10 Things I Learned Moving

the Presbytery Office

Blog post by the Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

Transitional Leader

[email protected]

1.       Change is not easy. There is an emotional level to change that I did not count on. I feel sadness leaving the old building space. So much ministry was done on Tower Grove, and so many lives have been affected. As I’ve read through files, I’ve seen the evidence of strategic planning, hand written ideas that have become policy and structure, and the giftedness of those who serve the presbytery as volunteers and staff. Continue here to read on. 

The Presbytery Office is Moving Through Next Week

In transition, we ask that you call or email requests/information during that week, until we are established at our new home at 1001 Craig Rd., Suite 170, St. Louis, Missouri, 63141-5200 on Monday, April 2. Thank you for your patience during this time. Our phone number will remain (314) 772-2395. Want to send an email, but not sure to whom? Simply use: [email protected]

Welcome

Rev. Karl Hauser

Newly Installed Pastor of

Southminster Presbyterian Church

Crestwood, Missouri

May God to continue to bless your ministry.

Presbytery History on the Move

1807 General Assembly Minutes

The Presbytery of Giddings – Lovejoy History Team is pleased to announce that the General Assembly Minutes from 1807 on are now housed at the Mercantile Library and are available for research there. The Mercantile Library is located at 1 University Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63121. Directions can be found here . Information for the library can be found on their website, which can be found here.

Courageous Conversations

On Thursday, March 15th, Interfaith Partnership hosted our Annual Meeting for members and friends. Following the meeting, we engaged with a program called "Courageous Conversations," led by Rev. Robert Chase. His recently published book Beyond the Comma: Life at the Intersection provided a helpful framework for a dialogue inching us past our current abilities, toward dialogue that feels more authentic and more compassionate. Read more here.

Program Grants for Summer 2018

  There are Presbytery funds to conduct summer programs available to member churches and social agencies in relationship with the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. The funds will be awarded through an application process directed by the Mission and Outreach Ministry Team. 

The purpose of the grants is to provide opportunities for summer Christian education and witness, personal growth, and recreation to children and adults in communities of need. The deadline for applying is April 6. Full details, along with application, can be found here.

Nicaragua Mission Trip 2018

There will be an informational meeting on Saturday, March 31 at 10 a.m. hosted by Webster Groves Presbyterian Church for the planned Nicaragua Mission Trip, scheduled for July 21-29 of this year.

Full details can be found here.

Get away to

Mound Ridge this Summer…

Experience a ‘thin space’ of rest, rejuvenation, recreation and renewed connection to your family and God. Summer 2018 at Mound Ridge Retreat Center offers a transforming experience for individuals, groups and families within the breathtaking quiet beauty of our Missouri Foothills and Meramec River. Find your camp experience here.

Top 10 Reasons to Take in a GA223 Mission Tour or two (even if you live in St. Louis) 

Click here to see why you should take a tour

Register today for one or more Mission & Cultural Tours by visiting ga-pcusa.org to review the Schedule of Events . When you know the tour(s) you wish to take and the time/cost, click on the Tour Tickets Only folder to purchase them. Enjoy seeing St. Louis! 

St. Louis Is as Welcoming as It Is Budget-Friendly

The city has all you could want — museums, green spaces, good music and exciting new restaurants — plus that distinct Midwestern friendliness.

Read the full post here.

Singers needed for massed choir at

General Assembly

Opening Worship Service

We are forming a choir from churches within the presbytery to sing at the opening worship service of GA223 on Saturday, June 16 at America’s Center (the convention center) in downtown St. Louis. This choir will be conducted by Bill Stein (First, Kirkwood) and the organists will be Andy Peters (Second PC) and Shawn Portell (Webster Groves PC). The choir will also be accompanied by musicians from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. The sheet music for the singers will be provided (at no cost to the individual churches) by the COLA. The expectation is that choirs will prepare the music on their own and that singers will attend 1 regional rehearsal (dates and locations TBA) and a dress rehearsal on Friday, June 15 (Time and location TBA). At this time we would like to get a sense of how many singers to expect so that we can order the music and get it distributed to churches.

Please email David Erwin (Ladue Chapel) at [email protected] to let him know how many singers to expect, and for any questions you may have. This is going to be a wonderful experience, and we’re hoping for a choir of at least 200 singers!

Calling Crafters for General Assembly

 The primary visual artistic element for General Assembly will be a paper lace banner designed by liturgical artist Ellen Phillips. Ellen will design the banner, but it will be cut out by members from around the Presbytery. Ellen will lead cutting workshops at Ladue Chapel, and we invite you to come, cut and commune together. Supplies will be provided, so just sign up and come! Dates and times of the workshops are:

There is a limit of 10 participants in each session, but you may sign up for multiple sessions. To sign up, please visit stlouisga.com and click on the volunteer tab. This will take you Sign-up Genius and the Artist Workshops are listed there.

Any questions, please contact David Erwin at [email protected] .

Seeking Temporary Seminary

Student Housing for GA#223

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and the Office of the General Assembly are co-sponsoring a for-credit class for Presbyterian seminary students on Presbyterianism focused on the 223 ^rd General Assembly. The students will spend the entire run of the Assembly attending classes at the convention center and Assembly-related events. They will come in on Thursday, June 14, to begin their classwork.

Continue to read on for more details

Praise is What We Do Benefit Concert

The Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church William G. Gillespie Scholarship Committee presents its 14th Annual “Praise Is What We Do” benefit concert on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Directions to Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church can be found here.

Youth Group Trivia Night Benefit

Join First Presbyterian - Edwardsville, on Saturday, April 14th as their youth raise funds for their 2018 Summer Youth Trips. Who doesn't love Trivia Nights? Great time for a great cause.

Click here for more information.

Mound Ridge Annual Benefit

Dinner Auction

This annual event will be held at Andre’s South Banquets and Catering, located at 4238 Telegraph Road, St. Louis, Missouri on Saturday, April 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Come join us and help support “The Magic of Mound Ridge” Tickets: $65 per person or $500 for a table of 8, and can be purchased by c onnecting here .

Second Annual Night at the Improv

Uni-Pres Kindercottage Fundraiser, invites you to a night of laughter, fine dining & frivolity on Saturday, April 14 at 5 p.m at the Second Annual, Night at the Improv, featuring Ed Reggi, and The Paper Slips Troupe “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

This fun event will be held at St. Paul UCC, 115 West “B” Street, in Belleville, Illinois.

Tickets include dinner and show at $40/each. There are personal and corporate sponsorships available. Call 618-874-6505 or visit their website here , for tickets or information.

Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering

All Presbyterian Women in our Presbytery are welcome to attend our Spring Gathering to be held on Saturday, April 21, at the First Presbyterian Church of Union, Missouri. The event will begin with registration/fellowship time at 9 a.m.

Directions can be found here. - Full details can be found here. 

Seeking Mission Minded Musicians

I need some musicians, piano player, or guitar player or anyone who can assist with music for nursing home worship services. Days Include:

 

These are informal worship services, sometimes there are as many as 20 people, and sometimes there are as few as 3 or four. Sometimes they sleep through the service, sometimes they are animated and awake and enthusiastic to worship. The residents of nursing homes, assisted living homes and retirement homes should be given the opportunity to worship, and music makes the worship. 

If interested in supporting this ministry, please contact Jeanne Zimmermann at (314) 707-4003 or by email [email protected]

Women's Interfaith Conference 2018

Holy Days: What, Why and How

 

The 38th Annual Women's Interfaith Conference will be held on Thursday, April 19th, at Congregation B'nai Amoona ( 324 S Mason Rd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141 ). Leaders from a variety of religions will address their tradition's holy days and how they are honored or celebrated in their faith. Speakers will be: 

Cost is $12, which includes lunch. Requires advance registration; online registration deadline is April 12. Learn more or register here. 

Compassion, Peace and

Justice Training Day

Training Day is April 20th in Washington D.C.! In plenaries and workshops, we'll analyze our current context and offer concrete tools for members and their congregations to address these urgent issues. We'll learn how we build a unified public witness of subversive love amidst the abuse and hatred running rampant in our country.

Register now at: http://bit.ly/2EoGOYT

Confession Conversations on Eden Campus

It is said that Barth, “‘fortified by strong coffee and one or two Brazilian cigars,’ drafted the lion’s share of the declaration.” The Barmen Declaration, that is. A deceptively simple but incredibly profound statement of what it means to be the church, even when it is not at all popular. We will plunge into pre-WWII Germany and the shortest of our 20 ^th century confessions on Monday [note the date change], April 9 at 9:30 at Eden Seminary. Contact me, Barbara Willock, [ [email protected]] if you’d like to join us.

  Triennial 2018: “Dragons, Frogs, & Other Fairy Tales of Women in Ministry”

The National Association of Presbyterian , Clergywomen, invites all Clergywomen to the Triennial 2018 “Dragons, Frogs, & Other Fairy Tales of Women in Ministry” the week of April 23-26, 2018 at the Montreat Conference Center. The keynote preacher is the Rev. Floretta Barbee-Watkins, with worship leader, Rev. Dr. Tracy Keenan. There will be exciting workshops led bydynamic Clergy. There are scholarships and childcare available. The invitation is also extended to Clergymen, CREs, . Seminarians & Laity. More details can be found here.