Newsletter
January / 11 / 2022
Weekly Blog Post
A Fresh Look at a Long-Ago Lament
Blog Post by Rev. Vicky Michaels
Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church, Crystal City, Missouri
"Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?”'
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket

  • Please pray for... our blogger, Rev. Vicky Michaels, and her ministry at Grace Presbyterian Church, Crystal City, Missouri
  • Please pray for... for those lives lost by fire, in Chicago and New York as well as those within our presbytery.
  • Please pray for... for our presbytery members and friends as Omicron has impacted the health of all of our communities
PC(USA)
Quick Connect
Support Ministry
Help Wanted
Parish Paper
Upcoming Ministry Team Meetings
This Week
Next Week
Wed., Jan. 12
12pm Transitional Pastors-Click Here
Thurs., Jan. 13
9:30am History Team-Click Here
Thurs., Jan. 20
10 am Public Witness -Click Here
4 pm Vision Team - Click Here
Fri., Jan. 21
10 am PW Coordinating Council
Office Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr Day
Presbytery Office Closed
Monday, January 17
for Marting Luther King, Jr. Day
You too can help bend the moral arc, a Matthew 25 Project. Consider...
You can find the Facebook Live Event Here: https://www.facebook.com/pcusa
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Matthew 25 - Films That Matter
Beginning Thurs., Jan. 20
Woodlawn Chapel Presbyterian will be sponsoring an Epiphany learning & fellowship event via Zoom using Matthew 25 curriculum on engaging racism through film. We are excited to offer this to the community and presbytery! We will begin on Thursday, January 20 from 7-8:30 p.m. and continue on consecutive Thursday evenings through February 17. It's not necessary to attend all the events, but we're asking for persons to preregister with us by sending an email to [email protected] or to me at [email protected] so they can receive the link.  Flyer with details found here
2022 - Presbytery Year of Evangelism
What Is Evangelism?
Evangelism is the proclamation and manifestation of good news. The following passage from the prophet Isaiah illuminates the expansive, wondrous nature of God’s good news:
“How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” (Isaiah 52:7)
News & Updates
Ferguson Eco Team Movie Night
Facing Adversity, Choosing Earth, Choosing Life
Thursday, January 20, 7 pm | On ZOOM
Facing Adversity: Choosing Earth, Choosing Life is a 70-minute documentary that explores the speed, depth, and magnitude of our growing planetary crisis, and the opportunity we have to meet this crisis consciously – with eyes and hearts wide open. Through a broad, whole-systems perspective, the film examines key challenges (climate change, inequities, species extinction, overconsumption, and more) and explores the deeper transformation being called forth from humanity. Woven throughout are stories from around the world illustrating both heart-breaking impacts and inspiring resilience. Engaging with this paradox — an unfolding global crisis paired with the opportunity to awaken to and serve the well-being of all of life — is the work of our lifetimes. The film features Duane Elgin, Victoria Santos, Jack Kornfield, Joanna Macy, Nate Hagens, Beena Sharma, Lynne Twist, and other contributors who are grappling with this paradox and offering guidance for navigating the times ahead. The shareable flyer can be found here.
FACING ADVERSITY is based on the important 2020 book CHOOSING EARTH, Humanity's Great Transition to a Mature Planetary Civilization, by Duane Elgin, also the author of the popular 1981 book, VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY. 
To register for the ZOOM click link:  https://bit.ly/FETJan2022 .  A ZOOM link will then be sent to you to access the event. 
Coaching Cohorts
Beginning January 19
NEXT Church offers coaching cohorts as part of our NEXT Steps Coaching initiative. Coaching cohorts are a combination of scheduled group cohorts gathered around a particular topic led by teachers and experts, along with individual coaching sessions to accompany those cohort meetings with trained/certified coaches to help you apply and wrestle with the topic for your particular context. We are excited to launch the 2022 slate of offerings. Grab a seat using any remaining continuing ed funds from this year.  You will be transformed and renewed. 
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!
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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 [email protected].
Spirit of Stewardship
Fri., Mar. 4 & Sat., Mar. 5
(Location TBD)
Make plans to attend this regional stewardship event seeking to nurture, educate, and inspire faithful financial discipleship and promote meaningful holistic approaches to stewardship.
Sponsors: Presbyteries of Heartland, Missouri Union, Northern Kansas, and Southern Kansas. Flyer found here.
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!
Mon., Jan 24, 2022
6:00-7:30 pm Eastern Time
Zoom Meeting ID: 993 3006 0674
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.
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
Organist/Accompanist - First Presbyterian - Cape Girardeau, MO

Office Administrator - First Presbyterian - Cape Girardeau, MO

Director of Youth Ministry + Digital Media - First United, Belleville, IL

Audio and Video Tech (15 hours/week) - First United, Belleville

Music Director - Glendale Presbyterian Church, Glendale, MO

Head of Music - First United Presbyterian, Collinsville, IL

Associate Pastor - Dardenne Presbyterian, Dardenne Prarie, MO


Off Hours Help Needed? Contacts Found Below
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