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.

December 6, 2024

Announcements

Presbytery Holiday Closures

The Presbytery office will be closed for Christmas, December 24 through January 1.

December Newsletter Schedule

In December, the newsletter will be published on December 6 and 20. Please send articles for publication by 5:00 pm on the preceding Tuesdays to StephanieSidotiVMA@gmail.com.

2025 Youth Triennium Meeting

The Presbytery of Great Rivers is putting together a delegation to the 2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium that will be held in Louisville, July 28-31, 2025. An informational zoom meeting will be held on Monday, December 16, 7:00 pm for pastors and others who work with youth in our congregations.

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.

When: Dec 16, 2024 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrc-2gqjIrHdOaVdSxOSZY2xTOKybphJ5v

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Let’s plan for as many PGR youth as possible to experience four incredible days of worship, recreation, group study, and fellowship! The $199 participant fee includes all programming, event meals, an official Triennium T-shirt, and more. Travel and housing are additional costs. Both the Presbytery and the Synod of Lincoln Trails will provide financial assistance.

See the FAQs for who can attend. We also need a registrar who will coordinate our delegation and the travel plans. Is God calling you to serve in this way? Check out the registrar responsibilities at www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/registrar-kit.

The Illinois Presbyterian Home was founded in faith 70 years ago. As we celebrate our 70th anniversary, we want to thank our generous community. It is due to your support and commitment to our mission that we have continued to thrive as a non-profit organization for 70 years. We rely heavily on contributions from generous donors to help us keep our monthly fees for seniors as reasonable as possible. If you feel inclined to support our mission, you can donate by clicking the link below!

Donate to IPH

Check donations can be made out and mailed to:

Illinois Presbyterian Home

2005 West Lawrence

Springfield, IL 62704

From the Lead Presbyter

“For such a time as this.” These are the words I am sitting with in this Advent season. They come from the Book of Esther. Esther was a young Jewish girl chosen by God for a holy—yet dangerous—task that she doesn’t especially want to undertake.

In the story, her uncle and mentor make clear to her the consequences of her inaction: “Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silence at such a time as this . . . you and your father’s family will perish.” And then he suggests that she may have been called to be in the grim situation in order to serve a greater purpose: “Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this” (Esther 4:13-14).

Her story is about the challenge she faces in making difficult decisions that impact people’s lives and risking her own life for their sake. It reminds us that there are times when we, as people of faith, must act. Particularly when injustice and evil threaten the dignity, safety, and well-being of others, we don’t have the luxury of staying silent, turning a blind eye, and pretending that nothing is wrong. 

Throughout the scriptures, we read about how God, at pivotal moments, chose ordinary people to act—to speak, worship, help, console, serve, encourage, risk, sacrifice, resist, and use their power and their gifts to offer hope and to change the world.

During the Advent and Christmas seasons, we remember how God, in the person of Jesus, showed up in a particular time and place for the sake of our salvation and for the redemption of the world. Had Jesus chosen not to act, not to speak, not to confront, not to risk, everything would be different.

As we live into this Advent season and face the uncertainties of a new year, may we take the time to reflect and pray about where God is calling us to be and what God is calling us to do for such a time as this. 

Advent blessings,

Ann

Rev. Ann Schwartz

Lead Presbyter

The Mission of the Church

From Your Finance Team

Planning ahead for 2025

Budgeting for 2025

At the Aug 24th assembly meeting it was announced that per capita will be increasing for 2025.

2025 Per Capita is increasing to $38.29, due to an increase by the General Assembly. Synod & PGR rates remain the same.

The annual Per Capita mailing went out to churches at the end of September. If you did not receive yours, please reach out to Sabrina.

2024

Thank you to all churches who have contributed towards Per Capita

We’ve had 54 churches pay their 2024 per capita in full!

Thank you to Adair, Aledo-Sunbeam, Alexis – Norwood, Athens, Bartonville, Bloomington- St Luke Union, Bushnell, Carlinville, Carrollton, Carthage, Chatham, Chenoa, Clayton, Clinton, Coal Valley, Delavan, Divernon, East Moline, Edwards, Elmwood, Eureka, Fountain Green, Greenview, Ipava, Knoxville, Leroy, Lewiston, Lincoln, Mason City, Media, Milan, Monmouth – Sugar Tree Grove, Morton, Mt Sterling, New Windsor, Normal-First, Normal-New Covenant, Oneida, Orion, Pekin, Peoria – First Federated, Petersburg, Quincy, Reynolds, Rock Island, Springfield-First, Springfield – Korean, Stronghurst, Virginia-Sangamon Valley, Warsaw, Washington, White Hall, Woodhull & Yates City!

2024 Per Capita is $37.25, an increase of $1.00.  

2024 Per Capita is based on your final membership numbers reported for 2022.

If you have a question about how much you still need to pay, please email me at smcgrath@greatriverspby.org.

Mission Giving Percentage Update

At the April 20th assembly meeting it was voted to change the percentage of mission giving for the General Assembly & Presbytery of Great Rivers. Synod was not changed; it remains at 5%.

Presbytery: Increased from 52.5% to 75%

General Assembly (Presbyterian Mission Agency): Decreased from 42.5% to 20%

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 – Treasurer Sabrina McGrath - Bookkeeper

Please click on the blocks below to follow the links:

Protecting Immigrant and Refugee Rights

Join others in the church to discuss how we can be the church and protect those who are vulnerable to the promised changes in federal immigration policies and practices. Register here: https://bit.ly/PCUSATownHall. The town hall will be recorded, but you must register to receive the link.

Summer 2025 Group Work Camp in Bloomington-Normal

For more information, contact Rev. Andrew Gifford at St. Luke Union Church, Bloomington.

Support the Christmas Joy Offering

During the season of Advent, we remember and reflect God’s perfect gift, Jesus Christ. This child, the Word made flesh, became one of us, so, through the Christmas Joy Offering, we honor this amazing gift by supporting leaders among us — past, present and future. The Christmas Joy Offering supports retired ministers and church workers and their families through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and students in Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping Communities of Color as they pursue education and prepare to use their gifts in service to the church and world. Resources for interpretation of the Offering can be found here, and a promotional video can be found here.

Resources for Pastors, Sessions,

and Congregations

Post-Election Support for Pastors 

The Center for Healthy Churches / PneuMatrix is offering new clergy colleague groups for post-election pastoring.  Each small group (12 people) will be facilitated by both a seasoned pastor and a therapist. 

This virtual group aims to build a supportive network, provide professional insight, and create actionable strategies for Pastors who seek guidance and community while navigating the challenges of post-election pastoring to their congregations and ministries. 

• Challenge-Oriented
• Navigating ministry in a polarized world? You’re not alone. Join a confidential, supportive clergy group for such a time as this.
• Community-Focused
• Experience the power of connection. Limited to 12 participants, our groups foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
• Value-Drive
• Professional facilitation by a seasoned pastor and therapist ensures practical strategies for real-world ministry challenges.
• Six Online Sessions
• Jan-June 2025 : specific dates TBD once groups are formed
• Small Group Size no more than 12
• Cost $400 (due at first mtg)
• Led by Pastor and Therapist

Register HEREhttps://form.jotform.com/243224544001139

Unlock the Potential of Your Church Property for Impactful Ministry 

The Good Futures Accelerator is a dynamic and proven course designed to help congregations creatively use their church buildings and property to align money and mission. By participating in this program, congregations discover innovative ways to further their mission while building financial resilience and ensuring a sustainable ministry future.

What is the Good Futures Accelerator?

The Good Futures Accelerator, developed by Rooted Good in collaboration with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is a self-guided program that empowers congregations to:

• Leverage church property: Explore creative strategies for using your church buildings and land to serve your community and generate income.
• Align money and mission: Ensure that your financial practices support and amplify your congregation’s mission, creating a strong foundation for long-term impact.
• Build financial resilience: Learn how to maximize your resources and create sustainable revenue streams that align with your values and goals.
• Innovate with confidence: Access practical tools and frameworks that encourage experimentation, learning and growth.

Why choose the Good Futures Accelerator?

• Self-guided curriculum: Enjoy the flexibility of a self-paced program that allows your congregation to engage with the material on your own schedule. This approach fosters deeper ownership of the learning process, enabling leaders to reflect, adapt and implement at a pace that suits your community’s needs.
• Proven methodology: Built on the successful strategies developed by Rooted Good, the Accelerator offers a proven pathway to aligning money and mission through the creative use of church property.
• Supportive community: Join a network of like-minded congregations and ministries that are also on the journey of innovation and transformation.

What’s included?

• Comprehensive resources: Access step-by-step guides, videos, templates and more to help you implement each phase of the program.
• Gamified learning journey: Engage in a dynamic, interactive experience that includes reflection questions and experiential exercises designed to deepen understanding and spark creativity.
• Tailored content: The program is rooted in Reformed theology and tailored to the specific context of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), making it uniquely relevant for your congregation.

How to get started

Visit pcusa.org/innovation to learn more about the Good Futures Accelerator and explore how this program can empower your congregation to make a greater impact. 

The Visioning Team of the Presbytery of Great Rivers is offering grants to the first five congregations that apply to participate in the Good Futures Accelerator course. (Cost to the church: $187; cost to the presbytery: $187). Each church will select a team of 3-7 people who spend, on average 40 hours over 9 months, exploring how to creatively use their church buildings and property to further their mission and build financial resilience. For more information about applying, email PGRVisioning@gmail.com.

Find a wealth of information at Journeying Together Newsletter from The Center for Lifelong Learning - November Issue.

Conferences and Learning Opportunities

2025 Call for Presenters 

Submit a workshop proposal by December 15

Stewardship Kaleidoscope’s annual conference delivers real tools for real ministry through our workshop offerings. Next year’s conference will be in New Orleans from September 22 through 24, 2025. If you have a stewardship message to share with others in the form of a workshops/presentation, you are invited to respond to the Call for Presenters. A wide range of stewardship-related topics—theological, liturgical, basic or advanced, academic or practical—are welcome. 

Click here the presentation guidelines and complete the brief form: Call for Presenters - Stewardship Kaleidoscope. New and previous workshop presenters are encouraged to complete the form before December 15, 2024. Speakers will be notified by early February 2025 of their selection status.

Questions? Please CONTACT US.

Ministry Opportunities

Open Searches for Pastoral Leadership

Interim Pastor, Third Presbyterian Church, Springfield click



Pastor, Yoked Ministry, New Windsor Presbyterian Church, Rio click

Music Ministry Director, United Presbyterian Church of Peoria click

December Ordination Anniversaries

December 2, 1988 – The Rev. Samuel T. Gibb, Member at Large

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 Presbyterian Church, Viola

Presbytery of Great Rivers Virtual Office

Virtual Office Assistant Crystal Goforth 309-683-6980 Email: office@greatriverspby.org

Crystal works remotely from South Carolina (Eastern Time) and is available until 4 pm CST Monday thru Wednesday and Friday, and 1:45 pm EST on Thursdays. Please leave her a message & she will return your call.

Bookkeeper Sabrina McGrath 309-683-6981 Email: smcgrath@greatriverspby.org

Sabrina works from Peoria IL.

Her regular schedule is Tues & Thurs between 8am-3pm (Central Time)

Lead Presbyter Ann Schwartz 309-683-6983 Email: aschwartz@greatriverspby.org

Ann's Sabbath Day is Friday.

Stated Clerk Elissa Bailey 309-371-2511  Email: pastorebailey@gmail.com

My regular office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am - 3 pm.(Central Time) If you have an emergency, please call or text me at 309-371-2511.

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.