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.

 

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.

[flickr album=72157627515776727 num=85 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.

March Recycling Drive… Put it in the bin!

The good folks at Abitibi have offered us a challenge. If we recycle more than we did last March — 3.13 tons — we’ll raise twice the money we normally would. We get $5 per ton under 4 tons, and $15 per ton after that. Think you’ve got some old paper lying around that could help us reach our goal? If so, drop it off in the green bin in the lower lot here at Ivy. All money raised goes to support our youth programs.

Here’s a bit more about our recycling program:

RECYCLE YOUR PAPER—AND YOUR MAGAZINES!

WHAT GOES IN THE BIN?
It may surprise you what does and does not go in the recycling bin.
Here’s a quick list.

YES – put me in the bin!

Newspapers & Inserts, Magazines & Catalogs, Office/School Papers & Mail

NO – STOP, I can’t be recycled here!

Cardboard, food boxes, fiberboard or chip board, no textbooks or hard cover books, no phone books.  Plastic, glass, metals or trash.

However – many of these items MAY be recycled in your curb-side recycling.

Also, remember the blue bin is for aluminum recycling only.

E-mail us for more information about recycling at Ivy Chapel.

Simply amazing. Simply U.C.C.

Ivy Chapel is proud to be part of the United Church of Christ. All are invited to join us for a series of discussions to discover exactly what this means, both for Ivy as a congregation and for each person who walks through the doors of our church. Whether you’re a longtime member of a first-time visitor, or if you’re looking to explore your own faith, you are invited to these enlightening, uplifting explorations of our church.

Each session will be from 7-8 p.m. at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ, 620 N. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield. If you have questions, please e-mail Linda Lowry or Pastor Dan Wilson.

Oct. 12: A history of the United Church of Christ

Oct. 19: A history of Ivy Chapel

Oct. 26: God is Still Speaking, Christ’s Ministries at Work Today

Thanks for a great VBS!

It was another great year for Ivy Chapel’s Vacation Bible School… Thanks to the volunteers (and the students!) who made it possible. Watch this space for pictures, and check with us throughout the year for more on our youth and family-oriented activities. Want to know more? Just contact us.

Uplifting new video from the United Church of Christ

God speaks to and through each of us in so many ways. In the United Church of Christ, it’s our mission to keep our ears, minds and hearts open to His message. In God’s language, there are no periods, no endings – only beginnings and possibilities…

The Language of God from United Church of Christ on Vimeo.

« Previous Page — Next Page »