Newsletter
September / 19 / 2023
Download the Matthew 25 app!
Now in the Apple App Store

The Matthew 25 app is designed to connect you with resources to help you strengthen relationships, transform your communities, and bring alive your commitment to serving those in your town/city and the world.
We hope that this app serves as another way to inspire ideas, foster connections across the church and community, and provide you with the resources you need to actively engage in the world.
Wherever you are, whatever your context may be, you have a use for this app.
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket

  • Please pray for ... our month of education and the upcoming picnic. For fellowship and community.
  • Please pray for ... Chad Pettus, in continued prayers for additional surgery, serious infection, and recovery, from a vehicle accident.
PC(USA)
Quick Connect
Support Ministry
Help Wanted
Upcoming Ministry Team Meetings
This Week
Next Week
Thur., Sept. 21
10 am - Public Witness Click Here
1:30 pm Vision Team Click Here

Wed., Sept. 27
10 am - HR Pastors Meet Click Here
Thur., Sept. 28
11 am - NWCC Click Here

September Education Evenings on Zoom
WEEK THREE: How to Have the Best Meetings in the World
If using the Zoom App
Meeting ID is:  884 5872 8986

Stated Clerk Search Deadline Extended to September 24
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/
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.
News & Updates
Presbyterian Women of Giddings Lovejoy
Fall Gathering at Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church
Saturday, October 21

Hear from Faithful Women Serving in our Midst: A Panel of Pastors on What Sustains Them in their Journey. Learn more and make reservations by clicking here.
Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church is located at 11155 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Mo 63131. Directions found by clicking here.
JUST A LITTLE OVER A WEEK UNTIL
OUR FIRST PRESBYTERY PICNIC!
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!
Do Not Forget - Starting Wednesday, September 20!
The Importance of an Apology
Join the DRAWP Team, (Racism and White Privilege) in a deep dive into the Overture of Apology to African Americans for the Sin of Slavery and its Legacy passed by the 225th PC(USA) General Assembly in July 2022. 
We will study the text, and the scriptural foundations and look at ways we can act to repair harm done.
Classes will take place via Zoom. Wednesdays beginning September 20, 2022 – 7:00-8:30 p.m. 
Giving Beyond Cash:
Encouraging Creative Gift-Making with Complex Assets
Wed., Sept 20 at 11 am
FREE Webinar: Do you only ask for gifts of cash or marketable securities from your donors? Did you know there are billions of dollars in privately held interests owned by very philanthropically-minded individuals who would love to make a gift to your congregation or religious non-profit? Do you know how to encourage your donors to consider those gifts or how to spot donors who may hold these more complex assets?
Sign up for our webinar to learn what to look for proactively and how to build trust with donors who can make these special gifts from a true expert, Bryan Clontz of Charitable Solutions!
A PLACE OF GRACE MAKES USE OF VISIO DIVINA
Thur., Sept. 21
A Place of Grace makes use of Visio Divina (Divine Seeing) with a meditative art form called Zentangle(R) in art and sabbath retreats where non-representational art is created in response to scripture and prayer. Worship unfolds. Art is shared. Communion is served. No art experience is required. Each retreat is different for each participant. Monthly non-contracted (open to the public) Prayer Art Retreats are held on the third Thursday of each month (except November and December -- check the schedule for those months due to the holidays) at Von Dell Gallery & Studios, 102 E. Ferguson, Wood River, IL, from 6-9 p.m. The September retreat will be held on 9/21. Supplies are provided. A Place of Grace is offering-based, and offerings are between the giver and God. RSVP for this month's Prayer Art Retreat at https://www.aplaceofgrace-juliegvillo.net/upcoming-events.html
Click Here to learn more about upcoming Place of Grace Events.
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Music of the Spheres with Sam Brown
Performing Music from the 50's, 60's & 70's
Fri., Sept. 22 at 7 pm
Free-will donations are accepted. Watch for upcoming events. Hosted by First United Presbyterian Church, located at 2160 Delmar, Granite City, Illinois. Directions found by clicking here.
Community Gospel Choir
New Member Night
Sun., Sept. 24 at 6 pm
Our choir builds bridges that restore unity to “community” — all through the rich tradition of African-American spirituals and the energy of Gospel music. We work to collaborate and partner with social justice organizations to break down walls of injustice, and to build bridges to unite a community far too divided. But most importantly, we deliver the messages of hope and joy found in the Good News through song. Hosted by Second Baptist Church, 9030 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, MO 63117
The Handshake That Shook the World:
A 30-Year Reflection on the Oslo Accords
Thurs., Sept. 28 at 7 pm
Washington University, Hillman Hall-Room 70
FREE Event: The 1993 Oslo Accords were a pivotal moment in the history of Israel's existence. This monumental meeting between Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat was, at its core, a potential first step toward a lasting peace between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, and the decisions made there still continue to impact both societies in profound ways today.
Free parking is available on campus after 5:00 pm. The closest parking garage is the East End Garage, located on the Danforth Campus in Zone 1. Enter the garage from the Wrighton Way and Forsyth intersection or the Forest Park Parkway and Hoyt intersection. (Learn more by clicking here)
Registration is required – Click Here | Directions found by clicking here
Crop Walk 2023
Sunday, October 1
The 2023 CROP Hunger Walk and Concert is on Sunday, October 1 at Eden Theological Seminary, 475 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves 63119 -- check-in at 4:30 pm, Walk at 5:00, and CROP Concert at 7:00 (= the 12th Annual Eden Festival of Psalms). For further information and details, to register, to create a team, and/or to donate, go to the following website: www.crophungerwalk.org/saintlouismo
A Retreat for Pastoral Leaders:
Vitality for Ministry
 October 23-25
Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center
Independence, Missouri
 
Speaker: Bryce Wiebe, Associate for Vital Congregations, of Eastminster Presbytery. Registration is open!! Click the link below! Please send a $200 registration fee to the Missouri Union Presbytery, 3236 Emerald Lane, Suite 500, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
Registration deadline: October 1, 2023 (Click Here)
Loving Our Neighbors and Race Relations in STL:
Apology to Action
Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church
9:15 am – Sunday’s in the Fireside Room
October 8, 15, 22 & 29
  • October 8 “Truth and Reparation: How the PC(USA) Talks About Racism” with Rev. Ryan J. Landino, Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery Leader
  • October 15 “Understanding the PCUSA’s Overture of Apology for the Sin of Slavery” with Diane McCullough, Dismantling Racism and White Privilege Team
  • October 22 “Lucky Zip Codes” with Amy Hunter, VP of DEI at Caleres, Inc.
  • October 29 “Restorative Justice and Alternatives to Incarceration” with Tracy Stanton & Sarah Nixon, Freedom Community Center
Learn more about these events by clicking here. Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church is located at 9450 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, MO 63124. Directions found by clicking here.
SYNOD OF MID-AMERICA
2023 INNOVATION GRANT
DESCRIPTION, PARAMETERS, AND APPLICATION
Description
  The Synod of Mid-America (SoMA) announces the 2023 Innovation Grant program to foster creative projects that seek to address the PCUSA’s Matthew 25 focus areas in:
  • Dismantling structural racism,
  • Eradicating systemic poverty, and
  • Revitalizing congregations.
A minimum of $5,000 in grant funding has been allocated across each of the Synod of Mid-America’s six presbyteries for awards to support congregations* that engage in innovative mission projects that can be easily replicated across the Synod for maximum impact and effectiveness.
Flu Season Nearing
Are you ready?
Has your church considered offering a Mobile Flu Shot Clinic? Consider contacting our partners in health, St. Luke's, to serve your neighbors and faith community. Contact Kat Dockery by calling her at 314-864-3286 or emailing Katherine.Dockery@stlukes-stl.com
Tips for Caring for God's Amazing Creation:
Commit to Low or No-Waste Grocery Shopping
One way to reduce waste when grocery shopping is to buy unpackaged fresh fruits and vegetables, bring your own container to a bulk food store, avoid prepared food, and bring your own cloth grocery bags.
"TIPS" is brought to you by the Earth Care Work Group of the presbytery, monitoring the 10 Earth Care Congregations in the presbytery and advocating for low-income, people of color, indigenous people, and LGTBQ communities that are frequently the first and worst to be affected by environmental degradation. Contact: carletonstock@aol.com or 314-941-9378
APCE Needs YOU
The Association of Partners in Christian Education is coming to St. Louis Union Station from January 24th through the 27th. Your Local Committee needs your help! We will need volunteers.
Please email Julie Gvillo (juliegvillo.aplaceofgrace@gmail.com) AND Pat Cleeland (together) (patricia.cleeland@gmail.com) to let us know you are willing to help and the places you feel most comfortable doing so.
We also need assistance with providing supplies for participants. The QR code previously shared no longer works. Please, use this link instead to access the Amazon Wish List and watch for additions to the list in the next few months. Orders should be sent in the care of Rev. Pat Cleeland at Second Presbyterian Church, 4501 Westminster Pl., St. Louis, MO 63108. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your help!
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
  • Director of Children’s Ministries - Webster Groves Presbyterian, Webster Groves, MO
  • Choir Director and Organist, First Presbyterian, Alton, IL
  • Chaplains, St. Luke's Hospital, Chesterfield, 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