Now is the Season to Get Involved // M-Note 11.1.2025

Last week, I celebrated some of the exciting new ministries that are taking off at The Gathering. This week, I want to share 4 opportunities for you to get involved and grow in your faith this season:
 
1. A new round of wellness groups is beginning next week. I want to highlight one that is important to me. One of the new groups is Peace with Finances. This group is focused on how to take control of our financial life so that our money doesn’t control us, but we control our money. It is focused on building healthier financial habits, dealing with debt, creating savings, and cultivating a more faithful approach to money. Whether you are struggling with your finances, or just want to grow in your financial literacy, this is a great group led by two professionals from our own congregation. Check it out here.
 
2. Food insecurity has grown in our country and with the shutdown of the federal government and threat to SNAP benefits for 42 million people, it is being made worse. As a church, we want to respond. We have connected with St. Louis Area Foodbank and are asking all of you to collect food this November and bring it to The Gathering on Sunday, November 23rd. We will load it in U-hauls that morning and take it to the foodbank ahead of the holiday. You can check out the list of the most desired foods here. Please invite anyone you know to join us that Sunday and bring food.
 
3. This weekend, we are concluding our Much Given, Much Expected series with commitment Sunday. Everyone who supports The Gathering will be asked to make a two-year commitment to give and support the ministry of the church. I hope that all of you will be there— it would mean a lot to me. Bring your commitment card with you or be ready to fill one out in worship. What we commit together will shape what we are able to do as a church over the next two years. If you worship online or are out of town, you can fill out a card online or on our app. To learn more about how money is being used check out the Much Given, Much Expected resource guide and our Impact Report.
 
4. It is (almost) time for the Christmas season which means that we are preparing to decorate our spaces. We would LOVE your help. Decorating will happen at McCausland right after worship on Nov. 16th and all 3 sites on Nov. 23rd. It is a lot of fun, and we would love to have you join us. 
 
There are so many exciting things happening at church, so I hope all of you will be a part of it. I especially hope to see you this weekend!
 
Peace,
Matt
 
P.S. Tonight, there will be a short All-Saints worship service to remember those that have died in your life and in our church. Join us at 5pm at the Clayton site.