Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy Weekly Newsletter

Newsletter

March / 15 / 2022

Ides of March or Journey to the Cross

Guest blog post by

Rev. Ellie Stock, HR

"Is Earth moving towards an Ides of March—a death caused by the ambition, competition, hunger-for-power, and mythical vision of unlimited growth and progress of humanity’s economic, political and cultural systems and unsustainable consumeristic personal lifestyles?"

Blog Post

Our Presbytery - Our Work

Weekly Prayer Basket

Please pray for... Rev. Ellie Stock and her work as a volunteer within our presbytery, on Earth Care, Global Missions, and DRAWP.
Please pray for...pray for the world leadership, those in Ukraine who are in harm's way, and for peace to overcome war.
Please pray for...safety for all those responding to the crisis on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries, in caring for refugees, and in life-sustaining operations.

Submit a Prayer

PC(USA)

Quick Connect

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Help Wanted

Positions Available Found Here

Parish Paper

March
April

How is PC(USA) Reponding to the Ukraine Crisis

Churches and faith-based organizations are at the forefront of the humanitarian response to Ukrainians forced to flee their homes in the midst of war. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is already sending much-needed financial aid to our partners as they feed, house, and care for those who are internally displaced and as they cross borders into neighboring countries. PCUSA Staff will share an overview of the humanitarian crisis from our experience as World Mission partners, from the United Nations, and in the work of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. We will hear the stories of our church partners and how you can support this life-saving work. The webinar will be live-streamed on Facebook and Youtube

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has partners on the ground in

and around Ukraine. Pray fervently. Give generously.

Learn More Here

Other Non-Profits Supporting Ukrainian Citizens

World Central Kitchen (WCK): An organization on the frontlines feeding and assisting displaced Ukrainian people. Led by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen is at 8 different border crossings outside of Ukraine to feed those fleeing from war. Additionally, WCK is supporting local restaurants in Odesa and Lviv working to feed Ukrainians still in the country. Their efforts are expanding into Moldova, Slovakia, and Hungary to support incoming refugees.
CARE: This international humanitarian organization, set up an emergency Ukrainian Crisis Fund to provide immediate support for 4 million people. Donations will go toward providing Ukrainians with water, food, supplies, hygiene kits, immediate support and aid, and cash.
Razom for Ukraine: A Ukrainian-American nonprofit working to not only support emergency response to the war but also to provide a whole host of resources for allies looking to help, including a round-up of rallies and events for people interested in showing their support for the #StandWithUkraine movement.
The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), has launched a nationwide fundraising campaign to provide vital humanitarian aid to this population, as well as to the front-line defenders. Together with partners, they have secured warehouses in several regions where humanitarian aid supplies can be securely stored.

Upcoming Ministry Team Meetings

This Week

Next Week

Thur., Mar. 17

10 am Public Witness -Click Here

4 pm Vision Team - Click Here

Fri, Mar. 18

10 am PW Co-Council -Click Here

Mon., Mar. 21

12 pm Newer TE's -Click Here

Wed., Mar. 23

10 am Honorably Retired -Click Here

News & Updates

Joining Hands Peruvian Partnership Meeting

Wed., Mar. 16 at 6:30

We will have a special guest at the next meeting of the Joining Hands Peruvian Partnership on Wednesday, March 16 at 6:30 pm, Milushka Rojas, Executive Director of Joining Hands Peru will join us on Zoom. She has been in her position for about a year, but this will be the first time for us to be in conversation with her. You can attend by clicking here. If you are using a Zoom App, you can use the meeting ID of 840 1635 8336, with the passcode: 532134.

Ferguson ECOLOGY Team Video Night

RECIPROCITY by Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer

Thur., Mar. 17 at 7 pm

RECIPROCITY is a video presentation by Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer who draws on Indigenous and scientific wisdom to offer lessons on how we can heal our relationships with the natural world. Ecological restoration can be understood as an act of reciprocity, in return for the gifts of the earth. If good citizens agree to uphold the laws of the nation, then I choose natural law, the law of reciprocity, regeneration, of mutual flourishing. The presentation was given at the 28th Headwaters Conference, Center for Environment and Sustainability, Western State Colorado University. Learn more here.

Lenten Prayer Art Practice

There is still time to join Pastor and Certified Zentangle(R) Teacher, Julie Gvillo, in a Lenten Prayer Art Practice through YouTube video links sent via email Monday through Saturday each week of Lent. Each week's practice focuses on scriptures from the Revised Common Lectionary. Participants can use specific art tools or supplies they have around the house as they create art while meditating on scripture. Attached is a photo of last week's art creation. One does not have to be an artist to participate. The process is more important than the end product.

Click Here to Learn of More Lenten Opportunities

Fireside Chat

March 23th at 7:00 pm - South St. Louis City

Meet new friends and connect with old ones. Join in a discussion of practices that can help us in our pursuit of spirituality and the divine. How can we turn toward the divine and away from those things that distract us? How do we simplify our lives to focus on what matters? Also, there will be s'mores and hot chocolate. : ) Text Thirza for directions 314-266-8007.

Tips for Caring for God's Phenomenal Creation:

Pick up Trash in your Community!

Go outside alone, with family, with friends, with neighbors to pick up litter in your community. You will feel better and the community will feel better about themselves. It takes the whole community to make and keep a whole community

TIPS is brought to you by the Earth Care Team of the presbytery. Contact: carletonstock@aol.com or 314-941-9378.

Spirit of Stewardship Conference

Connect, Grow, Serve ‐ Stewardship: A Way of Life

April 1-2, 2022 (register by March 21)

First Presbyterian Church

Lee’s Summit, Missouri

(or Virtually)

Learn More Here

Mound Ridge Charity Auction

Sat., Apr. 9 | 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

The Venue at Maison Du Lac

2603 Wild Plum Valley Road, Catawissa, MO

Join us for a wonderful socially distanced afternoon of fun, fellowship, raffles, games, and bidding. $60 per person (includes lunch)

To register visit: moundridge.org | Or call us at 573-263-3098

All Proceeds go toward our mission of providing a “discounted or cost-free” outdoor camp experience to 180 underserved children.

Flyer Found Here and Quilt Raffle Flyer Found Here

Deacons & Ruling Elders

PC(USA) Leader Formation Webinar: Good Stewards of God's Grace

Wed., Mar. 30 | 6 pm

This event is provided for free for participants and is funded through your per capita dollars. It does not come without a cost, however. Knowing the diversity of language within the PC(USA), this webinar will be provided in several languages with interpretation based on requests made through the registration process. As a result, there is a registration deadline of March 23, 2022, in order to be able to have time to arrange for those services. This event will be recorded and will be available in English following the event.

Click Here to Register

Day of Learning for Planned Giving

Tues., Mar. 29 | 9 a.m. & 3 p.m. (Central Time)

Building the Right Program for your Congregation - Join us for our third online Day of Learning on March 29 to learn how to build a planned giving program right-sized for your church needs and how to engage your congregation in giving.

9 a.m. Central Time

Ellie Johns-Kelley, Ministry Relations Officer, and Karl Mattison, Vice President for Planned Giving Resources will present Good, Better, Best: Right-sized Planned Giving Programs.

Discover various models of planned giving programs and get tools that range from very basic practice to starting the conversation to a full plan that demonstrates to donors that your session is prepared to receive and steward their legacy.

3 p.m. Central Time

Olanda Carr, Senior Ministry Relations Officer will be in conversation with Rev. Dr. Brandi Casto-Waters of Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Augusta, Georgia on Having the Talk and Making the Ask.

Their presentation will cover practical tools for an active congregation to use for conversations about planned giving, as well as encouraging congregants to make legacy giving a part of their lifetime stewardship.

All programs will be online through the Zoom platform; you will receive a link to join a few days before the program

Pastors Save the Dates of May 15-20

Mid-America and Lincoln Trails Synod have announced they will have Transitional Ministry Training at the Mercy Center in St Louis May 15-20, 2022. Please watch the newsletter or other direct emails for further information.