Newsletter
February / 16/ 2021
FINALLY
A New Website is Near
Monday, February 22
New Look - New Vision
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket

  • Please pray for....the family and friends of Martha (Marti) Hughes in her passing.
  • Please pray for...Rev. Thirza Sayers, for relief of current health challenges and complete healing.
  • Please pray for... our national leadership as we repair and unite, forgive and move forward this year and beyond
  • Please pray for...for those receiving vaccinations for COVID19, as our nation works for herd immunity; those battling COVID19 at home and in the hospital, and science and medical personnel making treatment and vaccination possible.
PC(USA)
Quick Connect
Support Ministry
Help Wanted
Parish Paper
Special Prayer Requests this Week
We are saddened to report the loss of Candace Howard, 43, niece of Rev. Dr. Craig Howard, from a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The funeral will be held Friday in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
"In life and in death we belong to God."
Craig and the family welcome your prayers. If you would like to reach out to Craig and family, by emailing him - FOUND HERE
We are saddened to report that Rev. Paul Kabo, pastor of churches in Cape Girardeau and Ste. Genevieve, Honorably Retired and now living in Virginia, has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.
Rev. Kabo reflects that is will not be long before he joins the heavenly choir.
Please join us in prayer for Rev. Kabo and his family in this journey.

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
Upcoming Team Meetings
As Presbytery Ministry Committees and Commissions Organize, 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
Thur., Feb. 18
9am-Social Witness Click Here
9:30am-History Team Click Here
4pm-Vision Team Click Here

Fri., Feb. 19
10am-PW Coordinating Click Here
Mon., Feb. 22
12pm Rural Pastors Click Here

Wed., Feb. 24
6pm-Clerks of Session Click Here
Hope Has Arrived in Vaccines for COVID19
We know that there are concerns your community and congregations might have about the vaccine development, and its safety. In collaboration with the Social Witness Team of the Presbytery we are pleased to share these support materials that you might use to help your community and congregation understand the vaccines available, their effectiveness and safety.

  • Complete File of Session/Church Resources Binder FOUND HERE
  • Questions/Answers from a Local Presbyterian - Trinity Presbyterian Church, University City, is blessed to have several physicians among their congregation, including Dr. Rachel Presti, who has been leading COVID vaccine research for many months. ​​Dr. Presti is Associate Professor of Medicine ​and Medical Director of the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Unit (ID CRU)​ at Washington University. She discussed the vaccine rollout and answered questions. The video, shared by Trinity Presbyterian, can be FOUND HERE
  • Where to get the shot(s) - Get your vaccine when it is your turn. You should be able to find out when it is your turn to be vaccinated and how to register in your neighborhood by reaching out to your state or local health department.
In Illinois CLICK HERE | In Missouri CLICK HERE
News & Activities
The Ferguson Ecology Team Video Night
The Rise of Sustainability
Thur., Feb. 18 | 7pm
This video explores the rise of the concept of sustainability as it has gone from the fringes to the mainstream within just a few short decades, driven by an environmental crisis on a global scale. In this short documentary film, we explore this new environmental context of the Anthropocene and the key structural transformations in our economy required to achieve sustainability in the age of globalization.
Conversation to follow the film. All are welcome!
TO REGISTER FOR ZOOM LINK: http://bit.ly/FETFeb2021
For more information: (314) 941-9378 or email: carletonstock@aol.com
Black History Month Event
The Great Divide: Race in Our Region
YWCA Metro St. Louis is partnering with the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis and area Interfaith groups for four important conversations on how systemic racism permeates our city and our region.
These programs will provide background, share stories of how area residents are directly impacted, and explore what action you can take to create change. Each hour-long program will be followed by an opportunity for small group discussion and reflection.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming programs:
March 10th - Healthcare
April 14th - Environmental Justice
May 12th - Court Systems

Register Here
Dreaming & Discerning Virtual Gathering
Tues., Mar. 16th at 7pm
Although many of our buildings may be closed for now, our churches are creatively open, continuing and even expanding the reach of their mission and ministry, with God’s Spirit inspiring many of us to see visions and dream dreams in ways we might not have imagined a few short months ago. Please join New Worshiping Commission Moderator, Rev. Steve Matthews for a time of Dreaming and Discerning.
Please join us virtually, through Zoom, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89688042422
If calling in, please dial 312.626.6799, and enter meeting ID 896 8804 2422
Equinox Chamber Players Concert
Sun., Mar. 14 | 4pm
The Couts Music Series of Second Presbyterian Church presents the Equinox Chamber Players in concert on Sunday, March 14 at 4:00 pm. The program includes works of Gwyneth Walker, Scott Joplin, and St. Louis composer Stephen Mager. The concert is free and takes place virtually at https://secondchurch.net/music/couts-music-series/. Due to union regulations, this program is only available online on March 14 at 4:00 pm. For more information, call 314-367-0367 or visit secondchurch.net
The Black Tax:
The Cost of Being Black in America
Thur., Mar. 4 & Thur., Apr. 8

The Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy invites you to two special events with author, Shawn Rochester to discuss his book, The Black Tax: The Cost of Being Black in America. Rochester, a former corporate development, and global strategy executive quantifies the fiscal impact of the detrimental tax Black Americans pay in the auto, housing, online, job, and lending markets. The book examines the staggering financial cost from emancipation to the present day to answer the question of how, after 400 years, more than 40 million African Americans own only 2% of U.S. wealth. More than simply identifying the problem, Rochester lays out an empowerment plan to create much-needed jobs and businesses in the Black community. The first online session will meet on Thursday, March 4 and the second session is on Thursday, April 8. Both meetings will begin at 6:30 PM CST. There is no cost to attend, but advance registration is required. Advance reading of the book is highly encouraged, but it is not required. Please go to www.glpby.org for more information and to reserve your spot.
Mental Health First Aid Training
Given generally growing mental health needs, especially due to stressors related to the pandemic, Light for the Darkness and the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy will offer Mental Health First Aid training. We encourage pastors, deacons, elders, youth leaders, and anyone interested in mental health to attend. Please share this and spread the word.
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid is an early intervention public education program. It teaches adults how to recognize signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge, how to listen nonjudgmentally and give reassurance to a person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge. Also, it includes how to refer a person to appropriate professional support and services.
The instructor will be our newest advisory board member, Lawson (Cal) Calhoun, M.A, MHFA, also the clerk of session at Westminster Presbyterian Church St. Louis.
  • Adult Mental Health First Aid Training (30 spaces available): March 6th from 9am-4pm (deadline to register is 2/20)
  • Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (30 spaces available): April 17th, 9-4pm; (deadline to register is 4/3) (this class is to help adults identify signs in youth, not a class for youth)
The course cost per person is normally $170, but we are receiving the reduced rate of $24 per person, per course. If you need assistance with this cost, please note this in your registration and your fee will be covered.
To register please complete this link, then mail your check to the presbytery with MHFA in the memo, $24 for one course, $48 for two.
Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, memo: MHFA, 1001 Craig Rd Ste 170, St. Louis, MO 63146.
A different Lenten focus for 2021
While Lent is a time for prayer, fasting, service and contemplation, at the top of our list should be a prayer for the acquisition of peace. This year for the season of Lent, we invite you to reflect upon the gift of shalom, the Hebrew word for peace. In the Bible, shalom can be translated not only as peace, but also as tranquility, security, well-being, health, welfare, completeness and safety. How can we receive this gift of shalom and, in turn, bestow it upon the world? 
Find more from the Presbyterian Mission Agency - Click Here
Tech Grant Testimony
St. Charles Presbyterian Church
St. Charles, Missouri
We have been blessed and are grateful for the vision of our Presbytery to provides technology grants to churches that are not able to meet face to face during this pandemic. This grant has allowed St. Charles Presbyterian Church to build (from scratch) a very successful online worship presence for the members and friends of at St. Charles Presbyterian in our region and across the country.
With the Technology Grant from Giddings Lovejoy Presbytery has provided a sense of hope and connection for all those associated with SCPC and the result of our on-line time together we have remained a strong faithful connectional church family. With Rev. Ronnie’s leadership we have been able to connect in a personal connection with our congregation by providing inspiring sermons, motivational videos, beautiful music with our choir as well as the shared videos from the PCUSA Presbyterian Mission and other churches. These thoughtful and spiritual online services have given us all a real sense of belonging.  Our members and a number of “friends” across the country have been faithful in their viewing weekly at 10:30 as a congregational family online.  We not only have stayed connected, but our on-line giving and our church stewardship has remained strong.  God has shown a true connection through our on-line presence and a sense of belonging allowing St. Charles Presbyterian to continue to grow and spread God’s presence. We would like to thank our presbytery for partnering with us as we work together during these challenging times.
Submitted by Paul York
We welcome you, if you have not explored virtual worship, to see what is possible and what you might need. Click Here
Education & Training Opportunities
Racism & Organizing 101
1001 Worshiping Communities
Training Opportunity
Racism is a frequent topic of discussion, but we often we often differ in our understandings of what racism really is. The 1001 team is excited to partner with The Open Table, a NWC in Heartland Presbytery to provide an opportunity for NWC leaders to build a common working definition of racism so that we can work together to dismantle systemic racism in all its forms. Learn more about the training on Feb. 24, from 7–9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Coming Alive in Christ: Training for PC(USA) Ruling Elders and Deacons Based on the Constitutional Questions
The constitutional questions asked of leaders within the PC(USA) when they are ordained, installed, and commissioned is the focus of a new resource created to assist teaching elders as they serve in ministry with ruling elders and deacons. Coming Alive in Christ: Training for PC(USA) Ruling Elders and Deacons based on the Constitutional Questions provides a study of these beliefs that are central to our lives of faith and in our community with each other and is available through Equip, the church’s online training platform. Beginning with an introduction on baptism, call, and membership, the study for each question has been written by a leader from across the diversity of the church with questions for reflection or discussion included in each section. Leader guides and a visual supplement are also included and available for download.
The resource is a focus of the Year of Leader Formation, which provides an emphasis on the ecclesial development of Presbyterian leaders for those currently serving and those preparing to serve PC(USA) congregations as ruling elders and deacons. Events, announcements, and links are available and updated on the Year of Leader Formation webpage. To receive periodic email updates, subscribe here.
NEW Virtual Social Justice Conference
Called to Justice: Seeking Change within the
Classroom, Congregation, and Community
February 24 - 25, 2021
This two-day event, co-sponsored by the Seminary's Center for Social Justice & Reconciliation (CSJR) and the Leadership Institute, features two keynote address and four workshop choices. REGISTER HERE
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NEXT Church is Next Month
March 5-7
NEXT Church is teaching elders, students, educators, church members, youth leaders and ruling elders who care about the flourishing of the church of Jesus Christ in ways that are relevant to our communities.
Synod Youth Workshop
July 12-17
The 2021 SYW Planning Team of youth and adults is once again energetically preparing for an in-person gathering at the University of Tulsa, July 12-17, 2021. It is through the Planning Team’s prayerful discernment that they invited Martin Osae to keynote the Theme: WhataGreatGod based on Romans 8:38-39 (‘…nothing will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”) In this passage, they find assurance and hope that God is ALWAYS with us, and takes us far beyond fear to faith, hope and love. In fact, there is nothing which can interrupt God’s love for us…ALL of us. Learn more here
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
Part-Time Pastor - First Presbyterian, Perryville

Part-Time Organist - First Presbyterian of Alton, IL

Associate Pastor - Dardenne Presbyterian, Dardenne Prarie

Organist/Pianist - First Presbyterian, Jackson, MO

Interim Pastor - John Calvin Presbyterian