CROP Hunger Walk- 2022 Things to Know

It's here! Our CROP Hunger Walk is this Sunday!

Here's what you need to know:

• When: October 2, starting at Noon

• Where: Gather at the church for a group photo and a blessing at noon then walk along the waterfront in Lincoln Park. You can choose whether you walk from the church or start walking at the park. We will enter from the South end of the park.

• Why are we walking? We walk to raise awareness and funds to end hunger in our community and in the world.

• Wear red so that we stand out in the crowd!

• Lunch: We will have 50-60 minutes between worship and the walk. Bring a brown bag lunch for yourself and enjoy eating with fellow walkers at the church.

• How far do we walk? The typical walk is 3 miles. It symbolizes how far a person in a different part of the world might walk daily to get water. Please choose a distance that is comfortable for your ability. And, if you want a little challenge, perhaps set out to walk what you know will be an easy distance and then go a fit further.

• How to I join the Fauntleroy team? Sign up online here or sign up on Sunday following worship.

• How can I sponsor the Fauntleroy team? The preferred method is an online donation made here. Otherwise, donations can be brought to the church on Sunday and included with the offering. Make checks out to CWS/CROP.

• What does Church World Services do? CWS works to empower people to have thriving livelihoods in their own communities, and with their own families. Where that isn’t possible, because of conflict or violence, or economics, or natural disasters, or the effects of climate change, or any other reason, then CWS makes sure they are safe and supported until such time as they can safely return home. And where that isn’t possible, CWS helps people to resettle in a safe home here in the U.S.

• Questions? Want to help on the day of? Reach out to our Team Captain, Sarah Ackers (sarah.ackers@fauntleroyucc.org)

Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser

On September 19th, eleven members of Fauntleroy Church participated in a bingo event, hosted by a drag queen over Zoom! It was fabulously fun! The event raised $2,000 for the benefit of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ. The Coalition is a resource to individual congregations as they seek to become sacred places of safety and hospitality for all, but especially for the members of the LGBTQIA+ community. As of the night of the event, 33% of United Church of Christ congregations have adopted an Open and Affirming (ONA) covenant, just like Fauntleroy Church did in 1997.

Gathered for the bingo event were people from fifteen churches of the United Church of Christ; representatives from Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist and Disciples of Christ congregations as well as nineteen individuals identifying no faith community. We joined participants from Ohio, Missouri, and Connecticut.

If you would be inclined to make a donation to this very important work, we invite you to use this link: https://openandaffirming.org/about/donate/donationpage/.

If you would like to send a check, please add “Coalition” to the memo line and send to: Gateway ONA, C/O Parkway United Church of Christ, 2841 North Ballas Road, St. Louis, Missouri  63131.