September 12, 2025

November 1, 2025 Presbytery Assembly

The next 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.

• Online Registration for the meeting will open after September 23, 2025.
• Advance registration is required to attend, so that the church has an accurate count for lunch and so that we may send you the login link for the meeting. 
• The new packet and the minutes from the August meeting will be available for download from our website after 4:00 pm on October 21.

From the Lead Presbyter

“Jesus began to weep” (John 11:35) is one of the most tender verses

in the scriptures. When he learns that his friend Lazarus has died,

when grief—his own and his friend’s sisters—settles heavily upon

him, he cries for who and what they have lost.

That Jesus was moved to tears says that God is not absent or distant, aloof, or unengaged with human suffering. It says that God is compassionate and empathetic toward us, unsettled and distressed

by that which unsettles and distresses us. It says that God shows up

in the places where sorrow and anguish are, the places where blood

and tears flow.

Just as I trust that God is with us in these dark and difficult days, I also imagine that Jesus’ heart is broken at the brokenness, inhumanity, cruelty, and violence that he sees in and among us. As we lament, surely he must too.

Jesus did not stop at tears and cries of sorrow though. Thoughts and prayers were and are not sufficient. Jesus acted to save us. 

In her book, Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer writes: “If grief can be a doorway to love, then let us all weep for the world we are breaking apart so we can love it back to wholeness again.”

Beloved ones, how will we love the world back to wholeness?

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Ann 

Presbytery of Great Rivers Directory

It's finally here . . . 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 Walters at office@greatriverspby.org for access. Check your entries to be sure they are correct, and let Brandy know if and when corrections are needed. Please do not share (give, sell, lease) the directory with others.

Thanks to Brandy Walters and Karol Schilling for their efforts in compiling the directory. And all God's people say, AMEN.

From the Clerk's Corner

As clerks, you are required per the Book of Order to bring your Records

to have them received.

So far, the dates, times, and locations for Session Record Reviews this

year are:

Tuesday, September 16, 9 am to noon at First Pres, Macomb, IL

Thursday, September 18, 1 pm to 4 pm at First Pres, Mt. Pleasant, IA

Sunday, September 21, 3 pm to 6 pm at First Pres, Normal, IL

Tuesday, October 7, 1 pm to 4 pm at First Pres, Cedar Rapids, IA

Thursday, October 9, 9 am to noon at First Pres, Davenport, IA

Saturday, October 25, 10 am to 1 pm at St. Andrew, Iowa City, IA

Rev. Elissa Bailey

Presbytery of Great Rivers Stated Clerk

Presbytery of East Iowa Stated Clerk

The Presbytery of Great Rivers is seeking a Treasurer. Bill Strawbridge, who has served faithfully in that capacity for several years, is retiring at the end of the year. This new staff position will be for approximately five hours per week—some weeks less, some weeks more. The salary will be $25 per hour. View the position description here. For questions or to submit a letter of interest, contact Joyce Chamberlin at jkchamberlin1@gmail.com or

Ann Schwartz at aschwartz@greatriverspby.org.

Special Thanks to the Rev. Dr. Cheyanna Losey

All pastoral leaders in Great Rivers Presbytery, Presbyterian and non-Presbyterian, Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Commissioned Ruling Elders, pulpit supply preachers and retired pastors who serve churches

in any capacity are required to attend annual boundary training that is approved by PGR. You must submit a certificate of completion to Stated Clerk Elissa Bailey.

 

The class will fulfill your annual attendance requirement. Other trainings will be announced shortly. 

Church Safety and Security Training

The Presbytery of Great Rivers, in partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), will host an introduction to Church Safety and Security Workshop on Saturday, October 18, 2025, 9 am to 4 pm at

Hope Presbyterian Church, 2211 Wabash Avenue, Springfield.

This seven-hour workshop is designed to be a “hands-on” experience for churches, including how to protect and prevent adversarial events from happening, how to mitigate damage, and how to respond to and recover from them. The workshop helps worshipping communities develop simple and appropriate safety plans through exercises, handouts, resources, role-playing, and team collaboration. Attendees will leave this workshop with a high-level outline of a safety and security plan for their facility, templates and resources for implementation, and achievable action items that will improve safety and security within a faith-based framework centered in hope and welcome.

The workshop is designed for pastors, church staff, elders, deacons, ushers/greeters, facility personnel, Sunday school and day school leaders, and church safety officers. We need a minimum of 20 participants, and there is a limit of 50 people.

There is no cost to participants for the program.

Lunch (soups, salads, bread, desserts, and drinks) will be available for $15 per person.

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.

Hello from your Finance Team

Please submit a fully completed remittance form

with any checks 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 – Treasurer    Sabrina McGrath – Bookkeeper

bnc.sbridge@gmail.com           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 that have contributed towards Per Capita.

We’ve had 47 churches pay their 2025 per capita in full!

Thank you to Adair West Prairie, Aledo Sunbeam, Alexis Norwood, Athens, Bartonville, Bushnell, Canton, Carlinville, Carrollton, Carthage, Chenoa, Clinton, Coal Valley, East Moline, Edwards Korean, Elmwood, Eureka, Fountain Green Carthage, Greenview, Ipava, Kirkwood, Knoxville, Leroy, Lewiston, Lincoln, Mason City, Media, Milan, Morton, Mt Sterling, New Windsor, Normal First, Normal New Covenant, Oneida, Orion, Pekin, Petersburg, Quincy, Reynolds, Rock Island, Springfield Korean, Stronghurst, Virginia Sangamon Valley, Warsaw, Washington, Woodhull & Yates City.

PGR Churches Mission Support

PGR churches and members have given an amazing $135,262 in mission giving in the first 8 months of 2025!

General missions: GA $15,627, Synod $3,867, PGR $54,264, OGHS $28,752, Christmas Joy $13,137, Peacemaking $1,262, Pentecost $5,915, Missionary Pass Thru $1500, Disaster Relief $10,043 ($8,199 designated to wildfire assistance & $313 given during the Feb 11 assembly).

Memorials for H Herbert Edwards (a member of Macomb First) directed to Peacemaking for PGR $895.

Aug 19th Assembly Information

2026 Per Capita: $39 per member         based on 12/31/24 final membership reported

GA: $11.26   Synod: $3.81 PGR: $23.93

The 2026 Per Capita mailing will be sent out – please watch your mail for it.

If for some reason you don’t receive it please reach out so that we can send it again.

The assembly approved increasing the minimums by 2.5% for pastors and CREs

Compensation

2026 Plan Year, Board of Pensions Benefits Renewal

While reviewing 2026 Employer Agreements, you may add any benefits offered for the upcoming plan year.

Take note of these dates to help ensure your benefit renewals run smoothly.

Review of the books

It is recommended that the annual “review of the books” be done internally by the church for two years, and in 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 for the review can be found here.

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 has a recording of Amy Gardner's treasurer's training seminar titled Annual Financial Review. Contact Sabrina to watch the training.  

We’re also working to update our contact information. PLEASE make sure we have a way to contact your church when questions arise. 2025 Financial Contact Person form

We appreciate all who have already responded by completing their forms! 

Employer representatives can now access their 2026 Employer Agreement and select your staff’s benefits for next year. The Board of Pensions can provide congregations and ministers with information, resources, and guidance to help you make faithful benefits decisions. You can call Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, at 800‑PRESPLAN (800‑773‑7752) (TTY: 711).

Important dates and next steps

Congregations’ designated employer representatives can log in to Benefits Connect through Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, to review benefits options and pricing, make selections, and submit their Employer Agreement. No changes? There is no need to submit the Employer Agreement. The benefits they select when completing their 2026 Employer Agreement determine the options and costs their staff will see in Benefits Connect during Annual Enrollment, Oct. 20-Nov. 7, 2025. Access helpful information about submitting 2026 Employer Agreements.

2026 benefits and dues packages

The 2026 Benefits Plan includes all the benefits offered in 2025, including these dues packages: the Covenant Package, the Congregational Pastors Package, and Transitional Pastor’s Participation. The Decision Guide for Minister Benefits, updated with 2026 dues, can help determine eligibility and costs for these packages.

Learn more about 2026 dues package eligibility and pricing. Take note of updates and enhancements to Call to Health, the Retirement Savings Plan, tax-advantaged accounts, and the Vision Plan, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Helpful resources

These resources are available to employer representatives to help complete and submit their Employer Agreement:

• They are invited to register for the webinar Your 2026 Employer Agreement: Tools and Resources for Success, Sept. 2, 16, or 25 at 2‑3 p.m. ET. Board staff will provide step-by-step instructions, live demos, and helpful resources to help employer representatives complete their 2026 Employer Agreement with confidence.
• They can also schedule a virtual 1:1 with an Employer Services representative. During this 20-minute session, available on select dates in September, the representative will answer questions and assist in completing the 2026 Employer Agreement.
• Employer representatives can learn how to submit their 2026 Employer Agreement by completing a
• 20-minute e-learning, Employer Agreement for 2026 Benefits, available on the Lifelong Learning e‑learning site.

Diana Lundington and I are seeking people to serve on the Commission of Pastoral Leadership. Below are

the purpose and qualities needed. If you have any suggestions about potential nominees, please email them

to Diane and me so that we may contact them. Thanks for your help!

Bill Strawbridge

Nominating Committee

309 258-4015

Commission on Pastoral Leadership: 12 members (includes moderator/co-moderators)

Purpose: to support, nurture, and strengthen active and retired pastors and CREs and validated ministers; to guide, nurture, and oversee inquirers and candidates in the process of becoming teaching elders, commissioned pastors, and certified Christian educators.

Qualities needed: pastoral; convectional; seeks to build relationships; follows through with commitments; good listening skills; the willingness to speak the truth in love and have hard conversations when necessary; willing to commit to attending monthly meetings; the capacity to maintain confidentiality; emotionally mature

Christian Education and CRE Cohort

In 2020, Union Presbyterian Seminary sponsored a grant program called PSCE (Presbyterians Supporting Christian Education). This began as an opportunity for those interested in Christian Education, but was quickly expanded to include CRE/CPs. The program with these two streams of cohorts has been very successful and has helped many in these important ministries.

The PSCE program provides cohorts of about eight people, with a facilitator, for support, education, and spiritual growth. The groups meet once a month for a year, and are offered a small stipend for their participation. Cohorts meet on Zoom and are made up of folks from around the country.

If you are interested in education in the church or are currently serving a commission as a CRE, click here to learn about the cohorts. Applications are due by November 30, 2025.

Sharing Stories of God's Work Among Us

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study is a daily online resource that inspires and connects Presbyterians. This year, they are shining a spotlight on stories from local congregations. In every corner of the PC(USA), people of faith are responding to God’s call in creative, courageous, and hope-filled ways. These are the stories that encourage others, strengthen our witness, and remind us that we are one church, rooted in mission.

Presbytery of Great Rivers congregations: be bold in your witness and share the good news about your mission and ministry. Send a short reflection, photos, and, if you wish, a link to a video to the Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study. All details and guidelines are at https://hubs.ly/Q03z9lch0

The PC(USA) Church Growth Network (PCGN) is a learning community of PC(USA) leaders who value and believe local congregations and new faith communities are called and created to be “strengthened in faith and increase in numbers.” The PCGN seeks to foster growth in size, vitality, and mission impact for local congregations and new faith communities so that more people experience the life-changing love of Christ.

The PCGN will host its first-ever Fall Conference, “Sunday’s Coming: We Prepare So They Can Hear”, on Tuesday, October 7, and Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church Englewood (Englewood, NJ). Drawing together dynamic leaders from across PC(USA), this inaugural gathering aims to equip all PC(USA) local church leaders with innovative tools, spiritual insights, and practical strategies to deepen the impact of our Sunday morning gatherings.

Attendance is open to PC(USA) and ecumenical leaders in church growth and ministry. For full conference details, registration information, and speaker lineup updates, visit pcgrowthnetwork.org or email pcgnetwork@gmail.com.

The Peace & Global Witness Offering allows us the opportunity to share the peace of Christ by: 

Building a Better Community

Twenty-five percent of the Offering stays with your congregation to support peace and justice opportunities in your community. Whether it’s supporting families in need, funding local organizations or creating safe spaces, we all play a vital part. 

Uplifting Mid Councils

It takes a village … or region! Twenty-five percent of the Offering stays with mid councils to unite congregations in meeting the needs of those in your area.

Supporting Global Impact

The remaining portion of the Offering will support our partners who work for peace and justice worldwide. Presbyterians have a long-standing commitment of providing support and uplifting our global ecumenical partners in their efforts to fight against poverty, hunger, and injustice.

Anti-Racism Resources

A new 5-part video series for churches considering reparations and anti-racism initiatives featuring a congregation in the Presbytery of the Twin Cities and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies helps congregations go from “Zero to One” in conversations about historic harms and how to repair them. Oak Grove Presbyterian Church surrendered funds through an initiative called Restorative Actions. The series was produced by the The Center for the Repair of Historic Harms and the Communications Team of the IUA of the PC(USA).

New Free Resources for Congregations from

Around the Table Initiative and Office of Christian Formation

Drops Like Me: Worldchanging with Families – A guide for family conversation focused on David LaMotte’s TEDx Talk “Why Heroes’ Don’t Change the World” and his book “You are Changing the World Whether You Like it or Not”. This includes a video invitation from David and conversation starters. Also find We Don’t Need Another Hero QuickSheet for Church Leaders.

Pull up a Seat Intergenerational Retreat Template – Looking to do a retreat with all ages and want to focus on faith practices? Download this resource which includes sample schedules, recreation, intergenerational sessions, worship and more. (Available in Spanish)

New QuickSheets

For Church Leaders – Sacred Support: Family Faith Practices

For Church Leaders – Conversations with Youth about Understanding the Dynamics of Dementia

For Youth - My Grandparent has Dementia…What do I do?

For Parents – Summer Camp: Seeds of Faith

For Church Leaders – Resilient Young People: Camp Ministry

Several of these were created in partnership with POAMN and PCCCA.

Guides for Sharing Stories with Children from Flyaway Books and Around the Table – New Guides are available now for The Story of And and Where is Home, Daddy Bear? (Available in Spanish and some in Korean)

227th General Assembly

The Nominating Committee is seeking nominations through

October 15 for General Assembly commissioners and YAADs (Young Adult Advisory Delegates). Candidates should reflect the breadth and diversity of the Body of Christ and should be actively involved in the life of the presbytery and their congregations. No prior experience is required—just a willingness to listen, speak, and serve.

All commissioners must indicate a willingness to serve and a commitment to be present for the entire General Assembly. Before you submit your appliction, please carefully read this to know what the expectations are for being a commissioner.

Minister Commissioners must be a member in good standing of the Presbytery of Great Rivers and have been active in the life of Presbytery, as shown by regular attendance at presbytery assemblies in the past two years and service in/for the presbytery beyond attendance at assemblies.

Ruling Elder Commissioners: must be a member in good standing of their congregations and active in the life of Presbytery, as indicated by recent attendance at presbytery assemblies (either as a commissioner or visitor) and have served in/for the presbytery beyond attendance at assemblies.

Find the applications here.

YAAD Application

GA Commissioner Application

We pray for the following Great Rivers congregations and their leaders:

• First Federated Church, Clayton
• First Presbyterian Church, Carrollton, served by CRE Kirby Ballard

Celebrating September Ordination Anniversaries

September 12, 1999 – The Rev. Ann M. Schwartz, Presbytery of Great Rivers

September 12, 1999 – The Rev. Keith W. Meranda, Member at Large

September 15, 2013 – The Rev. Sarah Bishop, Westminster PC, Springfield

September 16, 2018 – The Rev. Paul Stroup, Clinton

September 18, 1984 – The Rev. Lonna Chang-Ren Lee, Member at Large

September 22, 1991 – The Rev. Kenneth C. Shedenhelm, Retired

September 23, 1979 – The Rev. Paul S. Spalding, Retired

September 24, 1995 – The Rev. Linda Baldwin, Retired

September 24, 1995 – The Rev. Maura McGrath Nagle, Member at Large

September 28, 2014 – The Rev. Katie Styrt, Milan

September 29, 2013 – The Rev. Christian Choi, Member at Large

September 29, 2024 – The Rev. Brenda Horth, College Avenue PC, Aledo

September 29, 2024 – The Rev. Peter Horth, College Avenue PC, Aledo; Hamlet Perryton PC, Reynolds

September 30, 1990 – The Rev. Charles Cunningham, Retired

September 30, 2007 – The Rev. William Starr McLean, LeRoy

Sept 16 | 9:00 am-12:00 pm | Session Records Review | Macomb, First PC

Sept 21 | 3:00-6:00 pm | Session Records Review | Normal, First PC

Sept 22 | 10:00-11:30 am | PGR on the Road | Sullivan Taylor Uptown Coffeehouse, Macomb

Sept 24 | Time TBA | Committee on Preparation for Ministry Zoom

Sept 25 | 9:00-10:00 am | Nominating Committee Zoom

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

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.

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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