Newsletter
March / 5 / 2019
Life Realignment
Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard
Presbytery Leader
Lent is the time of realignment. Through 40 days of prayer and spiritual disciplines, we are able to commune with God and reset our faith walk again

Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket Update
  • Please pray.... for those with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
  • Please pray....for families of Rev. Don Kratz, and Rev. Tom Brown upon their deaths.
  • Please pray.... for the congregation of Kampsville Presbyterian Church, as they have their final worship services this Sunday.
  • Please pray..... for our friends within the United Methodist Church, as they move forward from their conference held last week.
Click on the prayer basket to find our current prayers.
Praying for your
Community During Lent

The Rev. Duke Dixon, pastor of Presbyterian Church of Easton in Easton, Maryland, has a free downloadable Lenten guide to help Presbyterians and others pray for their community. (featured by the Presbyterian Mission Agency - full article here)
The quick-click download is available here.
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We are Saddened to Report...
Rev. Don Kratz
Rev. Don Kratz, long time and very active Honorably Retired Pastor of Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery, passed away on February 28, 2019, after a short battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Don served as pastor of Boeff Presbyterian Church until his retirement, and then continued doing pulpit supply. He will be sadly missed. Don's wife, Lyda, proceeded him in passing in 2018. He is survived by several children, grandchildren, and many many friends.
There was a very beautiful service held at Cape Albeon, March 4. Don had lived at Cape Albeon in recent years, and had been voted the King of Cape Albeon in November by the other residents. They all seemed to recognize him for his kindness and devotion. Many residents, members of churches he served in Pastoral Supply and friends shared their treasured memories of him.
The family will have a time as a Celebration of Life Fellowship, after a private burial service, on Wednesday, March 27 at approximately 11 a.m. at Old Argo Presbyterian Church, in rural Bourbon, Missouri.
Rev. Thomas E. Brown
Rev. Tom Brown, Honorably Retired and a long-time resident of Pensacola, Florida, died on December 23, 2018 after an extended, stroke-related illness. Tom was known by many in Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery as an active leader and wise counselor on many fronts.  In addition to pastoral ministry at several Presbyterian churches during his career, Tom's ministry also included many years in a private practice of licensed career counseling. Tom's career also involved serving as the Director/Executive Director of Lancaster Theological Seminary Career Center, among other career centers. As a pastor/counselor/consultant, Tom also worked with a number of international universities and several private and/or governmental agencies, including work with military chaplaincies.
Tom Brown was a valued friend and counselor to many in the St. Louis area and in the wider network of congregations in Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery. He is survived by his wife Stephanie Alexander, his daughter Sarah Brown Lopez and a number of other family members."
Upcoming Team Meetings
Don't Forget
Daylight Savings Begins Sunday

Make sure you set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday, so you get to church on time.
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. Contact the office at 314-772-2395 if you are unsure where you will be meeting.
Week of: Mar. 7 to Mar. 13

Tues., Mar. 12
10 a.m. - Finance (Oaks)
11 a.m. - New Worship Com (Pres)
1 p.m. - Mission/Outreach (Oaks)
4 p.m. -Admin/Support (Oaks)
Wed., Mar. 13
1 p.m. - Pastoral Trans.Care (Oaks)
Week of: Mar. 14 to Mar. 20

Thur., Mar. 14
10 a.m. - Stewardship (St.Andrew)
1 p.m. - Presb Gath Planning (Oaks)
5 p.m. - Cong. Vibrancy (Oaks)
Mon., Mar. 18
1 p.m. - Social Witness (Oaks)
Kampsville Final Services
The First Presbyterian Church of Kampsville, Illinois will hold its final worship service on Sunday, March 10th. at 3:00 p.m. Please join us for this service and treat yourself to a beautiful drive up the Illinois River on a Sunday afternoon. Directions can be found here .
Uprooting Hunger - 2019 Presbytery Wide Goal
How to Teach Youth about Hunger Action
Practice ‘Just Eating’
Just Eating? Practicing Our Faith at the Table
Just Eating? Practicing Our Faith at the Table Participants Book is a seven-session curriculum for congregations that explores the relationship between the way we eat and the way we live, published by the Presbyterian Hunger Program. The study uses scripture, prayer and stories from the local and global community to explore five key aspects of our relationship with food.
Uprooting Hunger - Hunger Action Team
The next sixteen months the presbytery will work toward establishing Certified Hunger Action Congregations. This  handout will be helpful to your congregation, as we journey together in the year ahead. If you have any questions, email:  communication@glpby.org
Team & Congregational Happenings
11th Annual Pancake Supper
& Fat Tuesday Celebration to Support
Isaiah 58 Ministries
Tuesday, March 5, 6:00 – 7:30 pm at Oak Hill Presbyterian Church, located at 4111 Connecticut St. St. Louis, Missouri. Directions found here.
Pancakes with all the fixings will be serves to make this a feast to be remembered! Donations will support the work of Isaiah 58 Ministries. Live Music! 50/50 Drawing! S’mores Station! Check out our  Facebook event and  download the poster here to share with family and friends!
Presbyterian Woman
West Cluster Winter Gathering
The Gathering will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Sullivan, on Friday, March 8, 2019, and the day will begin at 9:30 a.m., with registration - coffee and pastries, and from 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. the Union Kitchen Band.
Laurie Osseck, with Scenic Regional Library will give a presentation on “The Most Famous Women in History.” Other guest speakers include Marsha Thompson, Assistant Director, Life House Youth Center of Sullivan. She will explain the services they provide for the area youth. We will also have a collection box available for personal care items or school supplies for the center. Ages 10-17 utilize the center after school. All donations are needed and appreciated. Christy Foster, Director of Mound Ridge will also give a short presentation.  
Greenville University Choir Concert
The Greenville University Choir under the direction of Jeffrey Wilson presents a concert at Second Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 10 at 4:00 p.m. The church is located at 4501 Westminster Place in the Central West End, St. Louis, 63108. Directions can be found here. The concert is part of the Couts Music Series and is free to the community. For more information call 314-367-0367 o www.secondchurch.net .
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St. Patrick’s Day Men’s Fellowship
LoveJoy United Presbyterian Church
Thursday, March 14 at 6 p.m.
LoveJoy United Presbyterian Church (2550 Rock Hill Rd, Wood River, IL) invites you to join in on a great St. Patrick’s Day tradition: a corned beef & cabbage meal, wonderful entertainment, and a competitive game of washer toss.
Directions can be found here. To RSVP or for information, call the church office 618.254.5880. 
Communion Training for Elders
If your church is without a permanent pastor and wants to celebrate the Lord’s Supper regularly without having a Minister of Word and Sacrament present, then send a couple of elders to this training. The training will take place Saturday, March 30, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., at 1st Presbyterian Church of Perryville. Once an elder completes the training, the elder can be the celebrant at the table at his/her church beginning in May after approval at the Presbyter Gathering. Please RSVP to Stephanie Knopf, 314-420-9477 or sbknopf@yahoo.com .
Lenten Prayer Retreat at Ladue Chapel
Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 9 am – 12 pm
You are invited to rest in God’s presence and allow yourself to receive the pure gift of God. This morning of prayer includes an opportunity to pray with words (lectio divina), music (audio divina), and art (visio divina). Join Dieter Heinzl and Anne Peacock, as we nurture contemplative practices to enhance life’s journey. The labyrinth will also be available to walk in Fellowship Hall before and after the retreat. Friends welcome. RSVP to Anne Peacock: apeacock@laduechapel.org or 314-993-4771 x3122. Directions can be found here.
Trivia Night with Grace Presbyterian
Saturday, March 9 - Begins at 6:30 p.m.
Held at VFW Post 3777, Festus
Put on your beach shirts and join us for Trivia and fun. There will be a prize for the best ‘beach’ table decorations, 50/50s, basket raffle and a more. Tables of 8- $15.00 per person or $25.00 per couple.
Trivia Night at Fisk Presbyterian
Sunday, March 24th - Registration at 4 p.m.
Games begin at 4:30 p.m.
There is no entry fee. Get a team together and join us for a night of fun. We are going to only have 8 categories this year to streamline things a little. Everyone welcome.
Annual Mound Ridge Dinner Auction
Save the date for the Mound Ridge Dinner Auction committee set the date for the 2019 Dinner Auction. It will be held on April 27, 2019, at Andrea’s Banquet Hall on Telegraph Road.
Seeking Support?
Need Hymnals?
First Presbyterian Church of Union has hymnals we would like to donate to another church. We have 70 volumes of "The Worshiping Church" Hope Publishing Company, Copyright 1990 we would like to donate to another church. These red-covered hymnals are in excellent condition. Those interested should contact Carol Gruber at 636-583-2329.
HELP!! Seeking Old Photos
 Uni-Pres Kindercottage is preparing a video of the last 50 years of ministry at the day care center in East St. Louis--the old location and our current building. If you have pictures, especially pictures including Brenda Crisp in them, please get them to us. You can e-mail digital copies to brenai_91605@yahoo.com . And please save the date, June 29, for a fabulous "Golden Gala" celebrating 50 years of ministry and looking forward to the future. A twice a century party you don't want to miss!!
Complete List of Educational Opportunities: Found Here
Opportunity to Talk about the Confessions
The confession in the Book of Confessions with the widest history of use in the United States is Westminster. Its Confession of Faith and its Catechisms have literally been part of American churches [and not only Presbyterian ones] since 1648, the year it was first adopted by the English Parliament. Until the creation of the Book of Confessions in 1967, it was the only confession used as a theological “plumbline” in Presbyterian churches.
Wednesday morning we will discuss the history of these foundational documents in the life of our church and explore what the Westminster Confession of Faith still has to teach us about our God and our faith.
Want to join the conversation?
Contact Barbara Willock bwill2@mindspring.com. and you can always,
Upcoming Online Continuing Education
The Leadership Institute is committed to equipping and inspiring church and ministry leaders. Our desire is to foster the continuing, ongoing process of leadership development for pastors, educators, and lay leaders alike. We invite you to explore how we may partner together to strengthen our witness and service to the church in the world. 
Pastors in Need of Spiritual Renewal?
What about ECCSR?
What is the ECCSR? The Ecumenical Center for Clergy Spiritual Renewal (ECCSR) offers spiritual renewal to Christian pastors through immersion experiences into the life of Holy Wisdom Monastery, and an ongoing community of monastic resources and support that extends beyond the walls of Holy Wisdom. The program offers early and mid-career clergy the opportunity to nourish their spiritual center—the “monk within”—by developing life-long, covenantal relationships between clergy peers.
These deep connections will create spiritual companioning, renewal of calling, and revitalization within the congregations they serve. Participating clergy cohorts will be diverse in many ways including but not limited to age, gender, ethnicity, theological training, denominational affiliation, years in ministry, and spiritual practice.
SAVE The DATE
Stewardship Kaleidoscope
September 30 – October 2, 2019
Catamaran Resort, San Diego, CA
Stewardship Kaleidoscope is an annual conference offering 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 Lutheran Church (ELCA) and the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and beyond, Stewardship Kaleidoscope is designed to help participants explore stewardship, in its many colorful dimensions! Read more here.
Shift 2.0 Conference
May 20-22, 2019 (St. Charles, MO)
Dr. Phil Maynard, a certified coach, an Endorsed coach (UMEA), a certified Conflict/Mediation Coach, and licensed trainer/facilitator, will help you "d  iscover the key shifts that all churches must make if they are going to have a fruitful ministry in the next century… Rural, urban, black, Hispanic, Anglo, Asian, multicultural, liberal, evangelical… they all need to think through these key shifts to figure out a path forward.” -Paul Nixon, Coach/Consultant  Sponsored by Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation. Details coming soon at  www.omahapresbyterianseminaryfoundation.org
Current Support Ministry Position Openings
Congregations Searching for Support Staff
Church Accountant/Bookkeeper - Second Presbyterian

Director Faith Formation and Family Ministries
for Children - Ladue Chapel

Church Accountant/Bookkeeper - Second Presbyterian