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.

February 14, 2025

Highlights from the February 11 Presbytery Assembly

The first presbytery meeting of 2025 was held on February 11 on Zoom. Rev. Karol Schilling (Normal, First) led us in a time of evening prayer. Rev. Elissa Bailey, Stated Clerk, introduced the evening’s offering for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance with stories and photos of her experiences volunteering for PDA relief efforts.

Included in the financial reports was the good news that 68 of 84 PGR churches (89%) paid their 2024 per capita in full. Brandy Walters, PGR’s new Communications and Administrative Assistant, was introduced. Commissioners approved the distribution of Ebersolt funds (to support local food pantries) evenly among Athens, Indian Point; Greenview, United; Petersburg, Central; and Tallula, Rock Creek; and the distribution of interest from the Hadican Fargo Lee Memorial funds (for undergraduate and graduate students) to the Presbyterian Church of Christ, Mount Sterling, which administers scholarships. The Aledo Sunbeam congregation held their final worship service on December 29, 2024. Motions were approved to sell (or possibly donate) the church and fellowship hall to the community for use as a community center, and to transfer the church’s farm property to the Alexis, Norwood church. A motion passed to allow Orion, Beulah United to sell their manse. An AC was established in response to a vote by the session and congregation of Morton, First to close, following their final worship service on April 27.

RE Diane Ludington (Carthage, First) and TE Maura McGrath Nagle (Rio, Rio PC) introduced the newly constituted Committee on Accessibility, Representation, and Equity (CARE), and asked that folks complete a survey (here) by March 31 about how their congregations are living out the values and goals of Matthew 25. TE Ed Wegele (Peoria, First Federated) explained the ongoing work of the Governance Task Force and shared the timeline for rolling out the proposed restructuring plan and eliciting feedback. RE Mike Orr (Springfield First) was elected to serve on the Administration Committee (Class of 2026).

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Offering

The Presbytery of Great Rivers is now accepting electronic payments. Follow the link or use the QR code if you would

like to contribute to the PDA.

https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZJSW/campaign/C-14FRS

Please click on the blocks below to follow the links

Resources for Pastors, Sessions,

and Congregations

Black History Month



February is Black History Month, an opportunity to celebrate the rich and impactful contributions of Black/African Americans within the history and foundation of this denomination. Before the unification of the northern and southern church and well after this merger, Black Presbyterians have been an integral part of the flourishing of what it means to be Presbyterian and how this denomination has unfolded and developed despite racism, segregation, and discrimination. 

Ministry with the Least of These

In 2022, the General Assembly declared the PC(USA) to be a “Sanctuary and Accompaniment Church.” Walking alongside newcomers, building community with immigrants, belonging together to communities of worship, we understand the importance of standing with, uplifting, and holding up those who are made vulnerable by political action and injustice. As Christ’s church, we are called to be in prayer for and reach out to those in our communities to ask how we may show up, accompany, and support them.

Two resources may be helpful to your congregations: the family care plan and discerning to offer sanctuary. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights partners with over 60 nonprofit organizations that provide services throughout Illinois. To connect with organizations for resources: https://www.icirr.org/resources.

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At Covenant Conversation: Chicago, the Rev. Michael Kirby addressed ways to assist neighbors in areas of the country without the privileges of welcoming congregations and/or stronger legal protections for LGBTQIA+ people.

This workshop, "From Safe Harbors: The Call of Those Not Living Under Oppression," is available at (https://covnetpres.org/resources/engaging-in-your-community/) alongside additional resources for congregations.

The Rev. Michael D. Kirby is the Senior Pastor at Northminster Presbyterian in Evanston, Illinois, and currently serves on the Council and Board of Trustees of the Synod of Lincoln Trails.

Leader Formation Webinar for Ruling Elders and Deacons

Registration for the next webinar in the Leader Formation series, “Pondering God with Presbyterians: What Do We Believe and Why?” is now open through February 26, 2025. The event will be held on Zoom March 6, 2025, 6:00–7:30 pm CST.

This webinar will explore some basic theological convictions of our faith, including what we hold in common with other Christians and peculiar treasures of the Reformed tradition. Want to learn more about the mystery of the Trinity, justification by grace through faith, or the puzzle of predestination? Come join the conversation!

This event is led by Martha Moore-Keish, the J.B. Green Professor of Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary. Interpretation in Spanish and Korean is available and a recording in English will be available following the event (registration is not required for access). For more information and for registration, click on this link.

Presbyterian Youth Triennium

Registration for the amazing July 28-31 youth event in Louisville, Kentucky opened on February 3. If your church has students currently in 8^th-12^th grades, they are welcome to come—even if your church cannot send any adult leaders. However, we will also need adult and young adult (ages 19-23) leaders to attend. Both the presbytery and the Synod of Lincoln Trails are providing financial assistance; the amount per person depends on the number of participants. Youth/families, along with their congregations, will be expected to cover approximately one-third of the costs.

Please contact our Triennium Registrar (and Communications and Administrative Assistant),

Brandy Walters at 309-683-6980 or office@greatriverspby.org as soon as possible and let her

know how many interested youth (and adults) you have.

A Special Church Leadership Event Open to ALL Church Leaders

Leading and Growing Churches in a Post-Christian America Workshop

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 | 2:00 pm-8:00 pm | In-person and on Zoom

Churches are headed into a time of significant and very challenging transition as America becomes more and more post-Christian, and organized religion becomes more and more irrelevant. Church leaders need to understand what this means and what the implications are for leading and growing churches in this uncharted territory. The Leading and Growing Churches in a Post-Christian America Workshop will help church leaders learn more about how religion and society have changed and practical steps your church can take to be a more faithful and effective church. Cost is $20 per person.

REGISTER NOW

Zoom option: If you select livestream option when you register, you will receive a link 24 hours ahead of the event that will allow you to watch the 4 main sessions (the breakout sessions will not be live-streamed).

Event Information:

https://chicagopresbytery.org/.../leading-and-growing.../

Registration Link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/.../leading-and-growing...

Creating a Dementia-Friendly Worship Service

Join the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network (POAMN) for this free webinar on

February 24, 1:00 pm CST. Nurturing the spiritual health of someone with dementia is an act of Christian love that preserves their dignity and affirms their personhood. As churches, we have a unique opportunity to respond to this need by finding ways to make worship accessible to people experiencing cognitive change. In this zoom workshop, you will learn how to create a modified worship service, either in-person or pre-recorded for your faith community. Rev. Ben Lindstrom and Eliane Burrell from Point Loma Community Church in CA will be leading.

Register here.

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Small Church Community Circle

Join Christian Formation Leaders on February 25, 12:00 noon CST for a time of sharing resources and ministry areas with those who serve in the variety of contexts with small numbers. Register here.

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Around the Table Community Circle

Learn more about the Around the Table Cohorts for leaders wanting to think about faith formation at home in their contexts on February 19, 12:00 noon CST. Also learn updates about Around the Table Resources. Register here.

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On March 20, the PC(USA) celebrates Mr. Rogers Day as one of our special emphasis days with resources for congregational worship, education, mission, and fellowship. Make plans now for when your congregation will take extra time to be neighborly just as Presbyterian Pastor Fred Rogers did on and off screen. Here is a complete list of resources.

Synod of Mid-America & the Synod of Lincoln Trails (SOLT)

invite you to attend “The Art of Transitional Ministry” training May 12-16, 2025, at the

Mercy Conference and Retreat Center in St Louis, MO. The benefit of learning together in person, sharing experiences and asking questions—over meals, walks in the woods, and during table groups--is incredible. The training includes an excellent faculty, held in a beautiful location--with

an outdoor labyrinth and lovely grounds--and good food, carefully attentive to allergens and special diets. Orientation will be Monday, May 12 at lunchtime. Program fee is $1,100 (includes lodging and meals.) http://synodma.org/transitional-ministry-education

Rooted in A Theology of Benefits, THRIVE — short for Thinking Retirement: Identity, Vocation, and Economics — covers subject matters such as financial planning and retirement healthcare options.

THRIVE is taught by Board of Pensions educators and other experts throughout the country.

It includes interactive and hands-on learning opportunities.

   "I would recommend the seminar because it provides reminders of issues I had 

   not anticipated fully and answers to specific questions I had asked elsewhere

   but had not been able to have answered. It also gave me dedicated time to

   thinking critically about retirement issues." 

   — Seminar participant/inquirer

Who is this seminar for

THRIVE is designed for Benefits Plan members who are 10 or fewer years away from retirement,

as well as their spouses or surviving spouses. This includes part-time employees who are enrolled in any benefit from the Benefits Plan.

What you’ll learn

In this seminar, you will:

• identify key questions for discernment in planning for retirement
• assess finances, including options for saving before retirement, and develop appropriate expectations for retirement living
• discuss spiritual, physical, and mental health issues related to aging
• create next steps in areas essential to well-being:
• identity
• vocation
• economics
• discover tools and resources for do-it-yourself retirement preparation
• acquire knowledge to confidently transition to, and ultimately thrive in, retirement

Next Seminar

March 12-13, 2025 (IN-PERSON)

Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, MO

Registration is open through 8 p.m. CT on Feb. 26, 2025.

Celebrations in the Presbytery 

February Ordination Anniversaries

February 1, 1998 – The Rev. Joyce Chamberlin, Retired

February 8, 1981 – The Rev. Andrew McDonald, Coal Valley Presbyterian Church and

Beulah Presbyterian Church

February 12, 1984 – The Rev. Laurence T. Doty, Retired

February 27, 2011 – The Rev. Peter Galbraith, Grace Church (PCUSA)

We pray for retired minister member the Rev. Tim Doty, who is in hospice care.

We give thanks to God for these congregations and their faithful ministry and witness:

Aledo Sunbeam: Their last worship service was December 29, 2024.

Morton: The congregation has recently voted to close. Their final service will be April 27, 2025.

The Rev. John T. Irwin, 71, Canby, Oregon, was resurrected to his Eternity on January 16, 2025 at his residence following a brief battle with leukemia. He is survived by his wife of 46+ years, Karen; by his son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Erika; by his precious granddaughters, Naomi (7) and Anna (4); and by his siblings and extended family and friends across the country.

John was a retired Presbyterian minister serving congregations in Pennsylvania and Illinois for almost 30 years, including the former Heritage Presbyterian Church in Monmouth.. He was an honorably retired Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International. He officiated several high school and collegiate athletics for 35 years.

A memorial service was held at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church on February 8. A brief committal service will be held on Friday, May 2, 1:00 pm at Willamette National Cemetery in SE Portland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the donor’s charity of choice, perhaps to the OHSU Foundation (Doernbecher Children’s Hospital), PO Box 29017, Portland, OR 97296.

Gratitude from Ministry Partners

Glory Hallelujah!

Grace and peace to you, Presbytery of Great Rivers.

What a gift to receive $8,000 to invest in our young people. . . . Thank you for seeing us and supporting our work to develop leaders through creating therapeutic space for our kids to heal

and grow through the performing arts. “Free Style Studies” costs $4,000 per week. Your gift

covers two weeks.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Irene Lewis-Wimbley

Southside Community Center, Peoria

Presbytery of Great Rivers Virtual Office

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

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.