Blog Post by Rev. Ryan Landino, Presbytery Leader It took me a long time before I really appreciated the significance of the meaning behind receiving a gift. We all remember receiving good gifts and bad gifts, unexpected gifts, and gifts-meant-to-be-a-surprise-but-you-figured-it-out-anyway gifts. Gifts ranging from wrapped things you tear open to gift cards to the gift of just being present. I…
From Your Presbytery Leader: “Why I Attend a White Privilege Conference” When I was just starting out a little over ten years ago as a freshly ordained pastor, a debate about race was unfolding at one of my first presbytery gatherings. I don’t recall the exact issue, but I’ll never forget when a White colleague named Jeremy spoke out about…
I have always valued Lent as a season of holy disruption. A spiritual rallying point. A time to detach from habits that mire us in drudgery and reconnect with the practices that give us life. (click here for a video I made about this approach) But this year, what does a Lenten season embracing disruption look like when we are…
From Your Presbytery Leader Checking in Greetings in the name of our God and Savior Jesus Christ! It has been about three weeks since I began this wonderful ministry as your presbytery leader! I am so warmed by your hospitality and your helpfulness in making sure I have everything I need to find myself situated. I am impressed by the…
Final Thoughts of Rev. Bob Jensen, Bridge Presbytery Leader Returning to Retirement, travel, and service in his home church at First United Presbyterian – Belleville, Illinois The church of Christ in every age, beset by change but Spirit led, must claim and test its heritage and keep on rising from the dead. (Text – Fred Pratt Green, Tune – Wareham)…
Blog Post by Rev. Bob Jensen Bridge Presbytery Leader In a Garden, Some People See the Flowers. My dad loved the beauty of flowers. In his retirement, he spent his time mainly caring for flowers he found “dumpster-diving” out behind the local grocery store. He would bring home those cast-off flowers and nurse them to health. And though he was…
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard Presbytery Leader choward@glpby.org I am so glad that 2020 is coming to an end! This has been one tough year. The year has been marked by a pandemic crisis, social unrest, political chaos, and for many of us, some form of personal tragedy and loss. As we turn the corner and look…
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard Presbytery Leader choward@glpby.org One of my first memories of coming to serve as your interim presbytery leader was the magnificent church buildings in the St. Louis metro area. It was and still is amazing to see the Presbyterian churches off of Delmar, going from Second Presbyterian Church, then Westminster, past Trinity, and…
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard Presbytery Leader choward@glpby.org I am feeling a sense of gladness as 2020 comes to an end. What a year it has been! The cloud of COVID is passing over, and we can see hints of blue sky and sun rays again. We have learned lessons in COVID that will pay great dividends…
Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard Presbytery Leader choward@glpby.org Advent has many meanings. Advent is a time for waiting. It is a time for preparation. Advent is a time of expectation and anticipation of the coming of our Lord. In the November/December 2020 edition of Presbyterians Today, Jason Whitehead describes Advent as an opportunity to reset. He writes,…