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Dear Church Family,

With shouts of joy and thanksgiving I come to you all with the news that I have successfully passed my oral examinations and with that, have been given the green light, so to say, to continue on my way towards graduation this next year.

As I reflect upon the completion of my oral examinations, aware of the impact you all have had on my pastoral development this last year, there is deep appreciation for all the grace and blessings that have been bestowed upon me by you all. You all have given me the opportunity learn and grow in ways that I would not have imagined and I am ever thankful.

Spring has sprung, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing in the trees out my window, and I am filled with a renewed sense of awe and inspiration as I look towards the end of this semester. Amidst the business and stress of the semester, spring has brought about a renewed sense of life and I rejoice in the many blessing of this last year.

The semester will come to a close in just a few weeks and I will be on my way to the crisp mountain air of Idaho. I look forward to the summer months in Idaho, praying that there will be opportunities for meditation and reflection in which my spirit will be lifted and grounded in the grace and beauty of God and God’s creation.

As I leave you in the next couple of weeks, know that you all have been a blessing to my life and I am grateful for the time I have spent growing and learning with you all.

Yours in Christ,

Abby Hodges
Student Pastor

Dear Church Family,

Thanks to the ladies who helped in any way at my 90th birthday party. The cakes were beautiful and delicious, and the ice cream a great topper.

Also, thanks to Pastor Sue and all who came to help me celebrate.

Sincerely,

Elvira Rebienne

Grace in Christ,

We at St. John’s Community Service Ministry would like to thank you for planting so many seeds of faith, love, and kindness towards our community. We are able to see some of the results in the faces of those we serve.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for our ministry.

If you wish to learn what we are doing to help those in our community, please contact us for a speaking engagement at the above phone number. Please leave a message if you receive our voice mail, for it may mean we are on the phone, and each call is important to us. Thank you once again for being you.

Mercy in Christ’s Name,

(signed) Johnniest B. Henry (314) 533-8668

Many thanks to the members of the church who supplied the meal for Lydia’s House this past week. They were: Patty Siewing, Hilda Leonard, Joan Schumacher, Shirley Nottelmann, Sue Leary, Sandy Stevenson, and Virginia Hladnick. Thanks also for the monetary contributions from Paul Shrout and Janet Remmers. Lydia’s House is most appreciative of the meals we provide and I know we have been doing it for years but it is an important mission effort on the part of the church. Again thanks to all our contributors. In fact, we had a call from the director at Lydia’s House especially thanking us for the meal we provided – the casseroles, the vegetables, the salads, the breads and of course the desserts. The children especially enjoyed the chicken nuggets.

Dear St. Philip’s United Church of Christ,

Thank you for your in-kind donation of bathroom kits and sample items. Neighborhood Houses has received this special gift, and we want you to know that it is deeply appreciated.

We are very fortunate to count you among our supporters. Thank you again for your commitment to supporting St. Louis families by helping children become hopeful, healthy, and self-sustaining members of the community.

Neighborhood Houses does not assess a given value to in-kind donations received. However, your donation may be tax-deductible as allowable by law, please consult your tax advisor.

Gratefully,

(signed) Stephen Phelps, MA, CFRE, Director of Development

Thank you for your continued concern for John. The Easter plant from the Siewing family was placed on the windowsill next to the flower made by the Vacation Bible School children. One of the residents said she enjoyed sitting outside John’s room and looking at the pretty flowers.

It is a blessing knowing you have a caring church family.

The Schuettes

KEEP IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

• Wanda Reidel at St. Anthony’s Hospital
• Elsie Frye in Hospice Care
• Lucille Brand at Green Park Nursing Home
• John Schuette at Green Park Nursing Home
• Bob Stevenson who is back at DesPeres Hospital
• Nancy Krenning who had surgery last week
• Art Kuhn who is undergoing surgery this week.

COUNCIL MEETING (all church leaders gathering)

Who – Members of our various committees; brand new members, returning members, and retiring members – church council officers.

What – Meet and have dessert, Committees meet and then church council meets. All installed.

When – May 7, 6:30 pm.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

This spring, Women’s Fellowship worked on two projects for Neighborhood Houses. We collected books (a pickup full) for their first annual book sale. Also we made 20 (10 women’s and 10 men’s) bathroom kits. Each kit contained around 12 full size bathroom products. We had a bag of extras and sample size products that were also donated. They will be distributed to clients who use the Neighborhood Houses Food Pantry. Women’s Fellowship would like to thank all the members of St. Philip’s who donated books and bathroom products.

ST. PHILIP’S 50 th ANNIVERSARY “KICK OFF”

In 2008 St. Philip’s will be 50 years old! We plan to start the celebration with a special event to honor our charter members. An all-church pot-luck is planned for after church on May 6 th.

There is a sign-up sheet on the easel in the gathering space.

PHONE CHAIN

We’re in the process of redoing the telephone chain. Many people have given us their e-mail address, so we’ll need fewer people to make phone calls. If you would like to be a caller,please sign the list on the bulletin board or let Shirley or Sandy know. Even if you have been a caller in the past, you’ll need to tell us that you want to continue.

 BOOK CLUB NEWS

Upcoming selections are Terrorist by John Updike to be discussed late April or early May and Faith and Politics by John Danforth to be discussed in late May or June.

GARDEN EQUIPMENT REQUESTED

Do you have any equipment that will move dirt away from our parking lot by the recycling container? We would like to take care of this problem as we have mud puddles there every time it rains. We need to shovel the existing dirt back and figure out a way to keep the puddles and mud from coming back. Any suggestions?

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

We are planning for another year of VBS. We thought last year was really great – wait till you see this year’s LIFT OFF with hot air balloons – July 30 th thru August 3 rd.

There is a lot of planning and work to be done. Our “WORK” session will be on Tuesdays, beginning May 29 th at 6:00 at Virginia’s. Bring

Something for a salad bar. I will have the lettuce, tea, and coffee.

I really hope you can come help. Besides preparing for VBS, we really have a good time and look forward to doing this.

Christian Education Committee

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

On Tuesday, May 15 th, our Women’s Fellowship Will go to St. Charles for lunch at 11:00 am at Miss Aimee B’s. After lunch, we will have time for those who would like to browse or shop on Main Street.

Meet at the church parking lot at 9:45 a.m.

Any questions contact Jan Freese or Alice Hillyard.

50+ GROUP

The 50+ Group is meeting on Friday, May 25 th to go to the AmeriStar Casino. The bus will leave at 9:40 am from the parking lot at Butler Hill Road and Highway 55 (near Schnuck’s Shopping Center). There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. Everyone is welcome to join us.

CASUAL DRESS SUNDAYS

Just a reminder that casual Sunday attire will begin on Sunday, May 27 th. Please use your discretion as to what is appropriate to wear for church. Be comfortable but also be respectful. Thanks!

SUMMER SERMON SERIES

During the summer Pastor Sue would like to preach and teach on topics that you suggest. So – look for the sermon suggestion box on the credenza in the gathering space. If you have sermon topics, scriptures you want to hear more about and/or hymns you want to sing – please leave suggestions.

MAY 6 NOTICE

Pastor Anisa Evans will graduate from Eden Seminary in May. She plans to move to Indiana and take a year of Pastoral Clinical Education. Congratulations to her.

TAX EXEMPT LETTER

I went to the file drawer in the office last week to get a tax exempt letter to fax to City Museum for Kit’s field trip. I was greatly surprised to find there weren’t any tax exempt letters in the folder. I had marked the last one in the file with a post-it note indicating that it was the original copy and needed to stay in the file so I could make more copies from it when needed.

If you inadvertently took this copy will you please return it to the office so that more copies can be made. This tax exempt letter is one that does not expire and can be used for years to come. In the future it might be better if you asked me for a copy instead of just helping yourself. That way I can keep better track of how many copies are left in the file.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Shirley Nottelmann

MAY BIRTHDAYS

1	Adam Cox		15	Pam Henson
	Olivia Stevenson		17	Carl Philips
2	Ruth Lenz		18	Nancy Krenning
3	Tom Kammerer		21	Jason Yung
5	Mike Shelton		23	Sue Bowles
	Brad Werner		25	Maurine Wenk
	Loyd Thurman		26	Sheannon Hladnick
8	George Brand, Jr.			Brandi Armistead
9	Stacey Witte		27	Haylee Thibodeaux
10	Alice Hillyard			Keaton Wodicker
11	Lindsey Knoll		29	J.P. Ried
	Dorothy Vinyard			Sandy Stevenson
	Vince Gottschlich		31	Kirk Tangeman
13	Dana Faerber			Laura Brym
14	Kimberly Kelly

EARLY CHILDHOOD UPDATE

I bring you Happy Spring greetings from the teachers and families of the Early Childhood Center! As the weather warms up, we are able to enjoy the playground more and more! Both teachers and students are happy that Spring has finally arrived! For the last several weeks, one dozen eggs have been incubating in the office. However, by the time that you receive this, some of them will have hatched. The school should be filled with the sounds of their happy cheeping!

On a similar note, my family is also awaiting a new arrival. Unfortunately, we will be waiting for many more months! My husband and I are expecting our second child the beginning of November. However, this does not mean that I am leaving St. Philips, but I will be out on maternity leave November and most of December.

Sarah Spencer

GRADUATESI

It’s that time of year again when we will have children/grandchildren graduating from high school and college. If you know of someone who will graduate this year, please let the church office know so that we can list our graduates in the June Crier.

3 RD ANNUAL MOVAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Saturday, August 18 th has been selected by the MOVAL golf committee as the date for the 3rd annual golf tournament to support the ongoing capital campaign for Camp MOVAL. The tournament this year will be held at The Landings Golf Course at Spirit in Chesterfield and will begin with a 1:00 pm shotgun start. A significant change in the tournament this year from previous years is that the entry fee will be much less than in the past, hopefully encouraging more of our UCC members to participate. The fee this year is $135 per golfer, which entitles the participant to 18 holes of golf in a scramble format, lunch being served during the round and dinner to follow with a silent as well as live auction. Additional competitions will be held which may include skins games and putting contests. St. Philip’s supported the tournament last year with several wonderful gift baskets for the auction as well as sponsoring a hole in the tournament. Four golfers represented St. Philip’s including Carl Schillinger and Philip Ricks. Please mark your calendars and plan on supporting the tournament by either participating in a fun afternoon of golf or attending the dinner following the tournament which is open to all for $15 per person. There are many sponsoring opportunities for individuals or businesses to take advantage of. Brochures will be available in the church office and also posted on the bulletin board in the gathering space at church explaining the different levels of support available Any questions can be directed to either Philip Ricks or Carl Schillinger who are both on the MOVAL golf committee.

Thanks again for your support of this important campaign.

Philip Ricks

HARVEY ’S COLUMN – Guest Columnist Ardelle Dischinger

It was but three years ago that I attended church, confessed my faith to the Good Lord and returned home each Sunday afternoon. Ministers would come and go and the congregation gradually formed new beliefs and purpose for the church for which I was baptized, confirmed, and married. I never lost my faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ but I had lost my faith in the church. The church became a building for worship and nothing more. I thought my life would be complete by remaining at the same church until death do us part.

It is my strong belief that Jesus led me to the doorstep of St. Philip’s United Church of Christ. When you accept Jesus and believe in Him, His spirit comes into your life and it is Jesus that knows my needs and desires. I desired a church by a whole different definition. I desired not just a place to worship but a “particular group of Christians united by similar doctrines, beliefs and disciplines.” I was looking for hope, love, peace, strength, and patience, for these characteristics are what the Good Lord will provide if one is willing.

As I walked up the path to the doors of St. Philip’s, I had no idea what Jesus had planned for me. Did he want to show me that “my church” was no different than others or did he want me to acknowledge that the religion and beliefs in which I was baptized confirmed, and married were no longer what I thought important in my life. I walked hesitantly, fearing what may confront me once I reached the doors to St. Philip’s. But as I slowly inched closer and closer, the fear faded and faith took hold.

As I entered the doors of St. Philip’s, I was immediately greeted by the warmth and love of members of the congregation. It was not long and I was joining several groups, going on trips and helping with different fellowship events. The love that has been shown to me at St. Philip’s is Jesus. I put my faith in Him because I know He loves me and cares about what happens to me. I put faith in Him so that one day I can see Him face to face as I enter His kingdom. To many, changing churches at my age may seem odd, but I know it was not odd…it was God!!!

COMING EVENTS

COMMUNITY EVENTS See the bulletin board for more info

• May 4-5 - Scrapbookers – “Cropping for Newborns” at Christ
• Memorial Lutheran Church 5252 S. Lindbergh
• May 6 – The Erin Bode Group Concert at Parkway UCC at 2841 N. Ballas Road 6:30 p.m. to benefit Camp Mo-Val
• June 4-8 – “KATY Trail Bike Tour for Camp Mo-Val”

 LITURGISTS, USHERS, ACOLYTES AND CHILDREN’S TIME FOR MAY

Liturgists

May 6 Abby Hodges

May 13 Dana Faerber

May 20 Sandy Stevenson

May 27 Ellen Disseler

 Children’s Time

May 6

May 13 Abby Hodges

May 20

May 27 Sandy Stevenson

 Ushers

May 6 Youth

May 13 50 + Group

May 20 Early Childhood Center Board

May 27 Women’s Fellowship

Acolytes

May 6 Alex Balzer

May 13 Sarah Witte

May 20 Bradley Knoll

May 27 Scott Karcher

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Just a Mom?

A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the County clerk’s office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. “What I mean is,” explained the recorder, “do you have a job or are you just a ……?”

“Of course I have a job” snapped the woman. “I’m a Mom.”

“We don’t list ‘Mom’ as an occupation, ‘housewife’ covers it,” said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, “Official Interrogator” or “Town Registrar”. “What is your occupation?” she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. “I’m a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.”

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “just what you do in your field?”

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, “I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn’t) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I’m working for my Masters (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.”

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants --- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than “just another Mom.” Motherhood!

What a glorious career!

Especially when there’s a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers “Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations” and great-grandmothers “Executive Senior Research Associations”?

I think so !!!

I also think it makes aunts “Associate Research Assistants”.

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