Resilience & Courage: Black History in St. Louis

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.

Monday, May 25 | 9:00 AM | On the Green at St. Lucas UCC

Sunday, June 14 | 12:00 PM | Social Hall

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.

Sunday, May 3 | After Worship | Social Hall

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. 

Council Corner: Updates from the Regular Church Council Meeting - March 23, 2026 Informational Items: Update on Financial Audit As of the March council meeting, the initial phase was complete, and it was on track for a March 31 completion. An update is expected at the Semi-Annual Meeting Update from Physical Facilities Ministry Work is in progress collecting bids for the replacement of various electrical panels. Discussed the possibility of terminating HVAC yearly maintenance contract and assigning the duties to our maintenance manager, Lamour. Updates on athletic field contracts and the possible work (overseeding, moles) needed to the fields. Update from Personnel Ministry Currently working to update job descrip2ons to reflect actual duties and responsibilities; first step is gathering information from staff. Working on a better reporting system for vacation, PTO, and other time off. Goal is to have consistency in forms. Miscellaneous Updates Discussed the Ryan Burge UCC Analysis and St. Lucas’ standing relative to the denomination, highlighted in e-blast on 3/26. Requests were made for more demographic insights and to understand St. Lucas’ relative property footprint. Debrief of Council Conversation and planning for semi-annual meeting Actions Taken: Approved the Bequest Idea Submission Form Responses from the congregation are due May 3rd. Approved Memorial Committee expenditures, which included funds for updates to the sanctuary flowers, mulch for the Victory Garden, and assis2ng AV with the purchase of new wireless microphones.

Sunday, May 3 | 10:45 am | St. Lucas UCC, 11735 Denny Rd.

St. Lucas UCC is inviting members to share ideas for how the Mayberry bequest can faithfully support the long-term vitality of our church. You may submit ideas using any of the following methods: 1. the online survey (preferred) 2. printing the form at home 3. picking up a form outside the Sanctuary Please submit one idea per form, using as many forms as necessary. Responses are due by Sunday, May 3rd.