October2026 Vol. I, No.10
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 (opens in a new tab).
If you would like a pdf format of the Vine emailed, please contact Kara in the office at ivychapelucc@ivychapel.org (opens in a new tab) .
October’s Message From the Pastor
Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell
Fall is here! Our daylight hours are growing shorter. Our nights are cool while the sun is still warm. It is one of my favorite times of the year. It is also one of the busy times of the church year. This weekend Ivy Chapel will have its annual Blessing of the Pets and Fall BBQ. Sunday our confirmands will have one of their final classes in preparation for Confirmation in November. Later this month all of our children and youth are invited to a fun activity at The Painting Spot. Additionally, plans for Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas are in process.
It is a productive time for our Pastoral Search Committee as well as they continue review of applications and selecting applicants to interview. Soon those interviews will be underway, leading to a time when a final candidate will be identified. In the church office, we are reviewing processes, clearing physical space, and organizing digital files to welcome a new Pastor. Please continue to pray for our Pastoral Search Committee and that person who will need us into the next chapter of our church!
In this season of change, it is important to ground ourselves in our relationship to God and to one another. Our mission as a faith community guides us forward. Our Open and Affirming Covenant ever stretches us to provide welcome and hospitality to everyone who God leads to our “doors”, both physical and digital. The tagline of our Stewardship Season, “Be A Blessing” inspires us how to share God’s love in practical ways that we all can do: Practice Peace; Give Thanks; Pray Often; Be Kind; Do Good; Have Courage; Lead With Love; Be The Light; Encourage Others; Be Joyful; Work For Justice.
These are the spiritual foundations that steady us and keep us moving forward through a time of change. So, let us embrace a time of change with all the gifts it can bring. Be certain that the God who brought Ivy Chapel into being, has seen us through sixty-two years of ministry, will lead us forward into the unknown with grace and love.
Almighty Father give us a vision of a dying world
that needs Your love and care.
We see the need, the yearning for a Savior,
In Jesus name, grant this our prayer.
And when we falter be Thou our comfort;
guide us as Your children that our lives may be
A beacon in this darkness that surrounds us,
A light that others then may see.
(Refrain) To be God’s people in this place,
live His goodness, share His grace,
Proclaim God’s mercy thru His Son,
be His love to everyone.
“To Be God’s People” by Charles F. Brown
4 Oct 2026, Nineteenth Sun after Pentecost:
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46
11 Oct 2026, Twentieth Sun after Pentecost: Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14
18 Oct 2026, Twenty-first Sun after Pentecost: Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22
25 Oct 2026, Twenty-second Sun after Pentecost: Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Psalm 90:1-6 and 13-17, Thessalonians 2:1-8,Matthew 22:34-46
1 Nov 2026, Twenty-third Sun after Pentecost: Joshua 3:7-17, Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12
All of the scripture we use for worship can be found through this link to the Vanderbilt University library’s lectionary collection. (opens in a new tab)
Ivy will now be including Prayer Requests in our weekly KYPs. If you would like a prayer to be included in our weekly KYP or worship announcements, please contact Pastor Carol, the main office or submit them through our website on the prayer request page. (opens in a new tab)
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: In September, the Settled Pastor Selection Committee met in person to discuss the candidate profiles they have received. They will now begin the process of conducting online interviews to narrow the candidate pool.
They are very excited about the number and variety of candidates and what that could mean for Ivy’s future.
–Pastoral Search Committee (John Weiland, Jim French, Kathryn Kuntzman, Tara Lowry,
Jo Ann Moody and Jan Wirtz) for their hard work moving forward in the search for Ivy
Chapel’s next settled pastor.
–Dave Mentzel and Julie McCallister get “high fives” for further trimming the gumball
trees after they were cut down, and carrying away the “leftovers”.
–Kara White and her husband, Ed, for hanging the “Be a Blessing” on Ivy’s outside
sanctuary wall.
Front Door Thank You!
Thank you all so much for your incredible generosity in funding our front door renovations!! Below is a summary of this project through August:
–Total costs for renovation: $13,611.59
–Donations received May through August: $11,200
–Fund the Facility” designated funds: $2,411.59
There Our Hearts Will Be invites us into a season of deep spiritual alignment—an honest, hopeful exploration of how our practices, priorities, and resources reveal what truly claims our hearts. Rooted in Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 6, this theme reframes giving not as performance or obligation, but as the quiet, courageous work of placing our hearts in God’s care. Turning to the breadth of our sacred scripture, we’ll examine what we love, whom we trust, and how we live out our faith.
Ultimately, There Our Hearts Will Be is an invitation to:
Re-center our lives on God’s quiet faithful presence.
Let our giving reflect our deepest values and commitments.
Align our actions with our confession of Christ.
Allow God to transform, heal and renew our hearts.
Practice a generosity that is not performative, but rooted, joyful and Spirit-led.
Through this journey, we will discover again that faithful stewardship is not primarily about money—it is about placing our hearts in God’s hands, trusting that where our hearts go, our lives, choices, and resources will follow.
Together as a community shaped by grace, we will ask:Where is our treasure? How can our hearts more fully align with God’s? In this season, we commit to making our answer clear.
There our hearts will be.
Each Sunday in September Ivy has focused on a different example of how to practice ‘There Our Hearts Will Be’ in our own lives through the examples in scripture and from special guest speakers sharing their experiences. On October 4th we will then observe, together with the global community, World Communion Sunday. The following Sunday, October 11th, will be Ivy’s Consecration Sunday, which will conclude with a fellowship luncheon for all after worship. We are thankful you have joined us on this journey to where ‘Our Hearts Will Be.”
Blessing of the Animals
Join us at Ivy Chapel for a special drive-thru Blessing of the Animals on Saturday October 3rd, 3-5pm at Ivy Chapel. We will be honoring the animal-human bond and we invite you to bring your pets for an individual blessing from the safety and comfort of your personal vehicle. Simply drive up to receive your blessing –animal-friendly pets of all shapes, sizes and species are welcome!
Please bring a photo of pets who are more comfortable at home so they can also receive this special blessing.
We are pleased that Bi-State Pet Food Pantry (opens in a new tab) will be the featured animal assistance organization at this year’s event.
Here is the ‘Wish List’ if you would like to bring a donation:
New ONLY: New or GENTLY used:
*Cat and dog treats *Cat and dog toys
*Canned cat and dog food *Leashes and collars
*Cat litter Any monetary gifts are always welcome!
There will be indoor seating in our Fellowship Hall and outdoor seating in our pavilion-weather permitting.
$10 -Hamburger, Bratwurst, or Veggie burger meals, with 2 sides & 1 dessert
$5 – Hotdog meal with 2 sides & 1 dessert
Side options include: Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, Potato Salad, Potato Chips
Dessert options: Angel Food Cake or Brownies
Consecration Sunday Luncheon
We invite you to join us on Sunday, October 11th, as we wrap up our Stewardship Season with Consecration Sunday. We will first worship together as we celebrate all of the ways we are blessed and can ‘Be A Blessing’ and then join us for a fellowship luncheon after worship– ALL are invited!
You will recall one of the traditions of our forebears in Christian faith is the celebration of “Totenfest” (German for ‘The Festival of the Dead’). Ivy Chapel will share together in this sacred ritual. We’ll observe “Totenfest” during worship on November 1st.
You are invited and encouraged to submit the names of those you love who have died within this past year. Please provide the name(s) IN PRINT to our church office by
Sunday, October 25th. A printed list will be posted just outside Pastor Carol’s study.
As the date approaches, please verify that the name of each person you would like recognized is on the list.
The names will be read aloud during our worship on Sunday, November 1st. Thank you.
Please submit the following information for EACH Loved One by Sunday,October 25th to the church office a paper copy or you can email Kara in the office- ivychapelucc@ivychapel.org (opens in a new tab)
1-The name of Loved One
2- YOUR Relationship to the Loved One
Ivy Chapel will be hosting their annual Fall Blood Drive on Thursday Nov. 5th– please sure to add it to your calendar to be able to give. You can sign up for your time slot through by clicking here. (opens in a new tab) Look for more information to come in future KYPs and Vines.
Give Blood- SAVE A LIFE!
Chesterfield UCC’s Tri-Family Thanksgiving Feast
Mark your calendars for the annual Tri-Family Thanksgiving feast on Sunday, Nov 22nd at 11:30 at St. John’s UCC. We will again join together with our sister churches in the Chesterfield area to have a meal and fellowship together in a celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday and everything we are thankful for. Look for more information to come in the KYP’s and November vine.
Every Child’s Hope is having a Trunk or Treat event for their youth. We help the children celebrate each year by donating candy. They have requested: gummies, sour candies, Twizzlers, Skittles or similar candy. Please NO chocolate or nuts. There will be a container in the narthex October 4-25. Thank you for remembering the kids.
Mary & Martha Winter Coat Drive
M& M is collecting jackets and coats during the month of October for Isaiah 58 to be delivered in November. These are to be clean, washable and gently used coats that you may have and are no longer using. They cannot accept wool coats that their clients would have to dry clean. Please check your closets
• Continue to keep the grass mowed.
• Rottler Pest control company has been contracted to perform services quarterly
• Three Sweetgum trees have been removed and two of those stumps removed.
One tree has been cut to a five foot height for future consideration.
• The open time for the automatic door was increased to 15 seconds,
per user comments.
The ADA doors have been getting rave compliments from all users
The Mary and Martha Women’s Group met on Sept. 15, 2026. JoAnn Moody presented a thoughtful devotion about maintaining meaningful relationships with those in our lives. Sarah Heend, Librarian, brought us information about the services available at the County Libraries. We were unaware of many of these. She gave us printed information to which we can refer and she will be back in October to give us ideas about new books in a variety of types. It was decided that we would collect jackets and coats during the month of October for Isaiah 58 to be delivered in November. These are to be clean, washable and gently used coats that you may have and are no longer using. They cannot accept wool coats that their clients would have to dry clean. Please check your closets. We then decorated 90 small boxes which we will later fill with candies for Lydia’s House to use as favors at their communal Thanksgiving Dinner. The next meeting is on Tue., Oct. 20th at 1:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room with Sarah Heend who will present ideas for good reads.
Everyone is welcome.
The Confirmation and FAITH 101 classes are scheduled for Sunday, October 4th after Worship and Fellowship time. Sunday School will still happen on the first and third Sundays of the month after the Children’s Worship portion of the service.
The youth have a planned Adventure Excursion to the Painting Spot for a time of fun and fellowship together as they work on items in preparation for Confirmation.
Confirmation Sunday is scheduled for November 15, 2026. We are excited for the youth who have been involved in the process over the past year to be able to share their journey with Ivy and join our membership.
Be on the lookout for more information regarding fall activities and ways to participate in the upcoming holiday season’s events!
Be sure to stay up to date with everything related to Ivy Youth by following us on Instagram and Facebook. All of our activities are also posted on the Youth page of the Ivy website. Please Let Tara know if you have any questions regarding the Youth by contacting her at tara@ivychapel.org (opens in a new tab)
Oct. 4— Sunday School for ALL youth following the Children’s Message
Confirmation Class following Fellowship after worship*
Oct. 11—Grab a worship bag and join us for the service
Consecration Sunday Luncheon following worship
Oct. 18— ADVENTURE EXCURSION to ‘The Painting Spot’ for ALL youth following the Children’s Message
Oct. 25—Grab a worship bag and join us for the service
Nov. 1— Sunday School for ALL youth following the Children’s Message
Nov. 8 —Grab a worship bag and join us for the service
Nov. 15 —Confirmation Sunday!
*Tentatively scheduled-please check with Christian Ed
October Birthdays:
Kevin Wilking – Evelyn Stecher – Jennifer Faust – Mark Moody
Rudi Lauer – Don Wolff – Kara White
October Anniversaries:
Thom and Kathryn Kuntzman
Erin(Moody) and Scott Bowman
4 Oct — Diann and Jim Sheahan
communion preparer Valerie Waterman
13 Oct — Kathryn Kuntzman and Jack Molyneaux
20 Oct — Donna Grote and Jan Wirtz
27 Oct — Julie McAllister and Dave Mentzel
4 Oct — Jo Ann Moody
13 Oct — Jim French
20 Oct — Julie McAllister
27 Oct — Kathryn Kuntzman
October
Jan Wirtz — Leader
Julie McAllister — Co-leader
November
Pat Winship — Leader
Valerie Waterman — Co-leader
Please reach out to the office if you need their contact information.
Ahead on the Calendar
Please click here for a downloadable October calendar. (opens in a new tab)
Blessing of the Animals, Saturday, Oct. 3, 3-5pm
Annual Ivy BBQ, Saturday, Oct. 3, 4:30-6:30pm
World Communion Sunday, October 4
Weekly Worship Service, Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 am
Coffee Fellowship, Sunday, Oct. 4, after worship
Consecration Sunday, October 11
Weekly Worship Service, Sunday, Oct. 11, 10 am
Consecration Sunday Fellowship Luncheon, Sunday, Oct. 11, after worship
Council Meeting via Zoom, Monday, Oct. 12, 7pm
Weekly Worship Service, Sunday, Oct. 18, 10am
Coffee Fellowship, Sunday, Oct. 18, after worship
Youth Adventure Excursion to The Painting Spot, Sunday, Oct. 18
Mary & Martha Women’s Group Meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1pm
Men’s Luncheon, Wednesday, Oct. 21, Yellowstone Cafe, 11:30am
Weekly Worship Service, Sunday, Oct. 25, 10am
Coffee Fellowship, Sunday, Oct. 25, after worship
Totenfest Sunday, November 1Weekly Worship Service, Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 am
Coffee Fellowship, Sunday, Nov. 1, after worship
| 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 here 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!      Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ 620 N. Woods Mills Road Chesterfield, MO 314-434-4991 ivychapelucc@ivychapel.org  |
