Page 12

PA I D News & Views

Permit No. 2950

by God.
element of humanity created
status, health status, and any
orientation, socio-economic
race, ethnicity, sexual
tion people of any age, gender,
We welcome to this congrega-
God.
people created in the image of
recognize the diversity of
As a people of faith, we
A VISIBLE SIGN OF CHRIST’S PRESENCE IN OUR URBAN COMMUNITY AND BEYOND
St. Louis, MO
U.S. Postage
Non-Profit

A monthly publication of Lafayette Park United Methodist Church ◊ November 2009

A church without walls, creating a visible sign of Christ’s presence in our urban community and beyond

Happenings at From The Wilder View

LPUMC
Luke 2:7 …and she gave birth to her
firstborn son and wrapped him in bands
of cloth, and laid him in a manger, be-
Cookie Party, 10 am
working on me. So I stopped just a
moment and wondered… could it be
possible that there was no room in my
inn? Well at least in my day? Wait a

Lafayette Park United Methodist Church

Dec.6 cause there was no place for them in minute, I already had my personal de-
the inn. votional and prayer time, God; I made
Breakfast with Santa room for you this morning…what do
Dec. 12 9:30 am It wasn’t a special day. I was living out you mean, there is no room?

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Family Serice

Dec. 6 Cookie Party
www.lp-umc.org my normal schedule. Running from
On the Web

LPUMC News & Views– December 2009

●
Christmas Cantata 10am one meeting to another, making phone Yet those words swirled around me

8:00am Family Friendly Service

Service calls as I traveled, and thinking about once again.
Dec. 20 the things I needed to do in the free My friends, we are entering a time
News & Views

Christmas Eve
moments at stop lights. I when the world just gets
Family Service, 4 pm pulled up to the church. faster and faster. Our cal-
Dec. 24 Really quick now, I told my- endars are getting fuller

11:00am Fellowship Hour (fellowship hall)

self, “you need to get in, get and fuller. Our commit-
Christmas Eve out, pick up ____, ____, ___, ments are becoming
Traditional Candlelight and get to the next place. greater and greater, and

Youth and Kids Sunday School

10:00am Traditional Worship

Save the Date…

Service

Join us this Sunday…

Hurry!” maybe, just maybe, we are
Dec.24 Then this verse came to my not making room for the
LAFAYETTE PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

head. “…there was no room for them real meaning of Christmas. Maybe the
This Issue
of a person who is HIV+ or has AIDS,

in the inn.” Wow, what an odd verse to ‘inn’ is the place in our daily lives that
Return Service Requested

If you are HIV+ or have AIDS,

run through my head when I am think- we stop to invite the Christ child to help
or are the friend or loved one

you ARE welcome at LPUMC!

Wilder View 1

Dec. 12 Breakfast with Santa

ing about getting things accomplished. us see the world from the perspective of
After all it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet! innocence and fun. How much room

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Serivce

Why am I already thinking about have we set aside in our calendar to


Check It Out 4
9:00am Adult Sunday School

Christmas? (maybe because it was get-
ting close to the deadline for this arti-
Earth Care Column 4 cle?)
“…there was no room for them in the
inn.” The words came to me again.
2300 Lafayette Avenue
experience the wonder of birth and life?
How much room do we have in our day
to be quiet and reflect upon the joy of
God’s greatest gift?
This advent, I invite you to stop and

Financial Considerations 5 Hmm, I wonder… no, gotta fly, people intentionally make room…make room
St. Louis, MO 63104

are waiting on me. I need to get in, get in your day; make room in your sched-
out, and go. ule, and in your life to encounter Em-
Calendar 10
314.771.9214

“…there was no room for them in the manuel, God with us!
inn.” Once again, these words floated Happy Advent!
through my mind. Finally I realized
Time with Sharon 11
that it was probably the Holy Spirit
~Pastor Kathleen
Lafayette Park United Methodist Church 2300 Lafayette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 314-771-9214
Page 2
CHURCH
CONTACTS
Church Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
314-771-9214
Pastor
Rev. Kathleen Wilder
lppastor@sbcglobal.net
Associate Pastor
Sharon Kichline
lpassociate@sbcglobal.net
Church Secretary
Maria Lawrence
M-F 9:00 a.m. - Noon
lpsecretary@sbcglobal.net
Newsletter Editor
Elena Greene
lpnewsletter@sbcglobal.net
Newsgroup
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lpumc
WebMaster
Chris Finley
chrisdfinley@sbcglobal.net
Preschool Director
Edna Coleman
lppreschool@sbcglobal.net
Youth Director
Chad Johnson
lpyouth@sbcglobal.net
Young Adult Minister
Aaron Ban
aaronban@gmail.com
News & Views
Editor
Elena Greene
Newsletter Production
Bob & Jeris Beane
Sunday Bulletin Production
Betty Disbennett
Mary Disbennett
Lafayette Park United Methodist Church 2300 Lafayette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 314-771-9214
LPUMC News & Views
Dear Lafayette Park United Methodist Church:
Thank you for you generous donation of Wish List items to the USO of
Missouri. Your donation will make a real difference. There is not a more
cherished image in the military community than the USO. In 2007, we
served over 300,000 military personnel and their families thanks to the
dedicated support of over 600 volunteer and donors like you.
Your support enables the USO of Missouri to continue operation of the
facility at the Lambert-St. Louis Airport with all services and amenities
absolutely FREE to military personnel and their families. The USO of
Missouri also operates a facility at For Leonard Wood. This would not
be possible without your support. We receive no government or United
Way support and are not part of the Department of Defense. We depend
entirely on private donations to serve those who bravely serve.
Sincerely,
Kathy O’Conner, Executive Director
Dear Reverend Wilder,
On behalf of the residents 6th Ward, I would like you for your partnership
in our Day of Peace, Rally and March. Your efforts made all the difference
and I am encouraged by your stand to restore peace and calm our commu-
nity.
Thank you again for your support. Together we will make our City the
best it can be.
In Service,
Kacie Starr Triplett
Alderwoman 6th Ward
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
• To all those who cleaned, baked, cooked, served, and cleaned
up for our annual Turkey Dinner. It brought our neighbors in
to taste our hospitality, and it was GOOD!
• For the counters who count the money each week after the
worship service, and sacrifice the goodies and fellowship hap-
pening downstairs.
• For Shelby Hileman and Bob Kessel, who send out their notes
and cards of welcome.
• For the caring and clever teachers that have been hosting The
Bible Stories Sunday school class for our children.
• For the thoughtful teachers of our youth Movie Review, help-
ing our young culture-consumers think deeper.
• For the leadership at LPUMC, who offer their time and creativity to
making us a church without walls, a visible sign of Christ’s presence in
our urban community and beyond.
December 2009
Sharing Time with Sharon: Finding Hope
Said the night wind to the little lamb, “Do
you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb, do you see
what I see?
A star, a star, dancing in the night, with a tail
as big as a kite.”
It was back in October, 1962, and the Soviet Union
and the United States were involved in a crisis cen-
tered on missiles the Russians had installed in Cuba.
The United States threatened military action if the mis-
siles were not removed. The world trembled and
prayed as these two nuclear powers stood eyeball-to-
eyeball.
That October, as Noel Regney walked through the
streets of New York, a sense of despair was every-
where. No one smiled. Everybody hung on the words
of the radio newscasters, waiting, waiting, waiting, to
learn if the security that they had known was on the
verge of being obliterated.
Noel knew something about war and fear of
death. Forced to serve in the German army during
WWII, he secretly also served the French resistance,
risking his life many times as he shared German plans
for harm with the French freedom fighters.
Years later, he and his wife, Gloria, living in New
York, worked as a song-writing team. Christmas was
approaching, and Noel had been asked to write a holi-
day song. In this time of thick tension and cold fear,
he could not muster any enthusiasm or inspiration.
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy, “Do
you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy, Do
you hear what I hear?
A song, a song, high above the tree with a
voice as big as the sea.”
But then one day walking home, he saw two mothers
with their babies giggling at each other from their
strollers. Their joy transformed him, and filled his
heart with poetry. The little ones reminded him of
newborn lambs, and he began to muss, “Said the night
wind to the little lamb....”As soon as Noel arrived
home, he jotted down the lyrics, and Gloria set them to
music.
I am struck how this story pivots on a peek into the
Lafayette Park United Methodist Church 2300 Lafayette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 314-771-9214
Page 11
world of God’s reign of tenderness and goodness,
even in the midst of external fear and turmoil. While
the East coast sat in the sights of a belligerent world
power, God was revealed in the goofy, gurgling de-
light of children. Hope sprung forth for this song-
writer, even as it did 2000 years ago for those who,
beleaguered by their lives of poverty and oppression,
gazed upon the Messiah child.
Our own era has known some major turbulence this
past year too. There is certainly fear, for shrinking
saving accounts, another rent check due, and the po-
tential of impending illness. People are still hurting
each other in our neighborhoods, in our cities, even in
our service bases. There is no shortage of bullies, big
and small. But during this season, we are reminded
that God is still with us…and will show up in the
most amazing places in the least likely container.
Who could have imagined that he would choose to
present himself where the cows and donkeys were
stabled, as the baby of politically and economically
invisible parents?
Said the king to the people everywhere,
“Listen to what I say!
Pray for peace, people, everywhere, listen to
what I say!
The Child, The Child sleeping in the night,
He will bring us goodness and light,
He will bring us goodness and light.”
As we await the celebration of the birth of Emmanuel,
we are reminded that Hope is still alive through
God’s presence with us. We are never alone, not
ever. God’s purposes for healing and wholeness for
us continue, even in the face of our present difficul-
ties. Look into the sweet face of a child, and yet
again, see the hope for tomorrow revealed. Find
the truth on which we may take comfort… “He will
bring us goodness and light.”
May God’s peace and grace be upon you in this season
of waiting,
Pastor Sharon
Page 4 LPUMC News & Views December 2009 Page 9

Something Really Important

In the humdrum of your week, do you ever dream of doing something really important with your life? Just 30 Locksmith OUR WEEKLY SCHEDULE
minutes a week as a reading mentor will change the trajectory of a child’s life. No kidding!
If you are a locksmith, or know
In the first three years of school, children learn to read. After that, they read to learn. Kids who have missed a lot
someone that is a good lock- Worship Service
of school or have learning or emotional disabilities fall through the cracks. Mentors help at-risk kids to go back
and pick up important reading skills that were missed along the way, so they can feel successful as they continue smith that would be willing to Sunday: 8 a.m. & 10 a.m.
to learn. help us, please let me know. Children’s Church: 10 a.m. service
We are looking into making Communion: First Sunday of the Month
When the children return to school on January 5th, there will be some of them who will not have a reading mentor. some master keys for the Sunday School 9 a.m. Adult, Teen & Kids
If you have 30 minutes once a week in your schedule, please consider joining a group of us who mentor second church.
graders at Hodgen Elementary. Reading times are Tuesday or Thursday, 10:15 or 12:40. You do not need to Thanks, Service to our Community
have teaching credentials. Steve Coffey - Trustee Chair Preschool Weekdays at 9 a.m. during school year
314-604-5056 CHARIS Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
Contact Pastor Sharon now at 566-0332 or at lpassociate@sbcglobal.net, and change the life of a child. Could Recycling Aluminum (Blue bin outside)
anything be more important? Paper Recycling (Green bin outside)
Cell Phones & Print Cartridges (Fellowship Hall)

Earth Care: Tips for Green Holiday Giving

Is anything more wonder-
ful than finding the perfect
gift for someone, or receiv-
ing the present that’s just
what you needed? How
about gift-giving accompa-
nied by the knowledge that
your gift is also a gift for the
planet? There’s more to green
giving than just switching to the
stuff with the “green” label. Here
are some pointers for finding the
Administrative
Church Council: Daron Smith
Board of Trustees: Steve Coffey
Publicity: Debra Crowe
Finance: Bethany Spaulding
Treasurer: Sherry Owens
Finan. Secretary: Maria Lawrence
Lay Leadership: Sharon Domke
Parish Relations: Sheryl Smothers
right gifts that make everyone happy.
Be sure your gift will get
used. A gift that the re-
ceiver does not use is sim-
ply wasted.
Give a consumable gift.
The gift will not be left
unused in the corner of
their closet.
Share a piece of yourself. Offer your
services. Make a gift of any service.
You will still reduce material con-
sumption.
Ministry Teams at LPUMC
Program
Youth Ministries: Chad Johnson
Education: Cindy Pillow
Outreach: Robin and Eric Merle
Missions: Nancy Thuer; Larry Heugatter
Worship: Jeff Jensen; Sue Meyers
Stewardship: Brenda Cook
Music: Kourtney Strade
Preschool Liaison: Cindy Pillow
Give a gift where it is needed on
behalf of someone better off. Im-
prove another family by the gift of a
llama or a sheep on their behalf.
Buy a local gift. A gift made or
grown locally you have discovered
right here.
Gifts are wonderful expressions of
friendship. Just keep in mind the
true meaning of Christmas, and that
is so much more important than gift
giving.
Other
Conference Lay Member: Chad Johnson
United Methodist Women: Jeris Beane
Historian: Tom Keay
Wills and Memorials: Larry Heugatter
Wedding Coordinator: Lynne Keay
The Bridge Mission
...to provide an avenue where human need and
available resources can converge. Through a free
-meals program and providing access to other
necessary services, guests are treated as valuable
humans of worth and given opportunity to work
Join us for a fun time on
toward self-sufficiency through cooperative part-
December 6th, after 10a
nerships with other community health and service service to remember
Lois and celebrate
agencies. The Bridge is dedicated to seeking
the annual cookie party.
paths of justice, dignity and respect for all margin-
alized people living in the downtown St. Louis Please bring your school supplies to share with the
children of Epworth and Hodgen college bond Ele-
community. mentry.
RMN MISSION STATEMENT: Reconciling Ministries Network is a national grass-
roots organization that exists to enable full participation of people of all sexual
orientations and gender identities in the life of the United Methodist Church,
both in policy and practice.

Lafayette Park United Methodist Church 2300 Lafayette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 314-771-9214 Lafayette Park United Methodist Church 2300 Lafayette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 314-771-9214
Page 6 LPUMC News & Views December 2009 Page 7

Home for the Holidays….A celebration of God’s Amazing Gift to Us—His Son, Jesus!
Christmas Eve
Family Friendly Service
4:00 pm

Christmas Fellowship
9:30pm—10:30 pm

Christmas mini-concert
10:30 pm-10:55

Traditional Candlelight Service

11:0 0 pm

Centenary Candlelight Service

7:00 pm

A time for memories of Christmas Past, memories of times shared together!

And a time for making new memories that will be cherished for years to com.
Lafayette Park United Methodist Church 2300 Lafayette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 314-771-9214 Lafayette Park United Methodist Church 2300 Lafayette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 314-771-9214
 Page 8 LPUMC News & Views December 2009 Page 5

Poinsettias Order Form/Mozambique Covenant World Aids Day Events

“Good Sense” Financial Considerations
Donation Here is a list of a few World
AIDS day events. For more info Bethany situations.
Would you like to purchase poinsettias to decorate the Sanctuary for Christ- please go to EFA's website. Here are some gift/celebration ideas to
mas and/or make a donation toward our Mozambique Covenant? Flowers Spaulding, get your creative juices flowing:
and/or Mozambique Covenant donations may be purchased to honor or me- Goldfarb School of Nursing at • coupon for future redemption
morialize a loved one. Poinsettia ($8.50) Orders will be taken 11/29 through Barnes-Jewish CPA, CMA, – babysitting, chores, home-
12/6. College will display panels of the cooked dinner, night on the
AIDS Memorial Quilt, Nov. 23 CCSA, CRP, town, night spent doing a
Your Name _______________________________ Phone # thru Dec.11, 2009. They will also favorite hobby together,
______________________ host a WAD service & activities breakfast in bed, clean a
'Tis the season to show our love to
from 4 pm-7 pm Dec. 1. friend's home
each other in celebration of the
# of Poinsettias? ($8.50 each) __________ One who showed us the true • baked goods – breads, cook-
Christ Church Cathedral will ies, candies
meaning of love. We've probably
In Honor Of__________________________ In Memory hold a Eucharist at 7 pm Dec.
all heard a lot about finding new • charity donation in the name
Of_______________________ 1st. Reading of names will begin of a friend/family member
ways to give gifts as the nation's
at 6 pm. • handmade gifts-crafts, scrap-
economy shifts, but as Christians,
Mozambique Covenant $_________________________________ this shouldn't be a new idea! book/picture of a special
Metropolitan Community Church event in a frame, collage,
While material things can help
In Honor Of__________________________ In Memory of Greater SaintLouis will host a jewelry
show love, the foundation of love
Of_______________________ World AIDS Day Service begin- • handwritten letter or poem
is to treat each other with mercy
and grace. tied with a ribbon or put in a
Payment must be submitted with your order. Please make checks payable to 1 John 3:18-20 (The Mes- frame
sage) • create storage boxes (serves
What is Advent?
My dear children, let's not double duty as wrapping for a Tip of the Month:
just talk about love; let's present) using shoe boxes and
This year, the Season of Advent begins November 29th. Advent is the first sea- leftover wallpaper or heavy
practice real love. This is
son of the Christian Calendar, and it stretches over the four Sundays before wrapping paper
the only way we'll know
Christmas, and ends at midnight on Christmas Eve.
we're living truly, living • refinish/repaint a garage sale
Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of
in God's reality. It's also find or antique (furniture to
longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first
the way to shut down decorative items)
expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt as they cried out from their bitter oppres-
debilitating self-criticism, • host a get-together where
sion under Egyptian tyranny. It is grounded in the hope that we still share with
even when there is some- guests bring gift under $5 or
our ancient ancestors of the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will
thing to it. For God is $10 to exchange, use a theme This is the busiest time of the year
bring peace, justice, and righteousness to the world.
greater than our worried to make it more interesting for many of us – this month let's
We traditionally begin the First Sunday of Advent with the Hanging of the
hearts and knows more (bring a recipe and as many give back to God tithes and offer-
Green, adorning the Sanctuary with evergreen wreaths, boughs, and a tree that
about us than we do our- ingredients as you can for ings of our time as well as our
help to symbolize the new and everlasting life brought through Jesus the Christ.
selves. $10) money. Even on the busiest days
Each Sunday, a candle of the Advent Wreath is lit, and the emphasis moves
from hope, to peace, joy, and then love. On Christmas Eve, we light the Christ
In our quiet times with God, let's • organize an opportunity to take a few minutes to sit and just be
listen for what would truly bless serve together with friends at with God – after all, what greater
Candle, and the light of Christ breaks through the darkness to bring new light to
friends, family and strangers dur- a local nonprofit gift do we have to celebrate? It
the world!
We hope you will join us in worship during the season of Advent. May we
ing the holiday season. As a side • give the gift of time together would be a shame spend the holiday
benefit, God promises that love – decorating cookies, potluck season being busy celebrating the
prepare together our hearts for the (re)birth of the Christ child in our hearts.
will replace the focus on what's meals, making ornaments One for which we don't have time.
wrong with ourselves and our life

Lafayette Park United Methodist Church 2300 Lafayette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 314-771-9214 Lafayette Park United Methodist Church 2300 Lafayette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 314-771-9214
 Page 10 LPUMC News & Views December 2009 Page 3
Breakfast with Santa
Calendar New Year Success Bags for Hodgen Kids SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, December 12 from 9:30-11:00 We will be collecting items to put into ziplock “New Year Success Bags” for
Dec 6 Cookie Party, 10 am the children at Hodgen College-Bound Academy, formally known as January 16, 2009
a.m.,
Hodgen Elementary (isn’t that a great new name?!). We will be putting the Join your LPUMC church
Dec.12 Breakfast with Santa Children under the age of 10 years and
bags together the last Sunday of the year during Fellowship Time and place family at the first
their parents are invited to join us
one on each desk in time to help them kick off their new year of studies. FAMILY FUN NIGHT!
Dec. 13 Lafayette Square Winter Parlor Tour in Fellowship Hall for a light breakfast Please the following items in the baskets at the sanctuary doors, or designate
and a visit with Santa. your gift in the offering basket as “Success Bags”:
Dec. 20 Christmas Cantata 10 am service Fun, food and pictures with Santa will be #2 pencils
provided at no cost. Just come and en- black or blue ink pens
Dec. 21 Homeless Memorial Remembrance service at joy! 24-packs of crayons
Centenary, 4 pm Sponsored by the WCDANS and friends. bright green magic markers (their official school color for
success)
Dec. 24 4 pm Christmas Eve Family single-theme notebooks
Friendly Service green stickers
bright green erasers
Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Traditional glue sticks A THANK YOU NOTE
Candlelight Service
LPUMC’s contribution really
December Give a Gift This Year That Makes a Difference! set the stage for our Harvest
Scriptures for Covenant Partners
LPUMC is offering you the opportunity to give “gifts of minis-
try.” There will be present packages on the alter rail. We invite
Festival. One of our Wash U
student volunteers arranged
December you to choose a present and make a donation to support a spe-
cific ministry. Presents will range from $25.00-$1,000.00. They
the bales of hay into a circle
December 6 which created a sitting room
also represent supplying ministry needs that range from paying setting. Please extend our
Marvin Park/Stephan Memorial UMC for the radiator repairs to teaching our children to transform the
Rev. Mark C. Harvey deepest appreciation to the
December 6 world.
Mt. Zion UMC Rev. Keith E. Janis congregation for helping to
Malachi 3:1-4 Phillippians 1:3-11
make the First Annual North
Luke 1:68-79 Luke 3:1-6
December 13 Kingdom House Christmas Gift Shop Side Harvest Festival a suc-
New Hope UMC Rev. Quentin T. Madden Some Christmas trees have been placed in the hallways leading into the cess!
December 13
Zephaniah 3:14-20 Philippians 4:4-7 New Spirit/Shaw/Unity Rev. Antonio M. Settles sanctuary. These trees are decorated with wish list that has been provided
Isaiah 12:2-6 Luke: 3:7-18 from Kingdom House for their gift shop. We're collecting items and would
December 20 like to deliver them on Friday, December 11th so they can get ready to dis- Merry Christmas at The
North Hills UMC Rev. Gerald E. Moore tribute. There's a large box next to each tree to place your donations. On
December 20 Bridge
North Park UMC Rev. Ronald Graham the back of the wish list is a list of times when volunteers are needed to help
Micah 5:2-5a Hebrews 10:5-10 At the end of the Christmas
Luke 1:46b-55 Luke 1:39-45 with the gift shop. If you have any time available they would love the extra
December 27 hands. Dinner served to the sojourners
St. Andrew UMC Rev. Monica Jefferson This is a wonderful way to help us get connected to the families that King- at The Bridge, the guests are
December 24/25 St. Luke’s UMC Rev. Jon L. Thompson
Isaiah 9:2-7 Titus 2:11-14 dom House serves! The Kingdom House Christmas Shop serves needy gifted with a goody bag. The
Psalm 96 Luke 2:1-20 families from the urban area through offering parents an opportunity to need this year is for heavy,
come and select age-appropriate gifts and clothing for their children. Last thick socks and chapstick to go
December 27 year we found that the tables set aside for teen gifts were the most sparce into these goody bags. Please
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Colossians 3:12-17 (i.e. perfume, nail sets, cologne, etc.). If you have any questions, please feel bring your gifts of socks and
Psalm 148 Luke 2:41-52 News & Views is published monthly. Submit any information or free to contact Sue O'Neal (sconeal1@yahoo.com). Thanks in advance for chapstick for the baskets by the
articles by the 17th of each month to lpnewsletter@sbcglobal.net. your generosity! doors of the Sanctuary.
For more information, contact Elena Greene at 776-0365

Lafayette Park United Methodist Church 2300 Lafayette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 314-771-9214 Lafayette Park United Methodist Church 2300 Lafayette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 314-771-9214