Newsletter
August / 8 / 2023
Join us at these Pre-Gathering Community Conversations
If your schedule allows, we hope you will join us at one or all of the Pre-Gathering Community Conversations. The topics at each location will be unique and focused on how we may serve our communities through mission and action, serving as Christ calls us.

Wednesday, August 23
9 am - Oak Hill Presbyterian
2 pm - Webster Groves Presbyterian
6:30 pm - Third Presbyterian
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket

  • Please pray for ... Rev. Dr. Chris Keating and his family, in the passing of his sister, Mary McIntosh
  • Please pray for ... Rev. David Seabaugh, Rev. Joseph Chapman, and Rev. Thirza Sayers for challenging health journeys.
  • Please pray for ... pastors who are discerning new calls, approaching retirement, and those who are ministering to inter-congregational struggles.
PC(USA)
Quick Connect
Support Ministry
Help Wanted
Saddened to Report the Passing of
Barbara Spurgeon
Barbara was an employee of the Presbytery for several years; supporting Lynne Broeder and Chuck Watts in their mission roles. In addition, she was very with the Presbyterian Women and with the North County Cluster. After working at the Presbytery Offices, she worked for United Methodist Metro Ministry and then took the job as the Office Manager for Florissant Presbyterian Church where she retired 20 years ago.
Memorial Service is Scheduled for Saturday, August 19 at 11 am
John Knox Presbyterian Church, 13200 New Halls Ferry Road Florissant, MO
Upcoming Ministry Team Meetings
This Week
Next Week
Wed., Aug. 9
11 am Transitional Pastors Click Here
Thurs., Aug. 10
1 pm Gather Planning Click Here
6:30 pm COM Click Here

Mon., Aug. 14
7 pm DRAWP Click Here
Thurs., Aug. 17
10 am Public Witness Click Here
1:30 pm Vision Team Click Here
Have you Registered for the Gathering yet?
Presbytery Hybrid Gathering
Hosted by
LoveJoy United Presbyterian
2550 Rock Hill Rd.,
Wood River, Illinois
--- --- ---
Thursday, August 24
Opening in Worship at 3:30 pm

All are welcome to attend and have a voice, even if not commissioned to a voting role.
September Education Thursday Workshops are Back
We are excited to offer a month of Thursday Education Evenings! Each Thursday evening at 6:30 pm there will be a unique learning experience that can be used in your own church. Please join us!
Stated Clerk Search Deadline Extended to September 24
Candidates will be requested to fill out supplemental questions upon indication of their interest. Finalists will be notified by October 1st, and interviews will be scheduled on Tuesday, October 17th, and Wednesday, October 18th.
Please send your letter of interest and resume, Personal Information Form (PIF), or CV to Donna Schiro, pastordonnatcpc@gmail.com.
Please include your name in the subject line of your email and title all documents in the upper left corner with your first and last name.
Be sure to check out our webpage for information on the search! https://glpby.org/services/clerk-search/
News & Updates
First Presbyterian Church of Florissant and John Knox Presbyterian Church partnered together to give out 300 bags of school supplies to be a blessing to those in their community, at this Back to School Drive.
When we join together,
we can do amazing things!
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site FREE Education Event
Sat., Aug. 12 | 11 am
Author Talk: Julie Nicolai 
Enslavement and the Underground Railroad
in Missouri and Illinois
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, Missouri
Reservations are recommended, please call (314) 842-1867 X230.

Presbytery Picnic Planned
The Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery Picnic will be hosted by the beautiful Grace Presbyterian Church, on Saturday, September 30. The church is located 105 Bailey Road, Crystal City, MO 63019. We plan for this event to be filled with fellowship, great food, fun for all ages, music, and enjoying this gorgeous church setting. We are hopeful that your church will encourage your congregants to attend!
2023 Presbytery History Tour
Underground Railroad
Friday, October 20th | 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Depart and return to Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church, 11155 Clayton Rd St Louis, MO 63131
Reservations Required. Contact Jan Stanford, 314-638-0195, 9511 Howerton Dr., St Louis MO 63123. Checks payable to: Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy, Please note the History Tour on the memo line. $85 per person (Includes tour, lunch, and gratuities)
WANTED: Committed Participants for Fall
A Place of Grace is gearing up for new fall offerings
WHAT IS A PLACE OF GRACE? Good question ... thanks for asking! A Place of Grace is a validated ministry of Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery which provides a number of options for spiritual retreat planning for individuals, couples, families, small groups, businesses, organizations, and churches. The mission is to nurture delight, facilitate healing, and inspire prayer in people of all ages and from all walks of life through creative spiritual practices. A Place of Grace pastor, Julie Gvillo, would love the opportunity to talk with you, your church leaders, or any group within your church about ways in which A Place of Grace offerings might support your ministry. I am currently scheduling dates in August and September to visit with you and your people. Call 618-410-5060 to set up an appointment to have that conversation. I look forward to hearing from you!
Day of Learning - Stewardship: Back to Basics
Two Programs to Strengthen Stewardship Practices
Wednesday, August 23

The Presbyterian Foundation is pleased to bring you another Day of Learning for getting back to basics with stewardship.
This FREE online learning opportunity is set for August 23, 2023.
·        1:00 PM CT Building a Culture of Generosity with Robert Hay, Jr., Senior Ministry Relations Officer for the Presbyterian Foundation
·        4:00 PM CT Tactical Stewardship: Creating an Annual Plan with Maggie Harmon, Ministry Relations Officer for the Southwest
APCE NEEDS YOU!
The Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE) will hold its 2024 Annual Event in St. Louis from January 24th through January 27th at St. Louis Union Station. That's right! APCE AE is coming to ST. LOUIS, and we are SO EXCITED! The Local Committee has been working on this event for the past year, and now we are reaching out to you to ask for your help. We will need volunteers -- LOTS of them -- to provide hospitality to our colleagues in ministry during that week. Right now, we just need to know that you have marked your calendars and that you're willing to be of service. In the fall, we will ask about your availability during the week and your preferences regarding tasks. Please email Julie Gvillo (juliegvillo.aplaceofgrace@gmail.com) and Pat Cleeland (patricia.cleeland@gmail.com) together, so we can start compiling a list of resources. Pastors, please put this announcement in your bulletins. This international event is a huge undertaking, and we are counting on the presbytery to help us deliver! Thank you!
laughing_businessman.jpg
Uni-Pres Kindercottage Fundraiser
Laugh Out Loud Christian Comedy
Saturday, August 26
Show time starts @ 6:30pm
115 W B St, Belleville, IL 62220, St. Paul UCC
Called to Serve? We Need You!
Have You Considered Presbytery Service?
There are many ministry team positions available in the coming year, and we just know you would be a good fit for a committee or commission
Please fill out and return the form below.
GLPby App Form (Word) | GLPby App Form (fillable PDF)
Current Support Ministry Position Openings
  • Choir Director and Organist, First Presbyterian, Alton, IL
  • Chaplains, St. Lukes Hospital, Chesterfield, MO
  • Contemporary Worship Band Leader, First Presbyterian, Kirkwood, MO
  • (PT) Coordinator Christian Education - Southminster Presbyterian, Crestwood, MO
  • Head of Music - First United Presbyterian, Collinsville, IL

Off Hours Help Needed? Contacts Found Below
Rev. Ryan Landino
Presbytery Leader

314-409-9002
Rev. Liz Kanerva
Associate
Presbytery Leader
314.779.6809
Rev. Joy Myers
Stated Clerk

815.501.5522
Leigh Porter
Office Manager
314.225.9470
Janice McMillen
Communications Associate
573.578.3960