Newsletter
April / 10 / 2018
The In-Between
Blog post by the Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard
Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
Transitional Leader

If you have ever moved, or done renovation, or had a home built, you know the frustrations of dealing with transition and contractors! I am working from home the next two weeks as our office transitions to our new space. We find ourselves caught in an in-between space. The Tower Grove office is packed up in boxes, and ready to be transported. Our new office in Creve Core awaits a final inspection approval before we can move in. In the meantime, I and the staff are working from home, and I do not like working from home!
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket Update
  • Please pray in thanksgiving for Southminster Presbyterian in graciously hosting our May 5, 2018 Gathering
  1. UKirk High School Senior Night
Sun., Apr. 15th at 7 p.m.
at Trinity Presbyterian

Click here for more information, or email Pastor Miriam at ukirk_stl@glpby.org.
What's Happening?
Did you know?..... .

  • Have you heard? Our May meeting has moved! We will now be at Southminster Presbyterian in Crestwood. We are so thankful to them, and will send out the first call for the meeting later this week! So watch your inbox!
  • Heart stopping....Here's My Heart is the theme of the 2019 Youth Triennium. "Students hearts — full of passion, will, mystery and love — are crying out to each other, to the world around them and to the church. So, let’s focus our work together in youth ministry and at PYT in a way that blends the internal need for passionate living and the external call to action and justice.” Click here for more information

PC(USA)
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Help Wanted
Chaplaincy Position Available ( see below )

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The Presbytery's New Address
(effective in two weeks)
1001 Craig Rd., Suite 170,
St. Louis, Missouri, 63146-5200
Our phone number remains as (314) 772-2395.
Want to send an email, but not sure to whom? communication@glpby.org
Ministry Team Updates & Highlights
DRAP Book Study Ongoing
Has your study been planned yet?
Let DRAP know here.
2018 Congregation Study
  • Affton - January
  • John Knox - February/March
  • St. Mark - Spring
  • Florissant - Spring
  • Webster Groves - Spring
2016/2017 Congregation Study
  • Second - St. Louis
  • LoveJoy United
  • Faith Des Peres
  • Oak Hill
  • Woodlawn Chapel
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.
Upcoming Team Meetings @ Wednesday to Tuesday
PLEASE NOTE:
A ll Teams will meet at the Tower Grove Presbytery Center, unless noted otherwise.
This Week....
Wed., Apr. 11
2 p.m. - Pastoral Transitions/Care
Thurs., Apr. 12
3 p.m. - Gathering Planning
3 p.m. - CoR/N @ First-Kirkwood
5 p.m. - Congregational Vibrancy
Mon., Apr. 16
1 p.m. - Social Witness
@Second Presbyterian
Tues., Apr. 17
1 p.m. - Mission/Outreach
@ Second Presbyterian
Next Week:
Wed., Apr. 18
2 p.m. - Personnel Team
4 p.m. Vision Team
(rescheduled from April 19)
Thurs., Apr. 19
6:30 p.m. - Prep for Ministry
Mon, Apr.23
1 p.m. - DRAP
@ Second Presbyterian
General Assembly #223
Connect to COLA
Volunteers Needed
COLA (Committee on Local Arrangements) encourages EVERYONE to go to the COLA website stlouisga.com , click on the Volunteer tab and link to Sign Up Genius to find the many ways where they can volunteer from June 14-23. Help where you can, as often as you can!
Sing - Sing - Sing
It’s time to sign up to sing in the massed choir for the opening worship of General Assembly on June 16!  At present 14 churches have responded, and so far we have approximately 130 singers signed up. To sign up, or for more information, please contact David Erwin at DErwin@laduechapel.org
Crafters Needed
Artists and crafters are needed to work with liturgical artist Ellen Phillips in creating the large paper lace banner that will be used at GA worship. Cutting workshops will be held at Ladue Chapel on Wednesday, April 18, Thursday April 19 and Friday April 20. To sign up, click here .
What do you know about St. Louis?
GA223 Mission and Cultural Tours  
Trivia Q & A
Our Community Connected
Mom's Demand Action - Do You?
  • Is your congregation concerned about gun violence in our schools, on our streets, and in our homes?
  • Are you curious about how best to uphold the second amendment while making sure that laws and practices are in place to protect against gun violence?
  • Is this something your adult education program or mission outreach committee would like to explore?
MOMS DEMAND ACTION for Gun Sense In America is a national, grassroots organization, part of a group founded by Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York City after the Newtown shootings in 2012. The St. Louis Chapter of MOMS is the largest in the country - and has created a Faith Outreach Team willing to offer resources and presentations to religious organizations. The Rev. Susan Andrews, the Parish Associate at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church and a volunteer with MOMS, is available to meet with your congregation (mission committee, Adult Ed Committee, Session ,etc.) to initiate conversations or actions related to gun violence in our region and our country. Presbyterian resources are plentiful around this topic, and can be shared easily. If interested in more information, please contact Susan Andrews at srandrews1015@gmail.com, or by calling 914-815-6507.
The Verse After the Verse
by Rev. Dr. John Shear
The Verse After the Verse, written by Rev. John Shear, pastor at John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Bridgeton, takes twelve familiar passages, ones that people memorize and not only unpacks that verse but looks at the verse just after to see if there is a dynamic created with the two verses. The publisher is Book Ventures and the book is scheduled to be printed within the next two weeks. It sells for $9.50 with a dollar from each sale going into the funds at John Calvin Presbyterian Church.  A "Book Launch" at the John Calvin Presbyterian will be held on Tuesday, May 8th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Those attending General Assembly will also find a booth site for this book.
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.
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:

If interested in supporting this ministry, please contact Jeanne Zimmermann at (314) 707-4003 or by email pastormhpc@aol.com
Educational Opportunities
Stewardship Kaleidoscope
Coming to St. Louis in 2018

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. Drawing leaders from across the Lutheran Church (ELCA) and the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and beyond, Stewardship Kaleidoscope is designed to help participants explore stewardship, in its many colorful dimensions!
  • Our mission is to create an annual event that:
  • Ignites generosity among Lutherans and Presbyterians
  • Gives practical tools for cultivating generosity in congregations
  • Expands the leadership capacity of those who lead stewardship initiatives
  • Cultivates adaptive approaches for funding Christ’s mission
Learn more and/or register, click here.
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: 
  • Jewish: Lois Zuckerman (Reconstructionist) and Simone Picker (Orthodox)
  • Christian: Mary Otto (Byzantine Catholic) and Rev. Sonya Vann (Protestant)
  • Muslim: Rowhea Elmesky (Sunni) and Najma Rafat (Ahmadiyya)
  • Baha'i: Beverly Berger
  • Buddhist: Venerable Jue Huang
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
Edward Dowey led the committee that created both The Book of Confessions and the Confession of 1967. Both continue to enrich the church. The focus of C67 was reconciliation and working through this confession confirms for us that there remains much left to do. We have the BC and C67 in large part due to the dedication of a St Louis pastor. Come join our conversation about this most timely confession on Tuesday, April 17, at 9:30 at Eden.
Contact Barbara Willock, bwill2@mindspring.com for more information.                                     
  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.  
Ministry Position Openings
Chaplaincy Position Available
There is chaplain opening at Aberdeen Heights. If you are interested in more information about this opening or in the details of the position, please contact Human Resource Director, Stephanie Williams, via email, at this address: SRWilliams@pmma.org