Newsletter
December / 7 / 2017
Advent Readings
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Craig Howard
Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
Transitional Leader

Sunday marked Advent, the beginning of the Christian year. Advent is a season of waiting, watching, and as Jesus said in Mark 13:37, a time to be awake. Each Advent and Lent, I take the opportunity to read a book a week. Reading for these two seasons is a discipline I picked up while serving as Executive Director of the presbytery of Milwaukee. Pastor Deborah Block gave me the idea through a sermon she preached. Please continue...
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket Update
  • Please pray for those who have seasonal depression as the daylight hours shorten and the days turn colder.
  • Please Pray for those who are homeless or do not have adequate heating sources in their homes.
vintage_birthday_card.jpg
Happy Birthday to You!
Pastors celebrating birthdays in December include:
Alan Meyers, Liz Kanerva, Janet Riley, Michael Trautman, Marsha Brown, John Higgins, Jerry Douglas, Wynn Ward, Anne Epling, Gary Ferbet, Ellie Stock, and Kenneth Edelman.
PC(USA)
Quick Connect
Parish Paper

Now Available
Has your study been planned yet?
Is your church planning to study Waking up White , or have you completed it already? If so, the DRAP team would like to make a list of which churches are discussing it and when those discussions will take place. This will help us as we seek to facilitate broader discussions, so please let us know. Please email DRAP Moderator, Rev. John Harrison here . We look forward to hearing from you.
Upcoming Team Meetings @ Wednesday to Tuesday
(All Teams meet at the Presbytery Center, unless noted)
  Please Note:  December will be staff lite at the presbytery office as we catch up on vacation days that were not taken during our first year together. Be sure to call before stopping by. If you have a resource request, support needs, or questions during this time, please email [email protected] and your concern will be directed to and responded by a staff member within 48 hours.
     We will all be back together in the beginning of January.
        Craig Howard
Clerks of Session - Don't forget that December and January are reporting months to the denomination and presbytery. Please watch your email and church mail for details. If you have any questions, please contact the Presbytery Stated Clerk, Rev. Joy Myers by email at [email protected] or by calling (314) 772-2395.
This Week....
Wed., Dec. 6
3:30 p.m. - COLA

Next Week:
Most Ministry Teams will recess this month. Please check with your moderator for details.
GA-223 Needs Feedback ASAP
  • Have you identified your church's Local Church Coordinator? (LCC) for GA-223?
  • Have any ideas about possible liturgists?
  • Deadline for liturgy submission has passed, did you submit yours?
  • TimeFlex - Full Time Program Assistant Search
(see below)
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
COLA SEEKS: TimeFlex-Full Time Program Assistant
This is a paid position -  More information Found Here
Our Community Connected
Night at the Improv - A Great Christmas Gift
    Order your tickets for the whole family and maybe a few friends for the 2 nd Annual Night at the Improv benefitting Uni-Pres Kindercottage on April 14, 2018.
We will send you the tickets and some Christmas cards in which you can enclose the tickets. Order by December 15 to make certain you get your tickets and cards by Christmas! Find the complete details here.
Longest Night Service
The Longest Night Service, also known as “Blue Christmas” is a service for those who struggle with feelings of loss, doubt, shame, or sorrow during the overwhelming joy of the holiday season. This service will be held on Thursday, December 21 @ 7:00 pm at Grace Presbyterian Church. Follow here for complete information.
Organ Concert
First Presbyterian Church of Alton, Illinois, will host the renowned organist Dr. Marilyn Keiser, in an organ concert on Friday, December 15, beginning at 7 p.m. There will be a reception to follow. Directions found here.
Christmas Concert & Benefit
Grace Presbyterian Church, invite all to enjoy an evening of beautiful Christmas music performed by members of the Grace Presbyterian Church Choir and the Twin City Community, on Friday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Immediately following will be a Cookie and Candy Sale to benefit the Jefferson County Homeless Youth Initiative. Directions found here.
"Magnificat" by Francesco Durante
The Trinity Presbyterian Church Choir with the Rosewood Ensemble presents "Magnificat" by Francesco Durante along with other music for strings, organ, and voices in a worship service at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 17th. The church is located at 6800 Washington Ave. St. Louis, MO 63130.
TIPS FOR HAVING A "GREEN" HOLIDAY
  • Buy less store-bought gifts and shorten your gift list.
  • Buy locally-made gifts, recycle gifts, battery-free gifts, and do re-gifting
  • Connect with nature.
  • Reduce size of holiday lights. Use LED lights.
  • Choose a live tree, then replant it or mulch it.
  • Make homemade cards
  • Use alternatives to wrapping paper.
  • Reuse and recycle lights and decorations.
  • Add your own ways of caring for God's good earth this holiday season.
"Tips" is sponsored by the presbytery's Earth Care Action Team, consisting of representatives from the eight certified Earth Care Congregations of presbytery. For more information about becoming certified, contact [email protected] .
Ministry Postings
Part-Time Music Director/Pianist Wanted
Woodlawn Chapel Presbyterian Church in Wildwood seeks a part-time music director/pianist to lead our congregation's music ministry. Woodlawn Chapel (PCUSA) places value on traditional worship that is vital, fresh, and inclusive of the gifts of our congregation. Complete job description found here.
For more information, please email [email protected] or contact the Rev. Christopher W. Keating, pastor, 16520 Clayton Road, Wildwood, MO 63011
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