Another Hidden Jewel

Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard

Transitional Leader of the

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

The first indicator that I’m visiting a rural church is when the pastor says not to trust my GPS but follow his instructions instead! After exiting I-44 I turn, weave, go up and down hills, and after a few more hair pin turns, I’m on a black top. The church suddenly appears on my right. I know I’m visiting a rural church when the only sound I hear are the cows singing a melody of moos! I’m met at the front door by a little dog, which I find out later doesn’t belong to anyone but refuses to leave. This is Old Argo. This is a shining jewel of a congregation located in Bourbon, Missouri off the Sullivan exit.

Continue to read here.

PLEASE NOTE: The Oaks Conference Room (Oaks) and St. Andrews Conference Room (St. Andrews) are both located at the new Presbytery office, 1001 Craig Rd., Suite 170, St. Louis, MO 63146,

(Oaks) is on the first floor (St. Andrews) is on the second floor. Directions can be found here.

(Ladue) refers to Ladue Chapel, 9450 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, MO 63124. Directions can be found here.

(WebGrov) refers to Webster Groves Presbyterian, 45 W Lockwood Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119 Directions can be found here.

Visioning Retreat

Ministry Team Leaders, please save the dates of Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27th for the Presbytery Visioning Retreat. The retreat will be held at First Presbyterian, Kirkwood, and we will study together "Canoeing the Mountains" You should have already received notice and a copy of the book, but if not please let us know and we will get one to you as quickly as possible.

Please email Leigh Porter, if you have any questions at [email protected] .

Food Week of Action and World Food Day/Week † October 14–21

We envision a world where everyone has enough affordable, healthy and culturally appropriate food where no one is hungry, and where all who work in the food chain are fairly compensated, respected and celebrated!

Join us in building more equitable and ecological food & farm systems!

Beyond examining our food choices, we must recognize the lingering racism embedded in our food system. This system was founded on slavery and plantation agriculture, and still exploits food chain workers and despoils the environment. We call for changes which bring us closer to food sovereignty, where producers have control over seeds, land and livelihood, and where all have the right to food. More information can be found here.

Uprooting Hunger - Hunger Action Team

The next sixteen months the presbytery will work toward establishing Certified Hunger Action Congregations. This handout will be helpful to your congregation, as we journey together in the year + ahead. We look forward to the year + ahead. If you have any questions, please contact us via [email protected]

LAST DATE OF SESSION RECORDS REVIEW

Sat., Oct. 20 - 2 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian - Belleville, Illinois, will be the last day of Session Records Review. Directions can be found here.

If you have any questions, or concerns, please contact Stated Clerk, Rev. Joy Myers at  [email protected] or by calling 314-772-2395.

Nicaragua Community Partnership

Annual Celebration and Fund-Raising Dinner

Monday, October 22, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

at LoRossa’s Cucina, 3121 Watson Rd., St. Louis, Missouri

Please make reservations by

contacting Harriet Hall 314-963-7112, or by emailing  [email protected]. Please find and like the Nicaraguan Community Partnership on  Facebook here.

“HEALING JUSTICE” 

On Sunday, October 28, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Webster Groves Presbyterian Church Advocacy Team and the Dismantling Racism and Privilege Team of the Presbytery welcome you to a special screening of Healing Justice. The screening will take place at Webster Groves Presbyterian, located at 45 W Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, Missouri 63119. Directions found here.

This powerful documentary addresses the school-to-prison pipeline, the need for comprehensive criminal justice reform, and the importance of healing and restorative practices. Designed for dialogue, Healing Justice is meant to prompt questions and open conversations, exploring trauma, justice, and healing. Full details can be  found here.

Fall Is Almost Here

Are You Ready for Holiday Shopping?

There are many congregations within our presbytery that host fall art, craft and vendor shows to support their mission projects. Shop for holiday gifts, that also give back to mission! Check our Online Calendar Here before shopping this year!

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Is your church hosting an event? Please let us know so that we can share with the presbytery. Simply email: [email protected]

UKirk News

Fall Open House is Sun., Nov. 4th, 7 - 9 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, located at 6800 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63130

Trivia Night Fundraiser

Dardenne Presbyterian - DC Students is hosting a Trivia Night fundraiser on Saturday October 27th! Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., First Round begins at 6 p.m. The price per table (8 people) is $120. The fundraiser proceeds will benefit camp scholarships. If you would like to reserve a table, volunteer or donate items for the silent auction contact Mindy Earley at [email protected]. Round sponsorship are also available!!

Pastoral Leaders Retreat

Held on Monday, October 29 and Tuesday, October 30 at the St. Crispins Conference Center, in Wewoka, Oklahoma. Complete details can be found here.

Underground Railroad Bus Tour

The Presbytery History Team is pleased to announce its 2018 bus tour featuring the Underground Railroad in the St. Louis and Alton areas. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 7. We will enjoy a delicious lunch at a favorite Alton restaurant. Full details can be  found here.

YMIM National Conference

 All youth workers, including volunteers, staff, pastors, and youth ministers are invited to Montreat, North Carolina, for our fifth annual Youth Ministry Academy . The dates are January 24–26, 2019 , and the theme is "WHOLE." Come relax, learn, and share in fellowship with others in youth ministry as we seek wholeness together. More information can be found here.

Compassion Peace and Justice

Training Day ∙ April 5th

and Ecumenical Advocacy Days ∙ April 5th-8th

In 2019, we gather at a time in which people of faith and conscience are again called to stand in the prophetic stream of those who have come before us, those who were not afraid to stir up #GoodTrouble for the sake of God’s kingdom.  More information will follow soon from Presbyterian Mission Agency/ Justice & Compassion