Worship with Us this Sunday

Join us Sunday at 10am in person or on Facebook Live – or anytime later on Facebook

It’s a 5th Sunday, so we are doing something a bit different as One Family -- all ages -- Nursery open but no Sunday School classes ...

Hymn Sing and a few surprises.

PUCCers have submitted hymn requests and we have pulled together a meaningful and memorable worship experience. Don't miss this!

Our scripture readings are the beloved Psalm 23 and Acts 2:42-47 with the believers in the Early Church. We are also welcoming new members into the faith and family -- Kathy and Stan Burcham, Peg Sant'Ambrogio, Sally Dodge and Peter LaSalle! WELCOME!

Worship bulletin: file:///C:/Users/Director/Dropbox/Frequently%20Shared%20Files/Bulletin/04-30-23%20bulletin%20FINAL.pdf

Please participate in worship virtually via our livestream on Facebook if that is convenient for you and/or if you have tested positive for Covid in the last 5 days.

Masks should be worn and respected for in-person worship under the following conditions:

1) You have tested positive for COVID 6-10 days ago and you still have symptoms;

2) You are in a high-risk group and/or have underlying conditions;

3) You are more comfortable wearing a mask.

In order to protect individuals and the wider community, we strongly encourage up-to-date vaccinations and boosters against all communicable diseases.

Spring Church School: Sharing God's Light & Love

Spring finds us celebrating and learning about many special days such as, Palm Sunday, Easter, Earth Day, Mothers’ Day, and Pentecost. This Gather Round curriculum centers around the theme of God’ Light and Love shining through us and calling us to share that Love with others.

Our youth are exploring and discussing questions centered around justice, grace, and gratitude as we pilot a new curriculum: Faith Questions.

Nursery Help!

We are refreshing our substitute caregiver list for the Nursery on Sunday mornings. Please let [email protected] know if you are interested and we will contact you about making sure we have your current background check on file. Thanks for loving our children and families!

AMOE - Adventurous Men Out Early

has its monthly gathering this Thursday, May 4th at 9:15 AM in the Heritage Room. No agenda, other than witty banter and pithy insights. No need to RSVP.

All are welcome! Questions or comments? Contact Richard Scherrer [email protected] 314-591-6803

Two Part Series

on Russia

May 7 and May 14

(delay your Mother's Day plans until after noon!)

“Predicting the Future, the Russo-Ukraine War and Russia's Future in the World,” by Prof. James Wertsch and Dr. Charles Allen.

May 7 and May 14, 2023  11:15am - 12:15pm,

There are predictions aplenty that Russia's war on Ukraine will persist. But it could also end soon. Kremlin regime change, a Russian army collapse, or a Ukrainian win are possible. Despite generous Western support and Ukraine's plucky military gains, pessimists are legion. Some foresee a frozen conflict. Some worry that Putin will dig in his heels, viewing the fight as existential and denying Ukraine's identity. Some say he plans a long war or predict no one will win.

Why guess? Instead inform yourself and join our experts for two speakers series sessions in May. On May 7th, we will hear from James Wertsch, Professor of Sociocultural Anthropology at Washington University, who lectures on national narratives and memory, especially in Russia and the Ukraine. Then the week after, May 14th our speaker will be Charles Allen, President of the leading private organization in the world dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about the former Soviet Union.

All speakers will appear in person in the Heritage Room following worship. Anyone wishing to participate via Zoom conferencing:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84691476997?pwd=aEM2ZURYWURLNmkwd0EzV0VHV1IyQ T0 9#success Meeting ID: 8469147 6997| Passcode: 181565 | Dial (312) 626-6799

21 Day Racal Equity & Social Justice Challenge

May 1 – 21... A Virtual Program thru the YWCA St Louis

Accept this challenge to expand your understanding of equity and social justice. This challenge asks participants to make daily time and space for 21 days to foster understanding and identify ways to dismantle racism and end discrimination.



View the full schedule and registration here – https://www.slcl.org/content/virtual-program-21-day-racial-equity-social-justice-challenge  

Registrants will receive a daily list of tasks and an opportunity to participate in a facilitated discussion of the week’s activities on Fridays at 11:00 a.m.

Camp MoVal Workday     

Saturday, May 13 | 8:00am-4:00pm

Meet at Parkway at 8:00 a.m., arrive at Camp MoVal at 9:00am. We will stay through lunch (provided by the camp) and leave MoVal at 3:00 to return to Parkway at 4:00. If individuals would prefer to drive themselves, that is fine as well. Please let Doug or Amy Yakel know if you can be with us that day [email protected] | (314) 275-8039), so that the camp can plan accordingly.

All the acts of kindness, justice and equity near and far.

Spring beauty.

Our new members joining this weekend: Kathy, Stan, Peg, Sally and Peter.

PUCCers who are helping as Buddies at Special Olympics on Saturday.

Coree Mix - preparing for a move on May 1 -- near DePaul Hospital.

Val & Doug Detjen - her heart surgery today and road to recovery.

Chris Pickett and Family as they grieve & give thanks for his mother.

Kansas City unpacking the shooting of Ralph Yarl, an unarmed black teen shot by the homeowner after going to wrong house to pick up sibs.

The ongoing power struggles and violence in Sudan.

The continuing war in Ukraine.

Inspiration

PUCCer Kathleen Tarr crafted this as she was engaged in her 1 hour of our 36 hour Easter Prayer Vigil a few weeks ago. She took on one of the questions from our booklet -- “In what way is Jesus being crucified today?”

Hate Crucified Me

In a word – Hate

Jesus was crucified thru hate

Hate from religious leaders.

Hate from political leaders.

The Bible says:

Love God.

Love your neighbor.

Love yourself.

God is love.

Love is of God.

Forgive us as we forgive.

What can separate us from Christ’s love - nothing.

If I don’t have love, I am noise.

Hate crucifies Jesus.

War - the scourging.

Gun violence - the crown of thorns.

LGBTQIA+ intolerance - the nails in the hands.

Ignoring racial equality - the nails in the feet.

Women’s equality and rights - the spear in the side.

Firebombing, expulsion, terrorism, hand gestures, speeding cars.

Deliberate, spiteful, hateful, full of vengeance and fear.

Yes, fear.

Fear they are wrong.

Fear of the other.

Fear of losing power.

Fear of loving the way Jesus did.

Hate, hate, hate, hate.

The scourging, the nails, the crown of thorns, the spear.

The second half of the question: in what ways might I be participating in that crucifixion?

In a word - hate.

I don’t like this question.

I don’t like to admit that I hate too.

I prefer dislike.

Love God - I do . . . Mostly. Except when times are difficult. Then I am angry and doubtful.

Love your neighbor - I do . . . Mostly. Except when I perceive them as hating. When their beliefs are contrary to mine.

Love yourself - I do . . . Mostly. Except when I see intolerance in myself, when my goodness is

questioned, when I have to step up and love despite and I don’t want to.

Shunning - the scourging.

Righteous indignation - the nails.

Shouting counter slogans - the crown of thorns.

Riots against opposing ideals - the spear in the side.

Jesus didn’t teach hate.

Jesus didn’t teach complacency.

Jesus didn’t teach acceptance of social norms.

Jesus didn’t teach passivity.

Jesus didn’t teach silence.

Jesus taught love.

Jesus taught peace.

Jesus taught respect.

Jesus taught anger without hate.

Jesus taught action without hate.

Jesus taught love, not hate.

God is love.

“Hate crucified me.

Love resurrected me.”

Strengthening Neighborhoods - Seeking Justice - Transforming Lives

Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi, is a Community Mission of the United Church of Christ. Some of us from Parkway have spent time and talents at the Mission in the past; a rewarding experience. We recently received a call from Back Bay Mission inviting us to donate to their 100 Year Anniversary Capital Campaign. I felt compelled to share the opportunity with all at Parkway UCC.

The campaign ends May 4, 2023. For more information on Back Bay Mission and to receive a pledge form go to www.thebackbaymission.org or call 228-432-0301.

Spring Jokes

How can you tell the weather’s getting warmer?

There’s a spring in people’s step.

What did the dirt say to the rain?

If you keep this up, my name will be mud!

How does the sun listen to its favorite music?

On the ray-dio.

VIDEO ~ AUDIO

Check out these short videos about Harry Belafonte as we grieve and give thanks for him....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cizg2kdD6FU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qke8tHBroX4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XUlCuW7Drc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WehcU4jtZck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZutenWFKSlE

Mental Health Support

988 (new nationwide 3-digit number similar to 911… call or text)

24/7 Crisis Hotline 800-273-8255 (TALK) | 800-SUICIDE: 800-784-2433

24/7 Missouri Department of Mental Health 800-811-4760

Text 741741 and someone will text right back…www.crisistextline.org

Behavioral Health Network of Greater St Louis 314-449-6713