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Highlights from the April 29 Assembly
- Were led in prayer by Rev. Kay Daniel (Chatham PC) for the community of Chatham, as it grieves the death of four children and the injury of several others in a tragic accident
- Welcomed Sarah Koplinski, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Blackburn College, who shared with us about the school’s unique programs
- Engaged in table conversations about the presbytery restructuring proposal from the Governance Task Force
- Celebrated the 190-year ministry of Aledo Sunbeam United Presbyterian Church, heard the final report of the Administrative Commission that has worked to dissolve the church, and dismissed the AC with gratitude
- Voted to enroll Jamie R. Kaiser (Bloomington Second) as an inquirer under care of the Presbytery
- Elected Rev. Tim Snart (retired) to serve a 2-year term on the Committee on Ministry
- Voted in support of all the proposed amendments from the 2024 General Assembly
- Heard from Siobhan Warren about the Messy Church ministry at Jacksonville First and its transformative impact on the families that are participating
- Worshiped God together and celebrated the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
- Shared fellowship and a meal
Thanks to the First Presbyterian Church of Elmwood for their gracious hospitality.
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A memorial marker has been placed on the property of the
former Aledo Sunbeam United Presbyterian Church
to commemorate the church's faithful 190-year witness to Christ.
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From the Clerk's Corner
Happy Easter Season, friends.
I hope you are all having a wonderful Easter season. I have scheduled our May clerk’s corner for May 19 at 2:00 pm. This is a time for clerks to gather, ask any questions that come up and share about what is happening.
Elissa Bailey (she/her/hers) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Clerk of Session Meeting Join Zoom Meeting Here
Meeting ID: 824 7748 7297 Passcode: 832216
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L3: Midwest Call Finder and Improving Your
Ministry's Online Presence
The Rev. Jana Blazek will speak about Midwest Call Finder, the synod's new search tool for churches seeking pastors and other church professionals and
for pastors and church professionals seeking positions. She will also share her expertise on improving a church's social media and online presence. Please preregister for the meeting. May 13, 2025, 12:00 - 1:30 pm.
Jana Blazek joined the staff of Chicago Presbytery in 2023 as the Director
of Connectional Relationships, a position that is shared with The Synod of
Lincoln Trails.
Before going to seminary, Jana worked in medical communications and specialized in neuroscience and psychiatry, primarily developing continuing education for physicians. A graduate of Dubuque Seminary, she was ordained by Chicago Presbytery to a call as associate editor of the Presbyterian Outlook. She went on to serve as Director of Communications for Worship Times (building websites and communication strategies for churches around the country) and also pastored Rogers Park Presbyterian Church in Chicago. In addition, she continues to serve as a communications consultant for nonprofits and ministries.
Jana lives in Chicago with her 8-pound dog Lucy and way too many books.
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From the Finance Team
Hello from your Finance Team,
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
Thank you to all churches who have contributed towards Per Capita
We’ve had 24 churches pay their 2025 per capita in full!
Thank you to Aledo – Sunbeam, Bartonville, Carlinville, Carrollton, Carthage, Clinton, Coal Valley, Elmwood, Eureka, Greenview, Kirkwood, Knoxville, Mason City, Milan, Milan, Morton, Mt Sterling, New Windsor, Normal-New Covenant, Reynolds, Rock Island, Springfield- Korean, Washington & Woodhull.
PGR Churches Mission Support
PGR churches and members have given an amazing $50,721 in mission giving in just the first 3 months of 2025!
General missions: GA $4,846 Synod $1,193 PGR $17,320
OGHS $3,704 Christmas Joy $11,776 Peacemaking $954
Disaster Relief $10,033 of which $8,199 was designated to wildfire assistance & $313 given during the Feb 11th assembly
Memorials for H Herbert Edwards (a member of Macomb – First) directed to Peacemaking for PGR $895
First Quarter Giving
First quarter statements have been mailed out. Please take the time to review your statements. Contact Sabrina if there are any issues.
Review of the books
It is recommended that the annual “review of the books” be done internally by the church for two years and on the third year, the church should have an outside party (preferably a CPA) do the review. Note: this is not an audit.
Such reviews are important to protect the church, as well as those who handle the money and set policies.
A document to use for the review can be found on the Great Rivers Presbytery website under the tab FINANCIAL, then the document entitled: “2023 Financial Review-Audit by Edd Breeden.” This version was updated in 2022 by Edd.
If you do not have enough people in your congregation to do the internal reviews, consider partnering with another congregation to share resources.
The presbytery also has a recording of the Treasurer’s Training seminar done by Amy Gardner entitled “Annual Financial Review” that you may want to watch. Contact our Bookkeeper -- Sabrina McGrath at smcgrath@greatriverspby.org
We’re also working to update our contact information. The 2025 Financial Contact Person form was included in the annual paperwork. Please take the time to complete & return it. This information is vital if the presbytery needs to reach out to your church. Please make sure we have a way to contact your church when questions arise.
We appreciate all who have already responded by completing their forms!
Please always feel free to reach out to either of us with any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Bill Strawbridge – Treasurer Sabrina McGrath – Bookkeeper
bnc.sbridge@gmail.com smcgrath@greatriverspby.org
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Zoom Check-in for Pastors
Pastors are invited to the monthly Zoom check-in for conversation, fellowship,
and support. The next gathering is on Wednesday, May 21, at 12:00 noon.
Join Here
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Presbyterian Foundation Day of Learning
The Presbyterian Foundation is bringing back our popular Day of Learning program to offer
support for churches, ministries, and mid councils on financial sustainability.
Join us on Thursday, June 26, 10:30 am-2:00 pm, for a series of workshops on Storytelling,
Stewardship, and Generosity, all online, and offered free of charge.
You’ll hear from experts on our staff who will share knowledge and tactics with you. You’ll walk
away with actionable steps you can implement in your congregation, grounded in theology.
Can’t make it at that date and time? Sign up anyway, and we’ll send you a link to the recordings
following the event.
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In a world overwhelmed by violence – systemic, interpersonal, and internal – what does it mean to follow the
way of Jesus? You are invited to a webinar on May 13, 2025, at 6:00 pm CST, that will explore nonviolent direct action as bold, embodied resistance shaped by the peace of Christ.
Join us as we:
- Examine the biblical case for nonviolent resistance
- Engage with stories and strategies from Christian leaders who are practicing or have practiced nonviolent resistance
- Reflect on how nonviolence can be a faithful, realistic and successful path to transformation and change
What you’ll gain:
- A deeper understanding of nonviolent direct action through a theological lens
- Practical tools and examples for integrating nonviolent resistance into your own ministry or advocacy work
- Insightful conversation around the tensions between faith, justice, and confrontation in violent times
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Play is more than childish fun—it’s a powerful, embodied path toward healing, connection, and
transformation. Join Dr. Lakisha R. Lockhart-Rusch on Tuesday, May 21, 6:00 pm CST for an
interactive webinar that invites you to move, reflect, and reimagine what it means to play with intention.
Rooted in her groundbreaking book, Doing Theological Double Dutch: A Womanist Pedagogy of Play,
Lockhart-Rusch guides participants through a journey of purposeful play that touches the theological,
spiritual, and neurological dimensions of this often-overlooked practice.
Who should attend:
- Educators, facilitators, and clergy seeking new tools for liberatory teaching
- Those exploring embodied spiritual practices
- Anyone longing to reclaim joy, creativity, and purpose in their daily life
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May Is Mental Health Awareness Month
As we seek to educate, equip, and empower our congregations to reach
out to, and with, people with mental health concerns and their loved ones, the denomination has curated the following resources to support you. These are designed for individual use and by leadership in mental health ministry in an effort to expand mental health awareness and understanding, end stigma surrounding mental illnesses, and expand the capacity of ministers and congregants to engage in mental health ministry.
Click here for resources.
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Presbytery Prayer List
We give thanks to God for these congregations and their faithful ministry and witness:
- Bartonville, Trinity, and Rev. Stephen Barch
- Biggsville United
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May Ordination Anniversaries
May 1, 2016 – The Rev. Bryan Burris, Danvers FPC
May 3, 1998 – The Rev. Linda Philabaun, Retired
May 4, 1980 – The Rev. Drew Nagle, Retired
May 6, 1984 – The Rev. Almut Spalding, Retired
May 11, 1962 – The Rev. David Bauer, Retired
May 14, 1989 - The Rev. Susan M. Ryder, Retired
May 15, 1954 - The James P. Uttley, Retired
May 22, 2016 – The Rev. Matt Wilcox, Normal FPC
May 24, 1998 - The Rev. Timothy R. Bauler, Virginia Sangamon Valley PC Sangamon Valley PC
May 26, 1996 – The Rev. Cindy A. Bean, Farmington FPC
| | Items Looking for a New Home | | |
Items from the Aledo Sunbeam Church that closed recently.
Communion Set, pictured above
50 New American Standard Bible
10 New International Holy Bible
4 wooden collection plates
22 Brass collection plates
2 Old table Bibles
65 Red song books, but most of the covers
are in rough shape
Contact Bill Harfst fishmis23@yahoo.com
or Cheyanna Losey cheyannalosey@gmail.com
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These robes are free if you can pick them up
from Bushnell, First United.
47 Blue Robes, pictured above
24 White Choir Robes
Contact Jimmy Dahmm firstpresbu@gmail.com
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Midwest Call Finder
The Midwest Call Finder site is live! Thanks to the Synod of Lincoln Trails, all congregations in the presbytery have this new tool at their disposal when they are seeking pastors, musicians, youth directors, Christian educators, administrative assistants, custodians, and other church staff. Likewise, pastors and other church professionals can access this website to learn about available positions in our region. There is no fee to use Midwest Call Finder. Your per capita dollars have made this possible.
Check out the website here: https://midwestcallfinder.org
To submit an opening, use this link: https://midwestcallfinder.org/submit-a-position
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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.
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!
Be sure to Like us on Facebook
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.
| | https://www.greatriverspby.org/ | | | | | | |
