Weekly News
December 28, 2025
Rev. Rebecca’s Note - Devotionals: Not Detestable
If church is a place for confession, well, this may be as good a place as any to confess - I don’t like the word “devotion” or “devotional” or any variant thereof, honestly, in relation to Christian publications. It puts me in mind of 50s do-wop music (not that there’s anything wrong with that music!), and seems like a precursor to the “Jesus or God is my boyfriend” contemporary Christian music that sentimentalizes the relationship between us and God - and, well, let’s just say that my relationship with them is quite a bit more authentic than that and therefore not super sentimental. And while as a Christian I’m hesitant to use the word “hate” in relation to anything, somehow “strong dislike” doesn’t seem to be truly descriptive of my feelings on those words .
However, what’s a word for modern theological works that have a little bit of scripture and someone’s thoughtful reflection about said scripture along with their own life experience? Oh. OH. Yeah, that’s right, it’s a devotional. Can I roll my eyes any harder than I already am? Can I name them something else? The problem with that, though, is that “devotional” is a readily recognized word and genre within Christian terminology, so if I went off on my own path with this, I’d be reinventing a wheel that most people have no problem with. This sounds, therefore, like it’s a me problem - which it’s good to know the difference between what’s mine vs someone else’s problem to work on! (Healthy boundaries, you know.)
Thankfully I’m at least open enough to not dismiss an entire body of literature just because I don’t like its name, and so when I went looking for womanist Christmas resources, I gratefully stumbled onto Starry Black Night: A Womanist Advent Devotional (which includes scriptural passages for not only Advent, but also the actual Christmas season - the 12 days beginning on Christmas Day) on the Unbound site, a PCUSA site that has several devotionals and other resources with a liberative bent to them. This one was published in 2020, when COVID was very thoroughly raging. In 2025 it has felt like everything’s raging, and so I appreciate its contents all the more poignantly.
Also, if there’s one lesson I’ve taken away from womanist theology, it’s that Black women are survivors in the midst of conditions that could bowl over anyone. While the Christian story is always ultimately about love and hope, sometimes those things can seem like abstract concepts. What I love about womanist theology is that its stories of survival, resilience, and justice bring all these things to gritty life, which these days seems to me more helpful than narratives that try too hard to harmonize things.
As Christian Brooks says in “1st Mid-Week Christmas Devotional,”
“As a child my grandmother always told me ‘Never lose your faith. Without faith you can’t fight.’ I never really understood what she meant until now. For the Black woman, our faith has been a conduit for justice and liberation. It is by our faith that we have been able to fight against the systems of oppression that sought to destroy us. It is by our faith that we’ve overcome the middle passage, enslavement, Jim Crow, mass incarceration, police brutality, misogyny and more! Our faith is grounded in Jesus Christ, the promised messiah, who came into the world to “execute justice and righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:5) Jesus came so that all humanity might be set free from the yoke of oppression.
As we reflect on the Black woman’s fight for liberation in this season of Christmas, we are reminded that they followed Jesus’ model to disrupt systems of injustice. We are called to do the same. Just as the many Black women before us, we must continue Jesus’ mission for justice and liberation.”
As a white woman, I can’t know on the same visceral level of what Ms. Brooks speaks. My ancestors did not know or need to overcome what her ancestors did; nor have I had to deal with the racism that white people continue to perpetuate, as she undoubtedly has. I must say, though, that I find reading her words in the time of Trump’s second term as President a blessing, as we continue to resist the unloving, unholy, increasingly unhinged things happening almost a year into what this unethical administration has wrought. Thank you, Ms. Brooks, for sharing these still-timely, still-inspirational thoughts with us, reminding us what real faith looks like, as well as helping me to appreciate devotionals. Merry continuing Christmas!
- Rev. Rebecca
The Board’s Note - Intro & Next Online Group
Introducing an occasional note from the Board of TPA, this article explains our role and introduces the next Online Spiritual Group, which will start this coming Sunday, January 2nd, at 6pm. As the church Moderator I (Rev. Regan) lead board meetings, prepare agendas, and work closely with Rev. Rebecca on certain items that come up. I am also the representative for the online community. We also have a Vice Moderator, Secretary, Director of Finance, and Director of Library. They all contribute, in big and small ways, to TPA’s vision and future. We helped with the papers for tax-free status, by-laws and procedures, and reviewing the lease for the space we have. Those in person also helped with viewing properties, cleaning, and moving in and unpacking - which the Eliceiri family has been doing much of in their spare time. YAY for the Pastor’s family! We have plans to map out the coming year in 2026, so share your ideas with Rev. Rebecca soon.
- Moderator - Regan Saoirse, MDiv
- Vice Moderator - Pat Jackson, Elder
- Secretary - Anthony Pulliam, Elder and Lay Minister
- Director of Finance - Suzi Goldt, MDiv
- Director of Library - Jane Torres, MLS
The Winter Online Spiritual Group, Learning to Be, will go on until Lent. You are welcome to join us anytime, for one or for all seven. They will have a brief spiritual practice, a video of the author reflecting on an idea for us to discuss and reflect upon together.
| Join us on Sunday Nights at 6 pm or Fridays at noon For the Online Spiritual Group about Learning to Be Sign Up Here for the Link! |
This seven-session film series, based on the teachings of Juanita Rasmus from her book Learning to Be, (no need to buy or read the book) invites viewers on a transformative journey through the depths of self-discovery, spiritual awakening, and emotional healing. Each session uncovers a new facet of the process of becoming—becoming who we are meant to be in the eyes of the Divine. Through vulnerability, grace, and profound insights, Juanita leads us into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. See the Sign Up Link in the above box! We will also post online and here weekly. The sooner you sign up, the sooner you'll get the link to join us - just in case. See you on Sunday!
What’s Next
| Dec 28 - Jan 3 | Daily Bible Reading Exodus 13-14 - 25-26 |
| Sun, Jan 4, 6pm Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to BeJoin us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
| Fri, Jan 9, noon Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to BeJoin us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
| Fri, Jan 9, 6:30pm Power Creative 3221 Oak Hill Ave., StL, 63116 | Compton Heights Christian Church Open Mic Nightbring your talent and your fam and friends to an appreciative audience! |
| Sat, Jan 10, 12:30pm Think+Pray+Act 2723 S Jefferson Ave, StL, 63118 | T+P+A Gatheringlunch, Epiphany: following that yonder star |
| Sun, Jan 11, 5-6:30pm Amen House 4111 Connecticut St,StL 63116 | South City Youth Group KickoffMiddle schoolers and high schoolers are invited to come enjoy fun activities and pizza |
| Sun, Jan 11, 6pm Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to BeJoin us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
| Sun, Jan 18, 6pm Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to BeJoin us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
| Fri, Jan 16, noon Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to BeJoin us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
| Mon, Jan 19, 6:30-8pm Online REGISTER | MCU Annual Membership MeetingAs a MCU member congregation let’s be a part of determining what MCU does in 2026! |
| Fri, Jan 23, noon Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to BeJoin us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
| Sat, Jan 24, 12:30pm Think+Pray+Act 2723 S Jefferson Ave, StL, 63118 | T+P+A Gatheringlunch, worship, activity in community |
| Sun, Jan 25, 5-6:30pm Amen House 4111 Connecticut St,StL 63116 | South City Youth Group meetingMiddle schoolers and high schoolers are invited to come enjoy fun activities and pizza |
| Sun, Jan 25, 6pm Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to BeJoin us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
| Fri, Jan 30, noon Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to BeJoin us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
South City Youth Group Kickoff Meeting
Do you know that Think+Pray+Act is part of the South City Youth Group with Compton Heights Christian Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, and Oak Hill Presbyterian Church? The youth group’s first meeting is on January 11 from 5-6:30pm at Amen House at Oak Hill Presbyterian Church, 4111 Connecticut Ave, StL!
MCU Annual Membership Meeting
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it’s rough out there right now. Institutions and public services and benefits we’ve grown up with and may have taken for granted have been simply decimated. Democracy is not a spectator sport, and while we can’t do everything, we can do something - especially at the local level.
And by being a member congregation of MCU, we are doing something - we are part of a network of 30+ congregations who are working together to build people power for justice in the St. Louis area.
As a member congregation of Metropolitan Congregations United, we have the opportunity and responsibility to attend their Annual Membership Meeting, which will be held on January 19 at 6:30pm - MLK Day - to organize for change in 2026! Hope you can make it - if you can, please register HERE
Think+Pray+Act in Space and Times
As we continue to get settled into our new space at 2723 S Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118, we appreciate your continued prayers. We’ve been getting required inspections done, putting books on the shelves and getting the rest of the space in order, and learning more about the Benton Park, Benton Park West, and other surrounding neighborhoods, and listening for their needs.
Please stop by and visit during our open hours and join us for our 2nd and 4th Saturday 12:30pm gatherings:
Mon - Thurs: 2-6pm
Fri: 2-4:30pm
2nd and 4th Saturdays: noon-3pm
Supporting the Prophetic Call of Think+Pray+Act
We are passionate at Think+Pray+Act about being and building the future of church: intellectually honest Christianity that takes the Bible too seriously to take it literally, prays like we mean it, and leans into genuine and authentic community through being together and working together to build powerful change in the community. We have moved to a new location at 2723 S Jefferson Ave, which in addition to giving us space to host our regular gatherings and the People’s Theological Library, also allows us to host regular groups and activities for our spiritual well-being, including building spiritual growth and community through things like writing, arts and crafts, and music.
Like any worthwhile endeavor these things happen through intentional work and commitment - through your presence, ideas, and financial gifts. As we reach the end of this year, would you prayerfully consider blessing Think+Pray+Act with your presence at our gatherings or other activities, or a financial gift? For financial support, we are able to take checks and online payments to Venmo, Paypal, and Cash App. Thank you very much for however you can be a part of Think+Pray+Act’s work to build and reveal the kindom of God!
If you’re not on our email list and would like to be, please join us HERE
Have newsletter items? Please email them to [email protected] by Fridays at 4pm
© Think+Pray+Act
2723 S Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118
[email protected] / 314-690-1693
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