November 3, 2021

Apply Now for Hunger Ministry Grants

The Task Force on Hunger invites food ministries affiliated with an Episcopal congregation within the Diocese of Missouri to submit an application for funding for the 2022 calendar year.

The application process is open from November 1 - December 1, 2021.

Apply here.

Dio Mo at the UN Conference on Climate Change

Parker Williams, from the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in Poplar Bluff, is in Glasgow, Scotland this week as an observer at COP26, an international environmental conference.

Follow Parker's adventure on his personal blog or on his personal Facebook page.

Learn more about the Episcopal Church's mission at COP26.

Diocesan Convention Updates:

Don't miss these important convention events and deadlines happening this week!

Virtual Convention Training: Nov. 3 @ 7 p.m. (check-in begins at 6 p.m.)

We encourage all convention delegates & clergy to attend this training -- especially those participating in convention for the first time. This training will cover electronic voting procedures along with many other important notes for conventioneers. A training video will also be available as a refresher. Registration is required.

Register for the training.

Parish Roll Call Videos: Due Nov. 5

ALL parishes are encouraged to send a super-short video (no more than 20-seconds) that introduces your congregation at convention. Use our new mission statement as your theme!

Get details on our convention web page.

Eucharist Musical Prelude Videos: Due Nov. 5

All choirs and individual musicians are invited to submit a recorded song to be used as a prelude to our convention Eucharist.

Get details on our convention web page.

Convention Public Hearings: Nov. 6 @ 10 a.m.

Everyone with voice and/or vote at convention is invited to this Zoom gathering to ask questions about our 2022 budget and the resolutions to be voted on at convention. The goal is to work out any problems before we get to convention!

Join the Zoom meeting.

Convention Dates: November 18-20, 2021

Download a draft schedule.

Visit our convention web page for details on these items and more as they become available.

Building a Labyrinth

Saturday, Nov. 6

1 p.m.

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Town & Country

All are invited to participate in the holy task of laying stones for a new labyrinth at Church of the Good Shepherd.

Learn more about this event.

Renewal of Ministry:

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Ferguson

Saturday, Nov. 13

11 a.m.

Join Bishop Deon Johnson and the congregation of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Ferguson as they officially welcome their new Priest-in-Charge, the Rev. Erika Essiem.

Guests are welcome to attend in-person at St. Stephen's (registration required) or watch the livestream on St. Stephen's Facebook page.

Read more about this event.

Gentlemen's Estate Sale

The Episcopal Church of St. Michael & St. George in Clayton invites the community to their first-ever Gentlemen's Estate Sale.

The church has received a large wardrobe of fine, gentlemen's clothing and is hosting a two-day sale event:

First Dibs Sale & Party

Friday, Nov. 12

6-9 p.m.

$10 admission fee

General Sale

Saturday, Nov. 13

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Church of St. Michael & St. George is located at 6345 Wydown Blvd, Clayton.

Deaconess Anne House:

Chilli and Coats

Friday, Nov. 19

12 - 3 p.m.

1416 Sullivan Ave.

Old North St. Louis

Deaconess Anne House asks for your donations of gently worn, clean winter coats and accessories (sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, socks) for their "Chilli and Coats" event.

Donations will be distributed to their Old North community and the transient or unhoused neighbors of North City.

Drop off your donations at the Deaconess Anne House or contact Rev. Michaelene to arrange to have items picked up or if you would like to volunteer with this event (make chilli and hot dogs, help organize clothes, greet neighbors).

Learn about our New Convocations

Convocations are groups of congregations within our diocese that act as liaisons between Diocesan Council and the congregations and conduct other diocesan business.

At this year's convention, Bishop Deon Johnson will be announcing a new structure to our convocation system.

Bishop Deon invites all to attend one of two special virtual meetings to learn about the changes and what it all means to you!

Tuesday, Nov. 30

7 p.m.

Register for this meeting.

or

Wednesday, Dec. 1

6 p.m.

Register for this meeting.

Hymn of the Week:

I Want to be Ready

Mary Chapman, Music Director at Holy Communion, introduces us to a popular spiritual written by an escaped slave. The hymn speaks of being ready to join the saints when entering the Kingdom of God.

Read this week's column.

Read past columns.

UTO November Gratitude Challenge

United Thank Offering has put together a variety of resources to help people of all ages explore their personal practice of gratitude throughout November. This list includes resources from Indignous Communities to help everyone understand the historical context and truth about Thanksgiving.

Check out the UTO resources.