1980 Through 1989

(These accounts of Unity's past come from the parish archives and have been assembled by Carolyn Altepeter.)

The January 1980 communicant membership was 435, with 517 baptized souls.

In January 1980 our second Vietnamese family, a Chinese family, occupied much of our time and attention. We share their resettlement with Grace Lutheran Church, Pagedale. The nine members of the Lam family arrived in St. Louis the second week of January 1980 and lived at 8705 Natural Bridge in a house owned by Marilyn and George Oonk. During the first month they were here, we discovered Mrs. Lam was going to have a baby in May. The children spoke little English so their school enrollment, immunizations and home tutoring became a major part of Unity's and Grace's time. MANY people were involved in one way or another with the family. Mr. Lam also spoke little English so he was driven to English classes at the International Institute and then had to be found a job. The family had become a part of our lives as well as our hearts. The Lams moved to Arlington, Texas to live with other family members in September 1985.

August 2, 1981 Unity's chancel was again renovated. This time the altar was moved from the back wall to free standing, the pulpit and lectern were moved closer to the side walls, thus opening up the chancel area. The first two rows of pews were removed and communicants received the Sacrament on the nave floor. New carpeting was installed in the chancel and down the nave aisles. The work was completed in six weeks using Unity's volunteer staff.

Unity's membership in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod ended in 1978 and we became a member of the newly formed Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. In 1982 three national Lutheran church bodies (the American Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church in America and Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches) voted at their 1982 conventions for Lutheran union. In 1989 this union formed the new Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Unity Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated its 50th anniversary October 10 through November 7, 1982 with various events during those five weeks.

During the mid-1980s Unity and Faith in Cool Valley shared mid-week Lenten and Advent services. We also shared joint ministries and confirmation classes.

In May 1987 the Word and Witness Ministry, in an effort to share Unity's activities with the community, began publishing a quarterly newsletter, CommUnity, to be mailed into homes in the 63121 zip code. This newsletter had a very professional look and continued until 1992.

At a May 20, 1987 general assembly meeting it was resolved to withdraw from the Concord Lutheran School Association effective June 1988. This must have been a very emotional issue as the vote was 26 in favor of withdrawal, 20 against withdrawal and 3 abstentions. Unity continued to provide financial support to Concord for three more years.

On September 18, 1988 Peter Nettling began sharing his talents with Unity's congregation as organist and music director.

This series continues next month.