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Ministry & Mission Matters
Weekly News
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LOVING OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES | | |
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Please pray for...the family of Jacqueline Proctor, and John Knox Presbyterian Church, in her passing.
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Please pray for... congregations and pastors in transition.
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Please pray for... Presbyterian Women as they search for Volunteers for the Churchwide Gathering
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MINISTRY TEAMS UPCOMING MEETINGS | |
If you need to set up a meeting for your team or would like information on a team you might be interested in joining, contact the presbytery office at 314.772.2395 | |
Jacqueline M. Proctor
1937 – 2024
Jacqueline Proctor, a member of John Knox Presbyterian Church and long-time Chairperson of the Presbytery Peacemaking Committee and Presbytery Committee on Ministry has passed away. Please be in prayer for her family.
A visitation for Jacqueline was held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from 10:00 am at John Knox Presbyterian Church, with the funeral service following at 11:45 am, with burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. If you would like to send a prayer, or well wish, share a memory with the family, and read the full obituary, please click here.
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Presbytery Gathering Registration Now Open
It is time to gather for the spring...
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From the Office of the Giddings-Lovejoy Stated Clerk | |
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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
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EXPERIENCES & EDUCATION IN THE NEWS | |
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PC(USA) Webinar on
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Wednesday, April 3rd at 11:00 a.m.
This week the world’s leading organization on food emergencies said that Gaza faces the broadest and most severe food crisis in the world. Over a million Palestinians are facing catastrophic levels of hunger and starvation between now and July. The UN has reported that the decline in nutrition status is globally unprecedented and that the children in Gaza are being starved at the fastest rate the world has ever seen. And in a report this month, entitled “Inflicting Unprecedented Suffering and Destruction”, Oxfam USA stated that a meaningful and safe humanitarian response is made impossible by the government of Israel.
Click here to register: https://bit.ly/4943pV6
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Hunger Action Congregations Call of the Year
Friday, April 5 at 11:00 am
Join us on April 5 for the first Hunger Action Congregations call of the year. We are expanding our circle to include others in your congregation who are interested / involved in ending hunger and underlying causes. PLEASE pass this invitation to them as well.
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking here
If using the Zoom app the Meeting ID is: 939 0805 2880
The Passcode is: 443675
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Are you ready to eclipse?
Check out this terrific bulletin insert about the Solar Eclipse from the Office of Christian Formation. Around the Table is a Lilly Endowment Inc. funded initiative in the Presbyterian Church (USA) that will engage faith communities and parents and caregivers in innovative practices of sharing stories that grow intergenerational communities.
Click Here for Bulletin Insert
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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.
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Learn more about the history of
Black Communities in St. Louis
St. Louis Black History & North County History
Bus Tour led by Father Gerry Kleba
Two possible tour opportunities:
Saturday, April 20, 2024 or Saturday, May 11, 2024
9:45 am – 1:00 pm
The tour costs $10, and you may reserve your spot by contacting Victoria Sherman, as soon as possible, (vmos@aol.com) member of the Dismantling Racism and White Privilege DRAWP Committee - Dismantling Racism and White Privilege.
Fr. Kleba is a white St. Louis diocesan priest of 55 years, now retired. He has served predominately in economically depressed and largely black communities in many capacities.
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Synod of Mid-America Installation | |
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.
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TIPS FOR CARING FOR GOD'S
ABUNDANT CREATION:
Avoid using chemical fertilizers on your lawn!
Use only organic fertilizers as chemical fertilizers require significant energy to produce and emit nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that warms an already warm atmosphere!
"TIPS" is brought to you by the Earth Care Team of Presbytery which monitors the ten certified Earth Care Congregations in the Presbytery and advocates for low-income, people of color, and indigenous peoples who too often suffer first and worst from environmental degradation. Contact: carletonstock@aol.com or 314-941-9378.
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Mound Ridge is hosting their spring fundraiser at Andre's West in Fenton on Saturday, April 13th! We'd love to have you join us there! Tickets are $60 each. There is a huge array of Silent & Live Auction items, a wine wall, and a dessert auction too! Lots to choose from! Most of you have visited Mound Ridge sometime over the years and appreciate the beauty and peaceful setting along the upper Meramec River. | |
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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
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Children's Spirituality Summit: A CHILD'S WAY
May 21-23 • Chicago Area
Join us for the 2024 Children’s Spirituality Summit where we will dive deep and explore what a child’s way of being with God means. Inspired by Rebecca Nye's definition of children's spirituality as "God's way of being with children, and children's way of being with God," we will delve into:
- A Child’s Way of Worshipping God·
- A Child’s Way in a Diverse World·
- A Child’s Way of Playing with God·
- A Child’s Way in Family
Interested in attending and being part of this exploration? We would love to have you join us as we bridge the gap between theory and practice. Read more about our speakers by CLICKING HERE.
There is a small group, from Second Presbyterian Church going, and there is a break on registration if done by the end of the month. Please contact Ruth Musson Clayton at ruthie76@gmail.com to join Second Presbyterian members.
Read more about our speakers HERE.
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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.
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.
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Presbytery Staff Contact Information | |
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Presbytery Moderator - Elder, Lorenzo Clayton
Presbytery Vice-Moderator - Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess
Vision Team Moderator - Rev. Mel Smith
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