"When Jesus beckons Peter, James, and John to join him on the mountain, he invites them to a summit of revelation, not cultural relevance...."

Blog Post by: Rev. Dr. Chris Keating

This February, each Thursday beginning at 6:30 pm, we welcome you to join us in learning about some support ministries and missions of your church.

All sessions will be conducted online, using Zoom. Registration is required and can be found below.

If you attended the Presbytery Gathering on February 1, we want your feedback. We use attendees' survey responses to organize future events.

The Chiefs and 49ers are on their way to the Super Bowl! What's next?

Many churches host a Souper Bowl of

Caring event on or around the Super Bowl

Sunday as a way to collect donations of food or money for local organizations addressing hunger in their community.

Learn how to help by clicking here

From the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness

Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024



For the past two years, advocates committed to justice have diligently worked towards implementing a Child Tax Credit that serves as a crucial tool in alleviating the impact of rising inflation on families. These tax credits play a vital role in tackling the underlying issues contributing to poverty and providing immediate support to families in our communities. Our work has moved Congress to act, but we must do more. 

Last Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the tax package that includes an expanded Child Tax Credit projected to lift half a million children out of poverty passed the House of Representatives with an overwhelming margin (vote 357-70). Now it faces scrutiny with Senate Republicans as they “vow to slow down the process” of getting these vital tax credits in the hands of families in our communities

Let your voice be heard by clicking here.

The Presbytery through the Omnibus Motion at the most recent gathering approved the guidelines established by the Commission on Ministry for use of the “Small Church Sabbatical Fund.”



A “sabbatical” concept is rooted in the Hebrew concept of the sabbatical year to be observed every seven years, allowing land to rest and lie fallow. The concept has been adopted widely within the academic community for a period of rest, study, and/or travel. More recently, the value of a sabbatical period for pastors has been recognized as providing benefits to both pastor and congregation and the ministry they share.

The Presbytery believes in this benefit but recognizes that smaller membership congregations often find it financially challenging to extend a sabbatical to their pastor. At the time of her retirement as Associate Executive Presbyter for Leadership, the Rev. Susan Niesen requested that any gifts in her honor be designated in a fund to support small churches in the granting of a sabbatical to their pastor. Consequently, the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy has established a designated fund to offer financial support to congregations, with fewer than 200 active members, who grant sabbatical leave to their pastor. The grant is intended to support the cost of temporary pastoral leadership, including Sunday worship, moderating Session, and limited pastoral care. Funds are not for the support of the pastor on sabbatical, who continues to receive the salary, housing, and benefits established in his/her call.

Information about the guidelines is available through the Stated Clerk or the Moderator of COM. Application for funds may be made through COM.

Learn more by clicking here.

Welcoming Asylum Seekers  - A Message from PDA 

As many migrants arrive in communities far from the U.S.-Mexico border, Presbyterians around the country are stepping up to welcome them. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Migration Accompaniment Ministries is holding a Welcoming Asylum Seekers coordination call to facilitate connection and networking between Presbyterians doing this important work. The call will take place on Wednesday, February 21 at 12:30 pm (Central).  If you are currently engaged in this work and have not received our invitation, please contact Lucy McDermott or Susan Krehbiel. 

Webster Groves Presbyterian Advocacy Team

Welcomes Calvin Riley

Author of the new book, Black St. Louis

February 13 at 7 pm 

(in person in the Youth Lounge or via Zoom)

While teaching and later acting as an instructional coordinator for the St. Louis Public School System, Calvin Riley scoured yard sales and estate sales for photos of Black St. Louisans. Over time he found thousands of photos, records, artifacts, and advertisements from Black-owned businesses, clubs, and churches. As we celebrate Black History Month, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Black history in St. Louis from 1764-2000. 

If you have time for a little reading, here is a brief history of Black St. Louis history. This will give you an overall background while Mr. Riley will focus on the history attached to his photographs and artifacts. 

https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/planning/cultural-resources/preservation-plan/Part-I-African-American-Experience.cfm

Zoom link: WGPC Advocacy Zoom 

All are welcome!

New Horizons Presbyterian Church

Join us for a journey through Lent

“Lighthouses - Jesus is the Light in our Darkness”

• Ash Wednesday: Wednesday, February 14th—Service at 7:00 p.m.
• Lenten Lunches: Tuesdays (Feb. 20, 27, Mar. 5, 12 & 19) 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (Jubilee Hall)

Soup and drinks provided. Bring your sandwich to go with the soup if you would like. Please let us know if you plan on attending so we know how much soup to prepare. During lunch, there will be a devotional and time to reflect.

9424 Everman Ave., Overland, MO 63114, (314) 427-0841

Trivia Night

Tease Your Brain & Win Some Prizes

Saturday, February 10

The Flourish Trivia Night will be held at Third Presbyterian Church, which is located at 9900 Lewis and Clark Rd., Saint Louis, Missouri.

Doors Open at 3pm | Event Begins at 4pm

For more information and to register contact staylor@flourishmo.org

St. Mark Trivia Night - Youth Mission Fundraiser.

Sat., Feb. 24 at 5:00 pm

Theme: "Helping Our Youth Spring into Service"

Grab 7 of your closest trivia-loving friends and head to St. Mark on

Saturday, February 24th, 2024. Registration is open through February 11th. Registration forms can be obtained through the church office.

The cost is $200 per table – that’s just $25 per person!

Doors open at 5 pm and trivia starts at 6 pm. There will also be a silent auction, games, and prizes. Participants may bring their own beverage of choice –water and soda will be provided. Look for the registration forms on the Youth Table in the Narthex and on the St. Mark website, www.discoverstmark.org

All proceeds benefit the 2024 St. Mark Youth Group Summer Mission Trip to the Gulf Coast to help with hurricane relief. 

TIPS FOR CARING FOR GOD'S AMAZING CREATION:

Avoid using Plastic Bags!

Re-use paper bags or use cloth bags for shopping. Avoiding plastics and reducing paper use can remove ten to twenty percent from the landfill and dramatically reduce CO2 emissions.  

"TIPS" is brought to you by the Earth Care Working Group of Presbytery, monitoring the ten certified Earth Care Congregations in the Presbytery and advocates for low-income, people of color, and indigenous peoples so often harmed first and worst by environmental degradation. Contact: carletonstock@aol.com or 314-941-9378

Rev. Ryan Landino

Presbytery Leader

rlandino@glpby.org

314.409.9002

Rev. Liz Kanerva

Associate

Presbytery Leader

ekanerva@glpby.org

314.779.6809

Rev. Dr. Brandan Eddy

Stated Clerk

beddy@glpby.org

618.781.9615

Leigh Porter

Office Manager

lporter@glpby.org

314.225.9470

Janice McMillen

Communications Associate

jmcmillen@glpby.org

573.578.3960

Presbytery Moderator - Elder, Lorenzo Clayton

Presbytery Vice-Moderator - Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess

Vision Team Moderator - Rev. Mel Smith