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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.
May 24, 2024
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PGR Newsletter Schedule
Newsletters go out the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Please send any articles for publication to Crystal by Tuesdays at 5 pm.
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Prayer for Memorial Day
By Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook
Lord God, until there is war no more and you wipe every tear from every eye, we will remember. We will remember those who have served and died for the sake of something greater than themselves. We will remember and give thanks for the men and women who knowingly put themselves in harm’s way so that others might be safer. We will remember the families who grieve this day and every day for brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, friends and spouses, who lost their lives while wearing the uniform of our country.
Lord God, until you beat swords into plowshares and the ox and lamb lie down together, we will remember. We will remember that peace doesn’t happen without peacemakers and violence won’t cease unless we stand in the breach and begin to repair it. We will remember that war is costly, the price paid in priceless lives cut short.
Lord God, until the Prince of Peace returns and death and crying are no more, we will remember. We will remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country. We will support those left bereft in their absence. We will remember to seek reconciliation, knowing that while we cannot control the ways of the world, we can seek to work for peace in our own lives and communities.
Lord God, until there is no need for men and women to place themselves in harm’s way, we will remember and give thanks for those who did and died.
In the name of the One who grants us the peace that passes understanding, we pray. Amen.
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Presbytery Prayers

Please pray for Sabrina McGrath, PGR's Bookkeeper, as she recovers from unexpected surgery.
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New Resources from the Board of Pensions Regarding the
2025 Benefits Plan
Last week, the Board of Pensions provided additional resources to help in the transition to the 2025 Benefits Plan. Visit Season of Rebuilding for information about the new plan and for these resources:
Any minister enrolled in Pastor’s Participation as of Dec. 31, 2024, may continue in Transitional Pastor’s Participation with no change in benefits. By using the 2025 Decision Guide for Minister Benefits, you may discover other options available through the Benefits Plan.
Ministers who are not installed and all other employees are eligible for the Covenant Package in 2025. It includes pension, death and disability coverage, temporary disability coverage, and the Employee Assistance Plan, all for 10% of effective salary. When you select benefits during Employer Agreement early this fall, you can combine the Covenant Package with any of the Benefits Plan offerings in the Health & Wellness Plans.
All congregational pastoral leaders (any installed pastor, minister of the Word and Sacrament, or commissioned pastor who is scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week, with the congregation as the employer) are eligible for the Congregational Pastors Package beginning in 2025.
For information about benefits options or assistance with the 2025 Decision Guide for Minister Benefits, call the Board of Pensions at 800-PRESPLAN (800-773-7752) (TTY: 711) to speak with a dedicated representative.
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You're Invited to an Antiracism Training Retreat
at Stronghold Retreat Center from 4:00 pm May 31st to 1:00 pm June 1st.
As we seek to create a culture of justice, Presbytery of Great Rivers is partnering with Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training to learn how to identify and dismantle the systemic racism that afflicts us, our church, and the larger culture. Join us in building the beloved community God calls us to be. This workshop utilizes large and small group conversation and individual reflection, as well as applied practice of frameworks introduced to provide participants with both knowledge and experience. There will also be time for meals together, worship, and fellowship.
Cost: Thanks to a substantial contribution from Great Rivers Presbytery, this workshop will be $90 per person, with a discounted rate of $60 and supporter rate of $120.
Register Here: https://forms.gle/WDRcrAqi8KTJtsqL8
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Oasis Grants
The deadline for the final round of Oasis Grants for pastoral leaders is June 15. Pastors, commissioned pastors, chaplains, and others in validated ministries (full- or part-time) are encouraged to apply for funds for an activity, experience, or item that will spark joy and feed your spirit. If you have not already received one of these generous grants available through the Synod of Lincoln Trails, now is the time. https://lincolntrails.org/oasis-a-stop-in-the-wilderness/
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Church Financial Leadership Coaching Program for Pastoral Leaders
The Presbyterian Foundation received a grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to help pastoral leaders with their professional financial challenges. The Foundation believes it is important to resource pastoral leaders and the congregations that they serve in the areas of church financial literacy, leadership and management to promote vitality and excellence in ministry. The Foundation is establishing a national coaching network to help address the challenges faced by pastoral leaders. Therefore, the goal of this coaching program is to develop pastoral leaders who have a solid foundation in church financial literacy and appropriate skills in leadership and management so that their ministries flourish and their congregations create a culture that forms generous disciples who join in Christ’s mission in their neighborhoods, communities, and the world. Click here for more information: Church Financial Leadership Coaching Program - Presbyterian Foundation
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General Assembly News
A new web page had been launched to provide education and information to Presbyterians who are not attending the 226th General Assembly (2024) in person. Resources curated from PC(USA) podcasts, webinars, and documents on being Presbyterian, how the Assembly works, and equity and inclusion are available. This rich selection of items can be used for adult education, leader training, and individual study. Learning more about who we are as Presbyterians, what we believe, and how we govern ourselves, can help us live into our call as the connectional church.
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May Ordination Anniversaries
May 3, 1998 – The Rev. Linda Philabaun, Retired
May 4, 1980 – The Rev. Drew Nagle, Retired
May 6, 1984 – The Rev. Almut Spalding, Retired
May 11, 1962 – The Rev. David Bauer, Retired
May 14, 1989 - The Rev. Susan M. Ryder, Retired
May 15, 1954 - The James P. Uttley, Retired
May 22, 2016 – The Rev. Matt Wilcox, First Presbyterian Church, Normal
May 24, 1998 - The Rev. Timothy R. Bauler, Sangamon Valley Presbyterian Church, Virginia
May 26, 1996 – The Rev. Cindy A. Bean, First Presbyterian Church, Farmington
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Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2024 will be in Portland, Oregon September 23-25 at the Hilton Portland Downtown. This year’s plenary speakers include Eric Barreto, Grace Pomroy, and Amos Disasa, among others. There are 40 workshops available in a variety of topics related to stewardship and generosity. Virtual registration is an option. For more information about this event, a full workshop list, and to register, click here.
Presbyterian ministers are eligible to apply for a grant through the Presbyterian Foundation to cover half of all costs to attend this event. For pastors who attend, this grant is also available to lay leaders of your congregation as well. For more information, email sherri.finke@presbyterianfoundation.org, Ministry Relations Officer for the Central Region.
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Moderator Moment
Rev. Debra Avery describes how the congregation of United Presbyterian Church in Peoria is living into their mission of being a Matthew 25 church:
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With Thanks...
I would like to extend both my thanks to the people of this presbytery for their support during my time at seminary and an invitation to my ordination/installation service. I graduated from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary on April 27th, and have accepted a call to serve A Community of Faith in Raymond, IL, which is a federated Presbyterian & Methodist Church. This church is part of the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois, which means I must leave behind all the familiar faces of my faith family in PGR to become part of a new family in PSEI. If they are half as supportive and welcoming as you all have been to me, I will feel blessed indeed! The service for my ordination/installation will be held at 5pm on June 2nd at ACOF, located at 101 Belle St., Raymond, IL.
With sincerity and gratitude,
Lorna Blackford
Candidate, PGR
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Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant
Rev. Dr. Howard L. Milkman, Jr., who served as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, from 1977-1989, has died. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the St Luke Presbyterian Church (5235 Fairview Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515).
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Wilderness Christian Camp

Register now for summer camp, which will be held June 9-14, 2024 at Stronghold Camps & Retreat Center near Oregon, IL. The rustic setting includes 2 wooden cabins that sleep 8 each, pavilion, picnic tables, cold running water, and a porta potty in each unit. Campers will cook their own meals over a campfire, clean up the dishes, and gather the firewood needed for each meal.
For more information on the camping experience, go to www.wildernesschristiancamp.org or check out the Facebook page: Wilderness Christian Camp. For individuals or congregations who would like to support the camp with your financial gifts, call Mary Watts, member at Faith United PC in Yates City, at 309-645-8988.
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Is God Calling You to Serve?
The Presbytery's Nominating Committee is beginning our work finding our next class of committee officers. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering, please contact Gary Terpstra, g.terpstra@comcast.net, 217-415-2090 or Cheyanna Losey, cheyannalosey@gmail.com or 309- 299-4790.
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Job Postings and Classifieds
Have a story to contribute?
Congregations and presbytery groups are encouraged to submit items of interest to office@greatriverspby.org.
Need to post a job, classified, or church need?
To advertise a job, classified, or church need, send a description and details to office@greatriverspby.org.
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Please click on the blocks below to follow the links: | |
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Presbyterian Women’s 2024 Gathering
Get ready for PW’s 2024 Churchwide Gathering which will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, August 8–11, 2024. Registration is now open!
QC-Area churches: want to carpool to the Presbyterian Women National Gathering this August? Please contact Milan Presbyterian Church (firstpresmilan@gmail.com) to talk about options. We have a few women attending, and we'd love company in the car to cut down on costs!
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Grants from Your Visioning Team
Grant applications are open now! Check out our Mission page
(http://www.greatriverspby.org/mission.html) for information about the Visioning grant to support programming and projects in churches and partner organizations, as well as grants for sabbatical assistance and funding while clergy are on paid family leave. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and the Visioning Team is ready to answer your questions. Contact us at PGRVisioning@greatriverspby.org to learn more!
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Assembly Dates for 2024
Saturday, August 24th -10 am in-person with Zoom option at 2nd Pres., Bloomington
Saturday, November 9th - 10 am in-person with Zoom option at United Pres., Peoria
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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.
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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.
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