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.

July 26, 2024

Announcements

Presbytery Assembly Survey 

The Presbytery of Great Rivers leadership is exploring how we can best design Presbytery Assemblies to foster community and strengthen our mission and ministry. Please take a few moments to complete this survey and share the link with others in your congregation. The deadline to respond is August 15.

Click Here for the Survey

Call for the Assembly

Stated Meeting

Presbytery of Great Rivers

August 24, 2024

10:00-2:00

Second Presbyterian Church, 404 N. Prairie, Bloomington

In person with a Zoom option

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrdeGpqjMtE9SPKBB9tZt2FTudSoIDyGG8 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

PGR Newsletter Schedule

Newsletters go out the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Please send any articles for publication to StephanieSidotiVMA@gmail.com by Tuesdays at 5 pm.

2025 Benefits Plan

If you’re considering your medical coverage options for 2025, join the Board of Pensions for the Tips for Determining the Right Healthcare Coverage for You and Your Family webinar on August 8, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm. You will learn about Affordable Care Act-established exchanges, Medicare, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, and alternative sources of coverage.

Learn more and register: https://cvent.me/knkZa7

Abiding in Decline

A Coach-Facilitated Cohort for Ministry Leaders Seeking Support

The Office of Theology and Worship invites you to apply for a coach led cohort for Teaching Elders, Commissioned Ruling Elders, and other leaders committed to remaining with churches through decline. This is an opportunity to share experiences, ideas, learnings, and wisdom with other leaders.

Learn more and apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/HdZ1Ez15xk

If you have additional questions, contact alicia.demartra-pressley@pcusa.org.

2024 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women’s 2024 Churchwide Gathering will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, August 8–11. Invite your friends and plan to join Presbyterian Women from around the country on these dates. The 2024 PW Gathering will be an exciting, faith-filled time to renew connections within and across PW groups from across the country. 

College and Young Adult Sunday

The PC(USA) assigns specific days on the church calendar for special observance. Here are resources for celebrating College and Young Adult Sunday, typically observed on the first Sunday of August, though it can be celebrated at any time your faith community decides to highlight Liturgies of Celebration and Commissioning.

• Belonging and Becoming (Jeremiah 1:4-10)
• God Is with Us in Every Season (1 Kings 19:4-8)
• Listening to Jesus’ Instructions (Matthew 14:22-23)
• Liturgies of Celebration and Commissioning

Designed for Care:

Our Responsibility to God’s Creation

GLAPCE Fall Event

What does it mean to be a good steward of God's magnificent creation? How can we fulfill our responsibility for caring for this world in our work and in our lives? 

At the October 15-17 gathering of the Great Lakes Association of Partners in Christian Education (GLAPCE), at Lindenwood Retreat & Conference Center, Plymouth, Indiana, participants will consider these questions, as they reflect in a beautiful setting and connect with colleagues in the ministry of faith formation.

The keynote speaker will be Jessica Maudlin, the PC(USA)’s Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns. She resources Presbyterians as they address issues of faith, lifestyle choices, and sustainability. She works with Earth Care Congregations, congregations that have made special commitments to care for God’s earth.

http://www.glapce.org/2024-retreat-registration-form.html

Finding Peace in Times of Disagreement

How often have you heard that we are in the midst of an “unprecedented” political season? It is loud, angry, and divided in the public square. How should we, as Presbyterians, respond to such a polarized environment?

Here is a list of resources designed to help churches address the challenges of polarization and effectively follow the vision of what God intends for us.

• On Encouraging Our Churches to Counter Polarization in Our Society

Adopted by the 225th General Assembly (2022) of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

• Seeking to Be Faithful Together: Presbyterians in a Time of Disagreement

Adopted by the 204th General Assembly (1992) of the Presbyterian Church ( USA) for use by sessions and congregations

• Golden Rule 2020: A Call for Dignity and Respect in Politics

A call to apply this ethical principle to our political discussions

• Braver Angels

A national movement to bridge the partisan divide

• Weave: The Social Fabric Project

Aims to build social trust to address the root cultural cause behind many of America’s social problems

• House United Movement: Coming Together for the Common Good

Addresses how Christianity has the potential to heal our differences and bridge our divides

• Holy Disunity by Layton Williams

How What Separates Us Can Save Us

• A House United by Allen Hilton

Promotes a Christianity that brings people together with their differences

• Love Your Enemies by Arthur Brooks

How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt

Blessings and congratulations to:



Trey Haddon and Ashley Rice, who were married on June 29. Trey is pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington.

Jeremy Westlake and Danielle Spain, who were married early in the summer. Jeremy serves at West Prairie Presbyterian Church, Adair.

Invitation to A Geography of Grace

Pastors seeking a sense of community and an opportunity for personal discernment are invited to participate in A Geography of Grace, a 9-month journey of self-discovery.

Based on the work of Parker Palmer, A Geography of Grace utilizes a process called the Circle of Trust® approach, which is designed to create a safe, confidential, and sacred space where participants support one another in accessing their inner lives. 

The group will be led by Rev. Bryan Burris, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Danvers, who was trained as a facilitator for this curriculum through the Center for Courage and Renewal. An introductory session will be held at 1:00 p.m. on September 10 at United Presbyterian Church, Peoria. Each subsequent monthly session will last 2-2 ½ hours. If you have questions, contact Bryan at (309) 838-3114. Please RSVP by text to that same number or email bryburris@hotmail.com if you are interested in attending the introductory session. 

Installation Service for Rev. Karol Farris Schilling, Associate Pastor of Discipleship | Facebook

Evangelism Conference

Register now for the PC(USA)’s 2024 Evangelism Conference.

Gather with other Presbyterians on October 3-5 in Louisville for “A Lifestyle that Exudes Justice. Discover how we are called to embody the good news of God’s healing and compassion. 

In-person and virtual conference options are available. Spanish and Korean simultaneous interpretation will be available if requested in your online registration.

https://app.groupize.com/e/evangelism-conference-2024

It's Not Too Late

It's not too late to register for The Art of Transitional Ministry at Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina. Every congregation is in transitional ministry. There is also a bonus: a Spouse Track led by Dannie and Annette DeBeer. A previous attendee said this about the spouse track: I attended the Spouse Track Training in 2014, and I am grateful to have had this opportunity to learn and get tools to support my spouse in the Transitional Ministry. 

For more information website https://montreat.org/events/transitional-24. 

Frosty Krummel

PGR Moderator

It’s time for the Synod of Lincoln Oasis Grant flash round!

SOLT Oasis grants are to be used for something that will restore your soul and regenerate your spirit. SOLT wants to be a place of nourishment for pastors. Oasis grants offer an opportunity for respite in the midst of the wilderness. What would spark joy in your life this season? The deadline for this FINAL flash round is August 15 and is open to pastors, chaplains, commissioned pastors, and those in validated ministries who are active in full-time or part-time ministry. Learn more and apply here: https://lincolntrails.org/oasis-a-stop-in-the-wilderness/

From Your Finance Team

Churches, 

Please be sure to 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 Per Capita is $37.25, an increase of $1.00  

2024 Per Capita is based on your final membership numbers reported for 2022.

The annual Per Capita mailing was sent late last fall to the mailing address we have for your church. Packets were mailed to the attention of your clerk of session. If for some reason you didn't receive it, please let us know.  

We’ll happily send you another copy.

Thank you to all churches who have contributed towards Per Capita

We’ve had 31 churches pay their 2024 per capita in full!

Thank you to Aledo-Sunbeam, Athens, Bartonville, Bushnell, Carlinville, Carrollton, Carthage, Chatham, Chenoa, Clayton, Coal Valley, Divernon, Elmwood, Eureka, Greenview, Lincoln, Mason City, Media, Milan, Morton, New Windsor, Normal-New Covenant, Oneida, Orion, Pekin, Quincy, Reynolds, Rock Island, Springfield – Korean,   Virginia-Sangamon Valley & Warsaw!

Mission Giving Percentage Update

At the April 20th assembly meeting it was voted to change the percentage of mission giving for the 

General Assembly & Presbytery of Great Rivers – Synod was not changed it remains at 5%

Presbytery: Increased from 52.5% to 75%

General Assembly (Presbyterian Mission Agency): Decreased from 42.5% to 20%

This change is effective immediately.

The attached letter & revised remittance form was sent via email to the clerk of session & if submitted the financial contact for your church.  The PGR website also has the revised form available.

Please reach out to either of us with any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Sabrina McGrath - Bookkeeper

Bill Strawbridge – Treasurer

Please click on the blocks below to follow the links:

Presbytery of Great Rivers Virtual Office

Virtual Office Assistant Crystal Goforth 309-683-6980 Email: office@greatriverspby.org

Crystal works remotely from South Carolina (Eastern Time) and is available until 4 pm CST Monday thru Wednesday and Friday, and 1:45 pm EST on Thursdays. Please leave her a message & she will return your call.

Bookkeeper Sabrina McGrath 309-683-6981 Email: smcgrath@greatriverspby.org

Sabrina works from Peoria IL.

Her regular schedule is Tues & Thurs between 8am-3pm (Central Time)

Lead Presbyter Ann Schwartz 309-683-6983 Email: aschwartz@greatriverspby.org

Ann's Sabbath Day is Friday.

Stated Clerk Elissa Bailey 309-371-2511  Email: pastorebailey@gmail.com

My regular office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am - 3 pm.(Central Time) If you have an emergency, please call or text me at 309-371-2511.

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.