HarvestFest Fundraiser: November 5!

It’s that time of year again, time for one of Ivy Chapel’s biggest fundraisers. It’s an auction. It’s a huge fellowship event. It’s a wine tasting.

It’s HarvestFest! November 5, 2011 at 6:30 at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ, 620 N. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield. The cost is $15 per person in advance, and $20 at the door.

The last HarvestFest raised over $9,000 and we need your help to make this year’s event even bigger. Proceeds will benefit two local food pantries, Joint Neighborhood Ministry and Circle of Concern.

Get in touch with us if you have any questions about the event.

Auction and other donations welcome: Click here to download the invitation and donation form.

Special Offering for Neighbors in Need Oct. 2

Sunday, October 2 Ivy Chapel will observe World Communion Sunday. We will also have a special mission offering for Neighbors In Need fund—UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries(JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects.

Click here to make contributions on the NIN website.

Gaze at the Stars, Oct. 8

Participate in World Food Day, October 15

For the second year, the youth of Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ is taking part in World Food Day festivities at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.

The Center is hosting a community food packaging event to commemorate “World Food Day.” World Food Day is observed annually and is intended to to increase awareness, understanding and action to alleviate hunger. It is held in recognition of the founding of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization.

The Center’s program consists of one-hour food packaging sessions, where volunteers assemble nutritious rice/soy meals to be sent to those in need in Africa. After the packaging session, participants have the opportunity to tour the Danforth Center and learn about their research into reducing hunger and malnutrition around the world. The Danforth Center is located at Olive and Warson Roads in Creve Coeur

We have selected 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 15 as our time slot. The cost is $10 for students and $20 for adults (plus wiring fee). Click here to learn more and to register for World Food Day. When you do, please put “Ivy Chapel” in the organization section so we will be grouped together.

Need more information? Drop us a line and we’ll fill you in.

Record turnout for Blessing of the Animals!

Thanks to everyone who brought their furry (or shelled) friends to the 11th annual Blessing of the Animals at Ivy Chapel. We had a record turnout this year, despite the weather. And an extra-special thank you to everyone who made donations the Bi-State Pet Food Pantry. The food and funds will go a long way to helping struggling local families keep their pets in these tough economic times.

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TIME UPDATED: Let’s break bread together

“Adopt” a new idea for fall…

Chris Adams, director of volunteers for Emmaus Homes, gave a brief presentation about EH during worship at Ivy Chapel  on Aug. 28.  A concept she’s developed to give more people opportunities to interact with Emmaus clients involves ‘adoption’ of an Emmaus community home.

Chris is looking for families or congregations to serve as pilots for this new idea that partners groups with Emmaus community residences.  Given our existing relationship with Ross House residents, who regularly attend worship (and always enjoy coffee hour and the picnic), this initiative seems like a natural fit with Ivy Chapel.  The goal is to provide diverse voluntary opportunities for Ivy members, depending on interests and comfort level.  Some involvement may be with the house grounds; other engagements may be one-on-one with residents; others may just be simple extensions of activities we already do–like adding Ross House to the sites where youth Christmas carol.

Nancy Litzinger is recruiting members to work with Chris Adams and the Ross House manager to identify needs and set parameters for the project.  If you’re interested in helping lay the groundwork for this pilot partnership, contact Nancy: 314-434-4162; nancywl@sbcglobal.net

Blessing of the Animals, Sep. 10

One of the highlights of the fall at Ivy Chapel is the Blessing of the Animals. This is our tenth year of welcoming all of God’s creatures to our beautiful grounds.

Join us on Sept. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. … and bring your pet for a special, personalized blessing.

Each year we team up with an animal-related charity. This year we are proud to work with the Bi-State Pet Food Pantry, a St. Louis-based volunteer organization  whose mission is to keep animals with their “people” during difficult financial times by providing emergency assistance with pet food, litter and other necessities.

We will be accepting donations at the Blessing of the Animals for the pet food pantry. Their most needed items include:

• dry dog/cat food* any size
• canned cat/dog food, dog/cat treats
• cat litter
• ziploc 1 and 2 gallon re-sealable bags
• gift cards to gas stations, Target, PetSmart® or Sam’s Club®, or cash donations.

*please ensure meat is the first ingredient as corn is tough on tummies.

For more information on the food pantry, visit: http://www.bistatepetfoodpantry.org/