Dear Faith Des Peres Family,
Thank you so much for remembering and recognizing my 15th anniversary. It’s been an honor
and blessing to serve as your pastor all these years. Thank you for being patient with me, laughing and praying with me, and serving alongside me. But most of all, thank you for welcoming me and my family. Faith Des Peres is truly our second home and you our family.
The stole you gave me is beautiful and I’m looking forward to wearing it during Advent, my
favorite season of the church year. I appreciate your thoughtfulness very much.
Blessings,
Annie
Welcome New Member Rachel Neuner
Rachel Neuner was brought to Faith Des Peres through the choir and has been the soprano section leader since 2011. Faith Des Peres has given her a sense of community which she has never previously experienced. She is excited to be joining a church that is welcoming to all and offers everyone a chance to serve.
Christmas Eve Service, 5:30 pm
Join us for Christmas Eve worship at 5:30 pm Thursday, December 24. We’ll have a traditional candlelight service. Sing the carols, hear the stories and find hope here!
Christmas Brunch and Worship, December 27
Join us for a special Christmas Brunch and worship service on Sunday, December 27 at 10:30. This special service will take place in the Gathering Space where we’ll eat and worship and focus on the new year. It’s for all ages and will include the Christmas carols we love and some exercises to get us thinking about things we want to leave behind or take on in the new year. This is also a potluck! So, please sign-up in the Gathering Space and let us know what dish you’ll bring. Thank you! (There is no nursery care or Sunday School this day. Everyone is encouraged to worship together!)
Women’s Retreat Saturday, January 9 9am – 4pm
Please join us on Saturday January 9, from 9am-4pm, for the 2016 Presbyterian Women's Retreat. Reverend Carolyn Berry Carnes will lead us in "Claiming Our Story." Together- through discussions, inner reflection, and fellowship- we will explore how we can impact our world and how we can truly be a community that challenges the present, to change the future, to make Christ known. This year’s retreat will be held at Faith Des Peres (childcare will be available) and the cost is $25 which includes lunch. Sign-up in the Gathering Space. Please see Clarissa Schuller-Meyer with any questions.
Coffee with the Pastor
The next “Coffee with the Pastor” is on Sunday, January 10, at 9:30 am in the Gathering Space. There, you will have the opportunity to discover more about Faith Des Peres and get answers to questions about what it means to be Presbyterian in a friendly and fun environment while also meeting some great people. If you’ve already attended a “Coffee with the Pastor” and are interested in joining the church, please talk to Annie or Cat Trotter. It would be an honor to be your church family.
Upcoming Book Study
For 20 years the annual Faith Des Peres book study has offered opportunities to read and discuss books featuring current scholarship on biblical, historical, or theological issues. This year’s book is, Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi, by Amy-Jill Levine, New Testament and Jewish Studies Professor at Vanderbilt University. Books can be purchased at Barnes & Noble ($15.99 for paperback) or from Amazon ($13.40 for paperback, $9.99 for Kindle). A limited number of copies will be available from the church office; see Will Ridley for details.
The book study will be on three alternating Sundays beginning January 10, January 24 and February 7 from noon to 1:30 after church in the Gathering Space. Lunches will be made available for a nominal fee. This year’s study should be informative and fun. Plan to join us!
Staub/Davis Memorial Mission Fund
Last Sunday we announced the establishment of the Elliot and Bernice Staub and Katharyn and Bernard Davis Memorial Mission Fund. This fund was established thanks to a generous gift from Leila and Bernie Davis. This fund will help the church to do even more for mission in our local community and beyond. We’re grateful to the Davises for supporting the church in this way. Just like the Janet Boyer Music Fund, anyone may contribute to this fund in honor of or in memory of someone they know. This is a great time of year to give a gift like this. Thank you.
Year-end donations to the church
Contributions that you wish to include on 2015 tax documents must be in the church office or postmarked no later than Thursday, December 31.