If you choose to vote in person at your polling place on Election Day, please take safety precautions. To find your polling place, go here, for Missouri and go here for Illinois

Third Presbyterian Church has, as part of its mission, the desire to help strengthen academic opportunities for those children attending schools within the three neighboring school districts.

In mid-August, the church learned from families, who are served in the Third church pre-school program, that many of the school age youth within the community would need to do remote learning at home. Further, one school district was not accepting new students who were recent preschool graduates. In an effort to support the parents who needed to work and were unable to stay home with their children, the church decided to offer an in person kindergarten class and a virtual class for elementary and middle school students. Accommodating the students who began attending the program required setting up an open floor plan, with social distancing of tables and chairs, installing more computers and boosting the Wi-Fi strength within the area, with increased multiple outlets. Serving students from the three different school districts, with different schedules, as well as the need for assistance in completing schoolwork assignments, allowing for a time for different breaks and social activity group activities, came to make the efforts most challenging.

Third Church remains resolute in the goal to provide this service to the community so that working parents can be assured that their children are in a safe, nurturing environment while they are at work. Third church has assured the families in attendance that the church will continue to provide these virtual classes until the three school districts are able to return students full time to their respective schools.

Learn more about the ministry of Third Presbyterian - Click Here

Despite our distance, we promise and engaging and special evening! To RSVP, watch, or donate, visit www.interfaithstl.org/repair.

·        Celebrating the wisdom of our diverse traditions

·        Seeing highlights of the strength, resilience, and commitment of our religious and ethical communities during these challenging days

·        Honoring Sister Dr. Carla Mae Streeter, O.P., and Rev. Dr. Dieter Heinzl for their dedication to interfaith understanding and cooperation in the St. Louis region

·        Emboldening the critical bridge-building efforts of IPSTL through financial support

"TIPS" is brought to you by the Earth Care Team of the presbytery composed of representatives from the nine Certified Earth Care Congregations in the presbytery. For information about doing Earth Care actions in your congregation, contact [email protected] or (314) 941-9378.

Register by clicking here

Mercy Conference Center welcomes you to join them for Decompression Days, where you can enjoy time away by yourself or with a friend. Read, journal, pray, enjoy the natural beauty of our 72 acre campus, take a meditative walk in our labyrinth, create art, take photos, or simply rest. While this is not a silent retreat, there will be designated quiet areas for the weekend. This is an unstructured weekend without direction and there are no programs to attend. The only set times are when meals and snacks are available. This rejuvenating time is yours. Adults of all faith traditions are welcome.

Light for the Darkness hosted our first fireside chat last week. It was a beautiful time of sharing, connecting, being, and feeling. If you live with mental health struggles, consider joining us next month: First Wednesdays we'll have a fire, an outdoor heater, hot chocolate and herbal tea, s'mores. Please bring a blanket or two and dress warmly. A restroom is available. Our next fireside chat is November 4^th at 6:30, click here for event link or contact Thirza Sayers for more information at [email protected].

In Illinois - Click Here | In Missouri - Click Here

Our presbytery’s covenant relationship with the community of Plan Grande #2 Nicaragua has been active for 20 years, Gracias a Dios! Despite economic downturns, political unrest, and social disruptions in both countries and the global impact of COVID-19, and we remain committed to our promises of mutual love and support. “Seguir Adelante – Go Forward”!

COVID-19 forced the cancelation of our annual fund-raising dinner, but the needs of 34 high schoolers and 7 college students have not stopped! WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE STUDENTS of Plan Grande #2. We want to share their stories to engage and inspire you to “sequir adelante – go forward” – even in these challenging times. We hope to raise the funds necessary to provide the support they and their families need in order to continue focusing on education and their futures. Our goal for the remainder of 2020 is $5000!

Join us for a Zoom Gathering on Monday, November 9^th from 5:30 – 6:30pm for stories and updates. No tickets, no admission, no meal (sorry!) – but plenty of opportunity for you to learn and to share in the mission to support the community of Plan Grande #2 and these great young people.

RSVP to [email protected] and you will be sent the Zoom link to join the event. Let us know if you have any questions!

Donate online at www.glpby.org between Nov. 1-30 or anytime at www.wgpc.org/give (select “Nicaragua” from the “select a fund” menu). Checks made to “Giddings Lovejoy Presbytery” may be mailed c/o Harriet Hall to 20 North Maple Ave., St. Louis MO 63119.

This meeting will feature Jed Koball, Mission Co-Worker In Peru, and Valery Nodem, Presbyterian Hunger Program Associate for International Hunger Concerns. Recently they spoke at a Matthew 25 course on “The Underpinnings of Systematic Poverty.”  Their topic was “Colonization and Globalization.” They will present the same program for us.  If you would like read an article about this presentation by clicking here

Conrado Olivera will be retiring after 20 years as Director of Joining Hands in Peru. There will be a Zoom retirement celebration at a time to be arranged, probably late morning (CST) to allow participants from around the world to participate.

New Worshiping Communities recognized by their presbytery are invited to apply for a one-time Pivot Grant of $1000 to assist with shifting programs, new training, or unanticipated expenses due to the pandemic or racial injustices in your community. The application is simple and awards will be made on a first come, first served basis - so communities must act quickly! Applications can be submitted by clicking here.

Please submit your grant request to [email protected]. Note in the subject line Second Wave Grant.

Where in your church can you take action to address systemic poverty on a global level? The next online Matthew 25 event, scheduled for October 28 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern, will lift up how to engage existing partners for this work and where potential partnerships might exist. This event will follow the model of the previous Matthew 25 events with facilitated dialogue, guest speakers, and the sharing of resources. Mark your calendars today and register here

APCE (Association of Presbyterian Church Educators) offers your presbytery the opportunity to enhance Christian education in your churches by identifying up to 4 people in faith formation (educator, pastor, volunteer) to attend FOR FREE our 2021 Virtual Annual Event, Anything but Ordinary Time. This will be held on February 4-6, 11:00 am – 6 pm (Eastern) each day. Please click here to learn more.

Courses open to all, including Commissioned Ruling Elder candidates or any individual seeking further knowledge & edification