Newsletter
January / 12/ 2021
Be Still and Know
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.
Our Presbytery - Our Work
The Commission on Ministry of the Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy commends the following statement to all Sessions and Congregations in support of churches' clergy and non-clergy staff
The Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy commends our congregations and leaders on their creativity, passion, endurance, and resourcefulness in finding new ways to do the ministry God has called them to do during this ongoing pandemic. 2020 was a challenging year, and our communities were indeed blessed by the talents and efforts of resilient and faithful pastors, commissioned pastors, music ministers, and church staff. We recognize that many of our leaders worked extra hours, days, and weeks learning new technologies, adapting worship services, changing budgets, adjusting equipment, shifting pastoral care styles, and so much more. In loving their communities and learning new skills, these leaders sacrificed days off and vacation time, time they very much need for respite. The leadership of the Presbytery recognizes the need for rest, sabbath, and renewal, and encourages church sessions to take action to allow all church staff to carry over any unused vacation time from 2020 to be used in 2021, in addition to their allowed 2021 vacation time.
Christopher Q. James, Moderator
Commission on Ministry"
Weekly Prayer Basket

  • Please pray for...for Bridge Presbytery Leader, Rev. Bob Jensen in the death of his sister
  • Please pray for...those battling COVID19 at home and in the hospital
  • Please pray for...for those dealing with loss of a family or friend, and those who are in hospice settings and preparing for their return home.
  • Please pray for...new, unexpected and troubling health diagnoses. For hope, for healing and for peace in a new and challenging journey
PC(USA)
Quick Connect
Support Ministry
Help Wanted
Parish Paper

Celebrating Rev. Dr. Craig M Howard
Join Us.....

Friday, January 22 at 5 p.m.

on Zoom to celebrate Rev. Dr. Craig M Howard who faithfully served our Presbytery for four years. We are sad to see him leave us, but excited to see him staying in the area and at the Presbyterian Foundation.
Please send any message you would like shared with Craig at communication@glpby.org
Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
Upcoming Team Meetings
As Presbytery Ministry Committees and Commissions Organize, please check with your Moderator for meeting dates and times, or call the office at 314-772-2395, or email Office Manager, Leigh Porter at lporter@glpby.org
Presbytery Stated Gathering
Thursday, February 4
Meeting will be on Zoom
(No Need to Register)

A Call to Gather will be emailed out on Thursday, February 4

Watch your inbox!
History Comes to Life
Historical Highlight
by Julie Nicolai
The Soulard Market Mission House was a Presbyterian Mission that first met in the meeting rooms of the Soulard Market building south of downtown St. Louis. It eventually became known as the Menard Street Mission and had its own building at Menard and Julian Streets. The cornerstone is inscribed as follows: “Menard Street Mission Erected 1896.” A January 17, 1897 “St. Louis Post-Dispatch” article described the building in detail. It was designed by Brable, Weber & Groves, architects, and was made of pressed brick and Bedford stone. The “spacious entrances” provided a “speedy exit from both the first and second stories in case of fire.” The building had a pantry, supply rooms, a large hall for public meetings on the first floor, kitchen and “separate rooms for ladies and gentlemen.” It featured steam heat, gas and electric lights and indoor plumbing. The second story seated 1,400 children in infant and large Sunday school rooms divided by sliding wooden shutters.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Missouri History Museum
January 18

  • For Children 6-12 Years- (10:30am) Kids will explore the broader context of the civil rights movement through a variety of primary sources and evaluate how activists communicate their messages through images and words. Then they will identify and explain issues they care about by creating a poster that advocates for their views. Learn more here.
  • For Youth 12-18 (1pm) - Youth will explore and analyze primary sources to gain a greater understanding of the history of the civil rights movement. Then, by using their own experiences and analyzing historical examples of justice and injustice, young people will question, explain, elaborate, and interpret their concepts of societal justice. Learn more here
News & Activities
Thursday Webinar at 2:30pm Central
TECH GRANT TESTIMONY
Trinity Presbyterian - University City
Trinity Presbyterian Church transitioned to virtual services in March of 2020. Fortunately we had much of the equipment and expertise available to start streaming our Sunday services but our Technology grant from the Presbytery helped a great deal.  We were able to purchase a camera which allowed us to provide another view in our on-line service. This improved the quality of the service substantially. Through the weeks and months we gained experience in on-line worship. We made some mistakes, but eventually figured out a way to put together a meaningful service that draws many Trinity members each week for worship and fellowship. Our thanks to the Presbytery for providing these Technology grants.
We welcome you, if you have not explored virtual worship to see what is possible and what you might need. Click Here
Concert Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sun., Jan. 17 | 4pm
The Couts Music Series of Second Presbyterian Church presents a concert honoring the birthday and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program takes place virtually on Sunday, January 17 at 4:00 pm and features singer Kim Fuller, pianist Carolbeth True, bassist Glen Smith, and drummer David True. To watch and listen, visit https://secondchurch.net/music/couts-music-series/ This concert is only accessible online on Sunday, January 17 at 4:00 pm. For more information call 314-367-0367 or secondchurch.net.
Franklin County United Virtual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Celebration
Register to attend! - Click here: https://bit.ly/3nr70Vy
Our speaker this year is Ms. Mettazee Morris. Ms. Morris is an international storyteller, musician, and Social Worker. Ms. Morris will be telling the family history of Father Augustus Tolton, from the perspective of Fr. Tolton's mother, Martha Jane Chisley Tolton. Mettazee will sing Negro spirituals throughout her presentation. During the presentation, we will have opportunities to break into small groups to discuss, as well as question and answer sessions with Ms. Morris. Other music will be provided by Karen Stafford
Planning Now for Black History Month
The 2021 theme for Black History Month, which is observed in February, is “The Black Family: Its Representation, Identity and Diversity.” The theme is an important one as we remember that we are made in the image of God (imago Dei). There is only one human race, and every member of it has the attributes of the Divine.
New Year = Reports Are Due
The Start of the Year Checklist provides congregational leaders reminders and guidance of annual reporting requirements to the presbytery, IRS, and Board of Pensions.
Included in the toolkit is the attached Benefits Connect Employer Guide. This document walks treasurers/ administrators through the steps of reporting changes in employment and salary. The employer representative for your council of the church may find it useful.
FREE to a Church in Need
St. Mark Presbyterian Church recently did some technology updates and has a few 2 GHz Cisco wireless access points it no longer needs. They are free to a good home. Please contact Pastor Dave Burgess at dburgess@discoverstmark.org if you are interested.
Scam Alert !!!
If you have recently received an email requesting a gift card, credit card information or any other financial request from the Presbytery office or a Pastor within our Presbytery-someone is Phishing. No one, either in our office or our member churches, will ever solicit funds in this manner. Please notify any party, by phone, if you receive any suspicious email or text message.
What is Phishing?....a scam by which an Internet user is duped (as by a deceptive e-mail message) into revealing personal or confidential information which the scammer can use illicitly
How to recognize and avoid it? Scammers use email or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information. But there are several things you can do to protect yourselfClick Here
GRANTS AVAILABLE
Technology Grants - Wave 2
When COVID-19 began to spread across the United States, Giddings-Lovejoy congregations responded in amazing ways to continue their worship and ministries. I am in awe. Congregations have stretched themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of doing. As I like to say, the building may be closed, but the church is not! 
Please submit your grant request to pastorlizkanerva@gmail.com. Note in the subject line Second Wave Grant.
In your request, include the church’s name and address, contact person and email address, and what the grant will be used for.  
By the way, First Wave Grants are still available. Please contact Liz Kanerva at the above email for more information. (Learn More Here)
Education & Training Opportunities
Upcoming Webinars
“Dementia Care for Aging Veterans
affected by Moral Injury”
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
2:00 p.m. (Eastern)
The Soul Repair Center will be offering free monthly webinars in the months ahead of use to religious leaders and professional caregivers supporting veterans and their families. Click here to learn more
Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches (CTS)
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will present a Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches workshop which is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2021. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, that date will be upon us before we know it. If you have colleagues who you believe might benefit from this training, would you please remind them that the discount deadline for this event is Dec. 31, 2020 (barely three weeks away).  If someone whom you refer eventually registers for any session of CTS — Jan. 16, Feb. 13, March 22, or April 10 — then we would like to thank you by allowing you to register free of charge for The Language We Use, a 90-minute webinar on the morning of December 16.  Learn more here
APCE 2021
Registration is open for the virtual event hosted by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators, to be held February 4–6. Explore “Anything But Ordinary Time” with APCE, from the comfort of your own home.
Becoming Matthew 25
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How Do We Engage Socially Distancing and still participate in Mission & Ministry?
Send us your stories of how your congregation is maintaining congregational vitality during this pandemic. Send stories to Office Manager, Leigh Porter at lporter@glpby.org
Current Support Ministry Position Openings
Part-Time Pastor - First Presbyterian, Perryville

Part-Time Organist - First Presbyterian of Alton, IL

Associate Pastor - Dardenne Presbyterian, Dardenne Prarie

Organist/Pianist - First Presbyterian, Jackson, MO

Interim Pastor - John Calvin Presbyterian