The theme this year is “Shades of Oppression, Resistance and Liberation.” The goal this year is to be even more inclusive of the wider denomination in the planning process as well as the implementation. Events will be both virtual and potentially in person. The Week of Action has, at its core, the idea of being a visible arm of justice in our communities around the denomination as we stand on the foundations of both Matthew 25 and the Hands & Feet Initiative. The week and theme are crafted to bring attention and action to the plight of those suffering from differing forms of oppressive situations.

First Presbyterian Church at 4100 Washington Boulevard was designed by architect John Cairns of St. Louis and completed in 1888. The congregation was founded by Rev. Salmon Giddings in 1817. An alliance of Congregational and Presbyterian churches on the east coast sent him to the Missouri Territory to establish churches. The congregation’s first church was built in 1825 at 4^th and Locust Streets. In the 1850s, it moved to a Gothic-style building in Lucas Place designed by Oliver Hart at a cost of $100,000.00. In 1888, the congregation again moved, this time to Sarah Street and Washington Boulevard. Rev. Giddings’ ashes were interred in the sanctuary and a bell from the first church was placed in the tower. The church boasted a north window by famous designer, John LaFarge, and Biblical inscriptions carved in stone on the exterior walls. In 1890, a Children’s Chapel was added at the south end of the structure. The pyramidal spire was destroyed by a tornado in 1927. In 1923, First Presbyterian bought land in University City for a new church. The 1888 building on Washington Boulevard was turned over to Giddings Presbyterian Church (later, Giddings-Boyle).

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Has God given you dreams and visions for launching a new worshiping community? Let us partner with you by attending a Giddings-Lovejoy “Dreaming and Discerning” Gathering. For more information and to share your dreams and visions in a confidential space led by NWCC’s Steve Matthews and Roger Chamberlain.

Join us via Zoom on Tuesday, September 21 at 7 p.m.

Join via Zoom by clicking here. or by calling (312) 626 6799 and entering the meeting ID of 844 6446 8137

And check out these websites for resources at any time:

"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: [email protected] or (314) 941-9378.

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)

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!

Learn more about being a Commissioner - Click Here

GA App Form (Word) | GA App Form (Fillable PDF)

The two-day event serves as an optional gateway to the MLI Instructional Cohort Program and certification. The retreat, held at a partner church in Prairie Village, Kansas, begins with a noon lunch on Monday and ends at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Class topics include working with volunteers, developing teaching techniques with students, identifying leadership strengths, budgeting trips and events, organizational strategies, and more.

Find more information about the September 13-14 event, register, and download an event schedule at: mlievents.org

According to our PC(USA) Book of Order, “the ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service . . .” The ways that this ministry is lived out varies from one congregation to another, depending on the culture, context, and needs of the church and the broader community. In this third webinar of The Year of Leader Formation series, join a panel of deacons, pastors, and ruling elders in exploring this vital ordered ministry of the church. You will have an opportunity to hear about the ways that the gifts and skills of deacons are used within congregational ministries, community impacts of deacon ministries, and the connection between discipleship and deacons. There will be an opportunity for questions, answers, and further exploration of the way God is moving through the deacons of the PC(USA).

Many church leaders are asking a broad range of questions as they evaluate what mission and ministry will look like in a post-pandemic world. As you review your Employer Agreement for 2022 and consider which benefits to offer, you also may have questions about how to best serve your employees and congregation in this evolving world.

To help guide you through these questions and benefits decisions, The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will host a one-hour webcast, What's Possible? Strategies to Serve Better. This webcast will examine how churches may attract, retain, and motivate employees to adapt to the changing circumstances of ministry. You will hear from several Board of Pensions representatives, including from our Benefits, Church Engagement, and Plan Operations teams.

Registration - Look for an invitation in your inbox with a registration link in late July.

Questions? Contact Nicole Erle, Meeting Planner, at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN), ext. 7221

We are looking for two people to serve as co-chairs of a Stewardship Work Group-part of the Dynamic Leaders Team. If you have a calling to help disciples become more generous in their faith, we need your gifts.

In order to be properly equipped for this leadership role, we want to send the co-leaders to the Kaleidoscope Stewardship Conference at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Cincinnati, OH.  The conference is September 13-15th and we will pay the registration fees and cover the lodging!

If interested to learn more, please talk with Rev. Ed Zumwinkel, chair of the Dynamic Leaders Team ([email protected]).

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]

 March 14-18, May 9-13, June 13-17, August 1-5, October 3-7, and November 14-18, 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.

For the latest news and course offerings from LMPC, please consult the attached flyer or visit our website at www.LMPeaceCenter.org.