Assembly Registration is Open | |
The next Assembly of the Presbytery of Great Rivers will take place at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, February 10, on Zoom.
- The Assembly will be held online only.
- Any new business must be submitted to the Stated Clerk, Elissa Bailey, in writing (email or text) no later than 6:30 pm on the day of the meeting.
- CARE (Committee on Accessibility, Representation, and Equity) plans an interactive report for us.
- The Rev. Dr. Cheyanna Losey will lead us in worship.
- We will also receive reports and take action on business related to the mission and ministry of the Presbytery.
- The new packet will be available to download on February 3
Register in advance for this meeting.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Thank you, clerks, for your continued work on the statistical reports! I see some of you have already entered the reports! Thank you. Some of you are starting to send them in to me; that is great. Keep them coming. The hard deadline for clerks to enter the reports online is February 20th. Please let me know if you have any questions.

A great question recently came to me about corporation paperwork. Who can be the president? Likely, you have the clerk as the secretary and the treasurer as the treasurer. You have probably filled in the other trustee members from your session. Go ahead and choose someone else on the session to serve as the president. This person could ultimately be responsible for signing documents. The biggest thing to note is that the pastor cannot be your president. The president must be a member of your corporation, and in almost all situations, the pastor is a member of the presbytery or another church (if a CRE).
Elissa

Rev. Elissa Bailey
Presbytery of Great Rivers Stated Clerk
| Congratulations, Rev. Bryan Burris and First Presbyterian Church, Danvers | | The Rev. Bryan Burris (far right) was installed as the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Danvers, on January 18. Members of the Administrative Commission pictured with him are: RE Kent Wurmnest, Rev. Ann Schwartz, RE Jo Samara, Rev. Kathy Mitchell, Rev. Dr. Forrest Krummel, Rev. Lonna Lee, RE Randy Sigler, and RE Mike Claver. | | 2026 Facts and Figures for the PGR | | |
Pastors
- IRS Mileage Rate: $0.725/mile
- Minimum Total Effective Salaries
- Level 1: 0-4 years of ordained ministerial experience: $51,826
- Level 2: 4+ years of ordained ministerial experience: $55,801
- CRE for full-time: $41,460
- Board of Pensions rates: call 1-800-773-7752
Committee Members
- IRS Mileage Rate: $0.14/mile plus $0.07 per passenger
Per Capita: $39.00
- Presbytery: $23.93
- Synod: $3.81
- General Assembly: $11.26
Membership
- As of December 2024: 7570
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Thank you to all of the churches that contributed to Per Capita in 2025. We had 63 churches pay in full!
See the complete list here.
We've already had 4 churches pay their 2026 per capita in full!
2026 IRS Mileage Rate Increase
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be:
- 72.5 cents per mile driven for business use
- 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
- 20.5 cents per mile driven for medical purposes
​​Additional information can be found here.
Board of Pensions
Please be sure that you’ve updated your employees' 2026 salary information. This ensures that you are paying accurate dues and employees are receiving the correct pension amounts. Log in to the portal at Benefits Connect. Contact the Board of Pensions if you have questions. 800‑PRESPLAN (800‑773‑7752) (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, or email us at memberservices@pensions.org.
Special Offerings
As of January 1, the Special Offerings Program will have three funds. These funds will pass through to Presbytery Mission.
World Communion Offering - The Peace & Global Witness offering will now be received in this fund.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Christmas Joy
The 2026 remittance form reflects these changes. You will receive a paper copy this month in the mail with the end of year statements. The form is also available on our website here.
Paid Leave for All Workers Act
Are you in compliance with this law that took effect on January 1, 2024? All workers, irrespective of their status as full-time or part-time, are entitled to earn and use up to 40 hours of paid leave time each year. The legislation provides that paid leave shall accrue at the rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked. This applies to everyone, regardless of whether part-time, full-time, hourly, or salaried. More information can be found here.
2026 Retirement Savings
State law now requires every Illinois employer with five or more employees to offer their own retirement program or facilitate Illinois Secure Choice. Illinois Secure Choice is a state-facilitated retirement program that makes it easy to save for retirement. This is a good time to confirm if your employees are participating and if their dollar amount withholding will change. Visit their site or contact us for more information.
Review of the Books
It is recommended that the “review of the books” be done internally annually for two years. An outside party (preferably a CPA) is recommended in the third year. These reviews are important to protect the church, as well as those who handle money and set policy. Note: this is not an audit. This step-by-step workbook, authored by Edd Breeden, can help with your reviews. You may also consider partnering with another congregation to share resources.
As always...
- Please submit a fully completed remittance form with check payments to the presbytery to ensure they are applied as intended.
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If payment is sent from your bank online, email your forms to Sabrina.
- Reach out to either of us anytime with questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Annette Simmons – Treasurer Sabrina McGrath – Bookkeeper
PGRTreasurer@greatriverspby.org smcgrath@greatriverspby.org
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Connect with Colleagues and Friends
All Commissioned Ruling Elders are invited to join this
informal monthly check-in via Zoom for conversation,
fellowship, and support. Our next gathering is Monday,
January 26, at 10:00 am.
CREs use this link to join
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The next Zoom Check-in for Pastors is scheduled for
Wednesday, January 28, at 12:00 noon. A time to
share your Ash Wednesday and Lent plans and discuss
how you are preaching about tough subjects.
Pastors join here.
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Self-Development of People (SDOP) Sunday is an opportunity for Presbyterians to learn about the work of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in engaging with communities on issues of poverty and other social injustices through the ministry of the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People.
The SDOP Yearbook and Toolkit is now available for use on SDOP Sunday, February 8. This resource highlights stories from community partners, sermons from the Kairos Center, reflections from SDOP leaders, and examples of SDOP “on the move.”
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From the Board of Pensions
Save the date: Benefits Regional Summits
The Benefits Regional Summits return this spring as informative town halls to provide updates and insights about the Benefits Plan. The summits are open to all throughout the Church, and we particularly encourage pastors, Personnel Committee chairs, and church business administrators to attend. Invitations will be sent in February.
Important information to know:
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This article discusses how the Board balances caring for members through the Benefits Plan with risk and rising costs in a fragmented healthcare system. It’s a good resource for understanding the Board’s stewardship of the Medical Plan.
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We will be introducing a new Benefits Connect tool in February for managing employee updates. The Manage/Add Participants tool will allow employer representatives to add new hires, and make changes to salaries, hours, and employment information.
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The 2025 Housing Allowance Letter is available for ministers and their tax advisers.
Plans and programs updates:
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Assistance Program: We have enhanced several grants for 2026. In particular, I call your attention to the new eligibility for Minister Debt Relief as well as Housing and Income supplements.
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Medical Plan and Spring Health: 2026 brings updates to features that support the well-being of members. I recommend paying special attention to Call to Health, Hinge Health, and Spring Health. Medical Plan members have access to all three at no additional cost. Those enrolled in benefits through the Covenant Package also have access to Spring Health.
- The new Call to Health platform launched Jan. 2. All members must register for the new experience, even if they had previously participated. Covered spouses also can participate.
- Hinge Health offers virtual physical therapy and app-based exercises under the guidance of a physical therapist.
- Two new resources are available through Spring Health: an online Weight and Wellness resource hub, with access to nutrition coaching, and unlimited, confidential virtual coaching for teens.
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As a reminder, Call to Health, Hinge Health, and Spring Health are not available to members enrolled in Triple-S or GeoBlue or to retired members enrolled in the Humana Group Medicare Advantage PPO plan.
| Reminder to Respond to the PC(USA) Anti-Racism Work Survey | | |
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. We want to hear directly from churches and mid councils about the resources and guidance that would be most useful to them as they engage in anti-racism work, regardless of where they are in this process.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SNPM69N
You can read more about this project, view examples from other congregations, and learn how to submit your own research products on this webpage.
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2026 Special Offerings Updates Webinars
You’re invited to see what’s in store for Special Offerings! Sign up for an upcoming webinar to deep dive into the upcoming changes
to the Churchwide Special Offerings and ensure your congregations are well prepared for 2026. All webinars will include the same presentation with a Q&A session at the end and will be recorded for any who cannot attend live – we look forward to seeing you there!
Click on the date of your choice to sign up.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 6 - 7:15 PM CST
Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 3 - 4:15 PM CST

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2026 Preaching Retreat at the Sacre Coeur Retreat Center
Looking for ways to breathe new life into preaching for Holy Week and Easter? Join us 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. This two-day event will be a lively and energizing deep dive into Scripture and your own preaching ministry.
Event Dates: Friday, March 6 & Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Event Location: Sacre Coeur Retreat Center | 8508 Country Road 100N, Magnolia, IL 61336 | (309)409-5519
Cost Includes:
- Friday lunch, dinner, evening social time, overnight accommodations, breakfast, and Saturday lunch.
- $25 Commissioned Ruling Elders
- $50 Ministers of Word and Sacrament and other preachers
Click here to learn more and to register by February 1. Maximum 30 preachers.
| | Church Safety and Security Workshop | | |
This in-person workshop fulfills the denominational requirement for boundary training!
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Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2025
- Time: 10 am to 2:00 pm (eastern)
- Place: Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, 46260
- (317) 253-6461
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www.secondchurch.org
- Lunch Provided; registrants will be contacted immediately before February 4 to provide their menu choices.
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This training has been developed by and will be led by Presbytery leaders from the Synod of Lincoln Trails.
Additional training dates and locations for 2026 will be announced in early February.
| | Resources for Personal, Family, and Congregational Spiritual Growth | | |
From the PCUSA Store
The Lent 2026 digital resource guide from PC(USA) Store is now available! This guide allows you to compare Lent books and resources for devotion, group study, preaching, and worship. You also have direct access to excerpts and will learn about the newest Lent book for study and devotion: Meeting Jesus on the Road: A Lenten Study, by Cynthia M. Campbell and Christine Coy Fohr. As you’ll learn in the guide, this new book includes free session introduction videos from the authors to help with group study.
Family Devotional
NEW Lent at Home Family Devotional
This simple Mark, Remember, Listen, Reflect, Act, Pray, Bless format focuses on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5. Beautiful original artwork. Perfect for Lent. This devotional could also be used anytime to focus on the Beatitudes as the 9 devotional cards stand alone plus intro and conclusion cards. It is appropriate for all ages and not only families. Download free either as a side-by-side layout or print as two-sided cards. Created by the Around the Table initiative of the PCUSA.
From Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) provides a number of resources on disaster preparedness to help everyone to educate themselves as disaster events become more frequent. Learn how your congregation and family can prepare to respond to local disasters—strengthened, informed, and ready to reach out in your community with the hope of Christ.
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2026 Small Church Community Circles
Join us for the first Small Church Community Circle Zoom of 2026 on Tuesday, February 3, 3:00-4:30pm (ET). Register Here. All six dates for the year are listed and you only register once. Come learn about new resources and connect with other leaders in small churches around Christian Formation.
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Committed to Making Change
Cultivated Ministry is a culture shift for assessment, evaluation, and (re)design aimed at nurturing thoughtful expressions of God’s mission in the world. This free resource is designed to develop meaningful ways to measure effectiveness, align their intentions with impact, and honestly assess in order to make the changes that lead to justice and wholeness.
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Committed to Conversation
Sparking Conversations features six leading church thinkers and practitioners who present approximately 5-minute ignite-style videos. The topics vary from the art of relational meetings, navigating today’s climate of grief and overwhelm, to the power of story. The videos are designed to watch in community and use the accompanying discussion
questions to spark conversations about timely and important topics.
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Committed to Antiracism Work
Antiracism as a Way of Being is a six-module video series developed
for NEXT Church by Crossroads Antiracism Organizing & Training.
Each module contains multiple short videos (5-10 minutes) along with supplemental materials and reflection questions. This accompanied course is for those moving from programs and studies to disrupting
systems and transforming the world around them.
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Registration is Now Open
Join us Mondays in February for a churchwide (PCUSA) film study on “Evicting the American Dream," an excellent documentary about homelessness, the U.S. housing crisis, and its impacts on children. The film is produced by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Counter Stories Productions.
We will gather weekly online after having watched each week’s segment of the film. We will hear from featured speakers and discuss issues of redlining, housing commodification, eviction, the impact of housing insecurity on children, and ways to take action in our own communities.
Advanced registration is required to receive the meeting links and instructions to view the weekly segments.
| | Mark your calendar for September 16-18, and join POAMN in Knoxville, Tennessee, for our annual conference. Join us for an inspiring gathering focused on spiritual depth, resilience, and continued fruitfulness—themes that matter deeply for leaders walking alongside older adults through seasons of transition. Read more here. | |
How to Read Overtures
For anyone wanting to look up overtures submitted for the 227th General Assembly on PC-Biz, please follow the instructions below:
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Go to https://www.pc-biz.org/search
- Under the Assembly Committee column, select -No assignment- in the dropdown
- Click the "Search" button
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We give thanks to God for these faithful congregations and pastoral leaders:
- Edwards, Korean Presbyterian Church and Rev. Hyaekwang Kim
- Galesburg, First Presbyterian Church and Rev. Scott Carnes
- Peoria, United Presbyterian Church and Rev. Debra Avery
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Jan 26 | 10:00 am | CRE Check-in | Zoom
Jan 27 | 3:30 pm | Leadership Council | Zoom
Jan 28 | 12:00 pm | Pastor Zoom Check-in
Jan 29 | 9:00 am | Nominating Committee | Zoom
Jan 29 | 10:00 am | PGR On the Road | The Soap Co. Coffee Shop, Jacksonville
Feb 3 | 12:30 pm | Commission on Transitions | Zoom
Feb 4 | 10:00 am | SOLT Boundary Training | Indianapolis (in-person only)
Feb 5 | 9:00 am | Staff meeting | Zoom
Feb 10 | 6:00 pm | Presbytery Assembly | Zoom
Feb 12 | 1:00 pm | Commission on Pastoral Leadership | Zoom
Feb 17 | 3:30 pm | CARE | Zoom
Feb 18 | Ash Wednesday
Feb 28 | 9:00 am | Church Safety & Security Workshop | Springfield Hope PC
Mar 6-7 | Preaching Retreat | Sacre Coeur Center
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Beware of Spam and Scam Emails
Privacy Alert: The Presbytery Directory, as well as
your church directory is for members only.
Please DO NOT share this information to protect everyone's privacy.
- It's always a good idea to check the email address before responding to requests.
- Grammatical errors and awkward phrasing often signal potential scams.
- Do not respond to emails that ask for money or favors.
- If something feels off, it probably is!
- No one on the Presbytery staff will ever send you a request asking for money or gift cards.
| | Open Searches for Pastoral Leadership in Great Rivers | | Presbytery of Great Rivers Directory | | Presbytery of Great Rivers Staff | | |
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.
Treasurer
Annette Simmons | Email: PGRTreasurer@greatriverspby.org
Communications and Administrative Assistant
Brandy Walters | 309-683-6980 | Email: bwalters@greatriverspby.org
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:00am - 3:00pm. 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
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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
| | https://www.greatriverspby.org/ |   | |   | | | |
