St. John's UCC, The Beloved Community, announced its Renewal Season. The congregation will spend 30 days of prayerful fasting, which began on Monday, Sept. 12, and will last until Wednesday, Oct. 12.
The church expects all members to fast in observance of the season. It is in preparation for its 170th anniversary.
Renewal Season
As shared on its Facebook page, St. John's UCC kicked off its Renewal Season with fasting. It encouraged all to start their prayerful fasting on Monday, Sept. 12.
The church will fast for 30 days as a part of its preparation for its 170th Church Anniversary.
As announced on Facebook, fasting does not have to be about food items, but all may include them if they like. St. John's UCC reminded everyone that Pastor Higgins said fasting is for focus and sufficiency.
People fast from distractions, not from activities and wrong behaviors they are already aware of. As stated in the announcement, Rev. David Gerth provided encouragement and recommendations to the congregation on the fast.
The recommendations included a Daniel fast, social media fast, and a commitment to be more mindful.
St. John's UCC's goal is to commit to prayer and meditation for its vision and identity.
St. John's UCC The Beloved Community
According to its website, St. John's UCC is a beloved community seeking to live God's call to love and liberation in north St. Louis. It is a Black-led, racially diverse, and increasingly open congregation.
Its mission includes sharing the Gospel to bring people into a relationship with Christ and discipleship in the Body of Christ. St. John's UCC aims to nurture its congregation's closeness, care, fellowship, and faith.
Another of its missions is to serve as a catalyst for its neighborhood wholeness and growth. St. John's UCC works toward eliminating violence in all generations.
According to its Facebook page, St. John's UCC's address is 4138 N Grand Blvd., St. Louis. It creates a beloved community by inspiring hope, extending hospitality, seeking holiness, assuring congregational health, and providing communal help.
Rev. Michelle Higgins serves as the Senior Pastor at St. John's UCC, while Rev. Gerth leads the Faith Formation ministry.
As shared on its website, the church provides many opportunities for all to volunteer. Anyone interested in helping the church may contribute their time to this beloved community.
Volunteers can lead one of the morning prayer times on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Another way to volunteer is by helping in the church's weekly Lunch 2 Go or monthly Community Breakfast.
According to St. John's UCC, it regularly needs help tidying the church for Sunday worship service and greeting its neighbors and members as everyone enters for worship.
The church asked all interested to volunteer to sign up. St. John's UCC invites all to come and worship with its beloved community.
Worship happens both in-person and online. The community meets for fellowship on Sundays at 10 in the morning. The worship service at 11 a.m. is live streamed on YouTube.
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