We are gearing up for an exciting but busy month of February, and we want to make sure you are in the know about what to expect from our two upcoming presbytery gatherings! “First, why are we doing two meetings again?” The simple answer is we are playing catchup with the work of the General Assembly due to the pandemic—four…
I don’t need to tell you this has been a hard last two weeks. Especially for those in the city, the shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in Saint Louis that left three dead and several wounded has resulted in a re-traumatization of our community, even as we still heal, or struggle to heal, other communal traumas.…
At the beginning of my ordained ministry, I encountered a book called “Best Advice: Wisdom on Ministry from 30 Leading Pastors and Preachers” (2009) edited by William J. Carl III (https://www.cokesbury.com/9780664232436-Best-Advice). It has a number of excellent segments that are great primers and friendly reminders for navigating this beautiful world of ministry we are all so devoted to. However, there…
Today, I had a very inspiring meeting on the monthly All Pastors’ zoom call that I want to tell you all about. We did something a little different, launching a new theme-driven game plan that may serve as a fantastic way to bless our all of our cohort gatherings moving forward. What are these cohorts? One of several online “drop-in…
This weekend, the nation felt the shockwaves to the news of the reversal of Roe v. Wade, which stripped 50 years of precedent ensuring established access to reproductive healthcare. While there are few words that can be spoken that haven’t been spoken before (and better), on behalf the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, I particularly wish to lift up the pain, outrage,…
For time to time, Presbytery leader Ryan Landino will take random questions from across the presbytery! This will be an experiment that we hope will be a monthly offering. As I lead best by asking questions, I appreciate the questions you have asked and are asking! “I HEARD YOU GOT PUPPIES! IS THIS TRUE?” YES! “Are they real siblings?”…
Many of us have spent the last two years living from Zoom meeting to Zoom meeting. While others of us have already been meeting in-person, overall I am noticing that as our patterns shift, a question commonly emerges: “to zoom, or not to Zoom?” “Should we have all committee/team/workgroup/session meetings in-person now?” Except when it is hurtful, I do not…
From time to time, Ryan will take questions from across the presbytery and try to address them by newsletter! This will be an experiment that we hope will be a monthly offering. As I lead best by asking questions, I appreciate the questions you have asked and are asking! Stay tuned for end of the month opportunities to ask questions,…
The grass is getting greener. Trees are filling out. Purples and reds are budding where things can grow, and we just celebrated Earth Day. More of my hours are being spent outside, reading, breathing, being. I think it’s affecting me. There is indeed something powerful about feeling connected to the earth. Scripture has long used metaphors of nature to remind…
As a pastor for about ten years before becoming a mid-council leader, the Sunday after Easter never really found its way into my preaching rhythm. I started my career as one of those preachers who always took the week after Easter off, because, well, you know: “Jesus is Risen…but the Pastors are Sleeping”. I’ve enjoyed how others of us use…