Newsletter
April / 26 / 2022
GOOD
Blog Post by Rev. Zach Lysdahl
Pastor at First United Presbyterian Church
Collinsville, Illinois
"...As it goes in Genesis chapter one, God would look over what had been created and saw it as good, or as towb...”  
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket

  • Please pray for... Rev. Zach Lysdahl, and his ministry at First United Presbyterian Church, Collinsville, Illinois
  • Please pray for...pray for the world leadership, those in Ukraine who are in harm's way, and for peace to overcome war.
  • Please pray for...nations taking in refugees from war, as they open their homes in love for their fellow man/woman
  • Please pray for... those on hospice or who are entering a new and unexpected health journey
PC(USA)
Quick Connect
Support Ministry
Help Wanted
Parish Paper
From Your Presbytery Leader
The Difference Between Soil and Dirt
(spoiler alert: You are soil)
"When we connect with the earth, we are reminded that we are soil, valued, rich with life, full of potential..."
Upcoming Ministry Team Meetings
This Week
Next Week
Thurs., Apr. 28
11:30 am - Honorably Retired Clergy Lunch at Woodlawn Chapel
Tues., May 3
12 pm - All Pastor - Click Here
Presbytery Stated Gathering
Sat., May 14
We will be meeting at St. Mark Presbyterian Church as well as online, through Zoom.

 Registration is required for both in-person and online attendance.
Pre-Session
Sponsored by Public Witness

Voting Faith Politics
Education Featuring
Rev. Bruce Reyes Chow

TEAM MODERATORS - Please submit any information, flyers, or documents you would like to be placed in the Gathering Binder to Stated Clerk, Rev. Joy Myers. The deadline to submit is Thursday, April 28. Please email her at jmyers@glpby.org
Help With Rides?
In May, Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery has the honor of serving as the host site for transitional pastor training provided by the synods of Mid-American and Lincoln Trails! From May 15th-May 20th, pastors from all around the country from different denominations will be flying in to meet at the Mercy Center in Frontenac. They have approximately 40 registered, and half of them are expected to travel by car. The synod is asking if there is anyone in the local area who would be willing to offer hospitality by providing some transportation to/from the airport to Mercy Center from the airport during the following time blocks:
  • Sunday, May 15 - 4:00pm to 6:00pm, and 6:00pm to 8:00pm (from STL to Mercy)
  • Monday, May 16 - 7:00am to 9:00am (from STL to Mercy)
  • Wednesday, May 18 - 9:00pm to 11:00pm (from Mercy to STL)
  • Thursday, May 19 - 9:00am to 11:00am (from Mercy to STL)
  • Friday, May 20 - 11:00am to 1:00pm (from Mercy to STL)
These would not be continuous round trips during these time frames, but rather the synod office would make arrangements to compile folks’ flight schedules to determine optimal times for pick-up on each of these days. If you are available and interested in helping out in this way, please contact Dylan Klann, Administrative Assistant of the Synod of Mid America, at 913-608-7662 or email Dylan at office@synodma.org by May 10th.
News & Updates
Congratulations to First Presbyterian Church, Edwardsville, Illinois and to Rev. Kaylin Stevwing in her new role as Associate Pastor
Procedures for the 225th GA:
Public Hearings
The Standing Rules of the General Assembly require every assembly committee (except Bills and Overtures) to hold a public hearing in which anyone who wishes to address an item of business can sign up to speak. At a traditional GA, people sign a piece of paper on a bulletin board. Committees try to hear as many testimonies as possible, alternating pro and con; but sometimes when there is major interest, a lottery is necessary to limit the numbers. 
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Federal Student Loan Relief for Pastors

The Synod of Mid-America wants you to know that relief is available!
Apply soon because this offer expires 10/31/22.
More information can be obtained here:

The form is here:
Expand your understanding of equity and social justice during this 21-day challenge starting in May presented by YWCA Metro St. Louis. This challenge asks participants to make daily time and space for 21 days to foster understanding and identify ways to dismantle racism and end discrimination.
 
This program is recommended for adults. Registration is required. Registrants will receive a daily list of tasks and an opportunity to participate in a facilitated discussion of the week’s activities on Fridays at 12:00 p.m.
St. Luke's Covid Vaccine Health Update

Due to the increased accessibility of the COVID-19 vaccine, St. Luke’s has decided not to run a formal community vaccine clinic on-site for the booster.
Vaccine appointments are available at a number of locations, including CVS, and Walgreens. Additionally, St. Louis County’s Health Department has coordinated multiple walk-in events at various Health Centers and Library branches throughout the region; these events can be found here.
New Confirmation Curriculum
In the spirit of Matthew 25:31-46, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seeks to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned and poor, showing God’s love, justice and mercy. In so doing, congregations will enliven their shared faith, shared worship and shared outreach in a biblical response to the compassionate justice of God.
Commissioned to Change the World: Confirmation for the Matthew 25 Congregation, written by Mark D. Hinds, marries adolescent confirmation with the theological focus of “serving the least of these.” The curriculum affirms teenagers as God’s beloved children, anointed for ministry in the context of a covenant community of mutual encouragement and accountability.
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Tips for Caring for God's Incredible Creation: 
Build Earth Care themes into
Your Education Curriculum for all ages.
However your church does education these days, think about including themes related to caring for Mother Earth in plans for next year. You could have courses with an earth care focus for children, youth, and adults. You could invite a guest earth care speaker for SS or worship or other venues. Hold classes outside. Make sure there are earth care projects for the Youth Group. Have a bulletin board on earth care displayed in a well-traveled location. Start an earth care page on the church's website or newsletter. Have a session open to all members on sustainable lifestyles. And include earth care in confirmation and new member gatherings. These are just samples. Think of some of your own!
"TIPS" is brought to you by the Earth Care Team of Presbytery. Contact: carletonstock@aol.com or 314-941-9378
Honorably Retired
Clergy Lunch

Thursday, April 28 | 11:30 a.m.
Woodlawn Chapel Presbyterian Church Pavilion

Presbyterian Women
Spring Gathering

Sat., Apr. 30
10 am - 12 p.m.
All Women of the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy are welcomed and encouraged to attend the Spring Gathering. This event will be held via Zoom and you can attend by clicking this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84056653929 If you will be using the Zoom App, please enter the Meeting ID 817 0035 4292
Find the Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering Flyer Here
Presbyterian Women
Justice & Peace
We are called to share God’s love with the world, by being God’s hands in the world. We answer God’s call to “do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8).
Each month for the remainder of 2022, we will send items from the PW Churchwide’s Justice and Peace Calendar. Feel free to share the information with friends and family, your congregation, and even post it in your newsletter.
Public Witness
Program Grants for Summer 2022
Applications Taken Now Until May 30, 2022

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.
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
(PT) Coordinator of Christian Education - Southminster Presbyterian, Crestwood, Missouri

Minister of Music - Second Presbyterian, St. Louis, Missouri

Seminary Summer Intern - First United Presbyterian, Belleville, IL

Church Office Manager - St. Mark Presbyterian, Ballwin, MO

Summer Mission Team Facilitators 2022 - Amen House
(Oak Hill Presbyterian) St. Louis, MO

Interim Pastor - Oak Hill Presbyterian, St. Louis, MO

Organist/Accompanist - First Presbyterian - Cape Girardeau, MO

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

Music Director - Glendale Presbyterian Church, Glendale, MO

Head of Music - First United Presbyterian, Collinsville, IL


Off Hours Help Needed? Contacts Found Below
Rev. Ryan Landino
Presbytery Leader

314-409-9002
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