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Family gatherings are often central to our celebrations in this season.
And since families and family relationships can be complicated, an extra measure of grace and kindness are essential.
Families take different forms, which sometimes seem unconventional.
Truth be told, not every family fits “the norm,” and that doesn’t make
them any less a family.
Some folks hail the “traditional family” as the one we ought to aspire to and the only one that is acceptable in God’s sight. But the truth is we find a variety of configurations of people in the Bible that pass for family, including arranged marriages, men who have multiple wives, men who father children with servants and slaves which implies no consent for forced maternity, and widows whose survival is dependent on their brothers and their husband’s brothers.
Abraham and Sarah are family long before a son is born at their advanced ages. The Israelites are a nation/family by virtue of their shared trauma and freedom. Jesus creates family with twelve disciples and women followers who accompany him wherever he goes—even to the grave and resurrection. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are siblings—a family unit that lives together and whom Jesus deeply loves.
During this season of Advent, we focus on the holy family—Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. There was nothing “typical” about them or their story. Mary and Joseph were only engaged when Mary learned she was pregnant, a scandal for which Joseph could legitimately have abandoned her. The threat of public humiliation and punishment for Mary was real. But instead Joseph listened to the voice of an angel and chose to commit to and accept Mary and her baby, despite the questionable story of Jesus’s origins. Love and grace were at the root of their staying together, which—if you think about it—seems like the best possible foundation for any family.
As we wait in hopeful anticipation for the Christ child and celebrate his birth, may we give thanks for the ones God has brought into our lives, the ones with whom we have forged deep bonds of love, the ones we call family.
Blessings to you this Christmas!
Ann
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Annette Simmons has been hired as the Presbytery Treasurer
and will begin her work with us in January. We hope you will
welcome her warmly in the new year!
PGRTreasurer@greatriverspby.org
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Hello and Merry Christmas, Session Clerks! I hope you are all staying warm and cozy during this very cold and snowy December! The annual statistical season is upon us! Your email will be coming soon, if not already arrived, with all of the information you need to complete the annual statistics as well as the additional forms that are requested of you at this time. Session clerks are not eligible to enter into the portal system until January 2nd. You will have until February 20th to enter your reports online. This will be in your letter as well. If you need me to assist you, I will be available to do so. Please reach out if you have any questions.
I will have some open "Zoom office hours". Stay tuned for when those are coming.
Elissa
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An Advent Prayer
from Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley
God with us,
We are in awe of you made child—small, needy and held. We are grateful to belong to a God who dares to approach us with trust and tenderness. As we honor your birth, may the hope that has waned throughout the year be renewed; that we would know that the world is more than death and decay. This Christmastide, may we rejoice in the beauty life contains..... God, make us small, that we may be held in you once again. Amen.
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From your Finance Team
Hello from your finance team. There are many important items to be aware of as we near the end of 2025. Please always feel free to reach out to either of us with any questions or concerns.
Bill Strawbridge – Treasurer Sabrina McGrath – Bookkeeper
bnc.sbridge@gmail.com smcgrath@greatriverspby.org

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As We Wrap Up 2025
Year-End To-Do’s
All 2025 contributions must be received by December 30 to be posted in this fiscal year. Please plan and mail checks accordingly. If received after January 1, it can be applied to 2025 balances, but the balances will post in fiscal year 2026.
2025 Special Offerings
Effective January 1, the Special Offerings Program will only have 3 funds
- World Communion
- One Great Hour of Sharing
- Christmas Joy
In the new year, gifts remitted to the Peace & Global Witness offering (or its predecessor, the Peacemaking offering) will be received as a gift for the World Communion Offering. An updated 2026 remittance form will be mailed out with end-of-year statements in January.
Paid Leave for All Workers Act
Make sure you are complying with this law that took effect January 1, 2024. Read more here.
Per Capita
2025 Per Capita $38.29 per member based on 12/31/23 final membership numbers reported
We’ve had 55 churches pay their 2025 per capita in full! See the full list here.
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Looking forward to 2026
2026 Per Capita: $39 per member based on 12/31/24 final membership reported
GA: $11.26 Synod: $3.81 PGR: $23.93
Board of Pensions Renewal for 2026
Log in to Benefits Connect portal. From the homescreen, click Employer Agreements > then Agreements > then select 2026. Confirm agreement matches the choices you made and what dues will start on January 1.
By now, all churches & employees should have selected benefits for 2026. If you missed the deadline, contact BOP at 800-773-7752 or email memberservices@pensions.org.
Death Benefit Insurance Calculations
Visit this link. to calculate tax implications for employees with employer-paid life insurance. You will need to know: did the employee was full or part-time, did they work for your church the full 12 months of 2025, did their effective salary change in 2025, their total effective salary (see here for Effective Salary), did the member have eligible dependents, and the employee's date of birth.
The calculator will determine the Imputed taxable Income. “The imputed taxable income must be reported as wages in box 1 of Form W-2 and in box 12 with Code C. For non-minister employees, it is subject to income tax, Social Security, and Medicare withholding and should also be reported in boxes 3 and 5.” Contact the Board of Pensions at 800‑PRESPLAN (800‑773‑7752) if you have questions.
The employee's age greatly affects the calculation & amount of taxable income. You may ask the employee if they would prefer to have additional payroll taxes withheld to avoid surprises at tax time, especially if they already tend to owe money when filing their returns.
2026 Payroll Prep
As you move through December, start getting your payroll to-do list ready to switch over to 2026. That first payroll of the new year comes up fast when you’re busy wrapping up the prior year's financials. Take the time to determine if employees with health benefits have made changes that impact payroll withholdings. You need approval from them in writing to withhold premiums from their paychecks. Email Sabrina for a sample of what she uses.
2026 Retirement Savings
This is a good time to confirm if employees are participating in retirement savings. If so, does the amount of their withholding change? Per State of Illinois law, all employers with more than 5 employees should offer their staff the opportunity to save for retirement. (ilsecurechoice.com) Employee participation is NOT mandatory, but offering it is. If your church isn’t aware of this or needs more information, please contact us.
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2026 Preaching Retreat at the
Sacre Coeur Retreat Center
This two-day event will be a lively and energizing deep dive into Scripture and your own preaching ministry. Join us for this workshop with Anna Carter Florence and Jake Myers from Columbia Theological Seminary, as we explore the familiar lectionary stories from Year A together. Click here to learn more and to register.
| | | A Trio of Concerts at First Presbyterian Church of Normal | | Church Safety and Security Workshop | | Apply for Funds to Support Your Ministry with Older Adults | | |
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.
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Join us Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 at 7:30-8:45pm (EST) for a churchwide (PCUSA) film study on “Evicting the American Dream," an excellent documentary about homelessness, the U.S. housing crisis, and its impacts on children produced by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Counter Stories Productions.
We will gather weekly online after having watched each week’s segment of the film. We will hear from featured speakers and discuss issues of redlining, housing commodification, eviction, the impact of housing insecurity on children, and ways to take action in our own communities.
Advanced registration is required to receive the meeting links and instructions to view the film segments each week. Stay tuned to PC(USA) social media, PC(USA) news, and https://hubs.ly/Q03WWCnz0 for registration details, coming in early 2026.
| | Updated Citizen Action Guide Now Available | | |
The Washington-based Presbyterian Office of Public Witness has updated its classic “Holy Discontentment” guide for those who want to engage in public life through advocacy, organizing, and witness.
The free digital booklet is available for download (under "Resources") by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) members or anyone experiencing holy discontentment, which the publication describes as “a faithful discomfort, rooted in hope for something better.”
Grounded in the Reformed tradition and the social witness policies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the newly released guide offers both theological grounding and practical tools for individuals, congregations and mid councils seeking to respond to injustice.
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Presbyterian Association of Musicians
2026 Worship & Music Conference​
June 21-26 & June 28-July 3, 2026
Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, North Carolina
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Join worshipers of all ages - musicians, leaders, and learners - for the largest annual gathering of Presbyterians welcoming participants of all denominations.
​​​
Together, we will create music, learn, and worship. Your participation is an investment in the dynamic growth of the Church as we explore the promising future together.
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Registration opened on December 8.
Conference Lodging must be booked separately from Conference Registration.
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It’s near the end of 2025, but there are still ways to witness for justice, drawing inspiration from PW Churchwide’s Justice and Peace Calendar. Feel free to share the information with friends and family, your congregation, and/or include it in your newsletter. And watch for the 2026 justice and peace dates in next month's Justice and Peace Calendar communication!
Find the Justice and Peace calendar here.
| | Adult Work Camp for Members of the Presbytery of Great Rivers | |
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June 7-10, 2026
Enjoy fellowship, the outdoors, evening devotions, a mission project, and work at Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center, Oregon, IL.
- Cost: $200 per person | $50 deposit required at time of registration
- Lodging in Hickory House
- Maximum capacity: 12 people (ages 18 and older)
- Contact Mary Watts (309-358-1653) form more information and to register.
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All the latest from PW Churchwide!
PW NewsBytes brims with “news you can use” from Presbyterian Women Churchwide! Just like the name suggests, PW NewsBytes is fully digital, which is good stewardship (of both finances and trees) and makes for easy sharing and a more connected PW community.
The December 2025 edition of PW NewsBytes includes news you'll want to know and share about PW, Inc.'s September 2025 Board meeting year-end reminders, including details on making a year-end gift to PW’s Annual Mission Fund and a save-the-date for the 2027 PW Churchwide Gathering (August 5–8, 2027)!
Download or click through for
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updates on pricing and publication dates for Horizons magazine and Bible study,
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an overview of the forthcoming 2026–2027 PW/Horizons Bible study, United Through Christ, Bound to Each Other, by Rhonda Mawhood Lee,
- ways to suggest plenary speakers and/or workshop leaders for the 2027 PW Churchwide Gathering,
- and much, much more!
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The Presbyterian Foundation hopes you’ll join them for the upcoming Luminosity Conference, March 9-11, 2026! If you haven’t registered yet, now is a great time to do so. Through powerful keynote/plenary sessions from faith-based leaders, dynamic workshops, and meaningful conversations, we’ll explore how to navigate challenges, maximize church and ministry, and lead with confidence, in your own faith communities.
To learn more and register, please visit the Luminosity Conference website. If you have any questions about registration, workshops, or scholarship support, you can contact us at serving@presbyterianfoundation.org.
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Help keep your people and property safe
With widespread cold and freezing temperatures affecting many states across the nation, now is the time to take proactive steps to help your organization reduce risk and prevent costly damage.
Monitor
- Assign someone to watch water systems and sensors for outages, leaks and temperature changes.
- Track weather updates and ensure coverage even during weekends, holidays and vacations.
Prepare
- Increase facility checks.
- If heat is lost, shut off and drain pipes — or let faucets drip.
- Open interior doors and remove ceiling tiles to help warm air reach pipes.
- Shut off water and clear lines with faucets or compressed air.
- IMPORTANT: Do not drain fire sprinkler systems.
Respond
If pipes are at risk of freezing, act fast:
- Turn up heat, open faucets and use safe heat sources (heating tape or hair dryer).
- Never use open flames.
- Call a local plumber for extra help.
Get more tips and resources to help you beat the chill at churchmutual.com/winter.
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We give thanks to God for these congregations and their faithful ministry and witness:
- Middletown Presbyterian Church – served by Rev. Dr. Adam Quine
- Springfield, Third Presbyterian Church – served by Rev. Dr. Forrest Krummel
- Mt. Sterling Presbyterian Church of Christ – served by Mr. Richard Young
- Danvers, First Presbyterian Church – served by Rev. Bryan Burris
- Peoria, First Federated Church – served by Rev. Ed Wegele
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December Ordination Anniversaries
December 2, 1988 – The Rev. Samuel T. Gibb, Retired
December 9, 1979 – The Rev. Gordon Eugene Jones, Retired
December 9, 1982 – The Rev. Darwin E. Smith, Retired
December 13, 2014 – The Rev. Joel Jackle-Hugh, Member-at-Large
December 14, 2014 – The Rev. Matthew R. Downey, United PC, Viola
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Dec 16 | 12:00-2:00 | Staff Christmas Lunch, Peoria
Dec 24 | Christmas Eve
Dec 25 | Christmas Day
Dec 31 | New Year's Eve
Dec 24-Jan 4 | Presbytery Office closed for Christmas
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Beware of Spam and Scam Emails
Privacy Alert: The Presbytery Directory, as well as
your church directory is for members only.
Please DO NOT share this information to protect everyone's privacy.
- It's always a good idea to check the email address before responding to requests.
- Grammatical errors and awkward phrasing often signal potential scams.
- Do not respond to emails that ask for money or favors.
- If something feels off, it probably is!
- No one on the Presbytery staff will ever send you a request asking for money or gift cards.
| | Open Searches for Pastoral Leadership in Great Rivers | | Presbytery of Great Rivers Directory | | Presbytery of Great Rivers Staff | | |
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.
Communications and Administrative Assistant
Brandy Walters | 309-683-6980 | Email: bwalters@greatriverspby.org
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:00am - 3:00pm. 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
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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 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/ |   | |   | | | |
