Looking to the Weekend
Matthew 25 Work in a Pandemic
Join the PC(USA) Special Committee on Racism, Truth and Reconciliation (SCRTR) next week as we speak with Rev. Dr. Mark Lomax of Interdenominational Theological Center and Rev. Dr. William Yoo of Columbia Theological Seminary. These conversations promise to be informative and powerful. Don't miss it!
Broadcast on SCRTR Facebook event page August 5th and 6th at 3pm EDT both days.
Saddened to Report
Charlotte Wootten O'Brien, Ph.D., beloved wife of honorably retired Pastor, Rev. Dr. Haskell Wilkes (Wilkie) O'Brien, Jr., passed away on June 28.
Many people love and know Charlotte from Presbyterian church life and from the educational world. Her complete obituary may be found here.
Missouri Primary -Tuesday, August 4
Polls Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Not sure where you are supposed to vote?  Check here
Notary Needed for Mail-In Ballots
It is too late to mail in your ballot, however they can be dropped off to polling places or your county clerks office.
NOTE: If you have a mail in ballot, you will need the return envelope notarized to fulfill ballot requirements for the August Primary and November General Election. Please click the link below to access available notaries in your area.
Medicaid Expansion On the Ballot

Many Missouri families are slipping through the cracks in our healthcare system — forced to choose between paying for life-saving care and putting food on the table or making a mortgage payment to keep their home. These families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid and not enough to be able to afford coverage on the health insurance exchange.

Upcoming Events & News
Presbytery Upcoming Virtual Meetings

10 a.m. - Presbyterian Women Gathering -  Click Here 
Mon., Aug. 3
12 p.m. - Pastors Since 2015 - Click Here
Stated Presbytery Gathering
Thursday, August 27
1:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Please share with everyone in your congregation as all are welcome!
Presbytery Job Openings
Current Support Ministry Position Openings

Youth Ministry Director - First Presbyterian (Salina, Kansas)


Pastoral Opportunity - First Presbyterian, Ferguson

Administrative Assistant for Program and Pastoral Ministries – Ladue Chapel 

Organist/Pianist - First Presbyterian, Jackson, MO

Interim Pastor - John Calvin Presbyterian

HELP WANTED HIGHLIGHT
Interim Pastor- John Calvin Presbyterian Church located in Bridgeton, Missouri, is seeking an Interim Pastor who has the vision and the experience to help guide our congregation and to help us maintain our continuity, both spiritually and financially, while we are in transition. Learn more here
Christian Education During a Pandemic
If you have been wondering about how to use your PC(USA) curriculum this fall, we have you covered. Check out all of the free guides we have made to making using our curriculum easy for you https://bit.ly/38Y7kp7 . Check out our webinar that goes into more detail about each of these free resources https://youtu.be/ccf-0Sbt81I
News & Events
CLC Online Webinar:
Tips & Tools for Navigating the Online System
Wednesday, August 5 | 1:30 p.m. (CT)
Mid-Council Leaders and COM and CPM chairs, register to join Omar Chan and Mason Todd, CLC consultants, as they share valuable information about the online system. Manuel Silva, Manager of Call Process, will be also available to answer questions.
New Worshiping Communities
Dreaming and Discerning
Tues., Aug. 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Although many of our buildings may be closed for now, our churches are creatively open, continuing and even expanding the reach of their mission and ministry, with God’s Spirit inspiring many of us to see visions and dream dreams in ways we might not have imagined a few short months ago.  Learn more here.
Please RSVP your interest to Leigh Porter at [email protected] . A Zoom link will be sent to you before the meeting in August.
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Interim Virtual Training
Presbyteries of Grand Canyon and
de Cristo are co-hosting this fall:
Leading Emotional Systems Training / Interim I
Coaching healthy communication for individuals and groups Noticing your organizational system and knowing how to respond to what you observe Mediation strategies for small and large groups (and the limits of mediation) Clarity on your personal engagement style in low stress and high stress situation s Becoming aware of one’s perspective and narrative, while practicing empathy and interest -based negotiating.
Self-Care and Mental Health
Light for the Darkness
Meeting
Join us Mondays at 7 p.m.
Feeling anxious or depressed, or know someone who is? Light for the Darkness has started a virtual group for anyone struggling with mental health to connect with others who understand and explore where God may be in the midst, Mondays at 7 pm. 
Please connect with Thirza Sayers, who is intimately aware of these struggles, if you have any questions at   [email protected]     or 404.313.4549. Learn more about Light for the Darkness by  clicking here.
Spiritual Practices
The spiritual practice for July is discernment. Discernment is about more than understanding or decision-making. It is about the holy process of listening for God in a way that seeks to understand God's will and align one's self with it.
Practicing discernment requires a yoking with Christ ... a walking alongside in order to learn from him.
This week, practice reading scripture for understanding instead of affirmation of your previous beliefs, and then applying this new understanding to your actions.
Learn more about A Place of Grace by Clicking Here
Let's Talk about Self-Care
These days, it is more and more clear there are those who know the practices of self-care and those who don't. In this short video, Synod Executive Landon Whitsitt offers a brief introduction to caring for our bodies, minds, and spirits. Click here
FREE 24 Hour Counseling
Pastors and other Board of Pension members, Cigna is offering a separate 24-hour toll-free help line, to support resiliency during this time of high stress and anxiety, and can be reached by calling 866-912-1687 to connect with qualified clinicians, including licensed social workers, professional counselors, and psychologists, who can provide support and guidance.
Matthew 25 - In Difficult Times
We want to hear your stories!
  • How is your congregation remaining or becoming even more vibrant?
  • How are you reaching out to your neighbors in creative ways?
  • How have you participated in the Presbyterians Care Movement?
Send us your comments to [email protected] o r call 314-772-2395. We hope to hear from you soon!