Blog Post by Rev. Alexandra Lysdahl First United Presbyterian Church, Belleville, Illinois “If we build it, they will come.” That was something I heard growing up in the church. Sometimes it was said with sadness as large church buildings sat mostly empty, struggling with shrinking membership. Sometimes with disdain, as if the secret to ministry had been found and of…
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Julia Allen Berger Aberdeen Heights Senior Living Two years ago, I departed hospital chaplaincy after 30+ years to work at a senior residential community in Kirkwood. I can only speak anecdotally now about what front-line hospital chaplains have experienced during the past year. A colleague named Rachelle recently posted on a site for chaplains: “Yesterday,…
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess DRAP (Dismantling Racism and Privilege) Moderator St. Mark Presbyterian Church February is a curious month in the life of the church. We replace the lights of Christmas and Epiphany with the ashes of penitence. The “good news of great joy for all people” gives way to remembering, “we are dust, and to dust…
Blog Post by Rev. Thirza Sayers Hillside Presbyterian Church & Light for the Darkness I write this as a celebration of my tenth ordination anniversary (1/2/11). I thought about telling the pretty story of folks coming from far and wide to gather robed and smiling, but decided I would tell the real Call Story, which started 1/1/11. Appropriately given last…
Blog Post by Rev. Robert Jensen Bridge Presbytery Leader Last Wednesday, as the mob siege of the US Capitol was unfolding, I sat transfixed in the presbytery office in shocked grief like so many people. And as I traveled home that evening, these words kept passing through my mind and heart: …though the earth should change, though the mountains shake, though its waters roar and…
Blog Post by Janice McMillen Presbytery Communications Associate When the COVID19 Pandemic hit, our presbytery was ready. In the summer of 2019, the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy began utilizing Zoom Web Conferencing to host meetings. They decided it was important to allow commissioners, congregant guests, and pastors, from a geographical distance, the ability to join meetings remotely and still feel connected…
Introducing Rev. Robert (Bob) Jensen Bridge Presbytery Leader Please join me in welcoming Rev. Robert (Bob) Jensen as our Bridge Presbytery Leader beginning on January 4, 2021. An Honorably Retired (HR) member of Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery, Bob spent 13 years in business working for a public utility before being called to parish ministry. Following seminary, he served nearly 30 years in…
A Journey Never to be Forgotten