Our Church’s Wider Mission Fundraiser

Each year, a portion of the offering and other money donated to Ivy Chapel goes to support “Our Church’s Wider Mission.” This outreach by the United Church of Christ helps those in need across the globe. The following video, which was shown during worship at Ivy Chapel on Feb. 21, further explains the concept of OCWM. The video was shown in support of a special offering held on Feb. 28 to support OCWM.

If you’d like more information about OCWM, or if you would like to donate to the fundraising drive, please join us in worship on Feb. 28, e-mail us, or call 1-314-434-4991

Hot February Chili Supper raises $2,400 for Ivy Chapel programs

Thank you to everyone who came out to spice up a chilly February evening at Ivy Chapel. The chili supper raised over $2,400, which will be used to support our ongoing community outreach programs.

The youth raffle brought in over $300, which will go towards an upcoming youth mission trip.

A very special thank-you goes out to all of the volunteers who helped make the event a huge success.

Keep watching this website and Ivy Chapel’s twitter feed for upcoming fundraisers, fellowship events and other news from Ivy Chapel.

Chili Supper: Raffle Items announced

Journey toward the Miracle of Easter

From the United Church of Christ…
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent—a season of self-examination, prayer, fasting and works of love. In many churches, ashes are placed on the forehead as a reminder of mortality.

The word “Lent” is from the Middle English verb meaning “to lengthen.” In the Northern Hemisphere, the season corresponds with the lengthening of days during late winter and early spring.

During Lent, Christians prepare themselves spiritually for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. The season spans 40 days: the number 40 symbolizes spiritual journeys home, corresponding to the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert in preparation for his ministry and the 40 years Israel journeyed through the wilderness towards the promised land. The traditional color of Lent is purple. During Holy Week, red is sometimes worn to symbolize the blood shed by Jesus for the salvation of humanity. In some traditions, following Maundy Thursday’s service, the sanctuary is stripped of color and ornament as a gesture which may suggest keeping vigil with Christ on the cross and in the tomb.

For more information about the journey toward the Miracle of Easter, and for information about how to make your own journey, visit the United Church of Christ’s Lent website.

You can help – Haiti Earthquake Relief

The United Church of Christ responded immediately to the catastrophic January 12 earthquake in Haiti.

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) money and resources are already on the way.  The United Church of Christ is sending disaster relief gifts to assist with the widespread needs in Haiti.

These resources are available because of our church’s annual One Great Hour of Sharing Offering Appeal. Thanks be to God that these resources are already in place!

More will surely be needed.

In addition to what is already being sent to Haiti, your SPECIAL GIFT is needed now.

Visit the UCC Disaster web site and click on the red DONATE box.

Or mail your gift to:

“OGHS – Haiti Earthquake Relief”
Wider Church Ministries
United Church of Christ
700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115

Please designate gifts in the memo portion :
“OGHS – Haiti Earthquake Relief”

Thank you for your generosity and for keeping the victims of this disaster in your prayers.

Ivy brightens Christmas for area families

A big thank you to all of the member of Ivy Chapel who gave gifts, money and grocery bags that were given to Joint Neighborhood Ministry for the annual “Adopt a Family” program. This year, our congregation adopted five families, a total of nineteen people. On Sunday, December 13, we loaded three vans packed with gifts and groceries – including four bikes and a tricycle.

The pink grocery bag fundraisers also netted a check to JNM for $81.

The mitten tree — an Ivy tradition — overflowed this year with mittens, hats and scarves, which were divided between JNM and Circle of Concern. Both of these organizations said how much these items were needed, especially this year.

Your generosity made Christmas brighter for many families in our area! Thank you!

Christmas resources from the UCC

Advent is an exciting season in the church as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ. The United Church of Christ has a a variety resources to help you and your family experience the true spirit of the season.

• Free Advent Guide

• Christmas Kit

Follow this link for an even wider variety of Advent resources.

Starting November 28 and extending throughout Advent, visit the UCC’s Feed Your Spirit page, filled with reflections on the season and a virtual prayer chapel.

Undie Sunday brings warmth & comfort

Ivy Chapel’s Ark Youth Group (7th & 8th Graders) called upon the congregation for help… and we responded! The youth collected 291 pairs of underwear, 19 pairs of socks and six baby t-shirts for our annual Undie Sunday. The items will be donated to Joint Neighborhood Ministry, who will pass them along to children in need. Thank you to all who reached out to help.

HarvestFest 2009 raises over $10,000!

Breaking news from HarvestFest Chair Debbie Washburn: The results have been tallied and HarvestFest 2009 at Ivy Chapel was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who donated their time to make it a fun evening…  to everyone who donated items for the auctions… and of course to everyone who came to the event and gave so generously to support Circle of Concern and Joint Neighborhood Ministry. We had a great turnout, and the bidding was busy.   Please send any suggestions for the next HF (in 2011) to Deb Washburn.

Watch this space for more thank yous and, by request — recipes from the great food served at the event.

Thanks to all who made HarvestFest a success.

The results are still being tallied… but indications are HarvestFest 2009 at Ivy Chapel was  a huge success! Thanks to everyone who donated their time to make it a fun evening…  to everyone who donated items for the auctions… and of course to everyone who came to the event and gave so generously to support Circle of Concern and Joint Neighborhood Ministry. We had a great turnout, and the bidding was busy. Watch this space for updates. And for those who have asked — we’ll also be posting recipes from the most popular HarvestFest foods.

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