Newsletter
December / 30 / 2019
2019 - Looking Back at Giddings-Lovejoy
Happy New Year
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Dear White Christians Book Study
As part of our Matthew 25 initiative, we ask that you join us in a Presbytery Wide Book Study on Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation by Jennifer Harvey, who will be leading a workshop at the February 6 th Presbytery Gathering. More information about the day found here. More information about Jennifer Harvey found here.
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We encourage individuals, committees, sessions, and churches to consider participating in this book study... . AND We will reimburse you up to 50% of the purchase price of the book, if you submit your receipt to the presbytery office.
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Books may be found at Amazon - Kobo - Google Play - Barnes & Noble
Let's Prepare for Robust Conversation at the
February Presbytery Gathering!
Weekly Prayer Basket Update

  • Please pray ... about and read Dear White Christians, so we can enter 2020 as a Presbytery prepared for our call to become Matthew 25 Congregations
  • Please pray ... for the victims of violence in faith based attacks in New York and Texas this week
  • Please pray...for those who struggle to find adequate food, shelter and medical care this winter
PC(USA)
Quick Connect
Support Ministry
Help Wanted
Parish Paper

Upcoming Team Meetings
NOTE: Meeting locations are as follows: Oaks - is the meeting room next door to the presbytery office; St.Andrew - refers to the Board Room of St. Andrews on the second floor, directly above the presbytery office; Pres - refers to the Presbytery Office Resource Center; Ladue - refers to Ladue Chapel; WG - refers to Webster Groves Presbyterian, Kirkwood - refers to First Presbyterian of Kirkwood. Contact the office at 314-772-2395 if you are unsure where you will be meeting.
Week of: Jan. 1 to Jan. 7

No Meetings Scheduled


Week of: Jan. 8 to Jan. 14

Thurs., Jan. 9
10 a.m. - Stewardship (Oaks)
3 p.m. - Gather Planning (Oaks)
Mon., Jan. 13
3 p.m. - Personnel (Oaks)
Tues., Jan. 14
10 a.m - Finance (Oaks)
11 a.m - New Worship Com (St. Andrew)
1 p.m. - Mission/Outreach (Oaks)
4 p.m. - Admin/Support (Oaks)

ATTN: Pastors
Save the date for Boundary Training
Thursday, April 23rd with Dr. Christopher Grimes. Location to be determined. Not sure if you need it? Call the office at 314-772-2395 to find out.
2019 Holiday Office Schedule

DECEMBER: Closing at noon on Tuesday, December 31, and all day Wednesday, January 1.
Uprooting Hunger - 2019 Presbytery Wide Goal
Racial Wealth Gap Simulation!
Here’s a great educational tool from Bread for the World and NETWORK for getting – or keeping – the conversation going about hunger, poverty, inequality and race. The biblical study guide grounds the simulation in our Christian faith. The focus on policy is helpful in understanding how racism has translated into economic inequality and the structures of society.
Perfect for use in a congregational setting, this carefully crafted curriculum works for all levels.
Uprooting Hunger - Hunger Action Team
In 2019 the presbytery will work toward establishing Certified Hunger Action Congregations. This  handout will be helpful to your congregation, as we journey together.
We welcome any questions you might have - email us at communication@glpby.org or call 314-772-2395.
We celebrate, in thanksgiving, our 20 Certified and 25 Covenanting Congregations for their dedication to eradicating hunger in their communities!
Questions on how to get your congregation involved email us here.
Well REALLY - Kenyan Well Now a Reality!
Well as it runs can be seen below
The well pump was installed last week despite heavy rains making the roads impassable. The tower is currently under construction and tanks will be delivered soon as well. Thank you to all Presbytery members and congregations who have helped make this a reality. There will be many members of Pendo Presbyterian who will attend the Thanksgiving service for this well, including Pastor Isaac Wanyoike and his wife Carol. 
Ministry Teams News & Activities
ATTN: Retired Pastors & Surviving Spouses
Third Act Seminar Registration ENDS January 6
Board of Pensions - Third Act is a complimentary luncheon and seminar focusing on a particular aspect of wholeness in retirement, that will be held on January 22 at Ladue Chapel.
The journey toward wholeness lasts one's whole life long — even, or perhaps especially, in retirement. The Third Act Seminar & Luncheon focuses on a different topic each year related to that journey toward wholeness.
At this seminar, you can gather insights into topics relevant to the third act of your life; receive benefits updates from your local Church Consultant; and break bread and enjoy fellowship with retired colleagues. 
Your Church Consultant also will give an update on your benefits in retirement. We welcome you to a nourishing meal — and to learn more about your third act.
If you haven't already registered, please do so now by clicking here.
Just Mercy
Sun., Jan. 12 | 2:15 p.m.
The Teen/Young Adult Ministry of Third Presbyterian Church invite you to attend a screening of the movie Just Mercy, starring Jaime Foxx and Michael B. Jordan, with us! Join Us on Sunday, Jan 12th for After Church Movie Day!
The movie will be shown at the AMC Creve Coeur 12, located at 10465 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Directions may be found here.
Upcoming Mission Madness Retreats

Wednesday, January 8 -- weather permitting -- the Mission Madness team from A Place of Grace will meet at Community Hope Center, located at 1201 Hope Center Ln, Cottage Hills, Illinois 62018
at 8:45 a.m. to work alongside those who make this amazing local ministry great! We will work from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will eat lunch in the Soup for the Soul Cafe (donations welcome, but not required). If you are looking for a place where you can plug into a community of folks who take service in Christ's name seriously (and themselves, not so much), the APOG Mission Madness Team would love to have you! Please RSVP to this event or PM Julie for more details!
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Wednesday, January 22, 2020, the Mission Madness Team from A Place of Grace will support the work of Operation Blessing, located at 18 E Lorena Ave, Wood River, Illinois 62095
in Wood River, IL. Operation Blessing serves folks in our community who are in crisis. This fantastic ministry has been and continues to be an important part of caring for our neighbors. If you are looking for a place where you can plug into a community that takes service to Christ seriously (and themselves, not so much), then the APOG Mission Madness Team may be the perfect fit! We would love to have you join us! RSVP to this event or PM Julie for more details!
Don't forget to "Like" their Facebook Page!
Presbyterian Women - Save the Date
The PW West Cluster Winter Gathering will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Friday, March 13th, in Sullivan, Mo. The Theme will focus on Hope in 2020 as the next decade rolls around. The speaker will be from Hope Ranch, and the offering will go to help Hope Ranch raise money for their opening in 2020. Please join us at this West Cluster Presbyterian Women event. Please bring your friends, and family to celebrate Hope. Pre-registration is requested and registration forms will be available soon. For more information contact Carol Gruber at carolgruber@sbcglobal.net.
Congregational/Event Happenings
Movie Day Featuring – A Dog’s Journey
First Presbyterian Church - Sullivan, Mo.
Sat., Jan. 11 | 2 p.m.

FREE! Snacks will be provided. Join us for a great movie and fellowship. All are welcome! Directions can be found here.
Millikin University Choir in Concert
Dardenne Presbyterian Church
Sat., Jan. 11 | 7:00 p.m.
Millikin University Choir in concert at Dardenne Presbyterian Church
Also performing will be choirs from Fort Zumwalt West High School and Parkway West High School. This concert is open to the public. A freewill offering will be received.
Dardenne Presbyterian Church, is located at 7400 South Outer 364
Dardenne Prairie, MO. Directions can be found here.
Anita Jackson and Friends Concert
Sun., Jan. 19 | 4 p.m.
Second Presbyterian Church
Ms. Jackson will be joined with her trio of piano, bass, and drums and perform music commemorating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The church is located at 4501 Westminster Place in the Central West End, St. Louis, 63108. The concert is part of the Couts Music Series and is free to the community. For more information call 314-367-0367 or visit  www.secondchurch.net . Directions can be found here.
Announcements & Free Items
FREE Hymnals Available
Southminster Presbyterian Church, Crestwood, has 196 The Singing Church hymnals. These hymnals were published by the Hope Publishing Company. These need a new home and are free to whoever will come and claim them. First come first serve, must take all of them. Please contact, Bill Thomas at 314-323-8041, if you are interested.
Space For Rent in Imperial
1600 square foot space, five rooms and common room, second floor. Perfect for office, preschool, daycare, etc. Rent all or individual rooms. Located at Rock Presbyterian Church, Imperial, Missouri. Call 314-420-9477
FOR PASTORS OUT IN THE COLD:
For the asking, a barely used (5X, maybe) Collegiate preachers cold weather cloak from the '70's; MSRP $520. Fits someone (any gender) around 5'10". E-mail revdawson@aol.com with request.
Complete List of Educational Opportunities: Found Here
Empowering Commissioned Pastors Conference
Registration is open for the Empowering Commissioned Pastors Conference, to be held May 13th–16th, 2020, at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson, Texas (Dallas–Fort Worth area). 
Continuing Education Classes Announced
Union Presbyterian Seminary Theological Institute Upcoming Continuing Education Events offered January through March 2020, can be found by Visiting their Events page
Current Support Ministry Position Openings
Youth Ministry Coordinator - Cote Brilliante Presbyterian

Administrative Assistant - LoveJoy United

Christian Educator - First Presbyterian -Edwardsville

Children, Youth and Family Ministry - Second Presbyterian
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Full-Time Director of Youth & Children’s Ministry - First Presbyterian, Columbia, Missouri (Missouri Union Presbytery)