TONIGHT!

Annual TWELFTH-NIGHT FEAST & FESTIVAL 2024

Featuring Visiting Choirs and other Musicians here at PUCC on Friday, January 5th, 2024 -- the 12th Night of Christmas.

FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC at 6pm, with the festivities beginning at 6:30pm. Featuring several visiting Choirs and other Musicians presenting their best (and last) of this Christmas Season’s music PLUS . . . good feasting after!

Please bring something yummy to share -- appetizers or sweet treats!

Any questions, please contact [email protected]; (636) 485-5378

Worship with us this Sunday at 10am -- Epiphany!

New Year. New experience.

Our new Christian Education curriculum invites us to worship as One Family - all generations - on the first Sunday of each month. We are excited to begin this weekend. Join us at our open table!

Our scripture passages are Matthew 2:1-12 as the Magi follow the star to Jesus, Mary and Joseph; Isaiah 60:1-6 as the prophet tells us about the power of light in the darkness and its incredible radiance; and Mark 2:1-12 as Jesus provides healing and welcomes all into the light and warmth of God.

Our music includes: Shine, O Star; We Three Kings of Orient Are;

Jesus Loves Me; Good News; Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ; and Christ Be Our Light

Be a part of our First Sunday Choir this weekend. Meet Barry in the sanctuary at 9am to learn a couple of easy songs to sing that morning. This is a great opportunity for all ages each month.

It's a Give-A-Meal Sunday. Please bring gifts of non-perishable food items and/or personal care items for our neighbors in need.

The worship bulletin can be found here:

https://parkwayucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/01-07-24-FINAL.pdf

Please participate in worship virtually via our livestream on Facebook if that is convenient for you and/or if you have health concerns. Masks are available and respected here.

FROM GABRIEL REQUADT ~

OUR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & YOUTH DIRECTOR!

Get ready, the light of Christ is here and so is our new intergenerational worship experience! January 07 will mark the beginning of our church fully rolling out our new curriculum "Living the Word" across all of our ministries for Children Ministry, Youth Ministry and even Adult Worship. The first Sunday of the month we'll be doing our One Family service where everyone will be invited into the Sanctuary where all will be able to take part in Communion... No Exceptions! For young and old, for all embodiments, all are welcome at Christ's table.

This First Sunday of Epiphany, we're going to be looking at Mark 2:1-12 where Jesus heals a paralyzed man, something a little different than the typical story of Jesus' Baptism for the first Sunday of Epiphany! Though important, the bigger picture of the season of Epiphany is one in which we celebrate light. We look for ways that Jesus sheds light on the nature of God's kingdom, and we celebrate how he reveals that kingdom in the world. That through his healing and forgiving, eating and celebrating, Jesus demonstrated that God's love had come, and that all people were welcome in the kingdom. 

Thursday, January 11 at 6pm we will be having our monthly Youth Writing Workshop, so if your child has a passion for writing and would like some support in making their ideas come to life, this is the group for them! Contact [email protected] for the Zoom link.

Friday, February 9 from 5pm - Saturday, February 10 at 8am is going to be our annual Parkway Youth Lock-In! for middle school and high school. All are invited, and we'll have free dinner and snacks, games and a movie nite, and a scavenger hunt. It's a great opportunity for fellowship in a fun way. 

For us to be able to do an overnight lock-in, I will be one of the leaders, but we would need a female adult volunteer to stay overnight as well in the event we have any female guests. If you're interested, you can sign up through here: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0848A9A722A7FAC07-46683211-youth#/

Join the Children’s Ministry Team

We are looking for two additional volunteers to join the team and help teach Children's Ministry in 2024. It's an excellent way to serve in this church, and we have a vibrant Children's Ministry program. So, if you have a joy teaching children from PreK to 3rd Grade, we'd love to have ya! It's pretty low commitment, so not too demanding, so if you feel you'd have a couple weeks out of the month free, or even just one week a month, then this could be the right fit for you.

If interested, please reach out to me.



[email protected]

Prayer List Updates as of January 5

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

Oehlers as Emily & Josh Farr wed this wknd - Whiteman Air Force Base

Sue Moellering - Eden Seminary Immersion Trip from January 6-13th https://www.eden.edu/events/international-immersion-seminar/

Footsteps of Romero: International Immersion Seminar in El Salvador.

Mike & Gerry Rogers - hosting an exchange student, Beiberys (pronounced 'Baybars') from Kazakhstan this semester - arrives Jan 9.

Family and friends of Sue Houser as they mourn & celebrate her.

Jo Grove - gallbladder surgery today at Barnes Hospital, St Louis.

Pinky Wilcoxen - strengthening at Delmar, Creve Coeur after surgery

(Please consider writing or visiting Pinky - see info below).

Lori Connors - healing from Jan 2 cataract surgery; other eye Jan 8.

Val Detjen - additional surgery on January 9.

Becca Palmgren - preparing for surgery on January 11.

Kari Borgmann - her mom becoming more feeble, lack of awareness.

John Nourse and family - two cousins just died by suicide together. 

Jackie - loving/supporting ailing mom (102); grieving step-father (103).

Matt Albers – cancer now in lungs - inoperable; clinical trial (Connors).

Susan Shogren - very ill with lymphoma (Svenson).

The people of Perry, IA after this week’s deadly school gun violence.

The people of Japan after natural disasters last weekend.

The continuing war in Ukraine.

War in the Mideast - Israel and Hamas….Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen

Pinky Wilcoxen - Delmar Gardens of Creve Coeur

850 Country Manor Ln; #130; Creve Coeur, MO 63141; 314-434-5900

(Be aware that Pinky's given name is Vergyl) 

Inquirers' Gathering - for those who want to know more about PUCC and who want to be known

Monday, January 8, 2024 | 6:30-7:45pm | Heritage Room

Our goals that evening include:

· getting to know one another a bit more

· describing Parkway’s worship, outreach, education, leadership, fellowship

· taking a look at our denomination, the United Church of Christ

· sharing ideas about the exciting future of Parkway UCC

· soliciting your thoughts on how we can be a more welcoming

and inviting community of faith

·  discussing some key issues of faith

·   answering any of your questions

You will find our time together meaningful and informative.

Some churches call this sort of gathering a New Members Class—we do not.

While we do know that there are a number of visitors who have expressed interest in becoming members of the church, we do not assume that Inquirers are seeking membership. We just want to be hospitable, get to know you and have the chance to express gratitude for your presence among us.

Kevin Cameron: [email protected] | 314-872-9330

Childcare is available that evening if requested ahead of time.

Upcoming:

January 21

Remembrances of a Parkway Pastor

Rev. John Nourse served Parkway for many years with distinction and compassion. He will share his memories of those times and welcome audience participation to provide their own recollections and favorite stories of this special person, as we embark on an hour of nostalgia, grace, gratitude, and humor.

January 28

The Kim Gardner Saga: A Public Service Disgrace

By all objective standards, Kim Gardner was a stunning failure as the City of St. Louis' top prosecutor, but she stubbornly refused to give up her position. Our speaker, Bill Corrigan served as the number two person in the Missouri Attorney General's office and will recount his story as the lead attorney in the court case that successfully forced Ms. Gardner out of office.

Our Speaker Series is in person in the Heritage Room and on Zoom.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84691476997?pwd=aEM2ZURYWURLNmkwd0EzV0VHV1IyQT09#success 

Meeting ID: 8469147 6997 | Passcode: 181565 | Dial (312) 626-6799

For more info, please contact Richard Scherrer -

[email protected] | (314) 591-6803

Looking and Listening for More Singers

If you’ve always imagined singing in the choir—or the thought is just occurring to you for the first time right now, why not give it a try? We’re needing additional singers!

Please reach out to [email protected] 636-485-5378 to let him know!

We have an intergenerational choir called First Sunday Choir that gathers at 9am on the first Sunday of each month to learn a simple song or two to sing that morning in worship.

The Sanctuary Choir sings on the second and fourth Sundays of each month from September – May and practices on Thursday evenings.

Our Children’s Choir sings on the third Sunday of each month.

AWOL - Adventurous Women Out Late

You are invited to go AWOL this winter and spring!

Join us as we make new connections and strengthen existing ones.

Saturday, January 13 at 6:30pm in the Heritage Room

Golden Globe nominated film – Oppenheimer. We will have an intermission ~ bathroom break for this lengthy, important, well- done film. Bring a pillow, blanket and a snack to share!

Thursday, February 15

‘Mamma Mia’ at The Fox Theater 7:30pm (around $65)

Please RSVP by this Sunday, January 7 so we can purchase tickets.

Sunday, March 3 at 1pm

Art in Bloom @ The St. Louis Art Museum. This event also requires RSVP

Saturday, April 13 at 1pm

Spend a couple of hours with us outdoors at Laumière Sculpture Park

Friday, May 10 at 6pm

Dinner on the patio of a great restaurant - details TBA.

RSVPs and questions to Carmen Bumgarner [email protected]; 314-330-0813

Tuesday Evening Dialogue - January 9

2nd & 4th Tuesday in the Heritage Room

6pm potluck | 7pm discussion

Please join us on for our first session on The Book of Charlie by David Von Drehle. This is the true story of the author's neighbor, 109 year-old Charlie. Von Drehle came to understand that Charlie’s resilience and willingness to grow made this remarkable man a master in the art of thriving through times of dramatic change. The Book of Charlie is a gospel of grit—the inspiring story of one man’s journey through a century of upheaval. The history that unfolds through Charlie’s story reminds you that the United States has always been a divided nation, a questing nation, an inventive nation—a nation of Charlies in the rollercoaster pursuit of a good and meaningful life. Read the first 50 pages for our first session.

Contact Helen Race: [email protected] | (314) 401-4382

We know that some of you have been sending letters and emails of support to our interfaith siblings at local synagogues and mosques. Thank you!

We have also had requests for more information about any vigils or actions focused on peace. Here is one such opportunity.

Parkway Adventurers - Open to All!

Join us for a Dutch Brunch & 2024 Planning on Tuesday, January 16 at 9:30am at Sunny Street Cafe in Des Peres - 11692 Manchester Road, 63131.

We will plan interesting outings for 2024 with different PUCCers coordinating each outing. We usually go somewhere for lunch at a nearby restaurant too. Being with church members and learning something new about the St. Louis community is fun and educational.

SEE JANUARY 25 INVITATION BELOW ....

Past adventures have included The Magic Chef Mansion; The History Museum; The Holocaust Museum and The La Salle Retreat Center.

RSVP for Planning Meeting to Carol/Harold Cobb at [email protected]; 314-640-8166

Adventurers ~ Urban Archaeology: Lost Buildings of St. Louis

Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington Boulevard, StL 63108

Join the PUCC Adventurers on Thursday, January 25 as we visit the Pulitzer Arts Foundation's exhibition Urban Archaeology: Lost Buildings of St. Louis. The modern Pulitzer building is accessible, parking is close, and entry is free. We'll meet at Parkway at 9:30am for carpooling or 10:00am at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. Afterward we'll head to a restaurant for lunch.

This fascinating exhibition brings together salvaged architectural elements from landmark buildings, residential homes, and neighborhood institutions built in St. Louis between 1840 and 1950. The artifacts on display represent important histories of material innovation, labor, and the everyday lives of the people who inhabit the city. The exhibition sheds light on the city's history, revealing complicated legacies of power, wealth, and neglect that shape our experience of the built environment and daily life. Those people with a long history in the St. Louis area will remember many of the buildings from which the artifacts were salvaged. Included is a 15-minute film about St. Louis architecture, demolition, and revitalization, and an opportunity to provide your own input to the exhibit if you'd like. For more information: https://pulitzerarts.org/art/urban-archaeology-lost-buildings-of-st-louis/

There is a very small modern art exhibit in the building that can be viewed as well if you'd like, Sarah Crowner: Around Orange.

Contact Jackie Eiffert at [email protected] with any questions.

Tuesday Afternoon Dialogue:

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green

TAD resumes Tuesday, January 16 at 2:00pm. We're looking forward to hearing what books everyone enjoyed over our break. Discussion from 2:00pm – 3:00pm and fellowship at 1:45pm.

TAD's next book is John Green's The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays On a Human-Centered Planet. From Amazon: “The Anthropocene is the current geologic age, in which humans have profoundly reshaped the planet and its biodiversity. In this remarkable symphony of essays adapted and expanded from his groundbreaking podcast, bestselling author John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale—from the QWERTY keyboard and sunsets to Canada geese and Penguins of Madagascar. Funny, complex, and rich with detail, the reviews chart the contradictions of contemporary humanity.” TAD would love to have you. Contact Jackie Eiffert: [email protected]; 661-378-6781

Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83670617428?pwd=bUxPZEdDMlU4ay9oNndTWW4yZUYwUT09

(312) 626-6799; Meeting ID: 836 7061 7428; Passcode: 480007

Lost and (hopefully) Found

This is a call for any Nancy Drew or Hardy Boy!

A PUCCer has lost a very valuable item and could use some help finding it.

From the forlorn person -- "I realize the chances of finding it are one in a zillion. I just can't give up until I've covered all possible bases. I tremendously appreciate any help that anyone is willing to offer."

If you are a friend of St Anthony of Padua, the patron Saint of lost things, please contact [email protected] and we will set you on your way!

Ponder

Epiphany Opens Our Eyes by Greg Richardson

Epiphany is the liturgical season which follows the twelve days of Christmas. It begins on the morning after Twelfth Night. During Epiphany we open ourselves through our shared story to how spiritual life is manifest in our everyday lives.

Epiphany opens our eyes to how the world and everyone in it reveals spiritual life. Our everyday lives are inseparable.

Each moment reveals how spiritual life is woven into the fabric of everyday life. It is impossible to tear them apart.

Wherever we look spiritual life makes itself known to us. Whether we are walking on the beach along the ocean, hiking a trail in a forest, rocking in a chair looking out over mountains, or watching snow or rain fall, our story carries us forward. Sun and stars, clouds and wind, stone and earth and plants and animals, light and dark; the primal elements draw us toward deeply sacred truths.

The voice of sacred stillness is in the sound of flowing water, the rain on the roof, the rhythm of our footsteps. We recognize the face of spiritual life as we watch the light of a candle or the sun coming above the horizon. Spiritual life is in the sun on our skin and in a warm embrace. Its fragrance is in the aroma of fresh air and of fresh, warm bread. We taste spiritual life in an excellent meal, well-crafted brews, and the bread and the wine we share.

Our stories are filled with things which direct our attention to the sacred in our lives and in the people around us.

Epiphany opens our eyes to reveal spiritual life staring us in the face.

We practice Epiphany when we take time to look and listen and pay attention.

I experience Epiphany as our eyes opening, as illumination and enlightenment. It is as if we sit in the dark hoping for insight with our eyes closed. When Epiphany arrives it opens our eyes.

For a long time I was convinced spiritual life was almost exclusively analytical. If I could just sort out the pieces of my questions I knew I could think my way to an answer.

I spent a long time in the dark with only the laser of analysis to light my path. I stumbled often before I realized there were more sources of light, more ways to find Epiphany.

We limit ourselves because we often convince ourselves we already know what we need to know. It is impossible for us to see what is waiting for us in the dark because we choose to see in only one way.

Opening ourselves to Epiphany opens our eyes to more ways of seeing, more illumination.

We practice Epiphany as we open ourselves to ways of seeing which may be less familiar to us.

Each epiphany we experience shows us new ways of seeing and gives us new insight into deep truths.

** Read the full piece here: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/strategicmonk/2024/01/04/epiphany-opens-our-eyes/

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