Sowing Seeds of the Spirit
Blog post by the Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard
Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
Transitional Leader
Lent comes from the old English word “Lenten,” meaning “spring.” Lent is an invitation to a springtime for the soul. It is forty days to remember what it’s like to live by God’s grace alone and not by what we can supply for ourselves. My Lenten practice is not one of giving up something. Instead, it is a practice of nurturing my mind and soul by reading a book each week.
Please continue here.
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Our Presbytery - Our Work
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Weekly Prayer Basket Update
- Please pray for Rev. Marc Wendleton and family in the passing of his wife, Brandy. Memorial arrangements can be found here.
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Presbytery Ministry Team Leaders
Please note that all motions, or other meeting papers are due to the Stated Clerk, Joy Myers,
no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14
. The easiest point of contact is emailing
jmyers@glpby.org
.
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Resource Center
Preparing for the Move
Volunteers are sorting and boxing resources for the move. If you need a resource, please contact Leigh Porter
lporter@glpby.org
before coming to the Center to make sure it is accessible.
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- UKirk News & Updates
- UKirk's 2017 Annual Report is available now - click here.
And mark your calendars! UKirk is hosting an Open House night for high school seniors on Sunday, April 15, from 7-9 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian.
Students are welcome to come meet current college students, learn more about the UKirk campus ministry network (did you know there are UKirk ministries at Mizzou, Murray State, and more!?), and the ways they can connect with the UKirk - St. Louis community throughout the year. For more information, email Pastor Miriam at
ukirk_stl@glpby.org.
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Presbytery Gathering @ FAITH365 Conference
Saturday, February 24
Conference Highlight - What Can You Learn
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Brian D. McLaren
, the Keynote Speaker, is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity”—just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is an Auburn Senior Fellow and a leader in the Convergence Network, through which he is developing an innovative training/mentoring program for pastors, church planters, and lay leaders called Convergence Leadership Project.
A frequent guest on television, radio, and news media programs, he has appeared on
All Things Considered, Larry King Live, Nightline, On Being,
and
Religion and Ethics Newsweekly.
His work has also been covered in
Time, New York Times, Christianity Today, Christian Century, the Washington Post, Huffington Post, CNN.com,
and many other print and online media.
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DRAP Book Study Ongoing
Has your study been planned yet?
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2018 Congregation Study
- Affton - January
- John Knox - February/March
- St. Mark - Spring
- Florissant - Spring
- Webster Groves - Spring
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2016/2017 Congregation Study
- Second - St. Louis
- LoveJoy United
- Faith Des Peres
- Oak Hill
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Upcoming Team Meetings
@
Wednesday to Tuesday
(All Teams meet at the Presbytery Center, unless noted)
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This Week....
Wed., Feb. 14
2 p.m. - Pastoral Trans/Care
Thurs., Feb 15
9:30 a.m. - History Team
10 a.m. - Stewardship Team
4 p.m. - Vision Team
6:30 p.m. - Prep/Minist.
@ Ladue Chapel
Mon., Feb. 19
1 p.m. - Social Witness/Action
Tues., Feb. 20
1 p.m. - Mission & Outreach
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Next Week:
Sat., Feb. 24
9 a.m.
Faith365 & Presbytery Gathering at Webster Groves
Mon., Feb. 26
1 p.m. -
Dismant/Racism
@ Ladue Chapel
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General Assembly #223
Connect to COLA
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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.
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W. Mark Akin, Guitar Concert
W. Mark Akin is a winner of last year’s prominent Artist Presentation Award given by the Artist Presentation Society of St. Louis.
This engaging program takes place at Second Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 4, 4:00 p.m. and highlights works by Sergio Assad, Agustin Barrios, Edvard Grieg, William Walton, and much more.
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.
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Mark: LIVE!
An interactive reading of the Gospel of Mark
As we journey through the Gospel of Mark this lectionary year, join us and spend the afternoon reading and walking through the whole book together. We will lay out the map of Jesus’s home turf in our sanctuary and move through the story as we read. On Sunday, February 18 at 12:30 p.m., Oak Hill Presbyterian Church invites you to be a part of Mark’s whole story. Come and walk, read, listen, and experience. More info at
www.oakhillpcusa.org
or email Pastor Erin with any questions at
erin.counihan@gmail.com
.
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Godspell
The Presbyterian Church of Washington proudly presents an amateur production of “GODSPELL!” This show is composed of various musical parables from the Gospel According to Matthew. Jesus Christ recruits a group of followers and teaches them various lessons through song and dance. This production is directed by John Edison Anglin.
Showtimes will be February 22, 23 and 24, 2018, with all performances beginning at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available for $10, and can be reserved by calling 636-239-3178.
Conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak / Music and New Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz / Originally produced on the NY Stage by Edgar Lansbury, Stuart Duncan, Joseph Beruh
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Blues for Lovers
You are cordially invited to attend our ninth annual “Blues for Lovers” concert at Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church, on Saturday, February 17 at 2 p.m., in the Educational Building. The concert features local artist, Ms. Denise Atty and Friends, specializing in Blues, Rhythm and Gospel music.
You will definitely leave on a high note as we celebrate “Heart Awareness” month with healthy snacks and information on how to be healthy. This concert supports our Outreach and Media Ministry.
Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church, is located at 4673 Labadie Ave., St. Louis, MO 63115. Tickets are $10 per person (either at the door or in advance). For further information or to purchase advance tickets please contact Elder Milton Robinson,
314-222-1747
.
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Pinwheels Social Group
Have any church families that might enjoy Pinwheels, a social group in University City for transgender or gender expansive kids, teens and their supportive parents? Our next gathering:
This gathering, we plan to bake cookies (Spring! Valentine's Day!), hang out, play pool, and eat while parents have a chance to talk together. Save the date for the next get together after that, which will be Sunday, May 6th.
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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.
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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
.
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Save these Dates - Installations Upcoming
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Rev. Clyde Crumpton
Sunday, February 18 at 3:00 p.m.
Cote Brilliante Presbyterian,
St. Louis, Missouri
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Rev. Daniel Ervin
Sun., Mar. 4
LoveJoy United
Wood River, Illinois
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Rev. Travis Winckler
Sun., Mar. 11
Second Presbyterian
St. Louis, Missouri
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Rev. Karl Hauser
Sun., Mar. 25
Southminster
Crestwood, Missouri
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Educational Opportunities
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Earth Care Action Team Monthly Highlight
The Third Baptist Church of St. Louis (Grand Center) has had solar panels on its roof for a few years now and is seeing substantial savings on their electric bill. Check out their website for more information.
An article in the Post-Dispatch recently reported that solar panel manufacturers are determined to continue production at record rates despite the expected 30% tariff being imposed on incoming panels by the government.
More information can be found here.
Tips For Living "Green": Reduce your meat intake. The production of meat is a highly energy intensive process. The amount of food, water, and habitat needed per animal, as well as the energy to maintain the industry all contribute to the burning of fossil fuels which further heats up the atmosphere.
Eco Task Of The Month Of February For Reducing Household Energy: Insulate hot and cold water pipes.
Sponsored by the Earth Care Action Team consisting of representatives of the eight certified Earth Care Congregations in the presbytery. Contact
carletonstock@aol.com or 314-941-9378.
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A Matter of Faith: Diversity Awareness Partnership's Annual Interfaith Even
Diversity Awareness Partnership
'
s 2018 Interfaith Event: A Matter of Faith, held on Thursday, February 22 beginning at 5:30 p.m., explores the ways culture and religion are similar, but not the same. Often, assumptions are made about others' beliefs and practices without understanding how culture and religion (or non-religion) influence each other. Our panel will discuss these issues, and more. Guests will receive complimentary copies of Diversity Awareness Partnership's new
2018-19/18-Month Interfaith Calendar
.
More information and to register to attend this free event, can be
found here.
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Tools For Leadership:
Build Your Identity and They Will Come
This half-day workshop is available on Thursday, February 15, 2018, beginning 9:00 am - noon (lunch following), at Eden Theological Seminary, Press Hall, Room 101, 475 East Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, Missouri.
Full details can be found here
.
Tools For Leadership is a series of workshops designed to bring together religious and community leaders in order to share resources for sustainable organizational development. Topics covered include growing resources and results in ministry, the place for a congregational mission, and planning for the future of the church.
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Annual Meeting for Members and Friends Courageous Conversations
On Thursday, March 15th, at 7:30 pm, after a short business meeting that begins at 7 p.m., we will host a 90-minute opportunity called "Courageous Conversations," an opportunity to prepare you for the next level of interfaith (and other!) dialogue. Whether you're just beginning, or you've been engaged in interfaith dialogue for years, this program will help you identify how you can deepen the authenticity of how you speak and the compassion with which you listen.
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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.
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Opportunity to talk about the confessions
An Eden student is reading
The Book of Confessions as part of her preparation for ministry in the PCUSA. You are invited to join her as we read and ponder the confessions that are a crucial part of our constitution. The conversations will be held every Tuesday [except for one Monday] on the Eden campus. All you have to do to join us is come at 9:30 on Tuesday mornings having read the confession we will be talking about. There is no cost to you nor do you have to be part of every discussion. Come for the ones that fit your schedule. I would like to hear from you that you are interested in joining us or if you have any questions. Contact me at
bwill2@mindspring.com.
More information is available here.
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Seeking New Executive Director
Partners for Just Trade (PJT) is seeking a new Executive Director. PJT is a non-profit, faith-based organization that builds partnerships between producers living in extreme poverty and consumers in North America. We address root causes of poverty through Fair Trade sales, education, solidarity, and a commitment to trade justice.
Deadline to apply is March 1, 2018.
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Permanent Nursery Attendant Needed
Saint Charles Presbyterian Church, St. Charles, MO, 131 Gamble Street, is seeking a permanent Sunday morning Nursery attendant. Times will be from 9:15 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. each Sunday. Inquires may be directed to Mary Kay Lyon or Margaret Osborn at
scpc@scpcusa.org.
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Children’s Music Director
If you have a music appreciation background, love to teach, and enjoy working with children of all ages, then we have the perfect position for you. The Music Ministry of St Mark Presbyterian Church, Ballwin, MO is looking for a Children’s Music Director to work part-time providing musical selection and instruction to support the worship services and special church events.
Days/Hours are somewhat flexible, but could total two days per week meeting two hours each time for approximately 39 weeks (Sept – May). If you are interested, please submit your resume or letter of interest to St Mark Presbyterian Church, 601 Claymont Drive, Ballwin, MO 63011, Attn: Personnel Committee, or email your resume to
mmedley@discoverstmark.org
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Keep Connected
We love to hear about the work of the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy Congregations. Help keep us connected by simply emailing your information in to
jmcmillen@glpby.org
Have an event, fundraiser, or concert and want to get the word out? Simply email that information in by
6 p.m. on Monday
of the week you want your event published.
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