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Newsletter for May 20, 2022
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Memorial Service for Gail Dabler
Jesus said..."I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die."
John 11.25-26
Longtime member of First Presbyterian, Gail Dabler, died on May 7. CLICK HERE to read Gail's obituary.
A memorial service in thanksgiving to God, and in celebration of her life, will take place on Saturday, May 21, at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. The service will also be livestreamed, which can be accessed through the church website: www.kirkwoodpres.org
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Important Upcoming Dates:
Sunday, May 22
Welcoming New Members in All Worship Services
Last 8:15 a.m. Worship Service of the Program Year
Sunday, May 29
Worship at 9:05 a.m. - Arise Worship Praise Fest!
Worship at 11 a.m. - Hymn Sing - Come sing your favorite hymns!
Monday, May 30
Church Office Closed in Observance of Memorial Day
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Check Out Our New Online Giving Platform!
The Church has adopted a new online giving platform which will integrate our back office systems, improve the user experience and lower our fees. If you have not tried online giving, here is your chance. You can do a onetime gift or set up reoccurring payments and pay with ACH direct from your checking account, via credit card or using GooglePay.
Click here https://www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/kirkwoodpres and follow the prompts. Or, text GIVE to 314-293-4922, or, scan the QR code to go directly to our giving portal.
If you already use the online giving for the Church, you will need to reset up your giving account in the new platform. We understand this is inconvenient for you and appreciate your understanding. You may also notice that the giving options have changed. These changes reflect the Church’s coordinated approach to ministry. If you have any questions, please reach out to accounting@kirkwoodpres.org.
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Church Picnic on June 5th!
 Church Picnic June 5th at the Scout Shelter in Kirkwood Park. Immediately following the 10:00 service. Hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, chips, water, and lemonade. Park by the water tower. (We will not be doing a potluck this year because of COVID.) Wear red for Pentecost!
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Arise Praise Songfest
Arise Worship on May 29 will be filled with your favorite praise songs.
Please take a moment to share your favorites! Scan the QR code in the picture above or click on the link below to suggest a song for the 2022 Arise Praise Songfest. Song picks are due by the end of worship on Sunday, May 22.
https://forms.gle/Xrjq8KTeArNKh4PBA
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From Bill Stein, Director of Music Ministries
 May has been busy with Spring events and concerts! It’s been a wonderful experience to welcome visitors to our facilities for these performances. We have one more to go: Sunday, May 29th, the St. Louis Chamber Chorus will present their final concert of the season. One of the works to be presented is Zoltan Kodaly’s “Missa Brevis” featuring our magnificent Casavant organ. Join us at 3:00 that afternoon for some lovely choral music.
Don’t forget our 2 services next Sunday morning, May 29th, will feature lots of congregational singing! There is a Praise Fest at 9:05 a.m. and a Hymn Sing at 11:00 a.m. Come ready to sing and hear your favorites.
The Con Spirito Concert Series is busy planning our next season, but don’t forget our Notes@9 series which takes place this summer. Join us every Sunday morning in July at 9:00 a.m. for a half hour concert before worship at 10:00 a.m.
Blessings on you all!
Faithfully yours,
Bill |
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Our Afghan Families - May 2022 Update
Here’s a brief recap regarding our two wonderful families:
FAMILY 1: The head of this household is a young man who is presently working at Mercy South Hospital, 12-hour days, 3 days a week, often on weekends. He has a car. He has excellent English and is looking to see what his career path will be. He has had 3 years of Medical School in Kabul, but the Taliban has closed the schools and therefore, no school records are available. It is a challenge.
His Mother is going to English classes with Oasis and is also being tutored by church member Nancy Dunaway weekly. The Mothers in both families will be starting another English program this summer with in-person tutors and by Zoom.
The teenage son has passed his driving test! Hooray. He has very good English and hopes to get a summer job. His 3rd quarter grades were either A or A+. He is attending Roosevelt High School.
The teenage daughter is slowly learning English and is very shy but very sweet. Hopefully, she will participate in the ESL program with her mother during the summer. I think she will start high school in the fall. Her grades are adequate and will be better once her English improves.
FAMILY 2: The head of this household is a 30-year-old man who is presently working in a job that is WAY below his abilities. He is looking for a career in logistics. In Afghanistan in his 10-year history with one company, he rose from a Clerk to the General Manager. His English is Excellent. He has had 7 semesters in a Bachelor of Business Administration position, but cannot get the school records. A real challenge is to find a better job.
His wife has fairly good English skills and comprehension. We made it through Home Sweet Home without an interpreter. She has excellent taste. She is a former teacher and would like a job in a preschool or childcare setting. She is learning to drive.
The Mother of this young woman is 57 years old with some health issues. She has NO English skills and will be starting the ESL program this summer. She is a lovely woman, but in a great deal of pain.
Then there is the 12-year-old who is the nephew of the wife, grandson of her mother. He has really good English and is a ball of fire. He loves playing video games and is a frequent help in translating.
WHAT THESE FAMILIES NEED:
- Better housing. They are fearful in their present locations because of hearing gunfire at night. If anyone knows of rentals in the South County area (Mehlville or Affton schools) in the range of $800 to $900 per month, let us know.
- A car for Family 2. The man is currently with a car in a “loan” situation.
WHAT OUR CHURCH CAN DO:
- Keep the people in your prayers.
- WRITE TO YOUR SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE (Federal) and ask them to support the AFGHAN ADJUSTMENT ACT which will be a pathway to permanent residence.
- GIFT CARDS for Aldi’s or gas are always appreciated.
We are planning to have both families at the All Church Picnic this summer. Meet them, greet them, learn to love them as our committee has.
In closing, I would like to send a HUGE SHOUT OUT to our Congregation for their support in ever so many ways…for financial assistance, for volunteering to be an active mentor to the family, for assisting in employment issues, and on and on. It is reassuring to know that much assistance is available through our wonderful church family.
Feel free to contact me with any questions, suggestions, etc.
Sharon Croissant, scrois822@gmail.com, 314-909-8136
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Work Camp Mile BUY Mile Fundraiser!
We are hoping to receive support from our church and community to help sponsor the van expense (about $12,500 this year) with our *Mile Buy Mile* fundraiser. In July we will be taking off for our two week Work Camp trip to Grand Rapids, MI, about 900 miles round trip.
We are asking you to sponsor a mile of the trip at $10 per mile, which will bring in $9,000, a huge chunk of our on the-road expense.
You can donate by using the Vanco payment link below and enter your donation in the "Work Camp" line, which is the third in the choices. https://bit.ly/3KodssI
We have “rewards” for different increment of miles purchased:
- 5 miles ($50) will be rewarded with a public shout out in the next video made
- 10 miles ($100) will be rewarded with a letter and photo of the group from the trip
- 15 miles ($150) will be rewarded with an “I Support Work Camp” Keychain.
- 20 miles ($200) will be rewarded with a Zoom with Rob and a few students while on Work Camp
We will have a map displayed in Fellowship Hall and will mark out miles as they are bought and will update weekly!
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Donate to Kirk Care
Pick up a bag outside of the sanctuary to donate a meal to Kirk Care. CLICK HERE to learn more about their mission.
MEAL-A-MONTH for MAY:
Treet or Spam, Flavored Noodles, Canned Peas, Canned Fruit, Soap
Optional:
Cereal, Toothbrushes
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Ushers Needed!
Now that our 11:00 a.m. service attendance is increasing, we are in need of new ushers! Serving as an usher is a great (and simple) way to serve our community.
Please contact Art McDonnell (arthur.mcdonnell19@gmail.com) or Bill Stein
(bstein@kirkwoodpres.org) if you are interested or have any questions.
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Calling All Green Thumbs!
It’s spring and time to organize our First Pres vegetable garden. Our garden grows yummy
vegetables, which are donated to local organizations throughout the summer. If you have a green thumb, and/or a desire to help us prepare and plant our garden, please contact Julie Nesvig at j.nesvig83@gmail.com.
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Men's Bible Study
First Pres men of all ages are invited to join us Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom. We take turns reading aloud, ask questions, discuss what the Holy Spirit might be saying, and even share in laughter. Contact Tim Morrison at (314) 456-9936 or timothy.lee.morrison@gmail.com with any questions.
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Feeding the Homeless
St. Patrick’s Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Thanks to you, First Pres members cooked and donated over 300 breakfast casseroles to St. Patrick’s Center last year!
The need is ongoing. For more information, please contact Julie Nesvig at j.nesvig83@gmail.com.
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Little Free Pantry Donations Needed!
Our Little Pantry is a part of the solution for those with food insecurities. Our Little Pantry
is located near the Jefferson Avenue entrance of the church. Whether there is a need for
food or a need to give, our Little Pantry helps feed neighbors, and nourishes all of us.
Please give what you ‘can’ (we especially need canned meals/meats, fruit, and veggies). Thank you!
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