MUP Newsletter - April 16, 2026

Exciting and Time Sensitive News!

It is time to register for your opportunity to meet the

Co-Moderators of the General Assembly of the PCUSA!

For the first time in years, the Co-Moderators are coming to Missouri Union Presbytery to spend four days with us! We have scheduled several events to allow you to get to know the Co-Moderators, listen to the stories they have gathered over the last two years as they have served our church, and be renewed by their energy, faith, and joy.

There are a couple of things you will need to remember:

Remember: When a Co-Moderator is formally introduced to a gathering, it is our tradition to stand and applaud in honor of the position.
You must register for these events by noon on May 6.
This is a “hard” deadline. Late registrations will be added to a waiting list and will be notified if someone cancels.
DROP-INS CANNOT BE ACCOMODATED!
If you have special dietary needs, you are welcome to pack a meal and join us as we cannot guarantee the lack of allergens in our meals.
If you are bringing a guest to the Presbyterian Women’s dinner who is not a woman, or the Retired Pastor’s dinner who is not a retired pastor, please register the guest as they are welcome to attend.

Click HERE for the Registration Link:

https://www.cognitoforms.com/MissouriUnionPresbytery/GACoModeratorsEventsForMUP

Saturday, May 16

Dinner with GA Co-Moderator Tony Larson and Presbyterian Women.

5:30 - 8:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 16 Hitt Street, Columbia, MO. Free to attend. All women, even if not a member of Presbyterian Women, are invited.

Sunday, May 17

GA Co-Moderator Tony Larson will be preaching at FPC - Columbia as a part of Youth Sunday - 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, May 17

Dinner with GA Co-Moderator Tony Larson and Retired Pastors.

5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 16 Hitt Street, Columbia, MO.

Free to attend. Spouses are welcome.

Monday, May 18

“Discernment, Leadership and Call” - Workshop led by GA Co-Moderators Tony Larson and CeCe Armstrong -

2:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1600 W. Rollins Road, Columbia, MO. Cost: $15.00 to be collected at event – cash or checks payable to Trinity Presbyterian Church.

There may be a gathering after the workshop with Tony Larson at a pub to play pool. Details will be announced at the workshop.

Tuesday, May 19

Presbytery Meeting at FPC - Columbia (Registration info provided soon!)

The GA Co-Moderators will be preaching for worship and doing the education portion of our meeting.

The second book study book will be available for purchase - “The Art of Hospitality” REVISED EDITION by Yvonne Gentile and Debi Nixon. $15.00 per book to be paid by cash or check payable to Missouri Union Presbytery.

Save the Date!

The next stated Presbytery meeting will be

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.

This meeting will be held at

First Presbyterian Church,

16 Hitt Street, Columbia, MO.

The Co-Moderators of the General Assembly of the PC USA will be joining us. It is a great honor to have Rev. Cece Armstrong & Rev. Tony Larson join us, and to hear the good news they have heard as they traveled the world the past two years visiting, working, and guiding our denomination.

Stay tuned for registration details!

Thrive Commentary: Faithful Dreamers

Part of the goal of our new, presbytery wide program “Thrive” is to get our congregations and our Presbytery moving in new ways, to follow where the Spirit leads us in these changing days. I know so many church leaders, pastors, educators, elders and youth workers, who are struggling with the current world we are living in. The deep divisions, the church’s loss of influence and position in our communities, the environmental changes, and the destruction of civility, all have influenced the church and God’s beloved people.

Yet there is a new scent in the air, a renewed energy arising and more people are listening for God’s call to move forward into new and amazing work bringing in the Kingdom of God. We are beginning to dream new dreams.