Update for Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery Rev. Dr. Kenneth Chester Dobson, HR In 1994 I resigned as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Alton to accept a joint call by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) to return to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Between then and now, in chronological order, I have served as Executive Director of…
Blog Post by Rev. Zach Lysdahl First United Presbyterian, Collinsville, Illinois The word “good” is of biblical importance. God, the creator of heaven and earth, uses the word good seven times in Genesis chapter one to describe that which God has made. When something in the Bible is repeated over and over again, it is usually worth paying attention to…
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…
I hate roller coasters. I don’t hate that others love them, but they’re just not for me. My first roller coaster was THE VIPER at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, which I could only describe as a torture device intentionally meant to merge the fear of heights with the fantasy of flying without a helmet to project volunteer…
I have been thinking a lot about how the pandemic has unfolded through a number of different stages. Like Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief, we similarly may have experienced Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. Perhaps not in that order, and sometimes, all at once. All through these stages, I have found it healthy to work together as a…
For time to time, I 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! “Were you able to find a home nearby?” Even in this competitive housing market, Danielle and I…
Guest blog post By Rev. Dr. Chris Keating Woodlawn Chapel Presbyterian Church Around midnight the other evening, I stood on a frozen driveway in an isolated section of St. Louis County. Looking up the steep hillside, I wondered how I was supposed to get to the front door of the house. Inside, flashing moved around and strobe lights flashed as…
Video Blog By Rev. Rob Dyer Senior Pastor/Head of Staff First United Presbyterian Church, Belleville, Illinois Rev. Rob Dyer gave the Charge to the Presbytery at the Installation of the Presbytery Leader, Rev. Ryan Landino. We pray you watch the video below and consider how we might all engage more in the life of the Presbytery and in support of…
Presbytery Guest Blog by Rev. Karl Hauser Southminster Presbyterian Church 2021 Presbytery Moderator There are lots of things to value in the church. If you are reading this you are probably part of a church already. If so, how would you explain to someone outside of the church, WHY the church um… actually matters? An easy way to start off…