Join Us in Celebrating Julio | | An Invitation from First Presbyterian Church, Springfield | |
During our 10:45 worship service on October 26th, the congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Springfield will be dedicating our new and renovated spaces to Godâs purposes and our future ministries. Please join us for this special celebration! The church is located at 321 S. 7th St., Springfield.
We will also be planning open houses and community tours after the first of the year.
| November 1, 2025 Presbytery Assembly | | |
The Assembly Packet is now available on our website. The Assembly will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at First Federated Church, 3601 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria. Although everyone is encouraged to attend in person, Zoom access will be available for those who are unable to travel.
Advance registration is required to attend, so that we may send you the login link for the meeting.

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2026 Stated Meetings of the Presbytery of Great Rivers
Please take a moment to ensure that all meeting commissioners and minister members are subscribed to
the newsletter mailing list. New subscribers may sign up here.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Zoom Only
6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Saturday, April 25, 2026
In-Person, with a Zoom option
Host: TBD
10:00 am-2:00 pm
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
In-Person only
First Presbyterian Church, Springfield
10:00 am-2:00 pm

*Tuesday, November 10, 2026 (note a change from the original November 3)
In-Person, with a Zoom option
Host: TBD
10:00 am-2:00 pm
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There is one more opportunity for a Session Record Review! Even though it is in East Iowa, if it works for you to attend, you are welcome to do so. It is on November 15th from 9 am to noon at St. Andrew in Iowa City. If you are not able to attend, please contact Stated Clerk, Rev. Elissa Bailey at at pastorebailey@gmail.com to arrange a time to have your Session minutes reviewed.
Thank you!
Rev. Elissa Bailey
Stated Clerk
| | From Your 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
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
Weâve 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 the 9 months of 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.

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Employment Guidance for PC(USA) Sessions and
Session Personnel Committees
Almost all congregations have some kind of âemploymentâ 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.

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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.
Please always feel free to reach out to either of us with any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Bill Strawbridge â Treasurer Sabrina McGrath â Bookkeeper
bnc.sbridge@gmail.com smcgrath@greatriverspby.org

| | Alaska Relief through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance | | |
In the aftermath of a destructive typhoon, historic floodwaters have destroyed remote communities across western Alaska, forcing hundreds of evacuations that could continue for days, officials said.
There is no earmarked account by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance at this time, although PDA is working with the Presbytery of Yukon to determine how PDA can assist and support the community in the region. The good news is that no Presbyterian churches were directly affected by the typhoon.
There are two ways to donate:
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People who wish to contribute to PDAâs efforts can donate here, with a note that it is for Alaska: https://pcusa.org/donate/dr000148-disaster-relief-general-relief-pda-support
- As always, you are also welcome to donate to the presbytery, indicating that itâs for PDA relief in Alaska, and the presbytery will forward your gifts in full. Our address is Presbytery of Great Rivers, 3601 N. Sheridan, Peoria, IL 61604.
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November 5, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. CST
How can congregations move beyond awareness toward genuine belonging for neurodiverse people in worship, learning, and community life?
In this webinar, the team from Big Faith Resources explores why neuro-affirming worship practices matter and how they can be implemented in various congregational settings. Drawing from theology, lived experience, and practical ministry tools, theyâll guide you in equipping your church to more fully welcome neurodiverse children and their families.
Together, weâll examine how faith communities can grow in both understanding and practice âcultivating spaces that affirm and include people with a wide range of neurological differences. This webinar connects emerging understandings of neurodiversity with accessible ministry strategies, helping churches create environments where every personâs unique way of thinking, feeling, and engaging is honored in the congregational life.
In this webinar, youâll learn:
- Practical steps for inclusive worship and education across church settings
- How to move beyond basic awareness toward genuine belonging
- Ways to support neurodiverse children and their families in congregational life
Who should attend:
Pastors, Christian educators, childrenâs ministry leaders, worship planners, and anyone seeking to make their congregation more inclusive and affirming.
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Welcome to the 227th General Assembly (2026)
Issue 4 of GA227's "On the Road to GA"
is hot off the virtual presses!
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Draw Near: Lighting the Advent Path with Hope, Peace, Joy & Love | |
Advent is not just about counting down the days to Christmas. Itâs about slowing down, staying awake, and noticing Christâs presence with us â here and now.
Thatâs the invitation of the Outlookâs 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, youâll find artwork from children â tender and imaginative interpretations of sacred texts that remind us what it means to receive the kingdom like a child.
| Protect the Children in Your Congregation | |
Public Service Announcement from the PC(USA) Leadersâ Facebook Page: Please, please, please stop placing children on the chancel steps facing the congregation for the childrenâs message. The worship leader should sit there with the children facing away from the congregation and cameras. This should be standard practice in the days of recording and live-streaming worship.
It was shared in a clergy group that they had found a YouTube account collecting and sharing childrenâs message videos from churches as a resource. However, every single one of these videos includes a young child unintentionally exposing herself to the camera because she is sitting on the chancel steps in a dress. The videos have received exceptionally high numbers of views in a matter of weeks. I will not be sharing the channel here, but it has been reported.
The internet is forever. Our worship livestreams are out there for everyone to see, and sadly there are people who seek out this content for nefarious reasons. A simple rethinking of who sits where is all it takes to better protect the children in your church.
| | Community Circles: Small Church Webinar Series | | |
Next webinar: Thursday, December 4, 12:00 Noon Central
You are invited to register for this Community Circle, designed especially for educators, volunteers, and pastors in small churches (less than 100 members).
The 90-minute Zoom gathering will feature a question or topic just to get the conversation going related to Faith Formation leadership in small churches, then the discussion will go from there. Come ready to participate in the conversation.
| | | The conversation facilitator will be Sandy Safford, Faith Formation leader for close to 30 years and a Commission-ready Lay Pastor who served as pastor for a small rural congregation in Colorado for 10 years. She is also a consultant, retreat facilitator, and trained coach who loves the outdoors as well as collecting ideas with colleagues for wonder and imagination in ministry. | | SOLT Mission Initiative Grants | | Mission Initiative Grants are one-time grants of seed money up to $1500 to help begin new congregation-based missional activities. Learn more and apply for a grant from the Synod of Lincoln Trails. | | |
Tuesday, October 28, 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, October 28, at 12:00.
Itâs an informal time of conversation and fellowship. âFeel free to eat lunch as you gather with colleagues.
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A conference for pastors, church leaders, and friends to inspire imagination
Our first-ever church leadership conference is a transformative event designed to inspire and equip pastors and church leaders for the challenges of todayâs world. With a focus on innovation, inspiration, and illumination, this conference offers a unique opportunity to explore fresh perspectives, ignite passion for ministry, and discover new strategies for leading with purpose. Through dynamic sessions, powerful speakers, and meaningful connections, we aim to inspire growth and impact that will extend far beyond the conference itself.
The cost to register until December 31 is $229. A discounted rate is available for those who may not have continuing education dollars available. Visit www.luminosityconference.org for details and accommodations.
| | | | The Rev. Rick Tindall, Honorably Retired, died on October 21 in Bloomington. He served several churches in Illinois, including First Presbyterian, Danvers. Rick has been an active member of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry and attended Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington. A Celebration of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at Second on November 3, at 11:00 am. Please keep Rick's wife, Holly, and his family in your prayers. | |
The Rev. Dr. Alan P. Finnan died on October 12, 2025, following a brief illness. Alan served as Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Great Rivers in 2016. Most recently, he was the Bridge Pastor of Unity Presbyterian Church, Terre Haute, and the Co-Moderator of the Committee on Ministry and a member of the Presbytery Nominating Committee in the Ohio Valley Presbytery. Please pray for Alanâs wife, Karen, and for his children and grandchildren.
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We pray for the following Great Rivers congregations and their leaders:
- Geneseo First Presbyterian Church: congregation and their transitional pastor, Rev. Barry Wynveen
- Chatham Presbyterian Church: prayers for discernment for their PNC, and for the Rev. Kay Daniel,
their supply pastor and moderator
- First United Presbyterian Church of Pekin: congregation and their supply pastor and moderator, the
Rev. Charles Cunningham
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Oct 24 | 10:00 am | Fall Meeting of the Synod of Lincoln Trails | Zoom
Oct 28 | 10:00 am | CRE Fellowship | Zoom
Oct 28 | 12:00 noon | Monthly Check-in for Pastors | Zoom
Nov 1 | 10:00 am | Presbytery Assembly | Peoria, First Federated
Nov 6 | 10:00 am | COM | Zoom
| | 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. The baskets & bowls are available for pickup this coming assembly meeting at Peoria â First Federated. | | â | |
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 PGRâs YouTube channel here to get notifications of our new videos. Share your congregationâs 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/ | â | | â | | | |
