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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 10, 2025
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Let Us Pray
The pictures of the wildfires in California are horrific, and the stories of devastation keep coming. In addition to homes and schools, a number of houses of faith, including PCUSA churches, have been destroyed. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in communication with Presbyterian leadership in California to discuss resources for the aftermath of the ongoing wildfires. Please join us in holding all communities affected by the fires in prayer.
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The Presbytery office will be closed on Monday, January 20, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. | |
The 2025 Presbytery Directory is nearing completion. If you have any updates (contact information, worship time/format, etc.) for yourself or your congregation that have not already been shared, please send them to kschilling@firstpresnormal.org by Tuesday, January 14. | |
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From the Lead Presbyter
One of the most frequently asked questions we heard during the shared ministry gatherings and listening sessions was: “How do we get more members?” It was always posed sincerely and with great urgency. So often the folks who asked it were disappointed to hear that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution (program, ministry, kind of pastor, style of music, or thing to do) to “fix” the problem of decline that plagues many churches.
We all want to see growth, health, and vitality in our congregations. I expect that most people who are seeking churches are looking for those that are growing, healthy, vibrant, and vital. They want to be welcomed warmly, accepted for who they are, and find within a faith community a sense of belonging. They want genuine relationships with real people who are doing God’s work in the world. For that, the church must be a hospitable place, more invested in loving its neighbors than adding to its membership rolls or preserving its building.
The Rev. Shawn Coons, in his blog “Hack Pastor,” reflected recently on rethinking the church sign as a ministry tool versus an advertising tool. He and his church asked, “How can this sign serve people who will never enter our building?”
They came to this realization: “When you stop trying to attract people to your church and focus instead on serving them where they are, something unexpected happens. People begin to see your church as a genuine participant in community life rather than just another institution seeking their attention. They begin to trust that you care about them, not just about filling your pews. Yes, some people have eventually visited our church because of our sign. But that’s not why we do it. We do it because those brief moments when people pause at our corner are opportunities for ministry—opportunities to offer something of value to our neighbors whether they ever join us for worship or not.”
The church is called to be a relational place and not a transactional one. As your congregation seeks to be faithful in this new year, get curious about who you are as a church and what of value you offer your neighbors. I’d love to hear what you discover.
Grace and peace,
Ann
Rev. Ann Schwartz
Lead Presbyter
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Proposed Amendments to the Constitution and Other Items
The 226th General Assembly (2024) approved and recommended to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes proposed changes in the language of the Book of Order that, if approved, will amend the Constitution, as well as an ecumenical agreement with the Episcopal subject to approval by the presbyteries.
We will vote on the amendments at our April 29, 2025 assembly meeting. There will be two opportunities to learn about the amendments. Join Stated Clerk Elissa Bailey and the members of the Bills and Overtures Committee in Zoom gatherings on Tuesday, January 14, 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Click here for Zoom
You can find the amendments and Ecumenical Agreement here.
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Meet PGR’s New Staff Member
Brandy Walters has been hired as our new Communications and Administrative Assistant. In that part-time role, she will help create, organize, plan, and implement effective communications messages and strategies (social media, website, newsletter), and provide administrative support to staff.
Brandy has been the Administrative Assistant at United Church of Oneida (PCUSA and United Methodist) since 2018. She grew up in that congregation (as one of the Methodist members!). She earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and served for several years as an advocate for children and families in the social work field.
Brandy and her husband, Jim, have three daughters still at home, ages 11, 13, and 15, and two young adult daughters. Much of their free time is spent cheering for their girls at travel softball and other sports and music events.
Brandy’s office hours will be Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm; she will work primarily from home. When we resume our PGR on the Road visits throughout the presbytery, she will join those gatherings as she is able. Brandy will also help coordinate and staff presbytery meetings.
You can reach Brandy at 309-683-6980 and office@greatriverspby.org. Please join us in welcoming her to this new role in the Presbytery of Great Rivers!
Our virtual office assistant, Crystal Goforth, and her assistant, Stephanie Sidoti, have been wonderful to work with over the past few years. Our annual contract with their company, VMA, ended on December 31, but they have been gracious enough to provide some technical training to Brandy over the next several weeks, for which we are most grateful.
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The Mission of the Church | |
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Please be sure to always submit a fully completed remittance form with any check you send to the presbytery.
This ensures that we apply your payment as you intend. If sending from your bank online, you can email your remittance form to smcgrath@greatriverspby.org.
2024
Thank you to all churches who have contributed towards Per Capita
We’ve had 61 churches pay their 2024 per capita in full!
Thank you to Adair, Aledo-Sunbeam, Alexis – Norwood, Athens, Bartonville, Bloomington- St Luke Union, Bushnell, Canton, Carlinville, Carrollton, Carthage, Chatham, Chenoa, Clayton, Clinton, Coal Valley, Delavan, Divernon, East Moline, Edwards, Elmwood, Eureka, Farmington, Fountain Green, Greenview, Ipava, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Leroy, Lewiston, Lincoln, Macomb – First, Mason City, Media, Middletown, Milan, Monmouth – Faith United, Monmouth – Sugar Tree Grove, Morton, Mt Sterling, New Windsor, Normal-First, Normal-New Covenant, Oneida, Orion, Pekin, Peoria – First Federated, Peoria – United, Petersburg, Pleasant Plains, Quincy, Reynolds, Rio, Rock Island, Springfield-First, Springfield – Hope, Springfield – Korean, Springfield – Third, Springfield – Westminster, Stronghurst, Virginia-Sangamon Valley, Warsaw, Washington, White Hall, Woodhull & Yates City!
If you have a question about how much you still need to pay please email me at smcgrath@greatriverspby.org.
2025
At the Aug 24th assembly meeting it was announced that per capita will be increasing for 2025
2025 Per Capita Per Capita - $38.29 – this is due to General Assembly raising theirs - Synod & PGR remained the same
2025 IRS Mileage rate
The IRS has announced its 2025 mileage rates:
$0.70 cents per mile driven for business use (up 3 cents from 2024).
$0.14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations (fixed by Congress).
Please update your records to reflect these changes – effective 1-1-2025
Please take time to update your contact information with the presbytery.
We have had lots of instances in 2024 where there were questions regarding funds received.
It has come to our attention that churches aren’t updating us when something changes.
PLEASE make sure we have a way to contact your church when something arises.
Thanks,
Bill Strawbridge – Treasurer
Sabrina McGrath - Bookkeeper
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Please click on the blocks below to follow the links: | |
Mission and Ministry in Great Rivers |  
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MLK Non-Violence Orientation Training
Saturday, January 18, 2025 | 2:00-4:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church, Springfield
This MLK National Holiday weekend is a perfect time to learn more of the Rev. Dr. King’s philosophy and methodology of nonviolent social change:
• types and levels of conflict
• myths and facts about nonviolence
• six principals and steps of Kingian nonviolence
• six stakeholders needed to bring about change within community
The trainer is Chuck Alphin, Certified Kingian Nonviolence Trainer and leader of Building Life Foundations Nonviolence Center near St Louis. All costs for the event have been donated. Co-Sponsors are CORAL; First Presbyterian Church, Springfield; the Illinois Poor People’s Campaign; Intricate Minds; and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
Registration is required due to limited seats.
REGISTER by Thursday, January 16
https://firstpresbyterianchurch.breezechms.com/form/93a070
If you have questions, email: RevSusan@LincolnsChurch.org
A one-day follow-up training is also being planned.
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Resources for Pastors, Sessions,
and Congregations
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New PCUSA.org
The new PCUSA.org website has finally been launched! This updated platform is tailored to meet the needs of church leaders, with easier navigation, streamlined access to resources, and tools to support your ministry. From worship planning materials to mission initiatives and leadership resources, the new site is your go-to hub for everything Presbyterian. Read more in the news release.
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Immigration Issues
The PCUSA’s Office of Immigration Issues has assembled a list of resources related to immigration, asylum, refugee, and immigrant defense. This includes contact information for all our offices engaging in the church’s response to migrants, deportation defense resources, and advent worship resources and more. If you would like a copy, please contact Lead Presbyter Ann Schwartz.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s Migration Accompaniment Ministries will continue to focus on changes in U.S. policies and government funded programs that relate to the persons we serve through our humanitarian programs and U.S. humanitarian policies. These include refugees, asylum seekers, persons with other forms of temporary status (TPS or Humanitarian Parole) and those who are in limbo waiting for a decision about one of these types of status.
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How Is Your Church Caring for God’s Creation?
Do you know how thoughtful roofing choices can lower your church's electrical costs and help care for Creation? Linda K. Smith, a sustainability consultant, recently spoke to Presbyterians for Earth Care about her top Creation-care suggestions for churches. Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q02Nd32j0
Top 10 Creation-care Suggestions for Churches
- Install a white, stronger roof at replacement
- Increase attic insulation
- Create a schedule for the HVAC system
- Zone the HVAC system
- Use appropriate HVAC temperature ranges for the season
- Plant trees
- Use native landscaping to reduce irrigation
- Employ healthy practices around utensils and dishes at mealtimes
- Implement wellness programs
- Promote the use of electric vehicles and solar panels.
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Conferences and Learning Opportunities | |
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SAVE THE DATE!
NEXT Church is excited to announce a National Gathering taking place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, November 11-14, 2025. The gathering will be at Westminster Presbyterian Church, thanks to the generosity and hospitality of their congregation and staff. During the gathering, leaders from all across the Church will learn alongside those asking similar questions, naming the very real/pressing challenges, and hoping to uncover strategies to bring about wholeness as we do the work ahead. Our time together will create the space to cultivate individual and communal transformation.
Registration will open in April 2025.
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SAVE THE DATE
Presbyterians for Earth Care Conference
October 8–11, 2025
Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center
Little Rock, Arkansas
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Faithful Futures: Empowering Mission Through Property and Enterprise
Come imagine with us and learn from leaders who have looked at empty and unused spaces in their church buildings and caught a vision of how God might use these spaces to create community, form disciples, and serve the world.
What to expect:
- Stories that inspire
- Grounded insight into the value of church property for social enterprise
- Hands on experience with the Good Futures Accelerator so that you can introduce this tool to your congregation
Cost: $70 includes three meals, snacks, and a book!
Learn more and register: https://hubs.ly/Q031rNc80 #PCUSA
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January Ordination Anniversaries
January 9, 2005 – The Rev. Jennifer Sakata, Member at Large
January 29, 2012 – The Rev. Christopher “Chip” Roland, Chaplain, OSF Peoria
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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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Calling All Handbell Ringers
The Illinois Winter Workshop is just about 30 days away! Have you registered yet? Start your year off right with massed ringing, classes, and a concert, all with The Agape Ringers!
For more information and to register online or for a paper registration, go to: https://area8.handbellmusicians.org/illinois/il-events/
Get registered by January 30 and ring with us!
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Gratitude for Mission Funds | |
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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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