June 25th, 2021
by Mike DePope
by Mike DePope

Part of The Gathering’s vision is to create a Christian community for new generations. This means that we want to be a community that invites kids into the faith, forms students in faith, and creatively engages college students and younger adults to follow God’s call in their own life. As part of this vision, we strive to inspire and equip younger people to be leaders in the church. One of the most exciting aspects of this work is the number of people that have heard a call to ordained ministry while at The Gathering and have gone on to serve other churches using what they learned and experienced here.
Two weeks ago, I attended the United Methodist annual conference for all Missouri clergy and lay representatives. It was a hybrid event, so while some people were there in person, I participated virtually. Each year at this annual conference a few important things happen, including the ordination of new pastors and the appointment by the bishop of all current clergy to the churches they will serve for the next year. I am happy to report that all four of your clergy – Adam, Matt Fulmer, Charity, and me -- are returning for another year of ministry at The Gathering. For me, it marks the beginning of my 16th year here, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it.
Along with this news, we have several people from The Gathering who are beginning or continuing in pastoral leadership at other churches. Amanda Gastreich, who for a long time volunteered and served at our Webster site, has graduated from Eden seminary and will begin serving full-time as the pastor of Eldon United Methodist Church. Andrew McCausland, a member of The Gathering who is now in seminary, will become the pastor of two United Methodist Churches in Gray Summit and Union. Marie Griffin, another member of The Gathering is now serving at Centenary UMC downtown where she leads Anchor Coffeehouse. Meagan O’Brien, who many of you remember from her various roles on staff at The Gathering, has been appointed to a second year as pastor of Shiloh United Methodist Church, and Danny Lybarger, our former BarChurch and Webster Site Pastor, was just ordained and will be starting a new church in St. Charles. Our very own Webster Site Pastor Adam Baker was also ordained last week back in North Carolina (his “home” conference).
I want to celebrate alongside all of these folks, and I hope you will, as well. I also want to thank you for being the kind of church that is developing a new generation of leaders. Many churches don’t get the chance to see one of their own go on to be a pastor. We get to regularly celebrate it. I am grateful that God is using our church for this purpose.
But, you know what? God isn’t done. Before any of these people were pastors, they started out following a small nudge to get more involved in church. So my question is, are you feeling a nudge? Do you sense God calling you to do more or offer more? Are you ready to take a step towards volunteering or serving in some way? If so, let us know. It doesn’t mean you have to be a pastor, in fact, most people find fulfilling ways to serve and impact the church as lay people (aka, non-pastors). If you are feeling the nudge to serve, please reach out to me or one of the other pastors. We would love to talk to you about what God might be doing in your life. Listen to the nudge. You never know where it might lead.
Peace,
Two weeks ago, I attended the United Methodist annual conference for all Missouri clergy and lay representatives. It was a hybrid event, so while some people were there in person, I participated virtually. Each year at this annual conference a few important things happen, including the ordination of new pastors and the appointment by the bishop of all current clergy to the churches they will serve for the next year. I am happy to report that all four of your clergy – Adam, Matt Fulmer, Charity, and me -- are returning for another year of ministry at The Gathering. For me, it marks the beginning of my 16th year here, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it.
Along with this news, we have several people from The Gathering who are beginning or continuing in pastoral leadership at other churches. Amanda Gastreich, who for a long time volunteered and served at our Webster site, has graduated from Eden seminary and will begin serving full-time as the pastor of Eldon United Methodist Church. Andrew McCausland, a member of The Gathering who is now in seminary, will become the pastor of two United Methodist Churches in Gray Summit and Union. Marie Griffin, another member of The Gathering is now serving at Centenary UMC downtown where she leads Anchor Coffeehouse. Meagan O’Brien, who many of you remember from her various roles on staff at The Gathering, has been appointed to a second year as pastor of Shiloh United Methodist Church, and Danny Lybarger, our former BarChurch and Webster Site Pastor, was just ordained and will be starting a new church in St. Charles. Our very own Webster Site Pastor Adam Baker was also ordained last week back in North Carolina (his “home” conference).
I want to celebrate alongside all of these folks, and I hope you will, as well. I also want to thank you for being the kind of church that is developing a new generation of leaders. Many churches don’t get the chance to see one of their own go on to be a pastor. We get to regularly celebrate it. I am grateful that God is using our church for this purpose.
But, you know what? God isn’t done. Before any of these people were pastors, they started out following a small nudge to get more involved in church. So my question is, are you feeling a nudge? Do you sense God calling you to do more or offer more? Are you ready to take a step towards volunteering or serving in some way? If so, let us know. It doesn’t mean you have to be a pastor, in fact, most people find fulfilling ways to serve and impact the church as lay people (aka, non-pastors). If you are feeling the nudge to serve, please reach out to me or one of the other pastors. We would love to talk to you about what God might be doing in your life. Listen to the nudge. You never know where it might lead.
Peace,

P.S. This weekend, I am continuing our series REAL: The Power of Vulnerability. I will talk about why it is healthy for us to be vulnerable with other people, especially when it comes to our struggles and sins. Also, The Gathering is hosting another Witnessing Whiteness class this Fall. If you are interested in learning about this experience, you can find more information on our website.
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Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22I Feel Sorry for Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 23Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4i flipped a table once | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 24Ain’t Got Nothin’ | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 25Spring Forward in Faith // M-Note 3.29.25Visio Divina | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 26Everlasting Joy Sealed in Your Heart | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 27
April
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May
Come to Egypt with Me // M-Note 5.3.25CoreGroup Guide | We Just Click - Part 2Celebrating Our Mozambique Partnership // M-Note 5.10.25CoreGroup Guide | We Just Click - Part 3What Season Are YOU In? // M-Note 5.17.2025CoreGroup Guide | We Just Click - Part 4Serving Our City // M-Note 5.23.25Self-Reflection Guide | Multiply - Part 1Congratulations to Own Own Martin Leathers // M-Note 5.31.25Self-Reflection Guide | Multiply - Part 2
2024
January
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