E-Newsletter
September / 12 / 2017
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard
Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
Transitional Leader

"Change"  


    Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” Genesis 12:1
 
  The only person who like change is a wet baby!  Mark Twain
 
   I believe the future of our denomination can be seen in our individual congregations. We have congregations of different sizes, different geographic locations, and different levels of wealth. We have some congregations where you have to wade through the children to get to the pulpit, and other congregations where there are no children present.      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 those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, as well as those by the wildfires raging in the Western United States. You can help in financial prayer here.
  • Please pray for Kathy Landis and family, in the sudden loss of her brother Bob Manker.
    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. 
 Caritas Presbyterian Fellowship
Sat., Sept. 16 - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
  Learn in person, or by viewing a live stream, about the genetics and environmental factors that increase a person's risk for mental health issues. Follow here for more information and to register.

Parish Paper
Now Available
Upcoming Team Meetings @ Wednesday to Tuesday
(All Teams meet at the Presbytery Center, unless noted)
This Week....
Thurs., Sept. 14
5 p.m. Congregational Vibrancy
Tues., Sept. 19
1 p.m. Mission & Outreach






Next Week....
Thurs., Sept. 21
9:30 a.m. - History Team
10 a.m. - Stewardship
1 p.m. - Social Witness
4 p.m. - Vision Team
6:30 p.m. - Prep/Ministry
Mon., Sept. 25
2 p.m. - Dismantling Racism/Privilege (Ladue Chapel)
Our Community Connected
Celebrating 200 Years!
Free Community Picnic
and Open House
  First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis, in honor of turning 200 this November, will be hosting a FREE community picnic and open house. Join them, so we can all celebrate this momentous on Saturday, September 23 from 3-7 p.m. We have made plans for all ages.   See complete details here .  To see the life and amazing gifts of this congregation, please visit their website here .
Halloween Trick or Trivia
Benefitting AMEN St.Louis
  This fun and tricked out event will take place on Friday, October 27th at Oak Hill Presbyterian Church, 4111 Connecticut Ave., St Louis, Missouri. There wil be a 50/50 Raffle, Silent Auction, Prizes for Best Costume and Best Decorated Table, and all the spookiest trivia you can handle! Bring your own food and beverages ( alcohol permitted ), pizza and drinks available for purchase.
  Join us and have a ghoulishly good time! Tickets are $25 individually or $160 for a table of 8. Doors open at 6, trivia begins at 7. To purchase tickets, email Jillian Embrey at amenstlouis@gmail.com .
Presbytery Wide - Middle School Retreat
   Experience a weekend at Mound Ridge Center, through the eyes of a Super Hero. Using scriptures found in Joshua and Esther, we will identify the super hero that lives inside of us and others. You can view the flyer here , and then please contact one of organizing team below and they will provide you with more information on this SuperHero Weekend at Mound Ridge.
  Kaitie Kautz at kkautz@firstunitedpres.org
   Mel Smith at msmith@laduechapel.org
  Katie Sternhagen at ksternhagen@discoverstmark.org
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 .

Celebrating 61 Years of Worship, Fellowship & Ministry at Cote Brilliante
  Join Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 17, 2017 for regular worship at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. will continue in an Anniversary Musical Celebration with invited musical guests.
  All are welcome to join in worship and praise of Almighty God for this dynamic ministry.
2017 ST. LOUIS CROP WALK AND CONCERT
 
  The 2017 St. Louis CROP Walk and Concert will be Sunday, October 1 at Eden Seminary, 475 E. Lockwood Ave. in Webster Groves, starting at 5:30 pm with registration/check-in/walking, followed by the CROP Concert at 7:00 pm. 
  Register, create a team, and/or donate at www.crophungerwalk.org/saintlouismo
Questions? Contact Clint McCann at cmccann@eden.edu or 314-395-5826.
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.
Educational Opportunities
Lutheran School of Theology
Continuing Education Fall Classes Offered
   Lutheran School of Theology is a ministry of St. Louis ELCA congregations. Established in 1995; LST offers unique learning opportunities for lay people, professional church workers, and  candidates for theological degrees.
Among the offerings at LST are courses in biblical studies, systematic theology, religious education, church history, ecumenism, and church leadership. To see what is being offered this fall, click here .
Prepare the Way
An Advent Preparation Workshop
for Clergy & Musicians
 This workshop, held at the Mercy center from October 2-4, will be led by Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III and Paul Vasile, and will be exploring the prophetic and poetic power of the Advent and Christmas seasons at this dynamic Worship Planning Retreat. Held at the Mercy Center, more information and to register, please click here.
Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering

   Mark your calendars for the Presbyterian Women of Giddings-Lovejoy fall gathering. The theme is “Cloud of Witnesses” and will take place on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at New Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Charles, Missouri from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Rev. Joy Meyers will present the Fall bible study to all in attendance. Lunch is available for a small fee of $10 per person.
  The registration deadline is Friday, September 15, 2017. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ann Schmidt at 636-699-2142. Registration for the gathering can be found on page 4 of this month’s Linkletter, which can be found here.
  E4 Faith Formation Conference
Educate-Empower-Energize-Engage

   The 2017 E4 Faith Formation Conference will be held October 22-24, 2017 at the Embassy Suites in Kansas City, Mo. More information can be found here .
  Blessing the Waters of Life: Justice and Healing for Our Watersheds

 The national biennial conference, held September 26-29, 2017,  of Presbyterians for Earth Care will focus on water issues at the nexus of faith, climate change and indigenous people.  Continue here.    
TIPS FOR LIVING "GREEN"
   Use pitchers and glasses for serving water
   Many churches are finding that going back to pitchers, large coolers, and individual cups are a better way to quench thirst without all the pitfalls of bottled water.
   ("Tips" are provided by the Earth Care Action Team of presbytery, composed of representatives of the seven certified Earth Care Congregations in the presbytery. For more info about being an Earth Care Congregation, contact carletonstock@aol.com .) 
Ministry Postings
    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.