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Presbytery Assembly
The next Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Great Rivers will convene on Tuesday, August 18, at 10:00 am at First Presbyterian Church, Springfield. This meeting will be in-person only. Packets will be available on the website by August 11.
Lunch will be catered by Pita or Bowl—a local, family-owned Mediterranean restaurant. Each bowl is served with a hummus and rice base and your choice of protein: chicken or falafel (vegan). The veggies—cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumber, and onions—will be served on the side, as well as an assortment of sauces. The cost of the bowl is $11. The deadline to request lunch is August 12.
| |  | | | More Boundary Training Opportunities | |
Offered by the Synod of Lincoln Trails and provided at no cost.
Sponsored by the Presbytery of Chicago
Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 9 am-3 pm (CT)
- In-person @ Hope Presbyterian Church, 1771 S Wiesbrook Rd, Wheaton, Illinois
- Lunch will be provided
- Register here
Thursday, August 27, 2026, 9 am-3 pm (CT)
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In-person @ Winnetka Presbyterian Church, 1255 Willow Road, Winnetka, Illinois
- Lunch will be provided
- Register here
New
Sponsored by the Presbytery of Wabash Valley:
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 9 am- 2 pm (CT)
- In-person @ Bethany Presbyterian Church, 3305 Longlois Drive, Lafayette, Indiana
- Register here
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 9 am-2 pm (CT)
New
Sponsored by the Presbytery of Ohio Valley:
Monday, October 26, 2026, 9 am - 2 pm (CT)
- In-person @ First Presbyterian Church, 221 E Sixth Street, Bloomington, Indiana
- Register here
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The Presbytery of Great Rivers requires all ministers, candidates, inquirers, honorably retired ministers,
employees, and educators who are in any form of active service to participate annually in boundary training.
These workshops satisfy the denominational boundary training requirements in G-3.0106.
Submit certificates of completion for your boundary training to Stated Clerk Elissa Bailey.
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Your recurring gifts sustain Presbyterian mission and ministries all year long!
The PILLARS community of recurring givers to the PC(USA) provides steady, reliable support for seven cause areas that Presbyterians are passionate about. With a simple one-time se tup, your weekly, monthly or quarterly gift lets you rest easy knowing that you’re making a tangible impact every day! As a recurring donor, you’ll get access to exclusive PILLARS events, specialized gifts and regular updates on the impact of your generosity. Visit the PILLARS website to learn more about our seven Impact Funds or set up your recurring gift today!
| | The Presbyterian Foundation is accepting applications for Church Financial Leadership grants. Grant applicants must be a pastor, commissioned ruling elder (CRE), or leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Funds are available for those pastoral leaders seeking to gain a better understanding of church financial vitality and management of their congregations. Church stewardship team members are encouraged to apply with their pastors. | | PGR Regional Cohort Gatherings | |
Bloomington-Normal Regional Gathering | Friday, August 28, 5 pm
First Presbyterian Church: 2000 E. College Ave., Normal, IL
All area Presbyterians are invited to a Hymn Sing. We'll gather in the sanctuary at 5:00 for a brief welcome and introductions before singing hymns selected by participants and closing with fellowship and refreshments. Priority will be given to hymn requests submitted here by Monday, August 24. This will allow time to prepare printed words for hymns not found in our hymnal. Questions may be directed to kschilling@firstpresnormal.org.
Mid-eastern Region | Sunday, August 2, 2:00 pm. This event will be rescheduled.
Indian Point Presbyterian Church: 24562 Indian Point Ave, Athens, IL 62613
All members of Athens, Delavan, Greenview, Lincoln, Mason City, Middletown, Petersburg, Tallula, Virginia-First, and Virginia Sangamon Valley are welcome.
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Is your Cohort meeting soon?
Let Brandy know when your cohort is meeting so she can update the regional gathering event page and the PGR calendar.
If you have photos from your gatherings, we'd love to share them in our newsletter! Send meeting details and pictures to bwalters@greatriverspby.org.
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AI and the Church
The Office of Innovation, in collaboration with partners from various denominations, is committed to helping churches navigate the transformative landscape of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Our work prioritizes Christian ethics, along with critical issues of justice, access, and equity in the use of AI tools. To advance these goals, we are convening a diverse group of practitioners, theologians, and innovators across denominations to explore fundamental questions about AI and to build a long-term learning community over the next three years.
The 2025 AI & Church Summit: The Agency of the People of God in the Age of AI
August 24-27th, 2026
Register at AIChurchSummit.org.
| | Community Circles: Small Church | | |
You are invited to register for the next Community Circle, designed especially for those leaders in small churches on Wednesday, August 5 at 2 PM (3 pm ET).
Are you an educator, volunteer, pastor, or commissioned pastor (CRE, CLP), who serves as a leader in a small church (less than 100 members)? Are you a mid-council leader who supports faith formation leaders in small churches?
Register once for any or all of the remaining 2026 dates:
Wednesday, August 5 at 2 pm (3 pm ET)
Tuesday, October 6 at 10 am (11 am ET)
Thursday, November 5 at 2 pm (3 pm ET)
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Need an item or have something to give away?
Do you have items you would like to see find a new home? Email Brandy with a description and photos of your items to be listed in the newsletter. A dedicated page on our website will also be coming soon.
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Children’s Sunday School curriculum and VBS kits
Westminster Presbyterian, Springfield, is cleaning out our closets and would like to gift to churches and anyone interested, years’ worth of Children’s Sunday School curriculum and VBS kits. We children’s Sunday School from Sparkhouse publishing: Spark classroom and rotation teacher lesson books and handouts; Holy Moly and Whirl; Seasons of the Spirit, PC USA: Growing in God’s Love lessons, We Believe year A and Awesome Adventures. Past VBS kits include: Cokesbury’s Food Truck, Adventure Island, Knights of North Castle, Super Heros Central and Living Waters for the World’s VBS as well as a Digging for Treasures: Parables. All are available, first come, first served, and for FREE. Please contact, Rev. Sarah Bishop, at (217)522-4415 or sbishop@wpcspi.org to arrange pick-up.
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Books, Books, Books
One of our colleagues is rehoming their library. If you have room to take in a few more books, look over this list and let Cheyanna Losey know. She will help arrange for the arrival of your new books. Thank you! cheyannalosey@gmail.com
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Writers Needed for PEC’s Earth Care Haiku Compilation
We invite you to contribute one or more original haiku for a Presbyterians for Earth Care compilation celebrating the beauty, wonder, and sacredness of Creation. Submissions are due by August 16, 2026. We look forward to reading and sharing your work!
Please email to: presbyearthcare@gmail.com.
For guidelines, click here: Guidelines for Contributing Haiku
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Fall Youth Retreat
Registration is now open.
Calling all middle school and high school students! Join us for a weekend full of outdoor activities, making new friends, fellowship, and lots and lots of fun at Stronghold Camp Retreat Center.
Hosted by Illinois Prairie Presbytery
Date: November 6, 8:00 pm to November 8, 11:00 am
Contact: Email Jeannette Sheehan with questions
Cost: $140.00 per camper or adult.
| | | Early Bird In‑Person Registration Rates Extended to July 31! | | |
Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2026!
You're invited to attend this year's conference, held live at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, September 21-23, 2026, with an online virtual registration option as well.
Learn more about the conference, registration information, and scholarship opportunities HERE.
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Join the PYWA - Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association for the Second Annual “Come to the Mountains” Gathering in Montreat, North Carolina.
This gathering is open to all youth workers — ordained and non-ordained, volunteers and professionals alike. The conference will serve to uphold youth workers, provide connection to a professional network, and inspire new approaches to youth engagement. There will be general sessions with worship, keynote speakers, and various workshops.
Learn more and register here: https://hubs.ly/Q04ls0990
| | New Around the Table Cohort Opportunities | | |
Cohorts begin Fall 2026
Register by July 31, 2026
Faith leaders and caregivers of children and youth are invited to participate in new Around the Table cohorts designed to strengthen faith formation, nurture intergenerational relationships, and weave Christian spiritual practices into everyday life and faith communities.
Two cohort options are available for fall 2026:
- Retreat Cohort with an in-person, content-rich experience followed by ongoing coaching
- Traditional Cohort with a fully online journey of guided conversations and shared learning
Both are offered free of charge and are available in English, Spanish, and Korean. No matter which you choose, you’ll gain practical tools to strengthen faith formation, build intergenerational relationships, and weave spiritual practices into everyday life.
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July 26-31 | Synod School
August 3 | 1:30 pm | Leadership Council meeting | Zoom
August 4 | 10:30 am | Commission on Transitions meeting
August 4 | 12 pm | Operations Commission meeting
August 11 | 3 pm | Commission on Congregational Life meeting
August 13 | 1-3 pm | Commission on Pastoral Life meeting
August 12 | Final day to reserve your lunch for assembly
August 12 | 9 am | Boundary Training | Hope Presbyterian Church, Wheaton, IL
August 17 | 1:30 pm | Committee on Accessibility, Representations, and Equity | Zoom
August 18 | 10 am | Presbytery Assembly | First Presbyterian Church Springfield
August 26 | 1-3 pm | Ministry Coordination Group meeting
August 27 | 9 am | Boundary Training | Winnetka Presbyterian Church, Winnetka, IL
August 28 | 5 pm | BloNo Regional Gathering Hymn Sing | Normal, First
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