Not long after beginning my work with GLPBY in January 2021, (Has it really been 3 ½ years?) I received a gift from old friends, Mike and Cindy Wakeland. A few GLPBY oldies may remember Mike and Cindy when he pastored Tyler Place Presbyterian Church. Cindy, an extraordinary Christian Educator, was at one time my youth leader; as in I…
Every once and a while Presbytery Leader Ryan Landino will share reflections inspired by partnership and accompaniment with the ministries of the presbytery and what we are all experiencing in the news. May we feed each other hope, joy, and inspiration! I have always had an interest in film—I love the choices filmmakers, directors, and editors make in order…
Hello friends! At our last presbytery it was announced that our next presbytery gathering was going to be hosted at a location called the Delmar DivINe, which was met with an understandable chorus of “huh, what’s that?” After we got everyone’s attention so dramatically, unfortunately, our reservation at the Delmar DivINe location for our April 13th presbytery Gathering was double…
Jaw-dropping action and eye-popping special effects will be on full display Sunday. We’ll be surrounded by titan-sized heroes who will emerge from clouds of mystery. Dazzling pyrotechnics will fill the air, and time will seem to stop as heaven intersects earth. And that’s only the topline from the Gospel reading! Sunday kicks-off with the Transfiguration in worship and closes with…
This is it. It’s the last time we’ll ask. Truly. We are only DAYS AWAY from the 2024 Association of Partners in Christian Education Annual Event at St. Louis Union Station, and we need your help. I don’t know how much more clearly to say this: We cannot do this without you. 1. We need people-power. Our hospitality team has…
The Dismantling Racism and White Privilege Committee (DRAWP) of the Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy hosted a gathering at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church to fellowship and share what our congregations are doing around Matthew 25 precepts – congregational vitality, racial justice, and elimination of poverty. Our guest speaker was Rev. Dr. Jessica Williams of the Kairos Center – a ministry dedicated…
It was such a thoughtful gift! A 12-inch candy cane, root beer flavored, from a colleague who owns a candy shop. The problem I had was where do I keep it until I get home and put it safely on my Christmas tree. (Spoiler alert: do not keep it in your car in below freezing temperatures.) It happened in slow…
Statement On The Conflict In Israel And Gaza Issued By The Cabinet Of Interfaith Partnership Of Greater St. Louis October 13, 2023 As people of conscience, we are deeply distressed and profoundly saddened by the tragic attacks that took place in Israel this weekend, and our hearts break as we continue to watch the conflict unfold between Israel and Gaza. As…
Dear Good and Faithful Servants of the Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery community, “When someone prays for courage, does God give them courage, or God give opportunities to be courageous?” This gem of a quote comes from Evan Almighty, a 2007 comedy film where Morgan Freeman plays God. While not my usual grab-bag for theological wisdom, I still found myself reaching for this…
Here are the top ten reasons why you should answer the call to serve as our Stated Clerk of Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery! Compiled by the Search Team for the Stated Clerk. 1. The timing is fantastic! As we come out of the pandemic, our presbytery life is stabilizing and we are returning to doing the things we love and care…