The Bazaar is Coming!

Compton Heights will hold its first bazaar (at least in a long time) on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can shop for:

• Handmade gifts, including scarves and accessories knitted by the Prayer Shawl ministry group.
• Handmade holiday ornaments for the tree or decorations for the home.
• Free trade gift items from crafts people around the world.
• Free trade coffee, tea and chocolate from Equal Exchange
• Unusual glass, pottery and art items, including some of Lana L's abstracts.
• Potato baking bags and Gypsy Bags in many new designs.
  
• Holiday cookies and breads, home baked.

A light lunch (hot dogs, chili, beverages) will help you ward off hunger while you shop.

The quilt shown above will be awarded to the lucky winner of a drawing to be held at 4 p.m. Tickets are available from church members and on the day of the Bazaar. The quilt, "Let Freedom Shine" is a sofa-sized 54x60 inches; the blocks pieced by members of the Flower Valley Quilting Guild and assembled and machine quilted by a Compton Heights member.

All proceeds will benefit the Compton Cares Accessibility project and be applied to reduction of the final $30,000 remaining on our construction loan. The bazaar will be held on the accessible level of the building!

For more information about the bazaar, please call the church office at 314-771-5071. See you on the 5th!

So Much More than Just a Sign

Nov. 8, 2009-- After worship, everyone trooped out to the sidewalk for a dedication of the new church sign. During our disability access construction, a resident in the Shaw neighborhood became interested in what our church was doing. Julia Krovicka is an artist, and she offered to make a sign for us that would more closely reflect the Compton Heights community and ministry.

Pastor Jacque Foster led the dedication. The frame for the sign was made by Dave B., and several members helped dig holes, pour concrete, and place the new sign at a slight angle, so it can be seen more easily from the street. While we gathered, we reminded that Compton truly is a "sanctuary in the city" as life rolled by at 35 miles and hour, including an ambulance answering a call somewhere to the south. The congregation appreciates Julia's gift of her talent so much. She attended the dedication, but demurred when asked to pose for a photo.

Off to India

Our Pastor, Jacque Foster, as well as members Jan K. and Marsha Mc., left Thursday on a People to People mission trip to visit Family Village Farm and other sites in India. They will be gone for about two weeks so we pray for their safe travels and for an inspiring and enlightening journey. Since Compton is in the process of becoming a Global Mission Congregation, the trip is quite timely. We will be hearing about India for a long time to come and we eagerly await the return of our ambassadors!

In Memory of Thelma

Long-time Compton member Thelma Elder died to this life on Wednesday, Nov. 11 and her service will be Saturday morning. Thelma was a faithful member of her Sunday school class and we have missed her in worship since she became ill. Her death follows that of her son Roger within this same year. Our Christian sympathy is extended to Thelma's remaining children: Camille, Rhonda, Jack and Janet.

Two New Members

Recently we have welcomed two new members, who united with Compton Heights through reaffirmation of faith. On Sunday, Nov. 1, we welcomed Rachel R., who is the sister of a former member, Adele C. On Sunday, Nov. 8, we welcomed Devin B., who has been a regular visitor and participant in the Book Club for quite a while! We thank God for both of these women. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds!

Save The Date!

Here are some dates of upcoming events at Compton.

• Friday, Oct. 23, 6:45 a.m.-8 a.m.: Happy Friday!
• Sunday, Oct. 25, 9:45 a.m. church school; 10:45 a.m. worship.
  
• Tuesday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Women's Ministries meeting to hear about Bosnia missions, Union Avenue Christian Church.
• Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m., Soul Care mini-retreat, church library.
  
• Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m., Compton Cares Ministry meeting, church library.
• Friday, Oct. 30, 6:45 a.m.-8 a.m.: Happy Friday!
• Sunday, Nov. 1 ALL SAINTS SUNDAY 9:45 a.m. church school (Seekers class begins new lesson series led by Student Pastor Rob); 10:45 a.m. worship.
• Wednesday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m., Stewardship & Outreach Ministry group, church library.
• Thursday, Nov. 5, 7 p.m., Prayer Shawl Knitting group, Marty Hughes' home.
• Friday, Nov. 6, 6:45 a.m.-8 a.m. Happy Friday!
• Sunday, Nov. 8 Blessing for Jacque, Marsha and Jan who will leave on a Global Mission Trip to India on Thursday. Sunday school 9:45 a.m.; worship 10:45 a.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 10 7 p.m. Soul Care, church library.
• Wednesday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m. Elders Circle.
• Friday, Nov. 13, 6:45 a.m.-8 a.m. Happy Friday!
• Saturday, Nov. 14, 1-5 p.m. Ornament making workshop for Cookies and Crafts Bazaar.
  
• Sunday, Nov. 15, church school at 9:45; worship 10:45 a.m. THANKSGIVING OFFERING
  
• Friday, Nov. 20, 6:45 a.m.-8 a.m. Happy Friday!
• Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-noon: Reading Circle at 6 North. Book: The Rope Walk by Carrie Brown.
  
• Sunday, Nov. 22, church school 9:45 a.m.; worship 10:45 a.m. THANKSGIVING OFFERING.
• Thursday, Nov. 26, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
• Friday, Nov. 27, 6:45 a.m.-8 a.m. Happy Friday!
• Sunday, Nov. 29 First Sunday of ADVENT church school 9:45 a.m.; worship 10:45 a.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m., Board of Ministry, church library.
• Thursday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m. Prayer Shawl Knitting ministry, location TBA.
  
• Friday, Dec. 4, 6:45 a.m.-8 a.m. Happy Friday!
• Saturday, Dec. 5: Holiday Bazaar: Cookies & Crafts, lunch cafe; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  

The Vision, Renewed

As promised, the weekend of Oct. 2-3 found a group of Comptonites at Eden Seminary, on a retreat to explore ways of Renewing the Vision.







Our student associate pastor, Rob, volunteered to take photos of the rest of the group. One consensus that came from our work is a need to be more intentional about communication and fellowship with one another. We spend a lot of energy and time on mission and justice issues, worship and ministry with children. That is as it should be. But several newer members attended this retreat, and it was clear they are eager to hear the stories of those they are worshipping with, and to have their stories heard.