August Assembly Highlights | |
Nearly 100 folks registered for the August 19 Presbytery meeting at First Presbyterian Church in Galesburg, and most showed up! We are grateful to the Galesburg congregation for their hospitality.
The highlights of our gathering included:
- A visit by GA Co-Moderator Rev. Cecelia “CeCe” Armstrong who challenged us in her sermon “Journey to Serve,” reminded us to tell our stories, and responded to the accidentally misplaced communion bread with a gorgeous and spontaneous meditation on the sacrament
- Receiving $666 for the offering to the Illinois Presbyterian Home
- Learning that RE Bill Strawbridge, Treasurer of the Presbytery of Great Rivers, will step down from the role after years of faithful and gifted service. A search for a new treasurer is underway. The position description is here.
- Approving the Sabbatical Leave Policy and Guidelines presented by the Committee on Ministry View Here
- Approving a 2.5% increase in the Minimum Terms of Call and Contracts, as a cost-of-living increase, which COM also suggested to congregations as an increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in pastoral compensation for 2026
- Unanimously approving the proposed PGR restructuring plan, which will be effective January 2026. Follow the link for the new organizational chart and a one-page description of the plan.
- Gratefully celebrating the service of the Rev. Dr. Cheyanna Losey as CRE Coordinator, a position that will be discontinued at the end of August
- Electing the Rev. Andrew McDonald to serve on the Commission for Congregational Life, January 2026-December 2029
- Approving the 2026 budget, which will raise per capita to $39 (from $38.29 this year)
- Receiving the updated Presbytery Bylaws for a first reading Can be read here.
- A presentation to Rev. CeCe Armstrong of a basket of items made/created in central Illinois, given by member congregations
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As clerks, you are required per the Book of Order to bring your Records
to have them received.
So far, the dates, times, and locations for Session Record Reviews this year are:
Tuesday, August 26, 9 am to noon at United Presbyterian in Peoria, IL
Tuesday, September 16, 9 am to noon at First Pres, Macomb, IL
Thursday, September 18, 1 pm to 4 pm at First Pres, Mt. Pleasant, IA
Sunday, September 21, 3 pm to 6 pm at First Pres, Normal, IL
Tuesday, October 7, 1 pm to 4 pm at First Pres, Cedar Rapids, IA
Thursday, October 9, 9 am to noon at First Pres, Davenport, IA
Saturday, October 25, 10 am to 1 pm at St. Andrew, Iowa City, IA
Rev. Elissa Bailey
Presbytery of Great Rivers Stated Clerk
Presbytery of East Iowa Stated Clerk
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Boundary Training 2025
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All pastoral leaders in Great Rivers Presbytery, Presbyterian and non-Presbyterian, Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Commissioned Ruling Elders, pulpit supply preachers and retired pastors who serve churches
in any capacity are required to attend annual boundary training that is approved by PGR. You must submit a certificate of completion to Stated Clerk Elissa Bailey.
On October 1, 2025, 10:00 am-3:00 pm, the Rev. Karol Schilling will lead an In-person class at First Federated Church in Peoria. Registration and lunch registration will be available soon.
The class will fulfill your annual attendance requirement. Other trainings will be announced shortly.
| | Church Safety and Security Workshop | | |
The Presbytery of Great Rivers, in partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), will host an Introduction to Church Safety and Security Workshop on Saturday, October 18—location TBA.
This seven-hour workshop is designed to be a “hands-on” experience for churches, including how to protect and prevent against adversarial events from happening, how to mitigate damage, and how to respond to and recover from them. The workshop helps worshipping communities develop simple and appropriate safety plans through exercises, handouts, resources, role-playing, and team collaboration. Attendees will leave this workshop with a high-level outline of a safety and security plan for their facility, templates and resources for implementation, and achievable action items that will improve safety and security within a faith-based framework centered in hope and welcome.
The workshop is designed for pastors, church staff, elders, deacons, ushers/greeters, facility personnel, Sunday school and day school leaders, and church safety officers. We need a minimum of 20 participants, and there is a limit of 50 people. There is no cost to participants.
| | The Presbytery restructuring proposal presented by the Governance Task Force at the August 19 Presbytery meeting was approved. Watch this space for more information about the ways your congregation can prepare for the transition, participate in upcoming regional cohort gatherings, and serve in the new structure. | |
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April 29, 2025: Presentation of proposed restructuring to the Assembly for first reading
May-June 2025: Governance Task Force hosts Zoom conversations, regional gatherings about plan
July 2025: Governance Task Force reviews suggestions, addresses concerns, revises plan
August 19, 2025: Second reading. Assembly votes on proposal
Sept-Oct, 2025: Nominating Committee seeks individuals to serve in the new structure
November 1, 2025: Assembly votes on slate of nominees
January 1, 2026: Presbytery begins living into the new structure
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The next Zoom check-in for pastoral leaders is scheduled for noon on Thursday, August 28. It’s an informal time of conversation and fellowship. ​Feel free to eat lunch as you gather with colleagues.
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We will resume L3 at noon on Wednesday, August 27. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is offering an opportunity to have faith leaders gather with members of PDA in a conversation about how they and those with whom they minister are affected by concerns surrounding immigration and migrants, LGBTQIA+ issues, and job loss and economic uncertainty.
Members of PDA will facilitate the Zoom conversation, which will provide opportunities for sharing, reflection, and tools for self-care and resilience in times of deep distress and uncertainty. The meeting will last one hour with an additional 30 minutes of optional continued conversation. The session will not be recorded, and all participants will be asked to keep everything that is shared confidential.
PDA and other denominational resources relevant to the planned discussion will be shared in advance. This session is not designed to offer technical, policy, or grant information related to immigration and migrant concerns.
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The 226th General Assembly approved the creation of a new Social Witness Policy on Artificial Intelligence
and Faith. Please share this survey link with members of your congregation and invite them to respond:
https://surveys.pcusa.org/s3/AI-Faith.
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Save the date! The next Advocacy Hour will be September 24th on LGBTQIA+ issues.
We will also be having our regular Community Hour on August 13th at noon. We hope you can join us!
Register here.
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The Nominating Committee is seeking nominations through October 15 for General Assembly commissioners and YAADs (Young Adult Advisory Delegates). Candidates should reflect the breadth and diversity of the Body of Christ and should be actively involved in the life of the presbytery and their congregations. No prior experience is required—just a willingness to listen, speak, and serve.
All commissioners must indicate a willingness to serve and a commitment to be present for the entire General Assembly. Before you submit your appliction, please carefully read this to know what the expectations are for being a commissioner.
Minister Commissioners must be a member in good standing of the Presbytery of Great Rivers and have been active in the life of Presbytery, as shown by regular attendance at presbytery assemblies in the past two years and service in/for the presbytery beyond attendance at assemblies.
Ruling Elder Commissioners: must be a member in good standing of their congregations and active in the life of Presbytery, as indicated by recent attendance at presbytery assemblies (either as a commissioner or visitor) and have served in/for the presbytery beyond attendance at assemblies.
Find the applications here.
YAAD Application
GA Commissioner Application
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We pray for the following Great Rivers congregations and their leaders:
- St. Luke Union Church in Bloomington and Rev. Andrew Gifford
- First United Presbyterian Church of Normal, and Rev. Matt Wilcox and Rev. Karol Schilling
- New Windsor Presbyterian Church with prayers for their PNC as they seek their next pastor
Please pray for the Rev. Susan Phillips (Springfield, First) and her family as they grieve the death of
her father, Mac.
| | Amendments 24-A & C Implementation Guide | | |
Amendment 24-A adds “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” to the list of categories in F-1.0403 against
which the church does not discriminate. Amendment 24-C requires examination of candidates for ordination
or installation on their commitment to principles of inclusion found in F-1.0403, as well as the historic principles
of church order in F-3.01.
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians has created a guide for sessions and presbyteries. It offers sample questions related to F-1.0403 and F-3.01 for candidate examinations, i.e.:
“Describe a time when you ministered to someone whose life experience differed significantly from your own. What did you learn?”
“If you were asked to participate in hiring decisions for church staff, how would you balance personal convictions with non-discrimination principles?”
This resource is available as a downloadable PDF and printable on one double-sided page.
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Holy Shift is a webinar series co-sponsored by Around the Table and 1001 New Worshipping Communities, PCUSA, based on original research done in partnership with the ELCA and Try Tank Research Institute. The series will include three sessions in September 2025.
“The Young Adult Parents Research Project investigated the evolving role of religion and spirituality among parents aged 25-39 in the United States, a group marked by increasing disaffiliation from organized religion.
The study provides insights into how religious identity and spirituality influence parenting decisions, values,
and engagement with faith institutions.”
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Session 1 will be hosted by Rev. Neema Cyrus-Franklin, Coordinator of Around the Table, as Josh Packard of Try Tank Research presents findings and engages participants in the presentation.
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Session 2 will be hosted by Rev. Libby Huggus of Resonate Coaching as participants have the opportunity in large and small groups to start envisioning new ministries with Young Adult Parents in your faith community.
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Session 3 will be a panel discussion of a variety of practitioners who have started new ministries that appeal to Young Parents, hosted by Rev. Libby Huggus of Resonate Coaching.
Limited follow-up one-on-one coaching sessions will be available to participants who attend at least two of the three sessions.
Register once for all three sessions.
Thursday, September 4, 12:00 - 1:30 pm Central
Monday, September 8, 12:00 - 1:30 pm Central
Tuesday, September 23, 12:00 - 1:30 pm Central
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Discovering Space for Your Voice
A Retreat Series for Presbyterian Pastors and Leaders
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In a time when many are leading under strain, Discovering Space for Your Voice offers a chance to rest, reflect, and return to ministry renewed. This year-long program includes two in-person retreats (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026) at Siena Retreat Center on Lake Michigan, as well as monthly online peer conversations. Grounded in
the Circle of Trust® approach from the Center for Courage & Renewal, this series invites participants to explore the geography of their inner life—listening for God’s grace in the terrain of their own story.
Participants will leave with practices that deepen trust, strengthen leadership, and build communities grounded
in courage, authenticity, and grace. Eligible for continuing education funds.
Learn more and register by October 10:
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Tues, Aug 26 Session Records Review, United PC, Peoria 9:00-12:00
Wed, Aug 27 L3 Zoom 2:00
Thurs, Aug 28 Nominating Committee Zoom 9:00
Thurs, Aug 28 Pastor Check-in Zoom 12:00
Mon, Sept 1 Labor Day – PGR office closed
Tues, Sept 3 Visioning Team Zoom 6:30
Wed, Sept 4 COM Zoom 10:00
Wed Sept 10 CARE Zoom 3:00
Thurs, Sept 11 Staff lunch, Peoria 11:30
Thurs, Sept 11 Leadership Team, Peoria 1:00
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The Midwest Call Finder site is live! Thanks to the Synod of Lincoln Trails, all congregations in the presbytery have this new tool at their disposal when they are seeking pastors, musicians, youth directors, Christian educators, administrative assistants, custodians, and other church staff. Likewise, pastors and other church professionals can access this website to learn about available positions in our region. There is no fee to use Midwest Call Finder. Your per capita dollars have made this possible.
Check out the website here: https://midwestcallfinder.org
To submit an opening, use this link: https://midwestcallfinder.org/submit-a-position
| | Open Searches for Pastoral Leadership in Great Rivers | | Presbytery of Great Rivers Staff | | |
Communications and Administrative Assistant
Brandy Walters | 309-683-6980 | Email : office@greatriverspby.org
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:00am - 2:00pm. Please leave her a message, and she will return your call.
Bookkeeper
Sabrina McGrath | 309-683-6981 | Email: smcgrath@greatriverspby.org
Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00am - 3:00pm
Lead Presbyter
Ann Schwartz | 309-683-6983 | Email: aschwartz@greatriverspby.org
Office hours: Sunday through Thursday, 8:30am - 4:30pm; some evenings. Friday is her sabbath.
Stated Clerk
Elissa Bailey | 309-371-2511 | Email: pastorebailey@gmail.com
Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:30am - 3:00pm. If you have an emergency, please call or text me
at 309-371-2511.
CRE Coordinator
Cheyanna Losey | 309-299-4790 | Email: cheyannalosey@gmail.com
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Get Connected!
Be sure to encourage your congregations, sessions, and even your church newsletter editorial staff and volunteers to sign up for our presbytery newsletter and follow our Facebook page so you don't miss out on
what is going on in our community of churches!
Be sure to Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to PGR’s YouTube channel here to get notifications of our new videos. Share your congregation’s videos with us so we can let others know about your mission and ministry. If you have questions, need help, or want to share a video, contact Cheyanna Losey, cheyannalosey@gmail.com or 309- 299-4790.
| | https://www.greatriverspby.org/ |   | |   | | | |
