Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy commissions and teams will return to their normal meeting schedule in August. Please contact Leigh Porter at [email protected] if your commission or team would like to reserve the conference room for your next hybrid meeting. 

The Missouri Supreme Court last week vacated the state-court ruling saying Gov. Mike Parson’s administration acted appropriately in declining to expand Medicaid eligibility and directed the lower court to rule in favor of plaintiffs who sought to force the government to expand the health program. With this ruling, 275,000 low-income Missourians can begin receiving health insurance benefits.

The landmark ruling did not address how the state should pay for adding people to the Medicaid program, known as MO HeaithNet. There is likely enough money in the budget to cover the cost of new enrollees through the end of the calendar year.

The legal wrangling followed an election last August in which 53% of the state’s voters decided that the MO HealthNet program should cover adults between the ages of 19 and 65 with incomes below 138% of the poverty level. That means medical providers would get the ability to begin enrolling people's earning less than $18,000 per year.

Prior to the ruling, no adult without children was eligible for Medicaid unless they were disabled. Adults with children were eligible if their household income was less than about 16% of the federal poverty guideline. In all, Medicaid in our state costs about $12 billion a year, but much of that cost is paid by the federal government.

The cost of expanding the program is estimated to be $1.9 billion, though all but $130,000 million would be paid by the federal government. Our state is not hurting for cash after ending the fiscal year with more than $1 billion in reserve.

Currently, Missouri tax-payers cover about 35% of the costs for the traditional Medicaid system. Under the terms of the Affordable Care Act signed into law in 2010, states pay just 10% of the cost of expansion. In addition, under the separate American Rescue Plan Act passed this year, Missouri is in line to get an additional $1.1 billion as an incentive for Medicaid expansion.

PLEASE contact your elected officials and ask them to move ahead on Medicaid Expansion as expressed by the will of the voters and the Missouri Supreme Court.

Jesse C. Swanigan, Moderator Public Witness Team

@ Facts and Figures from The St. Louis Post Dispatch – July 25, 2021

There are many ministry team positions available in the coming year, and we just know you would be a good fit for a committee or commission

Please fill out and return the form below.

GLPby App Form (Word) | GLPby App Form (fillable PDF)

Flyer Found Here | More Information Found Here

UKirk is only able to reach students and young adults in STL because of donations from congregations and individuals like you.

Would you…..

You are invited to celebrate the life of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Belleville, Illinois at a final worship service on

1419 N. 17th Street, Belleville, Illinois

Reception will follow

Please RSVP to Laurie Brown (618) 520-8112 or Joyce Dyer (618) 614-3288

As congregations — and congregational singing — return to in-person worship, the Presbyterian Writers Guild is sponsoring a one-hour panel presentation on hymn-writing featuring three renowned Presbyterian hymn composers.

Tips for Caring for God's Unbelievable Creation

"TIPS" is brought to you by the Earth Care Task Force of the Public Witness Team of the presbytery, composed of representatives from the 9 Earth Care Congregations of the presbytery. For more info: [email protected]. 

The Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy is in need of two Ruling Elders, two Teaching Elders, and One Youth Delegate for the upcoming General Assembly. If you think you might be a good fit or know of someone who is, we would love to hear from you!

Learn more about being a Commissioner - Click Here

GA App Form (Word) | GA App Form (Fillable PDF)

According to our PC(USA) Book of Order, “the ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service . . .” The ways that this ministry is lived out varies from one congregation to another, depending on the culture, context, and needs of the church and the broader community. In this third webinar of The Year of Leader Formation series, join a panel of deacons, pastors, and ruling elders in exploring this vital ordered ministry of the church. You will have an opportunity to hear about the ways that the gifts and skills of deacons are used within congregational ministries, community impacts of deacon ministries, and the connection between discipleship and deacons. There will be an opportunity for questions, answers, and further exploration of the way God is moving through the deacons of the PC(USA).

Many church leaders are asking a broad range of questions as they evaluate what mission and ministry will look like in a post-pandemic world. As you review your Employer Agreement for 2022 and consider which benefits to offer, you also may have questions about how to best serve your employees and congregation in this evolving world.

To help guide you through these questions and benefits decisions, The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will host a one-hour webcast, What's Possible? Strategies to Serve Better. This webcast will examine how churches may attract, retain, and motivate employees to adapt to the changing circumstances of ministry. You will hear from several Board of Pensions representatives, including from our Benefits, Church Engagement, and Plan Operations teams.

Registration - Look for an invitation in your inbox with a registration link in late July.

Questions? Contact Nicole Erle, Meeting Planner, at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN), ext. 7221

We are looking for two people to serve as co-chairs of a Stewardship Work Group-part of the Dynamic Leaders Team. If you have a calling to help disciples become more generous in their faith, we need your gifts.

In order to be properly equipped for this leadership role, we want to send the co-leaders to the Kaleidoscope Stewardship Conference at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Cincinnati, OH.  The conference is September 13-15th and we will pay the registration fees and cover the lodging!

If interested to learn more, please talk with Rev. Ed Zumwinkel, chair of the Dynamic Leaders Team ([email protected]).

Over the last year, GLPBY congregations have worked hard to move vital ministries online. We have connected for worship, learning, and fellowship utilizing resources we never imagined incorporating into our ministries pre-pandemic. To that end, GLPBY granted more than $46,000 in Tech Grants to assist churches in their efforts to establish and/or update their online presence.

Wave 1 and Wave 2 Grants are now phased out. GLPBY is pleased to announce a new round of Tech Grants is available to GLPBY congregations. The Presbytery will pay 75%, up to $2,000, of the grant request with the church commitment to paying the balance. Just to be clear the maximum grant will be $2,000. This round of grants will assist congregations that are expanding their online presence. The grant could be used for upgrading equipment, tech training, or developing hybrid worship for example. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Rolf Kanerva, Associate Presbytery leader at [email protected]

 Lifelong Learning Event Grant consideration is given for those serving in the 13-state primary service region of the foundation. If you are a Synod, Presbytery, or Church within the OPSF service region, consider applying today. The grant deadline is August 15th!

Upcoming Educational Opportunities

 will now be offered on Saturday, Sep 25, 2021, as well as Wednesday, Nov 3. Group discount available. For details see this CTS Brochure.

Healthy Congregations will also be offered on Saturday, Sep. 25, 2021, as well as Thursday, Dec 2. Group discount available. For details see this HC Brochure.

August 2-6, 2021, 9:00am CT to 5:00pm CT

Conflict is normal and inevitable; unfortunately, the church is not immune! Participants in MSTI acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. Attend in person or online - your choice! This workshop will also be presented via Zoom on October 11-15 and November 15-19, 2021. For details consult the current MSTI Brochure.

Tuesday, October 5, 2021, 8:30am to 4:30 pm CT

This workshop offers strategies for church leaders who want to help their congregation function in healthier ways. Attention is given both to structural changes and emotional processes. Group rate is available. See our FHPCR Brochure for details.