Transfiguration Lutheran – “Community Now”

We often share stories of how God is at work through ministries in the St. Louis area, focusing on the successes of outreach programs and events. And though these are inspiring, and cause for celebration, we also want to showcase those who are taking BOLD steps towards becoming more service-minded. No matter where you are in the ministry process, we are excited to see how God is moving!

Shirley Jackson is a member at Transfiguration Lutheran Church in downtown, St. Louis. Formerly their Evangelism Chair, she now acts as the Board of Properties Chair and is a Community Advocate. She remembers a day when Transfiguration had a more vibrant presence in the neighborhood, but today, with 95% of the congregation commuting from outside communities, there’s been a decline in community engagement.

With the help of Shirley’s enthusiasm, Transfiguration Lutheran Church is getting more involved in outreach. On the 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays of every month, they open their doors with a food pantry – supported through the generosity/donations of churches like Holy Cross – Creve Coeur, St. Thomas Holy Spirit, and St. Paul – Des Peres. They also volunteer with Gateway 180 in the fight against hunger and homelessness, providing brown bag lunches and engaging in Thanksgiving Day activities with residents. Currently, they are exploring a possible partnership with Trinity Chesterfield and Gateway 180 to mentor mothers through the Walking Together program, as well as possibly working with the Lutheran Community Center that will be run out of their building.

As they continue to explore other ministry opportunities, Shirley’s prayer and passion is to see Transfiguration grow even deeper in their desire to get more involved in the community – that the building wouldn’t just be open on Sunday mornings, but that the building would be filled with life, and that the church would bring Life into the community. So, to inspire her congregation to be even more community-minded, Shirley participated in the 9Lab film-making class offered by Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis this past spring. Her film project, “Community Now,” stresses the importance of community engagement!