Blog

Social Justice Ministry - August Spotlight

Council Corner: Updates from the Regular Church Council Meeting – August 24, 2026 Informational Items: Update from Financial Ministry Meals on Wheels opted not to renew their annual grant funding for our Backpack program. We are currently seeking alternative funding – we appreciate the continued support of the Sugarbaker Foundation, which helps supplement this mission. The 2026-2027 Backpack Program is still being planned, but it could look different than previous years. Update from Physical Facilities Ministry The new breaker boxes passed the county inspection and we’re still in the process of labeling each breaker. Social Hall air conditioning is still leaking – will continue refilling the freon until the new coil can be install (see Actions Taken). Miscellaneous Updates Following discussion regarding the next step in the Bequest process, Council will develop a perspective to bring to the congregation by the Annual Meeting. It was not voted on but it was the consensus - that we would be prioritizing and developing a vision. Personnel Ministry is continuing their work on updating staff job descriptions and preparing for goal-setting, while finalizing budget recommendations for the Finance Ministry. The Cemetery is surveying the remaining open ground on the eastern area of the Park Hills section, allowing for more two grave and single plots. Looking Ahead – Items Upcoming in Next 1-2 Months Approval of 2027 Budget Approval of delegates for the Conference Meeting in November ( we have two of the three needed for the Conference meeting; still need four delegates for the Association meeting – please reach out if you’re interested in serving ). Performance Reviews and Goal Setting Employee Manual Updates (2019 version) Approval of revised Disaster Preparedness Proposal Upcoming Events – In an effort to better prepare for the various events and events within events, Council members use a more detailed calendar . We hope this tool also helps you better plan for Church activities. Celebration Sunday is September 13 th – this special St. Lucas tradition is open to everyone and follows the conclusion of service; it also falls on Grandparents Days, another reason to celebrate together. Community Meal is October 4 th – this one-time event commemorates Good Neighbor Week and is sponsored by a grant from ServMO and America250. More info to come. Actions Taken: Approved a bid from IFS for $16,986 to repair and replay the fellowship hall chiller coil and install hail guards. While we wait for parts, installation may not happen for 6 weeks. Approved appointments to the nominating committee (Kirk Dalgaard, Jack Laudenslager, and Linda Taylor). One council term is ending in 2026.

Social Justice Ministry - August Spotlight

He was our longest-serving pastor (43 years!). He started serving St. Lucas at the beginning of its second year and really got things rolling. Samuel A. Kruse (1858 - 1944) was born in Nashville, IL, to immigrants from areas now known as Germany. His father was a German Evangelical pastor who had studied at the educational institution in Marthasville that is now known as Eden Seminary in Webster Groves. After Samuel Kruse’s primary education at a school around Des Peres, MO, he attended Elmhurst College and then followed in his father’s footsteps and studied at Eden Seminary for four years. After his ordination in 1880, he was assigned to pastor a frontier community in southeastern Nebraska. During those two years, he made a trip home to marry Amalia Mueller, the daughter of Rev. Andreas Mueller, the pastor of Carondelet Church in South St. Louis. Rev. Kruse was happy to accept the call to St. Lucas in 1882, and the young couple returned to an area closer to their families.

Council Corner: Updates from the Regular Church Council Meeting – June 22, 2026 Informational Items: Update from Finance Ministry All committees and ministries with budget lines will receive their annual Budget Letter and Request form this week. They are due by July 31st . The offerings are down significantly prompting Financial Secretary Ken Fey to further examine, with congregational input, the reasons – more information to follow. Update from Physical Facilities Ministry Mudjacking work previously performed on the Preschool entrance sidewalks did not fully resolve the problem and will be addressed by the contractor. Work on the breaker boxes is proceeding but with some delays due to parts – the contractor is working with church and preschool schedules. Fall athletic field contract renewing and negotiating is in progress. Lamour to replace heating element in kitchen dishwasher once parts are available; Council requested a better understanding of cost savings on external contractors thanks to Lamour. Miscellaneous Updates Community Meal Grant submitted with notification expected by July 31 st ; we are now an established vendor with the State, should future grant opportunities arise. Kicked-off planning for September 13 th Celebration Sunday; anyone interested in assisting or volunteering, please contact Councilmember Melinda Borman. Looking Ahead – Items Upcoming in Next 1-2 Months Preparing for 2027 Budget cycle Form nominating committee for various committee/ministry positions. Prepare for possible renewal of Sexton’s house lease. Employee Manual update. Personnel working on formalizing a process for annual goal setting & performance reviews for employees. Discussion on possible donor recognition area. Upcoming Events – In an effort to better prepare for the various events and events within events, Council members use a more detailed calendar . We hope this tool also helps you better plan for Church activities. Looking Ahead – Possible Items for Council Conversation – August 16th Mayberry Bequest response discussion Church financial update  Opportunities for St. Lucas

Every fall at St. Lucas UCC we put our heads together the attempt to Stump the Pastor. All are invited to submit scriptures - the tricky ones, the ones you rarely hear preached in church. One is selected and then Pastor George preaches an off-the-cuff sermon on whatever is drawn. Because we are only able to select one of the many great submissions, this summer Pastor George is preaching through some of the scriptures that were left on the cutting room floor (with time to prepare this time). You can see the schedule for the summer below, and look forward to the return of Stump the Pastor this September. June 7 - Numbers 35:1-13 June 14 - Joshua 1:9 June 21 - Nehemiah 6:15 June 28 - Psalm 30:4-6 July 5 - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 July 12 - Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 July 19 - Song of Solomon 1:1-17 July 26 - Mission Trip Worship August 2 - Isaiah 10:1-19 August 9 - Isaiah 12:2 August 16 - Jeremiah 14:1-6 August 23 - Jeremiah 29:11 August 30 - Micah 6:8 September 6 - Matthew 5:31-32 September 13 - Matthew 6:25-34 September 20 - TBD September 27 - Stump the Pastor Sunday

For our June Mission Moment we welcomed Rev. Brenda Booth, the Executive Director of Isaiah 58 Ministries. She shared some of the many exciting things happening at Isaiah 58, including their recent purchase of a new building. Isaiah 58 is a food pantry and food distribution center, but more importantly, they build community. The staff and volunteers make it a point to know everyone who walks through the doors by name. As the need in our community continues to grow, Isaiah 58 has seen the numbers of people they serve increase as well. They are currently seeing well over 1400 visits to the ministry each month. When pre-packed food bags are distributed on Fridays they are seeing over 90 individuals and families. They have outgrown their current space, but are excited to move to a new building that will allow them to be closer to the people they serve. Your giving to the St. Lucas UCC general fund helps us continue to contribute to Isaiah 58 and their work in the community.

Council Corner: Updates from the Regular Church Council Meeting – May 28, 2026 Informational Items: Update from Physical Facilities Ministry Adding a second handrail to the exterior kitchen stairs is under consideration – the feasibility is in question as the space needed might not reach clearance requirements. Church and property HVAC systems will now be overseen and maintained by our Maintenance manager Lamour, creating savings by eliminating the need for a third-party contract. Miscellaneous Updates Shared a revised draft of Event Planning Checklist for feedback. Provided a Mayberry Bequest submission update with plans to release a summary to the congregation in the coming weeks. Presented a confirmation banquet and service planning review document to discuss how to better assist the Youth Leaders in hosting banquet and opportunities for cross ministry collaboration in setup and execution. Approved moving the August Council Conversation to August 16 th to prevent conflict with Sunday Funday. Looking Ahead - Items Upcoming in Next 1-2 Months Preparing for 2027 Budget cycle Form nominating committee for various committee/ministry positions. Form Celebration Sunday planning team. Upcoming Events – In an effort to better prepare for the various events and events within events, Council members use a more detailed calendar. We hope this tool also helps you better plan for Church activities. Actions Taken Approved applying for the America 250 – Good Neighbor Week mini-grant to support a Community Meal in the fall (week of September 28 – October 4). Approved hiring DECA to perform a light interior and exterior inspection of the Parsonage for $100. Approved updates to the Keeping God’s Children Safe policy. Closed Session Actions: Approved 6-month renewal of Pastor Janet’s contract

To celebrate America 250, the St. Lucas Heritage Committee is featuring a few of the many people who served our country and have their final resting place in our cemetery. Of the over 300 U.S. veterans buried in the St. Lucas Cemetery, we have selected two who served during the Civil War and another five who served during World War II and have created a self-guided tour of their graves. In 2003 the Sappington-Concord Historical Society published a book of stories written by local men about their experiences in the U.S. Armed Forces. With the permission of the Historical Society, we are providing the stories found in that book, Hometown Heroes, for each of the World War II veterans that we are featuring. We, unfortunately, have limited information about the service of our Civil War veterans and have included the few details that we know about their service. Both of the Civil War veterans were also founders of St. Lucas. Some of the featured servicemen played significant roles in the Sappington-Concord Historical Society. Leonard “Bud” Borneman initiated and led the Hometown Heroes project. Carl Spinner was chairman and MC of the SCHS Memorial Day ceremony for many years. Sylvester Steinnerd was the father of Ray Steinnerd, who served on the board of the Historical Society for 25 years. Walter Maag and Pete Winter were both members of the Historical Society as well. Numbered signs, starting near the large east parking lot, will be posted near each featured gravesite for a week after Memorial Day. Interested in reading more stories of the experiences of local U.S. servicemen during their time of service? You can buy a copy of Hometown Heroes from the Sappington- Concord Historical Society.

Council Corner: Updates from the Regular Church Council Meeting – April 27, 2026 and Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting – May 3, 2026 Informational Items: Update on Financial Audit Audit is complete and a very good overall report. It suggested some prior period adjustments and those were made in the quarter ending 12/31/25. Additional update from the Semi-Annual Meeting Roughly $25,000 in adjustments were made, leaving the year end 2025 deficit at approximately $100,000 instead of the previously reported $125,00. Financial Secretary recommends a review, not a full audit, every 3-5 years. Offering revenue remains soft for the first quarter; encouraging a stewardship effort to reinforce importance of giving despite Mayberry request. Update from Physical Facilities Ministry The lighting work on the sign facing Denny Road is complete. Council approved the recommended bid to replace five electrical panels at the cost of $28,000. The work will commence in July. Miscellaneous Updates Regarding status of the Parsonage Analysis, the tenant has renewed the lease, with a new term expiring April 30, 2027. Council is actively gathering additional data on the state of the property. Discussion favored waiting to decide on the process for decision-making until data collection is closer to completion. Action Taken: Approved the contract with Show-Me Electric to replace five electrical panels for $28,481. Approved Room 18/20 as the new primary Children's Ministry Sunday School space with conditions including a three week trial period to confirm space sustainability prior to any room modifications, council approve any permanent physical modifications, cleanliness and reasonable organization of the room be maintained, and council periodically review arrangement assuring space continues to meet needs of the broader church. Reviewed proposed revisions to the Keeping God's Children Safe policy. Postponed approval until May to incorporate a few non-material changes. The existing KGCS policy stays in effect in the interim. Closed Session Actions: Approved unpaid leave of absence for Amy Bush from June 8 to July 19. Finalized plans for celebrating the ministry of Lynn Fey Follis.  Semi-Annual Meeting Actions: Approved the Perpetual Endowment Trust appointment of Bob Mandava to an unexpired term ending December 31, 2027. Elected Sara Savat and Carolyn Schwartz to the Preschool Board, both serving three year terms.

Our Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for May 3, 2026 following the 9:30 AM service. The meeting will be held both in-person and online on Zoom. A limited number of hard copies of the Semi-Annual report are available on the table outside of the Sanctuary. You can also read the Semi-Annual Report by clicking below.