Renewing Our Mission: EXPLORE
Discussion Group Opportunity Since 2001, the Y.W.C.A. has been sponsoring discussion groups as part of its mission to eliminate racism. The program framework is drawn from a book by Shelly Tochluk entitled Witnessing Whiteness: The Need to Talk About Race … Continue reading →
Welcome Sonya Vann
Our Sabbatical Pastor
With much gladness the Sabbatical Minister Search Team of the Year of Renewal Steering Committee, and the Executive Ministry of First Church, announce the selection of Sonya Vann as our Sabbatical Pastor. She will serve in Pastor Dave Denoon’s absence, … Continue reading →
The Cry of Jeremiah: Still I Rise
Sunday, April 9
at 4:00 p.m.
Next up in the God Is Still Speaking – Come Listen! Concert Series! The program will feature the First Congregational Church Chancel Choir with guest singers from the St. Louis Symphony … Continue reading →
From the Pastor
March 2017
Dr. Inglis Called It! I was recently researching in the First Church Archives, to find information about the Rev. Dr. Robert Leslie Parker, Jr., when I ran unexpectedly across some words of the Rev. Dr. Ervine Inglis which I thought … Continue reading →
“PLENTY GOOD ROOM”
Study Series for Lent
Starting on Sunday, March 5 (study only at 11:30 AM) and continuing on Wednesdays after Ash Wednesday Our study series for Lent will be introduced on Sunday, March 5 at 11:30AM. Wednesday sessions (March 8, 15, 22, 29, and April … Continue reading →
A Blizzard of Kindness – Tracey’s Musing – February 2017
I am sure many of you enjoyed that January thaw. I am sending warm thoughts to all of you. But first I want to introduce you to a Christian Education program for the year that can involve anyone. This program … Continue reading →
Habitat for Humanity
UCC Work Group
February 2017
Our St. Louis United Church of Christ Habitat group has put out a call for four more workers on Saturday, Feb 4. They are in the final phases of the build and will be doing finishing work. Let Phil Shoulberg know … Continue reading →
Library Books
for February 2017
As we continue to “Renew Our Mission” as a church, consider reading the two books highlighted below. These books may be found on the library book cart. In The Cross and the Lynching Tree theologian James H. Cone explores … Continue reading →
We have named 2017 our Year of Renewal.
There is one thing that prompted us to do so, and another that enabled us. But, of course, it God who empowers us, so we look forward to a shining time.
The year 2016 included our 150th Jubilee. This remarkable observance was comprised of multiple celebrations and reflections on what it means for us to “have come this far by faith.”
As the year began, Pastor Dave Denoon entered his sixth year with us. Part of our Terms of Call with him is the provision of a sabbatical – twelve weeks for him to be away and recharge. We decided in March 2016 to apply for funding through the Lilly Endowment, a Clergy Renewal Grant. In August we received word that we had been selected and our grant approved.
Pastor Dave has decided to explore abroad the roots of American racism, by going on a tour of West African countries with his family which is transracial. He hopes to do this by interacting with the people, learning more fully the history, and experiencing the wide ranging cultures in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal (at least). He is additionally interested in witnessing the places and ports through which the Middle Passage slave trade commenced, and to appreciate the spiritual foundations that have engendered the strength and courage so visible throughout the African Diaspora.
We meanwhile have committed ourselves to approaching more deeply the cultural underpinnings of race and racism in America. With the pastor, we know that change needs to happen in the grounding of our society and the hearts of our people, if discrimination and prejudice are ever to be battled and positive outcomes reached. We know we cannot “fix” racism, but we can be more sensitive to ways in which we perpetuate it unknowingly and unintentionally. And we know from scripture that the Holy Spirit’s effects upon us require that we engage this form of repentance as well as others, if we are to become truly whole in God.
So, from January 15, 2017, through January 14, 2018, this is the work that we intend to engage as a historically White congregation prayingto live out divine mercy and seeking “to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with [our] God.”