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Presbytery of Blackhawk
CONNECTIONS
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CONSIDERING THE NAME
OF THE PRESBYTERY
Announcing a Season of Discernment
Following the recommendation from the Land and Name Acknowledgement Task Team (LANA) to the May 13 Presbytery Assembly, the members of Blackhawk Presbytery have entered into a “Season of Discernment” to consider the name of our Presbytery.
The LANA team has been at work since the fall of 2023 - seeking knowledge and awareness of the pre-colonial history of the land encompassed by the presbytery, and of the past and present significance of the person whose name we have been using, the Sac leader, Black Hawk. Resources are available on the LANA page of the Presbytery’s website, (blackhawkpresbytery.org/land-and-name-acknowledgement/). They include a guide to indigenous sites to visit in Illinois and a presentation, “What’s in a Name?” highlighting the history of this land and it’s people. Knowledge and awareness brings us to the challenge of taking action to recognize and repair past injustice.
Believing that any action should come out of relationship, the LANA group introduced April Holder, member of Black Hawk’s tribe, the Sac and Fox Nation at the May Assembly meeting. She is a seventh generation descendant of Black Hawk and shared the impact Black Hawk’s legacy still holds with his people today. Her gracious message to us stressed the particular importance of forming allyships with marginalized people and then taking action to support each other and elevate all voices. Most impactful was her emotional sharing of her native name, the names of her ancestors and the immense spiritual gravity inherent in the practice and traditions of naming in her community.
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It is from this point that we invite you to join us as we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in discerning a path forward. A flyer (below) outlines a variety of opportunities to learn, hear all voices, and discern.
Below are opportunities in hopes you will join us in conversation about this topic:
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July 8 - Coffee in Your Corner at Tailored Brews - Savanna
1811 Chicago Avenue
- July 10 - 7:00 pm by Zoom
(link here) - Allyship Part 1
- July 22 - 2:00 pm by Zoom
(link here) - Allyship Part 1
- August 7 - 7:00 pm by Zoom
(link here) - Discussion Part 2
- August 12 - Coffee in Your Corner at Shawn's Coffee - Sycamore
204 Somonauk St.
- August 19 - 2:00 pm by Zoom
(link here) - Discussion Part 2
The zoom meetings in July will be of the same context (Part 1) so you do not need to attend both. The same goes with the August zoom meetings, they will be of the same context (Part 2) You are more than welcome to attend all of them.
A flyer is available to hand out to all who are interested. We want to have everyone's input on this topic.
There is also a bulletin insert here for those that want to include it in their church bulletins which is a duplicate of what is written in the first column.
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Coffee in Your Corner
July 8, 2025
10:00 am
Tailored Brews
1811 Chicago Avenue
Savanna, IL
Come see us!
We want to connect with you...
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Important Alert:
Potential Scam Involving Church Directories
We’ve been made aware of emails circulating that request your church directory. Please do not share this information with anyone unless you are certain of their identity. Be sure to verify the sender’s email address carefully—scammers often impersonate trusted contacts.
If they obtain your directory, they may send fraudulent emails or texts to individuals listed, asking for money or requesting the purchase of gift cards. Stay alert and protect your church community from these scams.
| | | Presbyterian Women Synod of Lincoln Trails Gathering | |
SOLT Gathering - July 11 & 12
Please note:
The SOLT Gathering has been cancelled.
| | | Mission and Community Outreach | |
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Mission and Community Outreach Commission
Westminster Presbyterian Church, DeKalb
Pastor Molly Morris and volunteer, Victoria Young help distribute diapers at the Westminster Food Bank
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Westminster Presbyterian Church is located in the Annie Glidden North neighborhood in DeKalb, an area with a high percentage of economically challenged and marginalized residents. In addition, this neighborhood constitutes a ‘food desert’ with little or no easy access to healthy food choices or affordable fresh produce and dairy products. To address this need, Westminster has partnered with Food For Good (formerly DeKalb County Community Gardens) to provide a food bank on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. The food is provided by Food For Good (FFG), funded by grants and donations, donated by local supermarkets and/or farmers, or grown by FFG. In addition, Westminster distributes diapers since many of the food bank patrons are families with small children. The diaper ministry has been supported in the past by a grant from the Blackhawk Presbytery Missions Committee. Other community partners include the DeKalb Unitarian Universalist Congregation, who provide pre-bagged household staples (toiletries, etc.) once a month, and Northwestern Medical Services who provide blood-pressure screening once a month. Unfortunately, Food For Good is facing significant challenges due to the loss of $750 K in funding from recent government program cuts.
Another fixture in our neighborhood is Hope Haven, a homeless shelter that is two blocks away from Westminster. We support this institution by providing dinner for the residents on the 4th Sunday of every month. Meals are typically prepared and delivered by groups within the Westminster congregation, including the various commissions, the session, the youth group, and the choirs.
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Westminster Presbyterian, Dekalb
Volunteers help arrange dried goods in preparation for the food bank.
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Pastoral Changes in Blackhawk
We rejoice with the congregation of Rockford Second/First as they installed Rev. Martha Langford on June 8 as their pastor.
Rev. Matthew Jones was installed as the pastor of The Federated Church of Sandwich on June 1.
Rev. Joel Stevenor retired on June 1 from the Waltham Presbyterian Church in Utica.
Rev. David Terrinoni ended his service at Crow Meadow Church on May 1 and will retire on July 1.
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Lord, hear our prayer....
Prayers go out to Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church within Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery (St. Louis, MO) as they sustained catastrophic damage as a result of a tornado on May 16, 2025. Second Presbyterian Church also received repairable damage.
To the family of David Tellinghuisen upon his death on June 13, 2025.
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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).
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Solo Pastor: Installed
Ridgefield Crystal Lake
Solo Pastor: Installed
Westminster, Rockford
Solo Pastor; Installed
First, Dixon
Solo Pastor; Installed
Waltham, Utica
Commissioned Ruling Elder
Fulton, Fulton
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Solo Pastor: Installed
First, Fairbury
Commissioned Ruling Elder
First, Fairbury
Solo Pastor, Yoked Ministry
First, Mendota
See the CLC for more info - anyone can do an opportunity search
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PER CAPITA
The per capita assessment for:
2025 is $44.00
Church payments are posted monthly on the website
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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.
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