Newsletter
October / 7 / 2021
Presbytery Guest Blog by
Rev. Dr. Susan Andrews, HR
Parish Associate at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church
Don’t Let A Good Crisis
Go To Waste!
"A crisis gives us the opportunity to ask the biggest question of all - the real reason for being.… Survival is not enough."
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket

  • Please pray for... our blogger, Rev. Dr. Susan Andrews, her family, and work with Webster Groves Presbyterian Church.
  • Please pray for... for all Clergy this month, and really every day as they guide, support, and give light to our calling as Christians
  • Please pray for...for families as they continue to navigate work/life balance in the age of Covid.
  • Please pray for... for our newest neighbors, Afghanistan refugees, that they are welcomed warmly and create lasting friendships in their new communities.
PC(USA)
Quick Connect
Support Ministry
Help Wanted
Parish Paper
Upcoming Team Meetings
If you have any questions regarding team meetings, 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
This Week
Next Week
No Meetings Scheduled
Mon., Oct. 11
7pm-DRAWP Team-Click Here
Tues., Oct. 12
11am-NWCC-Click Here
4pm-Admin/Support-Click Here
Wed., Oct. 13
12pm-Transitional Pastors-Click Here
1:30pm-COM-Click Here
Thur., Oct. 14
9:30am-History Team-Southminster Pres
Fri., Oct. 15
10am- PW Coord Council-Click Here
October is Clergy Appreciation Month
They are called upon to gently guide someone who is battling mental illness or addiction. They take on the task of helping us through all the other difficulties of life. When the challenges we try mightily to avoid confront us anyway, our pastor says, “I’m here. What can I do?”  
Share with us, how your Pastor is celebrated this month. How they have impacted the church mission and ministry. How they give a vision .... Click Here
News & Updates
You are invited to be part of the
30th Celebration of the
CROP Hunger Walk
Sunday, October 10
This is the 30th year of CROP Walks in Franklin County. Church World Service is the umbrella organization of the CROP Hunger Walk. CWS has been deeply involved in Afghan refugee resettlement for decades. A portion of the CROP donations will go to assist Afghan refugees coming into the US. In addition, a portion of the funds will be donated to hunger and safe water projects around the world.
The Walk will begin at Zion United Church of Christ, 115 S. Washington Ave, in Union MO, with registration at 12:30 p.m. and the Walk beginning at 1 p.m.
Walkers are encouraged to walk according to their ability, but the actual route is less than a mile.
If you can’t be at the Walk and would like to donate, checks should
be made out to CWS - CROP and mailed to First Presbyterian Church,
105 E. Main Street, Union MO 63084 to the attention of Dorothy Clarkson.
Red Cross Blood Drive at
First Presbyterian-Kirkwood
Mon., Oct. 25 | 1 pm to 7 pm
The Deacons are sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive on October 25 from 1pm-7pm. This year, it will be conducted in the Red Cross Bloodmobile located in the church parking lot at the corner of Taylor and Adams. Directions can be found here.
COVID PROTOCOLS: masks will be required (masks available if you forget yours). If vaccinated, you will be asked which vaccine you have received when checking-in. Participants must come individually.
Sign-ups are done online using the following link:
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Dance Music in the Church
Sun., Nov. 7 | 4 pm
The Couts Music Series at Second Presbyterian Church presents an afternoon of dance music on Sunday, November 7 at 4:00 pm. This delightful program features the Second Church Chorale, pianists Martha Shaffer and Carolbeth True, and organist/conductor Andrew Peters.
Seating in the church is available for the first 125 people who reserve a free seat. To reserve a seat, email music@secondchurch.net or call 314-367-0366 and leave a message for Andrew Peters. The concert can also be viewed through the church website, secondchurch.net.
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Pacific Presbyterian Church
Parking Lot Sale Extravaganza
Sat., Oct. 9 | 8 am– 12 pm

Webster Groves Presbyterian Church
October Film Club Featuring "Other Side of the Hill"
Tues., Oct. 12 | 7 p.m.
COME ONE, COME ALL!! Experience how, by working together, government, private industry, farmers, and environmental activists are working together to make a difference. Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, Mission Commission, Environmental Stewardship, Adult Education, and The Advocacy Team are working together to bring you an evening of discussion on the importance of finding common ground, as portrayed in the movie “Other Side of the Hill,” on October 12, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom.
Arts & Faith: Integration of Mind, Body, & Spirit
Sat. Oct. 23 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
An opportunity to experience God more fully through Christian practices.
(register early; workshops have limited space)
Deadline to register: Tuesday, October 19
Workshops include:
  • Contemplative Clay Play with Ellen Phillips
  • Creating journals from recycled materials, with Jeanne Carbone
  • Yoga with Kristy Kreitner
2021 CROP Hunger Walk & Concert
Sun., Oct. 24 | 5pm
The 2021 CROP Hunger Walk and Concert will be held on Sunday, October 24 at Eden Theological Seminary, 475 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119 – check-in at 4:30 p. m., Walk at 5:00 p.m., and Concert at 7:00 p.m. Or, you may also participate as a virtual walker. For further information, to register to walk (in-person or virtually), to create a team, to join a team, and/or to donate, go to the following website:
The CROP Concert is also the 10th Annual Eden Seminary Festival of Psalms, as well as the final installment of Eden Nights; and for the first time, it will be held outdoors on the Eden field. It features musicians who, in church circles, are locally, nationally, and internationally known. Food and drink will be available for purchase from Pure Catering. If you don’t do online, you may write a check to CWS/CROP and mail it to CROP Treasurer, Clint McCann, at 672 Marshall Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119. Questions? Contact Clint at cmccann@eden.edu or 314-619-0599.
Presbyterian Women Bible Study
Ladies of the Presbytery, please join us for
8 more months for this Bible study on
Thursday, Oct 28th, at 12:30.
The Presbyterian Women of Giddings Lovejoy are planning to offer a Bible Study from Horizons – What My Grandmothers taught me; The Women in the Genealogy of Jesus. Some of those grandmothers include Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. The study will be via Zoom. If you are interested in the study, please contact Cheryl Rainey (Click Here), and study guides/books will be ordered. We hope you will try to join us and others from around the Presbytery for this study.
The study will be led by Cheryl and Rev. Dr. Aline Russell. Aline may be reached by email or by calling 618.531.6341.
Wondering if you (you = a youth going into 7th grade through just graduated 12th graders) should go? Check out this highlight video from the 2019 event!!! https://fb.watch/89-ike82TU/
Caring for God's Wonderful Creation: 
Conduct an energy audit in your congregation.

Reducing energy consumption is crucial for climate action. Many Presbyterian congregations around the country have taken steps to replace light bulbs with LED, improve insulation and upgrade inefficient light fixtures or appliances. These simple steps can lead to substantial energy savings.
"TIPS" is brought to you by the Earth Care Task Force of the Public Witness Team of the presbytery, composed of representatives from the 9 Earth Care Congregations in the presbytery and 250 nationally. Contact: carletonstock@aol.com or (314) 941-9378.
25 Choir Robes Available
Southminster Presbyterian Church is blessed to be receiving a gift of new choir robes. This gift enables the church to share its current light blue robes with another church or faith-based organization in need.
These robes will be available on January 1st, or a bit earlier. If you are interested or know of someone who is, please call Carolyn Boeher at 314.780.5123.
The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, receives a COVID-19 vaccine in early 2021. (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Governor's Office)
Vaccination and Faithfulness in a Time of Pandemic
The need for vaccination has been clear for months. It is utterly compelling now. The variants of the coronavirus are harming thousands, infecting us at rates our medical system is straining to handle. Those who are infected by the variants of COVID-19 are overwhelmingly people who have not been fully vaccinated — more than 90% of those now becoming infected. Getting vaccinated is loving oneself.
Responding to Requests for Religious Exemptions from Vaccine Mandates
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)
GA#225 Commissioners Needed
The Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy is in need of two Ruling Elders, two Teaching Elders, and One Young Adult Advisory Delegate for the upcoming General Assembly. If you think you might be a good fit or know of someone who is, we would love to hear from you!
The General Assembly consists of commissioners elected by presbyteries. Half of the commissioners will be ruling elders, half will be teaching elders. Few will ever have been commissioners to the General Assembly before, but most will have served in one of the other governing bodies of our church: the session, which provides care and oversight of a local congregation; the presbytery, which provides care and oversight of a group of congregations; or the synod which provides care and oversight of several presbyteries.
Learn more about being a Commissioner - Click Here
GA App Form (Word) | GA App Form (Fillable PDF)
Education & Training Opportunities
Mission Trip Opportunities
In Alabama
For over two decades, Government Street Presbyterian Church (GSPC) has hosted youth groups at beautiful Baytreat on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay to help students and chaperones encounter Christ and build relationships with one another through serving our coastal community. After two summers of being closed due to the pandemic, it is a great joy to be able to share that this incredible ministry begins afresh next summer as we invite youth groups from congregations all over the country to be a part of Baytreat Mission Camp 2022: Come to the Waters.
GSPC partners with local organizations in Mobile and provides resources for meaningful reflection each day. Baytreat Mission Camp’s action and reflection model provides experiences that shape all involved to better embody a life of compassionate service in the name of Christ.
Please take time to review the materials provided with this letter, and contact our office manager, Heather Hamilton, at heather@gspcmobile.org with any questions.  
APCE Will Gather February 9 – 12 (2022) | Chicago, Illinois
Calvin Symposium on Worship
January 31 - February 4, 2022
Join this Livestream Conference, with some in-person sessions as we are able, sponsored by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and the Center for Excellence in Preaching, located at Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  • Learning Sessions
These times feature panels of experts and pastoral leaders on topics related to public worship and the Christian life, broadcast on YouTube Premiere and drawing wisdom from congregations and institutions across a range of traditions and denominations.
  • Worship Services
Worship services will be based on The Beatitudes, featuring both YouTube Premiere and live stream services, with preachers and worshiping communities from across North America and beyond. 
Virtual Doctor of Ministry Open House
 Friday, September 24 at 7 p.m. CT
Navigating Identity: Self, Culture, and Church Before God will be co-led by Dr. David Congdon and Dr. Annette Huizenga. Hear more from our cohort leaders about course readings and rhythms during this virtual gathering. Contact Kayla Schween, Director of Seminary Admission, with any questions. kschween@dbq.edu | 563.589.3115. The Zoom link will be available immediately following registration.
Register via Google Forms here: https://forms.gle/nLhf3D3KdvakjndV9
Presbyterian Foundation - Online Day of Learning
 Explore the Complex Issues with Managing Church Property
Tuesday - October 12
 The webinar offers three different issues concerning how congregations and mid-councils can use or repurpose buildings and properties to further their mission.
  • 8:30 PST/11:30 EST Maggie Harmon will present The Value of Vision How do you get where you’re going if you don’t know where it is that you want to go?
  • 11:00 PST/2:00 EST Olanda Carr and Robert Hay will share Options for Repurposing Church Property - In this workshop, we will review various options to consider when repurposing your church property.
  • 2:30 PST/5:30 EST with Understanding Financial Implications for Property Transition from Paul Grier.
We will consider the impact of potential changes in property taxation, together with realistic assessments of the marketability of the property and required market exposure time, as well as compliance and impacts from civil and PC(USA) requirements.
We’re all going to be dealing with these issues more often in the next few years, so it’s important to learn this information right now. 
APCE E-4 Conference
(educate-empower-energize-engage)
October 14–16, 2021
at Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, Independence, Missouri

For Onsite Registrations—Meals: Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast and lunch, Saturday breakfast are included. Lodging: You will need to make your reservations with Stoney Creek and let them know you are attending the APCE E4 Conference. Call 800.659.2220 or use this link: https://www.stoneycreekhotels.com/hotel/travel/independence/. Hotel costs are your responsibility.
Can't make the event in person? Join us virtually! Just mark the virtual option in the form below. You will be sent a link to join all workshops and worship.
The conference begins with check-in at 4 p.m. October 14 and ends at noon October 16 after worship.
Fees: $100 onsite/$50 virtual
Questions? Contact Liz Lindsey, scooterpastor38@hotmail.com
Seeking to proclaim Christ's good news — the gospel of peace and justice — and to be active in the sacred ministry of reconciliation wherever and whenever we can

Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders for next year:
 March 14-18, May 9-13, June 13-17, August 1-5, October 3-7, and November 14-18, 2022
 
Scholarships Available - To help us plan these events, would you please answer this question: Assuming conditions with regard to COVID-19 are similar to what they are now, would you consider attending an in-person workshop in 2022?
Whether that event be MSTI or another training event, please reply and answer “YES” if you might attend (or host) an LMPC event in person, or “NO” if you would only attend an LMPC event online via Zoom.
We are eager to return to in-person events and to enjoy the camaraderie and deeper levels of learning that come with that; however, we understand the caution and the practical considerations that cause some people to favor remote learning.
For the latest news and course offerings from LMPC, please consult the attached flyer or visit our website at www.LMPeaceCenter.org.
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
PT Administrative Assistant-Southminster Presbyterian, Crestwood, Missouri

Organist/Accompanist - First Presbyterian, Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Interim Associate Pastor - First Presbyterian, Kirkwood, Missouri

Guitarist (Paid) - First Presbyterian, Kirkwood, Missouri

Pastor - Trinity Presbyterian, University City, Missouri

Head of Music - First United Presbyterian, Collinsville, Illinois

Music and Movement Specialist - St. Mark Presbyterian (Claymont Preschool)

Pre-School Teacher Assistant-First United Presbyterian, Belleville, Illinois

Part-Time Pastor - Affton Presbyterian

Full-Time Chaplain - Aberdeen Heights

Associate Pastor - Dardenne Presbyterian, Dardenne Prarie