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It is important to communicate member care information with the staff. Please contact anyone who serves as a Deacon or email Rev. Osborn at revosborn@scpcusa.org, or email Beverly at beverly@scpcusa.org, or call the church office. In the event of an emergency, please call Rev. Osborn’s cell phone. Let’s continue with the exceptional level of caring that means so much to those who are ill or have a crisis.

From the Church Office

St. Charles Presbyterian Church

October 2020 NEWSLETTER

www.scpcusa.org

Bev’s Office Hours:

8:30 a.m. ― 12:30 p.m.

The Rev. Ronnie Osborn

131 Gamble St. St. Charles, MO 63301

Phone: (636) 946-4467

PEACE and GLOBAL WITNESS OFFERING

We heard Ronnie mention on September 20th That the Peacemaking

offering would be collected on Sunday October 4, 2020. How

appropriate that on the 4th we will also be celebrating World Wide

Communion Day, for it is the Peacemaking Offering that helps so

many countries around the world as well as helping PCUSA

Presbyterian Churches within our nation. The Peace and Global

Witness Offering was established in 1980. The money is to be used

to establish Peace Within, Peace in Relationships, Peace in

Community, Peace in the World and Wholistic Peace. The money

collected is then divided into four major categories.

25% of the offering will be used within our church allowing us to

become peacemakers to members of our church family and within

our community. The Deacons with the approval of Session, will

decide how the money is to be used. Perhaps, it will be used to

help Salvation Army feed the nameless within our community, or

it might go to a food pantry, or perhaps it will be used in our Hearts

and Hands (H2O) outreach to those students we work with at the

St. Charles Alternative High School. The money at times has been

sent to the country of Peru which we have made the commitment to help

beginning in 2002. We help the needy in that country have food to put on their table or to purchase seeds to grow the crops

they may need. It could also be use next spring for us to have our own community garden and then to disperse the fresh

produce to those in need in our community. If you have an idea, share it with a Deacon or Session member.

25% of the offering is sent to our Synod where their Board makes the decisions on how to use the money.

50% of the offering we collect will be sent to PCUSA to be used by the Presbyterian

Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, and through

working with others on collaborative projects, of education, justice, and Christian Witness.

In 2019 fifteen International Peacemaker Groups were selected to receive funds for a

variety of concerns including sexual abuse, budgeting for the needy, trafficking, drugs and

alcoholism, homelessness, violence and conflict, introducing communities to God, Jesus,

and places to worship, encouraging peace rather than war to solve issues and concerns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the church office, Ronnie Osborn’s

office or Carolyn Newcomb.

(Article submitted by Carolyn Newcomb)

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...in our Community, nation, and world

Letting Go. Trusting God Through Change. A Letter from Chenoa Stock, serving in Peru September 2020

Dear Friends,

For those who know or email with me, know that I have a Type A per-sonality. I am organized, I live by lists, I delight in marking things off of my list, and I do not like wasting time. And, for better or worse, I like to maintain a sense of control of my surroundings. (I swear I’m a fun person, though!) My life in the mission field these past 15 years has undoubtedly pushed me to adjust certain parts of these traits, while also teaching me great lessons about myself in the process. Having a husband and then a son called for even greater adjustments. Moving to a new country as a family called me to dig deeper to embrace the change. And now, a new challenge, a pandemic. Peru, where we serve, currently has the 5th highest COVID-19 cases and the highest fatality rate in the world. We were in one of the world’s longest mandatory periods of isolation, from March 16th through June 30th, reaching our first peak of cases in late May. As has happened in so many countries around the world, once the economy re-opened in July, our case numbers began to surge, surpassing the first peak and heading toward a new one. The healthcare system has collapsed due to a lack of investment in infrastructure during Peru’s recent economic growth. Oxygen is scarce, with cylinders selling for more than $1,000 on the black market; access to decreasing quantities of medicine is limited; and unemployment and poverty are on the rise, along with food insecurity, for a great majority of the population.

The rise in case numbers triggered the government’s ordering the return to strict quarantine for 20 of the 25 regions, resumption of the national Sunday lockdowns with a longer curfew, the prohibition of family gatherings, and the reduction of daily outside time for children from one hour to 30 minutes. In the midst of this, Jose and our family are mourning the loss of his father, who died of COVID-19 in mid-August. No. I am definitely not in control of my surroundings or the trajectory of the coronavirus during these times. But as PERUSA, we continue to make lists and positive use of the opportunities we have despite the situation we are facing. We have been given the chance to have deeper conversations with our partners and learn more about them, their institutions, and also, to see their faith in action. Pastors of our partner, the Evangelical Church of Peru (IEP), have not received a steady income since the pandemic began, as in-person worship services are prohibited, and offerings that provide their salary are not being taken. Despite this, many pastors continue to maintain contact with their members in different ways. Pastors of our partner, the Evangelical Church of Peru (IEP), have not received a steady income since the pandemic began, as in-person worship services are prohibited, and offerings that provide their salary are not being taken. Despite this, many pastors continue to maintain contact with their members in different ways. We spoke with Germán Arisaca, a member of the IEP church in Ayaviri (Puno) and the president of the session. He told us that, despite the members’ desire to return to worship, the Ayaviri leadership has been clear that the Ayaviri members must follow the national laws. As Christians, they explained, they are called to be examples of “faithful witness,” doing what is required to care for the whole community and not just the individual, to reduce the risk of spreading COVID- 19. Even when sheltering in place, they must pray, encourage, and strengthen each other during this time of suffering. More than ever, this is needed as Puno, which had few cases in the first months of the pandemic, has just seen a great increase in cases and deaths these past months.

Eduardo Arboccó Gallardo, an IEP pastor in Lima who founded the Society of Christian Life, a partner of Joining Hands Peru, also calls his church a witness during these challenging times. His congregation in the neighborhood, Ingeniería, though not open for worship services, opens its virtual doors to its members and the greater community through worship,

(continued on page 3)

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Fort Zumwalt East High School Food Pantry

Margaret Osborn has been given space at her high school to have a food pantry. You may make

contributions to it by bringing items to the church and putting the them in the collection box

located by the Narthex doors marked for the school pantry. Thank you for your help.

SNACK SHACK where students drop in throughout the day as needed. Items needed here would be…

PANTRY ITEMS These are dispersed once a week to families in need...

Granola bars Microwavable Popcorn Cheese crackers Fruit snacks Trail Mix

Pop Tarts Microwavable Mac ‘N Cheese Fruit Cups Juice boxes Capri Suns

Cereal Peanut Butter Jelly Crackers Macaroni and Cheese boxes Tuna and Hamburger

Helper Canned vegetables Apple Sauce Fruit Cups Macaroni and Cheese Spaghetti O’s Ravioli

Spaghetti Spaghetti sauce Noodles Ramen Noodles Soups Tuna Household items

Toilet paper Kleenex Laundry detergent Soft Soap Soap Shampoo Deodorant

(Peru continued)

prayer services, and Sunday School classes. They have also opened their literal doors to two Venezuelan families, who are members of the church but could not afford housing during the pandemic. With the support of Joining Hands Peru, the church was also able to support other Venezuelan refugees and vulnerable church members by purchasing and delivering food baskets.

With these actions, Eduardo reminds his congregation that “la iglesia no es el templo.” The church is not the building. Though his savings run low and his fear is high, his faith remains strong as he unwaveringly tells us that the church must continue to move forward during these difficult times. Now is the time to evangelize, to hear God’s call, and share God’s love through our actions; however, one can.

No, I am not in control. But seeing our partners’ faithful witness of God’s love, justice, peace, and strength, I know and trust that God, who moves through, within, and around us, most certainly is. So, as we continue through this pandemic and I continue to adjust my reactions and learn to let go and trust, even more, I give thanks for your accompaniment and prayers that are our daily strength throughout these difficult times. Thank you for walking with us in partnership as we are reminded that ‘la iglesia no es templo,’ but is so much greater – going beyond self-imposed walls to embody the compassion, love, and justice of God through Jesus. In faith, trust and peace, Chenoa

Prayer Concerns: Pastor Leopoldo sends you his greetings, as well as his gratitude for your continued prayers for his stroke recovery. He is improving daily, doing physical therapy and continues sharing God's word with his members as he can. We ask that you please keep Pastor Santiago Condori, the Director of the IEP Seminary in Cuzco, as he, his wife and son were all infected with COVID-19. He and his son have recovered, but his wife remains fragile. Continued prayers for other partners and their families who have been impacted in various ways by this pandemic.

COMMUNION, OCTOBER 4th. Pick up cup w/juice & bread at the door to Java with Jesus.

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Bob Fletcher was in the September list but the correct month is October.

1 Connie Chism 3 Sandra King 4 Carolyn Buso

5 Kenda Carey 9 Angie Southard 10 Julie Miller

10 Jerry Coen 12 Julie Broyles 12 Peggy Jackson

13 Ken Farrell 14 Marlene Rowe 15 Dana Luley

17 Lew Tidd 19 Mallory Eoff 20 Bob Fletcher

26 Jess McMaken 27 Larry Babcock 31 Delores Reich

Have a blessed and very

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

If we missed yours or have

the date wrong, please

contact the church office.

Birthdays

This year the Cookie Walk is going to cancel its walk in December. The leaders of this event have concurred that this is not the year to try to bake and sell homemade items and certainly not the year to have a large group of people in the building to purchase the unwrapped baked goods.

This event is held by Presbyterian Women to raise funds for mission causes around the world. If you would like to contribute financially, the PW will gladly send these gifts on to one or more of the mission causes that they sponsor. You may make your check out to the church and designate your gift in the memo line of your check or on the envelope that you use, to the PW Non-Cookie Walk. Every cent will go to missions.

Hopefully, 2021 will see us having the Cookie Walk with great celebration for days with no COVID 19!

Sincerely,

Presbyterian Women

FISH FOOD PANTRY needs for October:

Boxed oatmeal containing single serving packets Small/smaller sized boxes/bags of cereal Cans/single sizes of fruit Cans of pasta, spaghetti-o’s, etc. Tuna- canned Chicken – canned Peanut butter Jelly Individual drinks Snacks

Tuna Helper Hamburger Helper Mac & cheese

Personal Hygiene Items:

Shampoo Deodorant TP Kleenex Body Wash Bar Soap

Leslie at FISH Shares...With school starting up we have been contacted by another school counselor asking if FISH could help them with some food for their weekend backpack program. In addition, we also have been contacted by 1 new pantry. This now brings our totals to 1 church, 7 St. Charles Schools Backpack Programs, 1 new school and 4 pantries we are now sharing your bounty of food donations with. Talk about a God Thing! Amen.

Because of these programs we will be, for October, focusing on requesting small sized or individual packs of food and personal hygiene items.

We could not begin to think about sharing with others without your continued support and prayers. What a blessed team we are.

Thank you so much, Leslie (FISH Food Pantry Volunteer)

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You have noticed that on many weeks the Communion Table has small vases of fresh flowers or plants. This adds to the atmosphere of worship as we worship together apart! If you would like to donate either in memory of or celebration of someone or you just want to contribute to the ambience, please call the church office and let us know what you would like to do and when. The office will either order the flowers and have Parkview Gardens bill you or you can purchase the flowers and bring to the church by noon on Friday for the taping on Saturday.

Parkview will give us 2 small bunches of flowers for $20.00 each plus $5 delivery fee, total $45. You may pick them up from the office on Monday. Please bring a vase to put them in when you pick them up.

Our Preschool and Stay n’ Play began its new school year on Monday, September 14. This is our 42nd school year and it is like no other! Our staff meetings were outside on the parking lot. We modified our Parent Orientation Meetings and Meet the Teacher Night to families driving through the parking lot and receiving their information folder and visiting with their child’s teachers from a distance. Children and teachers are happy to be back in the classrooms. I would like to share a few pictures of teachers and preschool children gearing up for our new school year and our first day of preschool.

Please share with family and friends that we are accepting enrollment into preschool, Spanish and Stay n’ Play.

What is this:? 3 boards on one table? Wow! 1,2,3.

Drive through Teacher’s Meet ‘n Greet with parents!

We get to wear masks! Yay! Our teachers love us and keep us safe.

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Whatever your political leanings are, you need to be aware of the Missouri absentee and mail in voting laws. MO is one of the few states that you have to follow strict rules on absentee OR mail in voting. They are not the same! Please read

carefully the next two pages and call the St. Charles Election Authority if you have any questions. 636-949-7550.

You have until October 21, 5:00 p.m. to request Absentee or Mail-In ballots. PLEASE VOTE!!

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Preschool opened September 14th. However, the church building remains closed to all but staff and essential volunteers. The preschool will be following very strict CDC protocols. Thank you for your understanding. Please call during office hours if you need to drop anything off or pick something up. We are happy to help in any way we can.