As part of our Matthew 25 initiative, I would like for you to join me in a presbytery wide book study using the book, Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation by Jennifer Harvey. Jennifer will be our speaker and lead a workshop on the book at the February 6 ^th Presbytery Gathering. I am encouraging everyone to read this book over the next couple of months. Use the study guide to help guide your thoughts and reflections. 

The book can be purchased on Amazon in paperback or Kindle. The Kindle version is only $1.99! A study guide can downloaded for free here:

http://stillspeakingjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/Dear-White-Christians-Study-Guide.pdf

I am looking forward to a robust conversation during the February presbytery gathering!

Rev. Craig M. Howard

NOTE: Meeting locations are as follows: Oaks - is the meeting room next door to the presbytery office; St.Andrew - refers to the Board Room of St. Andrews on the second floor, directly above the presbytery office; Pres - refers to the Presbytery Office Resource Center; Ladue - refers to Ladue Chapel; WG - refers to Webster Groves Presbyterian, Kirkwood - refers to First Presbyterian of Kirkwood. Contact the office at 314-772-2395 if you are unsure where you will be meeting.

Many Ministry Teams will recess in December. Please check with your Team Moderator, for a definitive meeting schedule for December.

2019 Holiday Office Schedule

DECEMBER: Closed on Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25 for Christmas; Closing at noon on Tuesday, December 31, and all day Wednesday, January 1.

Presbyterian Hunger Program

Your  #GivingTuesday  gifts to the Presbyterian Hunger Program support projects that assist small scale farmers in their communities. Our partner in Nigeria, CISCOPE, is helping to rebuild communities destroyed by violence through implementing training on best farming practices, as well as, supplying seeds and water pumps. You can support this work by giving here:

https://pma.pcusa.org/dona…/make-a-gift/gift-info/OG300000/…

Uprooting Hunger - Hunger Action Team

In 2019 the presbytery will work toward establishing Certified Hunger Action Congregations. This  handout will be helpful to your congregation, as we journey together.

We welcome any questions you might have - email us at [email protected] or call 314-772-2395.

We celebrate, in thanksgiving, our 20 Certified and 25 Covenanting Congregations for their dedication to eradicating hunger in their communities!

Questions on how to get your congregation involved email us here.

The Time to Give is Here

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on  December 3, 2019  and every day. It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good.

Consider these Presbytery Ministries in giving this holiday season.

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Tips For Having A Creation-Centered Holiday       

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Gift Giving Guide for the Earth Care Shopper - Found Here.

("TIPS" is offered by the Earth Care Team of the presbytery, composed of the eight Earth Care Congregations in the presbytery. Contact: [email protected] , 314-941-9378.)

Joshua Transformation Training

Uniting Churches for Violence Prevention

Sat., Dec. 7 | 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Joshua Transformation Training will take place at the Beloved Community United Methodist Church, located at 3115 Park Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63104. Directions found here.

Training Topics include:

There is a registration fee: $49.00   Blessed are the Peacemakers

Mission Madness

On Wednesday, December 11th, the A Place of Grace Mission Madness Team will wrap gifts for children at Uni-Pres Kindercottage in East St. Louis. If you are interested in joining us, please private message in Facebook to A Place of Grace for more information. Last year, we started at 9 a.m. and we left at 3:30 p.m., and we STILL weren't finished! P.S. If you come, bring scissors and your lunch! Like their Facebook Page!

New Hope Presbyterian Church

Cookies with Santa

Fri., Dec. 6 | 6:30 p.m to 8 p.m.

All are welcome to join us in enjoying a visit with Santa, cookies and hot chocolate, games and crafts . Call 636-936-2200 for more information. Directions can be found here.

First Presbyterian – Brighton

Annual Cookie Walk & Christmas Country Store

Sat., Dec. 7 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The First Presbyterian Church of Brighton will have their annual Cookie Walk & Christmas Country Store on Saturday, December 7th, from 9:00 to 12:00. There will be over 30 varieties of homemade cookies at $6.00 a pound including diabetic cookies, candies, peanut brittle, and other delicious items will be available.

The complete flyer can be found here . Directions can be found here.

LoveJoy United Presbyterian

Christmas Cookie, Candy, and Bread Sale

Sat., Dec. 7 | 10 a.m to 12 p.m.

Come do your Christmas Cookie Shopping! We'll have a wonderful assortment of cookies, candy, and bread. Treats will be sold at $9 per pound or as priced. LoveJoy United Presbyterian Church is located at 2550 Rock Hill Rd, Wood River, Illinois 62095. Directions can be found here.

St. Charles Presbyterian Church

2 ^nd Annual Christmas Cookie Walk

Sat., Dec. 7   | 10 a.m to 1 p.m.

The Second Annual Christmas Cookie Walk Sale will be held on December 7 from 10:00 am to 1:00 p.m. There will be Christmas cookies sold by the pound! Candies, jams, jellies, pickles, craft items and quilts also available for purchase. For a $2 donation you can enter as an "early bird" shopper at 9:00 am, St. Charles Presbyterian Church in Fellowship Hall, 131 Gamble Street, St. Charles, MO 63301(Behind Lindenwood University) Directions can be found here.                                                                         

Sponsored by SCPC Presbyterian Women; all proceeds to fund mission projects. For more information call 636-946-4467

Second Presbyterian - Advent Vespers

Sun., Dec. 8 | 4p.m.

On Sunday, December 8 at 4:00 pm at Second Presbyterian Church readings and music give those gathered an opportunity to pause and reflect during the chaotic month of December. Acclaimed St. Louis jazz pianist Carolbeth True and percussionist David True offer improvisations on a variety of Advent carols, including familiar favorites. The Second Church Choir, the Second Church Handbell Choir, and organist Andrew Peters will provide additional music offerings. The church is located at 4501 Westminster Place in the Central West End, St. Louis, 63108. The Vespers is part of the Couts Music Series and is free to the community. For more information call 314-367-0367 or  www.secondchurch.net. Directions can be found here.

A Journey of Light - A Celtic Christmas

Westminster Presbyterian - Belleville

Sun., Dec. 8 | 6 p.m.

Prayers, candles, readings ... and beautiful Celtic music from Celtica! This is a special addition to your Christmas season! Westminster Presbyterian Church is located at 1419 N 17th Street, Belleville, Illinois 62226. Directions can be found here.

Blue Christmas Services

Fri., Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. at

Southminster Presbyterian - Directions Here.

FREE Hymnals Available

Southminster Presbyterian Church, Crestwood, has 196 The Singing Church hymnals. These hymnals were published by the Hope Publishing Company. These need a new home and are free to whoever will come and claim them. First come first serve, must take all of them. Please contact, Bill Thomas at 314-323-8041, if you are interested.

Space For Rent in Imperial

1600 square foot space, five rooms and common room, second floor. Perfect for office, preschool, daycare, etc. Rent all or individual rooms. Located at Rock Presbyterian Church, Imperial, Missouri. Call 314-420-9477

FOR PASTORS OUT IN THE COLD:

For the asking, a barely used (5X, maybe) Collegiate preachers cold weather cloak from the '70's; MSRP $520. Fits someone (any gender) around 5'10". E-mail [email protected] with request.

Continuing Education Classes Announced

Union Presbyterian Seminary Theological Institute Upcoming Continuing Education Events offered January through March 2020, can be found by Visiting their Events page

Congregations Can Get up to $50k to Help Their Pastors Find Renewal

Applications available for the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program from the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program

Congregations seeking renewal for their pastor are invited to apply for the  Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program  at  Christian Theological Seminary  in Indianapolis, Indiana.

According to a news release from the program, congregations may apply for grants of up to $50,000 to underwrite a renewal program for their pastor and for the pastor’s family. Up to $15,000 of the funds are available to the congregation to help cover costs for ministerial supply while the pastor is away

Learn more here

Discovering Renewal

Finding Renewal in the Everyday

A Montreat Conference Center Event

April 13–16, 2020

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthews 28:11

Our culture values hard work over rest. Burnout is rampant. Our jobs, obligations, and churches often expect us to work relentlessly. Hard work is good, but is it our ultimate goal? We often preach about the importance of Sabbath, but how often do we take our own advice? We need time to breathe, think, and engage our senses. We may need to discover the feeling of renewal. Discovering Renewal will focus on seeking respite in everyday experiences.

Learn more here.

2020 JOINING HANDS PARTNERSHIP 20TH ANNIVERSARY PERU PILGRIMAGE

Pilgrimage:  A long journey to a sacred place

as an act of devotion.

YOUR ARE INVITED to be part of the 2020 Joining Hands Partnership 20th Anniversary Peru Pilgrimage. This pilgrimage includes journeying to the coastal, mountain and rainforest regions of Peru, to meet with our Joining Hand's Partners, to hear updates about the socio/economic context of Peru, to experience historical and cultural events and places, and to join with Red Uniendo Manos Peru (Peru Joining Hands Network) and others in a 20th Anniversary Celebration.

This Pilgrimage will be framed by daily bookends of morning and evening prayer and reflection on our Matthew 25 Pilgrimage Theme: When Did We See You?--Where and when do we experience the Christ 

Presence of compassion, love and justice in the people and places along the journey and in each other?

It will be a pilgrimage of listening and learning and accompaniment of our partners and returning to our congregations and groups to continue the pilgrimage of love and justice.

This year there will be two options for participating in the Pilgrimage:

-Participation in the whole journey: August 1-15, Weeks 1 and 2 or

-Participation in Week 1 only.

See the flyer for specific cost and deadline details. Found here.

For additional information or an application, please contact:

Ellie Stock:  [email protected] or (314) 521-8418 or

Mark Strothmann:  [email protected] or (314) 779-6940

Empowering Commissioned Pastors Conference

With the enthusiastic support and participation of our Co-Moderators, Vilmarie and Cindy, the Synod of the Sun Commissioned Pastors Network is sponsoring a conference for commissioned pastors (formerly known as commissioned lay pastors or commissioned ruling elders), to be held May 13–16, 2020, at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson, Texas.

PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN THIS SURVEY (Found Here)

so facilitators can better plan the event.

Expect registration to open on December 1 .

FOR YOUTH

A New Earth: Thinking Theologically about Environmental Justice

June 14-28, 2020

Millions of youth from around the world have participated in climate strikes and environmental justice campaigns over the last few weeks. Presbyterian-related Monmouth College (Illinois) invites high school youth to continue their efforts by applying for the 2020 Lux Institute for Youth. June 14-28, 2020, theologically curious high school students from around the country will focus on environmental justice: diving deep into the world of theological and biblical studies, intentional community, vocational discernment, and worship.

Application deadline: January 1, 2020 - Priority consideration for applications received before December 1, 2019

Learn more here.

224th General Assembly (2020)

Hands and Feet Service Opportunities

During the 224th General Assembly (2020) and as a part of the OGA’s Hands and Feet initiative, The Center: Mission Outside the Box will offer hands-on service opportunities for GA-affiliated visitors, family members, youth groups, and friends. We will offer up to four service options, from 8:30–noon, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, June 22, 24, 25, and 26. 

Find our more by clicking here.