Newsletter
September / 7/ 2021
Presbytery Guest Blog
Ruling Elder - Dr. Rance Thomas
Member of Public Witness & DRAWP
Plea for Action Against
Gun Violence
"Something needs to be done about this escalating, dangerous public safety issue. The question is what? ” 
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket

  • Please pray for... our blogger, Dr. Rance Thomas, for health, and his work with Public Witness and DRAWP
  • Please pray for... for those battling COVID in the hospital and at home, and those who have had their care deferred for lack of hospital space.
  • Please pray for...for victims of Hurricane Ida, from the far south up the east coast to New York and New Jersey
  • Please pray for...for those who are trying to leave Afghanistan and for safe passage and a new healthier place.
PC(USA)
Quick Connect
Support Ministry
Help Wanted
Parish Paper
Upcoming Team Meetings
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 lporter@glpby.org
This Week
Next Week
Wed., Sept. 8
12pm-Transitional Pastors
1:30pm-COM Click Here
Thur., Sept. 9
3pm-Gathering Planning


Mon., Sept. 13
12pm-Dynamic Leaders-Email Link
7pm-DRAWP Mod - Click Here
Tues., Sept. 14
4pm-Admin Team - Click Here
Thur., Sept. 16
4pm-Vision Team-Click Here
Fri., Sept. 17
10am-PW Coord Council Click Here
As we continue to share in the excitement of Missouri’s progress, we now begin the work to ensure newly eligible Missourians have the information, assistance, and confidence to get covered. We’ve been working toward this moment for years and share your eagerness to assist newly eligible Missourians enroll in Medicaid.
We also recognize it will take time for the state systems to get up and running smoothly. The Cover Missouri call center is already busy. We want to flag two important enrollment details that we encourage you to keep in mind as outreach begins:
  1.  Today, if a newly eligible person applies online, they will likely receive a message from the pre-screening tool that they are not eligible. That is because the tool is referring to old eligibility thresholds. You can hit “next” to continue with the application. We expect this glitch to be addressed soon. 
  2. If someone received medical services on or after July 1, 2021, Medicaid may cover those costs. They must include this information in their application and submit (or postmark) by October 31, 2021.
 To support outreach and education efforts, Missouri Foundation for Health has prepared a research-based message guide to help you clearly communicate about Medicaid expansion. This guide explains the new rules, addresses barriers and motivations to getting covered, and helps connect Missourians to enrollment assistance.
News & Updates
Presbyterian Foundation - Online Day of Learning
 Explore the Complex Issues with Managing Church Property
Tuesday - October 12
 The webinar offers three different issues concerning how congregations and mid-councils can use or repurpose buildings and properties to further their mission.
 ***8:30 PST/11:30 EST Maggie Harmon will present The Value of Vision 
How do you get where you’re going if you don’t know where it is that you want to go? And how do you make sure you have the resources you need to get there? Making sure you have a clear vision for your congregation provides the structure you need to assess and align your resources for the most effective ministry. - This workshop will help you define your vision as a core purpose, distinguish that from mission and goals so you can focus your ministry in the areas you are called to serve, and give you tools to take back to your congregation to help in understanding what resources you need to ensure continued viability.
***11:00 PST/2:00 EST Olanda Carr and Robert Hay will share Options for Repurposing Church Property - In this workshop, we will review various options to consider when repurposing your church property. An overview of church partnerships, rental opportunities to consider, conversion/reinvention, and parcel sales will be provided, with careful attention being placed on the amount of time, energy, and resources required for each. Additional time will be allocated to discernment processes, including beginning steps and resources.
***2:30 PST/5:30 EST with Understanding Financial Implications for Property Transition from Paul Grier. During this presentation, attendees will learn about various types of property-specific information that must be gathered, recommendations for the sequence of work, and how a careful analysis can be undertaken to maximize the financial or missional benefit to the church when considering repurposing options.
We will consider the impact of potential changes in property taxation, together with realistic assessments of the marketability of the property and required market exposure time, as well as compliance and impacts from civil and PC(USA) requirements.
We’re all going to be dealing with these issues more often in the next few years, so it’s important to learn this information right now. 
Next Joining Hands meeting on
Wednesday, September 15th



Members and Friends of Joining Hands
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 840 1635 8336
Passcode: 532134
APCE E-4 Conference
(educate-empower-energize-engage)
October 14–16, 2021
at Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, Independence, Missouri

For Onsite Registrations—Meals: Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast and lunch, Saturday breakfast are included. Lodging: You will need to make your reservations with Stoney Creek and let them know you are attending the APCE E4 Conference. Call 800.659.2220 or use this link: https://www.stoneycreekhotels.com/hotel/travel/independence/. Hotel costs are your responsibility.
Can't make the event in person? Join us virtually! Just mark the virtual option in the form below. You will be sent a link to join all workshops and worship.
The conference begins with check-in at 4 p.m. October 14 and ends at noon October 16 after worship.
Fees: $100 onsite/$50 virtual
Questions? Contact Liz Lindsey, scooterpastor38@hotmail.com
Disability Inclusion Sunday
A message from Presbyterians
for Disability Concerns
Inclusion Sunday - September 19
PDC invites your congregations to celebrate Disability Inclusion Sunday on September 19. Our new 2021 resource, Natural Disasters, Health Crisis, & Other Crises: Congregations Supporting People with Disabilities, has ministry tips and tools for the celebration and for every day. You are also invited to check out our Facebook Page, where we will be dropping ideas, prompts, and suggestions. Please spread the word.
Poorly Understood:
What America Gets Wrong About Poverty
Sunday, October 3rd at 7 p.m.

As part of our commitment to the tenets of Matthew 25, Trinity Presbyterian Church, University City, is organizing a discussion via zoom featuring Mark Rank, the Herbert Hadley Professor of Social Welfare at Washington University. Mark is one of America’s foremost experts on issues of poverty, inequality, and social justice. He has written 10 books on a range of subjects, including the role of luck in shaping the course of our lives. He will be talking about a new book he has co-authored, Poorly Understood: What America gets wrong about poverty.
All are welcome, whether they read the book or not. There will be time for Q&A. We have invited all the Matthew 25 churches in our Presbytery to join in the first of what we hope will be more opportunities to get together.
If joining by phone, dial 312-626-6799 and enter the Meeting ID: 899 2846 5161
2021 Presbytery History Tour
Angels, Miracles & Stained Glass Windows 
Thursday, September 30
The tour will meet at 8:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Adams Ave., Kirkwood, Missouri. The tour group will return at approximately 4:00 p.m.
Please note that masks are required.
The tour will be $59 per person. This includes the tour, boxed lunch and gratuities.
Make reservations with Janet Stanford by calling 314-638-0195, 9511 Howerton Drive, St. Louis MO 63123. Please make checks payable to Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy (memo: History Tour)
Tips For Caring for God's Good Earth
Next time you are at a fast-food restaurant, talk to the manager about the need for environmentally friendly packaging, either recyclable or bio-degradable.
Packaging accounts for a great percentage of food costs and waste disposal costs. Ask others to do the same.
"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: carletonstock@aol.com or (314) 941-9378.
You Can Help PDA Respond to Hurricane IDA
PDA is responding to Hurricane Ida. With widespread power outages at this time, information is coming in slowly. We will update this page as more information becomes available.
To support our response, designate gifts to DR000169 
Metropolitan Congregations Online Program
Environmental Racism: 
Alive and Well in St. Louis
Thurs., Sept. 9 at 7 pm

Black children in the City of St. Louis are 2.4 times more likely than White children to test positive for lead in their blood. Black children in St. Louis make roughly 10 times more emergency room visits for asthma each year than White children do. Black St. Louisans are disproportionately harmed by lead poisoning, asthma, mold, and high energy costs—all associated with factors such as substandard housing conditions and air pollution due to living near industrial facilities, highways, and building demolitions. Indeed, environmental racism is alive and well here where we live.
We will explore these deeply rooted problems with the Metropolitan Congregations United Environmental Justice team at our virtual program on September 9 at 7 p.m.
NWCC Welcomes You - Dreaming and Discerning
Tuesday, September 21 at 7 p.m.
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:
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)
GA#225 Commissioners Needed
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!
The General Assembly consists of commissioners elected by presbyteries. Half of the commissioners will be ruling elders, half will be teaching elders. Few will ever have been commissioners to the General Assembly before, but most will have served in one of the other governing bodies of our church: the session, which provides care and oversight of a local congregation; the presbytery, which provides care and oversight of a group of congregations; or the synod which provides care and oversight of several presbyteries.
Learn more about being a Commissioner - Click Here
GA App Form (Word) | GA App Form (Fillable PDF)
Education & Training Opportunities
Youth and Children's Ministry Foundations Retreat
September 13-14
MLI is pleased to invite area youth and children's ministers to our annual Youth and Children's Ministry Foundations training retreat on September 13-14, 2021!
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
Year of Leader Formation:
Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons
Deacon Ministries – A Webinar
September 16, 2021; 7-8:30 pm (eastern)
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).
  • Two of the three webinars being offered especially for deacons and ruling elders this year have taken place, and the recordings are available. PDFs of the slides for last month’s presentation on the parliamentary procedure are posted in Spanish, Korean, and English. 
Stewardship Kaleidoscope
September 13-15
This annual conference offers excellent plenary speakers, informative workshop leaders, provocative worship experiences, and incredible networking opportunities for all who are passionate about stewardship and generosity. Drawing leaders from across the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and other ecumenical partners, Stewardship Kaleidoscope is designed to help participants explore stewardship, in its many colorful dimensions!
Our mission is to create an annual event that:
  • Ignites generosity
  • Gives practical tools for cultivating generosity in congregations
  • Expands the leadership capacity of those who lead stewardship initiatives
  • Cultivates adaptive approaches for funding Christ’s mission
Venues vary annually, and you can count on Stewardship Kaleidoscope to provide Real Tools for Real Ministry!
2021 Clergy Women and
Christian Educators Retreat
Sun., Sept. 26-Wed., Sept. 29
Has the shutdown, pandemic and trying to “return to normal” left you drained? OPSF invites you to a time of renewal, prayer, skill sharing and fellowship with other women in ministry. - Calvin Crest Conference Center, Fremont, NE - EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION BY - August 1st, 2021 - LAST DAY TO REGISTER - August 31, 2021
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 ekanerva@glpby.org
Seeking to proclaim Christ's good news — the gospel of peace and justice — and to be active in the sacred ministry of reconciliation wherever and whenever we can

Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders for next year:
 March 14-18, May 9-13, June 13-17, August 1-5, October 3-7, and November 14-18, 2022
 
Scholarships Available - To help us plan these events, would you please answer this question: Assuming conditions with regard to COVID-19 are similar to what they are now, would you consider attending an in-person workshop in 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.
We are eager to return to in-person events and to enjoy the camaraderie and deeper levels of learning that come with that; however, we understand the caution and the practical considerations that cause some people to favor remote learning.
For the latest news and course offerings from LMPC, please consult the attached flyer or visit our website at www.LMPeaceCenter.org.
Becoming Matthew 25
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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 lporter@glpby.org
Current Support Ministry Position Openings
Guitarist (Paid) - First Presbyterian, Kirkwood, Missouri

Pastor - Trinity Presbyterian, University City, Missouri

Head of Music - First United Presbyterian, Collinsville, Illinois

Music and Movement Specialist - St. Mark Presbyterian (Claymont Preschool)

Pre-School Teacher Assistant-First United Presbyterian, Belleville, Illinois

Part-Time Pastor - Affton Presbyterian

Full-Time Chaplain - Aberdeen Heights

Associate Pastor - Dardenne Presbyterian, Dardenne Prarie