Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka, Former National Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and long time instructor at Columbia Seminary where he taught pastors to be teachers and leaders in the church’s educational ministry, specializing, in particular, on youth and young adult ministry. 

This FREE education day features several breakout sessions for congregation members, deacons, elders, and pastors. All are welcome to join us! The workshops are designed to entice everyone to imagine and re-imagine what the church can be. 

Common-sense tips for congregations and individuals during the Coronavirus Outbreak

In light of the global outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, more commonly known as the coronavirus, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has released a “Preparedness for Pandemics” guide for congregations. Please click here for more information and download and share this important tool in staying healthy during this outbreak.

Pastor David Zweh

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Ruling Elder, David Zweh, on Wednesday, February 26.

Pastor Zweh served in our presbytery as the leader of the Liberian community worshiping Carondelet-Markham Memorial and later at Curby Memorial.

Prior to arriving as a refugee from Liberia in the spring of 2005, David was a United Nations Peace Educator at the Teleset Refugee Camp in Ivory Coast.

Once he arrived in St. Louis, he quickly became the chosen leader of the Liberian group at Carondelet-Markham. He took classes offered to immigrants through Stony Point and the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico, sponsored by the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. It was after graduation that he was called to serve as a Commissioned Pastor.

Throughout his service to the PC(USA), Pastor Zweh worked 40 hours a week at a day job, raised his family, became a citizen, purchased a home, sent his daughter to college, and worked hard in his new country.

He is greatly missed and mourned by family and friends. Please join us in praying for our Liberian community and Pastor Zweh's family.

Information on his services may be found here.

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, Kirkwood - refers to First Presbyterian of Kirkwood. Contact the office at 314-772-2395 if you are unsure where you will be meeting.

Daylight Saving Time - This Weekend

Saturday , before going to bed, be sure you set your clocks FORWARD one hour, so that you arrive to church on time. Springing forward is always a challenge!

Presbyterians Today 2020 Lenten Devotional

Becoming a Beloved Community:

A Matthew 25 journey to the cross

This year’s Lenten devotional invites us on a thought-provoking journey to see firsthand how Jesus’ words to “feed the hungry” and “clothe the naked” still change lives today.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of “beloved community” to describe a society where everyone has their needs met. In “Becoming a Beloved Community,” we discover how needs are met when selfless love breaks down racial barriers, gives voice to the voiceless and feeds hungry hearts, souls and bodies.

This devotional itself is also a reflection of a beloved community. It features prayers and reflections by 19 ordained ministers, chaplains, lay pastors and ruling elders from the Presbytery of the Pacific. While the stories they share differ, they all have this in common: a passion for following Jesus. The excitement and commitment found on the pages of “Becoming a Beloved Community” are contagious.

Free Download Options Found Here.

DRAP Invitation to the White Privilege Conference

Members of the Dismantling Racism and Privilege Committee (DRAP) invite you to attend the White Privilege Conference April 1 - 4, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona, along with three members of the committee. DRAP is offering one $750 scholarship to a member of the Presbytery who is interested in learning more about privilege and oppression. We hope this person will develop an interest in engaging in the work of anti-racism through DRAP, the Presbytery and their local congregation. Information about the conference can be found at: https://www.whiteprivilegeconference.com/wpc21mesa.

DOWNLOAD OR SAVE THE APPLICATION TO YOUR DESKTOP PRIOR TO SUBMISSION. Click here to apply for the scholarship

For more information about the conference contact Gary Naylor (2019 WPC attendee) 636-484-6029 or Donna Cook 314-807-3949. 

Light for the Darkness

We're starting a New Community Group for anyone with any mental illness, depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar. If you would like to explore where God may be in the midst of your mental health struggles, while connecting with people who understand, please join us. Sundays starting April 19th at 1pm at our partner congregation, Trinity Pres. Feel free to refer friends and family. If you have questions, please email me at [email protected]. Learn more about what the Light for the Darkness does and its ministry, by clicking here. Be a part of the ministry by engaging through Social Media and "Liking" on Facebook here.

Ferguson Eco Video Nite March 12

The next Ferguson Eco Video Nite is Thursday, March 12 at 7p.m. at the St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 33 N. Clay in Ferguson, 63135. Directions can be found here. The video is "The Age of Consequences" about the impact of climate change on resources, migration, and conflict. No cost, snack, brief discussion. These videos help to bring awareness of how we can care for God's good creation. The Ferguson Eco Team is composed of residents of the Ferguson MO area some of whom are Presbyterians. For more info: [email protected].  

Attention Presbyterian Women! 

The Presbyterian Women of Giddings Lovejoy Midwest/South Metro Cluster Winter Gathering will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 11 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. at the Sunny Street Cafe in Des Peres, MO. Please view the linked flyer for more information about this stimulating event. RSVP to Ann Schmid, [email protected] by Friday, March 6, 2020.

Festival of Sharing Next Community Meeting

Sat., Mar. 14 | 9 a.m. at Lifewise StL

Directions found here.

The Festival of Sharing is a cooperative response to world hunger, poverty, and injustice. These concerns motivate our actions to raise awareness of the causes and generate solutions. Our goal is to promote and support projects and programs by providing funding and resource goods. When people of faith come together and share, we can make a positive and powerful difference in the lives of people in need.

Community meetings found here. | Learn more here.

Presbyterians Care Movement 

March 20 to March 22

The Presbyterians Care Movement is a planned quarterly event in which your congregation communally engages in a community based activity. Learn how your church can participate in this weekend of compassion and care.

Read more here

40th Ordination Anniversary of

Rev. Mark M. Strothmann

Sun. Mar. 22 | 1 to 3 p.m.

The celebration of Rev. Strothmann’s ministry will take place Woodlawn Chapel Presbyterian Church, located at 16520 Clayton Road, Wildwood, MO 63011. Directions can be found by clicking here. Please RSVP to  [email protected] or text 636-399-9056 by March 16, 2020.

New Worshiping Communities

Dreaming & Discerning Night

Tues., Mar. 24 | 7 p.m.

Has God called you to breathe new life into a new community and in a new way? New Worshiping Communities are Spirit-led and initiated when a person hears God’s Song in a new key. Could you be that person? The New Worshiping Communities team is creating a confidential space where you can come and explore your call, God’s vision, and our desire to create new expressions of worshiping communities within the presbytery.

 If you are interested in exploring a call to become a new worshiping community leader, then join the presbytery’s New Worshiping Communities team for a discerning conversation on Tuesday, March 2 at4 7 p.m. Directions to First Presbyterian – Alton, located at E 4th St & Alby St, Alton, Illinois. Directions found by clicking here.

 For questions about this event, please contact Vanessa Hawkins at either (314) 772-2395 (ext. 1982) or  [email protected].

UKirk Spring Open House

Sun., Mar. 29 ^th | 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Join us Sunday, March 29th, from 7-9 pm at Trinity Presbyterian, located at 6800 Washington Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, for our Spring Open House! Directions can be found here. We'll welcome Presbyterians from around the presbytery for dinner, worship, and a dessert silent auction (yum!). Music and reflection time will be led by UKirk students! Please, RSVP by clicking this link: shorturl.at/zKLV1

History Team 2019 History Tour Rescheduled

TO

Monday, April 27

If you had made plans in November of 2019 to attend the annual history tour, that was canceled due to poor weather, we are pleased to announce its rescheduled date. Please click here to get the current flyer with contact details.

Lenten Recital Series - Each Friday at Noon

First Presbyterian – Kirkwood

Tree of Life Chapel

First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, is located at 100 E. Adams Ave., Kirkwood, Missouri. Directions can be found by clicking here. 

Aging Advantage COMMUNITY Health Fair

Southminster Presbyterian Church

Friday, March 13

Join us Friday morning on March 13th to here presentations and visit with various companies that have businesses helping all of us as we age. These businesses will share products and services that are beneficial seniors as we go through this complex aging process. There will be a variety of education presentations, resource information, and practical health screenings. Life-Line screening for Stroke prevention, Blood pressure screenings, Blood Sugar screenings and more!

Full details can be found here. Southminster Presbyterian is located at 10126 East Watson Road Crestwood, Missouri. Directions can be found here.

Florissant Presbyterian Bingo Night

Sat. March 14th. | 7:00 pm.

This night of fun and festivities begin when doors open at 6:00 p.m. $15.00 per person. St. Patrick's Day Hat contest and other raffles as well. Call office for additional info. and to sign up. 314-837-8555

First Presbyterian - Edwardsville

Trivia Night/Silent Auction for Youth

Sat., Mar. 14 | 7 p.m.

Learn more about this event by viewing their Facebook page here. You can contact Stacey Towell via email here, or by calling 314-591-0242 for more information.

Journey with Jesus - Childrens Fun

First Presbyterian - Sullivan

Sat., Mar. 14 | 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Crafts, Stories & Fun

Click here for more information. | Click here for directions

First United Belleville Presbyterian Pre-School

Spaghetti Dinner & Auction

Fri., Mar. 20 | 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This event is a fundraiser for the Pre-School, and more information can be found by viisting their Facebook event page, found here.

Directions to the church can be found here.

St. Mark Presbyterian- Ballwin

SUPER HERO

Trivia Night/Silent Auction for Youth

Sat., April 18 | 7 p.m.

Learn more about this event here. You can also contact Heather Neal by calling 314-607-9265 for more information and to register.

Directions to St. Mark can be found by clicking here.

Webster Groves Presbyterian National Spotlight

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Gun Violence Prevention Ministry highlighted Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, wgpc.org in their work to combat gun violence. See a local news video HERE and how they are including a panel discussion with community leaders and law enforcement. See HERE for their plans for a series on: Guns in My Backyard? Neighbors Share their Stories.

Learn more about Presbyterian Peace Fellowship by clicking here.

Washington Presbyterian Church

Leap Day Experience

The Washington Presbyterian Church recently head a Leap Day lock-in for their youth and friends. As a part of the experience, they had a community service project during the last hour of the event. Their acts of service to their community and their team spirit are a lesson to adults on what we are capable of united in service.

2020 GLPBY Annual Mission Trip to Nicaragua

Plan Grande #2, Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua

July 11-18, 2020

Join us for an Exciting, Multi-Generational Opportunity to follow Christ’s example to love one another. This is an ideal experience for Christians hoping to expand perspectives and be active peacemakers. Learn more here.

2020 Joining Hands Partnership

20th Anniversary Peru Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage:    A long journey to a sacred place

 as an act of devotion.

Your are invited to be part of the 2020 Joining Hands Partnership 20th Anniversary Peru Pilgrimage. This pilgrimage includes journeying to the coastal, mountain and rainforest regions of Peru, to meet with our Joining Hand's Partners, to hear updates about the socio/economic context of Peru, to experience historical and cultural events and places, and to join with Red Uniendo Manos Peru (Peru Joining Hands Network) and others in a 20th Anniversary Celebration.

Learn more here

Mission Co-Worker - Rev. Paula Cooper

Rev. Paula Cooper Mission co-worker in  Malawi,  Kenya,  Rwanda and  Zambia since 2018. Serving as regional liaison for East Central Africa, she maintains her relationship to our presbytery by remaining a member of the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy.

As regional liaison for East Central Africa, Paula facilitates PC(USA) relationships with partner churches and institutions in Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia, where the church is growing rapidly and pastoral training and leadership development are of major concern. Paula also provides support for PC(USA) mission personnel and Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) in the region. She assists PC(USA) congregations and presbyteries that are or that want to be in a relationship with partners in East Central Africa. 

Learn more about Rev. Cooper’s ministry and sign up for her newsletter by clicking here. 

Lenten Retreats Announced

The Mercy Conference and Retreat Center hope you join them as they embrace a Lenten observance that has a social dimension, focusing on the relationship between our inner conversion and its outer social expression.  An outline of all Lenten experiences can be found by clicking here.

The Mercy Conference and Retreat Center is located at 2039 N Geyer Rd., St. Louis, Missouri. Directions found here.

Transitional Ministry Education

May 18–21

It has been said that the church is in a time of great transition and needs skilled pastors in transitional ministry. Are you exploring how to cultivate new pastoral, organizational, professional skills that will support you in your present call and in a possible new call to come? Have you wondered if you might be interested in transitional ministry or an interim call? We highly encourage you to consider the Transitional/Interim Training from May 18-21 in Parkville, MO.

Click Here To Learn More And Register

Continuing Education Classes Announced

Union Presbyterian Seminary Theological Institute Upcoming Continuing Education Events offered January through March 2020, can be found by Visiting their Events page