Newsletter
August / 21 / 2018
Hiding in Plain Sight
Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard
Transitional Leader of
Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

Earlier this year, I purged the files in my office as part of our move. As I began to go through the hundreds of folders, binders, and files, I was amazed at the good and thorough work the volunteers and staff of the presbytery had done. In many cases, I was able to trace back the origins of a decision or policy, which we now take for granted. I found answers to many questions and used some of the documents to begin plotting a course for the future of the presbytery. 
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket Update
  • Please pray for those who are displaced and struggling, from the California
What's Happening? Did you know?

  • The Presbyterian Mission Agency has created a scholarship fund to honor the name and legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon, a pioneer and legend in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Cannon, a leading voice in the subjects of womanist theology and women in religion and society, was a renowned lecturer on theological and ethical topics and the author or editor of numerous articles and seven books, including Katie’s Canon: Womanism and the Soul of the Black Community and Black Womanist Ethics. Read the complete article here.
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Upcoming Team Meetings - Locations Listed
(Wednesday to Tuesday)
PLEASE NOTE: The Oaks Conference Room (Oaks) and St. Andrews Conference Room (St. Andrews) are both located at the new Presbytery office, 1001 Craig Rd., Suite 170, St. Louis, MO 63146,
(Oaks) is on the first floor (St. Andrews) is on the second floor. Directions can be found here.
(Ladue) refers to Ladue Chapel, 9450 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, MO 63124. Directions can be found here.
This Week....
Thurs., Aug. 23
Presbytery Gathering
(First-Edwardsville)
10 a.m. - Pre-Session (Neighborhood Walk)
11 a.m. - Pre-Session (Personnel Training)
12:30 p.m. - Gathering Registration
Mon.., Aug. 27
1 p.m. - Dismantl Racism/Privilege (Ladue)

Next Week:
No Meetings Scheduled
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Mon., Sept. 3 - (Labor Day)
Presbytery Office Closed
It's Session Records Review Time
The Stated Clerk is responsible for the review of session records (Minutes, Rolls and Registers) on behalf of the presbytery. The Book of Order requires sessions to have their session and congregational minutes, rolls and registers reviewed by presbytery annually. For information about what is needed at the review, please visit https://www.glpby.org/resources/session-records-review/
The dates selected for review are:
  • Saturday, September 22 - 10 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Washington. Directions can be found here.
  • Saturday, October 20 - 2 p.m. - Location To Be Announced
  • Saturday, October 27 - 10 a.m. - Location To Be Announced
If you have any questions, or concerns, please contact Stated Clerk, Rev. Joy Myers at [email protected] or by calling 314-772-2395.
Presbytery August Gathering - Thurs., Aug. 23
There will be two Pre-Sessions offered and we encourage all Congregations, within the presbytery, to send representatives to either or both.
Presbyterian Women Welcome your help!
The Presbyterian Women of Giddings-Lovejoy are seeking cleaning supplies to send to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in their support of victims of natural disasters. They will be collecting these supplies at the August Presbytery Gathering. If you can help support this mission, please see the information flyer here.
Our Community Connected
Trivia Night Fundraiser
Elm Street Presbyterian Church, located at 101 West Elm Street, Alton, IL 62002, will host a Trivia night on Saturday, August 25, 2018, beginning at 7:00 p.m. There will be allowed up to 8 players per table $20.00 per person. This is a family-friendly fundraiser, so no alcohol will be allowed. Outside snacks are allowed, and soda & popcorn will be provided. For reservations call Marj at 618-466-5421 or 618-225-0408.
History Team Highlights: First Presbyterian, Kirkwood
In September of 1854, a presbytery committee and seven local Presbyterians met in the home of the Singletons at 306 North Woodlawn in Kirkwood to form the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood. Henry and Marsenia Singleton built their home and a barn in 1853. The first church services were held in their home and then moved to a log school house across the street from the current church at 100 East Adams Avenue. In 1856, a small brick church was constructed next to the current church and facing Webster Avenue (now Kirkwood Road). It sat in a grove of oak trees with a white picket fence. A cemetery was located behind this church on Adams Avenue. A new stone church was built in 1888 and the bodies in the cemetery were relocated to what is now Forever Oak Hill Cemetery. The first regular pastor was Dr. John Warner, a chaplain at the Battle of Gettysburg, who served from 1867 – 1894.
Celebrate 200 Years of
Saint Charles Presbyterian Church
Founders' Day 2018 - Sunday, August 26
Celebrate the 200th year of Saint Charles Presbyterian Church! Arrive for registration at 8:00 a.m. found in the Java for Jesus area, and stay and enjoy activities and fellowship for everyone throughout the day!
Worship will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by a lunch. Please call the church office to register for lunch at (636) 946-4467 . Participate in activities and celebration until the Service of Thanksgiving and the dedication of the new window at 3 p.m. You will be inspired, and the day will be a wonderful way to celebrate the birthday of the church! The church is located at 131 Gamble St, St Charles, MO 63301. Learn more about the St. Charles Presbyterian Church here.
75th Anniversary Celebration
Affton Presbyterian Church welcomes all to celebrate with them, the 75th Anniversary of their church. There will be a celebratory worship service beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 16, followed by a luncheon. Please call 314-631-9217 for more information and to register for lunch. Learn more about the congregation here.
Ivory Perry Park Concert
Working To Bridge the Delmar Divide
The final concert for this year will be held on Sunday, August 26 and will feature one of the best blues bands in the St. Louis area. Skeet Rodgers & The Inner City Blues Band stars vocalists Sandra Carter and Charles "Skeet" Rodgers who are greatly inspired by the harmonics the band expresses.
This event is sponsored by UC Ministries, supported by member congregation, Westminster Presbyterian – St. Louis. For more information visit www.UCMinistries.com or call (314)367-2112.
Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering Date Set
You can participate in Presbyterian Women of the Giddings-Lovejoy Presbyery, by attending their Fall Gathering on September 29 th at John Knox Presbyterian Church. Directions can be found here. 
Registration for the event can be found here.
Are you interested in Presbyterian Women, but have questions? Please email Cindy Fieg, Giddings-Lovejoy Presbyterian Women Moderator here.
Educational & Missional Opportunities
Underground Railroad Bus Tour
The Presbytery History Team is pleased to announce its 2018 bus tour featuring the Underground Railroad in the St. Louis and Alton areas. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 7. Please join the Team on this journey along the covert network that led fugitive slaves to freedom. We will see Old Des Peres Presbyterian Church, Nathanial Hanson House, Elijah Lovejoy Monument and Grave, College Avenue Presbyterian Church and the Old Rock House, as we learn the history of this important, but neglected, humanitarian effort. We will enjoy a delicious lunch at a favorite Alton restaurant. Full details can be found here.
Kaleidoscope Conference is Fast Approaching
September 24 - 26, 2018
St. Louis, MO Hilton St. Louis Frontenac
Stewardship Kaleidoscope is an annual conference offering excellent plenary speakers, informative workshop leaders, provocative worship experiences, and incredible networking opportunities for all who are passionate about stewardship and generosity.
Complete details can be found here.
Current Ministry Position Openings
Accompanist Needed
Washington Presbyterian
P/T Treasurer
Cote Brilliante Presbyterian
Communications Coordinator
Webster Groves Presbyterian
Part-Time Music Dir.
First Presbyterian - Ferguson
Children's Music Director
St. Mark Presbyterian