Newsletter
June / 27 / 2023
A Summertime Prayer
"...I hope you will join me in a summer of prayer, a summer to breathe, to behold, to find words, to affirm presence, to reconnect with self and God..."
Blog Post by
Rev. Ryan Landino
Presbytery Leader
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket

  • Please pray for ... our nation as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day. Help us be mindful of those with PTSD, animals, and children who fear loud noises.
  • Please pray for... for DRAWP in the preparation of the Summer Book Study.
PC(USA)
Quick Connect
Support Ministry
Help Wanted
Upcoming Ministry Team Meetings
This Week
Next Week
Nothing Scheduled
Nothing Scheduled
Many Ministry Teams will Recess in July. Please reach out to your team's moderator, to confirm your teams meeting schedule.
Our Stated Clerk Search Is Live!
The Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy is seeking a part-time Stated Clerk who will join our staff in November of this year!
Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and resume, Personal Information Form (PIF), or CV to Donna Schiro, pastordonnatcpc@gmail.com.
Please include your name in the subject line of your email and title all documents in the upper left corner with your first and last name. There will also be the opportunity to provide written responses to supplemental questions that will be extended to candidates upon application. Your letter of interest and documents must be received by July 24, 2023. Finalists will be notified by August 1, and interviews will be conducted on August 10 and 11, 2023.

Check out our new webpage for information on the search! https://glpby.org/services/clerk-search/
 
Search Team for the Stated Clerk,
 
Sarah Holt (Chair of Search Team for the Stated Clerk)
Donna Schiro (Vice-Chair )
Rev. Daniel Ervin
Barbara Abbett
Rev. Larryetta Ellis
Rev. Kathleen Henrion
News & Updates
DEADLINE TO ORDER - JULY 18

  • 2023-2024 CALENDARS. The cost will be $10/each.
  • 2024 Books of Order. The cost will be $8/each
  • There will be shipping fees if you would like these mailed to you.
glasses_on_book.jpg
We anticipate that these will arrive in early fall, if not earlier, but do not have an exact date. Reserve either or both by emailing, Office Manager, Leigh Porter at lporter@glpby.org.
New Acting Stated Clerk
The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly has announced that the Rev. Bronwen Boswell has been named Acting Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Boswell, who is currently general presbyter/stated clerk at Shenandoah Presbytery, will serve until the election of a new stated clerk at the 226th General Assembly in Salt Lake City, Utah, next summer. She will fill the unexpired term of the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, who recently announced his decision to step down at the end of June. Learn more by clicking here.
DRAWP Summer Book Study Announced
REGISTER TODAY!
DRAWP is pleased to announce the 2023 summer book group! The group will meet for 7 weeks (each Wednesday) via Zoom starting July 19, 2023, with the final gathering in person. This year we will be reading "What Kind of Christianity" by William Yoo.

The book is currently on sale at the PCUSA Store for $19.50
(Regular Price: $30.00). Click Here for Ordering Details
If you are planning to be part of the group read this summer, order yours today and receive 35% off the list price!
Webster Groves Presbyterian Church Blood Drive
Wednesday, June 28th 1:00-5:00pm

Can You Help Save a Life?
Every two seconds, someone in our country needs blood and/or platelets; that need equals approximately 29,000 units of blood each day. A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood, but your single donation can save more than one life. Please join us on June 28th to donate blood in Fellowship Hall at WGPC.
Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or sign up here to donate. Enter WGPC to schedule an appointment. 
Florissant Presbyterian Church
Bingo Night Fundraiser for School Supplies
Sat. July 8th 
Doors open at 6:00pm, Bingo begins at 6:30pm- $10 per card, extra card $5.00.
Bring in a bag of school supplies and receive an extra card free. Popcorn/soda provided. All proceeds go to support Florissant Presbyterian Church's School Supply Community Outreach. Held at John Knox Presbyterian, located at 13200 New Halls Ferry Rd., Florissant, Missouri. Click Here for directions. 
Tips For Caring For God's Amazing Creation: 
Use Air Conditioning Sparingly
Put air conditioning temperature at the highest (78 degrees?) to conserve energy. Or, if possible, avoid the use of air conditioning altogether and opt for alternatives such as ceiling or attic fans. The refrigerant in air conditioners is a leading cause of ozone-destroying CFC emissions.
"TIPS" is brought to you by the Earth Care Team of the presbytery, monitoring the ten certified Earth Care Congregations in the presbytery and addressing where there is ecological injustice done to People of Color, low-income, women, indigenous people, and the LGBTQ community. Contact: carletonstock@aol.com or 314-941-9378.
Grants and Scholarships
Spread the Word

Throughout the year, the Presbyterian Mission Agency offers more than 20 grants and scholarships ranging from $100 to $50,000, awarded to individuals, communities, and mid councils. Learn about these opportunities and more.
Summer Opportunity from a small congregation in the midst of Utah who is currently looking to find a new pastor.
While they are in the search process, they would like to offer their parsonage to anybody who would like to spend a week or two ( or longer) in Utah for their summer/early fall vacation. In return they ask the pastor/CLP to preach the Sundays they are in town. It is a great opportunity to spend some time in the great outdoors, while they bring their favorite sermon to preach.
This congregation is located in Richfield Utah – around an 1 hour away from the National Parks like Zion, Bryce, Moab etc. Richfield offers a lot of outdoors activities and hiking spots.
If interested, contact, Rev. Mirjam Haas-Melchior at EP@pbyutah.org or by calling 801-310-0988.
Need Wi-Fi Equipment?
Second Presbyterian Church in St. Louis has a bunch of surplus Ethernet hardware. It's all in good working order; we just needed to switch to a different vendor. If anyone can use some or all of this, please contact Nathan Schroeder at nathans@secondchurch.net.
* Five Cisco WAP371 Wi-Fi access points
* Two Cisco RV340 routers
* Five 8-port Cisco PoE switches (SG200-08P or SG250-08HP)
* Three Netgear switches (16, 16, and 24 port)
* One Araknis 16 port PoE switch
Volunteer Opportunities at St. Luke’s Hospital
St. Luke's Hospital seeks dedicated adult volunteers with weekday availability to work in our Gift Shop and to serve as Wayfinders assisting patients and visitors on our campus in Chesterfield. Adult volunteers at St. Luke’s serve one shift per week on a consistent day, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please call St. Luke’s Hospital Volunteer Office at (314) 542-4768 or visit our
website: St. Luke's Hospital Volunteer Program | Adult Volunteer Program (stlukes-stl.com) to learn more about these opportunities.
Releasing July 31st from Our Own Julie Nicolai
Enslavement and The Underground Railroad in Missouri And Illinois
The Path to Freedom in Missouri and Illinois…
People enslaved here experienced the same horrors as those held captive in other states, and their stories of courage and perseverance are amazing. Priscilla Baltimore purchased her own emancipation and founded a freedom village. Caroline Quarlls escaped to Canada. Many who fled for their lives spent time bunkered in the basement of Hanson House. The region's Congregationalists brought a fiery. brand of abolitionism. And Prairie Park still holds the faded "haint" blue paint traditionally used on slave dwellings. Author Julia Nicolai details these and other adjective stories.
The book is available for pre-order by clicking here.
June Opportunities for Transformation, Wonder, and Healing with A Place of Grace:
Grace Camp: Art!
Are you looking for an intergenerational Christian Education opportunity for your family or elementary-aged children through adult members of your congregation this summer?
A Place of Grace is offering Grace Camp: Art from Tuesday, July 25th through Friday, July 28th with an art show on Saturday, July 29th at Von Dell Gallery & Studios in Wood River. Focusing on the Genesis 1 story of creation, APOG, Pastor, Julie Gvillo will guide participants through artistic interpretations of scripture and theological thinking in two-hour retreats beginning at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Light snacks will be provided. Registration is $12/person to
secure your spot in one-time slot or the other, and must be paid by Saturday, July 15th, 2023. Direct your questions to Julie Gvillo at juliegvillo.aplaceofgrace@gmail.com or 618.410-5060. Register at aplaceofgrace-juliegvillo.net/upcoming-events.html. Registration fees may be paid through Venmo (@Julie_Gvillo)
or via PayPal.me/JulieGvillo. Space is limited! We hope you'll join us for this art and sabbath opportunity!
Presbyterian Pride:
Rev. David Sindt and the Minnesota Roots of the Fight for Full Inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians in the PC(USA)
Thurs., June 22 | 6 pm to 8 pm

Public Historian and PHS Board Member Tim Hoogland will share the story of the Rev. David Sindt, who came out as an openly gay pastor in the early 1970s. He was a catalyst for the initial advocacy to fully include and ordain LGBTQ Presbyterians in the ministry of the church. After the presentation, PHS Executive Director Nancy Taylor will moderate a panel comprised of participants in this struggle who will reflect on their experiences and the connections of church policy to the larger Gay Rights Movement. Click this link to watch the live stream of this event on June 22 at 6 pm Central.
Transitional Ministry Education Consortium of the PCUSA


·        July 16-21, 2023 Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center (Lake Tahoe, Nevada) – Week 1 and Week 2 In person
·        August 27-September 1, 2023 Montreat Conference Center (Montreat, NC) Week 1 and Week 2 and a Spouse track – in person and virtual
·        October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 2023 Week 2 online 10:00-1:30 ET Transitional Ministry Pathways (formerly Pittsburgh Seminary)
·        May 13-17, 2024 – MALT Synods of Mid-America and Lincoln Trails (Mercy Center, St Louis, MO) Weeks 1 & 2 in person
You can find more information at the https://Https://www.transitionalministryeducation.net
Save these dates, share these dates, and plan to join Presbyterian Women from around the country on these dates!

We will need Presbyterian Women from all over the Presbytery to assist our visitors!
CRAFTERS & VENDORS NEEDED
The New Horizons Presbyterian Church will be hosting a Craft & Vendor Fair on Saturday, November 4th, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. We are looking for crafters and vendors to join us! For more information and/or to request an application, please call (314) 427-0841 or e-mail us at newhorizonspcusa@sbcglobal.net Applications will be accepted beginning on July 1st, 2023. Registration Deadline is September 15th, 2023. New Horizons Presbyterian Church is located at 9424 Everman Ave. in Overland, Missouri.
APPLICATION PROCESS
✓ Higher Education Scholarship App.
✓ 3 Essay Questions
✓ Session Endorsement Form
✓ Letter of Support from the Clerk of Session or Pastor
✓ Completed IRS W-9 Form
✓ Deadline August 1st
About The Scholarship
Funds are available for Presbyterians to use for higher education. Scholarships can be used for any accredited institution of higher learning (including trade schools and graduate study programs.)
Scholarships are awarded per school year and are renewable with application annually. Open to active Presbyterians within the Synod of Mid-America, and whose church membership qualifies as reported on December 31, 2022.
Kansas—total of 100 members or less Missouri—total of 50 members or less
Applicants will be judged on financial need, academic achievement, and involvement in the local church, school, and community. Scholarship recipients will be notified by August 31, 2023.
For more information visit http://synodma.org/college-scholarships
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
  • Chaplains, St. Lukes Hospital, Chesterfield, MO
  • Contemporary Worship Band Leader, First Presbyterian, Kirkwood, MO
  • (PT) Coordinator Christian Education - Southminster Presbyterian, Crestwood, 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