Looking to the Weekend

Virtual Presbytery Gathering ALL are welcomed and encouraged to participate in this gathering of our Presbytery. It is important, now more than ever, to stay connected and in fellowship with one another. Please share this with everyone in your congregation! See you there!

Presbytery - Call to Gather Sat., June 13 | 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

We will host three Zoom Training Sessions for Commissioners or Guests who would like to attend, either through computer, mobile device or phone. Save one of these dates, found below, for your chance to learn the communication and voting process that will be used at this virtual gathering. If you have questions, or if these dates do not fit your schedule, please let us know, and we will try to give remote assistance, simply email [email protected] Watch next Tuesday's newsletter for Zoom links to training sessions Option 1: Wednesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. Option 2: Thursday, June 11 at 12 p.m. Option 3: Saturday, June 13 at 9 a.m.

General Assembly #224 Events

Giddings-Lovejoy Commissioners Elder, Carrie Schildroth First Presbyterian, Alton, IL Rev. Wendy Downing S teelville Presbyterian, Steelville, MO Elder, Ellen Schroeder Second Presbyterian, St. Louis, MO Rev. Jeff Snell Trinity Chapel Presbyterian, Cuba, MO

June 19, 26-27 From Lament to Hope To watch the Assembly Live, please visit their homepage, by clicking here . They will also go live on Facebook.

To watch the Assembly Live, please visit their homepage,  by clicking here . They will also go live on Facebook.

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Events

Presbyterian Peace Camp (FREE) A Virtual Week of Learning, Prayer & Action Week of General Assembly: June 18-27 Peace Camp is taking place during the week of General Assembly so that Presbyterians—commissioners and others alike—can put our faith into action alongside the shortened GA business meetings. Campers will have the opportunity to join in vigils, teach-ins, actions to take at the local church and presbytery level, and receive a daily devotional to your inbox. Peace Camp is free and includes the annual Peace Breakfast on Wed. June 24 at 11 Am EDT. This year it's BYOB - Bring Your Own Breakfast! Find schedule and registration at  bit.ly/ppf-peacecamp The first 200 to register will receive a "swag bag" of goodies--- almost like the swag at a regular General Assembly! For more Peace Camp Information: Media Release on Keynote Speaker and Leadership

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Virtual Coffee Hour

FRIDAY, MAY 29 - FRIDAY, JULY 31 Join PPF for Virtual Coffee Hours each Friday at 1:15pm EST for the next few weeks. These will be spaces for casual conversation and connection around loosely-facilitated topics with PPF members. REGISTER BELOW to receive the Zoom link to join each Coffee Hour. Registration is required for each event. Friday May 29: Mutual Aid, Money, and Solidarity – Registration Friday June 5: with the Israel-Palestine Mission Network – Registration

May is Mental Health Month

Mental Well-being During A Pandemic  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 [email protected] 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. Learn more here

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 [email protected] .

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   Click Here

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

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Our web page resource. What will you find there? Daily Updates | Pastoral Care | Worship Support Medical Support | Educational Resources PC(USA) Resources

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!