Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion

June 3
June 7
June 10, & 18
June 11
June 14
June 15
June 18
June 18 *
June 24
June 28
July 2
July 5

Men's Prayer Group
Guild Sandwich-making
Women's Prayer Group
Book Club*
Women's Movie Group*
Vestry Meeting
Trinity Homeless Meal*
Meal A Month Ingathering
Habitat Work Day *
Ladies' Day Out*
Black Rep. Pot Luck*
Guild Sandwich-making

Summer Worship Schedule
Sunday, 8 & 10:30 HE
Tuesday, Evening Prayer 5:00 pm
Thursday, Morning Prayer 9:00

Thank God for the Anglican Province of Southern Africa! Anglican Christians there joined with their bishop Desmond Tutu and many others to challenge and end apartheid. It was a breath-taking social justice movement which recalled much about the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. South Africans eschewed reprisals and violence after apartheid's dismantling and opted, instead, for reconciliation. In the ecclesiastical realm, church leadership in that province has not stood in solidarity with others who wish to excommunicate the Episcopal Church from the Anglican Communion because of the ordination of a partnered gay bishop. It's good to have an Anglican friend in the global south!

Recently, South Africa's Anglican archbishop, Njongonkulu Ndungane, said, "The Anglican Communion should be on the forefront of fighting social ills and not bothering about what Gene Robinson may be doing or not doing." At a time leading up to a tense and potentially divisive General Convention, it's refreshing to hear a respected cleric's call to reordered priorities. But as pleased as I was to read the archbishop's words on moving past the debate about whether or not God accords non-heterosexual people full humanity, I was struck by his articulation of the Church's mission: "fighting social ills".

Ever since the emergence of the abolitionist movement in the 18th century, the Church has played a significant part in fighting social ills, just as it later championed the rights of children, women, labor and all minorities. Over the past three centuries the response of the Church to social ills has moved from charity to systemic change, a welcome shift.

I would not argue that "fighting social ills" is inextricably bound up in the Church's mission, but I wonder if that mission is adequately described by those three words. "An Outline of the Faith" in the back of the Book of Common Prayer teaches that "the mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ." (p855) It goes on to say that "the Church pursues its mission as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love." That teaching reminds me that while our work as Episcopal Christians overlaps the work of governments and humanitarian organizations, it is not identical to it.

As important as battling the ills which plague humanity is the mission of the Church is something else. I believe the mission of the Church is to provide a context in which a person can connect with the Divine. That connection (i.e. communion) takes place in one's ongoing encounter with scripture, sacrament, prayer, and other people of faith. The hoped-for outcome of that encounter is the ongoing transformation of the individual from self-centeredness to empathy, from acquisitiveness to generosity, from talking to listening, from control to trust, from judgment to compassion, etc. In such transformation one is "restored to unity with God and each other in Christ", as the catechism puts it. Christian ministry is a transformed life lived out; good works are the fruit of transformation, not the other way around. Were it not so, St. Paul would be wrong about salvation coming through faith, not works.

So, this is my current take on how "battling social ills" is related to the mission of the Church. I rejoice in Holy Communion's deep commitment to the work of peace and justice and to the ideals of diversity and inclusion, the work of "fighting social ills". It is my prayer that such a commitment be rooted not in any obligation to "do good", but in lives that are being transformed and made new by the love of God and the power of the Spirit that we come to know in our participation in the Body of the Risen Christ, the Church.

It has been a month of good things at Holy Communion. We have leased the house at 7408 Gannon and finally have money coming in that was budgeted for. It was an unnerving few months without a tenant, getting zero income against a budgeted amount needed.

Also, as indicated last month, the lease agreement for 7417 Delmar has been terminated and now the final payments on utilities have been paid, so we are shut of that issue.

The "Savor U. City" event is now over. We had a very attractive booth with lots of items for sale. Judy was instrumental in securing booth space, and we had a lot of volunteers working on a very hot day to make sure that Holy Communion had a presence among the other community organizations.

More good news is that we will have a Summer Sunday School session for the first time in years at Holy Communion. I am pleased and I'm sure that parents of children of Sunday School age are also happy to see this program.

Another good thing coming up soon is the report to the vestry from the Strategic Planning committee. As you know, the members of the StrtPlnCom have been working for a year developing data, sorting it, analyzing it and putting it into a package that will provide us with insights into our best future program direction. I have to tell you right now that I admire these folks for the time and effort they have put into this project. I'm sure every one of them will be glad to see it come to an end. BUT, that's when the work starts for the rest of the parishioners. We have to make the plans come to life.

Seminarian Takes Family To Kenya While She Trains As A Chaplain
from the May 16, 2006, issue of the Interim-on-Line

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Most seminarians do their hospital chaplaincy training, better known as clinical pastoral education (CPE), in a hospital near their seminary or near their home while on summer break. Not Becky Ragland.

Ragland and her husband, Clyde, and their two young boys left May 13 for Kenya. They will be there for 10 weeks while she does her CPE. They will be staying in the capital, Nairobi, while she does training at the Servants of the Sick Training Centre for Health Ministries. The school was started by Sr. Janet Crane, who Ragland met while the two were classmates at Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves.

Ragland, a member of Emmanuel in Webster Groves, is a seminarian at Eden. She was doing her field education at Holy Communion in University City.
In Kenya, Ragland will be working at the country's three major hospitals, all located in Nairobi. After her 10-week CPE rotation, the Raglands will have two weeks of travel. Preliminary plans call for going to Lui in Sudan, possibly with Reynolds Whalen, a member of Campus Ministry in St. Louis.

Whalen, who went to Sudan last summer with a group form the Diocese of Missouri, is a student at Washington University and will be studying in Kenya for the fall semester. He is also a member of the Companion Diocese Committee and will be a lay alternate deputy to General Convention in June.

Ragland also hopes to make connections with another Eden classmate from Kenya. While in Kenya, the Ragland family will be living with a Kenyan family in the Nairobi suburb of Lavington, a neighborhood built by British colonists and considered affluent by Kenyan standards.

"We're very excited about getting the full breadth of experience in Kenya -- although the goal was to experience the lives of 'average' Kenyans," said Ragland. "But God is in the details and we trust and celebrate that all will be a part of God's will."

Every adventure story has a beginning, a middle, an end and, of course, a hero. This story's hero is Jim O'Brien.

Our adventure began several months ago when Diane Berry, the Director of Haven of Grace (a shelter for single mothers and mothers to be), spoke at a two buck pot-luck. She mentioned the need for baby sitters at Haven of Grace so that the moms could have a night out once a month. After some thinking and talking a few women from Holy Communion volunteered to sit the evening of May 5th. About 5:30 p.m. that evening Jim O'Brien along with his wife Marlene picked me up and then we went on to pick up Rebecca Rugen and her daughter Alison.

Pick ups completed, we set off for Haven of Grace, north of down town St. Louis. We confronted a number of one way streets, closed off streets, a detour or two, and when we finally found what we thought was our destination (no visible street name, no street number, set back building) we made a cell phone call to make sure we were in front of where we wanted to be. (It occurred to me that Haven of Grace could give ideas to the CIA on the design of safe houses.) Jim O'Brien gets an "A" for his navigation.

The bright, cheerful building that houses Haven of Grace encloses a court yard, perhaps a bit like a medieval convent with a cloister garden surrounded by individual rooms. The secluded, virtually hidden, facility turned out to be quite attractive and very functional.

Our workload was modest--four children. The three youngsters, including premature twins who were just three weeks old, were oblivious to our presence. But one toddler, all of 18 months, was initially upset at being left with strangers. But she enjoyed playing in the courtyard and spotting both birds and airplanes flying overhead. Alison became her playmate for the evening.

Having a doctor along, Rebecca Rugen, M.D., was a comfort when we saw how tiny the twins were--both asleep in one baby seat. They looked very fragile. We also let our doctor take charge of administering an asthma breather. And we found that Becky has a talent for getting little ones off to dream land.

With our charges tucked in for the night, our evening was over by 9:00 p.m. Our hero, Jim O'Brien, got us back through the city, past familiar landmarks, and returned us to our own neighborhoods and comfortable homes. We all agreed that the evening had been a bit of an adventure, an opportunity for us all to get better acquainted, and fun. We're looking forward to a return visit. (Please see related article.)

Community Ministries

Sunday, May 14 we had 20-25 participants who, as usual, brought delicious dishes for a potluck, and then we had a discussion of the latest production, "King Hedley II." This time there was an effort to focus on the social justice issues that were evoked by the play. Participants were challenged to consider what we would have done for the community if we had an Episcopal parish in the Pittsburgh neighborhood depicted in the play.

It's hard to believe, but the next performance, "Dream Girls" is the final production of the season and will be running from May 24 through July 2. This is a hot ticket and it would be wise to get your seats now if you haven't reserved them yet. This musical will be a fabulous way to finish up this great project. Until the Black Rep's 2007 season, this will be our final potluck. It will take place on the evening of the final performance, July 2, at 6 pm.

After a stirring homily on hunger in the world from Mike Kinman a week earlier, an amazing group of 30 or more parishioners broke bread and wrote 40 letters to help our hungry neighbors around the globe. Bob and Liz McMullen led us in prayer and provided us with an informational film regarding the state of hunger in the world and the efforts to make a difference. While we take a break from our Two Buck Pot Luck program this summer, you might decide to spend some time following through on this issue. If you didn't have a chance to write a letter but want to respond to world hunger there are a number of online opportunities:

We look forward to your participation next fall when our Two Buck Potluck series continues. Thank you all for your support and your wonderful food!

This summer our parish is part of the Episcopal Build project - eleven Episcopal Churches in the diocese in partnership with CitiGroup constructing a new two-story home in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood as part of the St. Louis Habitat for Humanity Summer Build. We will begin on June 24th. A family, working alongside us on their new home, will move in following the November 18th dedication. The Saturdays that Holy Communion will supply labor are June 24, July 22, August 5, September 9, September 30, October 21, and November 18. The workday is 7:45 AM until 4:30 PM. To volunteer there are sign-up sheets at Church, or contact David L. Straight - dls@wustl.edu; office phone 314-935-5465; home phone 314-993-9693.

Previous Habitat or construction experience is not required to volunteer; on the job training is provided. The Habitat building program is designed to accommodate every skill level from beginner to journeyman carpenter. Tools are provided at the job site. While we have several experienced workers returning from previous years, some have moved from the city and we need more parishioners to become involved in the important work of providing affordable housing for our brothers and sisters here in St. Louis. To make a financial contribution to this project, write a check to "The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri" with "Episcopal Build" in the memo line and drop it in the collection plate.

Habitat for Humanity does not provide free homes. The families who acquire a Habitat home earn the down payment by contributing 450 hours of "sweat equity" as they work along side us in the construction of their home. At the completion of construction they sign a 30-year mortgage to buy the home. It is a very rewarding experience over the course of the summer to watch a family realize their dream of home ownership and receive the keys to the home they helped construct.

Thank you to all who have been faithful in shopping once a month for the Food Pantry at Trinity Episcopal on Euclid. Steve Turner has reported to me that they are feeding about 1/3 more people this year than last - in part because of our increased contributions. Summer is a difficult time for many food pantries due to increased demand; with school out children are not receiving meals at school.

If you are not already doing so, please help needy families in our community by purchasing at least one meal a month for the food pantry and leaving the food in the basket in the narthex. There are suggested shopping lists on tables at each entrance to the sanctuary. If you forget to pick-up a list, Steve reports that canned vegetables are always in need. Please no glass jars or perishable items. Your contributions are taken to Trinity after the Third Sunday of each month (June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17�) Please mark you calendars to make a few cans for the Food Pantry part of your shopping routine.

University City is celebrating a birthday: 100 years!
Check out the web site for more fun information www.ucity100years.org.

A survey of the Community Ministries Committee revealed that all present members were willing to continue to do the work we have been accomplishing the past few years. In addition, Gretchen Wilkes and Linda Stuart have agreed to serve. How gratifying to find so much commitment and compassion among us! I want to thank all continuing members and our new members for their service.

Our volunteers outnumbered the babies when a group of CMC and Guild members volunteered for babysitting at Haven of Grace, a residential program for pregnant homeless moms. The program tries to offer a night out for moms to get away and spend time together while groups offer babysitting services. There will be another group volunteering in early June. If you are interested, contact Bev White for further information. (Please see related story.)

At present the committee is preparing an inventory to identify the major classifications of records in our collection. We decide what we should save and what should go to the diocese. Even though we save two of everything, sometimes we have many more copies of an article or document and we need to get rid of those. Someday, in the not to distance future we hope, we will finish the inventory. Then we will begin the process of copying everything on acid free paper.

Presently Mary Allen and Lucy Krieg are going through the photographs. We will soon be joined by Karen Sterbenz.

It's slow work but fun. For those of us who have been members of the parish for a long time it is a trip down memory lane when we were younger and thinner. That of course slows us even more. Our workday is Tuesday all day. We have been working in the Vestry Room but will move temporarily into the choir room until the permanent archive room space is ready.

Please keep looking for things you think might be of interest. If it is something you want to keep, please mark it.

Women's Movie Group on June 14 will continue the "Trust" series with "Walk the Line". The story of how Johnny Cash became Johnny Cash traces from his childhood under a distant father (Robert Patrick) to his early attempts at a music career, during which he married his girlfriend Vivian (Ginnifer Goodwin). During a tour with the likes of Elvis (Tyler Hilton) and Jerry Lee Lewis (Waylon Malloy Payne), he encounters singer June Carter (Reese Witherspoon), and his love for her--and her rejection of him through the years--spurs him into drugs, drinking, and depression. As with most movies based on real-life singers, as his popularity grows, the women come a-flockin', and the childhood demons surface. Witherspoon, who matches Phoenix drawl for drawl, plays June both as a sassy spitfire whose charm breaks your heart, and as a sympathetic friend who tries to help Cash get over--well, her. The love story is what endures, but the movie comes most alive during its musical numbers, and even if you're not a country fan, it may just get you to run out and buy a Johnny Cash album. Potluck dinner starts at 6:30. Movie starts at 7:00.

St. Lizzie's Breakfast program enjoyed another successful Church year. Jane Vacho is organizing the cooking crew for the upcoming year. Jane hopes that most of our chefs will continue to cook four Sunday mornings a year and volunteers will step forward to fill the spots for those who are retiring.

June Book Club Selection is "Angels and Demons", by Dan Brown, author of "The Da Vinci Code". The Holy Communion Book Club meets at noon the second Sunday of the month. Beverages are provided for the brown bag lunch by a few surprise goodies. Come and join the lively discussion.

Adult education has ended for the year. We are currently doing evaluations. If you missed the last adult education presentation, see Lucy Krieg for evaluation forms. The committee would also like suggestions for next year's adult education program. Your comments will be of value to the planning committee. Many thanks to the committee who planned the 2005-2006 program: Doug Black, Rosemary Burrows, Lisa Hummel, Sara Green, Lucy Krieg, Nita Orsack, Jean Peters, Paul Stuart, Gretchen Wilkes, and Fr. Myers.

Eleven-year-old Brooklyn Payne, accompanied by mother Karen Payne, went on a cruise to Cancun, Mexico during spring break. During the Memorial Day weekend Courtney traveled with her aunt Courtney Green to Cancun, Mexico for more fun in the sun.

A special adult education program is planned to coincide with a five-week Sunday School for youth. Planners are Donna Baudendistel, Lisa Stanton, and Lucy Krieg. Let Lucy know of you are interested in the project. The committee plans to cover parenting issues. The program is open to new parents and those parents who were new parents at one time. Karen Sterbenz is recruiting a committee to plan the youth component. The dates for this program are July 16, 23, 31, and August 6 and 13.

Jan Munro Moog's son, Nathan, and his wife met at the training for the "Teach For America" program in Houston, August, 1999. It was love at first sight and after being assigned to separate cities -- Nate to Baltimore and Cara to New Orleans -- they met once a month, flying to one or the other site or meeting in Tennessee after a long drive from both directions. Nate moved to New Orleans after a year and they both continued to teach grade school children, which was their passion. They got engaged, married, a house, and pregnant, all the while teaching their inner city kids in New Orleans.

Nate and Cara came to St. Louis to wait and see. After almost 3 months they went back to their little home in the Carrolton/Fontainbleu neighborhood which received almost no damage. Although there was a level of about 22" of water in their yard, their home was spared any flooding. The refrigerator was nasty, to say the least, but even that was salvaged. After getting the yard in shape and reconnecting with their neighbors, Nate looked for a job to replace the teaching, since his school was closed and the students had dispersed to all parts of the country. Nate started selling Sears home repair products to people whose homes were damaged by the storms. Some calls he makes are to trailers next to the shells of his customers' homes. Sometimes there is no electricity. Nevertheless, the New Orleans market is Sears' leading market in home repair products and this job has helped to allow Cara to stay home with baby Ruby, born January 3 in the only hospital up and running in the city. Recently Nate ran into a former student in Walgreen's. She had come back to New Orleans to live with her aunt so she could get back in school. Except that the city schools have been taken over by the state and only 9 schools are open. Nate's student couldn't find a spot in any of the schools. Nate took her to the Board of Education and was able to get her placed in a school.

More than selling home repair products and learning so many stories from his customers, this one gesture was satisfying enough for him to feel that staying in New Orleans and witnessing the rebirth of his beloved town is a plan worth pursuing. As for Jan, she's nervously awaiting June and the coming of the next hurricane season. Please keep Nate, Cara, and Ruby, as well as all souls in New Orleans, in your prayers.

Staff
The Rev. Brooke Myers, Rector
Judy Prange, Parish Administrator
Mary Carol Schlueter, Director of Music/Organist
Mary Chapman, Choir Director
Jerome Harris, Sexton
Sondra Ellis, Treasurer
Lucy Krieg, Adult Education Coordinator
Mary Bass & Wanda Spencer, Nursery Coordinators
Karen Sterbenz, Jr. High Coordinator
Donna Robey, Youth Group Coordinator
Burt Mayfield, Building
Paul Bange, Grounds

Vestry
Butch Sterbenz, Sr. Warden
Mark Willingham, Jr. Warden
Rosemary Burrows
Helen Burton
Matt Chapman
Brad Currey
Jan Hulett
Marlene O'Brien

To worship God, share our Christian vision with the world, and equip others for the work of ministry. We will: Glorify God with liturgy in the Anglican tradition; Support the making of music and outreach placing our current emphasis on young people and the hungry; Invite and include all people into our fellowship regardless of who they are or where they are on their journey of faith; Stand in solidarity with the oppressed against all forms of oppression; Encourage diversity in this congregation; Provide resources for this congregation's continued growth and ministry; Offer educational programs for children and adults, to nourish each person's growth in Christ; and Take an active role in the life of our Diocese.

Published eleven times a year. The editor of this issue is Jane Popham, July/August editor is Karen Sterbanz, jqsterbe@msn.com. Please have articles to her by June 16. Or put articles in the Communiqu� mail box by the offices.