November 26, 2025

Adapted from Grateful: The Subversive Power of Giving Thanks

by Diana Butler Bass

GOD, there are many days we do not feel grateful.

When we are anxious or angry. When we feel alone. When we do not understand what is happening in

the world or with our neighbors. When the news is bleak and confusing. When there are threats, injustice, violence, and war.

We struggle to feel grateful.

But this Thanksgiving, we choose gratitude.

We choose to accept life as a gift from you, and as a gift from the unfolding work of all creation.

We choose to be grateful for the earth from which our food comes; for the water that gives life; and for the

air we all breathe.

We choose to thank our ancestors, those who came before us, for their stories and struggles; we will learn from their mistakes and receive their wise choices as a continuing gift for today.

We choose to see our families and friends with new eyes, accepting them for who they are.

We are thankful for our homes, whether humble or grand.

We choose to appreciate and care for our neighbors whatever our differences or how much we feel hurt or misunderstood by them.

We choose to open our hearts to those who dwell among us in the shadows of uncertainty and fear, recognizing their full dignity and humanity.

We choose to see the world as our shared commons, our home now and the legacy we will leave for generations to come.

This Thanksgiving, we do not give thanks. We choose it.

We make this choice of thanks with courage, knowing that it is humbling to say “thank you.”

We open ourselves to your generosity, aware that we live in a circle of gratitude. We all are guests at your table around which gifts are passed and received.

We will not let anything opposed to love take over this table.

We embrace grace, love, and the gifts of life at this table. In this choosing, and in the sharing of this meal.

We are strengthened to pass gratitude on to the world.

Thus, with you God [name the sacred as is your tradition: Lord, Wisdom, Presence, Parent], with all those gathered here, and with those at tables far distant, we pledge to make thanks.

We ask you to strengthen us in this resolve.

Here, now, and into the future. Around our family table. Around the table of our nation. Around the table of

the earth.

We choose thanks. Amen.

Congregations in the Synod of Lincoln Trails are encouraged to apply for $4,000 grants to supplement your mission to those aged 55 and over who are facing financial need that impacts their ability to remain in their home. Five SOLT congregations will be chosen to receive funds from the Cora J Pope Trust Board, which is committed to helping seniors remain in their homes with dignity, support, and hope.

Funds can be used for utility assistance (e.g., electric, gas, water); rent or mortgage support; home repairs/modifications (e.g., ramps, grab bars, HVAC repair); purchase of key items (e.g., window AC units, medical equipment not covered by insurance); and transportation to medical appointments or grocery stores.

Funds may be used for both emergency and planned assistance.

Contact Lead Presbyter Ann Schwartz for more information.

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, flatten 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 enomination 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.

PGR on the Road

There were more cats than people when

PGR on the Road met at the Cat's Meow

Café in Bloomington on November 18.

Even so, it was purrfect!

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.

Giving Tuesday is December 2, 2025

This Giving Tuesday, join with the Presbyterian Church (USA) in support of the Giving Catalog, and help

us support initiatives to provide clean water, end hunger, sustain communities and support education.

Every gift, regardless of size, will make a meaningful impact in the lives of siblings around the world, as we walk alongside them toward safer, healthier and more fulfilled lives.

Make a plan to Give with a Purpose to a cause that’s close to your heart on Giving Tuesday.

Click here to read more and download resources.

The nationwide Presbyterian Peace Fellowship

hosts a Sunday evening gathering called Lost

& Found, “a virtual peace church and an intentionally decentralized community. It’s a space where anyone can lead a service, share music, offer their preaching skills, or tell their story. This is your space to connect with others who put peace at the heart of their faith.”

First and Third Sundays: Services of worship.

All Other Sundays: Soul Studies—community-building gatherings for connection and reflection.

When: Sundays at 7 PM ET | 6 PM CT | 5 PM MT | 4 PM PT

Where: Online (Zoom link provided upon registration)

Discover more about Lost & Found here.

Applications are open for the next cohort of Contemplative Renewal Immersions at Holy Wisdom Monastery. This is an opportunity to journey as part of a cohort of pastors from across the country and multiple Christian traditions for two years of contemplative practice and renewal. The journey begins with two immersions at Holy Wisdom Monastery, an ecumenical Benedictine monastery nestled in 130 acres of restored prairie on the north edge of Madison, Wisconsin. The summer immersion will be held June 22-29, 2026, followed by a winter immersion January 21-27, 2027. Small group online reflection circles will meet through the summer of 2028. This program offers early and mid-career clergy the opportunity to nourish their spiritual center by developing life-long practices of contemplative prayer and covenantal relationships with clergy peers. Click here to learn more and apply.

Welcome to the 227^th General Assembly (2026)

Issue 5 of GA227's "On the Road to GA" is hot off the virtual presses!

Join us each month to stay informed and engaged on the most pressing issues.

• Open to all who are passionate about change
• Gain valuable insights and resources
• Build connections and find direction for making a meaningful impact

Stay connected, stay informed, and stay active!

Presbyterian Advocacy Hour

Join us every 2nd Wednesday of the month for Presbyterian Advocacy Hour: Community Connection! hosted by the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Presbyterian Advocacy Hour brings together committed people of faith each month to fill your solar batteries up with information and ways to act on the most pressing issues.

Next Advocacy Hour: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST

Location: Virtual

PC(USA) Quarterly Resource Review

The final Quarterly Resource Preview (QRP) of 2025 is now available, featuring a wide range of timely tools, updates, and opportunities for ministries of all sizes. This edition includes new Advent resources, registration details for upcoming webinars on the 2026 Special Offerings changes, a special winter retreat discount from Stony Point Center, and much more.

Read the full Quarterly Resource Preview here.

Nov 27-28 | Presbytery Office closed for Thanksgiving

Dec 3 | 3:00 pm | Leadership Team Zoom

Dec 4 | 10:00 am | COM | United PC, Peoria

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.

Solo Pastor: Installed

Chatham, PC

https://clc.pcusa.org/mdp/12437/view/

Associate Pastor: Installed

Peoria, United Presbyterian

https://clc.pcusa.org/mdp/12337/view/

Pastor of Yoked Ministry: Installed

New Windsor PC and Rio PC

https://clc.pcusa.org/mdp/11148/view/

Solo Pastor: Installed

Woodhull, United Church

https://clc.pcusa.org/mdp/12228/view/

See the CLC for more info. Anyone can do an opportunity search.

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. 

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.

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/

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