St. Louis, MO

(314) 771-9657 | stlouismvs.blogspot.com

Service
The St. Louis MVS unit dates from the early '70s. Volunteer assignments include work with children and youth at Edgewood Children's Center and Taproots School of the Arts; assisting the manager of Plowsharing Crafts, a self-help crafts store; environmental activism and education in cooperation with the Missouri Coalition for the Environment and the Missouri Energy Resources project; Habitat for Humanity; peace work, which includes development of the St. Louis Peace Center, with a focus on conflict mediation in families, churches and schools. The St. Louis Peace Center can be reached at (314) 533-3550.

MVS Application To apply for one of the service opportunities below, complete an online application, or print and mail a PDF application (Adobe Reader required) and send it to: Mennonite Mission Network ATTN: Human Resources 500 S. Main P.O. Box 370 Elkhart, IN 46515-0370

Location
St. Louis became the hub for western expansion of the United States in the 1800s, a major role that has been recognized with the building of the Gateway Arch. St. Louis proper has a population of about 400,000, with 3 million in the metropolitan area. The city has seen significant urban flight to the suburbs by affluent whites and African Americans. However, much effort in the past several decades has gone into restoring confidence in downtown St. Louis, and people are beginning to move back into the city. The racial population is generally white and African American, with other groups represented in much smaller numbers.

St. Louis has the second largest urban park in the United States, Forest Park, which was the site of the 1904 World's Fair. Several buildings have been retained from that event and house some of the following free attractions: St. Louis Art Museum, History Museum, Jewel Box (a plant conservatory), St. Louis Science Center, St. Louis Zoological Park, and the Muny (outdoor theater). St. Louis also has professional sports teams (football, baseball, hockey, indoor soccer), a botanical garden and numerous festivals. The fine arts are well represented in the St. Louis Symphony, many theaters and the opera.

St. Louis is located on the western shore of the Mississippi River, just south of where the Missouri joins the Mississippi. Summer temperatures can reach the upper 90s, with high humidity. Winter days can be as cold as 0. In general, the temperatures are moderate; spring and fall are pleasant; and St. Louis experiences little severe weather such as snowstorms or tornados.

Church
St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship is the supporting congregation for the St. Louis MVS unit. The fellowship consists of about 30 families, many with preschool and elementary school aged children. Membership includes individuals from "ethnic Mennonite" background as well as those from other Christian traditions. SLMF is a progressive group whose members participate in an annual retreat to renew the covenant membership commitment. The fellowship supports a paid pastor and shares space with another church; it has never owned its own building. Worship style is informal and inclusive.

The MVS Support Committee members all attend St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship. The committee meets monthly with the unit to discuss issues within the church community that affect the unit, to provide assistance with unit operation in general, and to provide interpersonal support. A Local Program Coordinator (LPC) provides committee leadership and is the contact person for the MVS office.