|
May is National
Foster Care Month
|
"In all circumstances, the best interests of the child shall be the first priority "
|
|
Our Presbytery - Our Work
|
|
Weekly Prayer Basket
-
Please pray for... our guest blogger, Elder Lawson Calhoun, and his incredible work with children/youth.
-
Please pray for...India, as they are living through unimaginable pain during COVID19 spread and death. Pray for their leaders, their citizens, and all of those who mourn.
-
Please pray for... the Edelman family in the passing of their husband, father and grandfather
|
|
Support Ministry
Help Wanted
|
|
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 [email protected]
|
|
Wed., May 12
Thur., May 13
|
|
Mon., May 17
Thur., May 20
Fri., May 21
|
|
|
Rev. Kenneth N. Edelman, who served Elm Street Presbyterian in Alton, Illinois passed away peacefully Sunday, March 28, 2021 at his home in Grafton, Illinois.
|
|
Dynamic Leaders Seek Answers from
Pastors, Clerks, Elders, Deacons, and Members
|
|
The Officer Training Workgroup of the Dynamic Leaders Team is evaluating how the Presbytery can better resource sessions in developing church leaders. We invite all church leaders (in any capacity) to take a moment to complete this brief survey: https://4ruazlnqczi.typeform.com/to/rxBK4rwW.
Officer Training Workgroup: Barb Abbett, Susan Andrews, Daniel Ervin, Thom Hood, Joy Myers, Bill Smutz
|
|
|
You are cordially invited
to attend a Worship Service Commissioning Ruling Elder, Donna L. Schiro
to Pastoral Service at
Trinity Chapel Presbyterian Church
|
|
Attend in-person, via Facebook Live or Zoom
Call ins may dial (312)626-6799 and enter the Meeting ID 847 0767 6958
Luncheon Reception Immediately Following
|
|
CREDO Sabbath
CREDO Sabbath is a unique experience that brings the foundational concepts of the popular CREDO conferences — rest, reimagine, and reconnect — into a virtual setting. When in-person CREDO conferences were canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was important for the Board of Pensions to create this new experience for ministers, many of whom were struggling with the heavy burden of caring for and managing congregations remotely, to focus on rest and personal reflection.
CREDO and Call to Health share the objective of cultivating wholeness. Participants are awarded 400 Call to Health points for participating in a CREDO conference.
|
|
Ask an Archivist....
Thur., May 13 at 4pm
Do you have a question about Presbyterian history? Are you curious to find out what kind of records are held at PHS? Our next PHS LIVE session will be your chance to ask an archivist!
Join us on May 13 from 4pm on Zoom and Facebook Live where Lisa and Jenny will be hosting open office hours. Tune in to ask ask them a question!
|
|
NEW Curriculum Webinar
Thur., May 15 | 5 pm
APCE is hosting a webinar on the new curriculum Follow Me: Biblical Practices in Faithful Living - Thursday, May 13 at 5 pm CST. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link; you do not need to be a member of APCE. Learn more here
Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living is a thirty-six-unit curriculum based on practices Jesus did and taught us to do as faithful followers. Written for people of all ages who wish to live out their faith, this new curriculum examines where these practices are found in the Bible and how they have been used in Christian faith then and now.
|
|
Share a Legacy of Love
____________
Mission in Malawi, Africa:
Mama of the Nation:
The Story of Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira
By Phyllis Wezeman, author/educator, and her daughter Stephanie
Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira served as the Official Government of Hostess of the Republic of Malawi, Africa from 1966 to 1994 and earned the respected title "Mama of the Nation." Her values continue to offer a legacy of love for children, youth, and adults in her country and throughout the world.
Mama of the Nation is a Buy One/Give One. For every book they sell, the authors will donate an equal number of books to teacher development centers and schools in Malawi as a way to empower children and youth, as well as adults, who read this story to realize their value and worth. A donation from each book will also be made to support Malawi Matters' Equipping Women/Empowering Girls program in Africa.
|
|
Public Witness
Summer Mission Grants Available
The 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.
|
|
Tips for Caring for God's Unbelievable Creation:
Buy products that are durable and can be repaired.
The next time you buy something, ask the seller about the length of its guarantee, how easily it can be repaired, and whether spare parts are available.
"TIPS" are submitted by the Earth Care Task Force of the Public Witness Team of presbytery, consisting of representation from the nine Certified Earth Care Congregations of presbytery. For more information contact: [email protected]. or 314-941-9378.
|
|
Joining Hands Peruvian Partnership Meeting
Wed., May 12 | 6:30pm
This meeting will be a time for checking in, celebrating good news, and focusing on the August Presbytery meeting. At the August 26th Presbytery Meeting, Peru will be the focus of our year-long global ministry emphasis. Jed, Jenny, Chenoa, and Jose will make presentations on the work they do with our partners in Peru. Zoom Link Here
If calling in, please dial 312-626-6799 and enter meeting ID: 840 1635 8336 with Passcode: 532134
Good news: Jose Luis Claure, Chenoa husband, has received his green card! He will now be able to visit the US and work as Mission Co-Worker for the PC(USA). Jose, Chenoa, and Leandro will be visiting the US this summer for leave and interpretation.
|
|
Webster Groves Social Justice Film Club
Wed., May 12th | 7:00pm
Watch this month's Social Justice film, John Lewis: Good Trouble then join us for discussion on May 12th from 7:00-8:00pm on Zoom. The film is available on Amazon Prime.
|
|
Embrace Thy Neighbor
Thurs., May 20 | 6:30pm
Embrace and Light for the Darkness are hosting an interview of Rev. Thirza Sayers in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Thirza has lived with Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety for thirty years, come through 4 years of disabling PTSD and now is back to work full-time, leading a mental health ministry, Light for the Darkness, and a church, Hillside Presbyterian. She also is pursuing her Doctorate in the Ministry of Pastoral Care and Counseling. Her research focuses on what hope looks like for those with mental health variances and what spiritual practices help mental health variances.
Weekly she facilitates spiritual groups for those with mental health variances--those from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia and bipolar. These 1 hour groups have elements of worship, conversational scripture study, peer support, and always try to point to where God is in the midst of the darkness of mental health struggles.
|
|
Oak Hill Presbyterian
Outdoor Pentecost Worship Service
Sun., May 23 | 10:30am
We will gather, masked and distanced, outside for worship on Pentecost Sunday, which is May 23rd. Bring a chair and meet us on the front lawn of the church for an in-person, outdoor service. We will bring the technology with us, so if you’re not comfortable, ready, or able to join in person, you can still connect and participate in the service on Zoom. *In case of rain, we will have worship on Zoom only.
|
|
2021 Tech Grants
Over the last year, GLPBY congregations have worked hard to move vital ministries online. We have connected for worship, learning, and fellowship utilizing resources we never imagined incorporating into our ministries pre-pandemic. To that end, GLPBY granted more than $46,000 in Tech Grants to assist churches in their efforts to establish and/or update their online presence.
Wave 1 and Wave 2 Grants are now phased out. GLPBY is pleased to announce a new round of Tech Grants is available to GLPBY congregations. The Presbytery will pay 75%, up to $2,000, of the grant request with the church commitment to paying the balance. Just to be clear the maximum grant will be $2,000. This round of grants will assist congregations that are expanding their online presence. The grant could be used for upgrading equipment, tech training, or developing hybrid worship for example. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Rolf Kanerva, Associate Presbytery leader at [email protected]
|
|
The Great Divide: Race in Our Region
YWCA Metro St. Louis is partnering with the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis and area Interfaith groups for four important conversations on how systemic racism permeates our city and our region.
These programs will provide background, share stories of how area residents are directly impacted, and explore what action you can take to create change. Each hour-long program will be followed by an opportunity for small group discussion and reflection.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming programs:
May 12th - Court Systems
|
|
Education & Training Opportunities
|
|
A Child Shall Lead Us: Preventing Domestic Violent Extremism Through Youth and Congregations
Thur., May 20 | 9:30 am - 3:30 pm CT
The Institute for Youth Ministry, in partnership with The Regenerative School, is hosting a virtual symposium designed to help prevent global violent extremism by learning from the international community’s long experience with young people as peacebuilders. There will be five different panels throughout the day that feature global changemakers and young people who are committed to peace and justice. You will be introduced to the global conversation on youth peacebuilding and learn how to apply research and practices to U.S.A.-based projects. The date for this FREE symposium is May 20, 2021 from 10:30am-4:30pm (EDT). Register for all—or any—of the panel discussions and you will receive full access to all the panel content!
|
|
Presbyterian Association of Musicians
June 20-25 & June 27-July 2
We at PAM are excited about our Worship and Music Conferences at Montreat this summer, and we hope you will help us pass along information to all the churches in your presbytery or synod! Please feel free to use this information to create an announcement of your own.
|
|
Lifting As We Climb: Furthering the
Conversation on Race - A Pentecost Retreat
May 21-22
Join us for a retreat designed to bring awareness to the sin of racism, discuss how covert and overt racism ties in with spirituality, and provides opportunities to reflect on how racism has affected one's life and the lives of others. Presented by: The Office of Racial Harmony, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Father Tom Santen, Retreat Manager
|
|
Individual Retreat Week at Mercy Center
May 24-28
Schedule your next private retreat for 2-5 days during the period May 24-28. Give yourself some time away with God in our safe, beautiful space!
Are you looking for a safe, beautiful place for some time away with God this year? While you can always make an individual retreat at Mercy Conference and Retreat Center as space allows, we are setting aside a week dedicated just to this purpose. From Monday, May 24 at 9:00 AM through Friday, May 28 at 3:00 PM, space will be reserved for individual retreats, either private (with quiet time on your own) or directed (with a daily session with a spiritual director).
|
|
2021 NEXT Church National Gathering Online Resource Subscription
GLPBY is pleased to offer free subscriptions to this year’s recorded NEXT Church National Gathering held March 5-7th. By subscribing, your congregation will have access to the national gathering in its entirety, plus additional resources. Over the years, GLPBY Teaching Elders and lay leaders have participated in NEXT Church national gatherings and have appreciated its focus on resourcing the Presbyterian Church for the 21st century. To learn more about this year’s conference, its presenters, and workshops, please navigate to https://nextchurch.net/product/2021-next-church-national-gathering-subscription/.
If your church would like to take advantage of the free subscription please sign up, following the NEXT Church website’s instructions, and be sure to select the appropriate church size when purchasing the subscription. When checking out use the coupon code: “GiddingsLovejoyGroup”. Once you have purchased, you will receive an email with instructions for how to pass on your access to the rest of your church. You may only use ONE coupon code purchase per church. If you have questions, please contact Liz Rolf Kanerva, Associate Presbytery leader at [email protected].
|
|
Union Seminary: The Basics of Digital Church Communication
Learn about more continuing education opportunities
|
|
Transitional Ministry
Please mark your calendars for the next offering of the Art of Transitional Ministry Education. The orientation will begin at 1:00 pm on Monday, October 18, 2021, and will conclude the evening of Thursday, October 21, 2021. At this time, the in-person orientation will be hosted at the Parkville Presbytery Church in Kansas City, Missouri.
For questions related to the content or assignments of Weeks I and II or Executive Training, contact Beth Wagner: [email protected]. For administrative and registration questions contact Danelle O’Connell at the Synod of Mid-America office: [email protected]
|
|
|
Becoming Matthew 25
--- --- ---
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 [email protected]
|
|
Current Support Ministry Position Openings
|
|
Senior Staff Assistant - Webster Groves Presbyterian
Associate Pastor - Dardenne Presbyterian,
Dardenne Prarie
Interim Pastor - John Calvin Presbyterian
|
|
Keep Connected
We love to hear about the work of the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy Congregations. Have an event, fundraiser, or concert and want to get the word out? Simply email that information in by 6 p.m. on Monday of the week you want your event published. Help keep us connected by simply emailing your information to [email protected]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|