Presbytery of Blackhawk
CONNECTIONS news & updates
December 10, 2020

The Presbytery Staff wish you a Blessed Christmas.

We look forward to a bright new year, filled with possibility and the wonders of God's grace.
We are grateful to be partners in ministry with you.

Eric Heinekamp
Frank Finch
Karen Krum
Loreen Stravers
Holiday Help

While the (virtual) Presbytery office will be closed from Dec. 19 - Jan. 3, Eric Heinekamp is offering two ways to assist our pastors. He will be recording a Message/Sermon for Sunday, Dec. 27. It will be about 15 minutes in length and will be posted soon to the Presbytery YouTube channel. Insert into your worship service!

Rev. Heinekamp is also willing to be your emergency "on call pastor" between Christmas and New Years for your parishioners as you take some well-deserved days off. If you intend to take advantage of this, contact Eric so you can work out the details. Please call 630-373-5345 or email [email protected].

November 10 Presbytery Assembly Recap

The Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Blackhawk was held on November 10, 2020 via a Zoom video conference. The Presbytery welcomed incoming Moderator, Rev. Dr. Anita Stuart-Steva and Vice Moderator Rev. Dr. Skip Shaffer. Thanks were given to our outgoing Moderator Elder Chuck Johnson and all those who have served on Presbytery Commissions and Committees and are now completing their service. The Commission on Preparation for Ministry presented David Hegge as ready for Candidacy. After questioning and a vote, David officially began his Candidacy phase toward ordination.

During worship, led by our outgoing Moderator, Presbytery members were invited to give an offering to the Blackhawk Pastor's Emergency Fund. The Presbytery website home page now features a DONATE button, where you may still contribute to this (or other) funds.

Meeting minutes can be found on our website. The Zoom photo montage below recounts some highlights.
Advent Devotionals

Please take a moment to view our Advent devotions on YouTube. The participants, all Blackhawk pastors and lay leaders, have put a lot of thought and work into each day of Advent. Based on the four Advent candles, these brief, 4-6 minute videos offer you "Hope", "Peace", "Joy" and "Love". A new reflection is posted for every day, until December 25 on the Presbytery's YouTube channel. Thank you to everyone one for participating and watching.

We encourage you to share the link on your church website, Facebook page, bulletins or by email.

Address & Phone Change

Presbytery has a NEW P.O. Box and will soon have new phone numbers as well.

Blackhawk Presbytery
P.O. Box 476
Oregon, IL 61061
Pastors Care and Share
meets every Wednesday at 2 pm and every Thursday at 9 am on Zoom.

No Cares & Shares meetings on Dec. 23, 24, 30 and 31. See you in 2021!
Blessing for the days ahead

Go with confidence into the days ahead,

trusting in God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.

God will not abandon you, for you are the
work of God’s hands – God’s own creation – and

God’s love endures forever.

So go in joy to love and serve the Lord!
You are Invited to Join Us for
Roundtable Discussions
1st and 3rd Thursdays:
 
December 17 at 2 pm and 7 pm Topic: Congregational Vitality
 
January 7 at 2 pm and 7 pm Topic: Discussing Poverty
 
January 21 at 2 pm and 7 pm Topic: Discussing Racism
 
1 hour each, on Zoom - Drop in when you can!

Please join our group list to insure you receive the invitation and reminders.

Learn more about the Matthew 25 Initiative on our website or on the PCUSA pages
PC(USA) Offers in 2021 the
"Year of Leader Formation:
Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons"

Leaders in the Office of the General Assembly are preparing to launch a year-long initiative that will focus on deacons and ruling elders.

The initiative will incorporate a new training resource, a series of articles, a webinar series, and other tools to help participants grow in the role. Read all about it here or visit the dedicated webpage.

The PCUSA Store also offers a curated selection of books, downloadable studies, and curriculum programs focused on Leadership Training.
Scammers are busy

This has been a busy year for scam e-mails that look real but are fraudulent. If you get an e-mail that looks suspicious, be sure to match the sender’s e-mail with what you already have and look closely at the language. Scammers are now using gmail addresses that may sound plausible from leadership such as "[email protected]" and targeting members of churches.

Please note that no one from the presbytery or other pastors will ever ask for money, a vague "favor" or gift cards. If it seems odd, it is very likely a scam.

The Art of Transitional Leadership:
2021 Virtual Training

from the
Synod of Lakes and Prairies

February 8 - 12, 2021

Whether it is a change in leadership or a changing community, leading a congregation through change is both challenging and rewarding. It takes knowledge, skill, resilience and spiritual strength to navigate the waters of change in a way that leaders and congregations thrive. This training is for individuals who are considering ministry in temporary settings (as an interim, transitional or designated pastor) or are experiencing ministry in these transitional times. It satisfies Week 1 requirements for those who wish to be Interim Pastors.
PCUSA Co-Moderators announce new book study

Ruling Elder Elona Street-Stewart and Rev. Gregory Bentley say the first book to be recommended in their two-year term will be "Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance," by Edgar Villanueva.

They are encouraging churches to embrace the book in discussion groups. READ MORE HERE.
CALENDAR

Tuesday, February 9, 2021
9:30 am on Zoom







PER CAPITA

The per capita assessment for:

2021 is $38.50

2020 is $38.47


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.