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Reformed and Always Being Reformed |
"As Barbara Willock and Diane McCullough wrote in response to my blog last week, learning and communicating is the core of what it means to be a presbytery.”
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Our Presbytery - Our Work |
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Weekly Prayer Basket
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Please pray for... Rev Keith Michaels, the husband of Rev Vicky Michaels, who is recovering from lung cancer surgery and numerous complications
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Please pray for ...Rev. Thirza Sayers for injuries while biking.
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Please pray for...voters as they approach the polls either in person. That they remain safe and healthy.
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Please pray for...our Pastors, that they remember to care for their own needs in the midst of caring for others.
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Please pray for... Nicaragua, and Plan Grand as Hurricane Eta has landed at at Category 4.
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Please pray for...Alvin Ike Ortiz, El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, who has been ill since January.
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Support Ministry
Help Wanted
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Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
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NOTE: In light of the Covid-19 Pandemic, meetings will be restricted to Zoom or conference call. If you are unsure how to participate, please contact your team moderator, or call the office 314-772-2395, and select Leigh Porter, Office Manager.
Presbytery Upcoming Virtual Meetings
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Wed., Nov. 4
Thurs., Nov. 5
Sat., Nov. 7
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Mon., Nov. 9
Presbytery Office Closed
Tues., Nov. 10
Wed., Nov. 11
Thurs., Nov. 12
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Presbytery Gathering
Saturday, November 7
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Our educational element led by
Rev. Dr. Ruben Rosario Rodriguez
Professor of Systematic Theology
at St. Louis University
Urban/Rural:
Contrasts in Poverty & Hunger
Please watch the video and submit your questions
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ALL are welcome to attend our Presbytery Gatherings. Please encourage your fellow congregants to join us.
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This is the Presbytery's third Gathering Virtual Experience, and we anticipate that there will be some questions, on how to participate. We want to make it easier to communicate, so we hope that you can join us at one of these Pre-Gathering Training Sessions:
- Wed., Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.
- Thurs., Nov 5 at 12 p.m.
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The Zoom link for the training experience:
If you would be calling in to the training experience, we welcome your call in to 312 626 6799, entering the Meeting ID 8598 9048 465, followed by the # sign
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Welcome to Gabriella Hope Hauser, born October 28. weighing 6lbs 10oz, and was 19.75” and though 4.5 weeks early, is doing great on her own.
Congratulations to Rev.'s Karl and Jennifer Hauser and big brother Benny! We look forward getting to know Gabriella!
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It is with sadness that we announce the passing of the Rev. Gene Fowler who was a member of our Presbytery for several years.
Please keep his wife, Rev. Amy Fowler, and family in your prayers. Memorial arrangements have not yet been announced.
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Carolyn passed away Saturday, October 31. She was a member of First United Presbyterian Church of Belleville and was extremely active in her church. She was also a Volunteer-in-Mission for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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Florissant Presbyterian Church had a Halloween Grab n Go event. We gave away over 640 bags of candy to approx. 170 children in our community.
Did your church find creative ways for community engagement on Halloween?
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Bread of the World Midwest
2020 Midwest Regional Webinar
Tues., Nov. 17 | 12 p.m.
During the 45-minute webinar, you will receive an update on our advocacy campaign and what we have accomplished together this year. You will also be equipped with next steps you and your group can take in the final months of 2020. And you will get to hear from and ask questions of our special guest, Bread for the World's new president Rev. Eugene Cho!
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Decompression Days
November 13-15
Mercy Conference Center welcomes you to join them for Decompression Days, where you can enjoy time away by yourself or with a friend. Read, journal, pray, enjoy the natural beauty of our 72 acre campus, take a meditative walk in our labyrinth, create art, take photos, or simply rest. While this is not a silent retreat, there will be designated quiet areas for the weekend. This is an unstructured weekend without direction and there are no programs to attend. The only set times are when meals and snacks are available. This rejuvenating time is yours. Adults of all faith traditions are welcome.
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Light for the Darkness
Welcomes You to a Fireside Chat
Wed., Nov. 4 at 7pm
Light for the Darkness hosted our first fireside chat last week. It was a beautiful time of sharing, connecting, being, and feeling. If you live with mental health struggles, consider joining us next month: First Wednesdays we'll have a fire, an outdoor heater, hot chocolate and herbal tea, s'mores. Please bring a blanket or two and dress warmly. A restroom is available. Our next fireside chat is November 4th at 6:30, click here for event link or contact Thirza Sayers for more information at [email protected].
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COVID19 & Seasonal Flu Shouldn't Mix
Flu season during a pandemic calls for urgency and ingenuity, which can mean getting vaccinated in your car or even in a hockey arena.
St. Louis area health providers are trying to make it easy and safe to get a flu shot this year by offering free drive-thru events throughout the community and even a walk-in location on Oct. 17 at downtown’s massive Enterprise Center where the St. Louis Blues play.
If you do not live in the St. Louis Area, please consult with your local Health Department for guidance on where you can get your Flu Shot. If you don't know how to contact your local health department, the following links will direct you to the appropriate office.
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Nicaragua Community Partnership
“Seguir Adelante – Go forward!”
Monday, November 9
Our presbytery’s covenant relationship with the community of Plan Grande #2 Nicaragua has been active for 20 years, Gracias a Dios! Despite economic downturns, political unrest, and social disruptions in both countries and the global impact of COVID-19, and we remain committed to our promises of mutual love and support. “Seguir Adelante – Go Forward”!
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COVID-19 forced the cancelation of our annual fund-raising dinner, but the needs of 34 high schoolers and 7 college students have not stopped! WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE STUDENTS of Plan Grande #2. We want to share their stories to engage and inspire you to “sequir adelante – go forward” – even in these challenging times. We hope to raise the funds necessary to provide the support they and their families need in order to continue focusing on education and their futures. Our goal for the remainder of 2020 is $5000!
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Join us for a Zoom Gathering on Monday, November 9th from 5:30 – 6:30pm for stories and updates. No tickets, no admission, no meal (sorry!) – but plenty of opportunity for you to learn and to share in the mission to support the community of Plan Grande #2 and these great young people.
RSVP to [email protected] and you will be sent the Zoom link to join the event. Let us know if you have any questions!
Donate online at www.glpby.org between Nov. 1-30 or anytime at www.wgpc.org/give (select “Nicaragua” from the “select a fund” menu). Checks made to “Giddings Lovejoy Presbytery” may be mailed c/o Harriet Hall to 20 North Maple Ave., St. Louis MO 63119. |
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Joining Hands Meeting on Zoom
Wed., Nov. 11 | 6:30 pm to 8 pm
This meeting will feature Jed Koball, Mission Co-Worker In Peru, and Valery Nodem, Presbyterian Hunger Program Associate for International Hunger Concerns. Recently they spoke at a Matthew 25 course on “The Underpinnings of Systematic Poverty.” Their topic was “Colonization and Globalization.” They will present the same program for us. If you would like read an article about this presentation by clicking here
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SAVE THE DATE: Fri., Nov. 27
Conrado Olivera will be retiring after 20 years as Director of Joining Hands in Peru. There will be a Zoom retirement celebration at a time to be arranged, probably late morning (CST) to allow participants from around the world to participate.
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Paula Cooper
I pray that all is well with you and yours during these days of navigating uncharted waters with God’s help! I greet you in the name of our Risen Savior, Jesus, the Christ, from Lusaka, Zambia.
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2020 Pivot Grant for
New Worshiping Communities
2020 has challenged all of us, and we know those challenges pose unique threats to our youngest faith communities who are particularly vulnerable to un-budgeted costs and perhaps a decline in financial support.
New Worshiping Communities recognized by their presbytery are invited to apply for a one-time Pivot Grant of $1000 to assist with shifting programs, new training, or unanticipated expenses due to the pandemic or racial injustices in your community. The application is simple and awards will be made on a first come, first served basis - so communities must act quickly! Applications can be submitted by clicking here.
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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!
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Please submit your grant request to [email protected]. 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.
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Education & Training Opportunities |
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APCE Scholarships Available
Deadline to Apply November 15
APCE (Association of Presbyterian Church Educators) offers your presbytery the opportunity to enhance Christian education in your churches by identifying up to 4 people in faith formation (educator, pastor, volunteer) to attend FOR FREE our 2021 Virtual Annual Event, Anything but Ordinary Time. This will be held on February 4-6, 11:00 am – 6 pm (Eastern) each day. Please click here to learn more.
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Registration Now Open
for May 17-21, 2021
Is the church really dying? Or is it dying to change? How can the church recapture what it was in the first century—a distinctive, confessional community, willing to stand against the status quo, to speak up against the empire, and to stand for the Gospel—in a 21st century context?
This year, the Festival of Homiletics invites you into conversation around how the promise of the Gospel might shape hope and ministry for the future church. What is the role of preaching in forming the church of the future?
Be inspired by God’s Word proclaimed by some of the nation’s finest ministers and teachers. Experience the fellowship of hundreds of preachers. Learn and worship in an atmosphere that is dynamic, friendly, nurturing, and prophetic. Come renew, refresh, and recharge your spirit.
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Becoming Matthew 25
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How Do We Engage Socially Distancing and still participate in Mission & Ministry?
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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]
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Current Support Ministry Position Openings |
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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
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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]
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