nov 5. So set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night. 


 
Worship with Us this Weekend!
We will step back in time again this Sunday as we worship across the street in the Historic Sanctuary for All Saints Day - Traditional Worship at 9:30 and/or Informal Worship at 11am!
Our scripture focus is Micah 3:5-12 with a sermon entitled God's Fire Alarm. God is issuing a very clear call to each and all of us.
Celebrate the sacrament of communion at our open table ...please remember to bring gifts of non-perishable food items for our neighbors in need - special request: canned pumpkin and cranberry sauce to help fill their Thanksgiving Baskets.
 
It's Official: Rebecca Palmgren has agreed to become part of the Nursery Staff along with Julie Connors on Sunday mornings and will begin her duties today. You will find Rebecca enthusiastic and energetic, and her love for children is obvious upon meeting her. Rebecca has been employed by two day care facilities for the past four years and currently is employed by The Elegant Child in Ballwin Monday through Friday. We heartily welcome Rebecca to our PUCC family and thank Julie for recommending this candidate to us!
 
 
It's Not Too Late to Be a Part of Vital Discussions!
We have several remaining opportunities on the calendar for discussing God's purpose for Parkway UCC in this year of Vitality. Please RSVP today or contact the facilitator for information if you are interested.
 
November 5 - Sunday at 12:30pm with Paul Roesler ( [email protected] ) and Lydia Roesler ( [email protected] )...pizza provided at church.
 
November 6 - Monday at 7:00pm with Carol and Harold Cobb ( [email protected] )...refreshments in the Heritage Room at church.
 
November 12 - Sunday at 12:30pm with Kris ( [email protected] ) and Tom McKenzie ( [email protected] )...Sloppy Joes provided in the Heritage Room at church.
 
Please join us for the important discussion.
 
Parkway Isn't Complete Without...YOU! The 2018 stewardship campaign is underway! By now, each of you should have received a 2018 pledge card in the mail. Next Sunday, Nov 12,is Consecration Sunday! We will each bring our pledge cards to church on that day as we come together to pledge our support for Parkway in the coming year!
 
Please be in prayerful consideration as you complete your pledge card for 2018. We would like to meet our pledged contributions goal of $350,000 without a subsequent challenge campaign being necessary.
 
Questions? Contact a member of the Stewardship Commission: Linda Tossing (Convener), Joe Biondo, Harold Cobb, Ross Livengood and Amy Yakel

Adult Education
Taste and See- A Preview of the Month of Grace + Prayer Retreat in Everyday Life
Parkway United Church of Christ ("joyful, inclusive, compassionate') and Dayspring Baptist Church ('open in heart and mind'), close neighbors in Town and Country, will be co-hosting a retreat in everyday life. The retreat will start January 14, 2018 and for the following four weeks, participants will pray on their own at least 20 minutes each day, and then meet one-on-one with a spiritual companion for one hour each week. [Couples also have the option to participate as a couple.] This winter prayer experience is free though donations are accepted.
 
Home for the Holidays Sunday November 12 at 11:00 AM only
The holidays are a time of joy with family. We may see loved ones for the first time in months or years, and we may be concerned about aging relatives. Attend this workshop to learn to look at dementia from a faith-based viewpoint and how congregations help families impacted with dementia. In addition, find out information about the warning signs of Alzheimer's, what to do if you're concerned about a loved one's memory and tips on how to understand and communicate with someone living with dementia. The class will be led by Raven Carroway, The Greater Missouri Alzheimer's Association Faith Outreach Coordinator. Questions? Contact Joyce Ruiz @
or 314-494-8979
 
On November 19,
Clarence Heller, coordinator of this retreat ministry
www.momentsofgraceandprayer.org,  will facilitate the Adult Education Class. At the class you will get an overview of the retreat, participate in some prayer experiences, learn how others have benefited from this retreat, and get the answers to any questions you may have.


Prayer Updates
Doug Watson - continuing strengthening amidst cancer treatments.
500th Anniversary of the Reformation!
All Saints Day!
Johnniest Henry - healing from double mastectomy surgery (Yakel).

Announcements

Leftover Halloween Candy!
Nov 1|Bring anytime |Gathering Area
What are you going to do with that leftover Halloween candy? We Will Take it! Yes, our youth will be collecting any leftover Halloween candy. The candy will be shared with kids in new immigrant families later this fall. Look for the display in the Gathering Area!
Questions? Contact Barb at [email protected].

Youth Night: November 8, Invention Convention
Wednesdays | Middle High 6-7pm | Sr High 7-8pm | Fellowship Hall
What kind of Thingamajig can you make with a bunch of "stuff?" We can't wait to see! It will all be here for you to create! Snacks | Games | Door Prizes
Contact Barb Kuhlmann: 314-872-9330 | [email protected]



Parkway UCC October 2017 Council Highlights
Council has directed Worship and Communication Commission to discuss emergency plans for possible intrusions as well as tornadoes and storms.
 
Rich Race, treasurer, reported that expenses were higher than income for the first time this year.  Stewardship will make announcements in services to encourage keeping up with pledges.  It is also encouraging people to use auto pay from their banks.
 
We have moved banking from US Bank to Commerce with the hope for better service. 
 
Town and Country is requesting an easement on both sides of Ballas for a sidewalk to comply with Federal regulations. 
 
The plans presented by the Vitality Planning Committee were given a go-ahead from council.
 


Community
Sugar Plum Bazaar
Saturday, November 11 | 9:00am - 1:00pm
Get some of your Christmas shopping done early? Come out to the 4th Annual Sugar Plum Bazaar! We have over 25 vendors ready to provide you with unique handcrafted gift ideas and the delicious cookie walk!
 
We need people
to help set up tables and move furniture to set up/clean up before and after the Sugar Plum Bazaar. About 1.5-2 hours. 
Contact Cassie Rosenberger: 314-323-6781



We need your feedback! JHLTB Survey
 
Whether or not you joined in our first Saturday Jesus Has Left the Building on October 21, 2017, please complete the brief survey at the above link. Tell us why you did - or did not - participate! Learning about everyone's favorite and least favorite aspects of JHLTB will help us shape the most meaningful upcoming events. Please offer honest, constructive feedback, as well as suggestions for new community service project opportunities for future consideration.
 
The Christian Services Commission welcomes your assistance in planning the next JHLTB! Thank you!

Read the recap of JHLTB here...

Warm Winter Accessories Drive Oct 22 - Nov 7
Winter is fast approaching. Many children and adults will be needing warmth. New or very gently used gloves, mittens, caps, and scarves of any size would be most welcome and distributed by the Little Bit Foundation, an organization that works with schools and their parents in the St. Louis area. This foundation has expanded this past year and will be able to support more clients. Please place your donations in the designated box in the gathering area. 
Contact Evelyn Buretta, 636-220-1280

PUCCer Richard Scherrer has signed on to work in the Missouri Public Defender's Office overseeing special assignments in the St Louis City and County Courts. He recently left Armstrong Teasdale where he had served for more than 40 years, at one time as the managing partner and most recently as senior counsel, to work for free in the Public Defender's Office.
 
In early 2017, Scherrer founded the non-profit Missouri Coalition for the Right to Counsel, which was formed so private attorneys can provide pro bono assistance to the state's overburdened public defender system. Dozens of law firms have signed on to assist in making sure people charged with crimes have adequate counsel. The program is no expanding to Kansas City.
 
In 2016, he received the Atticus Finch Award for pro bono work on a civil rights case.
~St Louis Lawyer, October 2017

Video of the Week
Just over a minute to inspire you ... I wonder how long it took Mr Jakob to hear this call - and I wonder where he found inspiration and direction...



Inspiration 
The text is rather clear - we can't say one thing and then do another. God is calling us out and holding us accountable. Accountability can be uncomfortable. Fortunately for us, God gives us the great gift of always more chances to work together toward the kingdom of God. -Meredith Jackson

Humor
What does a clock do when it's hungry?... It goes back four seconds.