www.HopeandHelpCenter.Org
Jan 9th ~ Out-N-About Dinner Club @ Soda Fountain Square
7pm - 9pm (Lafayette Square) www.sodafountainsquare.net
INFO---
outandabout@mccgsl.org
The Out N About ministry is a social outreach of MCCGSL, and offers fun and fellowship on a monthly basis. If you are looking to make new friends, this is a great opportunity to meet some great people.
Rumor has it, if your a "1st timer", Dinner is FREE!
More info at: www.MCCGSL.org or email outandabout@mccgsl.org for more details!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Rev. Elder Emeritus Troy Perry - Founder MCC Churches
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/
I recently came accross this sermon he delivered to MCCLA in 2005, in honor of the Denomination's 37th Anniversary. The video begins with a short music program, and scripture readings, followed by the message.
Rev. Elder Emeritus Troy Perry is the founder of Metropolitan Community Churches, beginning in Los Angeles- October, 1968. Rev. Perry served as the Moderator of the Demonomination for many years. Leading our church into hundreds of congregations in dozens of countries around the globe. Today, MCC churches are moderated by Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, who also served as pastor of the LosAngeles Congregation in the early 1990's.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
News & Notes 12-28-08
www.HopeandHelpCenter.orgThe News & Notes For December 28th are Now Available for Download
DOWNLOAD NOW:
Friday, December 26, 2008
Employment Workshop @ The Hope and Help Center
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/
MCCGSL & The Hope and Help Center will be hosting an Employment Workshop for anyone who is currently seeking employment, or simply wishes to refresh job-seeking skills.
Topics include: Resume writing, Interview Skills, Job-Seeking Strategies, and more!
To RSVP for this FREE EVENT: info@hopeandhelpcenter.org
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT: http://hopeandhelpcenter.org/jobs.aspx
**You may forward this to anyone of interest
Save the DATE!! January Events~
www.HopeandHelpCenter.Org
Jan 9th ~ Out-N-About Dinner Club @ Soda Fountain Square
7pm - 9pm INFO--- outandabout@mccgsl.org
Jan 11th ~ Worship Participant Training
Anyone interested in participation in worship services at MCCGSL
INFO --- worshipparticipants@mccgsl.org
Jan 17th ~ Recovering from Homophobic Religion ( a seminar series begins)
An in-depth exploration of homosexuality and the bible
Space is limited ~ REGISTER TODAY (FREE) info@mccgsl.org
Series takes place SATURDAYS 9AM to 10:30
Jan 23rd ~ Out N About GAME NIGHT 7PM
All are welcome! Fun and Games outandabout@mccgsl.org
Jan 23rd ~ Admin. Board Meeting (1919 S. Broadway)
Jan 26th & 28th ~ The Hope and Help Center
- EMPLOYMENT SKILLS WORKSHOP
Regisiter at: info@hopeandhelpcenter.org
This two-day seminar series, is designed to assist our community
with skills needed for job seeking in todays market.
Topics include:
RESUME writing, INTERVIEW skills, and Job Search assistance
**All events sponsored by MCCGSL, and offer community participation without financial cost. We invite EVERYONE to join us, whether you are a member of MCC or any church.
"Come as you are... Believing as you do!"
www.MCCGSL.org www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Jan 9th ~ Out-N-About Dinner Club @ Soda Fountain Square
7pm - 9pm INFO--- outandabout@mccgsl.org
Jan 11th ~ Worship Participant Training
Anyone interested in participation in worship services at MCCGSL
INFO --- worshipparticipants@mccgsl.org
Jan 17th ~ Recovering from Homophobic Religion ( a seminar series begins)
An in-depth exploration of homosexuality and the bible
Space is limited ~ REGISTER TODAY (FREE) info@mccgsl.org
Series takes place SATURDAYS 9AM to 10:30
Jan 23rd ~ Out N About GAME NIGHT 7PM
All are welcome! Fun and Games outandabout@mccgsl.org
Jan 23rd ~ Admin. Board Meeting (1919 S. Broadway)
Jan 26th & 28th ~ The Hope and Help Center
- EMPLOYMENT SKILLS WORKSHOP
Regisiter at: info@hopeandhelpcenter.org
This two-day seminar series, is designed to assist our community
with skills needed for job seeking in todays market.
Topics include:
RESUME writing, INTERVIEW skills, and Job Search assistance
**All events sponsored by MCCGSL, and offer community participation without financial cost. We invite EVERYONE to join us, whether you are a member of MCC or any church.
"Come as you are... Believing as you do!"
www.MCCGSL.org www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Thursday, December 25, 2008
"Light a Candle" DVD available soon!
www.HopeandHelpCenter.OrgDVD’s of the choir concert will be for sale. Orders may be placed after worship on 12/21 & 12/28and the night of the concert in the CHEF’s reception area. Reserve your copy today!
For more information contact Katie Hotze, photoart_productions@hotmail.com.
Not in St. Louis? contact The Hope and Help Center, we will arrange to send you one!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas from The Hope and Help Center!
The staff of MCCGSL, and volunteers of The Hope and Help Center, wish you and your loved ones a joyful Holiday Season, and may you be filled with the warmth of spirit, and Joy as we share this special time of celebration of God's Love, and birth of Jesus.
We have been honored to serve the needs of our community in 2008, and are looking forward to new endeavors in the new year. We wish to thank each of our supporters and visitors, that have made The Hope and Help Center possible.
Warmest Regards,
Colby , editor- The Hope and Help Center
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Co-Pay Assistance Program Now Available
Truvada, Viread and Emtriva Co-Pay Assistance Program Now Available
Gilead Sciences has launched a Truvada co-payment assistance program to help eligible people living with HIV reduce their out-of-pocket medication expenses. The program kicks in for insurance co-payments above $50 and covers up to $200 a month for Truvada (tenofovir plus emtricitabine), as well as Viread (tenofovir) and Emtriva (emtricitabine) if they are used separately.
HIV-positive people are eligible for the new Gilead program if they have out-of-pocket costs associated with insurance co-payments for their medications and their prescriptions are not covered by Medicaid, Medicare, a state AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) or other government-funded assistance program.
Because of its licensing agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead is unable to extend its co-payment assistance program to prescriptions for Atripla (efavirenz, tenofovir and emtricitabine). Additionally, Massachusetts residents are not eligible for the program.
Patients can enroll by obtaining a co-payment assistance card from their physicians or health care providers. If a health care provider does not have a card available, patients can call a toll-free number (888.358.0398) to enroll immediately and receive a card in the mail.
Search: Truvada, Viread, Emtriva, Atripla, co-payment, insurance, ADAP, Medicaid, Medicare, assistance
Gilead Sciences has launched a Truvada co-payment assistance program to help eligible people living with HIV reduce their out-of-pocket medication expenses. The program kicks in for insurance co-payments above $50 and covers up to $200 a month for Truvada (tenofovir plus emtricitabine), as well as Viread (tenofovir) and Emtriva (emtricitabine) if they are used separately.
HIV-positive people are eligible for the new Gilead program if they have out-of-pocket costs associated with insurance co-payments for their medications and their prescriptions are not covered by Medicaid, Medicare, a state AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) or other government-funded assistance program.
Because of its licensing agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead is unable to extend its co-payment assistance program to prescriptions for Atripla (efavirenz, tenofovir and emtricitabine). Additionally, Massachusetts residents are not eligible for the program.
Patients can enroll by obtaining a co-payment assistance card from their physicians or health care providers. If a health care provider does not have a card available, patients can call a toll-free number (888.358.0398) to enroll immediately and receive a card in the mail.
Search: Truvada, Viread, Emtriva, Atripla, co-payment, insurance, ADAP, Medicaid, Medicare, assistance
Monday, December 22, 2008
Breast Cancer Screens (FREE) Jan 7th~~'09
Breast Cancer Screening January 7
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/
FREE Breast Cancer Screening on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish Hall. Please print out, post and distribute this flyer as appropriate.
A few quick things...
*$10 Schnucks Gift Card for all women who have a mammogram*
Appointments are required for mammograms and can be made by
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/
FREE Breast Cancer Screening on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish Hall. Please print out, post and distribute this flyer as appropriate.
A few quick things...
*$10 Schnucks Gift Card for all women who have a mammogram*
Appointments are required for mammograms and can be made by
calling Barb, the Parish Nurse, at 314-655-0554.
St. John's Mercy Neighborhood Ministry
3660 Gravois Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63116
www.stjohnsmercy.org/services/neighborhoodministry
St. John's Mercy Neighborhood Ministry
3660 Gravois Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63116
www.stjohnsmercy.org/services/neighborhoodministry
Hwy 40 Update
http://hopeandhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/hwy-40-update.html
Please be aware of the upcoming I-64 highway closures:
Starting at 3:00 p.m. on December 14, 2008, MoDOT and Gateway Constructors
will begin closing I-64/Highway 40 from Kingshighway to 170; the west
portion of the highway, from 170 to Ballas Road will reopen at the same
time, and be open before rush hour on December 15, 2008.
* On December 15, 2008, Oakland Avenue will close completely at I-64
and remain closed for six months; when Oakland reopens, Clayton Road at I-64
will be closed completely for six months.
Starting at 3:00 p.m. on December 14, 2008, MoDOT and Gateway Constructors
will begin closing I-64/Highway 40 from Kingshighway to 170; the west
portion of the highway, from 170 to Ballas Road will reopen at the same
time, and be open before rush hour on December 15, 2008.
* On December 15, 2008, Oakland Avenue will close completely at I-64
and remain closed for six months; when Oakland reopens, Clayton Road at I-64
will be closed completely for six months.
* On December 15, 2008, Laclede Station Road will close for 90 days.
* On December 19 - 22, 2008, McCausland will be closed completely; it
will reopen on December 23, 2008
will reopen on December 23, 2008
* On December 29, 2008, Hanley will close completely at I-64 for 8
months; when Hanley reopens, Big Bend will be closed, and will remain closed
for six months.
months; when Hanley reopens, Big Bend will be closed, and will remain closed
for six months.
* On January 12, 2009, Claytonia Terrace will close intermittently for
90 days.
90 days.
* The Hampton bridge over I-64 into Forest Park will reopen on May 22,
2009
2009
Sunday, December 21, 2008
MCCGSL Media "HUB" & Photo Album!
http://mccgsl.podbean.com
Now you can find all of MCCGSL online media at one central "Hub"!
Visit Us online, and catch the latest sermons! Audio & Video
ALSO SEE the MCCGSL Photo album! http://mccgsl.shutterfly.com
As always, find the latest updates from The Hope and Help Center ~ find our RSS feed here:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/thehopeandhelpcenter
Free Prescription Assistance (MO ONLY)
www.HopeandHelpCenter.orgThe MoRX plan works with Medicare Part D to help missourians save money on prescriptions. MoRX covers 50% of the Medicare Part D "gap" and pays 50% of the Medicare Part D co-pays. No enrollment fee or deductible is required.
To learn more visit online at www.morx.mo.gov
or call 1-800-375-1406
**This program is provided by the MO Dept of Social Services
DOWNLOAD INFO NOW:
Saturday, December 20, 2008
"Light A Candle" This Sunday @6pm
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/MCC of Greater St. Louis will present it's annual Christmas concert for ONE NIGHT ONLY this year, due to our temporary location at 112 Sidney Street in Soulard. An evening of festivities and music have been planned for December 21, 2008 @ 6pm.
WHEN: Dec 21, 2008 6PM
WHERE: 112 Sidney Street (IN SOULARD) 63104
WHO: MCCGSL Choir & Friends!
More info? choir@mccgsl.org
EVERYONE IS INVITED!! (SPACE IS LIMITED)
Friday, December 19, 2008
News & Notes Dec 21st - Download NOW
The News & Notes for 12-21-08 have been published and are avialable for download.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
HELP with Christmas Gifts - Share or receive
Help Someone or Get Help (St. Louis Metro) www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
If you need help with Christmas gifts, money, etc. or can help someone else please visit www.needsharing.org .
It's a Christian based website that's totally free and can make a world of difference in someone's life. (This Site IS NOT affiliated with The Hope and Help Center, but may be useful!)
If you need help with Christmas gifts, money, etc. or can help someone else please visit www.needsharing.org .
It's a Christian based website that's totally free and can make a world of difference in someone's life. (This Site IS NOT affiliated with The Hope and Help Center, but may be useful!)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
"Light A Candle" Christmas Sunday @6pm
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/MCC of Greater St. Louis will present it's annual Christmas concert for ONE NIGHT ONLY this year, due to our temporary location at 112 Sidney Street in Soulard. An evening of festivities and music have been planned for December 21, 2008 @ 6pm.
WHEN: Dec 21, 2008 6PM
WHERE: 112 Sidney Street (IN SOULARD) 63104
WHO: MCCGSL Choir & Friends!
More info? choir@mccgsl.org
EVERYONE IS INVITED!! (SPACE IS LIMITED)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Salon Owner Needed
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Salon Owner Needed to RENT entire salon - $650 (Emerson Park Metrolink)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: ckluthe@justinepetersen.org
Date: 2008-12-16, 2:40PM CST
Dont miss this amazing opportunity!
justinePETERSEN, a local non-profit organization is currently developing a HAIR & NAIL SALON, to be located at the Emerson Park Metrolink station.
This fully furnished salon will be for RENT in January 2009. The Salon is located adjacent to the Emerson Park Metrolink platform, in a newly completed building. Salon includes 3 stations, reception desk, and two dry-stations.
Owner would operate as thier own business, and would be responsible for staffing, and product lines they wish to offer. Rent of the entire salon is $650/mo. *individual stations not offered*
About the LOCATION: Emerson Park Metrolink Station, is a full-service Park & RIDE station, with more than 2000 daily commuters that utilize the station as an arrival or departure destination. It is a modern facility, which already houses a St.Clair county Sherrifs office, Cafe, and soon a Business Resource Center (WIFI hotspot)
INTERESTED?? Contact us today to learn more! ckluthe@justinepetersen.org
or 314-664-5051 ext 112
http://www.justinepetersen.org/
http://posting.stlouis.backpage.com/gyrobase/classifieds/VerifyAd.html/1379627/9305b8dd
Salon Owner Needed to RENT entire salon - $650 (Emerson Park Metrolink)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: ckluthe@justinepetersen.org
Date: 2008-12-16, 2:40PM CST
Dont miss this amazing opportunity!
justinePETERSEN, a local non-profit organization is currently developing a HAIR & NAIL SALON, to be located at the Emerson Park Metrolink station.
This fully furnished salon will be for RENT in January 2009. The Salon is located adjacent to the Emerson Park Metrolink platform, in a newly completed building. Salon includes 3 stations, reception desk, and two dry-stations.
Owner would operate as thier own business, and would be responsible for staffing, and product lines they wish to offer. Rent of the entire salon is $650/mo. *individual stations not offered*
About the LOCATION: Emerson Park Metrolink Station, is a full-service Park & RIDE station, with more than 2000 daily commuters that utilize the station as an arrival or departure destination. It is a modern facility, which already houses a St.Clair county Sherrifs office, Cafe, and soon a Business Resource Center (WIFI hotspot)
INTERESTED?? Contact us today to learn more! ckluthe@justinepetersen.org
or 314-664-5051 ext 112
http://www.justinepetersen.org/
http://posting.stlouis.backpage.com/gyrobase/classifieds/VerifyAd.html/1379627/9305b8dd
Monday, December 15, 2008
Join the Hope and Help Center! Subscribe today
SUBSCRIBE NOWhttp://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/
As the story goes: "it was through a casual conversation at a party..." many of us may already know what happened next.
As the story goes: "it was through a casual conversation at a party..." many of us may already know what happened next.
It was the beginning of a bold vision.
Both the Hope and Help Center, and the even larger mission
"One Saint Louis".
A bold and inclusive community HUB; where our community interacts as ONE.
The Hope and Help Center of St. Louis is here to provide a central source of information and resources. To foster those "Casual Conversations" that create miracles.
314-707-7267
Subscription available via RSS reader, or by email updates.
Email subscribers get ONE email per day, at either 6:30PM or 11:30pm (your choice)
6PM Mail delivery: visit: http://feeds.feedburner.com/hopeandhelpcenterofstlouis
11PM Mail delivery: visit: http://feeds.feedburner.com/thehopeandhelpcenter
RSS Subscribers may choose either selection!
Breast Cancer Screening January 7
www.hopeandhelpcenter.org Breast Cancer Screening January 7
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
FREE Breast Cancer Screening on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish Hall. Please print out, post and distribute this flyer as appropriate.
A few quick things...
*$10 Schnucks Gift Card for all women who have a mammogram*
Appointments are required for mammograms and can be made by calling Barb, the Parish Nurse, at 314-655-0554.
St. John's Mercy Neighborhood Ministry
3660 Gravois Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63116
314-865-0927 ext 4
314-865-0679 (fax)
www.stjohnsmercy.org/services/neighborhoodministry
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Sage is awarded grant from MCCGSL
http://www.HopeandHelpCenter.Org/sage.aspxhttp://www.sagemetrostl.org/
MCCGSL, awards annually 10% of the proceeds from the Annuall Golf classic to a community organization each year. The 2008 Recipient was SAGE, which received a check for $2300 to further the programs with this wonderful organization.
To Learn more, visit them online,
We also have additional information available for download, at: http://www.HopeandHelpCenter.Org/sage.aspx
Recent Articles :
Monday, November 3, 2008
SAGE now offers expert panel
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/sage.aspx
SAGE is excited to announce a new resource available to you through the SAGE Metro St. Louis Website. "SAGE's Ask the Expert Forum Directory" is an online resource forum hosted by the founding SAGE, SAGE USA, and made available to SAGE affiliates. At SAGE's Ask the Expert, you can ask questions related to LGBT aging, life planning, your rights and the law. To access this sight simply go to the SAGE Metro St. Louis website and click on the "Ask the Expert" tab.
We thank SAGE USA for making this resource available to LGBT older adults in Metro St. Louis. Please feel free to share this information with your family and friends!
SAGE Metro St. Louis
(314) 821-4845
http://www.sagemetrostl.org
Friday, December 12, 2008
"Anyone But Me" Launches on Strike TV!!
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/ANYONE BUT ME
Webseries from Susan Miller
LAUNCHES TODAY ON STRIKE TV
ANYONE BUT ME, a new webseries about diverse young people finding their way in the post 9/11 age, premieres today. .
So, please click on http://www.strike.tv/show/anyone-but-me
right now or tonight or even tomorrow.
Every week we'll be adding new episodes, and each episode will always be available for viewing as many times as you like. So give us a look and help us build a presence on the web.
To learn more about the series, go to www.anyonebutmeseries.com
Kwanzaa Holiday Expo
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat., Dec. 13; noon-6 p.m., Sun., Dec. 14
Where: West End Community Center, 724 N. Union
Extra special: Gospelfest, 2-5 p.m., Dec. 13 (no extra charge)
Cost: $5 per person
Info: 314-367-3440, www.betterfamilylife.org
The Expo, sponsored by Better Family Life Inc., features African-American vendors selling products such as apparel, custom-made jewelry, fine art, books, household goods, self care products, fine fabrics and food. Entertainment includes Expressions in Poetry; Focus, vocal ensemble; Mixed Images, rhythm and blues band; Matiff Hip Hop Dancers; Ptah Williams Jazz Trio and Working the Spirit, music ensemble.
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat., Dec. 13; noon-6 p.m., Sun., Dec. 14
Where: West End Community Center, 724 N. Union
Extra special: Gospelfest, 2-5 p.m., Dec. 13 (no extra charge)
Cost: $5 per person
Info: 314-367-3440, www.betterfamilylife.org
The Expo, sponsored by Better Family Life Inc., features African-American vendors selling products such as apparel, custom-made jewelry, fine art, books, household goods, self care products, fine fabrics and food. Entertainment includes Expressions in Poetry; Focus, vocal ensemble; Mixed Images, rhythm and blues band; Matiff Hip Hop Dancers; Ptah Williams Jazz Trio and Working the Spirit, music ensemble.
"Light A Candle" concert DEC 21st @6pm
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/MCC of Greater St. Louis will present it's annual Christmas concert for ONE NIGHT ONLY this year, due to our temporary location at 112 Sidney Street in Soulard. An evening of festivities and music have been planned for December 21, 2008 @ 6pm.
WHEN: Dec 21, 2008 6PM
WHERE: 112 Sidney Street (IN SOULARD) 63104
WHO: MCCGSL Choir & Friends!
More info? choir@mccgsl.org
EVERYONE IS INVITED!! (SPACE IS LIMITED)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Breast Cancer Screening January 7
Breast Cancer Screening January 7
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
FREE Breast Cancer Screening on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish Hall. Please print out, post and distribute this flyer as appropriate.
A few quick things...
*$10 Schnucks Gift Card for all women who have a mammogram*
Appointments are required for mammograms and can be made by calling Barb, the Parish Nurse, at 314-655-0554.
St. John's Mercy Neighborhood Ministry
3660 Gravois Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63116
314-865-0927 ext 4
314-865-0679 (fax)
www.stjohnsmercy.org/services/neighborhoodministry
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
FREE Breast Cancer Screening on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish Hall. Please print out, post and distribute this flyer as appropriate.
A few quick things...
*$10 Schnucks Gift Card for all women who have a mammogram*
Appointments are required for mammograms and can be made by calling Barb, the Parish Nurse, at 314-655-0554.
St. John's Mercy Neighborhood Ministry
3660 Gravois Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63116
314-865-0927 ext 4
314-865-0679 (fax)
www.stjohnsmercy.org/services/neighborhoodministry
Bring a TOY this Sunday!
www.HopeandHelpCenter.orgWHAT CAN YOU DO?
Bring a new, unwrapped toys for children ages 1-14 years.
OR
Donte gift certificates to area vendors to assist with toy drive shopping.
Make a monetary donation to the Holiday Gold for Kids Toy Drive.
MCCGSL will be collecting these toys at our Sunday Services on DECEMBER 14th
Or Drop them by the offices at 1919 S Broadway during the week! Every litle bit helps someone!
WHY?
The children you are helping are living with the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS.
The toys you give them will most likely be the only toys they receive this holiday season.
The Holiday Gold for Kids Toy Drive provides hope to many during the holiday season!
WHEN?
Monday, November 26 – Friday, December 21, 2007
MORE INFO?
Call: Stacey Slovacek (314) 454-4714
or email: danny@mccgsl.org
http://projectark.wustl.edu/toydrive.html
Sunday, December 7, 2008
"Light a Candle" Concert Dec 21st - MCC Choir
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/MCC of Greater St. Louis will present it's annual Christmas concert for ONE NIGHT ONLY this year, due to our temporary location at 112 Sidney Street in Soulard. An evening of festivities and music have been planned for December 21, 2008 @ 6pm.
WHEN: Dec 21, 2008 6PM
WHERE: 112 Sidney Street (IN SOULARD) 63104
WHO: MCCGSL Choir & Friends!
More info? choir@mccgsl.org
EVERYONE IS INVITED!! (SPACE IS LIMITED)
Holidays w/ BAND TOGETHER DEC 20TH
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Celebrate the holidays with your favorite community band.
On Saturday, December 20, BandTogether, the St. Louis GLBTA community concert band, presents “A Most Wonderful Christmas,” its annual holiday concert. The program includes a blend of traditional holiday carols, Bizet’s “Farandole”, new takes on classics like Mannheim Steamroller’s “Hallelujah,” along with nicely wrapped packages of other holiday favorites and surprises.
Although the concert is open to the public and admission is FREE (no tickets required), tax-deductible donations and applause are greatly appreciated. Consider becoming a BandFriend with your donation; information will be available at the concert.
www.BandTogetherSTL.com
WHAT: Holiday Concert – “A Most Wonderful Christmas”
WHEN: Saturday, December 20, 2008, at 8 pm
COST: FREE, but donations graciously accepted.
WHERE: E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall at the 560 Music Center,
560 Trinity Avenue (in the Delmar Loop)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BandTogether, the St. Louis GLBTA community concert band, was formed in 1997 and has grown to include over 100 musicians and dozens of volunteers and boosters. The organization produces four public performances each year and participates in the annual PrideFest parade.
As a volunteer community band, BandTogether's main purposes are to provide the GLBTA community's instrumentalists a musical outlet and to offer unique musical offerings to the community and beyond.
Weekly Devotional - Second Sunday of Advent - LOVE
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Devotional - Second Sunday of Advent - LOVE
by Rev. Sue Yarber
1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
It doesn't seem to matter how many times I have heard these words, each time I get a key phrase that rings in my head as a resounding bell, bidding me to take a closer look inside. I can quickly list the ways in which I fall short of the kind of love described in the epistle to the church at Corinth. It is far more challenging to see the ways that I bear this kind of love in the world. Even to consider that I am a Christ-bearer, one who strives to exemplify Christ's love in this broken and battered world, is a lot to take in.
Beyond the worldly notions of love: romantic, giddy, passionate love, and nurturing, gentle, protective love, there is a love that lasts forever, a truth that never dies. God's unconditional love for us lays a road for us to follow into the light of day that will not darken. Love is, in the end the only thing that matters. It is the one thing upon which every life is, ultimately, measured. I have never preached a funeral in which the person's profession was the main topic or the kind of car they drove was of any consequence whatsoever. All I have ever talked about is how the person demonstrated love for God and the world around them. Love is the only thing that lasts forever.
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You can now receive the weekly meditation in your email inbox. Please indicate on your attendance card or email danny@mccgsl.org to be added to the list.
Weekly Devotional - Second Sunday of Advent - LOVE
by Rev. Sue Yarber
1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
It doesn't seem to matter how many times I have heard these words, each time I get a key phrase that rings in my head as a resounding bell, bidding me to take a closer look inside. I can quickly list the ways in which I fall short of the kind of love described in the epistle to the church at Corinth. It is far more challenging to see the ways that I bear this kind of love in the world. Even to consider that I am a Christ-bearer, one who strives to exemplify Christ's love in this broken and battered world, is a lot to take in.
Beyond the worldly notions of love: romantic, giddy, passionate love, and nurturing, gentle, protective love, there is a love that lasts forever, a truth that never dies. God's unconditional love for us lays a road for us to follow into the light of day that will not darken. Love is, in the end the only thing that matters. It is the one thing upon which every life is, ultimately, measured. I have never preached a funeral in which the person's profession was the main topic or the kind of car they drove was of any consequence whatsoever. All I have ever talked about is how the person demonstrated love for God and the world around them. Love is the only thing that lasts forever.
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Saturday, December 6, 2008
JOB OPENING @ MCCGSL
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/http://www.mccgsl.org/
MCC of Greater St. Louis (MCCGSL) has an immediate opening for an
administrative assistant.
Interested Candidates should contact: dan@mccgsl.org
Download Job Description:
On Transgender at MCCGSL
http://hopeandhelpcenter.org/transgenderunity.aspxOn Transgender at MCCGSL
From: Ramblings on the Road to transition
location: Home
mood: hopeful
music: Doug Smith - Guitar - Order of Magnitude
mood: hopeful
music: Doug Smith - Guitar - Order of Magnitude
Through the years the Transgender population at Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis has been rather small. Part of that is I suspect due to the bad rap that Transgendered folks get from many religious denominations and partly due to a lack of outreach to the Transgender community. As a part of our TDOR service for 2008 we made a point of inviting members of the St. Louis Gender Foundation to join us as we paid respect to those who died this year because they tried to live their lives as who they truly were. While their turnout was limited it would appear that the ice has been broken. A case in point. Two women who are Gender Foundation members and have recently started transition and the Real Life Test have contacted me in the last couple of weeks looking for information on MCCGSL. Both came to our 11:30 service today and I would venture to guess that they will be back - this is our modern or "contemporary" service and I suspect that they may have been a bit surprised by the sheer energy/exuberance that they found. Not to mention the warm but not I hope overpowering greeting. A comment from one was "This is nothing like the Church of England!". Welcome Stephanie and Chrissie - we hope to see much of you in the future. And if you prefer something more traditional then our 9:30 service may be to your liking.
So what comes next? I've spoken of joining the Gender Foundation and I suspect that this will be my next move. The chance to put a human face on MCCGSL and let them get to know us is something not to be missed. An email asking in effect "Can I come out and play too?" will be sent - I'll be interested in the response.
Cross posted to: Transchristian
Tags: religion, transgender
Posted on Nov. 30th, 2008 at 04:08 pm http://a-nony-mouse54.livejournal.com/62224.html
So what comes next? I've spoken of joining the Gender Foundation and I suspect that this will be my next move. The chance to put a human face on MCCGSL and let them get to know us is something not to be missed. An email asking in effect "Can I come out and play too?" will be sent - I'll be interested in the response.
Cross posted to: Transchristian
Tags: religion, transgender
Posted on Nov. 30th, 2008 at 04:08 pm http://a-nony-mouse54.livejournal.com/62224.html
Friday, December 5, 2008
A Nehemiah Time? Cindi Love - Exec Dir. UFMCC
www.HopeandHelpCenter.orgA Nehemiah Time?
Is MCC facing a Nehemiah time? In the seven-page Interim Report on the state of MCC at year end, Executive Director, the Rev. Dr. Cindi Love describes why she thinks we are. The report reviews and applauds what has been achieved as part of MCC's restructuring approved by the General Conference July 2001, details the steps that have been taken across the denomination to increase efficiency and control costs (particularly in a declining global economy) and analyzes where we are right now. In closing, Rev. Love suggests ways that every MCC member, ally and church can come together, and dig deeper, driven by conviction and faith, to meet the challenges of this Nehemiah time. To read the full report, click here. (PDF webpage)
Rev. Dr. Cindi Love
Executive Director
Is MCC facing a Nehemiah time? In the seven-page Interim Report on the state of MCC at year end, Executive Director, the Rev. Dr. Cindi Love describes why she thinks we are. The report reviews and applauds what has been achieved as part of MCC's restructuring approved by the General Conference July 2001, details the steps that have been taken across the denomination to increase efficiency and control costs (particularly in a declining global economy) and analyzes where we are right now. In closing, Rev. Love suggests ways that every MCC member, ally and church can come together, and dig deeper, driven by conviction and faith, to meet the challenges of this Nehemiah time. To read the full report, click here. (PDF webpage)
Rev. Dr. Cindi Love
Executive Director
Thursday, December 4, 2008
"Light a Candle" Concert Dec 21st!! ONE NIGHT ONLY
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/MCC of Greater St. Louis will present it's annual Christmas concert for ONE NIGHT ONLY this year, due to our temporary location at 112 Sidney Street in Soulard. An evening of festivities and music have been planned for December 21, 2008 @ 6pm.
WHEN: Dec 21, 2008 6PM
WHERE: 112 Sidney Street (IN SOULARD) 63104
WHO: MCCGSL Choir & Friends!
More info? choir@mccgsl.org
EVERYONE IS INVITED!! (SPACE IS LIMITED)
Hwy 40 Construction Update
www.hopeandhelpcenter.org
Please be aware of the upcoming I-64 highway closures:
Starting at 3:00 p.m. on December 14, 2008, MoDOT and Gateway Constructors
will begin closing I-64/Highway 40 from Kingshighway to 170; the west
portion of the highway, from 170 to Ballas Road will reopen at the same
time, and be open before rush hour on December 15, 2008.
* On December 15, 2008, Oakland Avenue will close completely at I-64
and remain closed for six months; when Oakland reopens, Clayton Road at I-64
will be closed completely for six months.
Starting at 3:00 p.m. on December 14, 2008, MoDOT and Gateway Constructors
will begin closing I-64/Highway 40 from Kingshighway to 170; the west
portion of the highway, from 170 to Ballas Road will reopen at the same
time, and be open before rush hour on December 15, 2008.
* On December 15, 2008, Oakland Avenue will close completely at I-64
and remain closed for six months; when Oakland reopens, Clayton Road at I-64
will be closed completely for six months.
* On December 15, 2008, Laclede Station Road will close for 90 days.
* On December 19 - 22, 2008, McCausland will be closed completely; it
will reopen on December 23, 2008
will reopen on December 23, 2008
* On December 29, 2008, Hanley will close completely at I-64 for 8
months; when Hanley reopens, Big Bend will be closed, and will remain closed
for six months.
months; when Hanley reopens, Big Bend will be closed, and will remain closed
for six months.
* On January 12, 2009, Claytonia Terrace will close intermittently for
90 days.
90 days.
* The Hampton bridge over I-64 into Forest Park will reopen on May 22,
2009
2009
Volunteers NEEDED! Set-Ups & TearDowns OH MY!
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Hello Leaders-
I have been so grateful for all of your help. We are almost there. This is
Sunday is the big test. We have a set up and a tear down. In addition, we
have to be out of the building by 1:00PM. We will be very light in what we
bring up and accommodations have been made for the 2nd service. CHEF's will
only be serving coffee and water. The amazing Kirk Wood will once again
serve as the on-site coordinator for both the set up and tear down. Thanks
to Ron White for filling in last Sunday! No one has actually signed up to
set up chairs this Sunday. If you are able to set up chairs this Sunday,
please respond to this email. Team leaders, you will want to arrive in time
to have your space set up by 8:45AM. At the end of the second service, we
will need all hands on deck to assist with a fast and efficient tear down.
Once again, please read the tear down instructions below to see how to best
make that happen. As always, I invite you to bring a friend....
Finally, I don't have any chair anchors for the chair set up on 12/14. If
you can't set up chairs on 12/7, please let me know if 12/14 works
-12/7 Set up & Tear down (no risers)
-12/14 Set up (risers)
Ministry leaders are clear on their set up and tear down responsibilities.
I have copied all of the folks who have helped over the last year. I want to
make sure that you are aware so that you can assist when available and
recruit others to assist. Kirk Wood is the on -site coordinator for set ups
and tear downs. If you are able to assist with any of these set ups or tear
downs, please follow these guidelines:
-Set ups: If you wish to help move ministry & worship items from the
basement to the main level, Kirk and I arrive at 7AM. If we have enough
folks, we will have some folks bring the chairs from the back of the kitchen
to the banquet hall for the chair volunteers. We must be done with the
elevator by 7:45 for the sound & multimedia volunteers. If you wish to
assist with chairs, please arrive by 8AM. We set up between 275-300 chairs
each week. In an effort to ease set up and tear down, we will not have
multimedia screens through the end of December with the exception of the
Christmas Concert. I have listed above the Sundays we will bring the Choir
risers up. I have also asked all ministry leaders to minimize the items that
are coming up.
-Tear Downs: All chairs should be stacked in stacks of ten. (Sometimes
optional) Chairs can remain in the banquet hall. Team leaders will pack up
all of their items and place in the "staging area" which is in the area of
the Welcome Center. You can assist in taking items from the staging area to
the elevator. There will typically be someone stacking the elevator. The
Sound & Multimedia team will also stack their items in the staging area.
Please assist with putting their items on the elevator. If you plan to
assist the Sound team move their items before it is in the staging area,
please make sure that the items are ready to be moved. After the elevator is
loaded, we need help taking the elevator downstairs and unloading in the
storage area. It is possible, depending on how much is upstairs, there might
be two loads. We are typically done with the tear down by 1:30. (30-45 min
following worship)
Danny Gladden
Communications & Volunteer Ministries
MCC of Greater St. Louis
314-361-3221 ext. 104
http://www.mccgsl.org/
Monday, December 1, 2008
TFL Releases 2nd Album- Whosoever!
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/http://www.tflmusic.com/
We are proud to announce the long anticpated release of TFL's second Album " Whosoever"
Now Available!
TFL (Turner, Fraley & Long) is an exciting Christain music group based in St. Louis, MO. Our message in music is clear: it is a message of hope, of peace, and of love for every believer. Through this site we hope you'll learn more about us, listen to our music clips and see when we'll be in concert in your area.
BUY IT NOW! http://www.tflmusic.com/id5.html
Listen to clips from the first Album: www.myspace.com/faithstreet
News from Doorways & MO AIDS TASK FORCE
Advocates Urge Obama Administration To Develop U.S. HIV/AIDS Strategy
http://www.doorwayshousing.org/
HIV/AIDS advocates on Tuesday called on President-elect Barack Obama to adopt a comprehensive approach to domestic HIV/AIDS policy when he takes office, CQ HealthBeatreports. The groups encouraged the incoming administration to develop a national strategy to address HIV/AIDS in the U.S. and recommended implementing a domestic HIV/AIDS program modeled after the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. HIV/AIDS researcher Robert Gallo recently proposed a similar approach. "It is astonishing that [the U.S.] has never really set an overall plan and agenda for the country, with measurable outcomes, accountability established and specific timetables for getting to those results," Rebecca Haag, executive director of AIDS Action Council, said. The advocates also called for increased federal funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research programs and called for a departure from some policies enacted under the Bush administration.
Carl Schmid, director of federal affairs at the AIDS Institute, said he is "optimistic" about Obama's election and hopes the new administration will bring "renewed leadership on the domestic HIV/AIDS front" because the disease is "still a major, significant health crisis" in the U.S. Advocates in a letter sent to Obama's transition team -- which included policy recommendations aimed at guiding him during his first 100 days in office -- encouraged the administration to support the higher amounts proposed for federal funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research programs in competing fiscal year 2009 appropriations measures. According to Schmid, the priority given to HIV/AIDS programs in the President-elect's first budget "will be a good signal to the Obama administration's commitment to the domestic [HIV/AIDS] epidemic."
The advocates also called for an increase in federal funding for NIH, including an increase of $450 million for HIV/AIDS research. They also support additional funding for CDC, including an increase of $200 million for HIV prevention and surveillance. In addition, the group called for a $100 million increase in FY 2009 funding for the Ryan White Program and a $614.49 million increase for the program in FY 2010. Christine Lubinski, vice president of global health at the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said the Ryan White Program "has not been funded at adequate levels," adding, "We'll be looking for a budgeting increase and leadership in extending the Ryan White Care Act, which will sunset on Sept. 30."
Haag called on Obama to end some existing policies, including the ban on federal funding for needle-exchange programs, which she called "one of the most effective" tools to reduce HIV transmission. Haag also criticized abstinence-only sex education programs. According to Haag, strong leadership will be necessary to unite and coordinate the efforts of 17 federal agencies that currently work on HIV/AIDS issues. "We have asked that the national AIDS strategy be driven out of the White House," Haag said, adding that "the force of the president's leadership" will be necessary to address HIV/AIDS in the U.S. (Weyl, CQ HealthBeat, 11/25).
http://www.doorwayshousing.org/
HIV/AIDS advocates on Tuesday called on President-elect Barack Obama to adopt a comprehensive approach to domestic HIV/AIDS policy when he takes office, CQ HealthBeatreports. The groups encouraged the incoming administration to develop a national strategy to address HIV/AIDS in the U.S. and recommended implementing a domestic HIV/AIDS program modeled after the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. HIV/AIDS researcher Robert Gallo recently proposed a similar approach. "It is astonishing that [the U.S.] has never really set an overall plan and agenda for the country, with measurable outcomes, accountability established and specific timetables for getting to those results," Rebecca Haag, executive director of AIDS Action Council, said. The advocates also called for increased federal funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research programs and called for a departure from some policies enacted under the Bush administration.
Carl Schmid, director of federal affairs at the AIDS Institute, said he is "optimistic" about Obama's election and hopes the new administration will bring "renewed leadership on the domestic HIV/AIDS front" because the disease is "still a major, significant health crisis" in the U.S. Advocates in a letter sent to Obama's transition team -- which included policy recommendations aimed at guiding him during his first 100 days in office -- encouraged the administration to support the higher amounts proposed for federal funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research programs in competing fiscal year 2009 appropriations measures. According to Schmid, the priority given to HIV/AIDS programs in the President-elect's first budget "will be a good signal to the Obama administration's commitment to the domestic [HIV/AIDS] epidemic."
The advocates also called for an increase in federal funding for NIH, including an increase of $450 million for HIV/AIDS research. They also support additional funding for CDC, including an increase of $200 million for HIV prevention and surveillance. In addition, the group called for a $100 million increase in FY 2009 funding for the Ryan White Program and a $614.49 million increase for the program in FY 2010. Christine Lubinski, vice president of global health at the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said the Ryan White Program "has not been funded at adequate levels," adding, "We'll be looking for a budgeting increase and leadership in extending the Ryan White Care Act, which will sunset on Sept. 30."
Haag called on Obama to end some existing policies, including the ban on federal funding for needle-exchange programs, which she called "one of the most effective" tools to reduce HIV transmission. Haag also criticized abstinence-only sex education programs. According to Haag, strong leadership will be necessary to unite and coordinate the efforts of 17 federal agencies that currently work on HIV/AIDS issues. "We have asked that the national AIDS strategy be driven out of the White House," Haag said, adding that "the force of the president's leadership" will be necessary to address HIV/AIDS in the U.S. (Weyl, CQ HealthBeat, 11/25).
Sincerely,
Kevin Crandall
Development and Advocacy Associate
Doorways
Kevin Crandall
Development and Advocacy Associate
Doorways
Ezekiel Project Ministry & MCC ConNEXTion
Locally Visit the EZEKIEL PROJECT MINISTRY @ MCCGSL!
MCC has published an updated resource guide for HIV/AIDS information.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
World AIDS Day Dec 1st
On the evening of Monday, Dec. 1, be part of the worldwide movement leading the response to AIDS. Come with your family, your friends and your memories to the World AIDS Day Memorial Service at Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St., St. Louis, MO 63103.
An hour before the 7 p.m. service, there will be a reading of names of those who have died, those who continue to live with HIV/AIDS and those who give care.
At the service, The Rev. Michael Kinman will preach and The Rev. Renee Fenner will celebrate. The service includes the Sacrament of Healing and the participation of the Gateway Men’s Chorus. Panels from the Names Project also will be on display.To submit names to be read beginning at 6 p.m. (first name only or first and last names; year of death, if applicable, also may be included),
email cccathedral.oasis@yahoo.com or call Todd Eller at (314) 452-2025.
Please specify if the person has died, is living with HIV/AIDS or is a caretaker.
TFL Album Release! ...Whosoever
www.HopeandHelpCenter.orgwww.TFLmusic.com
We are proud to announce the long anticpated release of TFL's second Album " Whosoever"
Now Available!
TFL (Turner, Fraley & Long) is an exciting Christain music group based in St. Louis, MO. Our message in music is clear: it is a message of hope, of peace, and of love for every believer. Through this site we hope you'll learn more about us, listen to our music clips and see when we'll be in concert in your area.
BUY IT NOW! http://www.tflmusic.com/id5.html
Listen to clips from the first Album: www.myspace.com/faithstreet
Saturday, November 29, 2008
New Video Sermons now available!
www.HopeandHelpCenter.orgMCCGSL has released 2 new video sermons, from both Transgender Day of Remembrance, and Harvest Sundays in November. Thank you to Katie Hotze, and all those that contribute to the development of these video sermons.
http://vimeo.com/mccgsl
Friday, November 28, 2008
World AIDS Day this SUNDAY
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/ MCC of Greater St. Louis will observe World AIDS Day, on November 30 during our 11:30AM Worship Services. Services will include a time of remembrance of those in our community lost to HIV/AIDS, those living with HIV, and those that offer caregiving.
MCCGSL Services are held at 112 Sidney Street, 63104 (in Soulard District)
If you wish to have someone included in the reading of names, please contact DANNY at danny@mccgsl.org
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving MCCGSL!
www.HopeandHelpCenter.OrgThe Hope and Help Center wishes our community warm thoughts, and best wishes this Thanksgiving Day.
Sincerely,
Colby , Editor- The Hope and Help Center
webmaster@hopeandhelpcenter.org
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Nov 30th World AIDS DAY @ MCCGSL
www.hopeandhelpcenter.org MCC of Greater St. Louis will observe World AIDS Day, on November 30 during our 11:30AM Worship Services. Services will include a time of remembrance of those in our community lost to HIV/AIDS, those living with HIV, and those that offer caregiving.
MCCGSL Services are held at 112 Sidney Street, 63104 (in Soulard District)
If you wish to have someone included in the reading of names, please contact DANNY at danny@mccgsl.org
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Urban Landscapes- FREE Seminar
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/Monday December 1, I and the student group to which I belong, the Environmental Social Work Initiative will be hosting Dr. William Sullivan from the University of Illinois.
His talk will be at noon in Goldfarb Hall, room 132 on the Washington University main campus (Danforth Campus).
For more information: monticellomark@gmail.com
Please see the attached flier.
-- Mark SpechtMSW Student&Community Outreach Coordinator,Environmental Social Work InitiativeGeorge Warren Brown School of Social WorkWashington University in St. Louis
Free Turkeys Available
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/
To People Living In or If You Know Someone Living In
Zip Codes 63104, 63110, 63116, and 63118;
Isaiah 58 Ministries at 2149 S. Grand will be giving away turkeys from 11/24 -11/26. They serve zip codes 63104, 63110, 63116, and 63118. People only need to bring an ID and a piece of mail.
The phone # is 776-1410 for more details.
To People Living In or If You Know Someone Living In
Zip Codes 63104, 63110, 63116, and 63118;
Isaiah 58 Ministries at 2149 S. Grand will be giving away turkeys from 11/24 -11/26. They serve zip codes 63104, 63110, 63116, and 63118. People only need to bring an ID and a piece of mail.
The phone # is 776-1410 for more details.
Monday, November 24, 2008
World AIDS Day 2008- Rev Elder Wilson
www.HopeandHelpCenter.OrgSermon for World AIDS Day 2008 - Uncommon Hope: First Sunday in Advent
Written by admin on November 24th, 2008
by Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson
Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches
Reading
Mark 13: 24-37
“But in those days, after that time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will fall from the sky and the powers in heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Promised One coming in the clouds with great power and glory; then the angels will be sent to gather the people of God from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
“Take the fig tree as parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Promised one is near, right at the door. The truth is, before this generation has passed away, all these things will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it – neither the angels of Heaven, nor the Only Begotten – no one but Abba God. Be constantly on the watch! Stay awake! You do not know when the appointed time will come.
“It is like people travelling abroad. They leave their home and put the employees in charge, each with a certain task, and those who watch at the front gate are ordered to stay on the alert. So stay alert! You do not know when cock crows or at early dawn. Do not let the owner come suddenly and catch you asleep. What I say to you, I say to all: stay alert!
Message
The 2008 hurricane season in Florida and the Gulf Coast was challenging and intense.
In some ways, a hurricane is not unlike a virus – it is opportunistic, arbitrary. How much damage it does depends on a lot of other factors: How strong are the levees; How prepared is the community (can they evacuate safely, on time); How strong is the construction; How many resources have been employed in preparation and prevention of storm damage; How much degradation of the environment has occurred, etc… Poverty exacerbates the damage; and co-factors really matter in hurricanes as well as with viruses.
For better or worse, in the worship and liturgical life of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), World AIDS Day is married to the first Sunday in Advent, now, perpetually. Advent begins in darkness every year. In the Northern Hemisphere, the post-hurricane days themselves grow darker until just before Christmas, while our Advent wreath grows brighter with hope, peace, joy and love.
But we begin, in the darkness, with hope. The Christian calendar begins, in the lectionary readings, ominously, but also with hints of hope, of a brighter future where Christ returns and rescues a world gone mad.
The writer of that first gospel, called Mark, in the midst of the first persecutions and sufferings, calls that first community of radical Christians to an uncommon hope: to be alert, awake, and watchful as God prepares to act. In some ways, watching, keeping alert and vigilant can seem too passive for some. But it implies a lot of things that are more active as well.
This year, many of us in North America watched and waited with residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast as they anticipated storm after storm, with deadly Katrina still fresh on their minds. We prepared, waited, acted and responded. . .
Preparing: In some ways, by now, people know the drill for hurricanes. They know to board up, or buy water and supplies, or begin sorting through what they can take in their car, or on a bus. This year, thoroughly chastened by Katrina, the US government and non-profit agencies seemed more prepared.
We, too, know the drill about HIV and AIDS. We know so much more now than we did 27 years ago about prevention. We know the co-factors – apathy, lack of self-esteem, homophobia, drug abuse, poverty, lack of access to health care, unsafe drinking water, lack of information and education, especially for women. We also are storm-weary, still, and get overwhelmed by new statistics about alarming rates of infection among young people, especially those who are homeless, women, people of color, young gay men. Our weariness has affected our vigilance at times. We see the storm clouds coming, but pray it will just pass us by. Sometimes we collude in the denial that envelopes our communities, our churches. We interpret the silence to mean that there is no storm on the way.
People in Louisiana worry that if they are overly prepared for a storm that does not come this time, they will be less likely to heed warnings the next time; such is human nature. We have to constantly move against the complacency, the inertia, the passivity.
I guess Jesus knew this. He shared our nature, and knew how easy it is for us to revert to denial. He warns us to keep alert, to be prepared, spiritually, in every way. HIV and AIDS prevention is still a moral imperative for us. We must challenge every nation about its policies, as a matter of justice. We must challenge ourselves to vigilance around the message: we value your life, and the life of our community – prevention is possible! And for those already infected, life and longer life is possible! We are people of uncommon hope, sometimes even irrational hope.
Watching/Waiting: Mark’s Gospel insists that we stay vigilant and alert: that we stay tuned to the weather channel and CNN, as grueling as that can be; that we hear the calls for evacuation and heed them. I can hear Mayor Ray Nagin saying, “GET YOUR BUTTS OUT OF NEW ORLEANS!”
After weeks of storm warnings and flipping constantly to the weather channel, I got complacent. I was shocked when we had sudden, violent thunderstorms on my way from work one way, the outer bands of hurricane “Ike,” just barely touching us. I just knew it wasn’t coming our way – I was surprised by how far out it reached. The flooding on my way to the office the next morning was alarming, and the rains so heavy I nearly pulled over.
MCC, we must keep alert, keep awake, about HIV and AIDS. Another generation of young gay men is endangered, just as we have become so deeply aware of the generations we lost to AIDS years ago. The impact of that loss is still being felt in so many ways. New challenges and losses are upon us, and sometimes we are asleep, we are not paying attention to the wider community that our church may not touch, who do not touch us, not yet.
We must keep alert to new trends and new information. To understand the new co-factors that fuel infection rates in the US, in the North and West, and in the East and Global South. As a global community, MCC, how do we understand the connections between AIDS and Human Rights; between AIDS and emerging LGBT communities in places like Uganda and Pakistan and the Ukraine? Who are our allies and partners? How are we aware of the changing nature of the pandemic and what our spiritual/pastoral/justice responses must be?
Every MCC church must have that expertise, the AIDS alert button, embedded in its ministry. Truthfully, for some of our churches, that expertise died or retired and we did not replace it. Today, who in your church does a person “come out” to about being newly diagnosed? Who can they talk to about their struggles with medication and compliance? Who is responding to “coming out” issues and HIV prevention?
Some of us have to re-connect our congregations to what is really happening today in our communities, something the MCC Global HIV/AIDS Ministry has been doing with excellence the last few years. It is time to turn on the weather channel, learn to read the Doppler ratings. . .
Acting: In hurricanes, this often means evacuating, getting far enough away to stay safe. It means having safe places to evacuate to. With HIV and AIDS, it means facing up to what it takes to keep people safe and alive and filled with hope.
The people of Haiti had nowhere to flee, no shelters, no buses. The “levees” are broken. They have no protection, no barriers. The deforestation there means that mud slides unimpeded down the mountain. Poverty, racism, years of colonial rule followed by government corruption has made the people more vulnerable to hurricanes, and HIV. Even the UN struggled to get in emergency food and shelters while the storm was raging.
Those people who are most vulnerable to HIV infection and the impact of AIDS live in these kinds of conditions. For many of us, that is hard to take in.
This year, in New Orleans and the surrounding areas, unlike during Katrina, there was a lot of attention to evacuation. The elderly and those who were disabled or vulnerable in some way were evacuated first. The last time, they were largely forgotten – those in nursing homes, or with mobility issues. The biggest problem this year was people who did not go to shelters, but evacuated themselves, and then could not afford it, and were clamoring to come back early because they were sleeping in their cars and had no food. Every time we do this, we learn more about the potential impact.
I saw one touching account of how people who could not evacuate acted. There was a children’s hospital that served children who were very ill, too much so to transport. Evacuation would have been very dangerous. They made sure they moved to the upper floors, had generators to last 3 or 4 weeks, and the entire staff, doctors, nurses, technicians, janitors, and parents, moved in to the hospital together, with the children, and hunkered down.
This is solidarity, it is the solidarity of Mother of Peace orphanage in Zimbabwe, the solidarity of MCC with those whose battle with AIDS in those final stages, where we hunker down and hold a vigil and keep faith with those, who, even today in 2008, are dying.
Returning and Restoring: Once the initial emergency subsides, there is the long, slow work of clean-up and repairing, restoring.
This is not the romantic phase of the work in hurricanes. This is the tedious work: removing flood water and debris; assessing damage; tossing out all that was ruined; tearing up and re-building walls and floors; getting the power back on; emptying the refrigerator; scrubbing and painting.
In AIDS work and ministry, it is the nitty-gritty of paying attention to public policies; attending to co-factors: drug use; poverty; access to medications and treatment; talking about things that make people uncomfortable; examining our own attitudes, prejudices; being willing to get better information and sharing it; and working with long term survivors.
Today I remember Paul from MCC Los Angeles, who died last year in a freak accident at the beach. Paul was a long time HIV and AIDS survivor when I met him, but he was barely surviving. He was depressed, without friends or community, empty, aching, given to violent outbursts, and feeling like a ghost who had outlived every friend. MCC Los Angeles gave him a new life. Starting one day a week, he eventually came to volunteer fulltime: answering the phone, painting, playing piano and singing, helping with the young adults group. He got on better meds, found a better place to live. He made friends, found a home and purpose, God and Jesus and love. He rode in the AIDS Ride two years in a row. He made a difference. He died in the midst of a full, second life. He was a happy, restored man. There are so many, like Paul, who need us and we need them.
We must learn about the world of HIV and AIDS in 2008, not remain stuck in 1988. A world that includes young activists in Uganda being arrested for protesting that their government will not fund any prevention for HIV/AIDS in sexual minority communities. In Uganda, silence still equals death, and speaking up means imprisonment. This is true in many places in the world.
It means reaching out to young queer people in North America who may not think they belong in MCC, or in any church. We have to let them know that none of us belonged at first. And we have to let them know that we care about what they care about, and about their spirituality, their need for community, even if it seems different from ours. Even if it is queer, unusual, uncommon. Jesus would welcome them, and get to know them, and be able to touch them with hope and love. This we know.
Wake up, MCC. It is 2008, and HIV and AIDS are still raging, like a hurricane that seems to dissipate, but then gathers strength over a warm Gulf. There may be a day that we do not need a World AIDS Day…a day when our uncommon hope will not be needed in the work of HIV and AIDS. That day is not December 1, 2008. We need it, and those living with HIV and AIDS, or at risk, need us. Today.
Wake up, MCC. It is 2008, and HIV and AIDS are still raging, like a hurricane that seems to dissipate, but then gathers strength over a warm Gulf. There may be a day that we do not need a World AIDS Day…a day when our uncommon hope will not be needed in the work of HIV and AIDS. That day is not December 1, 2008. We need it, and those living with HIV and AIDS, or at risk, need us. Today.
© 2008 Metropolitan Community Churches Global HIV/AIDS Ministry
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of Metropolitan Community Churches. For permission to reprint contact Joshua L. Love, Director of Metropolitan Community Churches Global HIV/AIDS Ministry at http://www.mccchurch.org/ .
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of Metropolitan Community Churches. For permission to reprint contact Joshua L. Love, Director of Metropolitan Community Churches Global HIV/AIDS Ministry at http://www.mccchurch.org/ .
Sunday, November 23, 2008
MCC HIV Resource ConNEXTion
MCC has published an updated resource guide for HIV/AIDS information.
DOWNLOAD NOW:
Saturday, November 22, 2008
News & Notes 11-23-08
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/11/23/08 - Harvest Sunday
November 23rd, 2008
9:30 AM & 11:30 AM
112 Sidney Street
On this special Sunday, you are invited to bring
1/10th of your commitment as a way to kickstart
the giving portion of the campaign.
http://buildingtogether.mccgsl.org/
9:30 AM & 11:30 AM
112 Sidney Street
On this special Sunday, you are invited to bring
1/10th of your commitment as a way to kickstart
the giving portion of the campaign.
http://buildingtogether.mccgsl.org/
Download this Weeks News and Notes!
November E-News Updates
MCCGSL has published the November 2008 E- News Update
View the latest edition online at: http://hopeandhelpcenter.org/enewsupdates.aspx
Friday, November 21, 2008
Cultural Leadership For YOUTH
As you know I started a year long program for teens here in St. Louis that gives them the skills to bring about social change. It’s called Cultural Leadership and it’s pretty terrific if I say so myself!
We are a nonprofit who gets/needs support from donations.
This Saturday, if you buy something at any Barnes and Noble in the U.S. WITH THE ATTACHED COUPON, we will get a small percentage of what you spent.
The coupon is good at ALL Barnes and Nobles in the U.S. on November 22, ONLY.
We are a nonprofit who gets/needs support from donations.
This Saturday, if you buy something at any Barnes and Noble in the U.S. WITH THE ATTACHED COUPON, we will get a small percentage of what you spent.
The coupon is good at ALL Barnes and Nobles in the U.S. on November 22, ONLY.
Please - for holiday shopping or some book(s) you’ve been wanting to read (or CDs, DVDs, anything) – will you please make your purchases this Saturday, November 22 WITH THE ATTACHED COUPON
(Please make sure the cashier enters the six digit number on the coupon - 354431.)
***DOWNLOAD COUPON HERE:
Thank you SO SO much
Happy Turkey Day,
Karen Kalish
For more info on us, go to http://www.culturalleadership.com/, and feel free to forward this to anyone you know… every little bit helps.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Show-Me No H8 - on Vimeo
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
November 15, 2008
Join the Impact - Show Me No Hate from MCC of Greater St. Louis on Vimeo.
November 15, 2008
Join the Impact - Show Me No Hate from MCC of Greater St. Louis on Vimeo.
Park Ave Coffee- Thanksgiving Specials
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/Click on Our NEW Logo to Check Our the NEW Website
click logo to check out our website
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click logo to check out our website
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Saint Louis, MO 63104
314.621.4020
Visit our ALL-NEW Website!
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