Presbytery of Blackhawk

CONNECTIONS

January 31, 2025

February Assembly Meeting on Zoom Only

Tuesday Feb. 11 at 5:30 pm


Please join us at 5:30 on zoom for the first meeting of 2025 - in the evening so those with busy schedules can join us. Click below to register.


We welcome special guest, Rev. Charlie Berthoud from Covenant Presbyterian in Madison who will be presenting the latest in our education series covering the Seven Marks of Vital Congregations: Lifelong Discipleship Formation.


And we anticipate one or both of our PCUSA Co-moderators, Rev. Tony Larson and Rev. CeCe Armstrong to join us in worship.


The assembly will be electing a new Treasurer and Associate Stated Clerk. And they will be considering and voting on the last of the amendments to the PCUSA Constitution: 24-B, 24-F, 24-H, 24-I, 24-J, 24-K, 24-L,

24-M.


Please see the website for all the information: Contact the office if you need the password for the meeting documents.

Registration

Office Administrator Search


As we prepare for the retirement of Loreen Stravers at the end of March, Blackhawk’s Personnel Committee is working to find a new Office Administrator. Find the job description here and check back on our website for the application details.


If you know of someone who may be interested and qualified we would love to hear from you. You can direct any questions or names to Geneal Presbyter Eric Heinekamp.

RESOURCES:

Lent Resource Guide from

PCUSA Store


PCUSA Education and Ministry 2025-2026 Catalog


2025 Lenten devotional from Presbyterian Outlook: Grieving Change and Loss


Fresh Outlook Bible Studies

Affordable, Easy to Use, Ready for Conversation

Rev. Alex Regets' (formerly of Manteno) debut book has been released: "Abandon the Orderly House - Good News for Skeptics and Burned Out Believers".

Congrats Alex!

You can find it here.

The Current

Blackhawk Prayer Calendar

can be found on our website.

Year-End Reports (to the Presbytery) and Annual Statistical Reports (ASR - reported to the PCUSA online) are coming in a bit slowly. Is Yours Complete? Deadline for the ASR data entry is February 15. All other reports are past due. Submit yours TODAY!

Stronghold Confirmation Retreat


Bring your confirmation class members and join with youth and leaders from other churches on group projects, teambuilding, worship - in addition to participating in planned time for discussion and reflection. The retreat takes place in the Stronghold castle and is a great supplement your current confirmation program.


7:30pm on Friday Feb. 7 to

Sunday morning, Feb 9.


The cost is $145 per participant and $75 per adult leader.


Fill out this form to register and email it to reservations@strongholdcenter.org or call Kitty at 815-732-6111 ext. 613


Confirmation retreat Registration form 2025


Stronghold Confirmation Retreat 2025 flyer


"As If We Were Dreaming..."

 

Presbyterian YouthTriennium is coming July 28-31 to Louisville! Be sure your youth are fired up to join the excitement.

 

The participant fee for the event is $199. This fee includes all programming, event meals, an official Triennium T-shirt, and more. Travel and housing are additional costs. booked by each delegation.

 

Stay tuned! More information rolling out very soon - a Blackhawk Delegation IS forming! Contact the office to be sure you stay informed. See the FAQs for who can attend etc.

New Year News from Presbyterian Women


Did you make some New Year’s Resolutions? One of mine was to see if Blackhawk Presbytery can complete lots of Church World Service Kits. Some churches make kits and some churches make a financial contribution. Funds help with the cost of shipping kits around the world. With the hurricanes along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts and wildfires in California, I’m sure most of us know of someone in those areas. CWS has revised the contents of all their kits - please check their website for the updated lists, cwskits.org before beginning. If your church is on their mailing list, you will receive a packet of information.Or contact them at 800-257-1516, kits@cwsglobal.org to request a packet.

READ MORE


Blessings to all, Jill Sunday

Transitional Ministry Training this Spring in St. Louis


Synod of Mid-America & the Synod of Lincoln Trails (MALT) invite you to attend “The Art of Transitional Ministry” training May 12-16, 2025, at the Mercy Conference and Retreat Center in St Louis, MO. The benefit of learning together in person, sharing experiences and asking questions--over meals, walks in the woods, and during table groups--is incredible. The MALT training includes an excellent faculty, held in a beautiful location--with an outdoor labyrinth and lovely grounds--and good food, carefully attentive to allergens and special diets.


This acclaimed training is not limited to those presently engaged in or inquiring about transitional ministry. Anyone interested in learning how to walk through change alongside a church is invited to join in. Both Week 1 and Week 2 are offered at this event - you choose one track.


Program fee is $1,100 (includes lodging and meals.) http://synodma.org/transitional-ministry-education

Pondering God with Presbyterians:

What Do We Believe and Why? 


A Leader Formation Webinar

March 6, 2025; 6-7:30 pm (central)


This webinar will explore some basic theological convictions of our faith, including what we hold in common with other Christians and peculiar treasures of the Reformed tradition. Want to learn more about the mystery of the Trinity, justification by grace through faith, or the puzzle of predestination? Come join the conversation!

 

This event is provided for free for participants and is funded through your per capita dollars.


REGISTER HERE (where you can also find past Webinar recordings)

Time to Examine Your Social Media

Why not share more than stock photos or Sunday worship links.

As they say in Start Trek: ENGAGE!

Clockwise from bottom left: Fairbury First, Rochelle First, Sterling First, Manteno Community, Rockford Third (also celebrated with the fancy cupcakes).


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.


Open Searches for Pastoral Leadership in Blackhawk

Also check our Employment Opportunities page

Solo Pastor: Installed

First, Sterling


Solo Pastor: Installed

Westminster, Rockford


Solo Pastor: Installed

First, Dixon


Commissioned Ruling Elder

First Mendota


Solo Pastor: Installed (30 hours)

First Mendota

Solo Pastor: Installed

Second Cong./First Pres.

Rockford


Solo Pastor: Installed

First, Fairbury


Commissioned Ruling Elder

First Fairbury


See the CLC for more info - anyone can do an opportunity search


CALENDAR


Presbytery Meeting

Tuesday, February 11, 2024

5:30 pm, Zoom only!

PER CAPITA


The per capita assessment for:

2025 is $44.00


Church payments are posted monthly on the website

Visit our website: blackhawkpresbytery.org

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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