Ministry & Mission Matters

Weekly News

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February 12, 2026

PRESBYTERY ASSEMBLY

AND PRE-ASSEMBLY EVENTS

Education Hour with

Rev. Dr. Christian Boyd

Dr. Boyd was born and raised in Joplin, Missouri. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Mission and Leadership, Organizational Development from Luther Seminary, and a Master of Divinity in Practical Theology and Pastoral Leadership from Louisville Seminary. He also earned a Master's in Business Administration and a Master's in Coaching and Mindfulness with a Diploma of Specialization in Innovation and Project Management from the Universidad Isabel I (Spain), and a Bachelor of Arts in World Literature from Truman State University. He has also earned Graduate Certificates in Mediation and Negotiation from Northwestern University and Paralegal Studies from George Mason University. He completed coursework at Harvard Kennedy School in public leadership, diplomacy, and human rights through the Global Diplomatic Forum (London) and the U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations (Washington, D.C.).

Dr. Boyd was ordained as a Presbyter and Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) by the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky in 2001 and has served as a designated pastor and installed or tenured pastor of congregations in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. He has also served as a stated clerk and an elected regional church leader for the Presbytery of Milwaukee and the Presbytery of Ohio Valley. He has served the denomination by being elected in 2010 to the Episcopal Presbyterian Ecumenical Dialogue and by being the principal author of a proposal for the orderly exchange of clergy, which was considered by both national denominational bodies in 2024. Dr Boyd was also elected to the Advisory Committee on the Constitution of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

PneuMatrix Consultants Visiting Regionally

in Pre-Assembly Events

These Pre-Presbytery Assembly Regional Gatherings are designed so that Giddings Lovejoy church members and leaders may connect with our PneuMatrix Consultants. The Giddings Lovejoy Vision Team contracted with PneuMatrix in October 2025 to work with the presbytery in discerning purpose, structure, and staffing needs.

We would love it if church members would join us at one of these two regional events. Please RSVP to either Rev. Liz Kanerva at ekanerva@glpby.org or Janice McMillen at jmcmillen@glpby.org.

West I-44 Corridor

Date: Thursday, February 26
Time: 6:00 pm
Hosted by: The Anchor First Presbyterian Church of Sullivan
Located at: 285 E Springfield Road, Sullivan, Missouri.
Meal: This is the dinner hour, so food and drink will be provided for those in attendance. Don't forget to RSVP to either email address above.

Southeast Churches

Date: Friday, February 27
Time: 11:00 am
Hosted by: First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau
Located at: 235 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Meal: This is the lunch hour, so food and drink will be provided for those in attendance. Don't forget to RSVP to either email address above.

Upcoming Monthly Ministry Group Meetings

Tuesday, February 17

10:00 am - Public Witness Click Here

Thursday, February 19

1:30 pm - Vision Team Click Here

Friday, February 20

10:00 am - Presbyterian Women Coordinating Cabinet Click Here

Saddened to Report

Rev. Joy Ridge Edeker

November 29, 1963- February 9, 2026

Rev. Joy Ridge Edeker, 62, of Anderson, Indiana, formerly of Saint Louis, Missouri, passed away February 9, 2026, following an unexpected illness.

Joy moved to Anderson in July of 2024 to pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Anderson, Indiana, and was working on her doctorate at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. She had previously served at First Presbyterian Church in Soda Springs, Idaho, and at First United Presbyterian in Carthage, Illinois. She had served as a CPE Chaplain in Webster Groves, Missouri, and was a teacher assistant at the University of Missouri, St. Louis.

There will be a Service of Witness to the Resurrection on Saturday, February 21, at 11:00 am at John Calvin Presbyterian Church, located at 12120 Bridgeton Square Drive, Bridgeton, Missouri.

Full Obituary Found by Clicking Here

EXPERIENCES & EDUCATION IN THE NEWS

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR TRIVIA NIGHT

Presbyterian Heritage and the Reformed Tradition in Scotland

with Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church

Learn More by Clicking Here

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Presbyterian Women

Save the Date & Share with your friends!

Flyer Fouund Here

The clergy and faith community call on people across our region to gather for a Presidents' Day Rally, bringing faith and justice together on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge. Join us as we lift a moral voice and hold space for all who wish to stand in solidarity with immigrant communities and call for an end to the devastating treatment so many are facing.

This gathering will be a peaceful and prayerful witness, offering a way for those who have grown weary of violence and intimidation to show up grounded in conscience, compassion, and care.

Together, we will call for an end to violence and intimidation and for meaningful immigration reform. The blood of our kin cries out from the ground, and tears flow from the places where they are forced to hide. We cry out for wholeness, healing, and justice for all.

African American History Month (aka Black History Month) has been observed each February in the United States since 1976.

How will you or your group observe this celebration?

Presbyterian History Education Options

Presbyterian Women's Suggested Options

Etchings in Diversity.
REC’s Eight Days of Prayer with REC
Prejudice vs. Racism: A Racial Equity Workshop
the 8-day Racial Equity Education Challenge.
Racial Equity and Cultural Humility resources offered by Presbyterian Women.
Book/video resources PW’s Racial Equity Committee recommends.
Presbyterian Women’s Statement on Racial Equity.
Stories and reflections on racial injustice, justice, and peace, and more!

Share your suggestions with us on how best to honor African American History

Click here to learn about Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

We will journey through Presbyterian history from its founding in the region to the present day. We begin at the final resting place of Stephen Hempstead, Father of the Presbyterian Church West of the Mississippi River, and end at the newest mausoleum in the cemetery. Can you guess whose it is? We will enjoy a delicious boxed lunch at the Cemetery.

CLICK FOR A SHAREABLE FLYER

Presbytery Moderator - Elder, Barbara Abbett

Presbytery Vice-Moderator - Rev. Dr. Karen Blanchard

Vision Team Moderator - Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess