Thursday, September 22, 2022

This month we explore the ways that God guides and reshapes us toward a vision of the Kingdom of God brought to life on Earth, through themes from the book “Reconciling All Things.” Together, we will see what it means to pursue hope in areas of brokenness. Throughout the month we will hear stories of real people bringing healing out of the most seemingly hopeless situations, and discover how we are invited to join God in the work of reconciliation that is not so much about magically fixing all things someday, as it is about the ordinary, mundane, and miraculous daily work of living faithfully bit by bit and day by day.

Dear Friends,

I long to experience more of God's presence in a tangible way on earth. I want not just spirituality-- but the Spirit enfleshed and embodied among us. The good news is that, as the gospel of John puts it, in the coming of Jesus to earth, "The word became flesh and dwelled among us." In the person of Jesus, divinity is made flesh, and the church, as Christ's body, is also incarnational. At its best, it gives spirituality flesh and bones. We incarnate God's love-- as we breathe in God's Spirit and make it into song, as we love and respond to one another's needs, as we feed and teach. In being church, we meet a God whom we can touch, feel, and see.

One central question for each of us is: what specific ways are we called to embody God's love? I want to invite you to two opportunities to experience and embody Christ's love:

LifeBridge Celebration THIS Sunday at 9 am and 10:30 am

LifeBridge programs continue to grow and transform lives, and this Sunday in worship you are invited to join me in celebrating and praying over this vital ministry. Worship will include a blessing of LifeBridge staff and volunteers, and after worship, you are invited to explore the LifeBridge Market and pray for this incredible ministry. You are also encouraged to help stock the Market shelves by bringing bleach or bleach wipes to donate. You can find more info about LifeBridge's mission to break down economic barriers and transform lives through resources and relationships and learn how you can help at the new LifeBridge website. 

Stephen Ministry Training Beginning Mid-October

Stephen Ministers are ordinary lay people who are trained to provide one-to-one ministry to people in the congregation who are experiencing a loss or life crisis, such as divorce, grief, unemployment, spiritual crisis, illness, and other life challenges. The role of a Stephen Minister is to provide listening and emotional support, to pray with and for their care receiver, and to walk beside that person through the journey of crisis. A new class for new Stephen Ministers will start in mid-October, and you might just be called to join this transformational ministry. Watch the video below to hear from people who have gone through this training, just how powerful this experience is: https://vimeo.com/750754003

Thank you for being a church that embodies God's love!

With hope,

Progressive Organ Concert

Sunday, September 25, 2pm - 6 pm

**Starts at 2 pm at KUMC

The Progressive Organ Concert will begin at Kirkwood United Methodist Church with a thirty-minute organ concert provided by Dana Self and Harry Studt. The afternoon continues with programs at First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, Kirkwood Baptist Church, Webster Groves Christian Church, and Webster Hills United Methodist Church with a reception following after the final performance there. Each church will host a 20-minute organ recital with travel time built in between each location.

Join us for a fun afternoon of music as we make our way “down the avenue!” Find the full schedule in KUMC's website Upcoming Events Section. 

NEW! KUMC September LifeBridge Market Item

You can help the LifeBridge Market right here at KUMC by bringing in the monthly requested item to stock the shelves.  The item for September is 121 oz containers of Clorox Bleach. Bring your donation to the Mission Window on Sundays. 

Hands on Kirkwood is Saturday, October 1

Volunteer Registration is Now Open

HOK is one week away from this Saturday! Are you ready? Volunteer to work on October 1, or help from home on your phone or computer by purchasing donation items from HOK's Amazon Wish List.  

• Read about this year's events on their website
• Volunteer to work on October 1 here 
• Purchase Items to donate on HOK's Amazon Wish List

Stephen Ministry Fall Training Class

Stephen Ministry is KUMC’s one-to-one caregiving ministry. Stephen Ministers use both words and deeds to express Christ’s care for others - listening, comforting, encouraging, being merciful, teaching, and empathizing. It is a ministry of presence. This fall, KUMC will begin a Stephen Ministry training class. It will meet most Saturday mornings from October through March for a total of approximately 50 hours. This will be the first class since 2016.

We have many opportunities to respond to Jesus’ great love by showing that love to others. Stephen Ministry is one way our congregation shows that love to people who have deep needs for care.

Please call Mary Anne Hoppe, 314-401-1789; Barb Shadburne, 314-795-2723; or Cathy Poe, 314-807-1854, if you are interested and would like additional information.

“ . . . Comfort Each Other as God Has Comforted Us . . . “

Putting Reconciliation to Work in Our Community - You Can Make a Difference!

Sunday, October 2, 7:00 - 8:30 pm at KUMC

Following the September sermon series, KUMC Racial Justice Ministries will host an in-person discussion centering on the work of reconciliation lived out in the community. Local speakers will provide brief perspectives on reconciliation work in the community, and round table discussions around the concepts of reconciliation and community development will follow. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on ways they can live out the work of reconciliation in their communities. This event is open to the congregation as well as the broader Kirkwood community, so please invite others to attend with you. After the discussion, stay to share community over Fall desserts!

Cultivating Faith with Jon Graf

Wednesdays, 12 - 1 pm, October 5 - November 9

With all of the injustice in the world today, are you looking for more ways to help make a difference? Join us as we explore five key elements for moral action in your daily life: 1) Money 2) Food 3) The Body 4) Time 5) Place. We'll be reading and discussing "Materiality as Resistance '' by Walter Brueggemann ​for​ 6 weeks on Wednesdays from 12 - 1 pm beginning October 5th. ​Join us via Zoom or ​BYO lunch and join us in person​ at KUMC.

For questions email Jon Graf. ​There is no cost, but please​ register ​by ​emailing​ Carol Fischer and indicate Zoom or in person.

Blessing of the Animals

Saturday, October 8, 2 - 4 pm on the Plaza

Bring your pet(s) to KUMC and invite your friends to bring theirs too for a blessing from Pastor Katie Trinter on the plaza outside. Then explore the special vendors that will be on hand for the event with items to pamper your pets. For your pet's safety, please have them on a leash or contained as needed. 

Worship Sunday, September 18, 2022

Hymn of Comfort #126:

"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" by Charles Wesley appears in many hymnals and crosses the denominational boundaries of theology. Written in 1747 by Charles Wesley, the hymn tune by John Zundel was added specifically for the text decades later. Even though the text defines grace and love in the Wesleyan tradition, grace and love are part of the theology of many denominations. "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling is one of the more "popular" hymns by Charles Wesley.

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling 

Stephen Ministry

Facing problems that you have no idea how to handle? Reach out to a Stephen Minister at KUMC for free, confidential, one on one support. Email Pastor Katie, or call a Stephen Ministry Leader - Mary Anne Hoppe at 314-401-1789, Barb Shadburne at 314-795-2723, or Cathy Poe at 314 - 807-1854 to learn how they can help you.

Volunteer now at KUMC!

There are so many ways that you can help out with the ministries of KUMC! Find all of the newest volunteer opportunities here on our website, and then sign up to volunteer right here! Looking for a suggestion of what fits your skill set? Email Carol Fischer.