In this episode, we explore artificial intelligence, including its potential and its pitfalls. Can AI be a tool for good, or will it steal your pastoral touch? The answer may surprise you.

Rev. Rob Dyer Takes Part in the Conversation

If you need to set up a meeting for your team or would like information on a team you might be interested in joining, please contact the presbytery office at 314.772.2395

Are you experiencing a transition in your life or ministry? Are you retiring, moving, celebrating a new role, or experiencing any other transition? We would love to acknowledge, celebrate, and be in prayer with you. Please click here to share your news with us.

Examples of what questions will be asked:

1.     Please describe what type of transition you are sharing with us.

2.     How can we be in prayer with you at this time?

3.     How can the Presbytery and Staff offer support to you during this time?

4.     Do we have your permission to acknowledge this transition at our next Gathering? Yes/No

In February, the Presbytery held four evening education events. We hope you had time to either participate in those evenings or watch the Zoom recordings. If you have not yet had that opportunity, they may be found below:

Rev. Rob Dyer

---Improving Communication Between the Session and the Whole Church

Rev. Dr. Brandan Eddy

---Conversations with the Stated Clerk

Rev. Dr. Julie Allen Berger

---Deacons, Compassionate Ministries, Stephen Ministry - Is this you?

Rev. Ryan Landino and Rev. Ellen Gurnon

---Collaborative Ministry Possibilities: A Church Guide for Choosing Your Next Adventure

Please give us feedback on these educational events, so that we can provide you with the best experience.

Churches everywhere are taking a fresh look at their property needs, largely thanks to the pandemic. Some are finding unique, faithful solutions that help them live out their calling, to be good neighbors, and serve their communities.

Gateway Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, decided to use the church’s former manse for temporary refugee housing.

This congregation’s inspiring story may be just what you need to think creatively about your church’s assets and God’s call to live faithfully.

Who is ready for an evening out tonight?

University of South Dakota

Chamber Singers Concert

Second Presbyterian Church

Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 pm

The Couts Music Series at Second Presbyterian Church is delighted to host the nationally recognized University of South Dakota Chamber Singers and their conductor Dr. David Holdhusen on Tuesday, March 12th at 7:00 pm! The program consists of classical and contemporary musical selections spanning a variety of languages and cultures. Throughout the concert, the choir will perform traditional choral music, folksongs, and spirituals all geared to take the audience on a journey from birth to loss and ultimately back home again with music guiding the path.

This concert is free and open to the public, but a freewill offering will be taken. For more information, please contact the church at 314-367-0366 or via email at music@secondchurch.net. Second Presbyterian Church is at 4501 Westminster Pl. in the Central West End neighborhood.

Granite City Community Band

FREE Sacred Music Concert

Friday, March 15 | 7:00 pm

Featuring Jack Jenkins, Organist

Hosted by First United Presbyterian Church, Granite City, Illinois, located 2160 Delmar Ave. The Facebook Event page found by clicking here

Ferguson Ecology Team Video Night Presents

David Suzuki’s The Nature of Things: REBELLION

Thursday, March 21 at 7 pm

Held on Zoom this is a a unique documentary featuring a one-on-one conversation between David Suzuki and Sir David Attenborough who take the pulse of our planet and ask whether humans can change their ways in time.

Find the shareable flyer by clicking here.

New Horizons Presbyterian Church

“The Light of the World is Jesus”

You are invited to join us for Holy Week!



• Maundy Thursday (March 28) Dinner at 6:00 p.m. with Service and Communion at 7:00 p.m.
• Good Friday (March 29) Service at 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 30th – Easter Egg Hunt  at 10:30 a.m. (ages 12 and under)
• EASTER Sunday (March 31^st) 8:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast, 10:30 a.m. Worship and Communion

New Horizons is located at 9424 Everman Ave., Overland, MO 63114 

LENTEN JOURNEY OPPORTUNITIES

with a Place of Grace

Easter Sunrise Audiendo Divina Retreat

Join A Place of Grace this Easter Sunday (3/31/24) at sunrise (6:30 a.m.) at Riverbend Family Ministries, 144 E Ferguson Ave., Wood River, IL, for an interpretation of the resurrection story through sound! This indoor event will warm you from the inside out as you experience the joy of Easter with pastor and musician, Julie Gvillo. The instrumental interpretation of scriptures will take you to the garden where the stone is rolled away as you listen meditatively in community with other disciples as the Good News of the resurrection is proclaimed. Communion will be served afterward. All are welcome!

A Place of Grace is offering-based. Prayer Art Retreats require sixteen hours of preparation (10 for liturgy and artwork options, one and a half hours to load and unload the van, three hours for the retreat, and one and a half hours to reload and unload the van afterward) total and $5 in supplies per person. With the Lenten registration, you will get thirty emailed devotions with step-outs for a tangle each

day, and six days of having your work posted on the APOG Facebook Page. I estimate that it will take an hour per day to create the step-outs and the devotions and email them out, and approximately five minutes per email to download the artwork and repost it on the Page. In-person offerings may be made via cash or check. Electronic offerings may be made via PayPal.me/JulieGvillo or Venmo (@Julie-Gvillo)

PRESBYTERY WOMEN FROM AROUND THE NATION

GATHER IN ST LOUIS IN AUGUST

Monthly Gathering Quest Emails

Stay informed about the Presbyterian Women Churchwide Gathering opportunities and news with the Gathering Quest emails! These emails—sent the 5th of each month leading up to the Gathering—include news, a reflection, a savings calculator, a fun download, and much more. To be added to the list, email patricia.longfellow@pcusa.org with “Gathering Quest” in the subject line.

Registration Now Open

Registration Options Gathering registration will be available at presbyterianwomen.org/gathering, March 1–July 7, 2024. Know that by registering early, you’ll have the fullest selection of workshops (which can fill up), the option to purchase a Gathering tote bag (which sold out in 2018) and if you register by May 1, you’ll receive the early registration incentives! After July 7, you may register on-site at the Marriott St. Louis Grand.

University of Dubuque Theological Seminary

Imagine Good Futures:

 A Day for Churches Leaning into Change

Mark your calendars! We'll be imagining good futures for our churches with the help of Mark Elsdon, author of "We Aren't Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry", Catherine Neely Burton, author of "The future of the PC(USA) is pastor-less, and that’s OK", and Mother Alicia Hagar, Community & Communication Curator for "The Gathering of Leaders. 

Schedule (Central Time):

• 11:00 am - 1:00 pm CT: Worship, Lunch* and Lecture: "Tools for Change" [Live and Streaming] with Rev. Mark Elsdon
• 2:00 pm-3:30 pm CT: Hybrid Workshop & Panel Discussion: "Imagining Beyond Our Limits" with Rev. Mark Elsdon, Rev. Catherine Neely Burton, and Mother Alicia Hagar, moderated by Rev. Chris James, PhD. [Live and Zoom]

Register here: https://bit.ly/2024WoodsLecture

TIPS FOR CARING FOR GOD'S RESILIENT CREATION: 

On Church Grounds (and home gardens/lots) use

Native Plants, especially those that do

not require lots of water.

"TIPS" is brought to you by the Earth Care Team of Presbytery which monitors the 10 Earth Care Congregations in the Presbytery and advocates for low-income, indigenous, and people of color communities often hurt first and worst by environmental degradation. Contact: carletonstock@aol.com or 314-941-9378.

PUBLIC WITNESS ANNOUNCES SUMMER GRANTS

DEADLINE IS APRIL 12

Each year, the Public Witness Team of the Presbytery offers grants to conduct summer programs at member churches and social agencies in relationship with the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. The funds are awarded through an application process directed by the Public Witness Ministry Team.

The purpose of the grant is to provide opportunities for summer Christian education and witness, personal growth, faith formation, and recreation to children and adults in communities of need. Criteria for funding with an application download can be found here: APPLICATION HERE. The application must be submitted electronically, and the deadline for receipt of applications is April 12, 2024. 

Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded on May 1, 2024, however, partial grants may be awarded based on the number of applications received. 

Missouri Right to

Reproductive Freedom Amendment

The Missouri Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment Initiative Petition is collecting signatures now. If enough signatures are collected, this will appear on the ballot in November 2024.

The amendment will amend the Missouri Constitution to provide the right to reproductive freedom, which is defined as "the right to make and

carry out decisions about all matters relating to reproductive health care,

including but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth

control, abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birthing conditions."

More information about this issue is attached.

The Public Witness Team offers an opportunity for all Giddings-Lovejoy churches. One of our team will come to your church with Reproductive Freedom petition sheets to collect signatures. The most successful time to collect signatures is after Sunday services during the Fellowship Hour, but we can come whenever is best for you.

To learn more or if you are interested in participating, please click here for more information.

MALT Transitional Ministry Education

Mercy Conference and Retreat Center

St. Louis, MO

May 13 - May 17

Transitional Ministry Education is not limited to those presently engaged in or inquiring about transitional ministry. Anyone interested in learning how to walk through change alongside your church is invited to join in Week I (30 hours), and Week II (30 hours), plus a practicum that combines reflection on, and experience in, some aspect of interim/transitional ministry.

Learn More by Clicking Here

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