Trivia Night 2016

Vesna painting a beautiful outdoor scene

Shresta with other bingo players

Trivia players

CFNA held its ninth annual Trivia Night on Saturday, November 12th, at Webster Gardens Lutheran Church with over 275 in attendance. They were welcomed by Pastor Joel Christensen and enjoyed a delicious mostaccioli dinner. Thanks to Rich and Charlie’s for the donation of salad and bread and to bakers from Peace, Webster Gardens, Christ Memorial, and Concordia Lutheran Churches for the delicious homemade cookies. Following the meal, trivia competition and bingo games began. Jerry Wendt served as emcee for the evening. Joanie Harwell and Pastor Stanish Stanley read this year’s trivia questions. Jerry and Joyce Birk served as bingo callers. Claire the Clown entertained the bingo players with fun magic tricks and other shenanigans! Throughout the evening, a silent auction offering baskets, gift certificates, and a wonderful assortment of other items was held. While all of these activities were going on, Vesna Delevska, a New American herself, created a beautiful painting which was one of the auction items.

Many helping hands, including many CFNA scholarship students, contributed to the success of the evening. Volunteers sought and picked up donations, prepared food, wrote trivia questions, organized registration, sorted auction items, set up tables and chairs, and served in countless other ways. Folk dancers, under the direction of Diana Wolf, a Webster member, entertained the attendees during one of the Trivia breaks.

CFNA is especially grateful to the congregation of Webster Gardens Lutheran Church for the use of their facilities and for their helpful support.  Appreciation is also expressed to our generous donors and sponsors for their gifts.  Thanks to all who gave, all who came, and all who served!  Proceeds from the evening will assist CFNA in its Christ-centered ministry to immigrants and refugees in the greater St. Louis area.

By Bonnie Matzat Concordia, Kirkwood

Photos by Rudy Blank

Turkey Blessings at Concordia

Loading gift boxes

Matt Schelp enjoys another great event

Matt Bayes (r) with Rev. S. Stanley, Josh Burgdorf and Maxy delivering a gift to New American friends.

“‘We love because He first loved us’ (1 John 4:19) and are grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate this love to the Kirkwood community and beyond, including New Americans.”  Says Matt Schelp, church president speaking on behalf of the members of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood.

This was Concordia’s second annual Turkey Blessing event, and like last year, one thousand turkeys, complete with “all the fixings,” were given to those in need of them. The line was long, and each recipient was given the opportunity to share a prayer request. Many did, and the prayers were offered on-the-spot.

Thirty-six recently arrived New American refugee families (more than 150 recipients) from Syria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and more were among those who received the dinners and the prayers that went along with them. Senite Wawi, a thirteen-year-old member of a refugee family from Eritrea, shared, “God taught us to love and share, and this church is doing that for us. Thank you to them!”

Truly, CFNA’s partnership with Concordia, Kirkwood, has been a blessing for all involved. As Rev. David Meggers put it, “Through partnership with CFNA, Concordia, Kirkwood, is able to serve a significant number of New Americans we could have reached in no other way.”

Thank you, Concordia.

Rev. Allan Buckman Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood With Rev. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

Thank you Christ Memorial and Reliant!

New Shelving in the Basement

On Saturday, October 8, a group of 15 from Christ Memorial Lutheran Church spent the day at the CFNA Peace Center. This group was part of a bigger event for Christ Memorial, the 3rd annual Loved+Sent Servant Event where 350 individuals served at 30 sites across St. Louis. For the 3rd year in a row, Christ Memorial chose to send a group to CFNA for the event.

The major accomplishments for the day included shampooing the chapel carpet, cleaning the chapel, installing new lights in the basement, constructing two shelving units, laying tile flooring in the main level bathroom, removing carpet and laying tile in the cry room, and tuck pointing outdoors. Thrivent Action dollars funded most of the supplies for the day, while Tom Daily of Christ Memorial/Reliant and Dr. John Lautenschlager provided the expertise to train group members.

By Dawn Martin Christ Memorial/Reliant Lutheran Church

Tuckpointing the Exterior

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Rich Schaefer

Sandy Gerber

Carol and Cathy, photo by Eric Erkkinen

On the evening of Friday, October 28, approximately seventy CFNA friends, advocates, and associates gathered to celebrate one of their greatest blessings—the more than one hundred long-and short-term volunteers from the St. Louis area and beyond who make this ministry among new Americans a possibility. The special event was hosted by the Men’s Club of Christ Memorial Lutheran Church—yet another example of caring volunteer Christian service. They generously provided a delicious barbeque dinner, featuring pork steaks and chicken with numerous side dishes.

The program for the evening included special recognition for two people who have been continuously involved in CFNA volunteer service for more than six years. Ms. Sandy Gerber (St. Johns Lutheran Church) and Mr. Rich Schaefer (Ascension Lutheran Church) have both served with the After School Tutoring program on a weekly basis. Their great service has been much appreciated, especially by the numerous New American students who have been the beneficiaries.

In addition to a continuous slideshow of scenes from CFNA ministry over the past few months, the program featured the New American Folk Dancers, led and choreographed by Ms. Diana Wolf, a volunteer tutor from Webster Gardens Lutheran Church. From countries as diverse as Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Brazil, all eight dancers, ages 12 to 15, wore costumes typical of the Middle East. Interestingly, all of them arrived in St. Louis as refugees during the past three or four years.

A special thank-you to our great CFNA volunteers and to the wonderful Christ Memorial Men’s Club as well!

Prepared by Rev. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

Are you curious about becoming a volunteer? Prayerfully consider this and click here to learn more!

Blessed To Be A Blessing

The Bible teaches that we should use our blessings to bless others – Our blessings should flow to others; The Bible teaches us that we are blessed not just so that we can feel good, not just so we can be happy and comfortable, but so that we will bless others. God told Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous and you will be a blessing to others” (Genesis 12:2 NLT). This is the first law of blessing: it must flow outwardly.

When we bless others, God takes care of the needs we are concerned about.

God promises that if we will concentrate on blessing others, he’ll take care of our needs. There’s almost nothing that God won’t do for the person who really wants to help other people. In fact, God guarantees this blessing. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth... no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times over as much in this age and in the age to come, eternal life” (Luke 18:29-30 NIV).

When we care about helping other people, God assumes responsibility of your problems. And that’s a real blessing, for he is much better at handling our difficulties than we are.

Our blessings to others will come back on us.

The more you bless other people... the more God blesses your life. Luke tells us, “Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting is the way. Generosity begets generosity” (Luke 6:38 MSG).

You cannot out give God. The more you try to bless other people in the world around you, the more God says, “I’m going to pour blessings out on you, I’m going to bless you in return. The more we’re blessed by God the more He expects us to help others.

Jesus said it this way: “Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given” (Luke 12:48 TEV).

Would you agree that based on the blessings of your life that you probably have a greater responsibility than other people in the world? If you live in the United States, I’m sure you’d agree, because it is obvious we’ve been given freedom that many people don’t have. We’ve been given opportunities that many people don’t have. We’ve been given material and physical and spiritual abundance that a lot of people around the world simply do not have.

Think this through, if I’ve been blessed more than the rest of the world, then it would stand to reason that God would want me to care about the rest of the world, especially those that do not yet know about Him.

PRAYER:  Dear Lord, we are here again asking for your blessing on our meeting and our planning.  We know that you already have all the plans in place for us.  Please give us the wisdom and insight to your plans so that all we say and do would bring praise and glory to you.  May we be a blessing to those who do not yet know you, especially the New Americans.  Please walk with us and guide us.  We ask this in the name of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Karen Wendt, St. Louis, MO

Thank You Abiding Savior!

Painting Up High

Once again on October 22, Abiding Savior Lutheran members from South County used a part of their SendMe day to include the CFNA Peace Center as an important venue for a “servant event.” Sixteen eager SendMe servants from Abiding Savior arrived about 9 a.m. to complete the tasks on “the list.” The unique jobs on the list were painting a grid for the game, “Four Square” and applying paint rather high on the Peace Center brick wall. The group included 5 children and 2 teenagers who served quite happily all day. The adults are proud they were a great help and encouraging presence. All were thankful for the steady guidance given by CFNA leaders who spent the day with SendMe volunteers.

At midday this group was joined by invited refugee families, including many of the children who regularly come to the Peace Center for After-School Tutoring. Gathering in the chapel, several refugees told their stories and answered questions about the challenges they have faced in beginning life in the USA. Especially delightful were the confident comments of the children, now growing up in the United States of America, working hard to achieve success in their schooling, and facing a promising future.

checking the work list

Abiding Savior and CFNA invited children and families served by CFNA for Lunch Together, to be catered at the Peace Center as people got acquainted. This was a new feature of SendMe and added a missional dimension to the usual cleaning, painting, and organizing tasks of the day.

After Lunch Together, most of the children stayed to play. It seemed that the Abiding Savior team was playing too, as there was plenty of laughter all the day—but they were actually working, and working well together. Just the joy of serving!

By Ruth Mattson Abiding Savior Lutheran Church

CFNA Dancers Enjoy “Seussical"

cfna Dancers with rev. stanley & lynette jostes

The New American Folk Dancers recently had the blessed opportunity to enjoy live theatre at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church. The occasion was the recent production of the “Seussical” musical. Performers themselves, the play provided these New Americans an opportunity to see actors performing live on-stage in a complex narrative with a live musical setting. Not only did the experience invoke awe and admiration, Seussical also provided a hope filled message that “a person’s a person no matter how small.” More importantly, Seussical prompted a reflection of how God has created each of us with worth and unique gifts, these to be celebrated and utilized for the glory of God and His people.

This unforeseen but much enjoyed opportunity was greatly facilitated by Christ Memorial member Mrs. Lynette Jostes. The CFNA Dancers made the best of it by thoroughly enjoying the play, generously sampling the intermission refreshments, and visiting at some length with Seussical artists after the play was over. More importantly, Christ Memorial’s generosity made it a special day in that it encouraged these New Americans to meaningfully reflect on the performance and experience a congregation of caring people ready to welcome them warmly.

Thank you Christ Memorial, for extending a supportive hand of partnership to CFNA, and warm friendship to the New American Dancers.

By Rev. Stanish Stanley, Ph.D. Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

CFNA 2016 Golf Event

Enjoyment & great fellowship!

“I wish I had met somebody like you when I came to this country 15 years ago… what you are doing shows me that you care about me!” This statement by Zina, a one-time refugee and now a member of the professional staff at Norwood Hills Country Club, after having helped orchestrate the CFNA event.

One of the strengths of Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) is the valued support and participation of volunteers and donors driven by a sense of Christian service. In yet another display of commitment, 70 golfers from the Lutheran community and beyond, participated in the 2016 CFNA Golf Tournament on Tuesday, October 11 at beautiful Norwood Hills. Led by a spirit of service, the Golf Committee members worked meticulously to make this a special time of fellowship, friend-raising and fundraising. Assisted by the professional Norwood Hills staff, the event was judged a great success by all who helped plan it.

great day. great golfers.

Blessed with good weather, the tournament was equally blessed by the participation of a wide spectrum of people interested in supporting CFNA. After a great afternoon of golf the participants, some accompanied by their spouses, gathered for a great dinner. During the after dinner program led by Rev. Greg Smith, participants received the personal testimony of CFNA client Shiva Gurung, who came to the USA as a refugee from Nepal and is now a member at Ascension Lutheran Church. Her story of hope and care received through the ministries of CFNA spoke directly to the purpose of CFNA and this event.

We were much encouraged by their testimonies, and are thankful for all who helped plan and organize this event, as well as for all the participants who contributed to its success.

By Rev. Stanish Stanley, Ph.D Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

Thank You Concordia Seminary!

CFNA Note: Each year for the past several years, Concordia Seminary has provided a Servant Event Team to assist with various cleaning and improvement projects at the Peace Center. Here Professor Rick Marrs, who served as the Coordinator for the Seminary Team, provides his observations.

As part of Concordia Seminary’s Orientation Week each fall, all new students in all programs participate in a 5-hour Servant Event in the St. Louis area. This Servant Event is designed to help students in various residential and on-line programs to interact and develop relationships. M.Div students were working alongside those in the Graduate School as well as in the Specific Ministry and Ethnic Immigrant programs.

Many new seminary students help in various community gardens in the city, but nine students and four staff came to the Peace Center to help with various cleaning, painting, and other improvement projects. CFNA staff participants (Al & Carol Buckman, Dr. Stanish Stanley) provided a list of projects, some of which were preliminary to other church groups coming to do later work, and worked alongside the visitors as well. An orientation by the staff helped teach the participants what the Peace Center does to reach out to numerous refugee communities in urban St. Louis.

At lunch the Peace Center brought in Shiva Gurung, a New American from Nepal, to tell the students how the Center had worked to help her and her family become a part of the St. Louis community, as well as reach out with the Gospel to her and her family. She then told of how the Center and various congregations had helped them, and how she and her family are now helping others to connect with that Gospel of Jesus, as well as learn the practical issues of navigating this new culture. Most of the students were very unaware of the ministry of the Peace Center, and this Servant Event helped to connect them with possible cross-cultural outreach options while they are studying at Concordia Seminary.

Dr. Rick Marrs Concordia Seminary

CFNA: Thank you Concordia Seminary, for another great Servant Team, and for your helpful assistance at the Peace Center!

IN MEMORIAM: Rev. Vernon D. Gundermann

rev. vernon d. gundermann

Pastor, counselor, teacher, encourager, advocate, CFNA Board Member and friend, Rev. Vernon Dale Gundermann died September 16 at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife Betty and children Peter, Mary Williams, Sarah McCarthy and Thomas, as well as 11 grandchildren.

A 1963 graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Rev. Gundermann served parishes in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota before serving for 15 years as the senior pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood, MO. Additionally, after retirement he also served as Chaplain at the LCMS International Center and Lutheran Senior Services.

Within the CFNA community, Rev. Gundermann is best remembered not only for his 10 years of service as a Board member, but also for his active participation as a workshop leader, golf committee member, writer and creative planner. His encouragement and advocacy on behalf of ministry among New Americans is nicely reflected in his CFNA acrostic prepared a few years ago, and which is reproduced below.

CFNA for Today!

C – is for Christian.  It is a unique, powerful, sensitive, enabling expression of what it means to be a Christian. It means to understand dramatically what Christ has done for us. It means to live dramatically as one of “His”.

F – is for Friends. Not just casual acquaintances, not just people we wave to, not just a name that we know. If enemies are those we wish to avoid or ignore or do harm to, then Friends are those we wish to build up, affirm, celebrate and cause to experience the very best.

N – is for new. They have different traditions, different cultures, different food taste, different clothing styles, and maybe a different religion. They have come to a new world. Sometimes they come without family or friends. But not for long, if we can help it!

A – is for Americans. For some the land of their dreams, where there would be a fulfilling of their dreams, a new start, safety, hope. We are committed to do everything we can so their lives may be rebuilt for now, and, through Christ, forever!

We thank God for Vern’s service and wish our Lord’s blessings on Betty and the family.

New CFNA Scholarship Students

Jonah and Selah Teklu

Farrah Matta

Six new students are attending Lutheran schools in the St. Louis area this fall through the generosity of churches, donors and the Lutheran Foundation. They join 8 other elementary students and 10 other high school students who are receiving CFNA’s “Adopt a Student” scholarships.

Jonah and Selah Teklu arrived in St. Louis from North Carolina when their father became a student at Concordia Seminary this fall. The family comes from Ethiopia, and Jonah, a first grader, and Selah, in kindergarten, now attend Word of Life Lutheran School. The family attends Timothy, where their father is a field worker who will help support Timothy’s outreach to African immigrants.

Attending Christ Community Lutheran School, Youssef Matta, a kindergartener, and Farrah Matta, a fifth grader, are from Egypt. They moved to St. Louis in early 2016 with their parents, Hady Matta and Vicki Meshreky, who are missionaries with POBLO, International, an organization that is reaching out to Muslims. The family are members of Epiphany, which is supporting their scholarships, with matching funds from the Lutheran Foundation.

Two students from Sierra Leone are now attending Lutheran High School South with help from CFNA scholarships. Joseph Momoh, a freshman, graduated from Word of Life last year; he was supported by a Today and Tomorrow scholarship there. He and his family are members of Timothy. Naomi Massaley, also a freshman, just arrived in the US a few months ago with her parents and her sister. A brother remains in Sierra Leone. Gerald Brewah, one of CFNA’s facilitators, helped her enroll at Lutheran South.

By Judith Meyer

Should you be interested in providing support for these students, or any of those referenced in this article, please be in touch with Judith at 314-504-7235 or judithwmeyer@gmail.com.

Naomi Massaley

Youssef Matta

Joseph Momoh

Ethiopian Night

Preparing Traditional Ethiopian Coffee

The CFNA Community Health Committee hosted an Ethiopian night on August 28. Fifty people gathered at Carondelet Park in St. Louis to enjoy a wonderful home-cooked Ethiopian feast! Nepali and African refugees/immigrants, as well as Americans who have been here for a while, were blessed to participate in this wonderful dinner and gathering! Not only was the dinner wonderful, it was also very healthy.

CFNA’s East African facilitator, Rev. Teddy Workeneh, his wife, Ayni, and Salemawit Borsamo prepared many traditional Ethiopian dishes, including a special coffee and dessert. They know firsthand how immigrants and refugees can be bombarded in American grocery stores with many processed and unhealthy food options. He and Anyi volunteered to make an Ethiopian dinner to illustrate many health benefits from the traditional injera - a teff flour bread, to lentils and other foods.

Tsion Endakachew, an Ethiopian immigrant and public health professional, explained the specific nutritional values of certain Ethiopian foods. In addition, Dr. John Lautenschlager provided insights as well.

All is ready!

The Lord blessed the event with good weather, good food, good company and a relevant devotion by Rev. Mark Hass!

CFNA’s Community Health committee plans to host another healthy eating dinner event in the near future. Stay tuned!

By Laura Brink Ascension Lutheran Church

After School Tutoring Workshop

Teachers at the Whiteboard

An important outreach ministry of Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) has been its After School Tutoring program (AST) for New American children. During the 2015-16 academic year approximately 120 students from nine birth nations were served through this outreach effort.

This was possible only because of the committed and skillful pool of volunteer tutors who willingly gave their time and shared their resources to serve as tutors at the Peace Center on South Grand Blvd. Continuing in this commitment of service 20 volunteers, primarily from local LCMS congregations, recently came together for a Tutoring Workshop.  The event featured better reading skills for New American children, especially for those who truly struggle with this.

Mrs. Linda Munsell, recently retired Oasis Coordinator for the St Louis public school, and Mrs. Kate Wayne, a recently retired public school principal presented their specially designed tutoring packets. These 25 zip lock bags provide a complete lesson plan and activities that the tutor can practice at home and then bring back to share with small groups of children. Educationally sound strategies were conveyed to make our precious tutoring time a more focused and insightful exercise. Special thanks also to Mrs. Linda Whitley from Concordia Kirkwood for helping with the preparation of these zip lock bags.

Workshop Participants

As always, the tutors were motivated to not only stimulate better learning, but to also mentor the student in faith conversations with the focus on a promising vision for the future. Importantly, the workshop also served as an opportunity to meet, mingle and experience fellowship over a Potluck dinner.

The side conversations provided opportunities for all to share previous tutoring experiences – from the Peace center and elsewhere. So, inspired with Christ-centered love, these volunteer tutors prepared for the start of the new academic year which will begin on September 6. CFNA greatly values and appreciates the commitment to Christian service displayed by our volunteers, and prayerfully hopes many others will be led to join in sharing their God given talents with the New American students who have become part of the CFNA After School Tutoring Program.

Prepared by Rev. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

Back Pack Blessings!

Back Pack recipients and tutors

On Tuesday, August 16, more than 20 New American youngsters came to the CFNA Peace Center to receive book bags filled with school supplies. All of them are members of refugee families from Afghanistan, Nepal, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Nigeria and more. Each was thrilled to not only receive the book bags, but to meet their CFNA tutors as well.

Volunteers filling back packs

CFNA takes this opportunity to express its sincere thanks to Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood for their generous donation of bags and supplies. Additional bags were also received from the members of Timothy Lutheran Church, as well as from individual donors like Ed and Julainne Luhmann. Each bag was personally handed to each recipient by one of the numerous tutors in attendance. Additionally, words of hope and inspiration were provided by CFNA Chairman, Rev. Allan Buckman, followed by a prayer and a blessing by Mrs. Jennifer Janssen, one of the volunteer tutors. The highlight of the entire event was provided by the happy faces and joyful smiles of the students themselves, as they cheered each other on while each received their gift. Truly, the message of Christ’s love echoed throughout the entire event.

Thanks again to the generous members of Concordia Lutheran Church and all the others who contributed the book bags, school supplies, time and effort required to turn this event into a pleasant and happy reality.

Prepared by Rev. Stanish Stanley

Partners in Mission

ism Volunteers

ISM & CFNA

Their journey begins outside of this country, thousands of miles from St. Louis. They come here with very little and have few connections. But, there are two groups determined to greet them with the love of Christ and Christian hospitality. International Student Ministry-St. Louis (ISM) and CFNA have similar goals. Each, though working with different groups of internationals, prays that the light of Christ shines through them as they reach out to those that are new to the United States.

It is a blessing that at times, both ISM and CFNA work together to accomplish their goals. This happens throughout the year as they reach out to international students and those new to this land by providing a practical need: furniture.

CFNA collects furniture throughout the year in case new families arriving in this land need a bed, table, dishes or other items to furnish their home. ISM collects furniture in August to give to international students arriving in our city for the first time. Throughout the year, ISM refers individuals wanting to donate furniture to CFNA. But in July and August, CFNA refers donors to ISM. CFNA also encourages ISM to take any items they need for students from their storage area during the month of August.

ISM serves students that may only be in this country for a few years, and CFNA serves those that may be staying forever. Nevertheless, both realize this is an opportunity to do international missions right here in our own backyard. Both groups know that Jesus died for his children from every nation and they are blessed to work together to tell that good news!

By Sharon Riordan, Director, ISM St. Paul’s, Wildwood

Welcome Mariah!

Mariah mootz

We welcome our new Intern, Mariah Mootz, who is with us this fall as she completes her final semester at Saint Louis University. Mariah is working towards her BA in French and International Studies. She is a St. Louis native, however she has had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain.

While there, she volunteered with T-Oigo, an organization that partners Spanish-speaking children with hearing-loss and native English speakers, so they can have the opportunity to become bilingual despite their disabilities. Mariah volunteered with a young boy who had two cochlear implants. She taught him many things in English, his favorite subject being animals at the zoo.

Additionally, she has been working with international students for two years as the International Intern for Saint Louis University’s Office of Admission. Her job involves interacting with students from around the world and helping them discover the possibilities and opportunities that await them in St. Louis. We look forward to her working with us this fall!

Mariah is our first intern.  Please join us in welcoming her to CFNA!

Night with Neighbors

Actively Participating

“Pastor Stanish, can you please pick up my family and friends tomorrow so that I can go to the Church?” This was the immediate reply when I called Bariam Osman, a New American child from Eritrea. Bariam, together with her brothers and sisters, have been accessing the services offered at the CFNA Peace Center during the past couple of years.

Bariam’s desire was to participate in the “Night with Neighbors” outreach program organized by Christ Memorial Lutheran Church’s urban St. Louis satellite congregation, Reliant Church. Members worship Sundays at the Crave Coffee House located immediately adjacent to the campus of St. Louis University. This special neighborhood outreach ministry was offered each of the four Tuesdays in June. Bariam, who along with her friends and siblings, attended all of the events, wanted to go yet again even though the “Night with Neighbors” program had ended.

Bariam’s joy in being at Reliant Church is precisely the kind of response for which the pastor and Reliant members were hoping. Reliant’s “Night with Neighbors” was their unique way of reaching out to their neighbors in urban St. Louis with the message of Christ’s love and blessing. To accomplish this, volunteer drivers picked up refugee kids from CFNA, took them to the Church for the event, and then returned them to their homes.

Through their generous gift of time and effort, the members of Reliant impacted the lives of 15-20 New American kid and others living in the city, making them feel welcome and blessed.

Aluda Dabi, together with the members of her family, arrived in St. Louis a few years ago as refugees from Eritrea. At the conclusion of “Nights for Neighbors” her comment was – “it was so much fun, and we learned about Jesus.”

Fully engaged

Through teaching of Christian songs, sharing Bible based messages of hope in engaging ways, and providing numerous crafts and games, Reliant Church made Christ come alive in the lives of these New American kids – and others as well.CFNA greatly appreciates all of this, and gives thanks to Rev. Bobby Walston and the Reliant members for including these

New American kids from CFNA in this act of Christian love, acceptance and kindness.

By Rev. Dr. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

LWML Serving New Americans

Vbs

Recently I spent a weekend in a part of St. Louis that I’d never visited. Along with three other LWMLers, I visited the CFNA Peace Center from July 8-10 to complete a servant event for the LWML. What a fabulous day we had!

We ladies vacuumed, pulled weeds, washed windows, dusted blinds, cleaned pews, bathrooms, and organized supplies. Some ladies from Nepal, and Heart to Heart Sisters Ayni Workeneh from Ethiopia and Beena Stanley from India assisted with mopping and cleaning the kitchen area. During a break we spoke with a volunteer who is assisting Deborah from Democratic Republic of the Congo and Maya from Nepal with their English language and job search. They were using a Rosetta Stone program and Microsoft Word on the computers.

sweeping up

cleaning up the playground

Later that afternoon, after a much needed shower back at our lodging about 10 minutes away (and an ice cream at Ted Drewes), we went back for a fun time of VBS with about 30 New American children at the Peace Center. We used the same VBS resources used at my church, Good Shepherd Lutheran in Centralia, earlier this summer. The music DVD, followed by crafts, and the Jesus Cares storytelling lesson were well received by such happy children. We ended our workday with a delicious meal of Indian cuisine made by the Stanish family with some assistance by the YWRs. God is good!

That evening we stayed nearby at St. Trinity so we could worship at the Peace Center with the Nepalese group on Sunday morning. It was lovely to hear nearly 50 worshippers praise God in their native tongue.

Special thanks to the kind soul who would cross the aisle to show us the scripture reference in our Bibles so we could follow along.  We recognized the tune and actions to one of their praise hymns despite not knowing the words.

Certainly a lesson learned by us LWMLers had to do with how it feels to be in a setting where one does not know the language. We thank the Lord for this opportunity to serve and to meet the helpers and refugees at CFNA.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7

Submitted by Ann Seider Vice President of Special Focus Ministries Missouri District LWML

In Memory

henry Manu. January 7, 1998 Liberia to June 25, 2016, St. Louis, Mo

Henry and Samuel came to St. Louis as members of refugee families from Liberia.  Both were members of Timothy Lutheran Church and both families were associated with CFNA. Both of these young men dedicated their lives to Christ at an early age, and were active members of their church.

A junior at Lutheran High South, Henry was active in sports and respected as a student. Also active in sports and a student who took his studies to heart, Samuel attended Roosevelt High School in St. Louis.

Lost to us on Saturday, June 25 through a tragic swimming accident, Henry and Samuel are now with our Lord. 

We miss you both. You will be in our hearts forever!

YOUR FRIENDS AT CFNA!

Samuel neal. May 6, 1998, Pleebo city, liberia, to june 25, 2016, st. Louis, mo

Moving Beyond The Limit!

Enjoying fellowship

Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) is excited to announce that a new Ethiopian Evangelical Church of Mekane Yesus (EECMY) congregation has been planted in St. Louis, Missouri. Rev. Theodros (Teddy) Workeneh, an ordained minister of the EECMY and now a graduate student at Concordia Seminary, serves as the Pastor. He also serves as a Facilitator for CFNA.

The members of this congregation, usually referenced as the Ethiopian/Eritrean Bible Fellowship, held its first meeting at the CFNA Peace Center in April, 2015. It now meets at Zion Lutheran Church Maryland Heights, a congregation of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS). The relocation was very much driven by the fact that larger numbers of Ethiopians and Eritreans are now living in this area.

rev. workeneh standing second from the right, with fellowship members

Now in its foundation stage, the members of the Fellowship are very excited to see what the Lord is going to do! My vision is to transform the entire Ethiopian and Eritrean community in St. Louis and beyond through an exponential church planting movement led by catalytic leaders who bring others into a relationship with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This happened because of your support for CFNA, which also received substantial support for this effort from the National Mission Board of the LCMS. It is entirely true that planting a church is one of the most rewarding things you can do to advance the Kingdom of God. Nevertheless, this is a very challenging task, especially when you start from scratch among an emerging immigrant community. Therefore, pray for us and help us by all means to expand God’s Kingdom among these people.

By Rev. Theodros Workeneh

Contact Information:

• Pastor Theodros Workeneh - 314-688-6483

• Dr. Allan Buckman - 314-249-8340