Prayers for An Election Season from the Diocese of Missouri

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p. 822)

Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p .258 )

Please check the parish’s Facebook page and website for more daily prayers between now and November 10.

Diocesan Book Study for Native American Heritage Month

November in Native American Heritage Month. Join us for a weekly book discussion beginning Monday, Nov. 4th at 7PM on Zoom & continues each Monday in November. Please contact Mother Leslie at therevlesliescoopmire@gmail.com to receive the link. We will read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a professor of botany and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. The book can be purchased as both a paper book or an ebook.

Be Smart Gun Violence Prevention Program

Adult Forum on November 10 will have a guest Speaker from the Diocesan Gun Violence Protection  Initiative, sharing important information about gun safety.

Be Smart is a campaign to promote responsible gun ownership in order to reduce child gun deaths. Whether you’re a gun owner, or you know someone who owns a gun, there is a role for everyone in the conversation around secure gun storage. Be SMART is a framework that parents, caretakers, and community leaders can follow to help keep their communities safe. Ultimately, you can help prevent kids from accessing firearms by storing them securely, and encouraging others to do the same because children deserve to feel safe, no matter where they are.  

With the acronym, SMART stands for S – Secure gun storage, M – Model responsible behavior,  A – Ask about guns in others’  homes, R – Recognize the role of guns in suicide, and T – Tell your friends to Be SMART. 

The Diocese of Missouri has an ambitious and important goal of presenting Be SMART to every parish in the diocese during 2024.  The PowerPoint presentation lasts about 20 - 25 minutes, followed by discussion.  The slide show presentation is approved by Everytown for Gun Safety and also by our diocese.

This is information everyone can use- whether you own guns or not.