Bath Time: Dog Wash Raises Money for Mission Trip

Whether they liked it or not, a couple of dozen dogs got a free bath, thanks to youth at Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood.

A bath and a treat were in store Saturday for four-legged visitors to Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood. Several dozen dogs were escorted through the "dog wash" -- whether they liked it or not. Organizer Sabine McDowell said some of the dogs liked their baths more than others. But it was all for a good cause -- donations were accepted for the church youth group's annual summer mission trip. Youth group members washed about 30 dogs Saturday, then towel dried them and sent them off with a treat bag. It was the second year in a row for the dog wash. McDowell said the event last year raised about $500 to help fund a trip to Minnesota, where the youth helped build a house for Habitat for Humanity.

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Lobsters Help Church Raise Money for Annie's Hope

This is the 10th year the Grace Episcopal Church has held "Lobsters on the Loose."

Thanks to hundreds of live lobsters that recently made a trek from Maine, members of Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood were able to raise $1,491 for Annie's Hope. This is the 10th year the church has held "Lobsters on the Loose," in which buyers place orders in June and pick up the lobsters (live or cooked) at Grace Episcopal. Church members recently prepared, cooked and wrapped the 328 Maine lobsters. They also sold classic lobster sides, corn-on-cob and new potatoes. The produce was donated by a local distributor, according to a statement from Grace Episcopal. Originally funds from "Lobsters on the Loose" went to the church's operating fund, but five years ago members turned the sale into an outreach project. “Over the past five years …

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Notable Neighbors

Going Green: Church Members Take the Lead

This week, Patch introduces you to Sabine McDowell, one of the organizers of a ministry aimed at greening up their church and their congregation.

When Sabine McDowell moved to the United States from her native Germany in 1994, she was appalled to find how little people seemed to care for God’s creation. At the grocery store, for instance, the bagger did not know what to make of the canvas bags she had brought with her. “The wonderful person who was bagging looked at my bags and then bagged them,” she remembered. McDowell realized Missourians needed a push to go green and she set out to give it. “God gave us this creation to enjoy it and not destroy it and we have to do our part,” she said. McDowell is doing her part. She helped organize a “green” ministry at Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood. The idea is to reduce the church’s carbon footprint – the destructive impact it has on the…

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Cindy Bambini

5:10 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Hi Sabine!! Long time no see! I am not surprised that you are leading this - taking care of the planet has always been God's plan! Congratulations on your success. Cindy   more ›