Leadership at the Rock

Blog post by the Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

Transitional Leader

[email protected]

This year I spent Easter service at Rock Presbyterian church in Imperial MO. I have been observing Rock’s statistics, and am amazed at what is going on there. Rock is one of only two congregations in our presbytery that has grown in membership each year in the past five years. The other congregation is Third Presbyterian (which broke 500 members earlier this year!). Rock is a small congregation that boasts 36 members. It is located south of St. Louis on I-55. I’ve learned that the further south I go in Missouri, the more Southern things become! Continue here to read on. 

The Presbytery's New Address

1001 Craig Rd., Suite 170,

St. Louis, Missouri, 63146-5200

Our phone number remains as (314) 772-2395.

Want to send an email, but not sure to whom? [email protected]

Change in Location of the

May 5, 2018 Presbytery Gathering to:

Southminster Presbyterian Church

Tips For Caring for God's Creation

 Upgrade your old electric dryer to save energy and money. Today's efficient modes use far less energy. Look for seasonal sales to save even more. ("TIPS" are submitted by the Earth Care Action Team of presbytery represented by nine certified Earth Care Congregations. For information on how to become a certified ECC contact: [email protected] or 314-941-9378.)

Last Week to Apply!

Program Grants for Summer 2018

  There are Presbytery funds to conduct summer programs available to member churches and social agencies in relationship with the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. The funds will be awarded through an application process directed by the Mission and Outreach Ministry Team. 

The purpose of the grants is to provide opportunities for summer Christian education and witness, personal growth, and recreation to children and adults in communities of need. The deadline for applying is April 6. Full details, along with application, can be found here.

Get away to

Mound Ridge this Summer…

Experience a ‘thin space’ of rest, rejuvenation, recreation and renewed connection to your family and God. Summer 2018 at Mound Ridge Retreat Center offers a transforming experience for individuals, groups and families within the breathtaking quiet beauty of our Missouri Foothills and Meramec River. Find your camp experience here.

Volunteers Needed - For Many Positions

COLA (Committee on Local Arrangements) encourages EVERYONE to go to the COLA website stlouisga.com , click on the Volunteer tab and link to Sign Up Genius to find the many ways, lots of times, and variety of places where they can volunteer from June 14-23. We need many, many hands and even more smiling faces!

Crafters Needed

Artists and crafters are needed to work with liturgical artist Ellen Phillips in creating the large paper lace banner that will be used at GA worship. Cutting workshops will be held at Ladue Chapel on Wednesday, April 18, Thursday April 19 and Friday April 20. To sign up, click here .

Sing - Sing - Sing

It’s time to sign up to sing in the massed choir for the opening worship of General Assembly on June 16! All churches should have received an invitation and information about this exciting event. At present 14 churches have responded, and so far we have approximately 130 singers signed up. We will begin distributing the music to churches this week. To sign up, or for more information, please contact David Erwin at [email protected]

Fabulous 50's Trivia Night

to Benefit Youth Group

St Mark Fabulous 50’s Trivia Night Saturday, April 7, 2018. Grab seven of your Coolest Cats and join us at this 1950’s themed fundraiser. $200 per table of 8 or $25 per individual ticket & we will find a hip group you can hang with. Doors open at 6pm and trivia starts at 7. BYOB. Be there or Be Square! The evening includes: 10 Rounds of Trivia, Silent Auction, Wine Grab, 50/50 Raffle & Games. To call dibs on a table or register individually, send the completed registration form & your payment to: St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 601 Claymont Drive, Ballwin, MO 63011. 636-394-2233. All proceeds benefit St. Mark Presbyterian Youth Group

Praise is What We Do Benefit Concert

The Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church William G. Gillespie Scholarship Committee presents its 14th Annual “Praise Is What We Do” benefit concert on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Directions to Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church can be found here.

Youth Group Trivia Night Benefit

Join First Presbyterian - Edwardsville, on Saturday, April 14th as their youth raise funds for their 2018 Summer Youth Trips. Who doesn't love Trivia Nights? Great time for a great cause.

Click here for more information.

Mound Ridge Annual Benefit

Dinner Auction

This annual event will be held at Andre’s South Banquets and Catering, located at 4238 Telegraph Road, St. Louis, Missouri on Saturday, April 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Come join us and help support “The Magic of Mound Ridge” Tickets: $65 per person or $500 for a table of 8, and can be purchased by c onnecting here .

Second Annual Night at the Improv

Uni-Pres Kindercottage Fundraiser, invites you to a night of laughter, fine dining & frivolity on Saturday, April 14 at 5 p.m at the Second Annual, Night at the Improv, featuring Ed Reggi, and The Paper Slips Troupe “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

This fun event will be held at St. Paul UCC, 115 West “B” Street, in Belleville, Illinois.

Tickets include dinner and show at $40/each. There are personal and corporate sponsorships available. Call 618-874-6505 or visit their website here , for tickets or information.

Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering

All Presbyterian Women in our Presbytery are welcome to attend our Spring Gathering to be held on Saturday, April 21, at the First Presbyterian Church of Union, Missouri. The event will begin with registration/fellowship time at 9 a.m.

Directions can be found here. - Full details can be found here. 

Seeking Mission Minded Musicians

I need some musicians, piano player, or guitar player or anyone who can assist with music for nursing home worship services. Days Include:

If interested in supporting this ministry, please contact Jeanne Zimmermann at (314) 707-4003 or by email [email protected]

Women's Interfaith Conference 2018

Holy Days: What, Why and How

 

The 38th Annual Women's Interfaith Conference will be held on Thursday, April 19th, at Congregation B'nai Amoona ( 324 S Mason Rd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141 ). Leaders from a variety of religions will address their tradition's holy days and how they are honored or celebrated in their faith. Speakers will be: 

Cost is $12, which includes lunch. Requires advance registration; online registration deadline is April 12. Learn more or register here. 

Compassion, Peace and

Justice Training Day

Training Day is April 20th in Washington D.C.! In plenaries and workshops, we'll analyze our current context and offer concrete tools for members and their congregations to address these urgent issues. We'll learn how we build a unified public witness of subversive love amidst the abuse and hatred running rampant in our country.

Register now at: http://bit.ly/2EoGOYT

Confession Conversations on Eden Campus

It is said that Barth, “‘fortified by strong coffee and one or two Brazilian cigars,’ drafted the lion’s share of the declaration.” The Barmen Declaration, that is. A deceptively simple but incredibly profound statement of what it means to be the church, even when it is not at all popular. We will plunge into pre-WWII Germany and the shortest of our 20 ^th century confessions on Monday [note the date change], April 9 at 9:30 at Eden Seminary. Contact me, Barbara Willock, [ [email protected]] if you’d like to join us.

  Triennial 2018: “Dragons, Frogs, & Other Fairy Tales of Women in Ministry”

The National Association of Presbyterian , Clergywomen, invites all Clergywomen to the Triennial 2018 “Dragons, Frogs, & Other Fairy Tales of Women in Ministry” the week of April 23-26, 2018 at the Montreat Conference Center. The keynote preacher is the Rev. Floretta Barbee-Watkins, with worship leader, Rev. Dr. Tracy Keenan. There will be exciting workshops led bydynamic Clergy. There are scholarships and childcare available. The invitation is also extended to Clergymen, CREs, . Seminarians & Laity. More details can be found here.