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Presbytery of Blackhawk
CONNECTIONS
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Stewardship Kaleidoscope, an ecumenical conference planned by volunteers from the PCUSA and ELCA, is designed for pastors and lay leaders to provide practical tools to strengthen your congregation's stewardship and generosity programs. This year’s conference will be in New Orleans, Louisiana, September 22-24, with an online virtual registration option as well. In-person attendees will be able to choose from dozens of workshops in addition to attending diverse plenary sessions and worship experiences. Virtual attendees will be able to join us for live-streamed and recorded plenaries and worship, and will also have access to 8 workshops, 4 of which will be available via be livestream.
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Registration rates as are follows:
Early Bird In-Person Registration (through June 30): $360
First Call Pastor or Seminary Student In-Person Registration: $200
Virtual Attendee Registration: $150
After June 30, regular In-Person Registration increases to $385.
Rooms at our event hotel, the Sheraton New Orleans Canal Street, are offered at the discounted rate of $179/night if you book by August 29.
Grants are available through the Presbyterian Foundation to assist pastors and New Worshiping Community leaders to attend the conference. For more information, visit https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/resources/church-financial-literacy-and-leadership-program/grant/
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Happy Retirement Loreen!
On March 31, 2025, we said goodbye to our good friend and servant, Loreen Stravers. She has spent over 12 years mentoring and providing us with all the information needed within the Blackhawk Presbytery. Loreen, we hope you enjoy every minute and that you find meaning and purpose in this next season. The new replacement has been hired, please see "Resources" above with her information.
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Ruling Elders and Communion Training
April 10 at 7:00pm (by Zoom)
Is your congregation having a hard time finding Ministers of the Word and Sacrament to officiate over the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper? The Book of Order gives presbyteries the authority to train ruling elders to lead and serve communion in their congregation. Come to this interactive gathering on Zoom to talk about how to authorize and have elders bring this joyful feast to their congregation. We will discuss the theology of communion and focus on the mechanics of leading this sacrament. Our 60-minute training is open to any ruling elder who may be interested in leading communion. For more information, email jeannette@blackhawkpresbytery.org.
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One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world. Typically received on Easter Sunday, which this year falls on April 20, the annual Offering supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People. All three programs work to serve individuals and communities in need to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. Find resources here on our new website, including worship, curriculum, and minutes for mission. All resources and information for Offering interpretation are present, just organized a bit differently.
| | Creation Justice Ministries (formerly the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program) represents the creation care and environmental justice policies of major Christian denominations throughout the United States. We work in cooperation with 39 national faith bodies including Protestant denominations and Orthodox communions as well as regional faith groups, and congregants to protect and restore God's Creation. Click here for their resources. | | What is your favorite hymn? | | |
Dixon First Presbyterian's
"March Madness" Hymn Bracket
Inspired by the excitement of the March Madness Women's and Men's College Basketball Tournament, Dixon First Presbyterian Church launched its own hymn tournament in 2024. Hymns were nominated, a bracket was created (https://www.printyourbrackets.com/), and voting took place each week to determine the congregation's favorite hymn.
Throughout the tournament, participants learned more about the nominated hymns, engaged in trivia games, shared stories, and even rallied behind their favorites.
The event was so enjoyable that they decided to repeat it with Advent and Christmas hymns. They made a commitment to sing all the nominated hymns, even those that didn't make it to the bracket. Along the way, they discovered that one member’s favorite hymn was a song another member had never even heard before!
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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.
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Solo Pastor: Installed
Ridgefield Crystal Lake
Solo Pastor: Installed
Westminster, Rockford
Solo Pastor: Installed
First, Dixon
Commissioned Ruling Elder
First Mendota
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Solo Pastor: Installed (30 hours)
First Mendota
Solo Pastor: Installed
First, Fairbury
Commissioned Ruling Elder
First Fairbury
See the CLC for more info - anyone can do an opportunity search
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CALENDAR
Presbytery Meeting
Tuesday, May 13, 2024
9:30 am in person at Elgin First and on zoom
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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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