10:30 a.m. - Dismantling Racism & Privilege Pre-Session "An Apology to our African American Sisters and Brothers for the Sin of Slavery and its Legacy"

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12 p.m. - Registration/Fellowship

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 1 p.m. - Worship, Plenary, and Business Meeting. Featuring Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey, Author of Dear White Christian, the book study for the Presbytery

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.

Presbytery Wide Book Study

As part of our Matthew 25 initiative, we ask that you join us in a Presbytery Wide Book Study on Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation by Jennifer Harvey, who will be leading a workshop at the February 6 ^th Presbytery Gathering. More information about the day found here. More information about Jennifer Harvey found here.

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We encourage individuals, committees, sessions, and churches to consider participating in this book study... . AND We will reimburse you up to 50% of the purchase price of the book, if you submit your receipt to the presbytery office.

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Books may be found at Amazon - Kobo - Google Play - Barnes & Noble

Let's Prepare for Robust Conversation at the

February Presbytery Gathering!

New Worshiping Communities Team Event

Dreaming & Discerning

Tues., Jan. 28 | 7 p.m.

First Presbyterian - Ste. Genevieve

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, January 28 at 7 p.m. Directions to 160 S. Main St., Ste. Genevieve can be found here.

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

Tips For Caring for God's Creation

Use your microwave instead of a conventional oven whenever possible. You can save up to 50% of your cooking energy usage by using a microwave instead of a conventional oven.

TIPS is brought to you by the presbytery's Earth Care Team, composed of members of the eight certified Earth Care Congregations in the presbytery. For info on how your church can become an ECC, contact: [email protected] or (314) 941-9378.

First Presbyterians Care Weekend

Feb. 29th - Mar. 1st  

The Dismantling Racism & Privilege Team of Presbytery would love for you to take part of this weekend of unity for Justice for All People. They encourage you to complete an activity as a community of faith, where you explore what Justice for All should look like. Seeing a movie, like Just Mercy, or a retreat, or simply gathering as a body to have conversation over a meal.

To make more impact, DRAP is selling Presbyterians Care - Justice for All of God's Children apparel. This will help your group, when assembled in public, show unity and mission purpose. See more information about what is available and the cost by clicking here.

Simply download or print the form and submit it to the presbytery to order your shirt today!

Seeking Sunday Meals for UKirk Students

Looking for a way to connect with UKirk this coming semester? One of the best ways is to provide a Sunday night meal! Sign up below!

https://m.signupgenius.com/…

Don't forget to Follow UKirk on Facebook to connect with them on social media here.

UniPres Kindercottage Mission Madness Retreat

Wed., Feb. 12 | 9 a.m to Noon

There is just NOTHING like the wonder of little ones listening to a story or playing Follow the Leader or giving a hug! A Place of Grace thoroughly enjoys Mission Madness Retreats at Uni-Pres Kindercottage in East St. Louis! Join us as we spend a few hours teaching through play and loving up these adorable kids as we come alongside the workers at this fantastic childcare facility and support the work they do there. PM Julie for details!

Don't forget to "Like" their Facebook Page!

Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Building a Beloved Community

Sun., Jan. 19 | 3 p.m.

Keynote Speaker Donell Woodson, an Atlanta-based urban community developer. Sponsored by Neighbors United Undoing Racism and East Central College (supported by members of First Presbyterian – Union) ree and Open to the Public - Refreshments after program

This event will be held at the John Edson Anglin Performing Arts Center at East Central College, 1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union MO 63084.

Directions found here.

Anita Jackson and Friends Concert

Sun., Jan. 19 | 4 p.m.

Second Presbyterian Church

Ms. Jackson will be joined with her trio of piano, bass, and drums and perform music commemorating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The church is located at 4501 Westminster Place in the Central West End, St. Louis, 63108. The concert is part of the Couts Music Series and is free to the community. For more information call 314-367-0367 or visit  www.secondchurch.net .

Directions can be found here.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Thur., Jan. 23 | 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Steelville Presbyterian Church

Red Cross reserves are critically low. If you have the health, heart and willingness to give, please do so. Directions can be found here.

You can find your closest blood drive by clicking here.

Trombones of the Saint Louis Symphony

at Second Presbyterian Church

Sun., Feb. 2 | 4 p.m.

Since 2006, the Trombones of the Saint Louis Symphony have taken their finely-honed ensemble skills from the symphonic concert stage to intimate chamber music settings across the United States. The International Trombone Association Journal, in a review of their most recent recording Fleur de Lis cited “an astonishing amount of versatility and virtuosity”. The Trombones will present works they have commissioned from composers with strong St. Louis roots including Caleb Burhans (Alarm Will Sound) and Adam Maness (The 442s). They also will perform their own arrangements of works by Giovanni Gabrieli, Sergei Prokofiev, and others.

 For more information call 314-367-0367 or visit  www.secondchurch.net .

Directions can be found here.

Midwest Winds in Concert at

First Presbyterian - Alton, Illinois

Sun., Feb. 9 | 3 p.m.

The Midwest Winds woodwind quintet is an ambassador of the Air Force Band of Mid-America, providing a highly professional product to communicate esprit de corps and render honor to our Airmen and country. Located at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, this ensemble is committed to honoring veterans and active duty military members across a 10 state region in the Midwestern United States. The Midwest Winds present public concerts and educational outreach events, inspiring and connecting with its audiences. The group offers a wide range of musical literature from classical and contemporary music to marches and patriotic crowd pleasers to light popular music.

Directions can be found here.

In Their Own Words Concert at Ladue Chapel

Sun., Feb. 16 | 3:00 p.m.  

“The Power of Spirituals” is an interactive event based on Eileen Guenther’s recently-published book In Their Own Words: Slave Life and the Power of Spirituals.  In this program Guenther, a graduate of Kirkwood High School, combines first-person narratives from books written by those formerly enslaved, interviews conducted with them in the 1930s and her own commentary. These narratives are interwoven with the singing of spirituals by guest soprano and St. Louis native Marlissa Hudson, our Ladue Chapel Choir, and the audience. Many Americans have gaps in their historic and cultural education; this powerful music and the texts of this presentation not only shine a light on the events of the past, but also offer hope and reconciliation to present-day circumstances.

Directions can be found here.

Empowering Commissioned Pastors Conference

Registration is open for the Empowering Commissioned Pastors Conference, to be held May 13th–16th, 2020, at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson, Texas (Dallas–Fort Worth area). 

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