Story from the Outside:By the time I was 15 I was heavily addicted to drugs, specifically methamphetamine and crack cocaine. I ended up getting pregnant. There really was no option other than getting an abortion. When I was 21 I had stopped using hard drugs but I replaced the drugs with alcohol. I just didn’t know how to get through the day without something to numb the pain. My alcohol use was at...  Read More

By Matt Miofsky Tonight The Gathering is having a Commit Service at 7pm at our Clayton site and online. This is an opportunity to join The Gathering in membership, remember your baptism, or to be baptized for the first time. Many folks will ask me, “Pastor Matt, how do I become an official member of the church?” Tonight is how! I will talk about what commitment in membership means, why I think it ...  Read More

Story from the Outside:I am an immigrant from Malaysia, who came to the United States to go to college.  I became a U.S. citizen 30 years ago to work for the federal government.  I have many painful stories of feeling like an outsider, but two that come to mind are specific to the Church. It was an evening lecture by a very famous bishop and theologian, in the award-winning new chapel at my work. ...  Read More

True Story from Someone on the Outside:My father (Tom) and I live our lives by the old adage, “play hard, work hard”, and boy do we live up to the phrase.  We are NOT “church” people. Even though he was raised Italian/Catholic (and I inherited those traits) we don’t go to church on Sunday mornings, which is fine by me because I’m certain I don’t belong there. Tom and I are closer than close. We ar...  Read More

By Matt Miofsky Today, snow is in the forecast for St. Louis, a lot of snow. My kids were excited when they called school off early last night. I know many people can work from home or call in. But, my wife is a nurse manager and works in a hospital. So, early this morning I drove her to the hospital to save her the walk from the parking garage. As I was driving home at 40 mph on the interstate, I...  Read More

Opening Prayer:God, we’ve spent four weeks considering how we can love people we don’t like. By now we might be getting annoyed with all this talk of annoying people. Be patient with us as we continue to run into our own limitations. We thank you for your never ending love and grace. Help us to recenter our hearts on the example you have given us in Jesus. We love you and we want to love your peop...  Read More