Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

Current Guidelines on the Coronavirus

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

Emergency Relief Plan

Purpose: To provide emergency support for congregations experiencing proven financial hardship due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Finance Team has been authorized to approve emergency grants up to $10,000. Find more information by  c licking here.

REMEMBER THESE DETAILS!

NOTE: In light of the Covid-19 Pandemic, meetings will be restricted to Zoom or conference call. If you are unsure how to participate, please contact your team moderator, or call the office 314-772-2395, and select Leigh Porter, Office Manager.

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Presbytery Virtual Lunch Meetings Next Week (May 4 to May 7)

Monday - Rural Pastors

Tuesday - Interim/Transitional Pastors

Wednesday - Clerks of Session

Thursday - Pastors

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Reminders will be sent the evening before, with Zoom link and call-in information. We look forward to seeing you next week!

Oak Hill Presbyterian Answers Call to

Support Unhoused Neighbors

When our friends from Tent Mission STL reached out needing a place to heat up meals for our unhoused neighbors, we were glad to share oven space! Our building is still mostly closed because of covid19, but today we opened up a tiny bit to help warm 90 hot meals (donated and prepared by North Sarah Food Hub) for our community. Learn more about Tent Mission STL, by clicking here.

Virtual Worship is the New Normal

Make sure your worship music is covered under licensing or be sure you use approved free content.

BOUNDARIES & YOUTH MINISTRY

DURING COVID-19 - WEBCAST

Tuesday, May 5 | 1 p.m.

Join Insurance Board for our Live Webcast, Boundaries & Youth Ministry During COVID-19.

Join us on May 5, at 1:00 p.m. (Central) for a discussion on Boundaries and Youth Ministry during COVID-19. The global pandemic has significantly impacted all aspects of youth ministries across our country. Churches are facing unprecedented challenges trying to minister youth in their congregations. Faith communities are stepping up to provide consistent support to youth in many forms. Insurance Board’s partnership with Praesidium continues to offer resources to help churches navigate these difficult times and maintain a safe environment for all youth. Insurance Board protects your ministry by offering resources to support it. Join us for our fourth webcast on trending topics relating to COVID-19. This webcast is free and open to all. Click here to register .

Nicaragua Trip Canceled

It is with great sadness that we have decided to cancel the July trip to visit our partners in Plan Grande #2, Nicaragua. We will continue to evaluate the situations in the US and in Nicaragua and if a trip in the Fall 2020 is wise, we’ll work to make that happen. Please pray for all of the people in Nicaragua, our partners in Plan Grande #2, and our PCUSA partner organization CEPAD as they face the many challenges this crisis brings. Contact Harriet Hall at [email protected] for more information.

Council of Protestant Churches of Nicaragua are a validated PCUSA mission and could use support during these challenging times. To learn more about their mission, click this link: https://cepadnica.org/

Technology Grants Now Available

We need technology now more than ever. There are grants available to help your congregation in acquiring what you need to get your congregation on the technology track    

Click Here

Summer 2020

Mission &

Outreach Team

Grant Applications

DEADLINE EXTENDED

You can find the application and details about the grants    Click here.

More details will be found in this Friday's newsletter.

Remote Faith Formation for the Long Haul

Compilation list of resources that could be helpful for you during the current COVID-19 situation and that may be helpful in developing sustainable remote faith formation for your community. In this list you will find resources to deal with the current crisis, studies for Christian education, blogs and ideas. This is your toolbox. We will update this list periodically over the coming weeks. Download here

Light for the Darkness

Mental health is so important. These days of isolation can make things difficult for everyone. Light for the Darkness seeks to help. Learn more about participating and be encouraged in worship and prayer.

Click here to learn more.

Email Rev. Thirza Sayers, Pastor of Light for the Darkness with any questions you might have [email protected] Be a part of the ministry by engaging through Social Media and "Liking" on Facebook here.

An invitation to daily prayer from Rev. Thirza Sayers

Our Presbytery Addresses Hunger in our Communities But there are

Challenges During the Pandemic

Hunger is a serious challenge, even as our attention is focused on the health crisis at hand, and in many ways, it may get worse. What can we do to ensure that the virus that has brought so much of daily life to a grinding halt does not do the same to our work to end hunger? Read more here.

Presbytery Children's Home

Virtual Fundraiser

Wednesday, April 29 | 12 p.m.

Normally Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services focuses on making permanent homes for children and teaching self-sufficiency to families. But nothing is normal this spring. Our children and families were struggling before. Now they are in survival mode. To address their needs, all luncheon donations will be used for COVID-19 relief such as rent, utility and food assistance. Please join us for this special fundraising event!

Click here to attend:  pchas.org/luncheon  

 If you know you cannot attend and would like to help children and families in crisis, please give now or write to [email protected] . 

Give StL May 7 - Consider UKirk

UKirk gives college students an opportunity to connect with others, explore and question their faith in the midst of schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Every week, UKirk gathers for worship, food, fellowship, and so much more! Help us celebrate our fifth year of UKirk on Give St. Louis Day.

Get your giving on! Every gift counts! On our donation page, you can securely donate using your credit card. You can give on the day or schedule your gift from now until May 7th! Click here: https://www.givestlday.org/ukirkstl

Cloth Face Masks

Webster Groves Presbyterian Church (WGPC) has received requests for cloth masks from local nonprofits and is encouraging churches to get on board to help fill the need. 

Could you help? WGPC will soon be working to fulfill this need and welcomes members of those churches near Webster Groves to contribute to the effort. If you are interested in helping, contact Tracey Rapisardo at 314-962-9210 ext. 3108 or [email protected]. 

Click here for details