Loan Payments: The End is Near!

Today is the 5th anniversary of the original commitment Sunday for the Compton Cares Campaign. This blog has existed to chronicle the beginning as well as the construction progress for accessibility in our building. And now there is exciting news as we realize that the payoff of our last accessibility loan is nearly here, some 10 to 11 months ahead of when we expected to do it. I have updated some figures in the sidebar, and if you want to review the posts from 2006, 2007 and 2008 to refresh you memory of the "before" and "after" now is a good time to do that. You also might want to revisit the list of donors and acknowledgements from the June 14,2008 dedication post.

When the celebration of the loan payoff is scheduled, I will update the blog once more, and it will remain up for about 6 months after that. But barring a new development, this blog will probably be taken down during the latter part of 2012, having served its purpose. The congregation is now utilizing an e-mailed electronic newsletter and a FaceBook page for the chronicle of its times, and a public blog no longer seems necessary. Just thought I'd let you know that if you want to save any of the photos or text from the account of the Compton Cares project, you might want to do it sooner rather than later. 

Accessibility Loan Balance below $10,000

In June, the loan balance for the Compton Cares project dropped below $10,000. We are on track to pay off the loan on or before October, 2012. More details will be posted soon.

Reprising 2010, Since the Blogger took a Sabbatical all Year

Although the blogger was absent in 2010, the mission of Compton Heights continued to grow. Once a month the Compton Rising Reading Circle (aka the book club) met to discuss the latest reading project. This group has involved more than a dozen people this year, and monthly attendance is around 8 or 9. We loved meeting at 6 North until they quit having Saturday hours and eventually closed the CWE location all together. Now the reading circle moves around. The last three months of the year we met at Van Goghz in the South Grand area.

Hooray for babies! The dedication of Jordan Walton (parents Matt and Shannon) was a highlight of a morning worship service. Jordan was the 5th baby born to members of the congregation in approximately an 18-month span. Two of the babies, Owin and Elizabeth, have moved away with their parents. And this fall Jordan moved to Columbia with her parents as they found new jobs. We continue to delight in the amazing growth of Peter, now 2, and Annabelle, soon to be 2. They are walking, starting to talk, and definitely know what they like! The addition of a play kitchen to the nursery is very popular with them.

The Peace Garden continues to flourish and the bulbs burst into bloom for Easter right on cue. Thanks to Jan Kreuger for masterminding the gardening! Often staff of Isaiah 58 hold meetings in the garden in the warm months, and clients use the benches while waiting for buses or to visit with others on nice days. The presence of the benches has made some of our residential neighbors nervous. Since once in a while a homeless person takes a nap on one, they question whether we are an attractive nuisance. We continue to try to explain that the mission of having a Peace Garden is to offer a place of refreshment and respite for body and soul, where people can gather or rest and restore themselves with a little of nature's beauty. It is a holy thing.

Since the addition of sisters DebE and Kim to our church family, the number of interesting and innovative fellowship events has increased exponentially. These ladies know how to have some holy fun. In September, a group of us went apple picking at Eckert's Farm in Illinois. Here, with the day's pickings of Golden Delicious and Jonathans, are Mary, Madeline, Marty, Norm, Kim, DebE, Darrell and Annabelle. Judi took the picture. There were fresh apples for coffee hour for weeks after that, and all kinds of other apple based goodies.


During the summer, Compton hosted Dr. Anil Henry, director of the Mungali, India, medical mission and learned more about the services that hospital and school is providing. Some of the group that visited India's Family Village Farm in the fall of 2009 is starting to plan another visit for the fall of 2011. Pastor Jacque and four other members are interested, and people from two other congregations--one in Kansas City and one in Memphis--are planning to go, too. So one focus for 2011 will be learning more about India and also helping raise funds to support the trip. In November 2010, our most successful all-church bazaar netted over $1700 for the Compton Cares debt retirement effort (see stats in the sidebar at upper right.) Our prayer shawl knitting circle turned out a record number of shawls and lap blankets, and these were donated to several members and also friends of the congregation who were facing illness and other physical or spiritual challenges. The circle members also made a lot of scarves for the bazaar, and those left over added to the annual Tree of Warmth, which was positively overflowing on the third Sunday in December. All of the items were distributed to clients of Isaiah 58 Ministries.

Compton folk also gave generously to the 6 special offerings we hold for outreach every year and stretched to fund two more appeals. In January we sent an over-and-above offering to Week of Compassion of more than $1150 in response to the Haiti earthquake, and in the summer we collected more than $800 for response to the flooding in Pakistan. We also held two drives to collect items for hygiene and medical kits for Church World Service.

This year we welcomed new members, including Scott, David, Bud and Nancy. The choir is growing; we have adapted our educational ministry to better serve children with autism and Asperger syndrome; Happy Friday continues as our street outreach every week; and there is much more that probably should be mentioned. Finally, we eagerly await new challenges for ministry in 2011.

Bazaar is a Resounding Success!

The first-ever bazaar on Dec. 5 was successful on many fronts. Above all, it provided several fellowship opportunities during the ornament workshops, setting up and taking down. Thanks to a generous donation of Fair Trade gift items, plus the handicrafts made by our members, sales were brisk. Many Compton folk appeared to be doing their Christmas Shopping. There was a picture with Santa, delicious chili and hot dogs for lunch, oodles of tempting baked goods. The quilt drawing netted $175 and the quilt was won by Jane C., who bought her ticket from DebE at a weight watchers class. Some Compton neighbors came to shop, too, and a few friends from other churches. We would love to have more "traffic" if we do it again next year, and we will try to plan a date with fewer conflicts for other churches. As it is, we are grateful for every visitor and sale. Bottom line: the bazaar earned $1,362.65 for the Compton Cares debt retirement fund. Thanks to everyone!

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.

Renewing The Vision

All members and friends of Compton Heights Christian Church are invited to the Renewing The Vision retreat to be held Friday night and Saturday, Oct. 2-3, at Eden Seminary. If you aren't registered yet, call the church right away! Phone number is 314-771-5071.

Welcome Another New Member

A few weeks ago, Compton welcomed another new member, Charlsi, who transferred her membership. She has three children who are now the core of the new youth Sunday school class! Charlsi has already joined the choir.

Coins, Cans Contribute to Compton Cares

This has been a great month for contributions through the spare change coin bank and also the can collection. Dave took some 205 pounds of aluminum cans that had been accumulating for about a year and exchanged them for $96.82. A couple of weeks later, Norm took two heavy cans of coins to the sorter at the bank and returned with a check for $142.19. Together, these contributions by church members will make one month's principal and interest payment on our 3% disability access loan. As one of our newer Compton members has noted, it's possible for anyone to contribute to this effort, even if it is "only" picking up and saving cans, or saving spare change. Thanks to everyone who has donated!

New Members

Sunday, July 27-- Royce and his daughter Cory united with Compton Heights during Sunday worship, reaffirming their faith. They come from an American Baptist background and have been frequently visiting since moving to South Grand neighborhood last winter. Welcome, Royce and Cory!

Compton Goes to the History Museum

Saturday, July 25-- A group from Compton Heights went to the Missouri Historical Society museum in Forest Park to see the exhibit, Mary Lee Bendolph: Gee's Bend Quilts and Beyond, which continues through Sept. 12. The story of Gee's Bend, a community of former slaves in Alabama that was isolated culturally and economically until the era of the New Deal, is educational and inspiring. The women made very utilitarian quilts of discarded denim and other clothing, just to keep their families warm. But as they worked together, they evolved a style that caught the eye of an art historian, and eventually they were "discovered" in the world of art. The exhibit is free on Tuesdays to St. Louis City and County residents. The 45-minute video about the Gee's Bend Quilters is shown during the exhibit and provides a lesson in civil rights in a story not many of us have heard.

Compton Goes to PrideFest

June 27&28 -- Compton Heights continues its annual witness to inclusion by having a booth at PrideFest, held on this weekend at Tower Grove Park, a few blocks south of the church. This year we were part of "Spiritual Row" along with the MCC, UCC, Episcopalian, Unitarian, Methodist, and various other O&A congregations. Next to us was our sister Disciple congregation, Liberation Christian Church, which meets in the Delmar Loop of University City.

Norm can tell you that the Saturday afternoon shift from 4-6 p.m. took place on the hottest day yet recorded this year in St. Louis--98 degrees. With lots of cold water, fruit juice, wet neck bands and even a snazzy cooling vest, all of our volunteers survived. The next day, Sunday, was almost 15 degrees cooler after a storm front blew in overnight. Many good contacts were made and many healing conversations were held this year, and a record number of volunteers, many of them our newer members and friends, took part. We ran out of fans and stickers before the festival ended.

Babies and Blooms at Compton

June 21--This blogger returned from a two-week vacation to find lots of new things at Compton Heights. A new banner in the hall by Marty and Sarah focuses our attention on God's care for all creatures, from great to small.



The youngest Compton folk are growing fast. On this Sunday, three of our four babies were present. A large play mat in front of some pews was an attractive spot for Peter.












Shannon held Annabelle while mom DebE and aunt Kim took their places as deacons. Shannon and Matt are looking forward to adding Baby #5 to the Compton cradle roll in December!



Elizabeth and her daddy, Josh, surveyed the scene at coffee hour after the service. It is always such fun to see the babies studying each other and reacting to each other. They are challenging us to expand the nursery space and also to look for a regular nursery attendant for Sunday mornings, along with volunteers who will use a curriculum designed to introduce babies and parents to Sunday School.

Some changes are outside. Along the alley west of the church building, an old, rotted tie wall was removed and a new deck with benches installed by volunteers from a Webster Groves congregation. The benches provide a shady spot for clients of Isaiah 58 to sit while they wait for the food pantry to open or the produce truck to arrive.

The volunteers also landscaped the area. Now it is much more attractive, not only for Compton folk and people coming to Isaiah 58, but also for our Flora Place neighbors who walk their dogs and exercise past this point.

Pentecost & Ordination for Lorrie

Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian Church, but today Pentecost was also ordination day for our most recent student pastor from Eden Seminary, Lorrie Kovell. After the service, most of the members from Compton Heights who were present or who took part posed for a photo with Lorrie.

The ordination service took place at Affton Christian Church, where Lorrie also was a student pastor earlier. The area above the communion table was filled with a mobile of white and red paper doves in recognition of the presence of the Holy Spirit.










After being presented as a candi- date, and making her vows to uphold a covenant of ministry, Lorrie knelt while pastors and elders present lay their hands upon her and the entire congregation joined in a prayer.

Another group picture, after the service ended, included all those who took part in the service. Many Christian congregations and a Reform Jewish congregation were represented.

Traditional gifts presented to Lorrie included a Bible, a communion chalice and plate, an alb, and a light. Darrell and Madeline present the chalice and plate to Lorrie during the service.

Lorrie studies how to adjust her new robe. Finally Jacque came to the rescue!

It was an eventful day, and a spirit-filled service. Our prayers go with Lorrie as she continues in the call to ministry.

Gypsy Caravan 2009: Wet, But Not Dampening Our Spirits

Something about Memorial Day in St. Louis--it always rains! This year there were no severe storms and our canopy stayed up, but it was still a challenge to keep our "dry goods" well, dry. Marty has just once again moved a rack of our Gypsy Bags back under the edge of the shelter. It was a challenge to display items attractively because they had to be crowded, but we did our best.

We started with 27 Gypsy Bags created by the collective of Marty, Kathy, Shannon, Marsha, Judi, Leslie, Liz, Jacque, Jan, Madeline....some sewed, some ironed, some cut out fabric, many donated the fabrics as well.










We sold a lot of our items during the brief bouts of sun that graced us in the middle of the day. But by the third rain shower, many shoppers simply left and headed home. By the end of the day, we had 11 Gypsy Bags remaining. These, and the unsold potato baking bags (visible on table at left) will be available on Sunday, May 31 and thereafter. We will also make some special orders for you if you have a certain kind of fabric in mind! (Some of these in the picture were sold after the photo was taken.)

We had wonderful help from a great bunch of dedicated volun- teers who set up, staffed, and broke down our booth. Thanks to Roger, Devin, Brenda and Leslie for setting up on Sunday afternoon. Our great staff on Saturday included Cindy, Brenda & family, Norm, and Judi who opened up at 6:30; Madeline, Roberta, Talya, Cory, Leslie, Marty and Darrell who took shifts from 9 to 5. And gold stars to Marty, Darrell and Leslie for helping Judi and Norm take down, pack up the remainder, and haul everything home at the end of the day. Special thanks to Leslie for use of her new canopy--which survived the day intact!

Our preliminary tally from the day's sale is around $650, less than last year, but amazing given the rainy day. I'll have a better tally in a week or so, depending on "after" sales this upcoming weekend. All of these proceeds will go to reducing the Compton Cares accessibility project indebtedness.

Thanks to everyone who donated an item for us to sell. We weren't able to sell all of them, but there is always Next Year. Will there be a Next Year? Maybe. We need to refine our focus on items to sell, and work on ways to be more immune to the damp weather. Stay tuned!