Cleanup Day and Hootenanny

Saturday, Oct. 18, was a cleanup day at Compton Heights, followed by a fellowship supper, campfire and sing-along at the Kreuger's new condo one block south. The front of the church facing Grand Blvd. is now fully landscaped with hardy roses, perennial grass, and seasonal sweet potato vines and blooming pansies. It's a truly welcoming entrance.

Fall plantings and some fresh (and free!) compost enhances the peace pole that is a focal point of the entrance to the education and office wing.
The pole is decorated with "Peace" in multiple languages, including Hebrew and Chinese.

All of the garden beds got fresh mulch. Here Norm, Leslie and John wait for the next load of mulch to arrive in Dave's little red truck. We learned that homeless people sometimes sleep on our three park benches at night, and they have taken to policing any trash that shows up in the garden.

At last, another load of mulch. Liz, Darrell and Madeline get to work transferring it to wheelbarrows. By 5 p.m., all the plant beds were tucked in for cold weather and the tools were stowed away.







This is the second floor unisex bath room that Leslie and Dave have renovated. New or re-set fixtures, a fresh coat of pale mauve paint and some pictures on the wall make this former cramped and somewhat scary space inviting and functional. Some ladies will be taking sewing lessons in a room on our second floor in a training program sponsored by the Islamic Foundation of St. Louis. Now they also have a functional restroom to use. Thanks Dave and Leslie!

After some overgrown bushes were removed during the clean up day, the Compton Sign is now clearly visible from the street. In addition, a new sign is coming before long to further increase our visibility on the corner.


Jan and Larry invited everyone to Compton Gate patio for a picnic supper followed by a marshmallow roast and sing along, with two fire pits to keep us all mostly warm in the low 50-degree evening. It was a great ending to a fine fall day.

All Creatures Great and Small

On Saturday, some 20 people and 10 dogs gathered in the garden at Compton for a blessing of pets. Items representing absent pets were also brought--we aren't sure how many. The renovation of the lawn next to the church has made such gatherings possible. Upcoming, on Saturday, Oct. 18, we'll have a lawn cleanup and garden winterizing day starting at 2 p.m., to be followed by a cookout, marshmallow roast and folk singing around a fire pit, all at the Kreuger's new condo community.

Walton-McGuire Wedding

September 12, 2008--Tower Grove Park was the lovely setting for the evening wedding of Shannon McGuire and Matt Walton. The outdoor ceremony was held on the patio of the Piper Palm House, overlooking the lily ponds. Guests were treated to a memorable reception inside the Palm House, the oldest greenhouse west of the Mississippi River, now meticulously renovated and restored. Shannon and Matt graciously set up a web site where guests could, if they wished, purchase gifts that would return a portion of the cost as a donation to Compton Heights. The organization is the I Do Foundation, and it's a great idea. Congratulations and best wishes to the couple, who are now home from their honeymoon cruise and back at work.

New Gifts in Memory of Norma

Gifts in memory of Norma Santhoff have been received from the following donors. The list may be incomplete but additional donor information will be published as it is received. We are grateful for Norma's family and friends who chose to honor her life in this way.

Joseph Santhoff
Melva McDaniel
Glenydon and Marjorie Smith
Pernelle Zeller
Stephanie Maupin
Marc Zeller
Phyllis Benson
Millie Slack
Deborah and Edward McCrumb, Jr.
Robert F. Zeller
Fred K. Zeller
Donna and Jerry Stockglausner
Joseph and Patricia Santhuff
Marcella and Andrew Depka
Doug Hughes
Jean Schloemer Enright
The Rev. Hugh and Barbara Wilson
Jan and Larry Kreuger
Nancy, Don and Julie Keller
Marjorie Skotvold
Anonymous

In Memory of Norma

Today we held a memorial celebration for the life of Norma Santhoff, one of the original members of the Compton Cares Team and a tireless believer in the power of prayer combined with practical action. Norma is remembered by her 5 children and many grandchildren, by her neighbors in the condo, by the staff and board of Cornerstone early childhood center which she founded, by the literally thousands of children whose lives are better for her work, by members past and present of Compton Heights whom she taught in Sunday School, led in youth groups, shared with in Reading Circle and study groups and prayer groups. She was an elder, a past moderator of the congregation. She was the person who called you in the middle of an ice storm and found you a warm bedroom when she learned your power was going to be out for days. She took a sabbatical from Sunday school to observe the caring community that gathered in a fast food restaurant near her home. She was not afraid of the people who knock on your door and want to witness to you; she invited them in and studied the Bible with them for years, with the understanding that neither was going to convert the other. She brought rocks from the spot she visited on vacation because she knew you collected rocks and she wanted to thank you for taking her to the airport. Within days after receiving a devastating diagnosis, she was back calling people in the congregation as well as her friends to check on their various surgeries and recoveries. She was at home in the InterRacial Dialogue and representing Compton at the Pride Fest booth, as in this picture taken a year ago. Three benches in the garden outside Compton were provided by Norma, because she wanted people passing by or waiting for the bus to have a place to sit and rest and enjoy the view. Norma loved babies, children, young couples, single people, old people, dogs, neighbors, strangers, her family, friends, flowers, and challenges. She not only believed in prayer, she was a living prayer. We have lost a treasured friend and heaven has gained a saint.

We Dedicate the Renovations and Thank Donors

June 14, 2008--We had a perfect day to dedicate the Compton Cares project and thank everyone who has supported the project so far. After a short worship service in the sanctuary, about 50 members and Friends of Compton processed outside to the new plaza and ramp for a litany of dedication. Then we all went back inside for refreshments and conversation. This isn't the end of the project, of course. We still have to raise about $13,000 and collect all of the commitments that have been made to date. But more important, we need to discern what the next phase in this inclusive ministry will be.

Below I am posting the complete list of donors and supporters we thanked on Saturday. It's a long list, but it comprises the record. Of course we welcome additional contributions of any kind, ranging from spare change and soda cans to checks of all amounts. Please continue using GoodSearch, GoodShop and eScrip as a way to support Compton Cares in the future. I will continue to update the financial progress in the right column, but for now, there won't be any new posts about the project unless we undertake something new. Which we might.

Gifts to Compton Cares Campaign

Thanks to the faith, generosity and commitment of many members and friends of Compton Heights Christian Church, we have received monetary gifts and pledges of $148,108.23 as of June 14, 2008. Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the following people, some known to us and some not:

Everyone who has brought aluminum cans, cell phones or ink cartridges for recycling, or who has brought coins to the spare change bank.
Everyone who has used GoodSearch, eScrip, or GoodShop, or donated cabinets, countertops and appliances for the kitchenette.
Everyone who volunteered time and donated items for the Gypsy Caravan.
Everyone who has volunteered time meeting with the architects and contractors, and those who helped write and revise various loan applications, grant applications, or tended other financial details.
The Bridgeton Fund committee for its generous grant.
Everyone who has shared the vision and prayed for this project.

And we also recognize the following donors of time, talent, and/or treasure, some of whom made their gifts in memory of or in honor of loved ones:

Anonymous
Arlene Arbogast
Mrs. A.T. Akin, Jr.
Sue Bardelmeier in memory of Paul Bardelmeier, for his love of Compton Heights CC.
Vaughn Bardelmeier in memory of Paul Bardelmeier
Lisa Bast
Jon Berquist & Sally Willis-Watkins
Anna Mae Bertram in memory of Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Blackwell
Jill & Jim Boaz in memory of Helen and Harold Boaz
Ben Bohren
Carol Boss and Matthew Henderson
Brenda Brinkmann
Martha A. Cain in honor of Jacque Foster and Dave Boger
Robert D. and Lois S. Chambless in honor of Jacque Foster and Dave Boger and in honor of Norm and Judi Linville
Jim & Sharon Clayton in memory of Glennon Sack and Hazel Sack Carlisle and in memory of Virgil and Blanche Clayton
Adele Coble
Mary Davis
Ransom and Pat Davis
Clarence J. Diedriech
Cindy Diggs
Roger Elder in memory of Ralph N. Elder
Thelma Elder in memory of Ralph N. Elder
Jacque Foster and Dave Boger in memory of Ozzie Cain and Vernon Boger and in honor of Martha Cain and Nancy Boger
Lynda Gamlin in memory of Lee and Herbie Sutton
Rufus K. Gann, Jr.
Beth Gellman
Cletus and Rona Glasener in memory of Cletus, Sr. and Pauline Glasener
Reed Glasener in memory of Cletus, Sr. and Pauline Glasener
Darla Glynn
Howard and Darlene Goodrich in honor of the Rev. Jacque Foster
Betty and Red Graham in memory of Joe Spitler, Lee Sutton, and Herb Sutton
Tim and Rhonda Graham in honor of Red and Betty Graham
Bob from Happy Friday
Madeline Haraway
Matt Myers & Doug Harrison in honor of Norm and Judi Linville
Carolyn & Jon Hicks in memory of Hazel Carlisle
Darrell, Marty & Sarah Hughes in memory of Clifford and Edna Hogshead
Bonnie Jorgenson & Chris Correia
Lillian Kaley in memory of Fred Kaley
Cora Katzen in memory of Frances French
Rosemary Kemper in memory of Carl Kemper
Bill Kleiner
Darren & Kathie Kreuger
Duane T. Kreuger
Larry & Jan Kreuger
Ruth V. Kreuger in honor of your wonderful church
Larry and Mary Kuhn in memory of Millie Kuhn
Dennis Landon and Lana Hartman Landon
Leslie Latham
April J. Lewton
Norm and Judi Linville in honor of Compton Rising
Ronnie London
Eva Maldonado
Mr. Merry Maney
Ruby Manning and Joan Heintz
Arlanda McCelleary and her grandfather
Marsha McGuire
Shannon McGuire and Matt Walton
Kathy Mead in memory of Virgil Mead and Mary Mead; Walter C. Tarde, Sr. and Lillian Tarde; and Carol V. Mead
Lewis & Dolores Mead in memory of Carol Tarde Mead
Ron and Carol Mead in memory of Carol V. Mead
Timothy Murphy
Susan & Roland Petri in memory of Walter Tarde, Sr., Lillian Tarde,
and Carol Mead
Richard Reed
Bryan and Sarah Richardson
Melissa Roth
Norma Santhoff
The Santhoff Family in honor of Norma Santhoff
Mary E. Schumacher in memory of her sister-in-law, Donna; and in honor of her nephew, Donovan Goodwin
David & Jennie Shirey in honor of Compton Heights’ Faithful Witness
in the City
Millie Slack in memory of George Slack
Sarah Spann
Rosemary Spitler in memory of Joe Spitler
Vijaya Vasudevan & John Srinivasan
Patrice Stricker in memory of George & Pat Fugel, and John Fugel
Walt & Audrey Tarde in memory of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Tarde, Sr., Carol V. Mead, and Harold & Helen Rudy
Karen Tye and Brent Dodge
Liz Vollmar in memory of Carol Mead and in honor of Lew Mead, Kathy Mead and Madeline Haraway
Barbara & Hugh Wilson
Guang Wu

Update: 6/22/08 The donor list has been updated to reflect a new memorial gift.

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the following talents and skills of professionals for the Compton Cares Accessibility Project:

We appreciate the creative vision of Jeffrey Mugg of St. Louis Design Alliance, whose plan for our project embodied his belief that a building should treat those with varying abilities the same.

We are grateful for the construction supervision by Zach Hamilton and the counsel of Rhonda McDougal of Church Extension during the loan application process.

We thank Beth Gellman for her consultation on landscape design for the planters and our adjoining meditation garden.

We appreciate the offer of Julia Krovicka to design a new sign that will reflect our congregation’s commitment to ministry in the city.

We thank our ministry partners in Isaiah 58, who endured dust, noise and delays while plumbing was being re-arranged over their very heads during part of the construction process.

We also acknowledge the work of our Compton Cares Team volunteers:

Dave Boger was invaluable as liaison for construction
Kathy Mead handled the loan and legal stuff
Jan Kreuger kept the records of pledges and gifts.
Norm Linville shared his experience with working with an architect on a church project.
Shannon McGuire provided page design expertise and tended to many details.
Judi Linville started a blog to chronicle our progress.
Marsha McGuire helped us stay organized and on task.
Norma Santhoff led us in learning to say Yes to the vision.
Jacque Foster, our pastor, was and is awesome.

Thank you, all!

Dedication will be on June 14

Our gardens are growing, and providing respite in the shade for people waiting for a bus, walking down Grand, or coming to the food pantry or other services of Isaiah 58 ministries in our building.

On Saturday, June 14, we will have a dedication service to celebrate the completion of the Compton Cares Accessibility renovations. The program begins at 11 a.m. and will be followed by light refreshments and a chance to visit. Donors to the capital campaign will be recognized on an honor roll, which will appear here after the service. We chose a Saturday for this service so that Friends of Compton from other congregations can join us. Let's all hope for weather as lovely as it was last Sunday morning when these photos were taken!

Also on Sunday, I took new photos for the header and sidebar of this blog, since the construc- tion and reno- vations are complete. Our financial campaign is nearing the finish line, too. Follow our progress in the sidebar to the right.