Looking to the Weekend
Presbytery - Call to Gather
Saturday, June 13 | 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This will be a virtual meeting, and official call notice, with support material, will be sent to commissioners and on our website soon. Save the date & share with your congregation.
224th General Assembly
June 19, 26-27
This year's theme: From Lament to Hope
To watch the Assembly Live, please visit their homepage, by clicking here . They will also go live on Facebook.
Saddened to Report
Sympathy and Prayers
For Joan and Larry Handley and family on the death of Larry's mother, Rev. Helen Handley-Fabre, who died on May 18, 2020, in Swansea. Private graveside service will be held and a church memorial service will be at a later date. Renner Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Her obituary may be found here.
May is Mental Health Month

Tips on promoting mental and spiritual well-being in the pandemic and coping with emotions of stress, fear, and panic from the Presbyterian Mental Health Network. 
Everyone is feeling a bit uncomfortable these days. The stress and anxiety can be almost overwhelming. PMA has developed a page of resources for Pastors, Leadership and individual congregants to help in this uncertainty. Click here
Presbyterian Mental Health Ministry Grant Program
Purpose of the Grant Program is to provide “seed money” for Presbyterian congregations, mid councils and seminaries to initiate or advance mental health ministries that educate, equip and empower churches to reach out to and with people living with mental health conditions and their loved ones. If your congregations is considering mission in this way, click here for more information.
FREE 24 Hour Counseling
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.
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
Light for the Darkness
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. Sundays at 4:30pm. Please connect with Thirza Sayers, who is intimately aware of these struggles, if you have any questions at thirzasayers@gmail.com or 404.313.4549
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.
Upcoming Events
Inaugural Matthew 25 event set for June 10
Save the Date!
The Presbyterian Mission Agency will host a Virtual Gathering and Commission is scheduled for June 10 from 1:50–3 p.m. via Zoom. This inaugural event is open to the 520 congregations, groups and mid councils that made the commitment to embrace the Matthew 25 vision.
The Matthew 25 invitation was officially launched in April 2019. More than a year later, there are 520 churches, groups and mid councils that have made the commitment to become a Matthew 25 church. This represents over 5,800 congregations across the country that have received the invitation and have been engaged in this bold vision.
Day of Pentecost Bell Ringing
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri invite their Presbyterian siblings to join with their congregations in ringing church bells on Sunday, May 31 at 12 p.m. (Noon) in honor of those who have died from COVID-19 and in thanksgiving for the essential workers who have kept things going during this time.
COVID-19 How should Christians respond?
A Christian Witness in a COVID-Shaped World
Summer Online Courses Offered

You want to be a Christian who has deep understanding of the new questions facing the world—and the courage to make a positive change. Join us this summer in Three-week, relevant courses taught by some of the best Christian thinkers. These collaborative, online classes are for lifelong learners or university students. F ind more details here.
Free to a Good Home
Calvary Presbyterian Church, Mehlville, will be closing soon but would like to find a new home for two Graco Pack and Plays from their nursery. There is also an old crib that for safety reasons, have the rails removed, but has used as a comfy changing table. If any church is interested, please email Jim Cook at pfcrn@mac.com .
Grants Available - Deadlines Approaching
Summer 2020 Mission & Outreach Team
Grant Application Deadline Extended to May 30
Mission and Outreach Moderator, Joyce Wilks-Love has announced that 2020 Summer Grant Application deadline has been extended due to the need to follow local guidelines for stay at home orders. We are now in a time of creative Christian ministry experiences, and so we revised the application appropriately to reflect our current environment. You can find the application and details about the grants if you click here. Please download and save the document prior to submitting. If you have any further questions, please email the Mission and Outreach team by clicking here.
Technology Grants Now Available

We need technology now more than ever. There are grants available to help your congregation in acquiring what you need to get your congregation on the technology track  
Presbytery
Emergency Relief Plan

The presbytery Finance Team is authorized to provide emergency support for congregations experiencing proven financial hardship due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Find more information by clicking here.
Keep Connected
Presbytery COVID19 Response
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 lporter@glpby.org o r call 314-772-2395. We hope to hear from you soon!