Presbyterian Steward

Let's Talk From India to Austin

2012-02-01T17:29:00.004-06:00

By Sudie Niesen

The Winter 2012 edition of Austin Seminary’s Windows featured an article on current students who served in the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program before attending seminary. One of the questions posed to those of us interviewed was, “What kind of support did you receive during your year as a Young Adult Volunteer?”

In response, I spoke of a Presbytery that seized the opportunity to include me in its mission and ministry. Individuals and congregations within the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy surrounded me with prayers and encouragement during my YAV year. In addition, through financial gifts, you made this experience possible. As I expressed during the interview for Windows, “I am in awe of the support I received … an entire presbytery considered me ‘their’ YAV!”

Some of you may remember me standing before the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy in May 2008 when I shared news of my placement to the YAV site in South India. Seeking support from this gathered body – representatives of a church that had nurtured me since birth – was an early step in a transformative journey. At that point I did not know that my year in South India would be instrumental in my vocational discernment. My commitment to social justice was central to my decision to apply for the YAV program, yet I had no idea what direction this vocation might take upon my return from India. Being a YAV helped me realize how deeply rooted this passion is in my faith, and that ordained ministry would empower me to use this passion in service to the church and the world.

In response to this realization, I applied to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and enrolled in the Master of Divinity program upon my return from India. As I look towards graduation in May, I am grateful that this has not been a solitary journey. Rather, I have enjoyed the encouragement, support, and partnership of people of faith.

For look for more stories in the upcoming Stewardship Newsletter, the Harvest.

Happy New Year Everyone

2012-01-18T15:26:00.005-06:00

Let's start the new year with a story from a young adult. Here's her journey...

My Journey
by Miriam Foltz

As a member of the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, a former Young Adult Volunteer, and a current seminary student, I want to thank you for supporting, both in your prayers and through your financial contributions, the work of the PC(USA).

I spent a year in Belfast, Northern Ireland, serving as part of the PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer program. Part of the World Missions initiative for the PC(USA), each year, around 60 YAVs gave their time, put forth their energy, and put their ‘regular’ life on hold for 11 months to go and live a simpler, intentional life in a new and challenging context.

During my year of service, I was very grateful for the support of Giddings-Lovejoy through financial contributions, prayerful support, and your kind letters.

I served at the East Belfast Mission, a Methodist congregation and social outreach center, where I worked with people of all ages. My work schedule overall changed from week to week, but I got to regularly plan, participate in, and help facilitate weekly activities for all different generations of the community. Over many cups of tea, I got to here people’s stories and share my own as well.

The urban issues I witnessed might have easily translated from Belfast to St Louis, except for the daily reminders that I was not in the U.S.

The Troubles as a period of time technically ended with a disarmament agreement in 1998. However, the trouble (lower case) continues.
It struck me where the name came from during the month of June.
As riots were happening at night just down the street from my workplace, I kept hearing the BBC report it as ‘the trouble started’ or ‘the trouble continued.’

I have no tangible results to show from my year in Belfast, but that is not the goal of the YAV program.

It takes time to change people’s minds. But there is hope for the youth of Belfast, even as they grow up with the ‘peace walls’ still dividing neighborhoods, and there is hope for the older generations of Belfast, as they carry the memories of three decades of senseless violence, to question and challenge the status quo of prejudice and division within Northern Ireland.

And I hope that that conversation I had, that scone and cup of tea I shared, or even a simple question I asked was a small part of helping the people of Belfast move towards peace – a peace that is not just lack of violence but intentional understanding and cooperation.

Because of your support, I got to be a small part of this change and be changed myself in the process. Many, many thanks for your support.

In the grace and peace of Christ,
Miriam Foltz

For an update of where Miriam is today, go to the upcoming issue of The Harvest, Stewardship Newsletter.

Let’s Talk Hope

2011-12-22T12:15:00.002-06:00

Christmas is the season to celebrate Love, Peace, Joy, and Hope. For many, following the trials and tribulations of this year and perhaps these few years, this season may be especially difficult. Sometimes our ability to believe and to hope tie so closely with our expectations of life that when things do not come to pass as one would hope, there is loss; there is despair.

And though we all know the story of the mustard seed, we forget just how little faith we need to have the hope and the ability to bring about the changes required to improve our lives and those around us. In times of despair, there will come times of joy, for there is a time and place for everything under Heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We hope that you find reasons to celebrate Love, Peace, Joy, and Hope. And that you have a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year.

For more about It's A Wonderful Life, click here.

The Good News of the Christmas Joy Offering

2011-12-02T17:26:00.003-06:00

The Christmas Joy Offering is a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. This timely offering provides an opportunity for congregations to support causes specifically designed to bring Good News of Great Joy to the poor in circumstance or spirit.

Alongside the message of promise and fulfillment in Luke’s Gospel, we also hear the clear call to God’s people to respond in faith as Christ calls us: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded” (Luke 12:48).

Today this Offering is shared equally by the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, which honors the faithfulness of current and retired ministers and church workers in their hour of greatest need by providing funds to help them through life’s challenging circumstances, and Presbyterian-affiliated racial ethnic schools and colleges, which enable students to develop their gifts and find their calling.

Be sure to give to the Christmas Joy Offering on Sunday, December 18th.

For more information click here: Presbyterian Church U.S.A. – Joy Offering

Let's Talk Hunger Work

2011-11-08T14:48:00.003-06:00

By Ruth Farrell, Coordinator Presbyterian Hunger Program - Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

In hunger work, we often talk about including the voices of the hungry, the small farmers, the women, and the children in development projects. Including these voices is more than designing a successful project; we do it because it is what Jesus did. Jesus broke the cultural norms. His actions demonstrated that people who are widowed, disabled, impoverished, and children are to be treated with dignity. Being treated with dignity means being listened to by others, but Jesus even went further. In addition to treating the marginalized with dignity, he pointed out over and over that many had deep faith, an exemplary faith that the disciples (and others) should develop.

In my own experience with people living in poverty, they are used to not being listened to. In fact, many no longer speak up because experience has taught them that what they have to say does not matter. In addition to listening, we must at every step, communicate in words and actions, that they do matter—their experience, their wisdom and their feelings matter.

In Peru, the women we worked with started to believe that they mattered. After several years of running a successful knitting cooperative, you could see the change in these women. They were no longer silent, but vibrant. They were no longer passive, but tackled problems. At one of their meetings they put away their knitting needles, and talked about organizing their community to ask the city authorities for running water and a proper sewage system. When I asked what had happened in the past when folks asked, they told us that they had never asked before. A woman of the group explained, “Before (the cooperative), we were afraid if we caused trouble, the authorities would make us leave so we never wanted to create problems. We tried to be invisible.” No one was invisible to Jesus, especially those whom society tried to make invisible. These women had learned far more than how to run a knitting business. They knew they mattered and were now giving that voice.

For more about this Presbyterian Hunger Program Post article click here: PHP Post

For information about the Presbyterian Hunger Program click here: Presbyterian Hunger Program.

Making Ministry Possible

2011-11-04T15:51:00.020-05:00

By Rev. Craig Palmer, Interim Executive Presbyter - Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

What captures your attention when you hear the news, read an online news source, watch network news or The Colbert Report or The Daily Show, or scan the front page of the paper?

Most often the headlines capturing our attention focus on the difficulties in the world and our perceived limitations for a response. We focus on issues of disagreement and allow the amazing opportunities for witness and mission to pass us by.

Support for the opportunities of witness and mission in our congregations is the primary focus of the members of our Mission Council, committees and ministry teams.

I offer my thanks to sessions and pastors choosing to support this presbytery through your mission and per capita dollars.

Here are some examples of your money at work:

New church developments, immigrant fellowships and congregations pursuing redevelopment supported by the Congregational Development Ministry Team members and staff.

Preparation of candidates preparing to serve as pastors supported by the Committee on Preparation for Ministry members and staff.

The summer program and retreat opportunities at our Mound Ridge Retreat Center along the banks of the Meramec River Camp with leadership offered by members and staff of the Camp and Conference Ministry Team.

Congregations during changes in pastoral leadership (such as mission studies, pastor nominating committees) supported by members and staff of Congregational Development Ministry Team and Committee on Ministry.

Committee members and staff working with congregations in conflict whether it is between the pastor or pastors and congregation or within the congregation.

To read more about this and other stewardship news, click here for the 2nd Edition of the Stewardship Newsletter.

Resource News

2011-10-31T16:38:00.003-05:00

Download the Stewardship Manual:

A comprehensive guide to year round stewardship. The manual outlines important elements of interpretation, annual campaigns and education.

Click here to download the Stewardship Manual from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) site.

Let's Talk Shaping Our Future

2011-10-20T10:17:00.006-05:00

By Rev. Kim Skilling - Design Team member from the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

As a child, stuck inside on a rainy day, I remember staring out the window watching the patterns of the rain on the glass. I would follow the track of the drops and wonder which would reach the bottom first. As I watched, sometimes a rivulet would veer in a new direction, join another drop, gather momentum and race ahead.

When I read a recent entry by Tod Bolsinger on the Middle Governing Bodies Commission blog, I realized that, as part of the Design Team, I was engaged in a variation on this childhood activity. Bolsinger, referencing the opening words of Calvin’s Institutes, reflects that “Calvin writes of the ‘knowledge of God and the knowledge of ourselves’ as like ‘rivulets’ that lead to the ‘spring’ of wisdom.” For the last year, the Design Team has been watching the rivulets of the knowledge of God through scripture, study and prayer.

We have also followed rivulets of the knowledge of ourselves through conversations with congregations, ministry teams, staff and presbytery commissioners. Often the rivulets run parallel to each to other. But sometimes they have diverged while at other times they have surprised us by converging and challenging us to consider something new.

For more about this article and other stewardship news, see the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy second issue of the Stewardship Newsletter coming soon.

If you desire change, make the change.

Save the Date

2011-10-03T15:40:00.002-05:00

March 12-14, 2012
Charlotte, North Carolina

Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference

Gratitude and Generosity-
Living the Faith

Join us for enlightening plenary sessions, informative workshops and inspiring worship! Mark your calendar now and watch this website for conference updates.

PLENARY LEADERS
Michael Jinkins • Clif Christopher • Maggie Lauterer

WORSHIP LEADERS
Tom Taylor • Susan Andrews

For more information click here - Stewardship Kaleidoscope

Resources News

2011-08-22T17:19:00.002-05:00

The Stewardship Network Action Team has created a Stewardship Newsletter to help you connect to the mission and ministries of the Presbytery.

Our mission work continues on through the good times and bad. How we respond to God’s call determines our strength of character and the future of our family, church and community.

We want to extend a special thank you to all the contributors of the articles for helping us make this newsletter possible.

To view the first issue of Stewardship Newsletter, The Harvest, click here.

Pray for the People of Norway

2011-07-26T16:44:00.002-05:00

From the Office of the General Assembly:

We call Presbyterians to pray for the people of Norway in the aftermath of the bombing in Oslo and the shootings on Utoya Island. This attack, and all such acts of violence, violates God's image in God's precious children.

We pray for the people, including many young people, who were killed and for the family and friends who grieve for them. We ask God to work healing in the people who were wounded and to comfort and strengthen the people of Norway as they come to terms with this tragedy. Our prayers will join the prayers of people of many faiths around the world.

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." - (Mark 12:31)

Check on Your Neighbors

2011-07-20T13:43:00.002-05:00

During this excessive heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service for the Midwest, please encourage your neighbors to seek help if needed.

The United Way provides a detailed listing of the cooling sites (click here for listing- Eastern Missouri and Metropolitan St. Louis area). Also you may call 211 for United Way 2-1-1 for cooling sites in your area. It's a helpline network that offers free health and human service program referrals 24-hours per day, 365 days per year. “When natural disasters or other crises occur, 2-1-1 is a vital information resource that links people with the help they need to rebuild their lives.”

Doing Stewardship - Part C

2011-07-06T13:58:00.008-05:00

Organization

a. Establish a Stewardship Committee and have them start working early in the year.

b. Designate Stewardship Sunday (preferably in October or early in November).

c. Establish a stewardship activity timeline working back from the designated Stewardship Sunday. The timeline should set the schedule for things such as “Minute for Stewardship” during worship, mailing of newsletters and stories of members, deadlines for material to be printed etc. Time spent up front developing this timeline will pay off with a smooth campaign with everyone knowing what needs to be done and when it needs doing.

d. Plan follow up activities after Stewardship Sunday. Your best results will come from placing emphasis on the following groups in the order listed.

e. A very important factor in asking members to give of their time or money is an expression of thanks and appreciation. A thank you is a positive acknowledgement on the part of the church that a member’s pledge has been received and is appreciated.

Expressing thanks can be done in a number of ways that may be somewhat dependent on the size of the congregation; a verbal thank you from the pastor on Sunday morning, a note of thanks in the Sunday bulletin or church newsletter, a phone call or letter from the stewardship committee and/or pastor. If the church sends out quarterly statements they should always include a note of thanks. Most churches know best how to reach and express thanks to their members.

Resource News

2011-06-22T15:41:00.005-05:00

We have a new link for those of you interested in learning from good sermons. The site link is now listed in our Important Link section. Take the time to read the Sermon for the Week.

Doing Stewardship - Part B

2011-06-22T15:12:00.003-05:00

B. Telling the Story

1. Clearly set forth the Vision and Mission of the congregation and how the various ministries and the expenditure of funds support the vision and mission.

2. Tell the story of the ministries and how they are supported (money and staff) using a Narrative Budget.

3. Select members across the generational spectrum and invite them to tell their stories of what the church means and has meant to them. This can be done orally during worship or at a congregational gathering or in print with an accompanying picture of the individual/family. Ways to distribute the stories in print include an insert in the Sunday bulletin, in newsletters and in special mailings. These stories can be presented to the congregation over a period of weeks.

4. Lift up and highlight various ministries and mission programs of the church.

5. Talk about participation in and the life of the congregation and solicit a commitment to serve with time, talent and treasure. Studies have shown that volunteers give 500% more than non-volunteers. The more programs a church has (i.e. the more participation), the more people give. Also having special offerings during the year does not detract from giving to the annual stewardship campaign.

“In believing we care; in caring we share; in sharing we are a blessing to all.”

DOING STEWARDSHIP- Part A

2011-06-09T09:56:00.002-05:00

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy Stewardship Network

A. The Basics

1. Stewardship Definition:

“For the church, stewardship is a biblical and theological term that describes faithful discipleship. Most often when used in the church, stewardship refers to finances, budgets, and annual pledge campaigns. The word actually encompasses a holistic understanding of creation as a gift from God. As part of God’s created order, we are stewards of the world within, among, and around us – our bodies, minds, and spirits; our community, the church, and the people of the world; the air, soil, and water, and the creatures who dwell therein; our time, energy, imagination, and talents – and our money, wealth, and possessions.” Marie T. Cross: the Price of Faith.

2. Biblical Characteristics of Giving (Stewardship)

The material in this section is a variation on ideas presented by Charles R. Lane in his book on stewardship entitled Ask, Thank, Tell.
a. Intentionally: Being intentional means developing a plan for giving and then following through with that plan. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion.” To give as you have made up your mind means you have made a plan (pledge) and give according to that plan. Submitting a pledge card during the annual stewardship campaign is a way of demonstrating Intentional Giving.

b. Regularly: Paul’s description of a pattern for regular giving each week is found in 1 Corinthians 16:2 “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside and save whatever extra you earn, so that collections need not be taken when I Come.” Regular giving in our day means that whenever you receive income, and however you receive income, you give according to your predetermined plan.

c. First: First-fruits giving means giving to God first and living off the rest. The Book of Deuteronomy describes giving to God first as follows: “When you have come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his name.” Deuteronomy 26:1-2. Since we are constantly being bombarded with messages to buy this or that so giving first is essential to giving generously.

d. Generously: Generous giving and discipleship go hand-in-hand. It is hard to find a committed disciple who does not give generously or a generous giver who is not a committed disciple. In 2 Corinthians 9:8 Paul writes “And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”

e. Proportionally: The Bible always talks about giving a percentage, it does not say give $50 or $100. In the gospel of Mark we find “He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44

f. Cheerfully: The clue to being a cheerful giver is found in the words that surround the phrase “God loves a cheerful giver” in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 “The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”

Grant Invitation for Pastoral Leaders

2011-05-16T10:03:00.003-05:00

The Louisville Institute is accepting applications from pastoral leaders in North America for its Pastoral Study Project program.

Project awards are granted in amounts of up to $15,000.

The program is designed to provide pastoral leaders with the opportunity to engage in thoughtful study and inquiry into issues related to Christian faith and practice, religious institutions, and/or the practice of ministry. The PSP program seeks to support the intellectual work of pastoral leaders who have the capacity to produce research, teaching, and writing that can reach broad audiences.

All pastoral leaders currently employed in ecclesiastically validated ministries and ordained ministers not currently employed in ministry who wish to pursue a project of relevance to the ongoing life of the church and practice of ministry are eligible to apply. Grants are restricted to pastoral leaders of Christian institutions in the United States and Canada.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 15, 2011

Click here for the RFP

Nominations Invited for Templeton Prize

2011-05-12T09:57:00.000-05:00

Established in 1972 by the late Sir John Templeton, the Prize aims, in his words, to identify “entrepreneurs of the spirit”—outstanding individuals who have devoted their talents to expanding our vision of human purpose and ultimate reality.

The Prize is a monetary award in the amount of £1,000,000 sterling or more than $1.6 million.

The Prize celebrates no particular faith tradition or notion of God, but rather the quest for progress in humanity’s efforts to comprehend the many and diverse manifestations of the Divine.

Men and women of any creed, profession, or national origin may be nominated for the Templeton Prize. Previous winners include representatives of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The prize has been awarded to scientists, philosophers, theologians, members of the clergy, philanthropists, and writers.

Nominations are especially encouraged in the fields of:

*Research in the human sciences, life sciences, and physical sciences.

*Scholarship in philosophy, theology, and other areas of the humanities.

*Practice, including religious leadership, the creation of organizations that
edify and inspire, and the development of new schools of thought.

*Commentary and Journalism on matters of religion, virtue, character formation, and the flourishing of the human spirit.

Nominations for the 2012 Templeton Prize are due by October 3, 2011.

Click here for the RFP to the Templeton Prize.

Nominations for Interfaith Peace Prize

2011-05-09T10:57:00.003-05:00

The $50,000 award is presented biannually to an individual or organization.

Awarded by Hofstra University in collaboration with the Sardarni Kuljit Kaur Bindra Charitable Foundation, the Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize was created in 2008 to enhance awareness of the critical role of religious dialogue in the pursuit of peace as well as to provide direct support for the furtherance of such activities.

Any living individual or organization that the nominator believes has contributed to constructive dialogue and/or relations between faith communities is eligible for nomination. Nominees may be chosen on the basis of a single contribution or a lifetime of contributions.

Award recipients must demonstrate extraordinary leadership, courage, and a capacity for inspiring in others a willingness to embrace the vulnerability that is the key to true religious dialogue.

For the 2012 prize, all nominations are due by July 1, 2011.

For the RFP click here.

Resource News

2011-04-28T16:26:00.004-05:00

Survey Monkey - Online questionaire and survey tool. Start with the basic plan for free.

The Confident Steward: a Brochure that describes the Confident Steward program, a year-round program consisting of three components -- education, interpretation, and commitment. Available for free at the Church store.

Leader's Introduction and Guide to Choices: Prospectus on the Choises: Living and Learning in God's World, Stewardship Program. Available for free at the Church Store.

A good stewardship book to pick up at the library or store: Not Your Parents' Offering Plate: A New Vision for Financial Stewardship by J. Clif Christopher ISBN-13: 9780687648535 - It offers practical guide to stewardship filled with concrete ideas and suggestions.

Stewardship Kaleidoscope Materials

2011-04-20T16:38:00.003-05:00

The Stewardship Kaleidoscope materials are now available from the 2011 conference. Thanks to all the leaders for their presentations and hard work.

For the resource information, click here.

Let’s Talk Nurturing Relationships

2011-03-28T14:39:00.003-05:00

In an article by Kevin Johnson, he outlines the following five steps that form the basis of a relationship management system from a non-profit point of view:

1. Discover mutual interest and make introductions into how they can help.

Originally constructed by Buck Smith to start the “focus on nurturing a passion within an individual to make a difference in a cause the potential to bring joy and satisfaction to that individual”.

2. Deepen the understanding as to what they need and how they would like to be involved.

3. Nurture involvement in the organization.

4. Invite a donation.

5. Recognize the gift: Thank you. The gift has made a wonderful difference in the ministry of the church.

Once you have worked through these steps create a worksheet to keep track of the progress. Use this information as the basis for developing strategies with donors and projecting future resource needs.

For the full article, “Nurturing Relationships for Today and Years to Come” click here.

Japan- Earthquake and Tsunami

2011-03-15T11:11:00.002-05:00

From Presbyterian Church U.S.A.:

The PC(USA) has 10 mission co-workers in various cities across Japan. By mid-day March 11 staff in Presbyterian World Mission had received word from four that they were safe. None of the mission workers are based close to the northern coastal city of Sendai, which has taken the brunt of the impact.

Denominational leaders have issued a call to prayer. The Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk; Elder Cynthia Bolbach, moderator of the 219th General Assembly; and Elder Linda Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Mission Council are urging Presbyterians to pray for all those affected by the disaster — victims and their families, aid workers, faith communities and leaders.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has set up a direct response account for donations. Individuals can give through their congregation, by calling PresbyTel at (800) 872-3283, on the secure PC(USA) website, or by sending a check to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Gifts should be designated for account DR000117 — Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

To also give through the American Red Cross click here.

Let’s Talk Relationships

2011-03-14T15:03:00.004-05:00

From the Nonprofit Survey Network:

How strong is your relationship with your community? Your members? Your volunteers? The strength of that relationship is more important than any investment you or your organization will make.

The big three are health, money, and relationships. You can go to the doctor and get a check-up to determine your current level of health. But when it comes to the relationships we have with our community, we often don’t have a clue.

Could a check-up on your relationship to the community help you see how last month’s missions and community outreach has affected your relationships today?

Here are two suggestions to provide a “check-up” of your relationship to your community. (Warning: Self promotion follows.)

First, do a well thought out, well designed survey of your constituents. I am not talking about a Surveymonkey or Constant Contact template here. A professionally designed and executed market survey will provide a scorecard of your relationship to your community.

Second, every quarter conduct a focus group. It doesn’t have to be fancy and there are a number of ways to reduce the cost. But talking face to face with eight or ten of your constituents in the community will help you focus, prioritize, and grow.

(Disclaimer: The idea for this post came from an article in the New York Times by Robert Pagliarini)

by Lee Crockett

For more details, go to:

Strategic Funding Workshop for Non-Profits: April 15th -St. Louis
http://nonprofitsurvey.net/
http://nonprofitsurvey.wordpress.com/

Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2011

2011-03-09T11:20:00.002-06:00

Thank you to all the participants of the Stewardship Kaleidoscope conference in Phoenix.

Special thanks go to the plenary leaders: Karl Travis, Bill Enright and Jana Childers. They did a wonderful job of inspiring the attendees with insights into preaching, teaching, and living out the Word in the new stewardship landscape.

Their stewardship materials will be available soon. Meanwhile please take the time to review these highlighted resources from 2010: legacy, grace,and new environment (click on the bold words to go to the link).

Let's Talk Legacy

2011-02-18T13:53:00.001-06:00

The cornerstone of Presbyterian heritage involves sowing the seeds of stewardship and sharing the gifts of time, talent, and treasure. What you are able to sow for your family, church, and community will be the legacy you will leave behind.

Here are some ideas for cultivating for the future:

Share your vision of the future with your family and congregation.
Share your stories of life experiences with your family and congregation.
Share your passion for Christ’s mission with others.

For more ideas on stewardship for the future click here.

Resource News

2011-02-08T11:01:00.002-06:00

For those residing in St. Louis and wish to learn more about the potential benefits and risks of establishing a social media site for your church.

Sign up for
Online communities for Your Nonprofit: Legal Aspects of Social Media. March 10, 3-4:30 pm, A panel of information technology attorneys from the St. Louis corporate counsel Assn. will discuss the potential benefits and risks of social media and suggest ways to create/maintain online communities without unhappy surprises.

Contact:
Kimberley Parks, MA, MLS
Humanities/Social Sciences Librarian
Grants & Foundation Center (http://slplgfcnews.blogspot.com)
St. Louis Public Library Schlafly Branch 225 N. Euclid, St. Louis MO 63108
314/539-0357

Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference

2011-01-25T13:47:00.003-06:00

Life in Abundance: Growing Disciples
will be held in Phoenix, Arizona
on February 28-March 2, 2011.

Featured speakers:
The Rev. Karl Travis

The Rev. Karl Travis is senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth, Texas. He is a frequent conference speaker and preacher, particularly in the areas of Christian stewardship and generations theory. Active across the church, he currently chairs the Special Offerings Advisory Task Force reviewing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s four churchwide special offerings. He is a magna cum laude graduate of Trinity University and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Austin College. Karl loves to bicycle and read. He parents three school age children whom he adores, most of the time.

The Rev. Dr. Jana L. Childers, Professor of Homiletics and Speech-Communication at San Francisco Theological Seminary, is a Presbyterian minister who served congregations in Kansas and New Jersey before joining the seminary faculty. She holds a B.A. from Wheaton College, an M.Div degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Cal. She is the author and editor of a number of books and articles and has appeared several times on “Thirty Good Minutes,” the television program produced by the Chicago Sunday Evening Club, moderated Mosaic for the CBS affiliate in San Francisco KPIX, and was featured as one of the country’s top twenty preachers on the Hallmark Channel’s Great Preachers series.

And Dr. William G. Enright, Ph.D., is executive director of the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, and former senior pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis. He is a graduate of Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill.; Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Cal.; and McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh and two D.D. (honorary) degrees from Hanover College and Dubuque Theological Seminary. He is co-founder of the Celebration of Hope, a program for racial reconciliation and has authored several books.
More than ever before, leaders need resources that will help them teach, preach and practice successful stewardship. Join us as we learn how to make stewardship ministries come alive in our congregations and presbyteries.

Register by February 10 and save!
Click here for registration information.

Choices

2011-01-12T10:10:00.001-06:00

For the New Year

"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny."

— Mahatma Gandhi

Happy New Year!

2011-01-05T10:37:00.002-06:00

Everyone.

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3 Song

2011 National Clergy Renewal Grant Program

2010-12-08T09:55:00.002-06:00

From Lilly Endowment (press release):

Lilly Endowment, an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation, seeks to strengthen Christian congregations by providing an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection.

Renewal periods are not vacations, but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for drinking again from God's life-giving waters, for regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry.

In the 2011 National Clergy Renewal Program, the Endowment anticipates awarding as many as 150 grants of up to $50,000 each directly to Christian congregations for the support of a renewal program for their pastor. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used for congregational expenses associated with the renewal program.

Deadline for submission of proposals is May 12, 2011.

For more information on about this press release and how to apply click Application Guidelines here.

Great Ministers

2010-12-03T15:21:00.001-06:00

Great ministers are great no matter the Age. Sometimes in a new time, this fact is forgotten. The Word of our Lord is never passé and neither are those that share the Gospel well. Though the forms of communication may seem ever complex (blogs, eNews, and social networks), the content remains ever important. It’s best to find a technical partner to post contents rather than to give the reigns over to those that may have little understanding of substance. Sometimes being flexible in finding partners in areas of weaknesses is all that is needed to have real change.

Thanksgiving Prayer

2010-11-16T14:53:00.001-06:00

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day
We bow our hearts to You and pray.
We give You thanks for all You've done
Especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son.

For beauty in nature, Your glory we see
For joy and health, friends and family,
For daily provision, Your mercy and care
These are the blessings You graciously share.
So today we offer this response of praise
With a promise to follow You all of our days.

--Mary Fairchild

More Prayers Click Here

Let’s Talk About Analysis Paralysis

2010-10-28T12:05:00.001-05:00

Sometimes churches spend so much time trying to decide what’s wrong with them, they lose sight of what’s right.

If you take a look at some real life situations involving doctors with life and death, they sometimes are forced to treat the symptoms of the illness first; because one’s life often depends upon how quickly medical intervention is given.

When a church is not vibrant, not effective, nor energetic, the underlying causes may be many, but the general treatment may be the same. Just as there may be several different types of treatments for one disease, there are several treatments for an ineffective church. General treatments are in the areas of having effective leadership, developing mission outreach programs and community relationships and partnerships, and fostering a spiritual practice of giving.

To energize your congregation, share your stories of your congregation’s good works with others; develop pilot projects and experiments that people will be passionate about.

It is okay to be fearful. These are the best times to go to God in prayer. Ask for His guidance. Seek God’s will for the church, the members and the community. Then work through the fear and do something. Apply a pilot project or several to see what works.

Let's Talk Hope

2010-09-15T11:17:00.003-05:00

Most churches that are in financial trouble look for a miracle; that magic bullet that would solve everything in a flash. The truth is that there are no genies that will come out of lamps and grant everyone three wishes that may solve all foreseeable problems.

The most successful systems involved ordinary people working together and trying to accomplish something worthwhile. No one can do it all alone, that is why it is important that we all work together. Effort is important, because with this action there is some measure of hope. Hope is the glimmer in the window of the soul that will allow the Spirit to come in and work from within.

Some of you may be familiar with this story:

One day there was a great flood.
A patrol car came by to warn a man of the impeding danger and to evaluate his home. The man told the policeman, “No thank you. God will save me.” Then he continued to pray to God to save him.

The water continued to rise.
A rescue boat came by to help the man now at the second floor window.
The man declined the help by stating, “No thank you. God will save me.” Then he continued to pray to God to save him.

Still the water continued to rise.
A Red Cross helicopter came by to help the man on his roof.
Still the man declined the help by stating, “No thank you. God will save me.” Then he continued to pray to God to save him.

The flood water soon overwhelmed him and he drowned.
At the gates of heaven, the man asked St. Peter why God had let him drown.

St. Peter replied, “He sent you a car, a boat, and a helicopter. What more do you need?”

Author Unknown

Help comes in many different ways. It just may not be in the form you expect. What is God calling for you to do? We may not always know what to do or from where the help will come, so at least try, take your best shot and just do it.

Find some stewardship model and try it out for a year. If it doesn’t work try something else. As long as you are there fighting the good fight, there is hope.

Come, join us at the Stewardship Conference at Ladue Chapel on Saturday September 25th sign up early or at the door.

The first 50 people registered will received the Giving Magazine for 2010.

For more information click here: Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy Stewardship Conference.

Celebrate the International Day of Peace

2010-09-10T15:48:00.002-05:00

Celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21st.

"The International Day of Peace
provides an opportunity for individuals,
organizations and nations to create practical
acts of peace on a shared date.

Annual celebrations of Peace Day highlight the
Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-
Violence for the Children of the World, 2001
to 2010.

Established by a United Nations resolution
in 1981, the International Day of Peace was
first celebrated September 1982."

From the Day of Peace Brochure by PC USA

Resource News

2010-08-27T15:55:00.002-05:00

"In partnership with the Washington D.C.-based Center for Interfaith Action on Global Poverty, the SEVEN (Social Equity Venture) Fund has announced its 2010-11 Essay Competition.

The competition is open to participants around the globe. Writers are asked to submit a first-person narrative describing enterprise solutions to poverty that are faith-based, faith-inspired, or interfaith efforts. Illustrations may come from any domain, including healthcare, education, consumer products, human rights, and others. Examples must represent innovative private solutions to public problems.

The competition will award two prizes of $5,000 each. The submission deadline is October 15, 2010 at midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST). Winners will be announced on December 15, 2010."

Click here for the SEVEN site.

Let's Talk Stewardship

2010-08-18T10:05:00.004-05:00

Karl Travis will be talking about moving stewardship beyond the gimmicks toward a more spiritual and transformational practice at the upcoming Stewardship Conference at Ladue Chapel on September 25th.

He will focus on the following:

What are the central ideas and practices which motivate Christian generosity? At break-neck speed, Karl Travis will offer personal stories and experiences to undergird any congregation’s stewardship efforts. Paying particular attention to generational instincts, Rev. Travis focuses attention not only on how to do stewardship, by why we are called to be disciplined in our generosity.

The Rev. Karl Travis is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Travis is a parish minister who, initially against his will, feels called to preach and teach about issues of money and sharing. (He is almost completely recovered from the broken collar bone which kept him from last year’s event.)

For more information click here: Stewardship Conference 9/25

Resource News

2010-08-18T09:58:00.002-05:00

UMSL noncredit courses for nonprofits:

New! Improving Program Development, Evaluation, and Reporting
Thursday, September 9 and Thursday, September 23
1-4 p.m.
$30 0.5 CEUs
Instructor: Charles Gasper, Missouri Foundation for Health

Legal Issues for Nonprofit Board Members: Duties, Liabilities, Protections
Wednesday, September 22, 3-5 p.m.
$20 0.2 CEUs
Instructor: Dan Sise, J.D., Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program

New! Developing an Effective Communication Plan for Your Nonprofit Organization
Wednesday, October 20, 3-5 p.m.
$30 0.2 CEUs
Instructor: Joe Mueller, Director of Public Relations, Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America

You can find complete course descriptions and online registration at: http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/graduate/ppa/npml/noncredit.html

For more information contact:
Stacy Ross
Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program
University of Missouri - St. Louis
406 Tower, One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121-4400

314-516-6713

Church and Technology

2010-07-30T14:55:00.000-05:00

Many churches today are looking for new ways to reach younger adults and recruit new members. The desire of many congregations is to have vibrant church life filled with hope and the Holy Spirit. Yet few are taking the steps necessary to attract the younger crowd.

The fear is that the younger generation processes information so differently that communication in a “normal” manner may not be possible. The preference for texting and social networking to phone calls and social gatherings in the younger generation pose a puzzling quandary for the older adults. The prevailing thought is that someone has to change and move toward on method or the other in order to communicate.
Yet no matter the medium of communication used, it still must be driven by some form of content. Writers are still needed for newspapers whether it’s in print or on-line form. Ministers are still needed to preach the Gospel no matter the media used.

Therefore if your church needs to have a web presence hire a professional web designer to make sure that the site presentation looks good, and also establish a Technology Ministry Team to oversee the content that will explain church, ministries and mission to the world.

Resource News

2010-07-19T13:53:00.002-05:00

From the Grants & Foundation Center of St. Louis Public Library:

" Tues. Aug. 24, 3-5 pm, Program Development with the End in Mind: Claire Hundelt from NSC will present a different approach to project development that first focuses on the overall program goals first, and then builds the program starting with the end objectives. Participants can expect to learn more about the relationship between strong programming and evaluation, will receive training on the use of tools like the Logic Model and gain an understanding about how to align program development with proposal development.

Weds., Sept. 22, 3-4:30 pm, Getting Down to Business with Social Networking: Get tips from ARCHS on how to maximize the power of social networking (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter) to advance your nonprofit's social mission and business strategies."

If interested contact:

Kimberley Parks, MA, MLS
Humanities/Social Sciences Librarian
St. Louis Public Library
314/539-0357

Resource News

2010-07-06T11:06:00.002-05:00

The Louisville Institute is accepting applications for its Sabbatical Grants for Pastoral Leaders Program.

"Through its 2010 Sabbatical Grant for Pastoral Leaders grant competition, the Louisville Institute will award up to forty grants for eight-week ($10,000) and twelve-week ($15,000) sabbaticals.

Recipients must be released from all pastoral duties during the entire grant period. There are no residency or travel requirements or expectations, except for attendance at the preparation consultation in Louisville in February 2011. (All expenses for the consultation are covered by the institute, over and above the grant award.)

The program is open to Christian clergy, church staff members, denominational staff, and others employed in recognized positions of pastoral leadership, ordained and lay, in the United States and Canada. Seminary administrators and faculty members are not eligible for this program. In past years, most successful applicants have at least five years of pastoral experience, and anticipate five or more years of active ministry after the sabbatical."

Deadline: September 1, 2010

For more information click here: Sabbatical Grants for Pastoral Leaders.

Save the Date: September 25th

2010-06-28T14:00:00.005-05:00

Stewardship Conference will be held at Ladue Chapel on September 25th, 2010. Please save this date!

Sponsored by the Stewardship Network Team, the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
and the Synod of Mid-America.

Let's Talk: General Assembly

2010-06-24T15:57:00.002-05:00

Day 26 of 40 Days of Prayer- with Steve Yamaguchi

On Being Attentive at G.A. (or Shall We Gulp and Jabber)?

Enjoy some tea with a Japanese friend in a nice Japanese restaurant. The tea will be green because it is brewed from unfermented tea leaves. The same plant gives us black tea, but black tea leaves are fermented. In Japanese, black tea is called “kocha” and takes sugar and cream nicely. Green tea is called “ocha” and should never take condiments. The same plant (Camellia sinensis) yields two different drinks for two different worlds.

But let’s get back to the Japanese table and ocha. You find only one pot for ocha for the table. Your cup has no handle. You might even be seated at floor level on tatami mats. And when your cup is empty, etiquette does not allow you to lift the pot to refill your own cup. You may and should fill the empty cup of others, but you must wait for an other to fill yours. To refill your own cup would appear self-serving and oafish. These manners work wonderfully – everyone gets cared for and every thirst gets sated – as long as everyone tunes in to the etiquette and pays attention to each other’s needs and cups.

The General Assembly could be an opportunity to drink ocha together. But when we gather as the GA, sometimes it appears that we care more about keeping our own cup filled, about slaking our own desire, and so we ignore the needs and wishes of others at the table.

Prayer is like an opportunity to sit down for ocha with God. But between our gulps we’re tempted to grab the pot to refill our own cup. We fill precious moments of quiet with our jabbering to God about how thirsty we are, about what we are worried about, and about what we think God should do – as if God didn’t already know. What if God prefers to linger over ocha with us, to have us wait quietly and trustingly for our cup to be filled in God’s own perfectly thoughtful time? Could we sip gratefully rather than gulp desperately? Can we be attentive to God’s desires more than our own? Might we offer our childlike service of pouring ocha for our adoring parent who does not so much require our tea but rather cherishes our devotion, time, presence, and attention? Could we savor our tea and our time mindfully?

Or shall we gulp and jabber? I believe this question is germane to our prayer, our drinking together, and our behavior at General Assembly.

ミネアポリスで緑茶を飲みましょうか。
(Mineaporisu de ocha o nomimashoka?)
Shall we drink ocha in Minneapolis?

Steve Yamaguchi
Presbytery Pastor
Presbytery of Los Ranchos

To read all the reflections, go to http://www.aeps.org.

Resource News

2010-06-09T09:31:00.002-05:00

Pastoral Study Project Grant:

The Louisville Institute is accepting applications for its Pastoral Study Project Program.

Project awards are granted in amounts of up to $15,000. The program is for pastoral leaders to develop and share their wisdom on important issues for Christian life.

All pastoral leaders — currently employed in ecclesiastically validated ministries, and ordained ministers not currently employed in ministry — who wish to pursue a project of the ongoing life of the church and practice of ministry are eligible to apply.

Click here for more information on how to apply.

Stewardship of Wellbeing 2

2010-05-14T10:42:00.002-05:00

Life naturally comes with different learning experiences that vary from heartwarming to heartbreak; simple to complex. Whichever the experience, how we learn from and cope with each lesson is what will determine our character and ultimately our relationship with God.

One way to help cope is to deal with the stressors in your life. Face it.

Here is a great link to an article by the Mayo clinic on “Stress: Win Control Over the Stress in Your Life”.

Take the time to go to the stress assessment link (located to the left of the article).

A good prayer also helps.

Try the Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

Stewardship of Well Being

2010-04-26T13:26:00.001-05:00

As part of living a healthy lifestyle, we encourage you to visit the Fitness, Nutrition and Healthy Eating, and Stress Management links at the Mayo Clinic website. There you will find a wealth of information to help you take a more proactive approach to staying healthy.

Take a few minutes to fill out the free personalized health guidance for you and your family (located at the left hand side of the website at the Get Started icon).

For the Mayo Clinic Healthy Lifestyle site click here.

The Spirituality of Fund Raising

2010-04-16T15:32:00.002-05:00

by Henri J. M. Nouwen

“Fund raising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick, or feeding the hungry.”

“It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission.”

INCLUDES:
• Proclamation
• Invitation
• Conversion

Proclamation and Invitation – Standing up in asking without apology.

Proclaiming what we believe so that we offer people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission.

Donors are then able to participate in a new communion with others.

They Become part of a larger spiritual vision and fruitfulness.

Conversion – Fund Raising is always a call to conversion – all called into a new, more spiritual relationship with needs and resources.

In fund raising as ministry we are inviting people into a new way of relating to their resources.

To be converted means to experience a deep shift in how we see and think and act.

– “Be transformed by the renewing of your minds…”

“The converted person sees, hears, and understands
with a divine eye, a divine ear, a divine heart.”

Fund-raising is always a call to conversion…Whether we are asking or giving –We are drawn together by God.

THINK OF A TIME YOU MADE A GIFT…What gift have you given that you have felt the best about…or you think made the largest impact in your own life.

Conversion – Are we willing to be converted from our fear of asking, our anxiety about feeling humiliated, or depression when someone says “no.”

When we have gained the freedom to ask without fear, to love fund-raising as a form of ministry, then fund-raising will be good for our spiritual life.

VISION – ASKING
Invitation to community

Express our vision – exciting and amazing
We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources God has given you – your energy, prayers, money- to this work which God has called us.
It is a clear and confident invitation.

(Sometimes we don’t ask because we make the donor’s decision before ever talking to them.)

“I ask for money standing up, not bowing down because I believe in what I am about. I believe that I have something important to offer.”

If this confident approach and invitation are lacking then we are disconnected from our vision and have lost the direction of our mission.

We don’t want a transaction – we want a connection to our donors. We want to create a real connection. We want to ask them to come and be with us…to give them the opportunity to participate in the spirit of what we are about.

Those who need money and those who can give money meet on the common ground of God’s love.

2. Cor. 9:8 – and God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”

The Spirituality of Fund Raising- from Workshop & Plenary Materials of the Stewardship Kaleidoscope.

Youth Leader Scholarship

2010-04-08T10:11:00.002-05:00

Do Something has teamed up with Six Flags Friends to award college scholarships to young leaders who are taking action to make their community (local and/or globally) a better place.

Scholarships will be awarded based on past, current, and planned action in the community as well as the applicant's passion, commitment, and proven leadership skills.

The applicant must be 25 years of age or younger, and a U.S. or Canadian citizen. A recommendation from a non-family member is required for application.

Six scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded.

Click here for RFP

Stewardship Kaleidoscope

2010-03-24T16:41:00.002-05:00

The Stewardship Kaleidoscope conference in Indianapolis last week was a great success. There were over 300 in attendance. Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy again had a strong showing this year.

Many of the stewardship materials are available on-line by going to Stewardship Kaleidoscope site (click here).

Please take the time to review the materials.

Resource News

2010-03-09T15:00:00.002-06:00

March 25 (12 spaces left) 1-3 pm.

Using Foundation Directory Online Professional/Grantseeking Basics for Nonprofits.

Learn what you need to have ready before you seek a grant and techniques and tips for searching with the new features on this Foundation Center database of the giving profiles for more than 92,000 foundation and corporate giving programs to find funding for your nonprofit's needs.

SLPL Gates Computer Lab, 1415 Olive, St. Louis MO.

Free.

To register contact:
Kimberley Parks, MA, MLS
St. Louis Public Library
314/539-0357

Stewardship 2010

2010-03-01T09:44:00.004-06:00

Here is an article from Mickie Moore, Stewardship Action Team from Westminster Presbyterian Church, Belleville, IL.

TAX SEASON, the perfect time to review 2009 and discover what we need to render to the U.S. Treasury! It is also a good time to review what we rendered to God in 2009.

God loves a cheerful giver! Where did we joyfully return to God a portion of our time and monetary blessings in 2009?

Look at the pattern of giving: church, charities, non-profits, local and overseas. Where have we touched “the least” of humankind? (for it is there we touched God.)

In review are there surprise blessings like the ability to get the bills paid without late payment fees? Are there challenges like health difficulties, loss of income? Within those challenges are there any hidden blessings such as opportunities for others to extend kindness to us? Are there places where there is evidence of the hand of God intervening?

Now focus attention on 2010. Where is God directing us? Are there places money or time may be spent, directions our hearts tug us?

God wants a cheerful giver. If there is anxiety or frustration over any decisions, maybe God is not in that process. Review the options and listen quietly for new options. Pray. Pray without ceasing.
God will guide us to what pleases God.

It is awesome when God smiles!

Reminder

2010-02-23T11:14:00.001-06:00

Stewardship for Everyone workshop is this weekend.

Send in registration or sign up at the door.

Click here for details.

Resource News

2010-02-16T10:55:00.003-06:00

"The Neighborhood Excellence Initiative is accepting applications/nominations for the following programs :

Neighborhood Builders: Provides $200,000 in core operating support and leadership training over two years to two nonprofit organizations working in each eligible community to promote vibrant neighborhoods. Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating in an applicable Bank of America community is eligible for a grant under the foundation's guidelines.

Local Heroes: Recognizes and honors five heroes per year in each of the selected communities whose achievements and leadership on local issues contribute significantly to neighborhood vitality. Recipients will each be able to direct a $5,000 contribution to an eligible nonprofit."

Grant deadline: June 1, 2010.

For RFP click here.

Stewardship For Everyone Workshop

2010-02-03T09:49:00.003-06:00

A stewardship event specially designed for small churches. Rev. David Crittenden, Co-Executive from Synod of Lincoln Trails is the Key note speaker. This workshop will be held in two locations.

Saturday, February 27, 2010- Noon - 3 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church,1419 N. 17th St., Belleville IL 62226 (includes a light lunch).

Sunday, February 28, 2010- 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Hillside Presbyterian Church, 4848 Highway 30, House Springs, MO 63051 (includes refreshments).

Bring as many participants for only $15 per congregation.

To register:

Send the name of your church, city, number of participants, and check to
The Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy 2236 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis MO 63110. Attn: Stewardship Network

Resource News

2010-02-01T14:03:00.002-06:00

Women & their Philanthropy Workshop - Feb. 11, 2010 at 3-5 pm:

Central Library Mtg Rm. 1 -- Learn how to attract women donors to your nonprofit and more about Giving Circles in particular. Marilyn Sheperd from Fontbonne University will lead the discussion. Cosponsored by AFP St. Louis.

Contact: Kimberley Parks, M.A., M.L.S.

Grants & Foundation Center Supervisor
St. Louis Public Library
1301 Olive St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
T: 314-539-0357

Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference

2010-01-29T16:17:00.002-06:00

There will be 28 different workshops to choose from and several keynote presentations and worship.

The conference this year is in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 15 - 17, 2010.

Conference registration fee is $175 before March 1st. $190 after March 1.

Visit www.stewardshipkaleidoscope.org for more information.

A New Year Prayer

2010-01-14T10:39:00.000-06:00

May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
and by making you anxious to be there to help.
God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.

Resource News

2009-12-16T13:57:00.002-06:00

From the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation:

Westminster John Knox Press: Study Guides-view here

The Thoughtful Christian: Free Study Tools- view here

Year-Round Stewardship

2009-12-08T15:46:00.003-06:00

A year-round stewardship involves putting your faith into action thru Stewardship Education, Mission Interpretation and Financial Stewardship.

If your congregation is interested in putting together a year-round plan, start by clicking here to find out more about these components.

Resource News

2009-12-01T13:47:00.002-06:00

The Louisville Institute offers grants programs for the following: Pastors, Younger Scholars and Researchers.

Up coming grants:

First Book Grant for Minority Scholars due January 15th.

and Dissertation Fellowship due February 1.

For more information on the grant programs click here:
The Louisville Institute Grant Programs

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-19T14:56:00.004-06:00

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day
We bow our hearts to You and pray.
We give You thanks for all You've done
Especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son.
For beauty in nature, Your glory we see
For joy and health, friends and family,
For daily provision, Your mercy and care
These are the blessings You graciously share.
So today we offer this response of praise
With a promise to follow You all of our days.
--Mary Fairchild

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6

"Making Small Work"

2009-11-10T15:52:00.002-06:00

Find out about the congregation that is making small work by "offering a powerful, New Testament–based model for cultivating 21st-century disciples".

click here for the whole story:
Making Small Work-from Presbyterians Today.

Follow-up to What Works

2009-10-26T14:03:00.001-05:00

In a recent article published in the Alban Institute, author Dan Hotchkiss reflects upon the complexities of stewardship, the meaning behind these issues, and the need to have “fierce, honest conversation” with the congregation and its leaders.

In summary, by addressing the real challenges of stewardship, you may find a process that will work with your congregation.

Click here for the article: Stewardship and Simple Thinking.

What Works

2009-10-16T15:22:00.002-05:00

As your congregation plan for the New Year, take the time to do some research on what works.

If it has not worked for you in the past, it probably will not work for the future.

Here are links to some popular stewardship topics (resources from the Big Tent Conference earlier this year):

Annual Campaigns that Works

Understanding the Generations, Especially the Gen Xers

Let's Talk Pinching Pennies

2009-10-15T10:17:00.002-05:00

We came across an interesting article in the AARP Magazine regarding saving ideas.

Check this article out by clicking here: 50 Thrifty Ideas.

Resource News

2009-10-06T08:59:00.002-05:00

Attention, Nonprofits: You were awarded the grant! Now what?

Grant Management Basics
Wednesday, October 28 n 3-5 p.m.
Central Library n Meeting Room 1
1301 Olive Street • STL, MO 63103-2325

Dan Sise, instructor and community engagement associate at the Nonprofit
Management & Leadership (NPML) program at the University of Missouri –
St. Louis, discusses common issues encountered when using grant funds.

Topics include:
• The grant agreement as contract
• Disbursement processes and issues
• Reporting requirements
• Managing deadlines

The event is FREE, but pre-registration is required.
To register or for details, call 314-539-0357.

Resource News

2009-09-23T11:51:00.002-05:00

Weds., Sept. 30, Understanding Nonprofit Boards and Connecting with Leaders Who Want to Serve, 4-5:30 pm, Central Library, Mtg. Rm. 1. Amy Ondr, director of BoarkLinkStL, will describe the unique roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards, discuss the challenges facing recruitment and show how to use the BoardLinkStL online matching tool. Cosponsored by BoardLinkSTL and the G&FC.

Thurs, Oct. 15, Using Foundation Directory Online Professional -- Basics for Nonprofits. 1-3 pm, Gates Computer Lab, 1415 Olive, St. Louis MO: Learn techniques and tips for searching this Foundation Center database of the giving profiles for more than 98,000 foundation and corporate giving programs to find funding for your nonprofit's needs. The session includes an orientation to the Foundation Center and its G&FC Cooperating Collection free resources. Enrollment limited to 21.

Workshops are free. Seating may be limited.

For reservations contact:

Kimberley Parks, MA, MLS
Humanities/Social Sciences Librarian
Grants & Foundation Center
St. Louis Public Library
314/539-0357

2009 Stewardship Theme Materials

2009-09-16T15:44:00.002-05:00

2009 Giving Magazine is available free on the Prebyterian Church (U.S.A.) website.

This year's theme is “New Love: New Mercy”.

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."

— Lamentations 3:21-24

Click here for the link.

Resource News

2009-08-28T16:36:00.001-05:00

Louisville Institute is offering a grant for up to $15,000 to pastoral leaders for pastoral study. The grant is for the “thoughtful study and inquiry on issues related to Christian life, religious institutions, and ministry”.

For more information click here.

For the RFP click here.

Thank You

2009-08-24T11:09:00.001-05:00

Thank you to all the participants of the 21st Century Giving: New Beginnings for helping to make the stewardship conference this past Saturday at Ladue Chapel so successful. Special thanks to Reverend J. Shannon Webster for his inspirational sermons and workshop.

Let’s Talk About How Stewardship Works

2009-08-05T10:20:00.002-05:00

The application of putting stewardship ideas to work is often confusing and misapplied. One of the best explanations on how to apply stewardship concepts comes from an article in the Entrepreneur. It states, “Stewardship is an ethical responsibility, the requirement and expectation that a nonprofit is accountable for careful, effective use of contributions for the purposes for which they were given. It is an end unto itself, regardless of whether the donor ever makes another gift to the organization.” The focus is directed at managing resources or the gift, not the giver.

One of the biggest mistakes in stewardship management is to assume that stewardship is about donor cultivation. The only role stewardship plays in donor relations is in the communication to the donors about how well resources were managed and how it has impacted mission.

If the task at hand is to raise funds then the organization should set up fundraising and donor relation programs, specifically designed for these purposes. The purpose of stewardship is to find the most efficient ways to manage resources for the greater good.

“Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 1 Cor. 4:1

For more go to:

Article

Save the Planet

2009-07-22T15:27:00.002-05:00

From Enough for Everyone , everyday is Earth Day.

Presbyterian churches and families around the country are making a difference in the world by their efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. By making simple changes in their lifestyles, such as changing their light bulbs, carpooling to church and buying more local foods, they are reducing the greenhouse gas emissions and leaving a smaller footprint on God’s Creation.

For more saving the planet ideas go to Enough for Everyone or Animals Save the Planet

A Prayer for Sharing

2009-07-15T14:00:00.005-05:00

According to the recent BBC news reports, world hunger has hit ‘one billion’.

Amid this world hunger crisis, we would like to offer a prayer for sharing.

O Lord, God of life,
who cares for all creation, give us your peace.
May our security not come from arms, but from respect,
May our force not be of violence, but of love.
May our wealth not be in money, but in sharing.
May our path not be of ambition, but of justice.
May our victory not be from vengeance, but in forgiveness.
Open and confident, we want to defend the dignity of all creation,
sharing, today and forever, the bread of solidarity and peace.
In the name of Jesus, your holy son, our brother,
who, as victim of our violence, even from the heights of the cross
gave us all forgiveness.
Amen

— Joe Seramane, South Africa, from Lifelines, Christian Aid, 1987

This prayer is from an ecumenical conference, calling for an end to poverty as the first step on the path to peace through justice.

For more information click on the following:

BBC New Report on Hunger
PC USA-Food Crisis

Stewardship Conference

2009-07-13T15:29:00.006-05:00

Go to the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy to down load registration information.

Resource News

2009-06-29T10:05:00.002-05:00

A workshop on "How to Approach a Foundation: From Initial Contact to Getting Funded" will be held at the St. Louis Public Library's Central building in Mtg. Rm. 1 from 10 a.m to 11 a.m. on Wed. July 8th.

This session is designed for nonprofit leaders, staff and volunteers. The focus will be on how to initiate contact with potential funders, plan calls and meetings, prepare for site visits and build partnerships with donors.

David Holmes, the Foundation Center's regional training director, will lead this workshop.

Contact: Kimberley Parks, MA, MLS Humanities/Social Sciences Librarian, at the St. Louis Public Library 314-539-0357.

Free.

Stewardship Is:

2009-06-22T10:45:00.003-05:00

about making choices;
faith rising;
disciple making;
about being faithful disciples, caring for and managing all God has given us;
the commitment of time, abilities, and gifts;
a trust from God, for the benefit of all people;
treasure management that is spiritually focused on God;
and the grateful response to Christ’s redeeming love.

From the Stewardship Commitment page of the Hudson River Presbytery.

Resource News

2009-06-10T16:56:00.001-05:00

The Center for Faith-Based & Community Initiatives operates under the Department of Labor. Its mission is “to empower faith-based and community organizations (FBCO) as these organizations help their neighbors enter, succeed and thrive in the workforce.”

Under the faith-based and community initiatives, your organization may qualify for a multitude of federal grants. It may be worth your time to research what grants are available to your organization.

To find out more, click here.

Coming Soon- 21st Century Giving: A New Beginning

2009-06-02T14:39:00.000-05:00

This stewardship conference will be held at Ladue Chapel in St. Louis on August 22nd, 2009.

Nationally recognized speakers, Shannon Webster and Karl Travis, will speak and present workshops.

Save August 22nd, 2009 on your calendar.

More information will follow soon.

What Does Stewardship Mean to You?

2009-05-29T15:14:00.007-05:00

Stewardship as defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary is “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care”. When applied to the stewardship of the church, it simply means to manage God’s resources in a faithful manner. From James 1:17, “17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” And from 1 Corinthians 4: 1-2, “ 1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

By recognizing that all resources belong to God, managing of said resources should be a relatively productive task. Yet when put into practice, congregational budget-makers are seldom satisfied with the results. It seems that members often divide into two camps; each camp approaching this task in vastly different ways. In the Alban Institute an article by Dan Hotchkiss, he describes the struggle of these two camps and suggests setting up a budget process that can help narrow the divide between these groups. He writes, since “we can’t change human nature, we can at least stop setting up the budget process to bring out the worst in us”.

Click here for the article.

What does it mean to you?

Resource News

2009-05-07T09:20:00.000-05:00

How to Search for Grants:

June 9 1-3pm Using Foundation Directory Online Professional-Basics for Nonprofits, SLPL Gates Computer lab, 1415 Olive St. St. Louis MO: As a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection we offer this regular session about how to effectively search this Foundation Center database containing the giver profiles for more than 92,000 foundation and corporate giving programs.

The class includes an overview of other resources for nonprofits available at the Foundation Center and at Central Library's Grants & Foundation Center.

Please sign up early. Enrollment is limited to 21 persons.

Free.

Contact: Kimberley Parks, MA, MLS Humanities/Social Sciences Librarian Grants & Foundation Center St. Louis Public Library 314/539-0357

Helping Themselves

2009-04-26T13:30:00.002-05:00

“The uncertain economy has made many donors more focused in their giving, so it is critical for organizations to strengthen connections with current donors. When the New York division of Covenant House saw donations through its direct-mail campaign decline 20 percent in 2008 from 2007, it shored up relationships by enlisting and training some of the homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth it serves to call past donors, thank them for their gifts, and explain the impact the donations had made on their lives. After receiving a call, a donor typically increased a gift by 50 percent from the year before, said Jerome Kilbane, the organization's executive director.” –From the Philanthropy News Digest.

For more click here.

Let's Talk Finding Money

2009-04-07T11:34:00.005-05:00

As resources dwindle, knowing where to find money becomes more important. These days, the impact of a bad economy is felt everywhere, including in the church.

Some churches are experiencing steep shortfalls and have little or no mechanisms in place to cope with these deficits. The first instinct is to make cuts to normalize these losses. But to make budget cuts based upon fear and instinct do not bode well for the future of the church. Do the leaders that are making the cuts understand the consequences of these cuts?

Before taking drastic measures, take the time to prioritize what is most important to the missions of the church. Then seek out those with gifts in areas of finance and stewardship for assistance with this process.

Point of fact, stewardship should be emphasized even more. For these are the people that can help the church find the money needed. See “Tips for Good Stewardship” in this blog for more information. Once you have the stewardship team in place, you will have one key piece of the mechanism needed to finding the money.

Another piece is to write grants. There are grants out there for churches from pastor renewal to capital campaigns to general operating support. Here is a good resource link for finding these grants: http://foundationcenter.org/. Or just take the class, “How to Search for Grants”, posted earlier in this blog.

And for the stressed out parents with coleege bound children, here is a good article with links to college scholarship sites to help you find money for college: Finding college money .

Resource News

2009-03-20T15:53:00.003-05:00

How to Search for Grants (includes non-profit/church grants):

April 8 1-3pm, Using Foundation Directory Online Professional-Basics for Nonprofits, SLPL Gates Computer lab, 1415 Olive St. St. Louis MO: As a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection we offer this regular session about how to effectively search this Foundation Center database containing the giver profiles for more than 92,000 foundation and corporate giving programs.

The class includes an overview of other resources for nonprofits available at the Foundation Center and at Central Library's Grants & Foundation Center.

Please sign up early. Enrollment is limited to 21 persons.

Free.

Contact: Kimberley Parks, MA, MLS Humanities/Social Sciences Librarian Grants & Foundation Center St. Louis Public Library 314/539-0357

Tips for Good Stewardship:

2009-03-20T13:54:00.004-05:00

-
From the Peer Network: Good Stewardship Addresses Hopes and Fears (click on the title to go to page)
-

Resource News

2009-03-05T16:53:00.001-06:00

There is a one hour web seminar on grant writing from the Alban Institute-March 19th, 2009.

The cost is $49.

Click here for more information.

Let's Talk Cents

2009-03-05T13:45:00.002-06:00

As the stock market hits new lows, is there such a concept as panicking intelligently?

Liz Ann Sonders, chief investment strategist for Charles Schwab, discusses this concept and others at Tech Ticker.

Click here for her comments.

The Little Church that Could

2009-02-18T12:38:00.003-06:00

Ours is a small congregation of 82 members, but since three-fourths of the churches in Giddings Lovejoy Presbytery also qualify as small churches, some of you may be interested in what worked for us.

First, a little background information. We are a fifty-year-old middle-class, aging congregation in an equally aging, mostly residential community. Much of our energy is directed toward neighborhood renewal and involvement, including tutoring in our local school, after-school classes and special interest groups, an eight-week summer day camp, and an active youth group whose membership reaches beyond the small number of young people from our membership.

Our members are amazing. If we kept time cards, we would all be astounded at the number of hours each week that people volunteer. We have a custodian just five hours a week which barely covers maintaining the bathrooms and a weekly vacuuming. These folks love their church and give their time and talents generously. But the sad truth is that we are all getting older, and we are not growing. In 2008 we shrunk from 92 to 82 members through death, dismissal, and a cleansing of the rolls. Last year we did not meet our budget goals, and with the declining economy things did not bode well for 2009.

Last March my husband and I attended the Presbyterian Stewardship Conference which was held in Dallas. We came home excited by all the inspirational and just plain helpful information we had gathered, and before the euphoria faded we found that we had volunteered to lead the 2009 stewardship campaign in our local church. I won’t bore you with all the details, but here’s a brief outline of what we did:

1. We started early in the summer. One of the ideas we brought home was to consider an earlier and shorter time frame than the traditional Oct.-Nov. six week long campaign.
We decided to make a three-week presentation, as follows.

Week 1: Acknowledge that times are bad and many of us are hurting financially. Recognize that this congregation loves this church and that we all want to be generous givers. We will offer suggestions next week on ways to increase our giving rather painlessly. Preview what will be happening each week.

Week 2: Step-up charts of giving to be included in the weekly bulletin and handed out as people arrive. Presentation on ways to increase our pledge without breaking the family budget. Example: When you eat out, order water once a week instead of your usual drink. This frees up $2.50 or more per person and that adds up to $10 a month to add to your pledge-- $40 or more for a family of 4!

Week 3: Dedication Sunday. Following the stewardship sermon, pass out the pledge cards and provide an interlude of music while they are filled out. No cards will be mailed out ahead of time (to save money we said), and the congregation was told on week 1 that if they were unable to be present on this day, we would call on them during the week following to receive their pledge. Ask that all pledges be received by next Sunday, so the session could get to work quickly on the 2009 budget.

On Sunday night of week 3 the church treasurer provided us with the names of members who pledged last year but had not pledged so far this year. There were 12. We wrote a personal letter to each, enclosing a pledge card in a church-addressed return envelope, and explaining that we needed all pledges returned in time for our Dedication Luncheon celebration the following Sunday. We also said that we would call them later in the week and arrange for a time to call on them and pick up their pledge. (That got their attention!)

When we made the follow-up phone calls, every one of the twelve told us that they had either mailed their pledge already, or they were coming to church Sunday and would bring it then! And they did!

We met with the session three times during the months preceding the campaign. We walked them through everything we planned to say and do, and asked for their input. They became committed to the plan and were very supportive. We also asked for a session member to come with us when we made the home visits. There was a long silence and finally the newest, youngest member said, “Oh heck, I can do it.” He was a very happy young man when he learned that we didn’t have any calls to make, but he was willing!

What happened? God provided, in ways we never dreamed of. Although we now have 10% fewer members that the year before, the pledges increased almost 6%. Thanks be to God!

We are still excited about stewardship, and we’re heading back to the Stewardship Conference in March. It’s in Kansas City this year, and you really should take advantage!

We’ll be happy to “talk stewardship” with any of you who would like more information, or who are interested in sharing ideas.

The Stewardship Junkies,
Bob and Sherry Landes
e-mail: sherrylandes@sbcglobal.net

Stewardship Conference

2009-01-22T13:55:00.002-06:00

Clergy, elders, deacons, stewardship chairs - anyone interested in learning more about stewardship in the church: take advantagte of a wonderful opportunity to learn more, to be challenged, and to network with others who are also learning, exploring, and interested in areas of stewardship in congregations and presbyteries Register for the "Stewardship Kaleidoscope" conference scheduled for March 9-11, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery is offering some scholarships for those who are interested in attending and need financial help in order to do so. We are also offering transportation since it is close enough for us to go by van/church bus.

The conference begins at 3 pm on Monday afternoon and ends following lunch on Wednesday, which will allow us to drive up on Monday morning and return to St.Louis Wednesday evening.

Past conferences have been full of information and resources that those who attended have found to be helpful in planning their congregation's stewardship focus for the year. The registration forms and the complete brochure can be accessed through the presbytery website: www.glpby.org .

For questions regarding scholarships and/or transportation contact me at alpitman@fidnet.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

Ann L. Pitman, moderator Stewardship Network

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

2009-01-21T13:14:00.002-06:00

Hail to the Chief!

President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Speech

President George W. Bush’s Farewell Speech

For more information on President Barack Obama, click here.

For more information on President George W. Bush, click here.

Resource News

2009-01-15T09:59:00.002-06:00

For Clergy in need of renewal:

The National Clergy Renewal Program is awarding grants to Christian congregations for the support of a renewal program for their clergy. Up to $50,000 will be awarded per grant and $15,000 of that grant award may be applied to congregational support during the absence of the pastor.

To be eligible, ministers must be ordained and have earned a master of divinity degree from a theological seminary or divinity school accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

Though the deadline is not until May 14th 2009, please begin this process early.

For the details and links to the application, click here.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-12T11:04:00.002-06:00

May the New Year bring you blessings of love, hope, peace, and joy +

It does not matter the type of challenges a new year brings; remember that “optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”--Helen Keller

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called." 1 Timothy 6:12

For the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling, click here.

The Promise, The Light

2008-12-19T15:58:00.001-06:00

“The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.” – from “The Gift of the Magi” by O Henry.

In the midst of the many gifts to be opened this season, I hope you will take the time to reflect on and respond to the great gift God gave us in the Babe, for He is the Promise and the Light.

May the Light of Christmas bless you and yours with love, hope, peace, and joy.

And let this be your prayer:
The Prayer (click on the title)
Lyrics (you will have to page down to middle of webpage)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Songs

2008-12-18T15:02:00.002-06:00

Favorite Christmas songs from friends and staff of the Presbytery:
(Click on the song title to hear the song)

Away in a Manger
The First Noel
Joy to the World
In the Bleak Midwinter
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Once in Royal David’s City
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O Holy Night
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Still, Still, Still
Twelve Days

Enjoy!

Resource News

2008-12-15T10:43:00.002-06:00

Nomination Period Opens for Purpose Prize

The Purpose Prize provides five awards of $100,000 each to people over 60 who are working to address society's biggest challenges.

To be eligible for the prize, the nominee must be at least 60 years old (by the deadline of March 5, 2009) and be a legal resident of the United States (including U.S. territories). Nominees should have initiated important innovations as part of an encore career, and should be currently working in a leadership capacity in an organization or institution (public, private, nonprofit, or for-profit) to address a major social problem in the U.S. or abroad.

Individuals working in faith-based service organizations that have a broader social mission are eligible and encouraged to apply, but the purpose of their project cannot be strictly religious or sectarian.

For the Request For Proposal click on the following link:
http://www.purposeprize.org/nominate/nomination_begin.cfm

It’s A Wonderful Life

2008-12-11T10:35:00.001-06:00

Sometimes life imitates art. “It’s A Wonderful Life”, the movie is a great reminder of how to celebrate life and Christmas in good times and bad. This movie and the short story, “The Gift of the Magi “ by O. Henry set the tone for the Christmas season.

So if you find yourself lacking Christmas spirit, don’t despair; try harder. Look and you will find what Christmas is all about.

For a clip from “It’s a Wonderful Life”, click on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErrzjGCi3gY

Jesus is the Reason

2008-12-05T10:29:00.003-06:00

Jesus is the reason for the Season.

Let us prepare and rejoice for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gracious Time
by William Shakespeare

Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
The bird of dawning singeth all night long:
And then, they say, no spirit date stir abroad;
The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.

For preparation ideas, please go to the following links.
http://www.pcusa.org/advent/pdf/dailyreadingsadvent2008.pdf
http://www.pcusa.org/advent/celebrate.htm

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-21T09:29:00.003-06:00

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Learn more about Ralph Waldo Emerson and his connection with Elijah Parish Lovejoy at Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Waldo_Emerson under Lifestyle and beliefs.

Resource News

2008-11-19T15:51:00.004-06:00

From the downtown Public Library Grants & Foundations Center:
New Programs Coming Up

Thurs., Dec. 11, 1-4 pm, Grantseeking Basics for Nonprofits/Orientation to the G&FC, Central Library West --Gates Computer Lab, 1415 Olive. St. Includes: What you need to have in place before you seek a grant; how world of philanthropy works, how to find funding partners for your nonprofit, what resources are available through the Foundation Center at the G&FC. This will be the last Grantseeking Basics 3-hour session we will offer for a while. Sign up required. Seating is limited.

New Books on our Shelves:

Giving--the Sacred Art--Creating a Lifestyle of Generosity by Lauren Taylor Wright, Skylight Paths Pub., 2008, discusses variety of purposes for charitable giving, includes worksheets for developing individual generosity.

Contact: Kimberley Parks, MA, MLS Humanities/Social Sciences Librarian Grants & Foundation Center St. Louis Public Library 314/539-0357 for more information.

Let's Talk Cents

2008-11-12T09:29:00.001-06:00

There is no way to perfectly time the stock market. It is not possible.

During times of extreme market flux, the prudent approach is to find the market strategy that is right for your risk tolerance and circumstance. Look to experts, such as Warren Buffett that have proven their mettle in the past to help guide you. (See Oct. 16th, 2008 blog).