Presbytery of Blackhawk
CONNECTIONS news & updates
August 1, 2022
REGISTER TODAY!
Anti-Racism: A Dialogue for Religious Leaders

This online workshop will help educate and encourage leaders in the church, particularly clergy, to sustain the work of anti-racism.

Tuesday, August 16th, 10:00AM - 2:30 PM
All are welcome. The event is free*

The event, divided into morning and afternoon sessions, will feature dialogue, activities, practical tips and coaching. Presenters for the day: Rev. Dr. Barbara Wilson, Shani McIlwain, with Rev. Dr. Christina Berry.

Please see the registration page for more information, and to register. All participants who register by August 1st, will receive a FREE copy of the book, Awkward Silence: A Guide for White Ministry Leaders on Confronting Anti-Racism and Microaggressions by Shani McIIwain.

*Made possible by the following: First Presbyterian Church of Morrison, IL; First Presbyterian Church of Sterling, IL; Illinois Christians Encountering Racism, a committee of the Illinois Conference of Churches; and the Matthew 25 Task Force of the Presbytery of Blackhawk: a grant from the Synod of Lincoln Trails.
RIP Medical Debt Campaign in
Blackhawk Presbytery Concluding

As we wrap up the RIP Medical Debt campaign, we believe congregations have already raised over $12,000 so please help us reach our goal of raising $15,000 in the presbytery. (We'll report final totals soon.)

Thank you to every church or individual who has donated thus far - together we will be forgiving over 1.5 million dollars in debts! If you are still planning to send in your donation, please do so by August 8. There is also the option to click the DONATE button on our website.

You or you church can continue to support this worthy cause at any time by donating via their website: ripmedicaldebt.org. Unless you specifically donate to the organization's expenses,
100% of donations are used to forgive debt.
Filling Your Pulpit During
Vacation Season

Your pastor needs a break. Options are available to fill your pulpit while they take that much-needed respite.
  • Blackhawk's pulpit supply list can help. Due to recent scamming, it is also now password protected. Contact the office for directions to access.
  • Your own elders can preach. In fact, your church appreciates hearing from one of their own. Cultivate their gifts.
  • Many Blackhawk churches live-stream their services and are willing to welcome your congregation to join them virtually in worship. Pre-recorded messages from several churches could also be used in your sanctuary and coupled with your own prayers and liturgies. Offer your parishioners an opportunity to hear the good news from someone else. If you need suggestions of where to start, contact us.
  • Synod of Mid-America offers free "Fourth Sunday Sermons". You just have to sign up to incorporate these into your worship.
Baptismal Font Available

Morris First is gifting this antique font to anyone who may need it. It is 8-sided, 20” diameter, 43 1/2” high - the top removes with bowl inside. There are some straight line places where wood has expanded/separated which is part of its 'antiqueness'. These separations cannot be seen from a distance. Close-up photos are available. Please contact Carol Walker for more info: cwalker1806@icloud.com
PLEASE HELP

Presbyterian Women in Presbytery would like to collect the Church World Service Kits that the churches in Blackhawk Presbytery have made at the September Presbytery Meeting which will be in-person at Stronghold. We are in need of someone with a truck or covered trailer that is willing to collect them and deliver them to the warehouse in Elgin. Please contact me to say you can do so. Your help with this project will be much appreciated by the PWP and CWS as these kits are very much in need to help the refugees in Ukraine and many other parts of the world. Please contact me soon.
Thanks,
Are YOU the Next Blackhawk Treasurer?

Our excellent treasurer, Frank Finch, is retiring from service to the Presbytery. The Personnel Committee is actively searching for his replacement. The position is an hourly, paid position, generally between 6-10 hours per week. Perfect for a church treasurer or someone in financial services.

Please see the job description, SHARE WITH YOUR CHURCH TREASURER and contact the office if you have questions or may be interested.
Matthew 25
Roundtable Discussions are on hiatus until fall

Learn more about the Matthew 25 Initiative on our website or on the PCUSA pages
Interested in the James Webb
telescope images?

Want to learn more about what we're seeing and what it means?
Join Dr. Chris DePree (formerly of Agnes Scott and now full time at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory) and Columbia Seminary's Professor of Theology, Dr. Martha Moore-Keish, Professor of Christian Ethics, Dr. Mark Douglas, and Professor of Old Testament, Dr. Bill Brown who will ponder these questions. Sponsored by Columbia Seminary.

Wednesday, Aug. 3, 8-9:30pm EST 
This online event is free and open to the public.