E-Newsletter
April/11 / 2017
Remembering for Life
a Guest Blog by Rev. Dr. Susan Andrews

    I have always had a hard time remembering. When I think back 35 years, I try to remember what my daughter looked like as a baby, and what Halloween costume my son wore in first grade, and which parishioner gave me the candle that I cherish so much. And more often than not, I just can’t remember. Flitting from moment to moment, in a life too full and too fast, I have not always let the grace sink in. Continue to read more...

Our Presbytery - Our Work


    This week's prayer basket...
  This week, please include in your prayers all those who are struggling with grief and loss of a family member.   Add a prayer slip to our basket here.

UPCOMING TEAM MEETINGS 
  • Thur., Apr. 13 at 5 p.m. Congregational Vibrancy Team
  • Tues., April 18 at 1 p.m. Mission & Outreach
  • Thurs., April 20 at 9:30 a.m. History Team
  • Thurs., April 20 at 10 a.m. Stewardship Team
  • Thurs., April 20 at 1 p.m. Social Witness Action Team
  • Thurs., April 20 at 4 p.m. Vision Team
   Big Tent - Register Today! 
  Big Tent conference takes place in St. Louis, July 6-8.
  • Race
  • Reconciliation
  • Reformation
Through plenary events, Bible study, workshops, and worship, attendees will be challenged and renewed by the power of the gospel message to overcome our current realities of anxiety, division, and inequality. 
This issue contains
Have You Planned for GA Today?
  COLA 2018 – Financial Support R eport
   The COLA 2018 Steering Committee thanks all congregations that have made a financial gift or have committed to a financial gift in support of hosting the 223 Meeting of the General Assembly on June 16-23, 2018, in St. Louis.  As a reminder, your gifts designated for 2017 are due in May. 
   Please make checks payable to the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy with COLA 2018 on the memo line.  Checks should be mailed to the Financial Office at the Presbytery Center. Congregations who have not submitted an Intention of Giving card are encouraged to do so.  
  A follow up letter with a new Intention of Giving card will be mailed to those congregations after May.  Any questions, please contact Jim Madson, Chair of the Finance Team, at 314-821-4588 or jimmadson@att.net
Hands & Feet Initiative
What is it? Why you should be a part of it....
Hands & Feet is a new initiative to highlight and strengthen local and national efforts by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to facilitate change and communicate God’s love. The project builds upon the grassroots, community work congregations, mid councils, and the national office are already doing, and dovetails with the biennial General Assembly gathering. Work already is underway via Hands & Feet and the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy to engage with mission and ministry projects on the ground in St. Louis, Missouri, site of the 223rd General Assembly (2018) scheduled for June 16–23, 2018.
Experience the Last Frontier
    Experience Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with Richard Spener and Toni Armstrong on a canoe adventure. The raw beauty and remote wilderness of the place have drawn them back to visit six times over the past 26 years. 
   Richard and Toni  hold leadership positions in local and national environmental organizations. Richard’s images have been published by the National Park Service, Nature Conservancy, Missouri Prairie Foundation and Alaska Wilderness League. Their photo exhibit on Missouri’s wilderness areas traveled across the state for a year in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Plan to attend on Wednesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church (45 W Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves)
Let Music Move You on April 30
 Air Force Band Concert
Join First Presbyterian Church, Alton, Illinois in welcoming the Air Force Band in a free concert at the church. The concert will take place on Sunday, April 30 at 3 p.m.  All are welcome!
  The Spirituals
   Sunday, April 30, 2017 at  3 p.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church hosts an African American Spiritual. This is one of this country's most important and meaningful genres of music. These Spirituals are beloved the world over for their easy, accessible music and moving, inspirational texts, which emerged under extreme oppression.  
   This concert is a celebration of those works, their arrangers, and the performers who brought them into our modern consciousness. The cost of tickets is $15.00 and may be purchased online at: www.missouriwomenschorus.org  
Bach Society Concert
The Bach Society of St. Louis Young Artists with pianist Sandra Geary present a concert on Sunday, April 30 at 4 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church.  This concert is presented jointly with the Bach Society of St. Louis and is part of Bach Festival St. Louis.  The concert is free and open to the public.  The church is located at 4501 Westminster Place in the Central West End, St. Louis, 63108.  For more information call 314-367-0367 or visit www.secondchurch.net .
Service and Stewardship
Nicaragua Mission Deadline is April 30th
   Members of our presbytery are planning to participate in this summer’s annual multi-generational mission trip to our partner community in Nicaragua.  NOW is the time for you to consider if God is calling you to be a part of this trip because the team is forming!   What could you expect if you joined us?  Only God knows!  You might . . .     
   Make new Nicaraguan and North American friends - Visit coffee fields
Visit local schools and meet our scholarship students - Learn about the lives of God’s people in Nicaragua - Learn something new about yourself and your faith!
    Call Harriet Hall at 314-963-7112 or email pg2nicaragua@gmail.com .   Continue to read more here 
Middle School Weekend Retreat Rescheduled to Fall 
Plans changed and the Middle School Retreat has been moved from Spring to Fall. If your camper is still wanting a pre-retreat experience, be sure to check out Mound Ridge .
  Presbyterian Women Announce Meeting
& Service Education Opportunity
Thank You for Your Generosity