The Lamplighter
PASTOR’S PEACE
Zion
United Church
of Christ
January 2018
Inside This Issue
1 Pastor’s Peace
2 Palm of Prayer
3 Worship Ways
4 This Month’s Events
5 Community & Conference Clamor
7 Celebration Occasions
8 Worship Whirl
United in Spirit, and inspired by God's grace, we
love all, welcome all, and seek justice for all.
We believe in extravagant welcome. This is
why we insist that God's communion table is
open, not closed, and God's gift and claim in
baptism are irrevocable. We advocate justice
for all. Our congregations extend hospi-
tality as a sign of God's inclusive
love. We teach that evangelism - offer-
ing bread to those in search of it - is
God's mission. Our perspective is
global, not provincial. We work with - not
against - people of other faiths. Why?
Because God is still speaking!
Zion United Church of Christ—Established 1880
105 N. Mary, Mayview, Missouri 64071-8224
Phone and FAX: (660) 237 - 4355
PASTOR'S PEACE
"Made Vulnerable By Grace"
There is no difference, for all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified
freely by his grace through the redemption that
came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23b-24 niv
In this New Year--2018--can you believe
it?!? we have opportunity to embrace Truth again
through the lens of grace. What is grace?
Grace is undeserved favor.
Every single one of us is made in the di-
vine image of God. Every single one of us is
guilty of judging others according to our world-
view. Every single one of us also has the ability
to grant the gracious love of God to others, as it
has been freely given to us.
For example, when I was early in my posi-
tion as Congregational Care Coordinator for a
United Methodist Church in Muskegon, Michigan,
I began to experience great challenge to my
worldview from the Holy Spirit, regarding many
things--one of them being what I thought about
LGBTQ persons. I had a preconceived notion
from the "Clobber Passages" in the Bible, that
persons who loved others of the same sex, loved
in different ways, and saw themselves as a differ-
ent gender than was determined at their birth,
were flawed, and certainly not able to be lovers of
God or approved of by God. This was a general
understanding of life that I had--not sure where it
came from--but certainly not from seriously study-
ing Scripture. When I seriously began studying
Scripture, I began to question my staunch world-
view, with distinct Holy Spirit nudging.
And before I go on, I do value my flawed
sense of understanding because I can appreciate
the experiences and thoughts of others who think
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the way I used to think.
There were two gentlemen in this
church, members, who were very active.
They loved God, sang in the choir, were on
committees, and brought tremendous joy to
many in the congregation. They loved each
other (and still do), and although they seemed
on the outside to be just fine, were treated
badly by some parishioners and some in lead-
ership at this church. They spoke with the
pastor on more than one occasion, and even-
tually they left. I discovered that I missed
them exceedingly, and realized that I needed
to look long and hard at the judgment I held
others in. This was NOT their issue; it was
mine, and I needed to own it.
I had had experiences before and I
have had experiences since, but this was one
of the biggies for me. Several years later I
was in a Christmas group of sharing with
these men in another setting, and they were
deeper in love and deepened in faith, and
their relationship, and leadership, warmed my
heart.
What did I learn from these
and other’s experiences? I learned
that we fear what we do not under-
stand, and that we have no business
judging another human being. We
are all wounded human beings, often with a
misguided sense of superiority which can be
tremendously destructive, both to ourselves
and to others. Every day we have the oppor-
tunity to humble ourselves and to learn how to
affirm ALL God's children, no matter who they
are, where they are, whom they love, or how
they understand themselves.
The Bible is a big work of 66 books
written thousands of years ago. As I have of-
ten said, I do not take the Bible literally, but I
do take the Bible very seriously--it holds tre-
mendous Truth that is often taken out of con-
text and used to hurt other persons, groups,
and nations of the world. Did you know that
there are exactly six (6) "Clobber Passages"
in the Bible? According to the awesome book,
THE CHILDREN ARE FREE, Reexamining
the Biblical Evidence on Same-Sex Relation-
ships, by Rev. Jeff Miner and (now) Rev. John
Tyler Connoley, they are:
Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19);
Going after strange flesh (Jude 7);
Do not lie with men as you would with
women. (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13);
Trading natural relations for unnatural
(Romans 1:21-28);
and (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy
1:10).
I highly recommend this book to you as we
go through our process of learning how to wel-
come ALL, including LGBTQ. I have a copy that I
would be happy to share. The Rev. (John) Tyler
Connoley was Missouri Mid-South's Interim Asso-
ciate Conference Minister, while the Rev. Dale
Parson was on Sabbatical, and also was part of
one of our church services last year, and is now
part of the Interim MMSUCC Team doing Ministry
for Search and Call Discernment.
There are also many wonderful, powerful
Bible passages that affirm gay people, yet we of-
ten choose not to see them as we read and so
often misunderstand Scripture. I have invited our
Welcoming Committee to share an experience
of their own in coming newsletters as well. Also,
please feel free to ask them about their experi-
ence and to share your own--this will be a natural
opening to the process of conversation among
us.
Trust me; we need the practice!
In the Vulnerability of God's Grace,
Pastor Kristin
ONA Process Welcoming Committee:
Bill and Denise Bainbridge, Chairs
Amanda Hoeppner
Martha Hawthorne
Scott Alvested
PALM of PRAYER
Concerns Please continue to surround in love and
prayer, those experiencing health difficulties & or re-
covering from surgery, the loss of family and friends,
& those adjusting to new seasons in their lives: Grace
Schemmer died; Keith Humphrey died in
wreck; Sara, who is having surgery; Rev. Hudson is
home, but weak; Kathy Woodon; Mary Kirchoff ;
Chester Fox, continuing prayer; Wanda Franklin, bro-
ken pelvis, in ICU; Bill Stratton, cancer & pnemonia;
Slade Baker, broken foot; Shane Smith; Loretta Wil-
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sey's husband died; Joyce & Marvin Schemmer's
son-in-law died; police officers and first respond-
ers; victims of random acts of violence; military
personnel and their families; families around the
world that are in the midst of tensions, conflicts,
acts of violence and wars.
Joys
Brad and Rachael Begemann are expecting
a baby! Birthdays and anniversaries; new
hope in a new year! Ian Adsit is experiencing
new life in Christ!
ZION UCC WORSHIP WAYS
Youth Yak
Youth will be preparing and serving
lunch for our Annual Meeting, January 21,
after church, as a fundraiser. Thank you
youth and adult sponsors for a darling
Christmas pageant!
EXPRESSION SESSION
Thank You’s
MANY THANKS!
Dear Friends,
What a special time of blessing and wonder
this Christmas Season has been! I hope your
celebrations were meaningful and filled with
the Spirit of Christ, and will continue anew
each day!
Thank you so very much for the lovely card
and gift of money presented to me at our
Christmas Eve service! Your generosity is ap-
preciated immensely!
Here we are together in 2018 with joy,
thanksgiving, and hope for today, and tomor-
row!
Much love and blessings in Christ,
Pastor Kristin
ODESSA BACKSNACK PROGRAM
Thanks so much to your church for the
generous donations of socks, toothpaste, and
toothbrushes. These necessary items are of-
ten missing for many children in our commu-
nity.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Laura Scott
The Lamplighter
THANK YOU!
On behalf of the Mayview Fire Protection
District's Board of Directors and Volunteer
Firefighters, please accept our heartfelt
gratitude for your support during a very
difficult time. While it is nearly impossible to
recount the names of everyone who helped or
contributed, we sincerely appreciate your part
in paying tribute to our fallen brother,
Firefighter Jeff Sanders.
THANK YOU!
Thank you so very much for your thought and
prayers. They are the best medicine .
Thanks a bunch!
Judy Schmutz
Treatments are going well.
INSPIRATION STATION
Our Churches Wider Mission
Lots of years ago, in St. Paul, Minnesota, I
worked in a small woodworking shop that made
laptop rigid heddle weaving looms for use in
homes and studios. Made of maple, walnut and
cherry, each loom was designed to encourage
creativity in the fiber arts. I’ve never forgotten that
several-year stint between college and seminary
when I worked with my hands, learning to fashion
simple, easy to use looms that encouraged artistry
with yarn and fabric. It was amazing to stop into
studios and watch weavers using the looms we
built – to see their unique designs and touch the
textures that they’d chosen to create a shawl,
stole, scarf, table-runner or wall-hanging. I was
proud of my part in the creative process. I helped
build the structure on which creativity and beauty
could happen. But I was truly in awe – once the
threads and yarn, woven together, created a
singular work of art that made life richer somehow.
Let’s say that our generous, dependable
OCWM giving is like a weaving loom. The loom is
the essential structure on which the fabric is
woven. The loom’s solid shape and reliable design
enables the artist to ensure that the threads are
secure as the yarn passes back and forth. The
enduring strength of the weaving works hand in
hand with the loom, and the fabric’s resilient
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 The Lamplighter

Sunday School—9:30 A.M.

Worship—10:30 A.M.

January 1, 2018
New Year’s Day

January 3, 2018
NO CHOIR

January 7, 2018
Committee Reports Due
Youth Group after Church

January 9, 2018
Welcoming Committee 6:30pm Copyright © 2011 The Zondervan Corporation

January 10, 2018 beauty is made possible by the loom’s strength

Choir 7pm and certainty.
When we give to Our Church’s Wider
January 11, 2018 Mission month after month, year after year, we
Mayview Mo. Foundation 6pm join with God’s people to engage in a creative
process – to ensure a stronger fabric of Christian
January 15, 2018 witness. We facilitate God’s handiwork – God’s
Council 7pm holy design – made in community with people of
many textures, colors and unique strengths.
January 17, 2018 All woven together in love. OCWM. A
Choir 7pm strong structure that enables God’s creativity to
flourish – through us – year after year.
January 18, 2018 -David Mehl
Happy 100th Mildred Jungerman!
Our Church’s Wider Mission
January 21, 2018
Annual Meeting after Church Since its founding nearly 175 years
ago, St. Peter’s UCC in Ferguson, MO, has
January 24, 2018 been known for its strong sense of mission.
Choir 7pm The congregation was key in establishing
Deaconess Hospital and Every Child’s Hope
January 28, 2018
Cake and Punch for Mildred after Church
(formerly Evangelical Children’s Home).
Today the church leads the Missouri Mid-
January 31, 2018 South conference in per capita giving for Our
Choir 7pm Church’s Wider Mission.

WHY GIVE TO OCWM?

Pastor Holly McKissick, Peace

Christian UCC Church in Kansas City, says
their congregation – established in 2012 —
faces an annual challenge to cover

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expenses. But members have increased their
pledge to Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM)
every year since the church was
established. Members have a strong
commitment to the UCC and are also grateful
for the Missouri Mid-South Conference staff
support. Says McKissick, “We’re part of the
UCC tradition that pushes us to reach out and
constantly re-evaluate our ministry.”
A letter from Rev. Dr. Vernon Howard,
senior pastor at St. Mark Union UCC in Kansas
City, gives that church’s background for its
OCWM donations.
An associate conference minister in the
gift of Rev. F. Dale Parson who welcomed,
encouraged, pastored, and helped to rebuild
me as we worked together to rebirth the church
A new conference minister in Rev. Dr.
Ginny Brown Daniel who God sent to us
carrying with her bold, visionary, and spiritually
grounded leadership that is exciting,
challenging, and promising.
A Western Association Committee on
Ministry which courageously and lovingly
discerned God’s call of me to the UCC,
and have wholly embraced those subsequent
mentees, ministers, and MID’s I have
introduced, who have followed me into this
blessed space as I have followed Christ
A local church leadership core in our
council president Ruby Russell and our
associate pastor Rev. Nia Chandler who have
said yes to my leadership to
strengthen and restore faithfulness to our
covenant with our beloved MMSC
www.facebook.com/StMarkUnionChurch
The OCWM Relationship by Rev. Rick Oberle
Making the move from one congregation
to another after ten years can be intimidating.
Churches in transition often comment on the
length of the interim time; but for pastors
discerning a call, it can be a lengthy process as
well. Compiling a profile, navigating the search
and call process, interviewing and negotiating,
as well as dealing with emotions that come to
the surface can be daunting.
Today I give thanks for Conference Staff
members and Covenanted Ministry Team
members who were able to help me with my
discernment process. Several Conference Staff
and Covenanted Ministry Team members were
available not only to answer my questions, but
to also provide a listening ear as I struggled
with the emotions accompanying transition
issues. This level of presence is possible
because of our OCWM relationship.
OCWM is more than funding staff
positions or providing resources for Covenanted
Ministry Teams; it is relationship. Relationship
is our identity and strength in the United Church
of Christ; and the relationship building we do is
not possible without OCWM funding. This
funding has dwindled in recent years and as it
has, so have our avenues of relationship as a
Conference. OCWM funds our ability to
connect; it is our lifeblood as active churches of
the United Church of Christ.
On January 21, I will be installed as
pastor at Columbia United Church of Christ. In
the United Church of Christ, an installation is a
celebration of covenant: a four-way covenant
between an Association of the United Church of
Christ; a congregation in the United Church of
Christ; an authorized minister in the United
Church of Christ; and God. In this installation
we will celebrate the relationship we share as
settings of the United Church of Christ; a
relationship that is enlivened by OCWM
support. Relationship is important to our identity
as a UNITED Church; OCWM is how this
identity is funded.
Columbia United Church of Christ has
approved increasing their budgeted OCWM
contribution by 20% in 2018, remembering the
covenant we share with each setting of the
United Church of Christ in our Conference and
beyond; and as an expression of thanksgiving
for all the blessings God has given us. We
know that there are great ministries happening
in our Conference, and we want to be part of
them! We are enabling God’s work to happen in
amazing ways; through our OCWM
Relationship.
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 A Conversation with Two Death Row Exonerees
Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
Visitation Parish; 5141 Main St; Kansas City, MO 64112

Reggie Griffin spent 23 years on death row and Joe Amrine spent 17 years for crimes
they did not commit. Both men were exonerated only after losing decades fighting to
prove their innocence. Their cases demonstrate how Missouri's broken death penalty
is steeped in issues of prosecutorial misconduct, deficiency in defense and counsel,
and racial disparities in representation and sentencing.

On January 13, Reggie and Joe speak out about their experiences, joined by Missourians for Alternatives to the Death
Penalty. We will explore how our justice system, especially our response to violence, fails to heal communities and
how we need a response to crime that does not perpetuate the cycle of violence.

This event sponsored by the United Church of Christ Justice Witness Ministry, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater
Kansas City, Visitation Parish, Justice Witness Ministry, Missouri Mid-South Conference, and the Missouri Clergy Alliance for Alterna-
tives to the Death Penalty and funded by the United Church of Christ Neighbors in Need grant.

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 The Lamplighter

January Birthdays Office Hours

Pastor Admin. Assistant
Date Birthday
Tuesday
2 Carrie Begemann 8:00 AM—Noon
3 Jenny Holt
Wednesday
5 Larry Neher
6:00—8:00 PM
6 Roger Thomson
Thursday Friday
Denise Bainbridge 8:00 AM—Noon 8am—10am
12
Kristin Aardema Faigh

14 Lincoln Bainbridge
18 Mildred Jungerman
Amanda Hoeppner
Serving Souls
19 Phillip Wagner J a n ACOLYTES GREETERS
Zaylee Wagner
7 Donovan Faigh Larry Neher & Elaine Hudson
20 Audrey Begemann
14 Trinity Alvested Mike & Amy Burns
24 Ronnie Hawthorne
21 Macey Begemann Dwight & Denise Dickmeyer
27 Jeanette Starkebaum

28 Jami Hawthorne 28 Alyssa Hoefer Darrell & Lori Fiegenbaum

Anniversaries Administrative Affairs

Reverend Home(660) 237- 4902
Kristin Aardema Faigh Church (660) 237-4355
Date Birthday pastorkristinatzion@yahoo.com
1 Bill & Denise Bainbridge Cell (660) 641-1038

5 Wayne & Joyce Hoefer Council President Robert Hoefer

Cole Courtway (660) 237- 4355

Admin. Assistant zionuccsecretary@hotmail.com
Reminder! Lamplighter
The deadline for submissions for the Teresa Begemann (816) 633 - 4133
February newsletter is Organist tjbegemann@yahoo.com
Fri. Jan 19, 2018.
Send your submissions to: Dawn Stuart
Custodian (660) 237 - 4355
zionuccsecretary@hotmail.com
Or Call (660) 237-4923 

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 Zion United Church of Christ
105 North Mary St.
Mayview, Missouri 64071-8224

Generous - Loving - Dedicated Christians

Sunday School 9:30 am

Worship at 10:30 am

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

January 2018

Zion UCC Mission Statement

The avowed purpose of our church shall be:
To worship God, to proclaim and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate the Sacra-
ments; to experience Christian fellowship, to build unity, and to practice charity within this congre-
gation and the wider church; and to share this witness of Jesus Christ throughout the world. 

Worship Whirl
Traditional Worship 10:30 AM Sundays
Come As You Are Service 10:30 AM Monthly - 3rd Sunday
Sunday School 9:30 AM Sundays
Communion 10:30AM Monthly 1st Sunday & Special
Holidays
Church Council 7:15 PM Monthly
Board of Christian Education 7:15 PM Monthly
SAIL (Serving All in Love) 7:00 PM Monthly - 4th Tuesday