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GOOD NEWS
from the
Presbytery of Great Rivers
We are called to share Christ's love by partnering in service,
uniting in worship, and risking in ministry.
January 24, 2025
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February 11, 2025 Stated Assembly
6:00 pm on Zoom
The February 11, 2025 Presbytery Assembly will be fully online.
Advance registration is required to attend, so that we may send you the login link and password for the meeting.
Assembly highlights will include worship, an offering for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), a Matthew 25 moment from one of our congregations, introductions to new minister members, and committee recommendations to the assembly for vote.
The new packet will be available for download from the Presbytery website after 4:00 pm
on February 4.
Registration for the Assembly is open now. Register Here

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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From the Lead Presbyter
Much has been written in recent years about America’s loneliness problem. Former US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared in 2023 that loneliness is an epidemic that poses a major public health risk for both individuals and society. While the prevalence of loneliness was exacerbated during the pandemic, it was rampant in our culture long before 2020.
In a national survey conducted by researchers with the Making Caring Common (MCC) project through the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the leading causes of loneliness identified by those surveyed include technology, insufficient time with family, mental health challenges that harm relationships with others, living in an individualistic society, lack of a religious or spiritual life, too much focus on one’s own feelings, and the changing nature of work (more remote and hybrid schedules).*
The church has long been a locus of community, where believers connect with God, build a network of support with others, and experience a sense of belonging. When that happens, the church truly is the body of Christ.
Sadly, pastors (including those serving congregations) report growing levels of loneliness and isolation and a declining sense of support from others. We know from both anecdotal and statistical evidence that pastors without strong connections burn out faster than those who are intentional about building and nurturing their relationships—familial, personal, and professional.
Beginning in February, I am starting a monthly Zoom check-in for pastors. The intention is to provide a space for conversation, so pastors can share what’s happening in your lives and work and process what’s happening in the world, especially as it impacts your ministries and your
well-being. The first one will be Thursday, February 20, at 7:00 pm. We can establish a schedule (days, evenings, times) depending on the needs of the group.
Join us by Zoom here
Meantime, Church, let’s be the church. Love one another as Christ has loved you.
Grace and peace,
Ann
Rev. Ann Schwartz
Lead Presbyter
*From Loneliness in America: Just the Tip of the Iceberg, authored by Milena Batanova, Richard Weissbourd, and Joseph McIntyre
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Clerk’s Corner
Thank you to all of the clerks of session who have begun to turn in your end-of-year statistical reports and additional reports! I appreciate it. If you haven’t had a chance to complete those reports and turn them in, no problem at all! There is still time! If you want to have a conference with me about how to fill out a piece of it, please let me know. If you were not able to make an appointment with me on Tuesday, January 21 to go over your forms if you needed, there is still time to make an appointment for another day. All forms were sent via email. Again, please let me know if you need a form. You may send back all of the reports through email unless snail mail is easier for you. You are welcome to enter your stats report by yourself. If you are unsure of how to do so, we can do it together or you can send me your form and I can do it for you.
There will not be a Clerk’s Convo this month because I am hosting individual meetings to help with forms.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions!
Elissa
Rev. Elissa Bailey
Stated Clerk
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The Mission of the Church | |
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Per Capita: Committing to Connection
Per capita connects Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations and mid councils with the work of the wider church. Per capita is how Presbyterians mutually and equitably share the costs of moving the church forward in the 21st century.
The work of the PC(USA), and in particular the work of the General Assembly, is only possible because members of the church have said they are “all in” and committed to connection through per capita support. It is about joining together as a community and being one body, the body that is Christ’s church in the world.
If you would like materials to help educate and encourage your congregation about per capita,
click here.
Thanks,
Bill Strawbridge – Treasurer
Sabrina McGrath - Bookkeeper
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Please click on the blocks below to follow the links: | |
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Give to Disaster Relief—U.S. Wildfires
Our hearts are with all our siblings who have been affected by the devastating wildfires that have affected thousands of people and multiple communities across California. The PC(USA) affirms our commitment to accompany those affected by this disaster.
As people of God, once again we are called to stand with our neighbors. Please give generously to the Church’s recovery efforts, both short- and long-term.
Designated account DR000165 supplements the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering to enable a significant response for U.S. wildfires. Your faithful giving is deeply appreciated.
To give by phone, call 800-728-7228, ext. 5885. To send a check, please designate where you want your gift to go on the memo line and mail to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P. O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
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Celebrations in the Presbytery | |
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Resources for Pastors, Sessions,
and Congregations
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Presbyterian Youth Triennium
Registration for the amazing
July 28-31 youth event in Louisville, Kentucky opens on February 3. If your church has students currently in
8th-12th grades, they are welcome to come—even if your church cannot send any adult leaders. However, we will also need adult and young adult (ages 19-23) leaders to attend. Both the presbytery and the Synod of Lincoln Trails are providing financial assistance; the amount per person depends on the number of participants. Youth/families, along with their congregations, will be expected to cover approximately one-third of the costs.
Please contact our Triennium Registrar (and Communications and Administrative Assistant), Brandy Walters at 309-683-6980 or greatriverspby.org as soon as possible and let her know how many interested youth (and adults) you have.
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Presbyterian Outlook’s
2025 Lenten Devotional
Grief touches every corner of our lives—not just in moments of death but in quiet farewells, conflict, and lost health. Grieving Change and Loss invites you to embrace the wilderness of loss and rediscover the horizon of hope offered by Christ’s resurrection.
Rooted in the wisdom of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler’s six stages of grief outlined in their seminal work On Grief and Grieving, this daily 2025 Lenten devotional offers a pathway through the heartache of life’s goodbyes, guiding you toward the promise of resurrection.
Each daily reflection, beginning with Ash Wednesday and culminating on Easter Sunday, will combine personal reflection, Scripture and prayer.
Learn more here.
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Church Scam Alert
Scammers are contacting local church offices and requesting a copy of their church directory. The callers/scammers identify themselves as recent visitors and request a copy of the church directory to see who else they might know in the church.
If they are able to get a copy of the church directory, they then begin sending out spoof emails and text messages from a local number pretending to be the pastor or a fellow church member and asking for emergency assistance.
The Presbytery recommends that you NOT share church directories by email (or in any other format) with folks you do not know.
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Conferences and Learning Opportunities | |
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Pathways to Mid Council Leadership:
Foundations for Emerging Leaders
The Synod of the Northeast is offering a new opportunity for those discerning a call to mid council ministry. Pathways to Mid Council Leadership: Foundations for Emerging Leaders is open to all church leaders discerning a call to mid council ministry. This includes Teaching Elders, Ruling Elders, Christian Educators, and other ministry professionals. Participants will engage in dynamic learning sessions, collaborative discussions, and practical exercises focused on critical aspects of mid council ministry.
The training will take place March 17–20, 2025, at the Erdman Center of Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. Registration Cost: $1,250.
This fee includes course materials, lodging, meals, and a personalized leadership assessment conducted by LeaderWise Consulting. Register Here: Pathways to Mid Council Leadership
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Changing the Culture of Assessment
NEXT Church invites church leaders to a workshop series designed to learn practices that create the conditions for faithful intentions to be discerned, evaluated, and thrive. The workshops will take place over zoom on Thursday, February 13, 20, and 27, 12:00-1:15 pm. Each workshop will consist of content presentation, group discussion, and contextual application.
REGISTER NOW
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In Life and Death, We Belong to God | |
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It is with sadness that we share the news that The Reverend John Timothy Irwin, Honorably Retired member of the Presbytery of Great Rivers, died on January 16, 2025. Most recently a resident of Canby, Oregon, John served Heritage United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth. We ask for your prayers that God’s comfort and steadfast love be with John’s family. No funeral arrangements have been announced yet.
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Chair Yoga

United Presbyterian Church, Peoria
Wednesdays, 10:00 am
The class is primarily for older adults or those with some physical limitations but is open to all. There is no fee, but donations are accepted to help offset the cost for the certified yoga instructor from Soulside Healing Arts Studio.
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Open Searches for Pastoral Leadership
Interim Pastor, Third Presbyterian Church, Springfield click
Pastor, Yoked Ministry, New Windsor Presbyterian Church, Rio click
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Kemmerer Village Seeks a New Board Member
As chair of the Nominating Committee for the Kemmerer Village Board of Directors, I'd like to
ask that interested people apply/seek information about an open position on the board. The board is made up of an equal number of people from GR and the Presbytery of Southeast Illinois. We have a retiring member from GR. The Board meets the second Monday of the
months of September, November, January, March, and May at KV in Assumption. Currently, with the exception of a member in the northern part of the Presbytery (Leland) and one from Monmouth, most of the GR members are in the more southeastern parts of our Presbytery. Our hope is that someone from the Peoria or further western parts of GR might be interested. Please text or email Jonalyn Heaton, 309-337-0476 jonalynh72@gmail.com if you are interested in getting more information.
The majority of the churches in the Presbytery of Great Rivers support the mission of
Kemmerer Village. It has a terrific staff and does incredible things for the children and families that they serve.
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Presbytery of Great Rivers Virtual Office
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!
Have you liked our "Presbytery of Great Rivers" Facebook page?
Subscribe to PGR’s YouTube channel to get notifications of our new videos (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7CXkkAsjR9Owi7gkXPtn8w. 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.
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