When the new Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines came out last Thursday, they were welcome but also a bit confusing. The challenges that each church has faced have not only been based on a deadly virus, but also on municipal, county, and state government guidance and restrictions. As you consider the new guidelines and how to implement them in your congregation, we invite you to continue to practice safety first for your entire congregation. And we ask each of us to pray for and support our sessions and pastors as they make very difficult decisions about re-opening and safety protocols.

What do you want your community to know about your church? Now, more than ever, church leaders need to be in touch with their congregations and their communities. Join the Presbyterian Communicators Network for this informative workshop focusing on livestreaming your church service.

After more than a year of many church buildings being closed, congregations are beginning to re-enter their places of worship. However, one thing the pandemic has taught us is that we must do church differently. This workshop will share tips, tools, and techniques to help you up your game of livestreaming or help you venture into the world of live streaming.

You don’t have to have a huge budget or a large staff to effectively tell the story of your work inside and outside the church walls. The workshop will share a variety of resources that are available at little or no cost.

Register now for this online workshop.

The Officer Training Workgroup of the Dynamic Leaders Team is evaluating how the Presbytery can better resource sessions in developing church leaders. We invite all church leaders (in any capacity) to take a moment to complete this brief survey: https://4ruazlnqczi.typeform.com/to/rxBK4rwW.

Officer Training Workgroup: Barb Abbett, Susan Andrews, Daniel Ervin, Thom Hood, Joy Myers, Bill Smutz

Oasis a national organization works with 55+ age groups coaching them on how to use for FREE Technology Training, Health and Wellness Training, Health Programs, and Volunteering.

o  Smartphones Android and Apple Platforms

o  iPads  Apple and Android

o  Electronic devices software

o  Digital Etiquette

o  Facebook 101

o  Email 101

o  How to secure/protect yourself when using the Internet

                                       [email protected]

The leader of Light for the Darkness, a new worshiping community that serves as a mental health ministry in the Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy and pastor at Hillside Presbyterian Church in House Springs, Missouri, has lived with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder for 30 years

"TIPS" are submitted by the Earth Care Task Force of the Public Witness Team of the presbytery, consisting of representation from the nine Certified Earth Care Congregations of the presbytery. For more information contact: [email protected]. or 314-941-9378.

Supporting the vaccination effort, caring for our neighbors. In the race to vaccinate the entire United States population, faith leaders across the country are leading by example, receiving the vaccine, advocating on behalf of its equitable distribution, and mobilizing their congregations to support vaccination administration. Faiths4Vaccines is connecting and supporting faith communities in these life-saving efforts.

A message from the Synod of the Sun’s Network for Dismantling Racism

Vigilante violence; hundreds of men, women and children killed; thousands burned out of their homes; businesses looted before they, too, were burned; wholesale internment of residents; the most prosperous black community in the country, the Greenwood District, also known as Black Wall Street, destroyed by racially motivated hatred … Tulsa, 1921. And for generations, both whites and blacks maintained what has been called a “conspiracy of silence,” though for different reasons.

In 2020, the Synod of the Sun formed the Network for Dismantling Racism with the 100th anniversary of this event (May 31–June 1) firmly in its sights, not because what happened in Tulsa was unique, but rather, because it was part of a pattern of domestic terror that marked the era. This is hard local and national history.

Kristy Rodgers, Moderator, Network for Dismantling Racism

Find the Event Links

The presbytery funds to conduct summer programs are available to member churches and social agencies in relationship with the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. The funds will be awarded through an application process directed by the Public Witness Ministry Team. The purpose of the grant is to provide opportunities for summer Christian education and witness, personal growth, faith formation, and recreation (if sanctioned by the local government) to children and adults in communities of need.

Over the last year, GLPBY congregations have worked hard to move vital ministries online. We have connected for worship, learning, and fellowship utilizing resources we never imagined incorporating into our ministries pre-pandemic. To that end, GLPBY granted more than $46,000 in Tech Grants to assist churches in their efforts to establish and/or update their online presence.

Wave 1 and Wave 2 Grants are now phased out. GLPBY is pleased to announce a new round of Tech Grants is available to GLPBY congregations. The Presbytery will pay 75%, up to $2,000, of the grant request with the church commitment to paying the balance. Just to be clear the maximum grant will be $2,000. This round of grants will assist congregations that are expanding their online presence. The grant could be used for upgrading equipment, tech training, or developing hybrid worship for example. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Rolf Kanerva, Associate Presbytery leader at [email protected]

First and foremost, we are dedicated to holding a summer conference that is safe and enjoyable. We are so pleased to be able to offer both of our conference weeks in-person for individuals or groups! We also are offering our conference online for the second year in a row as we hope to bring the Worship and Music Conference experience to everyone! We've even created special pages that talk about what an online conference can look like for you or even a group!

GLPBY is pleased to offer free subscriptions to this year’s recorded NEXT Church National Gathering held March 5-7th. By subscribing, your congregation will have access to the national gathering in its entirety, plus additional resources. Over the years, GLPBY Teaching Elders and lay leaders have participated in NEXT Church national gatherings and have appreciated its focus on resourcing the Presbyterian Church for the 21st century. To learn more about this year’s conference, its presenters, and workshops, please navigate to https://nextchurch.net/product/2021-next-church-national-gathering-subscription/.

If your church would like to take advantage of the free subscription please sign up, following the NEXT Church website’s instructions, and be sure to select the appropriate church size when purchasing the subscription. When checking out use the coupon code: “GiddingsLovejoyGroup”. Once you have purchased, you will receive an email with instructions for how to pass on your access to the rest of your church. You may only use ONE coupon code purchase per church. If you have questions, please contact Liz Rolf Kanerva, Associate Presbytery leader at [email protected].

at Union Seminary by clicking here.

Please mark your calendars for the next offering of the  Art of Transitional Ministry Education. The orientation will begin at 1:00 pm on Monday, October 18, 2021, and will conclude the evening of Thursday, October 21, 2021. At this time, the in-person orientation will be hosted at the Parkville Presbytery Church in Kansas City, Missouri. 

To learn more visit synodma.org/transitional-ministry-education

Registration is now open. To register click here

For questions related to the content or assignments of Weeks I and II or Executive Training, contact Beth Wagner: [email protected]. For administrative and registration questions contact Danelle O’Connell at the Synod of Mid-America office: [email protected]