Supporting Isaiah 58 Ministries

Here at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ, we are proud of the longstanding relationships we have had with the organizations we support. We’re also proud to announce a newer partnership, with Isaiah 58 Ministries.

As you consider how you will support Isaiah 58 Ministries it is helpful to know that because of their partnerships with St. Louis Area Foodbank and Operation Food Search your giving dollars can be stretched. Donations of canned and box foods are always appreciated, but it also good to know that financial contributions are also welcome.  As a Tier One partner with the Foodbank, Isaiah 58 is able to purchase food for 10 cents a pound. For example an average box of cereal costs $4.00. If you donate the $4.00 directly to their ministry Isaiah 58 can purchase approximately 40 comparable boxes of cereal through the food bank, allowing them to feed even more families.

Visit the Isaiah 58 ministries website to learn more about this organization.

If you’d like to contribute through Ivy Chapel, or if you would like to learn more about how we work with Isaiah 58 and other local organizations, please feel free to reach out to us.

 

Ivy reaches out during Lent

Giving is Christian outreach “Ivy-style”! Our congregation is responding to multiple offering invitations this Lenten Season. We give God glory for the many, additional ways in which people of Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ are reaching out beyond our church.

Rejoice over this extensive array of things our congregation has done and is doing this Lent: supporting World Vision in connection with Ivy Youth 30-Hour Famine; Lenten canned food drive which will go to three local food pantries; supporting Shannondale, a mission project with the Missouri Mid-south Conference of the UCC with its craft center, lodge for retreats and outdoor programs; supporting Baby Blue Pantry (operating through Wee Care Learning Center of Festus, providing money for baby diapers and formula for families in need); and supporting ecumenical, global ministries by offering gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing (all donations accepted through Easter).
Praise God for Ivy’s faithful responses to these invitations to give!

Please send us an email to learn more about the organizations we support, or if you would like to learn how you can help.

UCC Lenten Series Bible Study

Sell your wares at the 2013 Ivy Chapel Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair

The Second Annual Ivy Chapel Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair is November 22 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. – and we need your help. We’re looking for crafters, bakers, builders & sellers of all kinds to join us in kicking off the Christmas season. It’s a chance to give your new, growing or established business some great exposure, and, of course, to have some fun doing it.

We ask that you reserve your space early–last year our spaces sold out. The registration fee is $30 for a 6 ft. table, and $35 for an 8 footer.

Fill out the registration form and mail it to Ivy Chapel Vendor Fair, 620 N. Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO, 63017.

Have questions? Drop us a line and we’ll fill you in on the details.

2013 Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair Nov. 22

Are we really talking about Christmas time already? Well, we do have a way to go… but it’ll be here before you know it. Mark your calendar for the Ivy Chapel Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair. Last year’s event was a huge success, and we’re looking forward to an even bigger and better event this year. Come join us to shop local vendors, handmade crafts, baked goods, one-of-a-kind jewelry and more! Finish up (or start) your Christmas shopping, listen to some live Christmas music, visit with friends and pick up some snacks to eat now or later!

Check this site often for updates. As the event gets closer, we’ll post a list of upcoming vendors and other exciting things you’ll see at the fair.

And if you’d like to exhibit at the fair, drop us a line or call Erin Winship at 314-973-6507.

 

Stand Strong! Include Ivy Chapel’s VBS in your summer plans.

Be sure to mark off July 22-26 for Ivy Chapel’s youth Vacation Bible School. This year, we’re headed to Medieval times  with Kingdom Rock – where kids stand strong for God.

Ivy’s VBS runs from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26, 9 a.m. to noon and includes bible stories, music, crafts, games and snacks. Each day, campers will learn how we can all “stand strong” as children of God.

Join us this summer for Ivy Chapel UCC’s Vacation Bible School!

KINGDOM ROCK – Where Kids Stand Strong for God

July 22 – 26

9 a.m. – noon

God’s love helps us… Stand Strong!

Family and friends help us…Stand Strong!

Prayer helps us….Stand Strong!

Trusting God helps us….Stand Strong!

The Bible helps us….Stand Strong!

Ready to sign up? Here’s the registration form. If you have any questions, send us an email or call Linda Lowry, our Youth Program Coordinator, at 314-434-4991.

 

Hurricane relief information

Our thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.

If you would like to donate to relief efforts, please mark your check with “Hurricane Sandy Response” and place it during the basket during worship. Checks should be made payable to United Church of Christ.

If you prefer, you can also mail donations to United Church of Christ; Financial Services; 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. If you prefer you may also click here to donate via a secure form through the United Church of Christ.

Following this and any disaster, Emergency Clean-Up Buckets and Hygiene Kits through Church World Service, are urgently needed. Click the links to learn how you can help.

 

What if we talked to more people?

Throughout our exploration of how to grow our church, we have challenged our members to come up with both public and private “What if?” statements. Some of these have been shared, paper leaves hanging from the vine in the church’s narthex.

One of the earliest leaves carried a potentially loaded message: “What if we all talked to more people during coffee hour?”

The message, of course, is that to be truly open, friendly and welcoming, we have to be, well, friendly and welcoming.

This article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch drives this point home.

What do you think? What can we do as a church to continue growing, furthering our mission?

Special Offering for Neighbors in Need Oct. 2

Sunday, October 2 Ivy Chapel will observe World Communion Sunday. We will also have a special mission offering for Neighbors In Need fund—UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries(JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects.

Click here to make contributions on the NIN website.

Record turnout for Blessing of the Animals!

Thanks to everyone who brought their furry (or shelled) friends to the 11th annual Blessing of the Animals at Ivy Chapel. We had a record turnout this year, despite the weather. And an extra-special thank you to everyone who made donations the Bi-State Pet Food Pantry. The food and funds will go a long way to helping struggling local families keep their pets in these tough economic times.

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