October 14, 2020 Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church - St. Louis, Missouri
How time flies. It is my privilege to tell you today that David Erwin, our Minister of Music and organist extraordinaire, has been shaping our musical and liturgical life together for the past fifteen years. Since you can read all about what David does in his day job at Ladue Chapel on our website, I thought I’ll let you in on a few things about him you may not know.

Born and raised in West Virginia, David knew that he wanted to play the organ from an early age. He did not have any particular role models, he just knew. You may say, like Elijah, he had a sense of God’s call and claim on him when he was only a boy. And so he sat down at the organ bench in 8th grade and has been playing ever since.

David’s family had relatives in Philadelphia whom they visited on occasion. He did not only look forward to spending time with family there but he was particularly excited about the pipe organ which “lived” in their home and which he got to play. Walking into Woods Chapel for the first time upon his arrival at Ladue Chapel, David, to his surprise, found an almost identical model as he was accustomed to playing way back when in Philly.

Of course you all know about his degrees in Church Music at Westminster Choir College in Princeton (which is also the alma mater of his predecessor Dub Koon, and our own Maggie Kerr, Amira Fuller, and Roger Blackburn) and his organ studies in Paris with Madame Langlais. However, in my opinion, David’s mastery of several musical instruments, including his beloved organ, is not what makes him exceptional.

What makes David exceptional is his character. A consummate professional, he is very demanding of the instrumentalists and choirs he conducts. I know because when I left a late Thursday meeting one night shortly after his arrival, I stuck my head in at choir rehearsal to say something flippant. You know me. David simply turned, looked at me, and then turned again to the choir. That was the last time I interrupted a rehearsal. 

It speaks to David’s character that many of our soloists who no longer sing in the choir want to come and sing with him whenever they are in town. David has a stellar reputation with virtually all musicians in St. Louis and around the country. He is highly respected among his peers. But to me, since I am not a musician, David is a wonderful colleague and friend whom I cherish and with whom it is a privilege to serve in ministry. I know both you, our members, and all of my colleagues on staff would echo my sentiment. 

And so we give thanks to God for calling David into our midst, we give thanks for his fifteen years of ministry and pray for many more years at Ladue Chapel to come.

May God bless you and keep you, David, now and always.

Dieter
Cares, Concerns and Celebrations

Recently hospitalized or recovering at home
Barbara Hibbard

We offer our Christian love and sympathy to Janie Smith on the death of her husband, Brad Smith, who died and entered the church triumphant on October 14, 2020.

We offer our Christian love and sympathy to the family of Janet K. Lane who died and entered the church triumphant on October 12, 2020.

We offer our congratulations to Matt and Carolyn Chivetta on the birth of their daughter Olivia Ann Chivetta on October 1, 2020. Proud grandparents are John and Lee Peters.

We offer our congratulations to Kathryn and Paul Dlabal on the birth of their son Paul William Dlabal on September 28, 2020. Proud grandparents are Ralph and Jennifer Grimm.
There will be a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, October 18 at 11:45am over Zoom. The purpose is to receive the Nominating Committee's recommendations for our new slate of elders and deacons to the Class of 2023.

The Nominating Committee's recommendations are as follows:

ELDERS
David Curtis, Jim Forsyth, John Fries III, Mary Anne Mellow, Andrea Niehoff, Patricia Theodos and Chis Warwick

DEACONS
Sarah Hightower, Rick Hradsky, Katherine Humphreys, Judd Presley, Mic Sandage, Anne Sutter, Claire Sutton and Elisabeth Thompson

CONGREGATIONAL NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS (CNC)
Bob Cranston, Elizabeth Southern, Carol Shepley, Tammy Walsh and Doug Wilton


If you have questions or nominations from the floor, please submit them to Anne Duncan via email by Wednesday, October 14.

Stephen Ministry

Since Covid-19 hit us, it seems every TV station, furniture store, and window installer recites a line in their ads: "Remember, we're here for you."  Really?  Do you wonder what they're going to do for you?  Will they listen when you tell them how you fear the coronavirus? And you have other stresses and worries. Maybe you're worn out from care giving. You grieve

There are strategies to mitigate those stresses and strains: Don't go it alone. Get support. Schedule a physical distanced walk with a walking partner, perhaps a Stephen Minister trained to listen to what you're going through. Stephen Ministers care. And in these hard days they also listen by phone.  Confidentiality is certain. Stephen Ministry continues to be a Ladue Chapel resource, ready to help.

For more information, call John Hensley (314-346-2010) or Jo Dyroff (314-852-3958). 
Passing of the Peace

We would like to invite you to participate in passing the peace in one of our upcoming worship videos!  The videos that you send in really help our church family to connect with each other. If you and your family or group would like to do this, just make a short video (10 seconds or so) on your cell phone, saying “the peace of Christ be with you…and also with you” and then email it to Jesi Hempstead at jhempstead@laduechapel.org Submissions must be received by Wednesday at noon to be included in the following Sunday’s worship. If you are uncomfortable making the video yourself, please contact David Erwin to arrange a time to meet at the church to do a recording. That’s all there is to it! Thank you for sharing the peace of Christ with your Ladue Chapel family near and far. 
Interfaith Partnership invites you to join them for their virtual celebration “Repairing the World: Strengthening Connections in a Fractured Time”
on Oct. 29th at 7pm.

During the evening’s program, Rev. Dr. Dieter Heinzl will be recognized as the recipient of the 2020 Interfaith Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of service to Interfaith Partnership and his commitment to furthering interreligious dialogue and understanding in St. Louis and beyond.

To join the celebration, visit interfaithstl.org/repair on Oct. 29th at 7pm. No registration or fee is required to join.
Reopening Ladue Chapel
for In-Person Worship

At its last meeting, the session of Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, on the recommendation of its Health Task Group, passed a motion “To reopen Ladue Chapel for worship beginning on the first Sunday of Advent according to St. Louis County guidelines.” 

The staff is currently working on protocols and guidelines to re-envision in person worship which is as safe as we can possibly make it considering the circumstances and vagaries of the coronavirus. We will keep our congregation informed about our progress as Advent draws nearer. 

We will be continuing on-line worship and we are committed to continuing to provide an excellent experience for those who will be worshipping virtually.

We are excited about the possibility to come together again in worship in our sanctuary as the body of Christ. We hope you are, too. 
Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans
Sunday, October 25
Our annual observance of Kirkin’ Sunday coincides with Reformation Sunday and celebrates the Scottish origins of our Presbyterian church. Like everything else, it will look a wee bit different this year, but we will still have our colorful banners and “Highland Cathedral” played by piper Laurie. We are compiling a new list of clan names which will appear on the screen during the worship video. If you would like to have your clan name included, please contact Jesi Hempstead in the church office by October 19.
Parent/Child Story Time

Parent Child story time will take place this Thursday, October 15 beginning at 9:30 am weather permitting.
We will meet in the circle drive.
Adults and children over the age of 4 are required to wear masks. Please bring your own chairs. 
Rebuilding Together
On Saturday, October 10th, Ladue Chapel again participated in a Rebuilding Together event at Mrs. Hudson’s home in north St. Louis. Four members of Ladue Chapel joined forces with two contractors and 5 members of other congregations to repair, paint and install new fixtures in her home. Besides a fulfilling day for the volunteers, Mrs. Hudson was extremely appreciative and the neighbors were so impressed that they asked us when we might be back to work on their homes.

Rebuilding Together - St. Louis is an affiliate of a national volunteer organization. It revitalizes neighborhoods in partnership with the community by rehabilitating the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly.

Future volunteer opportunities will be available and notices will be printed in the Chapel Bell. No experience is necessary.
Monday Madness

Monday Madness continues outdoors on Mondays from 3:30-4:30 p.m., weather permitting.
For students in Kindergarten through Grade 5
Don't forget to register each week!

We look forward to seeing you there!
MUSIC MINISTRY

Music for Sunday, October 18
Chamber Choir will sing “Give Almes of Thy Goods” by Christopher Tye
LET'S STAY CONNECTED!

Fall Email Schedule: Beginning next week, our email schedule will be updated for the fall. Below is an updated schedule of when you can expect to hear from us throughout the week. There may be additional emails if need be. We hope this is an easy way to stay connected.
  • Monday: God in our Midst
  • Tuesday: Midday Prayer Reminder
  • Wednesday: Chapel Bell
  • Thursday: Special Emails
  • Friday: Sunday Worship Reminder

Sunday Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m., on Facebook (no need to have a Facebook account - just go to www.laduechapel.org, click on Worship on the top and then find the link). Worship will also be available on our YouTube channel. Share our services with your friends on social media! We love meeting new people and growing our online community.