Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy Weekly Newsletter

Newsletter

January / 25 / 2022

Weekly Blog Post

Blood Ties

Blog Post by Tony De La Rosa, Ruling Elder

Transitional Synod Executive

Synod of Mid-America

“But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another.”

Click Here to Read Blog

Our Presbytery - Our Work

Weekly Prayer Basket

Please pray for... our blogger, Ruling Elder, Tony De La Rosa, Ruling Elder, Transitional Synod Executive of the Synod of Mid-America
Please pray for... Rev. Paula Cooper, who has been battling Covid Pneumonia, at the Medland Hospital, in Lusaka, Zambia where she was admitted to the ICU on January 19^th, after first being admitted on January 12th to Care For Business (CFB) medical Centre.
Please pray for...our world leaders, who are charged with keeping us safe, at home or away.
Please pray for...our new commissioners. That they feel welcomed and engaged in presbytery mission and ministry.

Submit a Prayer

PC(USA)

Quick Connect

Support Ministry

Help Wanted

Positions Available Found Here

Parish Paper

Katelynn Ward

1945-2022

Friends, we are saddened to report the death of Katie Ward, beloved wife of Rev. Wynn Ward. Please keep Rev. Wynn Ward and their family in your prayers. Wynn wrote a brief reflection of Katie and you can find that by clicking here.

Upcoming Ministry Team Meetings

This Week

Next Week

Wed., Jan. 26

10 am Honorably Retired Pastors

Click Here

Thurs, February 3

9am - Presbytery Gathering

Called to Gather

Thursday, February 3 at 9 a.m.

Rev. Ryan Landino

Presbytery Leader Installation

Rev. Dr. Kathryn Threadgill

Associate for Vital Congregations of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

Rev. Dr. Teri

McDowell Ott

Editor / Publisher of The Presbyterian Outlook

Exciting Presbytery Gathering to Begin our Year of Evangelism!

We will install our new Presbytery Leader, have worship with Rev. Dr. Teri

McDowell Ott, and will have our education portion led by Rev. Dr. Kathryn Threadgill. All of our members and treasured friends are welcome. Please share with all in your congregation. All have a vision and voice in the presbytery, Watch the newsletter for the Gathering Binder, and more information as it becomes available. Join us:

Thursday, February 3rd at 9 a.m.

(Zoom Fellowship Begins at 8:15 am)

ZOOM LINK HERE

Pastor Boundary Training Event February 16

If you are new to our presbytery and/or were unable to attend the September 30, 2021 training, you should plan to be at this online event.

Wednesday, February 16

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Zoom

You must register for the event, and we welcome you to do that as soon as possible by clicking here.

If you have already participated in boundary training within the last three years, you must submit a copy of the certificate of completion to the Stated Clerk, Rev. Joy Myers, at jmyers@glpby.org or by mailing it to 1001 Craig Rd., Suite 170, St. Louis, MO 63146. If you have any questions, please call her at 314.772.2395. We look forward to seeing you February 16!

News & Updates

Proof of Vaccination Required

The Stated Clerk and the Office of the General Assembly have agreed that for the safety of all participants, who attend the General Assembly at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, they must be fully vaccinated for Covid-19. Proof of vaccination will be required during the registration process.
Additionally Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2022 "will be requiring that each participant provide proof of the most up-to-date vaccination available in accordance with the CDC without exception." Analise Brown, National Registrar for Presbyterian Youth Triennium

Online Training for Pastors Leading

in Transitional Settings

Beginning February 7

Since all ministry is transitional, please spread the word to all your pastors about the list of opportunities available on the website of the Transitional Ministry Education Consortium of the PC(USA).

Here’s more about two coming up soon, for which details are already posted:

Scott Lumsden and Eliana Maxim will lead a 4-day event spread out over four months, the first Monday of February (7th), March (7th), April (4th), and May (2nd). The workshops will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pacific, with breaks along the way. They’ll cover the basics about leadership, congregational dynamics, and how to lead change (in other words, how to deal with conflict). Check it out here.

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is offering Part 1, The Art of Transitional Ministry: Reconciliation in God’s New World. Sessions will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern February 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31; and April 7. Details here.

Faith at Home Lent Practices Webinar

February 24 at 2 pm

Join this webinar on February 24 at 3:00 p.m. EST with Traci Smith, who will talk about simple practices for at-home faith formation during Lent. We will also release six short videos for use by your households, highlighting our five faith practices of storytelling, hospitality, service, prayer, and retreat. Faith at Home Book: Are you looking for a Lenten resource for households with children? Have you seen author and pastor Traci Smith’s newest book, Faithful Families for Lent, Easter, and Resurrection? The Office of Christian Formation has partnered with Chalice Press and Traci Smith so that PC(USA) formation leaders can receive a discount of 50% off 5 or 10 copies of the book to share with those you serve.

White Privilege Conference

March 9-12

For the first time in it's 23-year history, the White Privilege Conference is being hosted by a religious organization and specifically by The Presbytery of Charlotte in Charlotte, NC March 9-12, 2022. We plan to be both in-person and hybrid knowing that the in-person experience will be life-changing. We hope to see you all here in Charlotte!

The WPC Conference Theme for 2022 is: 'Wade in the Water: White Supremacy, Race, Religion, and Reprocity'. Our keynote speakers will include Resmaa Menachem, Khyati Joshi, Bree Newsome and Gregory Drumright.

There is a 20% discount for PC(USA) members: Enter PCUSAWPC23 at checkout. (Thanks to Molly Casteel) Register online here: https://web.cvent.com/event/06642380-b578-4064-8d79-20f44c17117e/summary

St. Stephen Presbyterian Church Youth Searching for Mission Location

Week of July 25-29

St. Stephen Presbyterian Youth, a small but hearty youth group, is looking in several places in the USA to offer our services for a Vacation Bible School and possibly a small construction project at a church or needy organization in your area. We are mostly a group of girls, with a few guys, looking to hold a VBS in a location this particular week of the summer: Their resume of past summer experiences can be found by clicking here.

Contact Beth Fultz, Director of Christian Education

St. Stephen Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, Texas 76109

817.927.8411 office | 817.875.9704 cell

Beth.fultz@ststephenpresbyterian.com

www.ststephenpresbyterian.com

Are you planning to go Four for Four in 2022? Let us know! Are you interested in going Four for Four, but not quite sure where to begin? Reach out to us either here or at special.offerings@pcusa.org. We're happy to help you get started!

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.

Retirement Savings Plan Webinar - February 1

Fidelity will be offering a 30-minute webinar on February 1, which will interest ministers and employees enrolled in the Retirement Savings Plan. Those who participate may earn Call to Health points!

Learn About Webinar Here | Yearly Checklist Here

Month of Grace + Prayer:

A Retreat in Everyday Life

Pray on your own 20 minutes each day and meet one-on-one with a spiritual companion one hour each week for four consecutive weeks. Starts on February 6. All meetings will be virtual (Zoom or phone if you prefer). Weekly meeting times set around your schedule. This is an individually directed retreat tailored to your own deep desires. Committed couples also have the option to participate as a couple. All adults are welcome regardless of denomination or affiliation. For more information, visit www.momentsofgraceandprayer.org and to register contact Clarence Heller at clarenceheller@gmail.com.

Changes are coming to Triennium, a life-changing event for thousands of Presbyterian youth and young adults

July 24-27, 2022

God has called us to be together to SEE God’s people and to SEE and explore what it means to truly SEE each other. There is a place for you to be, to see, and to be seen…in July 2022. A place where young Presbyterians will gather together to activate their next steps in faith, exploring the intersection of justice, courage, connection, and vision. When we SEE each other at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium... We will SEE God | We will SEE Ourselves We will SEE OTHERS | We will SEE ALL We will understand what it means to truly SEE!

Learn More Here

Thurs., Jan 27, 2022

2:00-3:30 pm Eastern Time

Zoom Meeting ID: 993 3006 0674

Save the Date!

Changes in a federal student loan forgiveness program to

have a positive impact on ministers and church leaders

The Presbyterian Mission Agency is offering two webinars in January for all PC(USA) leaders. These webinars will be a launching point for a year-long push to make sure every PC(USA) leader with student loan debt has the information they need to take advantage of a limited waiver from the Department of Education. Many who may not have qualified for Public Service Loan Forgiveness previously, could have their loans forgiven much sooner than expected. Any PC(USA) leader is welcome to join either meeting. Student Loan experts from PeopleJoy will present the material and be available to answer general questions. Live simultaneous interpretation will be provided in Spanish and Korean. Visit pcusa.org/loanassist for more information.