Our Church Home

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. We strive to provide an open, nurturing environment where everyone can strengthen their relationship with God.

You can help – Haiti Earthquake Relief

The United Church of Christ responded immediately to the catastrophic January 12 earthquake in Haiti.

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) money and resources are already on the way.  The United Church of Christ is sending disaster relief gifts to assist with the widespread needs in Haiti.

These resources are available because of our church’s annual One Great Hour of Sharing Offering Appeal. Thanks be to God that these resources are already in place!

More will surely be needed.

In addition to what is already being sent to Haiti, your SPECIAL GIFT is needed now.

Visit the UCC Disaster web site and click on the red DONATE box.

Or mail your gift to:

“OGHS – Haiti Earthquake Relief”
Wider Church Ministries
United Church of Christ
700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115

Please designate gifts in the memo portion :
“OGHS – Haiti Earthquake Relief”

Thank you for your generosity and for keeping the victims of this disaster in your prayers.

Thanks to all the creatures who joined us…

Dogs and cats — and even a rabbit, hampster and Russian tortoise — descended on Ivy Chapel in record numbers on Sept. 12th for the Blessing of the Animals.

This was Ivy’s ninth year for the Blessing of the Animals, and it was the busiest yet. It was also the ninth straight year we have been fortunate to have perfect weather.

This year, we were proud to accept donations for C.H.A.M.P. assistance dogs. Donations will ensure C.H.A.M.P. will be able to continue providing service dogs free of charge to adults and children with disabilities.

Thank you to everyone who shared their pets with us… and see you next year!

Here’s a short video of Moose the Russian tortoise, who stopped by to be blessed and to sample Ivy’s turf…

Click on the photo below to view our photo album from the 2009 Blessing of the Animals at Ivy Chapel. If you would like hi-res versions of any of these photos, please e-mail the Ivy Chapel webmaster.

Update from Instituto El Rey

Every year, Ivy Chapel’s members support several students at Instituto El Rey, a Christian high school in Rio Viejo, Honduras that serves the rural poor.

The mission of Instituto El Rey is “to provide an oasis of hope and love in a region plagued by poverty, violence, abuse, superstition and ignorance.”  Every student comes from a situation where there would be little chance for high quality education.

Recent events, including political upheaval and an earthquake, have hit close to the school.

Following is an update from Sharon Washburn, the school’s administrator.

The school was established in 2001, and now serves 170 students in grades 7 through 12. It celebrated its first graduated class in 2006, and to date 61 students have graduated from Instituto El Rey. 60% of graduates are seeking college degrees or professional training. Among the most recent graduates are four students seeking medical degrees, three studying nursing, two pursuing systems engineering, one studying business administration, and one aiming to become a lawyer.

Students at IER come from 15 villages in the mountains south of La Ceiba. Many overcome tremendous obstacles to get their education – some just to get to school every day. Scholarships, family sacrifices and support from friends enable all their schooling. Each student’s family is required to pay a token amount (less than $5 month); the total cost per student is actually around $70 per month.  Students who cannot afford the small monthly tuition can work at the school on weekends to earn that amount.  A high percentage of students are supported through a sponsorship program administered by a separate foundation.

The faculty includes salaried Honduran teachers, plus American volunteers Earl & Sharon Washburn, who serve as both administrators and teachers. Earl’s brother, Russ, is a member of Ivy Chapel and over the past 7 years dozens of church members, including youth, have gone on mission trips to IER to help with construction and other projects at the school.

Subjects taught at the school include Spanish, English, math (incl. statistics & physics), science (including chemistry & biology), several computer classes including programming & design, social studies, accounting, art, music, P.E. and some practical skills such as carpentry, sewing and gardening (which will help them earn a living if they opt out of further education).

Click here to learn more about Instituto El Rey.

Supporting Joint Neighborhood Ministries & Circle of Concern food pantries

The current economic downturn has meant that many that families who were previously able to keep up with their bills and feed their families are now finding the only way they can manage is to come to food pantries for help. Ivy is proud to support food pantries in our area, including Join Neighborhood Ministries in the City of St. Louis, and Circle of Concern in West County. We are collecting basic food items, along with monetary donations to help families in crisis with utility payments. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from our Oct. 24 HarvestFest will go to benefit these two organizations.

If you want to help, contact our church office for information at (314) 434-4991 or via e-mail.

Building support for Habitat for Humanity

It’s time again for Ivy Chapel’s annual Habitat for Humanity drive. We’re building a lego house in the Narthex. With each $10 block, you’ll help build our house — and you’ll add your support to this very worthy cause which helps build real houses for families in our area. Our goal is $750. Help us build a house in our church… so we can help Habitat build houses throughout our community!

Click here to contact our church office to learn more about helping Habitat for Humanity, or call 314-434-4991.

40th Annual Lafayette Square Spring House and Garden Tour

Come on down for the 40th Annual Lafayette Square Spring House and Garden Tour: “Ruby Jubilee” on Saturday, June 6 at 10 am.

This year’s Lafayette Square House and Garden Tour will feature the Square’s own “architectural jewels” – elaborately restored Victorian era mansions, brand new remarkable replications of Italianate town homes, and examples of historic restorations that are underway.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 on tour weekend.  Group Sales of 20 or more are $12. More information is on the bulletin board in fellowship hall.  After the tour, we will have lunch at Sqwires in Lafayette Square. Early registration is closed, but you can still take the tour! For information, contact Debbie Washburn.

New Conference E-newsletter

The Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ is introducing a new, weekly e-mail newsletter that will replace The Courier. Like the Courier, the still-unnamed newsletter will feature announcements from member churches (including Ivy Chapel). If you are interested in receiving the weekly news e-mail, please subscribe by sending an e-mail to Sandy Roland. Be sure to mention you learned about the newsletter on Ivy Chapel’s website.

Save the environment, help Ivy Chapel.

Everyone has extra paper lying around. Why not recycle it and help Ivy Chapel’s budget in the process? Our recycle bin is located in the lower lot, just north of the church on Woods Mill Road. Thank you in advance for your help.

What’s your talent?

Some members sing. Others fix leaky pipes. Some balance the books, while others work on public relations. Everyone has a talent, a gift, given by God. What’s your talent, and how will you use it to make the world a better place? Ivy Chapel has so many opportunities for you to make a difference, from delivering donations to area food pantries, to helping improve a school in Honduras. No matter who you are or what you can do, you’re welcome here at Ivy Chapel. Join us as we work together to build a brighter tomorrow for everyone.

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