Vacation Bible School July 19-22, at The Bridge

Through the generosity of Living Word United Methodist Church in Wildwood, MO, SportsLife Camps will be bringing an evening Vacation Bible School program to The Bridge for kids to enjoy. On Monday, July 19, through Thursday, July 22, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. each evening, all children in 1st through 6th grades (what they'll be entering in fall 2010) will be welcomed to join the fun at Cententary for this program.

Sara Cleary, Director of Children's Ministries at Living Word says, "This will be our 3rd summer offering SportsLife Camp at Living Word. It has been an awesome experience for all involved." They wanted to offer the same program to children of our guests at The Bridge, those that reside in area homeless shelters with their parents and for children who live in the downtown area who may not otherwise have the availability for VBS this summer. Living Word arranged for SportsLife to come to Centenary as part of their Community Outreach program.

As Sara goes on to say, "The SportsLife Team Counselors simply show up with a trailer full of supplies and lead the camp - much different than a 'traditional' VBS". This year's theme is "REACH". The time at VBS will be spent with upbeat song and dance, arts & crafts, a Bible lesson with a DVD component, and then actual "sport instruction" in various areas. And of course, a snack!

It is desired that all campers pre-register, but walk-ins will be welcomed as well. There is no cost to any children who attend the VBS at Centenary. Open registration begins each night at 6:15 pm right inside the door off the parking lot at Centenary UMC. For more information or to register your child for VBS, please contact The Bridge.

McKinley Peace Community Garden

From McKinley Peace Community Garden-2010

The raised beds are in and the plantings are done! This summers marks the first season for the McKinley Peace Community Garden. The garden is a project of Lafayette Park UMC and the McKinley Classical Jr Academy.

The garden is located in at McKinley Classical Jr Academy. If you have a few minutes drop by and check on the progress. If you have an extra 30 minutes, check with Fred Domke an offer to help out. There are always opportunities to share your skills either with the earth or the students.

Shalom House July Supply Drive

LPUMC is having a supply drive for Shalom House during the month of July. We are collecting donations of the following:

• Paper towels
• Cleaning supplies
• Trash bags

Shalom House has a large need for these items, so LPUMC is trying to stock them up! Please drop off any donations in the container downstairs in Fellowship Hall.

Shalom House offers innovative programs to empower women who are homeless and mentally ill to seek treatment and acquire the skills needed to become self-sufficient. They provide emergency shelter for 25 women and transitional housing for another dozen. Shalom House is a United Methodist Vital Ministry.

Thank you all for your continual support of Shalom House.

PrideFest 2010 Update

Celebrating with purpose and pageantry and energized by the buoyant presence of multiple congregations, including Lafayette Park UMC, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have marched, sung and reflected their way through Gay Pride. Once again Lafayette Park participated in St Louis LGBT PrideFest on June 26 & 27 in Tower Grove Park

.

Several dozen members of the congregation either manned the booth or stopped by to offer support and bring friends to see what we are all about. Besides being an opening and welcoming congregation, we have offer many opportunities to get engaged in social justice. What a great weekend

.

Thanks to everyone that helped make this a great event for our church and the community. Mark your calendar now for PrideFest 2011, June 25th & 26th.

LPUMC Prepares for PrideFest: June 26-27

Once again, LPUMC will have a booth at the annual gay and lesbian PrideFest in Tower Grove Park. This is an outreach event for our congregation. We want the LGBT community to know:

As a people of faith, we recognize the diversity of people created in the image of God. As a congregation, we welcome people of any age, gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, health status and any element of humanity created by God.

As usual there will be representatives of other churches near the park spreading a different message. We hope to be a positive force at PrideFest. We will be sharing information about the ministries we have here at LPUMC and inviting anyone who is interested to stop by for a visit. What can you do?

It is simple. Volunteer to staff the booth in the park on Saturday or Sunday. Everyone is welcome! We will answer questions about our ministries, how they can get involved and assure them they are welcome. Well need two volunteers per shift, two hour shifts, starting at 11, 1, 3 and 5 both days.

Pride 2009

Look for sign-up sheets every Sunday in June and for updates on the Yahoo Group. If you have any questions or to volunteer, contact Chris Finley at 314-630-7482 or email

Pastor Sharon's Last Sunday June 13!

Pastor Sharon Kichline has been appointed as Pastor of Smith Creek and Central Grove Charge United Methodist Churches. Her last Sunday at Lafayette Park will be June 13. There will be a big sendoff right after the 9:30 Worship.

From Pastor Sharon Kichline Ordination

Pastor Sharon was also ordained an elder of the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church on Saturday June 5h at the Annual Conference in Springfield Missouri.

Read more on ordination ...

Happy Birthday Pastor Kathleen

From Pastor Kathleen's 50th Birthday Celebration-May 2010

LPUMC began Pastor Kathleen's 50th birthday celebration on Sunday, May 2, by fulfilling a wish of Pastor Kathleen's, to "fill the church". Sharon Domke, Lay Leader, presented Pastor Kathleen with a corsage for her special day.

On Friday, May 7, LPUMC and Centenary gathered together at Centenary for a surprise music celebration from members of both churches.

See photos of the music celebration.

New Sunday Worship Time: 9:30 AM

Beginning Sunday June 13th Sunday Worship will begin at 9:30 AM!

After much discussion and prayer we have decided to combine our 8 and 10 AM Sunday Worship into one main event! Thanks to everyone who participated in the process to better server our congregation and reach out to the community. Be sure to set your alarm for the new time beginning June 13th!

Mothers' Day Offering for Festival of Sharing

This Sunday we will be collecting a special offering of items to make baby layettes for new mothers who have been dislocated by natural disasters in Chile and Haiti.

Please bring your contribution to the worship service on May 9th, Mother's Day, in honor or memory of the important women in your life. It has been requested that all items be new and under 12-month in size.

Each layette will need:

• 6 cloth diapers
• 2 t-shirts or undershirts
• 2 washcloths
• 2 gowns or sleepers
• 2 diaper pins
• 1 sweater or sweatshirt
• 2 receiving blankets (one can be a 3x3 knitted blanket)

The children of the church are invited to help assemble the layettes the following Sunday, May 16th, during Sunday school time, beginning at 9am.

More info on the Festival of Sharing

Hands In Mission - May 15th

Pencil in Saturday morning, May 15th, to lend your hands in mission. We'll be cleaning, planting, and possibly painting, at The Bridge, a UM Ministry based at Centenary UMC.

We will meet at 8:00am in the parking lot to carpool.

If you missed the event, her are some great photos . . .

Hands In Mission-The Bridge May 2010

March For Justice - May 1st

You are invited to join us in a march for immigrant rights on Saturday, May 1 at 11:30 AM., from the America's Center to Kiener Plaza. A rally will include Nobel Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu, and will focus on concerns of migrant workers, violence against women migrants, family unity (detention and deportation) and racial profiling.

Justice begins with hearing the voice that cries out, but is unable to make persons in power hear them. We have heard their cry, and now have the opportunity to help them be heard. We are guided by our United Methodist Social Principles, which speak to the Rights of Immigrants:

"We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education, and freedom from social discrimination. We urge the church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all."

Bishop Minerva Carcano, who leads the UMC Task Force on immigration, will lead the rally. Our Missouri Bishop, Robert Schnase, will also participate. 18th Assembly of United Methodist Women, is taking place at at the America’s Center the same day and will be joining us. We hope to have a strong presence from Lafayette Park United Methodist Church there too!

Carpools will be meet in the LPUMC parking lot Saturday morning, leaving at 10:30 AM. Put it on your calendar now to reserve the date. Call Pastor Sharon with questions at 566-0332.

Overview of UMC Immigration Rights . . .

First 2010 Hands In Mission - April 24th

Inspired by the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., LIVE THE DREAM - LIVE UNITED is an inter generational, interfaith, multicultural initiative that engages volunteers throughout the year.

We have been invited to join North Grand Neighborhood Services and Sts. Teresa and Bridget Church on April 24 for the next Day of Service in memory of Dr. King. We will be working in the Jeff Vanderlou Neighborhood, cleaning, and planting flowers.

So, find your work gloves and favorite ole’ t-shirt, and plan now to join a local mission team from Lafayette Park UMC as we work with our North Grand neighbors in making the city beautiful.

Meet at the church at 8:30 to carpool over to Sts. Teresa and Bridget Church. Lunch is provided at noon.

Questions? Contact Chris Kinder at or Pastor Sharon at 566-0332

More info on LIVE THE DREAM - LIVE UNITED

Photos from the event:

Hands In Misssion-North Grand Neighborhood Services April 2010

Adventures in Faith Begins April 8th

Come join us during this six week series to learn, develop relationships, and grow in your faith life. We being on Thursday April 8 and conclude on May 13th. We will gather at 6:00 pm for a light shared supper and fellowship. At 6:30, we will share a devotion and prayer. From 6:45-8:00 pm, you can choose to participate in one small group faith adventure. This winter, the four choices are:

1. Explore our Faith: Personal Devotional Habits
   
2. Explore the Word: Bible Study
   
3. Exploring Health: Low-impact Fitness Class
   
4. Crafts: Bring your knitting, crocheting, or other crafts and visit while you make beautiful things together

Childcare will be provided.

Sign up now by calling the church office at 771-9214, speak to a Pastor, or sign up during worship.

Holy Week Schedule - 2010

Easter time is here and once again we have additional worship services for everyone to take advantage of.

• Palm Sunday - Worship at 8 & 10 AM - March 28th
  


• Maundy Thursday - Worship at 7 PM - Centenary Chapel - April 1st
  


• Good Friday - Worship at 7 PM - April 2nd
  


• Saturday - Easter Egg Hunt - 10:30AM -April 3rd
  

Easter Sunday

• 8AM - Reflections on an Empty Tomb
  This service will offer a contemporary, contemplative experience at the end of the Easter Vigil. It will begin in darkness and grow into the resurrected light and life of Christ.

• 8:30-9:30 AM - Breakfast
  Please join us in Fellowship Hall
  

• 10 AM - An Easter Celebration
  This service will offer a traditional celebration of Easter just briefly reminding us of Good Friday and experiencing Resurrection as we worship.
  

Easter Egg Hunt and Party! - April 3rd

On Saturday, April 3rd, Lafayette Park UMC is excited to welcome The Easter Bunny, who will be hosting the annual Easter Egg Hunt.

The festivities kick off at 10:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall from which Mr. Bunny will lead the party to the park. Children will be divided into groups according to age for the hunt. After wards guests will follow the Bunny Trail back to the church for photos with the Easter Bunny, games, snacks and special treats. The Easter Egg Hunt is open to all.

We'll be preparing the eggs for the hunt on Sunday March 28th after worship.

For more information, please email Pastor Sharon.

Roast Beef Dinner - Saturday Feb 27th

You will not want to miss the Sprint Roast Beef dinner. This Spring's dinner is a fundraiser for this Fall's Mission trip to Juarez. Enjoy roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and desert; as well as great fellowship. See you in Fellowship Hall on Saturday February 27th, from noon to 7 pm.

Ash Wednesday Service - 2/17/10 7 PM

There will be a combined Ash Wednesday worship service, Ash Wednesday February 17th at Beloved Community UMC at 7pm. Our choir will sing, and Pastor Kathleen will be bringing the message. The church is very near LPUMC, located at 3115 Park. Click on the link below to get driving directions.

Adventures in Faith Begins February 18th

Come join us during this six week series to learn, develop relationships, and grow in your faith life. We will gather at 6:00 pm for a light shared supper and fellowship. At 6:30, we will share a devotion and prayer. From 6:45-8:00 pm, you can choose to participate in one small group faith adventure. This winter, the four choices are:

1. Bible Study: The New Testament
2. Book Study: The Externally Focused Church
3. Exploring Prayer
4. Crafts and things (bring your knitting, crocheting, or other crafts and visit while you make beautiful things together)

Childcare will be provided.
Sign up now by calling the church office at 771-9214, speak to a Pastor, or sign up during worship.

All Church Celebration - Sunday Jan. 31st

Join us on Sunday January 31st during Fellowship Time after the 10am Worship Service for a shared meal of hot soup and bread. Our meal will be followed by a celebration of our ministries in 2009 and a conversation about our direction for 2010. All Invited!

Stewardship Banner!

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of he least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." - Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

On January 17 the Stewardship Committee will introduce to the congregation a new concept in keeping track of our commitment to the many ministries that we support locally, nationally and throughout the world. The WCDANS have made a wonderful banner that will be displayed in the Sanctuary. This will serve as a visual reminder to the congregation of how faithful and committed we are to our many ministries.

The banner has a tree without foliage. Every time 2% of the funds for covering our portion of the cost to support these ministries is achieved, a leaf will be added. It will also serve as a testament to anyone who enters our Sanctuary that we are "...a church without walls, creating a visible sign of Christ's presence in our urban community and beyond."

Our prayer is that this tree will be full of leaves before Advent 2010.