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From the Lead Presbyter
During a recent visit to Chicago, my husband and I enjoyed our annual visit to the Art Institute, the first Chicago River architecture boat tour we’ve taken since our children were young, a play at the Goodman Theater, evening strolls along the River Walk, and incredible meals.
On a warm and sunny afternoon, we went to “The Bean,” the huge stainless steel sculpture in Millennium Park. One of the world’s largest permanent outdoor art installations, it is officially called Cloud Gate. But because it’s shaped like a bean, that’s what everyone calls it, which seems so . . . midwestern.
What a happy spot that was! Hundreds of people were laughing at their warped reflections; admiring the views of the art, the city, and the park from every angle; taking selfies; and asking strangers to snap photos of them and then offering to reciprocate. Because it was the weekend of the Chicago Marathon, the crowds were large and even more diverse than usual.
I was struck by the profound beauty of the scene—all those humans experiencing delight in their own images and in the faces of others, the chorus of languages, the community that emerged organically from joy. This is the kin-dom of God, I thought.
We were aware that at the same time, in another part of the city, a far less joyful crowd also gathered. Hundreds—many people of faith—have been protesting the cruel and often violent enforcement of immigration policies at the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) facility in Broadview. I expect the kin-dom of God was/is fully on display there too, with folks praying, singing, and standing in solidarity with their neighbors who have been detained.
When we see the humanity of all people and acknowledge that they too have been created in the image of God, it is not possible to justify hatred and brutality toward them. My prayer is that we come to delight in one another, to relish our differences, to see God in our neighbors. May it be so.
Ann
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  November Presbytery Assembly | | | |
A Presbytery Assembly was convened at First Federated Church in Peoria on November 1. Thanks to the stellar hospitality of the FFC congregation and staff and the planning of the Leadership Team and Presbytery staff, we experienced moving worship and music, enjoyable table fellowship, and a rich and productive business meeting.
Among the highlights (see Clerk's Corner for more):
- Dismissal of the Morton Administrative Commission with thanks
- Dismissal with thanks of the Governance Task Force
- Vote to approve candidates recommended by the Administration Team for the 2026 Presbytery Nominating Committee: Rev. Paul Stroup, Class of 2028; Rev. Tim Bauler, Class of 2028; Elder Julie Bruninga, Class of 2026
- Approval of the full slate of candidates from the Presbytery’s Nominating Committee
- Approval of 3% cost-of-living salary increases for Ann Schwartz, Lead Presbyter, and Elissa Bailey, Stated Clerk
- Approved COM recommendation to allow Rev. Bryan Burris to serve as called and installed pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Danvers, where he currently serves as the congregation's Stated Supply pastor
- Elected ordination exam readers for 2026 (TE Cheyanna Losey, TE Drew Nagle (alternate), RE Julio Garcia, RE Vicky Carlson (alternate))
- Prayed for the family of Rev. Rick Tindall in his death
- Heard that the last worship service at First Presbyterian Church, Virden, will be November 16
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From the Clerk's Corner
Greetings Clerks!
For those of you who saw me in my boots recently, here is my photo right before I officiated the wedding of Chase and Grant Foreman! A special congratulations to my niece and her new husband! They were married on November 8th in Dripping Springs, Texas. It was 90 degrees!
If you have been to the Session Record Reviews, you may have heard me talk about putting out a report about what happened at the last presbytery assembly. Pastors, Clerks, and Elder Commissioners are welcome to use any and/or all of this report for their reports they give back to the session about what took place at the last presbytery assembly. So here goes...!
On November 1st, the Presbytery of Great Rivers met at First Federated Church in Peoria. It was an amazing joy to see how hard the Nominating Committee worked to prepare our presbytery for the new thing, the new season that we are coming into next year, as the presbytery has passed the new bylaws and new structure of committees. There are still a few openings for service if anyone feels called.
The personnel committee and assembly were delighted to extend the contracts of Rev. Ann Schwartz, Lead Presbyter, and Rev. Elissa Bailey, Stated Clerk, through December 31, 2028. The personnel committee also presented the newly hired treasurer, Annette Simmons, a Ruling Elder from First Presbyterian, Jacksonville. Welcome, Annette! Also, thank you so much, Bill Strawbridge, for all of the amazing work you have done for us!
Our new Moderator, Rev. Lonna Lee, was installed, as well as our new Vice-Moderator, Elder Gary Terpstra. The assembly said a special thank you to the now former Moderator, Elder Carol Sleeth. Worship was meaningful as Rev. Jonathan Warren, Pastor of First Presbyterian, Jacksonville, reminded us that even in all of the baggage we drag around, we are still called to have hope. During the assembly, we remember the saints of First Presbyterian of Morton as their church closed this year, and we remember Elder and Clergy saints who joined the church triumphant in 2024. In all, we give thanks for the ways God gathers us together to be the presbytery we are called to be.
Clerks: As we enter Stats Season very soon, I wanted to give you all a heads up that Stated Clerks have been notified that the portal system for clerks to enter their annual statistical reports will not open until January 2nd.
Thank you all for the work you do!
Elissa
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Rev. Elissa Bailey, LPC
Presbytery of Great Rivers Stated Clerk
Presbytery of East Iowa Stated Clerk
Presbytery of National Capitol Co-Acting Stated Clerk
Evergreen Coaching and Counseling, Mental Health Therapist
My work as the Stated Clerk is supported by per capita giving, which is our community plan to unite all Presbyterians in sharing God's love as a community of churches.
My regular office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30am - 3 pm. If you have an emergency, please call or text me at 309-371-2511. Thank you.
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From your Finance Team
Greetings to all of our churches
Changes are coming to the Special Offerings program.
Beginning in 2026, the Special Offerings will be represented through three distinct offerings that continue to reflect our values of connection, compassion, and generosity.
- One Great Hour of Sharing — February 18 – April 5, 2026
- World Communion Offering — September 6 – October 4, 2026
- Christmas Joy Offering — November 29 – December 20, 2026
Please be aware:
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The Pentecost Offering will no longer be received. If you still have gifts for Pentecost, please be sure to remit those before the books close on 2025. The work supported by the Pentecost Offering will continue through giving to the Christmas Joy Offering. In 2026, if you submit a gift coded as being for the Pentecost Offering, we will record it as a gift to Christmas Joy.
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The Peace & Global Witness offering will also no longer be received. In the new year, if gifts are remitted as being for the Peace & Global Witness Offering or its predecessor, the Peacemaking Offering, they will be received as a gift for the World Communion Offering.
Take note of the updated 2026 remittance form. A paper copy will be mailed out with end of year statements in January 2026.
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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.
Per Capita
2025 Per Capita: $38.29 per member based on 12/31/23 final membership numbers reported
2026 Per Capita: $39 per member based on 12/31/24 final membership reported
GA: $11.26 Synod: $3.81 PGR: $23.93
Thank you to all churches that have contributed towards Per Capita
We’ve had 51 churches pay their 2025 per capita in full! See the full list here.
PGR Churches Mission Support
PGR churches and members have given an amazing $135,262 in mission giving in 2025!
Year-End Giving
Making gifts at year-end is a holiday tradition for many. Considering which assets to give and in what forms
to give them can be challenging. We have resources you can use to support your members in making year-end gifts to your church or other ministries they care about. Find more resources here.
Thank you
Bill Strawbridge – Treasurer Sabrina McGrath – Bookkeeper
| | Employment Guidance for PC(USA) Sessions and Session Personnel Committees | | |
Almost all congregations have some kind of “employment” relationship beyond installed pastor. As a result, there are always aspects of employment that need to be managed in order to ensure that the congregation is in compliance with both Presbyterian polity and applicable law. For guidance on hiring (including questions you can and cannot ask during interviews), employee supervision, sample evaluation forms, standards of conduct, terminating staff, and more, check out this free resource.

| | Alert Regarding Church Insurance Policies | At the November Presbytery Assembly, Rev. Jonathan Warren, moderator of the Administration Team, warned churches that a number of Great Rivers’ congregations have had their coverage dropped immediately prior to renewal dates. He encouraged sessions to solicit bids from multiple companies in the months before renewal dates, to enable thoughtful consideration of insurance and options and to avoid having to scramble for coverage. | | Congratulations, Rev. Matt Wilcox | | Join Us in Celebrating Julio | | |
Christmas Joy Offering
The prophet Isaiah gives those listening to him a very particular task to prepare the way for the coming Messiah, the person we know as Jesus. Isaiah proclaims that to prepare the way is to make highways easily navigable, fill in valleys, f latten hills, level the ground, make the earth smooth. Then, and only then, will God’s glory be revealed, and this will cause all humanity to see that God has spoken to us. Your gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering combine with gifts from thousands of congregations throughout our denomination to do our part to repair the world and to ensure our siblings have the tools they need to flourish. Your gifts prepare the way for the God we know in Jesus Christ, the child whose birth we celebrate.
| | Presbyterians to Palestine Trip | | |
Hosted by Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, Bruce Reyes-Chow will be leading a delegation of Presbyterians to Palestine, December 10-19, 2025. They will meet with Palestinian leaders, activists, artists, and community members to gain insight into life and faith under occupation.
For more information visit https://bit.ly/SabeelDec25 or contact Bruce Reyes-Chow: breyeschow@gmail.com.
| | New Covenant Community is Moving | | For the past several years, New Covenant Community has worshiped at Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington. On November 24, NCC will lease space at Centennial Christian Church, 1219 E. Grove St., Bloomington, Illinois 61701. Please update their address in your presbytery directory. | | |
The link below provides rapid response training on immigrant rights when encountering ICE. There are new sessions to choose from, each offering the same training. All trainings start at 6:00 pm: Nov. 19, Nov. 26, Dec 3, Dec 10, Dec 17, Dec 24, and Dec 31. Webinar Registration Zoom
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W_38Dg56RYG5XW8XgKjTng#/registration
| Draw Near: Lighting the Advent Path with Hope, Peace, Joy & Love | |
Advent is not just about counting down the days to Christmas. It’s about slowing down, staying awake, and noticing Christ’s presence with us — here and now.
That’s the invitation of the Outlook’s 2025 Advent devotional, Draw Near, written by Editor/Publisher Teri McDowell Ott.
Each day, Draw Near offers Scripture, reflection, prayer, and a simple practice to help you enter the season with hope, peace, joy, and love. Alongside these devotions, you’ll find artwork from children — tender and imaginative interpretations of sacred texts that remind us what it means to receive the kingdom like a child.
| | Presbyterian Church Growth Network (PCGN) | | |
The PCGN is a learning community open to all PC(USA) leaders who value and believe local congregations and new faith communities are called and created to be “strengthened in faith and increase in numbers.” The PCGN seeks to foster growth in size, vitality, and missions impact for local congregations and new faith communities so that more people experience the life-changing love of Christ. You can find out more about the PCGN on our website www.pcgrowthnetwork.org.
There are several ways to get connected to the PCGN:
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Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pcgrowthnetwork
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Visit the PCGN website: www.pcgrowthnetwork.org
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Join a PCGN Monthly Zoom Call: We host two monthly drop-in Zoom calls (2nd Tuesday at 2 pm CST and 2nd Wednesday at 9 am CST). Those calls feature a monthly theme for discussion, and participants leave with actionable next steps to help their churches pursue healthier growth.
- PCGN Webinars: We have launched a series of webinars featuring expert voices from across the denomination. We are also collaborating with local churches, presbyteries, and synods to help plan other online and in-person events.
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E-mail List: Fill out the form on our website or send an e-mail to pcgn.contact@gmail.com
| | A Note from the PC(USA) Unification Commission | | |
The Presbyterian Church (USA) is in the midst of merging the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency. If you are not familiar with WHY we are undertaking this process, please
read this article by Unification Commission member Rev. Scott Lumsden. He offers a helpful analogy to
explain why unifying the two bodies is necessary for the health and witness of our church.
| | Survey and Digital Collection on PC(USA) Anti-Racism Work | | |
The Presbyterian Historical Society is in the process of developing a resource and/or training to help churches research and write their own histories through an anti-racist lens. To inform our process, PHS staff would like to hear directly from churches and mid councils on what would be most useful for you as you engage in this work via this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SNPM69N
As part of this effort, PHS is collecting and preserving products of self-study undertaken by PC(USA) congregations and mid councils and providing access to them via the PC(USA) Self-Studies on Racism digital collection. Use this webform to submit your church or mid council's self-study product to be preserved and added to the digital collection.
Questions? Contact us at refdesk@history.pcusa.org
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The Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program is an ecumenical, faith-based year of service for young people
(ages 19–30) in sites across the United States and around the world. YAVs accompany local agencies
working to address root causes of poverty and reconciliation. Alongside this work, volunteers explore the
meaning of their Christian faith and accountability to their neighbors in the community with peers and mentors. Applications are open for 2026/2027.
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2026 Preaching Retreat
Looking for new ways to breathe new life into Preaching for Holy Week?
Join us at the Sacre Coeur Retreat Center for this workshop with Anna Carter Florence and Jake Myers from Columbia Theological Seminary, as we explore the familiar lectionary stories from Year A together. We’ll discover some new strategies for reading Scripture that are easy to grasp and easy to adapt to your context. We’ll move from text to sermon as we consider what the Spirit might be leading us to preach during Holy Week and Easter services this year. We’ll talk about some images of the preacher to spur thought and conversation. And we’ll share a roundtable conversation about how resurrection life might be stirring in our own congregations—and in our preaching!
Sponsored by the CTS Preachers’ Studio for Renewal, this two-day event will be a lively and energizing deep dive into Scripture and your own preaching ministry. Anna Carter Florence is the Peter Marshall Professor of Preaching at Columbia Seminary. Jake Myers is the Wade P. Huie, Jr. Associate Professor of Homiletics at Columbia Seminary.
Event Dates: Friday, March 6, 2026, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Event location: Sacre Coeur Retreat Center 8508 Country Road 100N Magnolia, IL 61336 | (309)409-5519
Cost: $25 for CREs/CLPs, $50 for other clergy.
The cost includes lunch, dinner, evening social time, overnight accommodations, breakfast, and lunch.
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Tuesday, November 25, 10:00 am, Zoom
Commissioned Ruling Elders are invited
to a time of fellowship and sharing.
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The next Zoom check-in for pastoral leaders is scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, at 12:00.
It’s an informal time of conversation and fellowship. ​Feel free to eat lunch as you gather with colleagues.
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We pray for the following Great Rivers congregations and their leaders:
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Kirkwood Westminster Presbyterian Church
- Tallula, Rock Creek Presbyterian Church and Stated Supply Pastor Rev. Joanne Hinds
- Macomb, Scotland Trinity Presbyterian Church
- Coal Valley, First Presbyterian Church and Transitional Pastor Rev. Dr. Andrew McDonald
- Peoria, Westminster Presbyterian Church and Transitional Pastor Rev. Tim Mitchell
| | November Ordination Anniversaries | | |
November 6, 1966: The Rev. Brooks O. McDaniel, Retired
November 6, 1983: The Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer, Retired
November 11, 2007: The Rev. Siobhan Warren, Member at Large
November 12, 1989: The Rev. Robert W. Ryder, Retired
November 15, 1989: The Rev. Timothy Snart, Retired
November 21, 1993: The Rev. Joseph H. Eby, Retired
November 22, 2014: The Rev. Karol Farris Schilling, First Presbyterian Church, Normal
November 24, 1996: The Rev. Andrea Andrews Weyhrich, Retired
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Nov 16 | 10:00 am | Final worship service at FPC, Virden
Nov 17 | 12:00 noon | Personnel meeting | Zoom
Nov 18 | 10:00-11:30 am | PGR on the Road | Cat Cafe, Bloomington
Nov 19 | 3:00 pm | CARE Committee | Zoom
Nov 19 | 6:30 pm | Visioning Team | Zoom
Nov 19-21 | Mid Council Financial Conference | Fourth PC, Chicago
Nov 27-28 | Presbytery Office closed for Thanksgiving
| | Bindertek Elliptical Archival Binder | | Center Presbyterian Church in Seaton has a new 4" Heavy-Duty Elliptical Archival Binder from Bindertek for sale. If anyone is interested, please contact Marcia Duncan at marciajduncan@gmail.com | | The Presbytery of Great Rivers has the following items we no longer use. Let us know if your church will use them. Contact me at smcgrath@greatriverspby.org or 309-683-6981. | |   | |
Plastic Offering Baskets - 12 available
Large plastic bowls - 23 available
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16" Metal Tabletop Sign Holders
22 available
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Beware of Spam and Scam Emails | | |
This is your regular reminder to be cautious when you receive emails asking for money or gift cards. No one on the Presbytery staff will ever send you such a request.
By checking the actual email address of the sender (let your cursor hover
over the name of the sender to verify that it is not the address of anyone in
the Presbytery), you can confirm that it is from someone trying to fool you.
You might also look at the signature; all of us on staff include our name, position, and contact information. When in doubt, do not click "Reply," but instead send a separate email to our known address to verify.
| | Open Searches for Pastoral Leadership in Great Rivers | | Presbytery of Great Rivers Directory | | A comprehensive and current directory of church and people contact information! It is available on the Presbytery of Great Rivers website. It is password-protected; please email Brandy at office@greatriverspby.org for access. | | 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.
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Get Connected!
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/ |   | |   | | | |
