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Dear Partners in Ministry,

As we move into October and move closer to the November elections, I know that we will be bombarded with TV and radio commercials for the candidates and about the issues. It has already started and each is so crafted that they can easily sway us.

One of the key issues is (security). I put that in parentheses because there are so many kinds and levels of security. To help us keep on track as faithful Christians, who come from a different perspective than those who claim to speak so loudly for all Christians, I will be preaching a four sermon series on “security” followed by discussion with those interested.

I will be using materials from a St. Louis group called All God’s People, which will include words from the sacred texts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. I hope this will help us make informed choices and remind us that people of all faiths can work for good and seek the same things.

On October 1, World Communion Sunday, we will consider environmental security and the obligation stated in all three faiths to care for God’s creation. October 8 we will look at national security and how national anxiety affects us all. Our Student Pastor, Abby Hodges, will preach on October 15. We will look at personal security on October 22 and finish with economic security on October 29 as we begin our Pledge Drive and have our congregational meeting. Each Sunday when I preach we will gather for discussion after worship. I hope that this will be a time of centering and dealing with the issues in a faithful way.

So, ignore the commercials, go outside and feast on the beauty of God’s October creation. Don’t let the pettiness of politics get you down. Remember that we have been blessed with birth (and adoption) into a nation where we can think for ourselves and express our faith through the ballot box.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Sue 

THANKS

I would like to thank everyone for the cards and phone calls after my surgery and recent hospital stay.

I don’t like to miss church on Sunday morning but the cards make me know I am blessed to be here at St. Philip’s.

Thanks again.

Lois Decker

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Many thanks to my St. Philip’s family. I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed all the cards and notes of good wishes. I have read and re-read them many times. Thank you Pastor Sue for your visit. I am antsy waiting to be able to walk on my own and get back into the swing of things.

Sincerely,

(signed) Elvira Rebienne

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The congregation and fellowship committee wish to thank the Christian Education Committee for the wonderful Hawaiian lunch they served on Sunday, September 10th. Thanks again!!

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A big thank you to Tom Nottelmann who prepared coffee for us all thru the summer months. The Fellowship Committee and congregation are grateful for all your help.

Thanks again.

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Thanks to JoAnn and Bob Leber for filling in for me for the memorial service on September 9, 2006 for Wilma Mudd.

Thanks also to the ladies of St. Philip’s for providing cookies for the Mudd family. You know who you are!

Thanks again.

Lois Decker

We Care Committee

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Thanks to all those who contributed to our ‘Tree-mendous’ campaign during the summer months. Due to the generosity of the St. Philip’s congregation, we received $2,100. The money received helped pay normal general and building expenses during the months when giving is down during the holiday and vacation period. Thanks again – it was a tremendous success.

Mike Shelton

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Dear Friends at St. Philip’s UCC,

Thank you for your generous gift to Neighbors in Need in 2005 of $293. October 1 st is Neighbors in Need Sunday,. Two-thirds of NIN goes to support Justice and Witness Ministries and one-third to support the Council of American Indian Ministries.

It has been an interesting and a challenging year for all of us in the United Church of Christ as we work for justice for all of God’s people. A year ago the hurricanes hit the gulf coast. The members of the United Church of Christ responded not only with their Neighbors in Need contributions but also with almost $6 million contributed to Hope Shall Bloom. Members of the UCC are indeed people of compassion and committed to justice.

Our first priority in the Gulf Coast was to see that the people devastated by this catastrophe were safe. The disaster brought to focus many justice issues that had to be addressed by our Justice and Witness Ministries. Some of the main issues our staff and members have been working on are voter rights, making the levies safe, and returning people to their homes. The United Church of Christ’s justice advocacy on behalf of Katrina survivors in the gulf Coast, and beyond, is directly support by Neighbors in Need.

October 1 st is Neighbors in Need Sunday. Please do what you can to move forward this important ministry of Justice for all of God’s people.

Your Brother in Christ,

(signed) Paul Osgood, Justice & Witness Ministries Board

KEEP IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Elvira Rebienne is home again from the hospital after going in a second time. Seems her other knee was broken as well.

Wanda Reidel at St. Anthony’s Hospital

John Schuette at Green Park Nursing Home

Elsie Frye at Delmar Garden’s South

David Jackson serving in Iraq

WELCOME TO OUR STUDENT PASTOR We would like you to get to know our student pastor for this year. Her name is Abby Hodges. Be sure to introduce yourself to her on Sunday morning so that she get to know each and every one of us.

FAITHWORKS

This year’s Faithworks will be held at Tan-Tar-A Resort on October 20-22. The event will focus on our living together in covenant. During these days when differences threaten to divide,

How do we experience unity in our diversity?

How do we talk with one another about important issues of our day?

Together we will explore how we can strengthen our covenantal life through: dynamic worship, Bible study, faith-sharing events, and workshops.

If you would be interested in attending this event this year the church will pay the registration fee for two participants. Please let Pastor Sue know if you would like to attend.

JOB CARDS STILL AVAILABLE

Spring became summer and now fall is here with many of the jobs still waiting to be done. If everyone does a little, no one has to do a lot. Please see me for a job card. You will be surprised at how easily some of the tasks are to accomplish. My sincere “thank you” to those of you who took job cards and completed the listed task.

Arlene “Z”

CRIER ON THE WEBSITE

When you need to refer back to your Crier for a date or other news, do you ever find that you misplaced it? Or maybe you threw it away only to need it again to check something out. Now the Crier is on our web site! You can browse through the Crier on-line and even refer to back issues. (Our first web site Crier issue was September 2006). So check it out at stphilipsucc.com

WISH LIST COMING IN NOVEMBER!

You will find a Wish List printed in the November Crier. This list will be generated by committee chairpersons and organization representatives to list any items that they could use and “wish” they had. It could be, someone in the congregation has just what they need! Or you may know someone who does. If we get the word out, our wishes may just come true!

CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL

We had an overwhelming positive response to our Devotional Booklet for Lent written by members of St. Philip’s! It has been suggested that we write our own Advent Devotional and we think that is a great idea! Worship Committee is asking you to write about a special Christmas or Christmas experience you would like to share. Or, if you prefer, choose a scripture that is meaningful to you and write about that. Add a short prayer at the end, and you’re ready to turn it in to be included in our devotional. We will have a sample devotional page in the bulletin on October 8th to get you started. Please turn all devotions in to Shirley in the church office by November 1, 2006! We are hoping to have 31 pages – one for each day in December. Please consider sharing a special Christmas memory.

THE WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

The Women’s Fellowship will be going to Josephine’s Tea Room in Godfrey, Illinois, on Tuesday, October 10th. If you would like to join us for this event, please sign the sheet on the bulletin board. Everyone is welcome. We will carpool from church at 10:00 am that day.

BRATWURST DINNER

The Bratwurst Dinner will be here before you know it – Sunday, October 22 nd. Once again we will be needing help, supplies, desserts, etc.

We will be serving from 11 am – 7 pm – the cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Tickets will be available before and after church on Sunday morning. Carry-outs are available. Check the bulletin board for the sign-up sheets regarding this event. Thanks!

TEACHER NEEDED

One more teacher is needed for Sunday School for grades 1-3. Call Amy Balzer 849-5618 if you would like to share this class with her. It is a small class of children who are eager to learn. The curriculum is fun and easy to plan.

YOGA CLASS

A Yoga Class has been started again and will be held on Thursday evening at 6:30 pm at $5.00 a session starting on September 21 st. Everyone is welcome to join.

ST. JOHN ’S COMMUNITY SERVICE/FOOD PANTRY NEWS

Thanks to everyone who has contributed clothing and household items to St. John’s Community Outreach Program. I can assure you that all items donated are deeply appreciated and put to good use. They accept non-perishable food, clothing, toys, household items, and used computer equipment. Whenever we have a carload, my husband, Paul and I make a delivery. Please continue to remember our friends in north St. Louis.

Barbara Barnes

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR TO BENEFIT 3 RD WORLD CRAFTS PEOPLE

On Sunday, November 26th and Monday, November 27th, we will have a special opportunity to buy beautiful, handmade craft items. Handiwork by artisans from 35 countries will be available right here at St. Philip’s. They will be available after church on Sunday, November 26th, and on Monday November 27th for Early Childhood Center employees and parents.

The items are imported by “Ten Thousand Villages”, a Mennonite organization, that promoted Fair Trade. Everyone benefits. Disadvantaged artists and craftspeople from around the world receive fair compensation for their products, and we have the opportunity to purchase inexpensive and beautiful gifts without fighting crowds at the mall. Volunteers are needed for set up and sales. If you’d like to help, talk to Alice Hillyard or Barbara Barnes.

GUYS AND DOLLS CHRISTMAS LUNCH PARTY

Please mark your calendar for Sunday, December 10th from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm for our Christmas Lunch Party. It will be held at Helen Fitzgerald’s on South Lindbergh – Sunset Hills. More information will be posted later.

Thanks, Jan Freese.

NEIGHBORS IN NEED OFFERING

As mentioned earlier in the Crier the Neighbors In Need offering will be received on Sunday, October 1 st. Enclosed with the Crier is the envelope for your contribution. Please place it in the offering plate that Sunday morning. Thank you.

DAILY PRAYER CALENDAR

Just a word of thanks for continuing to make a weekly copy of the Daily Prayer calendar available for those who want to use it. They are always there for me in the Gathering Space. I find that reflecting on the days writing and reading somehow brings a freshness to the day. Yes, sometimes the suggested Bible passages are hard to understand but I wade through them anyway. I guess I do that because I know God probably finds me hard to understand sometimes too, but, there God is wading through it with me. Why not pick one up next Sunday and try “Wading With God” for a week.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER NEWS

Be sure to congratulate Linda Kammerer for fifteen (15) years of service at St. Philip’s UCC Pre-School Program Well done, Linda. Many thanks !!

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS (A Gnostic Gospel)

Not too long ago nine people met for one night a week over four weeks to learn something about “The Gnostic Gospels”. They found out many interesting things about these recently found/published writings and how they related to the formation of the early church. They also learned why the books were hidden and how they were found almost one thousand nine hundred years later. After the sessions ended the group wanted to study at least one of the Gnostic Gospels in a little more depth than they had been able to during the four weeks. They picked the gospel of Thomas to do that study with. It is one of the 52 Gnostic writings. Be on the lookout for a short class to be held sometime in October to do this study. If you can’t make evening classes ask for two sessions - one during the day and one during the evening. The class will use the actual Gospel of Thomas text and Elaine Pagels book “BEYOND BELIEF” as resources. The Gospel is a rather simple document of 144 short verses. Many of those verses can be related to things recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but expressed in another way that is not necessarily contradictory to the Gospel. The same words/actions of Jesus that inspired the Synoptic Gospel writer inspired the Gnostic Gospel writer as well. As both writers wrote in response to what Jesus said/did their words came out different.

HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS STUDY LATER IN THE YEAR>>>

FAIR TRADE COFFEE

Fair Trade Coffee is available for purchase most Sundays after church. The Fair Trade label means that workers are treated humanely and are paid fair wages. Fair Trade Coffee sold at St. Philip’s comes from two sources. Equal Exchange Coffee is distributed by the UCC Coffee Project which obtains coffee from many Fair Trade producers. We also sell Juan Ana coffee grown by a coffee cooperative in Guatemala. Juan Ana coffee is distributed by the San Lucas Mission, a project of the Catholic Archdiocese of New Ulm, Minnesota.

All proceeds go directly to the workers who grow, roast, and package the coffee. No profit goes to Equal Exchange, the UCC Coffee Project, or the San Lucas Mission in Minnesota, and at St. Philip’s we sell it for exactly what we pay for it.

Why then, does it cost more than Folgers? Workers at Fair Trade Coffee farms and cooperatives are paid much better than employees of the big coffee plantations who are typically poorly paid and are often exploited.

Using Fair Trade Coffee helps others live with dignity and self sufficiency and gives us a chance to put our faith to work.

YOUTH NEWS

Be sure to check the bulletin board each week for upcoming events. On September 24th the Senior Youth will have a service work day at church. The Junior Youth will be going to City Museum. On October 15th the senior and junior youth and adults will have a boundary training in the evening. The pre-juniors will be going to the Science Center. The Halloween party will be held on October 29th. So you see there are many activities coming up in the near future so be sure to check them out !!.

BIRTHDAYS

Irma Holster 1		Audrey Brill 18
Roger Decker 2		Andrea Moran 19
Raymond Zeitinger 2		Philip Shelton 19
Hannah Kelly 4		Sharon Jackman 20
Chuck Knoll 6		Tony Zielinski 21
Joshua Hickman 6		Linda Boucher 22
Ann Goetz 9		Connor Hickman 24
Linda Kammerer 9		Bruce Eason 25
Harry Jennings 12		Jamie Kotthoff 26
Claire Vogt 12		Mary Kelly 28
Samuel Vogt 12		Patrick Moran 29
Scot Rohlfing 14		Pam Kelly 29
Ollie Lenz 16		Delba Engelhardt 29
Doug Stevenson 17

COMING EVENTS

September 23	Habitat Workday
September 24	Worship/Music Comm. after Worship Engaging Youth Mtg 7:00 p.m.
September 25	Bible Study 8:30 am Stewardship/Finance Committee Mtg. 7:00 pm
September 26	Bell Choir 7:00 pm
September 27	Choir Practice 7:30 pm
September 28	Willing Workers 10:00 am Disciples Class 12:30 pm Yoga Class 6:30 pm
October 1	Communion Sunday Faithful Readers Book Club after worship
October 2	Bible Study 8:30 am Church Council 7:00 pm
October 3	Bell Choir 7 pm
October 4	Choir 7:30 pm
October 5	Yoga Class 6:30 pm
October 8	Birthday Sunday
October 9	Bible Study 8:30 am
October 10	Bell Choir 7:00 pm
October 11	Choir 7:30 pm
October 12	Willing Workers 10:00 am Yoga Class 6:30 pm
October 16	Bible Study 8:30 am
October 17	Women’s Fellowship – Josephine’s Tea Room
October 18	Choir 7:30 pm
October 19	Yoga Class 6:30 pm
October 22	Bratwurst Dinner 11 am – 7 pm
October 23	Bible Study 8:30 am Crier articles due for November issue
October 24	Bell Choir 7:00 pm
October 25	Choir 7:30 pm
October 26	Willing Workers 10:00 am Yoga Class 6:30 pm
October 29	Congregational Meeting
October 30	Bible Study 8:30 am
October 31	Bell Choir 7 pm

COMMUNITY EVENTS (Check the bulletin board for more information on these events)

GRASS SKIRTS – A LUAU SUNDAY SCHOOL KICK-OFF AND WELCOME ABBY HODGES

My friends from the Church Mouse Academy (CMA) say this St. Philip’s place really “rocks”. To us in the more mature (older) crowd, we would have said in our day, this place really “hops” or this joint really

“jumps.” “Neat” might have been another word from years gone by used to describe my church families home…but “busy”…busy is the best word of all to describe St. Philip’s. That’s what makes us the biggest contributor to the Mission Food Drive sponsored by the CMA. We generate more crumbs and mouse food than any other church around. The Luau was great and the food was really good…almost too good because the pickings from the leftovers were slim for me. But the cookies from the Memorial Service gathering (AND I DO MEAN COOKIES) were all homemade. I managed a sack of crumbs or two to make up and for slim pickings from the Luau. However, my Friday Pre-School, Day Care crowd didn’t let me down. The square dancers were here Friday night and Saturday. They contributed also. It’s just great to be your resident church mouse. Hopefully by now you have had a chance to see my new Tee Shirt on display on the “Mouseequin” (you humans call them “Mannequins). Remember if you ever need a “mouseequin” you can order one from the “Mears & Mousebucks” catalog like I did. It’s sitting on the name tag box. Speaking about name tags, have you dusted yours off yet? (I always try to say a few inspirational words about name tags, have you noticed?) Thanks again for the Tee Shirt. When I went to the Church Mouse Circle Meeting and friends saw it they liked it. I think I’ll ask those people (sarry and “Hhirley) who took orders for yours to help me organize a sale like that for Church Mice. Think we can do it?

I can’t wait to meet Abby for real. I saw enough of her from a distance to feel that she will not be one of those humans who run screaming from me. I think she might be like some of you (and you know who you are)…the ones that talk to me, (in private of course.) I hear we are short a Sunday School Teacher or two…..I could do it, the kids wouldn’t mind a mouse for a teacher but that’s human’s calling. If we ever get enough Mice in Concord Village coming here on Sunday I guess we could start our own MCE (Mice Christian Education) program. I would take a turn teaching one of those classes. After all, mice should pass on the good news to mice via MCE just like you humans do through your Sunday School. If there are no adults to pass it on then how will our youngsters grow up knowing the stories and good news of our faith? If you are afraid of getting tied down for every Sunday for years to come just find yourself a partner or two to share the teaching load with. Take it on for one school year.

The St. Philip’s gardener has been as busy outside this spring and summer as St. Philip’s is inside. The other day I watched her (her name is Frances) as she dug up compacted soil around plants and replaced it with top soil and “turtlizer” (I think that’s what you call it). Now when she waters the plants the water will soak in. Notice how puffy the ground looks next time you come in. I can feel the pulse of St. Philip’s quickening like it does every fall following it’s summer respite…can you? The new microphone system seems to be working better as you continue to tweak it each time it’s used. I know I can sure hear things better! Can you? Thanks B & J for your help in putting it up.

Well it’s time to wrap this one up. I look forward to journeying with you through the coming church year. Let’s take good care of each other.

Grace & Peace

Your faithful friend and church mouse,

Harvey

Happy Moments – Praise God
Difficult Moments – Seek God
Quiet Moments – Worship God
Painful Moments – Trust God
Every Moment – Thank God

Thanks to Alice Hillyard for this.

Thanks to Linda Kammerer for the following:

Congratulations TO ALL OF US WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1930’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s !!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn’t get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren’t overweight because…

WE WERE OUTSIDE PLAYING !!!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the buses a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo’s, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no chat room…..WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, and we made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not put our very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend’s house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn’t had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success, and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL !

And YOU are one of them!

CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.

And while you are at it, show it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.

PS – The big type is because our eyes are shot at our age.

LITURGISTS/CHILDREN’S TIME/ACOLYTES/USHERS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER

Liturgists

October 1
October 8
October 15
October 22
October 29

Children’s Time

October 1
October 8
October 15
October 22
October 29

Ushers

 October 1 Youth
October 8 Guys and Dolls
October 15 Council
October 22 Women’s Fellowship
October 29

Acolytes

October 1 Nick Balzer
October 8 Carley Nickel
October 15 Jason Karcher
October 22 Jean Paul Thibodeaux
October 29 Tiffany Walsh

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