Newsletter
February / 2/ 2021
Late We Come

Many of us look at the inequalities in the world and wonder what good can we do? Where would we even start? 
Our Presbytery - Our Work
Weekly Prayer Basket

  • Please pray for...Rev. Thirza Sayers, Diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and awaiting specialist care.
  • Please pray for... Conrado Olivera, son of past Executive of Joining Hands Peru, Conrado and Doro Olivera, who was put in ICU today with an extreme case of COVID-19
  • Please pray for... our divided country, that though we might be divided politically, we are united in love of one another
  • 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
  • Please pray for...for those dealing with loss of a family or friend, and those who are in hospice settings and preparing for their return home.
PC(USA)
Quick Connect
Support Ministry
Help Wanted
Parish Paper

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
Wed., Feb. 3
6pm-Zoom Training

Thurs., Feb 4
9am-Presbytery Gathering
Mon., Feb. 8
6pm DRAP Moderators Click Here

Tues., Feb. 9
11am-NWCC Click Here
12pm-All Pastors-Click Here
4pm-Admin/Support Click Here

Wed., Feb. 10
12pm-Int/Transitional Pastors Click Here
1:30pm-COM Click Here

Thur., Feb. 11
3pm-Gather Planning Click Here

Presbytery Stated Gathering
Thursday, February 4
Final Call to Gather
Meeting Binder
Pre-Gathering Video with Outline
Zoom Training Time
News & Activities
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.
Social Witness Action Committee
What to do, and not do, before and
after your Covid vaccine shot

DO: Get your vaccine when it's your turn. You should be able to find out when it's 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

DON'T: Let disinformation on vaccines cloud your judgment. Social media is rife with disinformation about both Covid-19 and the vaccines that are available to prevent it. If you have doubts about the vaccine, get educated -- the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can help. Click Here
Second Presbyterian Church
Couts Music Series
Sunday, February 7, 4:00 PM
Minister of Music, Andrew Peters, presents a virtual concert of organ music featuring the work of black composers. The concert video will be available February 7-14. To watch and listen, visit the Couts Music Page on the church website at https://secondchurch.net/music/couts-music-series/
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.
Thank You & Update
From Peru
Together, we have come a long way over the past year. It is with tremendous gratitude that we remember the blessing you have been in our lives and the lives of our partners here in Peru. Collectively and collaboratively and with tremendous grit, we forged a path ahead in the year 2020, as we.... Click Here to Read More
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
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.
Planning Now for Black History Month
The 2021 theme for Black History Month, which is observed in February, is “The Black Family: Its Representation, Identity and Diversity.” The theme is an important one as we remember that we are made in the image of God (imago Dei). There is only one human race, and every member of it has the attributes of the Divine.
FREE to a Church in Need
St. Mark Presbyterian Church recently did some technology updates and has a few 2 GHz Cisco wireless access points it no longer needs. They are free to a good home. Please contact Pastor Dave Burgess at dburgess@discoverstmark.org if you are interested.
GRANTS AVAILABLE
Technology Grants - Wave 2
When COVID-19 began to spread across the United States, Giddings-Lovejoy congregations responded in amazing ways to continue their worship and ministries. I am in awe. Congregations have stretched themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of doing. As I like to say, the building may be closed, but the church is not! 
Please submit your grant request to pastorlizkanerva@gmail.com. Note in the subject line Second Wave Grant.
In your request, include the church’s name and address, contact person and email address, and what the grant will be used for.  
By the way, First Wave Grants are still available. Please contact Liz Kanerva at the above email for more information. (Learn More Here)
Education & Training Opportunities
APCE 2021
Registration is open for the virtual event hosted by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators, to be held February 4–6. Explore “Anything But Ordinary Time” with APCE, from the comfort of your own home.
Have you Considered Attending Workshops
You can learn new ideas and generative practices by participating in a workshop. EBW events are crafted with adults in mind, focusing on active, experiential modes of learning and on content that is relevant to the changing landscape of ministry.
Click Here to learn what workshops are available.
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
Becoming Matthew 25
--- --- ---
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