“Adopt” a new idea for fall…

Chris Adams, director of volunteers for Emmaus Homes, gave a brief presentation about EH during worship at Ivy Chapel  on Aug. 28.  A concept she’s developed to give more people opportunities to interact with Emmaus clients involves ‘adoption’ of an Emmaus community home.

Chris is looking for families or congregations to serve as pilots for this new idea that partners groups with Emmaus community residences.  Given our existing relationship with Ross House residents, who regularly attend worship (and always enjoy coffee hour and the picnic), this initiative seems like a natural fit with Ivy Chapel.  The goal is to provide diverse voluntary opportunities for Ivy members, depending on interests and comfort level.  Some involvement may be with the house grounds; other engagements may be one-on-one with residents; others may just be simple extensions of activities we already do–like adding Ross House to the sites where youth Christmas carol.

Nancy Litzinger is recruiting members to work with Chris Adams and the Ross House manager to identify needs and set parameters for the project.  If you’re interested in helping lay the groundwork for this pilot partnership, contact Nancy: 314-434-4162; nancywl@sbcglobal.net

Unexpected guests invade picnic!

We invited local entertainer Serengeti Steve to our Spring picnic… and he brought along several of his pets, much to the delight of most at the picnic — and to the chagrin of the more skittish among us.

Thanks to Debbie Washburn for organizing the event, and for the whole crew of volunteers who made it a great event.

Check out photos in the album below:

[flickr album=72157626768398841 num=5 size=Thumbnail]

Ivy Chapel welcomes new Minister of Music, Anna DiVesta

Ivy Chapel is proud to welcome Anna DiVesta as our new Minister of Music.

We are thrilled she has joined us and so quickly become a part of the Ivy Chapel family. On March 19, she hand her husband, Aaron, celebrated the baptism of their son, Miller, with our congregation.

From a young age, Anna’s parents recognized her musical ability. She played simple melodies on the family piano from a young age, and started lessons at the age of four. By kindergarten, she was playing for her classes, and she was active in her church music program throughout childhood.

“I had a great piano teacher throughout middle school and high school who enrolled me in competitions and gave me my first performance opportunities outside of church and school,” Anna said.

Anna graduated from Western Illinois University in Macomb, where she studied classical piano, jazz piano and organ.  Anna and her husband (also a musician) met in a music store.

“I’m looking forward to becoming part of the Ivy Chapel family and helping others share their musical talent,” Anna said. “I also look forward to growing with the church, with the music ministry and with my own faith.

Our Church Home

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. We strive to provide an open, nurturing environment where everyone can strengthen their relationship with God.

Ivy youth contribute to Festival of Sharing service project

Hats off to members of the Ivy Chapel Lambs & Genesis youth groups (and, of course, their parents) who collected almost $200 for the Festival of Sharing Layette Service project. The youth collected money in church, and then went shopping for baby care items. They returned to church and assembled the kits, which will be given to new moms who are having trouble affording the things they need to care for their babies. The groups collected enough money to assemble four full kits and to purchase several extra boxes of diapers, which will be donated to Joint Neighborhood Ministry in St. Louis.

Welcome to the HarvestFest 2009 Blog.

Check back to this page for the latest updates on the 2009 HarvestFest!

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