[Members] FW: Midweek Messenger

Fri Aug 10 06:42:52 PDT 2007

>From our Executive Presbyter, Paul:

From: Paul Reiter [mailto:preiter at glpby.org] 
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 10:55 PM
To: Paul T Reiter
Subject: Midweek Messenger

Dear Colleagues in Ministry:

I just returned home from spending the day with Joan Gray, the Moderator of
the 217th General Assembly.  It was truly a blessing to be with her at the
luncheon and at the dinner this evening with elders. She certainly speaks
with great passion about her desire that we have more spiritual leadership
in the church. Asking the question “What does God want us to do?” is not
only a question for local church leaders; it is a question for the
presbytery as well.  What does God want us to be about as a Presbyterian
witness in this part of the kingdom?  I want you to think about that with
me, and plan to share some of your feelings about the vision God has for our
region.  We are already committed as a presbytery “To build relationships
that leads congregations in life transforming ministries so that together we
embrace the Kingdom of God” but what would that mean about the mission we
are called to do in our region?

Moderator Gray shared several things worth noting. First, our goal as a
church leader should be to help believers literally live [italics my own]
the gospel? Second, a leader is someone who makes people move! If you do not
want to go anywhere, if you do not want to engage in God’s mission, then you
do not need a leader. 

The image that was shared with the gathering was that of being caught up in
a river.  It is about movement! The church is not called to stagnation, but
movement. The work of the spiritual leader is to listen for the sound of the
river and ask, “Where is God moving?” Once we begin to discern that we must
take the leap and trust that the water will carry us.

Joan also shared some of the traits of spiritual leaders. In a spiritual
leader there is a passion for God – it is not about emotion, it is about
commitment! A spiritual leader places the work of God as a priority. It is
not an accessory to one’s life, it is at the core of our life.  If we are
going to lead, we must lead by being led. It may sound ironic, but it is
true!  Joan also uplifted our own struggle with the tension between Control
and Trust [Sound familiar?]

One internet story she shared had to do with an example of trust.  Most of
us spend our life moving along as if we were in a car.  We look out the
window and see Jesus from time to time, and just wave.  Maybe after some
point when we have faced some difficulty in our life we might stop and say
to Jesus, “Why don’t you hop in?”  Whoops, I meant the back seat.  If
stresses continue we might even invite Jesus to share the front seat where
we can share in a more meaningful conversation, where we can look him in the
eye.  But trust is truly when we hand Jesus the keys!

Another trait for the spiritual leader is to have adequate spiritual
resources so that we can exercise what we know.  If it is God who calls, and
equips, and provides, then it is our task to see that those things take
place.

Finally, she suggested in the church today if we want to truly be a
spiritual leader we have to have the “guts” to fail.

It sounds like the missional work I hear about quite regularly from Rev. Amy
Fowler and our Congregational Development Team. Maybe we would all be helped
by moving it to the center of our conversation!

Well, I am off to Synod of Mid-America for our August meeting tomorrow.
Saturday begins a week of vacation so you will not be hearing from me next
week.  May you find ways to grow and rest in these summer days, and may you
find strength and joy for your walk in life, and in your ministry.

Please remember there is still time to register for the Evangelism
Conference and Elder Conference. Learn more on our web page at www.glpby.org
<http://www.glpby.org/> .

PRAYER JOYS and CONCERNS:

Nathan Vits, son of Rev. Christi Vits, continues to need our prayer support.
As they work in finding a new nurse to work with Nate.

Chaplain Capt. Amy Hunt writes from  Aviano, Italy:

I want to thank you for you for your Midweek Messenger.  This weekly e-mail
helps me feel connected to the Presbytery and I look forward to reading the
news of all the local churches and people.

You may not remember me, but I am a member of the Presbytery and I am a
chaplain with the United States Air Force.  I feel like the chaplains are an
invisible force amongst their contemporaries.  The ministry with in our
armed forces is incredibly rewarding and at the same time very challenging.
I feel very honored to be serving God, our country and at the same time
standing proud of our Presbyterian heritage.   

I humbly ask that once in while you could please include in your concerns
and prayer requests, prayers for our troops who are in harms way.   This
calendar year I have only been home with my family for 37 days.  Deployments
are difficult and long, but yet at the same time the ministry is very
rewarding.

Thank you so much for including me in your weekly mailings.  I continue to
pray that God leads, directs and guide the Presbytery.

Peace in the name of our Risen Lord.

Yolanda Merle, Rev. Lori Shafer’s stepmother, who has been battling cancer
for 5 years and has been bed ridden for 2 ½ years. She is in pain and needs
our prayers for relief of her suffering. 

Doris Michel was able to travel recently for a family reunion in Iowa.
Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

Rev. Ann Pitman’s brother John and mother Lorraine continue to need our
prayers.

Lois Keating, mother of Rev. Chris Keating has come home from re-hab and
needs our prayers as a new chapter begins.

John W. Mason, Rev. Will Mason’s father who has recently had retina surgery.

Glen Houston, Elder from New Horizons who continues to cope with ALS.

Please let me know of other prayer concerns you might like to share.

CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPENINGS

+          CONGRATULATIONS TO Rev. Michelle and Shon Parsons (Westminster,
Belleville) who have a new baby girl!  Michelle writes:

Surprising news for the Parsons: we have a new addition!! Her name is Audrey
Elaine Parsons, born on Friday, July 27, 2007, at 6:43pm in Southern
Illinois. She is a beautiful 6.5 lb, 18.5 in. long baby
 She completely took
us by surprise. The adoption attorney called us on Friday as she was being
born. We had to cut our time at Montreat Youth Conference in North Carolina
a week short to bring her home. Well worth the long drive and exhaustion!

+ Paul Kabo from First Presbyterian in Cape Girardeau shares the following:

On Thursday, August 30, 2007, the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau will
hold its 2nd Annual Community Crusade for Children. The location for the
event is Grace United Methodist Church, 521 Caruthers at 7:00 - 8:30pm.

The message is God and Children, First. The event will include testimonies
from The Boys & Girls Club members, messages from ministers and music from
musicians.   

            *Pastor Ron Webb is the keynote speaker.  

            *Jeffery McGoy a inspirational and motivational speaker will be
the MC.

            *Jo Ann Emerson will be there and supporting the Club.

            * Curtis Granderson, the Center Fielder for the Detroit Tigers
will be on the air of 960 KZIM with Club President, Tameka Randle to
advocate for the Crusade. The National Baseball League is big supporters of
the National Boys & Girls Club of America.

Everything has been of no cost. The only price to pay is time. 

Please attend, support the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau, and pray
for the children of Cape Girardeau.

+          Northminster Presbyterian Church is having a Flea Market on
Saturday, August 18, from 8am to 2 pm  Come and help support their efforts
in supporting the food pantry!

+          1st annual Metro St. Louis CROP Walk - October 14th at Forrest
Park.  Registration begins at 1:00pm and the walk begins at 2:00p.m..
Congregations interested in participating need to contact Karen
Bradshaw-Miller at hunger at glpby.org or 314-772-2395 ext. 104.  We are
planning for a strong Presbyterian representation and every metro area
congregation is invited to participate!!!

+          PARTNERSHIP FOR JUST TRADE!  There is still time for all
Giddings-Lovejoy congregations to order their PJT Partnership Box for their
fall/Christmas sales and events!  Each congregation has been mailed an order
form and forms are due as soon as possible.  The deadline for orders has
been extended from June 10th to August 31st !  Help support our Peruvian
artisans. Any questions please contact Carrie Hawthorne at
mailto:partnersforjusttrade at yahoo.com or call 314-773-7358.

+          THE SHELTERING SPACE AT THE GOOD EARTH VILLAGE IN HOUMA,
LOUISIANA is COMPLETE.

Watch for information on Dedication Services which will be held in Houma, LA
in August and local Dedication Services which will be held in St. Louis.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you engage in your
ministry!

Summer blessings, 

Paul

Paul T. Reiter, D. Min

Executive Presbyter

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

2236 Tower Grove Avenue

St, Louis, MO  63110

(314) 772-2395 x 110

"Serving the churches of the Greater St. Louis area, Southeast Missouri, and
West Central Illinois

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