Welcome to the new format for the this edition of The Ivy Vine,

Ivy Chapel's monthly newsletter-please click at the bottom of the email to view the entire newsletter in this format.
The newsletter can be opened in a pdf format by clicking this link.

It is also always available online at our website for viewing.

If you would like a pdf format of the Vine emailed,

please contact Kara in the office at ivychapelucc@ivychapel.org .

May's Message

From the Pastor

Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

Over the last few months as your Intentional Interim Pastor, I have encouraged our community to look forward. We have made changes in our ministries and in our building to address where we are now and position us to step into the “not yet”. We have tried on some new things. We have reclaimed some elements of our past. We have hoped, dreamed, and imagined what can be as we anticipate a new Settled Pastor in the months ahead.

This month I am encouraging you to look back. Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ was founded on May 13, 1964. May is our anniversary month. May is a time to celebrate the relationships, the people, and the ministries that led us to who we are today. And there is much to celebrate! I have been blessed to review pictures and documents from our rich history. From ARKS to OWLS to clown appearances to mission trips to Instituto del Rey, Ivy Chapel was an active body of faith. We had an adult choir, a children’s choir, enjoyed outdoor gatherings, Harvest Festivals, Spaghetti dinners, and confirmation celebrations. You and I even have connections in the past: Ivy Chapel participated in the former breakfast ministry of my home church Epiphany UCC.

It is only natural when we look back to feel nostalgic. There are people in that past who were loved by us who are no longer physically present. Some have completed their work on earth and are celebrating in the presence of God. Some have moved away due to their work or other life situations. Some have left due to challenging moments in our church. It is only natural to our creation as human beings to feel some sorrow, regret, and sentimentality. Our church has naturally changed over the sixty plus years of our existence.

All of this to say, let’s embrace all our history in this month of May.

Let’s remember the high moments and the challenges. It’s all a part of the

mosaic named Ivy Chapel. To that end, on May 17^th, we will have “Homecoming Sunday”. Ivy’s own Rev. Dr. Laura Hertenstein Mignerone will lead us in worship. We will share in a picnic style luncheon in our Fellowship Hall. We will have photos and memorabilia from our past to view. The Council has invited back former staff, former members, and members of our community to join us in this celebration. Please invite people you know to be our guests on this special commemoration of all we have experienced together.

Creator God, we give you thanksgiving and praise for all you have done in our presence through these sixty-two years. We are grateful for all the people who have walked through our doors in the many seasons of our past. We are blessed for the opportunities we have had to share your love in various ways. May all that was, all that is, and all that will ever be bring glory and honor to your name! Amen.

3 May 2026, Fifth Sun of Easter: Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16,

1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14

10 May 2026, Sixth Sun of Easter: Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:8-20,

1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21

17 May 2026, Seventh Sun of Easter– Ivy Homecoming: Acts 1:6-14,

Psalm 68:1-10,32-35, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11

24 May 2026, Pentecost Sun: Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30,

Psalm 104:24-34 and 35b, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 , John 20:19-23

31 May 2026, Trinity Sun, First Sunday after Pentecost: Genesis 1:1—2:4a,

Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20

7 June 2026 Second Sun after Pentecost: Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12,

Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

All of the scripture we use for worship can be found through this link to the Vanderbilt University library's lectionary collection.

Council Happenings

Each month the Ivy Chapel Council will provide an update to the Ivy community in the monthly newsletter, The Ivy Vine, regarding the search for our new Pastor. If there are special updates those will also be announced in the weekly KYP’s and posted on the website.

SEARCH UPDATE:

The committee has met and begun to formulate a plan to move forward with our search for Ivy’s new Settled Pastor. They will be working with the Missouri Mid-South Conference leadership to find suitable candidates for the future envisioned for Ivy. We will continue to update you all on our next steps and with any additional news.

Thank you for your continued support of the committee and Ivy.

PLEASE CHECK OUT IVY’S

NEW WEBSITE!!!

If you have any questions or suggestions please contact the office– we would love feedback!

Spread the word and be sure to follow/like

Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ on Facebook AND Instagram.

Upcoming events will be posted which can be shared with friends.

This is an easy way to invite others to join us!

Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 17th

and plan to join us in as we are blessed with a

special message from Ivy's own,

Rev. Dr. Laura Mignerone.

Following worship, we invite everyone to join us for a

Homecoming Picnic in Fellowship Hall. A picnic style luncheon will be provided for this time of Fellowship as we reflect on Ivy's past, celebrate the present and look towards our bright future! Please contact the office to RSVP by May 14th or if you have any questions .

We look forward to seeing you there!

Due to the wonderful participation and feedback from all, we will be continuing to offer weekly community time after worship in Fellowship Hall. Each Sunday a different group will be putting together the drinks and treats for everyone to share. If you would like to help or “sponsor” a specific Sunday to set-up up the community time please let Kara know and she will add you to the schedule.

News From Around Ivy

The Mary and Martha Women’s Club met on April 21^st in Pastor Carol’s Office. A devotion from Kay Kreder was a hymn that was a favorite of past member, Helen Kersten. It is called I Heard a Forest Praying and speaks about how trees are used and their worth. Pastor Carol talked with us about Autism and the spectrum it encompasses. We also learned some of the typical behaviors and ways of responding to them. She told us about her son, Nathaniel, who is autistic. Thank you Pastor Carol. Next month a special program will be presented by Dave Mentzel who did a Mission Trip to Uganda, Africa in January. Everyone at Ivy is invited to come and hear his experiences there. We will meet at 2 p.m. and light refreshments will be served. Dave accompanied his daughter who is a nurse in a group of nurses that made the trip. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Narthex so we can set up accordingly. We hope everyone will join us.

Watch the KYP for additional information.

Ivy Chapel UCC will host an Impact Life Blood Drive

from 4 to 7 pm Thursday, May 7^th.

Blood Donations are in high demand and

YOUR blood donation is much needed.

Sign up through this link.

Thank you for giving the Gift of Life!

Get Ready For

'Summer Fun' Collection

Summer is coming and the youth at Every Child’s Hope are looking forward to swim lessons and a fun time in the pool. We are gathering new beach towels, dive toys, goggles and adult flip flops.

All are needed but our goal is 30 towels!

Place items in the container in the narthex May 10, 17, and 24.

If you would like us to shop for you, place the donation in an envelope marked ECH in the offering plate. The kids thank you!

Thank You for all your donations for the

collection of twin sheets for

Lydia’s House for Abused Women and Children.

It was great success and they were

very appreciative for everything.

Thank you for your generosity yet again Ivy!

A giant thank you to everyone who donated, helped organize, helped the day of the sale and helped clean up.

We made over $1500!!! Which means we were able to donate

$150 to Ritenour Co-Care Pantry.

It is time to sign up for Summer Camp at MoVal!

This year’s sessions include:

June 21-26—High School Camp (grades 9-12)

June 28-July 2– Family Camp (all ages)

July 5– 10—All Ages Camp #1 (grades 3-9)

July 12-17—All Ages Camp#2 (grades 3-9)

July 19-23– Adventures in Community (ages 18+)

For more information please check online at:

Camp MoVal – MidMissouri South Conference

Please Let Tara know if you have any questions regarding the Youth

at 314-973-6284 or taralowry96@gmail.com

Sunday Youth Activities

1st – Ann Molyneaux and Bill Wirtz

2nd – Adam James

9th – Pat Winship

10th – Jamie Del Carmen and Bradley Kuntzman

14th – Alex Kuntzman

18th – Amanda Dunham

21st – Tom Glenn

25th – Trish Baker

5/26/1962

Rudolph and Heide Lauer

5/26/2007

Shannon and Paul Farrell

5/26/2018

Katie and Matt Amsler

3 May — Julie McAllister and Dave Mentzel

communion preparer Gail Thoele

10 May— Diann and Jim Sheahan

17 May— Frank Purviance and John Weiland

24 May— Dottie Foster and Gail Thoele

31 May— Kathryn Kuntzman and Jack Molyneaux

7 June– Donna Grote and Jan Wirtz

communion preparer Valerie Waterman

3 May — JoAnn Moody

10 May –John Weiland

17 May — Linda Lowry

24 May — Jim French

31 May– Julie McAllister

7 June– Kathryn Kuntzman

May- Kathryn Kuntzman 636-391-8468 – Leader

Kay Kreder 3314-878-5296

June- Diann Sheahan 314-275-2913 – Leader

Ann Molyneaux 314-878-0966

For information between newsletters be sure to follow us on our other social media- FaceBook and Instagram, links are below,

and you can always find more about everything Ivy on our website!

We hope you can join us in-person on Sunday for worship but you can always join us online via our YouTube channel- ALL are Welcome Here!