Newsletter
October / 3 / 2017
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard
Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
Transitional Leader

"Horror"  

   Horrific. Unimaginable. Frightful. Gruesome. These are some of the adjectives that describe the scenes from Las Vegas, as America experiences another mass shooting. Over the next several days we will hear about the background of the shooter, and what may have motivated him to commit such a heinous crime. We will hear about hotel security, change in open air concerts, and gun control.      Read on...
Our Presbytery - Our Work
    This week's additions to our prayer basket  ....    
   Let us lift these prayers up to the one who hears all and who loves all.

  • Please pray for the Nevada Presbytery, the city of Las Vegas, and all of those now mourning.
  • Please pray for those struggling to recover from natural disasters.
    Have a prayer you would like added to our basket ?    
   If so, click here to email us, and then please visit our prayer page often in unity and love of those who are listed there. 
Social Perspectives:
Voice from the Front

Rewriting The Rules


This is hard.

I get that. This conversation. All the emotions. Our cultural backgrounds and personal relationships histories and experiences and political leanings and theological positions. It makes it hard and complicated and difficult to talk about. But I have this little flicker of a vision or a dream or a hope that church could be the very place we can go and gather and discuss and debate the things that matter most to us, the passions of our hearts and the great questions of our spirits, and disagree and explore and learn and try, and still stay in relationship with one another. In my dream-vision-hope it is still hard, but it is good and gives us life and reeks of faithfulness and makes God proud.
Parish Paper
Now Available
Don't Forget to Pick up a 2017/18 Calendar!
ATTENTION: CLERKS OF SESSION
Session Records Review Dates Announced
Please plan to attend one of the following Session Records Review Session

Saturday, October 7 ~ 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
at Webster Groves Presbyterian


Saturday, October 21 ~ 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
at First United Presbyterian, Collinsville

Saturday, October 28 ~ 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
at Steelville Presbyterian

Pastors and Leaders of our Presbytery
Many pastors and leaders in our presbytery are affected by depression. The sad truth is that although they have the symptoms, they often don’t realize they have the illness. Our new worshiping community called Caritas, led by Rev. Johanna Wagner, has created a video to help. I would like all pastors and leaders to view this brief video https://youtu.be/Zf9O-B20n_I , and take the assessment recommended at the end.
Thanks, Craig
Attention College Students
Montreat College Conference
Registration Deadline is October 15
UKirk is off to the Montreat College Conference from January 1-6, 2018. Our trip is open to ALL college students from around the Presbytery. This year's conference theme is "Home" (link: http://www.montreat.org/college/ ) and features many wonderful preachers and speakers.
Your registration covers your transportation, housing, and most meals. Come encounter God in the mountains of Montreat with 1000+ other college students! An informational flyer and registration form is available for download here:  http://www.ukirkstl.org/annual-events.html
Upcoming Team Meetings @ Wednesday to Tuesday
(All Teams meet at the Presbytery Center, unless noted)
This Week....
Wed., Oct. 4
3:30 p.m. - COLA
Fri., Oct. 6
12:30 p.m. - Presbyterian Women
Tues., Oct. 10
10 a.m. - Finance
4 p.m. - Admin/Support


Next Week....
Wed., Oct. 11
3 p.m. - Com on Repres/Nomin
Thurs., Oct. 12
5 p.m. - Congregational Vibrancy
Tues., Oct. 17
1 p.m. - Mission & Outreach
Our Community Connected
TAKING ON RACISM: Foundational Concepts
Workshop hosted by the Anti-Racism Collective 
Sat., Oct. 7 ∙ 9 a.m.- 12:30 a.m.
Or Tues., Oct. 10 ∙ 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.

White Supremacy has been discussed nationally and locally from the Charlottesville protests to the St Louis Jason Stockley protests. This workshop will provide a "brave space" where white folks can support and challenge each other to better understand white privilege and institutional racism. 
• Explore the ways that we have been socialized in white privilege and supremacy.
• What is institutional racism, how does it function in our everyday lives, and how can we talk about it more effectively?
• Practice challenging racism in a supportive space.
Todd Wilson Organ Concert
Sun., Oct. 22 at 4:00 p.m.
One of today’s finest concert organists, Todd Wilson serves as head of the Organ Department at The Cleveland Institute of Music and as Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio. The concert includes Bach, Hancock, Widor, Reubke’s thrilling “Sonata on the 94th Psalm,” and an improvisation on the church’s 60-rank 1965 Schantz Organ.
Second Presbyterian Church is located at 4501 Westminster Place, Saint Louis, 63108 in the Central West End. The concert, part of the Couts Music Series, is free and open to all. For more information call 314-367-0367 or www.secondchurch.net.
She Shall be Called Woman
by Marie Holt
Marie Holt, a member of St. Mark Presbyterian Church released a new book recently, about the unnamed woman in the Bible.
Many women of the Bible have not been mentioned by name. Noah's wife was alluded to only as his spouse, but her role had to have been an important one. Noah must have desperately needed her by his side as together they forged into the unknown. Other women in the Bible were not mentioned at all although they must have been there. For example, the innkeeper's wife surely played a large role on that night in Bethlehem when Jesus was born.
Ms. Holt uses her vivid imagination to reach into the minds of some of these unnamed and unmentioned women. Their stories of fear, injustice, tragedy, courage, grace, and God's intervening love grip our imaginations and teach us timely principles.
Presbytery Wide - Middle School Retreat
Registration Deadline - October 20
   Experience a weekend at Mound Ridge Center, through the eyes of a Super Hero, on October 27-28. You can view the flyer here.
Halloween Trick or Trivia
Benefitting AMEN St.Louis
  This fun-tricked out event will take place on Friday, October 27th beginning at 7 p.m. at Oak Hill Presbyterian Church.
  . To purchase tickets, email Jillian Embrey at amenstlouis@gmail.com .
Religions of the World Tour
The History Team is presenting a tour of Religions of the World on Friday, November 10. The tour will begin at 8:30 a.m. Please see this flyer for more information.
  Presbyterians in Prison Ministry
  Have you ever considered participating in Prison Ministry? Commitment these ministry teams is NOT financial--it is relational, and it can be as simple as treating someone like a person again, claimed and beloved by God. Our Presbytery has currently fielded six teams.
 Start your research here:  Concordance Academy or contact the Rev. John Harrison by email here .

art-event.jpg
Maryland Heights Presbyterian Church
Arts & Crafts Fair
This holiday shopping event will be held on Saturday, October 7, from 9 a.m.- 2p.m., and more information can be found here.
Ministry Postings
    Administrative Assistant for Member Care
& Music Ministry
Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church is looking for an Administrative Assistant to support our Member Care and Music Ministries. The ideal candidate will be experienced in using Microsoft Office Suite Skills and be proficient in using database oriented software packages; Successful candidates will be personable with excellent customer service skills; be committed to being a team player; possess highly developed organization skills with a strong attention to detail; and, be able to work independently while achieving desired results.
  The position is full-time. Interested candidates should send their resumes to 9450 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Mo, 63124, Attn: Administrative Assistant Search, or email their resume to mail@laduechapel.org .
Youth Activity Coordinator
First Presbyterian Church of Edwardsville, IL, is seeking an enthusiastic, part-time Youth Activity Coordinator who will provide an engaging youth ministry program for Middle School and High School Youth. 
The main focus of the position would be to initiate, organize, and carry out faith based activities for our Middle School and High School youth. Hours are somewhat flexible, but would total approximately 10 hours per week for 45 weeks at approximately $23/ hour.
The applicant should be a team player with good organizational and interpersonal skills who is also able to work comfortably within the Christian theology and practices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).
Our church will be moving into a new building in January. If you are interested in this launch position, please submit your resume or letter of interest to Kathy@fpcedw.org 
Interested persons, please read the position description found here.
    Small Congregation Seeking Pastor
Small congregation seeking part-time pastor. This community is in the western area of the Presbytery, approximately a one hour drive west of St. Louis.
  Interest parties, please read the position description, found here , and then email the Clerk of Session, Cindy Koppelmann, at ckoppelmann@dutchmen.us.