|
Presbytery of Blackhawk
CONNECTIONS
| |
It's not too early to think about Employer Agreements
The time to review Employer Agreements for 2026 benefits is Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, through Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. During this period, employer representatives can log in to Benefits Connect to review benefits selections and pricing for 2026. Here is a link to the webpage.
Join a webinar for help with your Employer Agreement
Need help with your Employer Agreement? The Your 2026 Employer Agreement: Tools and Resources for Success webinar is designed to support employer representatives who will complete and submit their 2026 Employer Agreement in Benefits Connect. Join Board staff from 2-3 p.m. ET on one of the following dates for practical guidance, step-by-step instructions, and live demonstrations:
- Tuesday, Sept. 2
- Tuesday, Sept. 16
- Thursday, Sept. 25
See the above link for details.
| | Opportunity to visit Kenya in 2026 | | Applications (download application here) are now being accepted for the Blackhawk-Imenti Partnership Trip on September 22 through October 5, 2026. While in Kenya, we will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the partnership between our presbytery and the three Imenti presbyteries. The purpose of our trip will be to strengthen and grow our partnership. We also hope to inspire more church to parish partnerships built on the relationships built between our travelers and our hosts. While we are in the country, we will work together on a Memorandum of Understanding that will chart our path into the future. Finally, we will make time to go on safari to marvel at God’s beautiful creation! The application includes answers to most frequently asked questions. If you have further questions, please direct them to Pastor Claire Brennecka (clairebrennecka3@gmail.com) or Pastor Laurie Walker (laurelawalker@gmail.com). | | | | |
Ye Olde English Faire
October 4-5th, 2025
Live Renaissance Performances
Medieval Artisans
Castle "Open House"
Handcrafted Vendors
Cosplay
Royal Beer Garden
Royal Food Court
Food Trucks
Caterers
Stronghold Castle
1922 IL Route 2
Oregon, IL
| | | Peace & Global Witness Offering | | Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Through the Peace & Global Witness Offering, congregations are encouraged and equipped to find and address the anxiety and discord that is prevalent throughout this broken and sinful world. This offering takes place September 7, 2025 - October 5, 2025. | | | | | |
Cheyanna Losey is helping some of her colleagues rehome their libraries. If you would like any of these books, you may contact her at cheyannalosey@gmail.com. She will help you arrange pick-up. Let's find these books a new home! Here is a list of books that she has.
| | | NEXT CHURCH NATIONAL GATHERING | |
Pathways
Each gathering participant will register for one of the five pathways intentionally curated to provide unique ways to explore the issues leaders are facing right now. Pathways are led by a leader with an expertise in their content area and accompanied by coaches who will help participants unpack what they are learning, invite insight about what it means for personal leadership and action, and move towards application in their particular context.
Pathways will meet for six sessions over the course of the gathering. Some pathways plan to meet off-site for either Session 2 or 4. Read the descriptions closely for those details.
There are five great pathways. Which path will you take?
Community Organizing
Building Movements for a more just world
More than Good Intentions
Aligning your Mission Ministries for Impact
Leading through Communal Trauma
Proclamation and Public Ministry amid Traumatic Overwhelm
Art as Resistance
An awakened imagination is the most dangerous thing to the empire
Cultivating Community
Cultivating Communities of Resistance in the face of Evil
For more information, click on the link here.
| | 2025 Youth Triennium Recap | | |
After a six-year hiatus, forty-seven members of Blackhawk Presbytery boarded a bus and headed to Louisville, Kentucky to join 2,000 other Presbyterians in a week filled with fun, worship and friendships that revolved around the theme "As if we were dreaming...". Presbyterian youth and young adults gathered in person to dream about the future of the church — and their role in it.
| |  | |
Kindness.
Compassion.
Belonging
Acceptance.
These were the words expressed by teens as they gathered and dreamt about the future of the church.
Forty-one American states plus the territory of Puerto Rico were represented. International participants came from Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, South Korea and Mexico.
“My dream is for the church to provide more infrastructure in communities.” — Warren Kumilonde, 15
South Bend, Indiana
| | |
The Name - Blackhawk Presbytery
The name of the presbytery was first highlighted at the September 2022 Presbytery Assembly Meeting in the Visioning Task Force’s Report. The report stated, “The name ‘Blackhawk’ does not depict who we are or where we serve.” Subsequently the Land and Name Acknowledgement (LANA) team was formed in 2023 to research and study the origins of the name, “Blackhawk.” This led to the following:
- June 5, 2024-Field Trip to historical sites including Apple River Fort State Historical site.
-
September 17, 2024- “What’s in a Name” presentation on the history of the name at the Presbytery Assembly meeting.
-
May 13, 2025- “Allyship to Action” presentation by April Holder, a descendant of Black Hawk followed by specific questions about the naming tradition in the Sac tribe.
- July 10 & 22 and August 7 & 19, 2025 Season of Discernment zoom meetings attended by 45 members of the presbytery.
- July 8 and August 12, 2025 - Coffee in Your Corner open discussions.
-
August 2025, upon pastor request, four congregations were sent the first discernment activity and videos.
The Presbytery Council, having received reports of all of these activities, and recognizing the consensus of the discernment activity participants, has decided to place the following motion on the Presbytery Assembly Agenda on September 9, 2025, for a vote by ballot:
Based on the completed research and the consensus reached during the discernment activities, it be moved that the name of Blackhawk Presbytery be changed.
Rationale:
o In 1972 when the name was chosen, members of the presbytery were not cognizant of or considerate of the historical context or the cultural context of the name Blackhawk.
o In 2025, we as members now understand that Blackhawk is the name of a war during which men, women, and children were mercilessly slaughtered.
o In 2025, we understand the name Black Hawk is revered by the Sac tribe as holy.
o In 2025, we see it as a matter of social justice to give back the name that never truly belonged to our presbytery.
o In 2025, we seize on the opportunity to choose a new name that reflects who we are and who we will be.
o In 2025, with most of our materials in an electronic format, the cost of changing the name the name will be minimal.
If you missed out on the discernment activities, note that you are invited to:
· September 8, 2025-Workshop at Stronghold for a review of all prior activities.
· September 9, 2025-Presbytery Assembly lunchtime opportunity to ask questions.
· Request prior materials and videos from the presbytery office.
| |
September Ordination and Commission Anniversaries
Canessa Lagan - 2008
Catherine Martin - 2008
David Smazik - 1982
James Friedmeyer - 1981
John Rickard - 1978
Lewis Kidd - 1986
Karen Schlack - 2004
Karen Gerhard-Conner - 1985
James Breed - 1971
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
| |
Lord, hear our prayer....
Let the Holy Spirit guide us in this time of discernment as we determine whether or not to change the name of the Presbytery.
We thank you for the safe return of the 47 members that attended Triennium.
We pray for Patty, Eric Heinekamp's wife, as she recovers from a long-awaited hip surgery.
Lord, we lift up in prayer those children that were killed, those that were wounded, for parents and families and all those who are grieving from the unspeakable act that took place in Minnesota. Wrap your arms around them and let them know that nothing can separate us from you, Lord.
| | | |
Are you doing something new or interesting in your church from which others might learn?
You have a standing invitation to send us articles, pictures or information to share.
See how to send us large videos under Resources (above).
| | |
Solo Pastor: Installed
Ridgefield Crystal Lake
Solo Pastor: Installed
Westminster, Rockford
Solo Pastor; Installed
Waltham, Utica
Commissioned Ruling Elder
Fulton, Fulton
| | |
Solo Pastor: Installed
First, Fairbury
Commissioned Ruling Elder
First, Fairbury
Solo Pastor, Yoked Ministry
First, Mendota
Transitional/Interim Pastor
First, Rochelle
See the CLC for more info - anyone can do an opportunity search
| | | | | |
PER CAPITA
The per capita assessment for:
2025 is $44.00
Church payments are posted monthly on the website
| | |
|
Presbytery of Blackhawk
Our Vision and Values
Grounded in the biblical image for human community, as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we challenge and support congregations to be thriving faith communities by facilitating competent leadership and resourcing to energize ministry and mission.
As Christians, guided by the principles of love, trust, open communication, and genuine relationships, we value each other as sisters and brothers in faith in all our varied theological understandings. Therefore, we relish respectful discussions of differing opinions as a necessary part of discerning the will of God.
| |
| | | |
