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.

June 14, 2024

Announcements

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.

Special Worship and Music Debut 

On Sunday, June 23, 2024, a new musical piece will be debuted at the United Presbyterian Church in Mason City in honor of the many years of service by Pastor Emeritus Rev. Mark S. Kim and Helen Kim, former music director. This choral piece, “Be Kind and Love One Another,” has been commissioned and is composed by Pepper Choplin, renowned composer of Christian music. The worship service at the UPC of Mason City is at 10:30 AM. All are welcome to this worship service and the premier of this choral piece. A light reception will follow the service. For those who would like to sing with the choir, or if you have questions, please contact Peter Kim at 630-689-7873, pkimruns@gmail.com.

From the Lead Presbyter

In the year that I have served as Lead Presbyter, my focus has been on listening. I have shared meals with pastors, attended session meetings, worked alongside committees, had coffee with whomever showed up during PGR on the Road, participated in Sunday school classes, and joined in learning and fellowship events. My intention, besides introducing myself to the presbytery, has been to hear your stories of call, concern, conviction, and how you are living out the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever you are. It is evident that God is speaking in our churches, and congregations are listening.

The Leadership Team and the Governance Task Force have committed to joining me in listening to the Spirit’s call here in the Presbytery of Great Rivers. An online survey will be posted within the next two weeks, which will provide an opportunity for you to offer feedback about presbytery assemblies. All pastors and church members are welcome to submit it.

During August and September, we will travel to six regions for in-person gatherings. PGR on the Road: Listening Sessions will take place on three Thursdays in August (8th, 15th, and 22nd, 10:00-11:30 am) and three Sundays in September (8th, 15th, and 29th, 2:00-3:30). We are currently seeking host churches for those events, so please contact me if your church is able to extend that hospitality. 

We have developed a series of questions about the life of the Presbytery and the particular needs and challenges congregations have. The primary goal of this process is to listen for the Spirit and how the Spirit is calling us to participate more deeply in God’s mission. This process is about listening for God’s will and not about listening for our will. Listening for the Spirit means both listening closely to God’s Word and listening closely to one another, including those to whom we may not normally listen.

Following the listening sessions, Presbytery leadership will thoughtfully and prayerfully consider your responses as we discern and develop a plan for the presbytery’s mission, values, and priorities, as well as a right-sized structure.

Please encourage your congregations to participate in the survey and listening sessions. Their voices are vital.  

Grace and peace,

Rev. Ann Schwartz

Lead Presbyter

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/

Grants Available for the Nurture of Children’s Spiritual Lives

The Wonder of Worship program at Columbia Theological Seminary is offering a second round of grants of $1,000 to congregations seeking to enhance the engagement of children in their corporate workspaces. The aim of the national initiative, funded through Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, is to support faith-based organizations as they help children grow in faith and deepen their relationships with God.

Congregations are asked to conduct an inventory on what they are already doing and to help ascertain where the greatest need is for the grant money. Then they should identify three-to-five areas they may make simple changes that can be done in the next year to engage children more fully in worship. That audit is available at https://www.ctsnet.edu/wp-content/uploads/WOW_audit_inventory-2024.pdf.

After the audit, congregations need to fill out a short registration form, including an itemized budget, to explain how the funds would be spent. That application is available at https://forms.office.com/r/X9XLSZzRVE. The application deadline is July 15, 2024.

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.

Celebrating June Ordination Anniversaries 



June 1, 1959 – The Rev. Richard Watts, Retired

June 1, 1960 – The Rev. Eugene Bilotti, Retired

June 4, 2006 – The Rev. Marla Bauler, First Presbyterian Church, Elmwood, and Faith United Presbyterian Church, Yates City

June 6, 1962 – The Rev. Donald Sinclair, Retired

June 6, 1974 – The Rev. Gregory Meyer, Retired

June 11, 2006 – The Rev. Dr. Andrew Gifford, St. Luke Union Church, Bloomington

June 13, 1971 – The Rev. Dale Bolton, Retired

June 13, 1990 – The Rev. Steve Smith (UMC), Farmingdale Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Plains

June 15, 1970 – The Rev. Randall Paine, Retired

June 17, 1979 – The Rev. Gary Elg, Retired

June 18, 1978 – The Rev. Richard Tindall, Retired

June 19, 2005 – The Rev. Ed Wegele, First Federated Church, Peoria

June 22, 2003 – The Rev. Julie Blythe, Retired

June 23, 2001 – The Rev. Debra Avery, United Presbyterian Church, Peoria

June 25, 1979 – The Rev. Brent Mitchell, Retired

June 27, 1971 – The Rev. Gerald Boutelle, Retired

June 27, 1993 – The Rev. Charlotte Poetschner, United Presbyterian Church, Mason City

June 28, 2009 – The Rev. Kathy Mitchell, Retired

Online Courses Available

In partnership with the Office of Christian Formation of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, the Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE ) is pleased to offer two online courses: Presbyterian Program and Mission and Presbyterian Polity. The courses are available to Christian Educators in the certification process, Commissioned Ruling Elders/Pastors already commissioned or in the educational phase of their preparation, leaders in 1001 New Worshipping Communities, and other leaders wanting to learn more about the denomination. The cost of one class is $100, both are $175.

Program and Mission Course:

For the course syllabus, dates, and specifics to register by August 1:

https://apcenet.org/.../pcusa-program-and.../2024-08-15/

Polity Course:

For the course syllabus, dates, and specifics to register by September 15:

https://apcenet.org/event/pcusa-polity-course/2024-10-03/

Celebration of Ordination and Installation

Lorna Blackford was ordained and installed as pastor of A Community of Faith in Raymond, Illinois (Presbytery of Southeast Illinois) on June 2. Members of her commission from Great Rivers included Rev. Brandon Ouellette, who preached, and Rev. Cheyanna Losey, who delivered the charge to Lorna.

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship 

The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship is a nationwide community of Presbyterians committed to the nonviolence of Jesus Christ. Established in 1944, the ministry equips congregations and individuals in seeking practical alternatives to violence and war, including gun violence. As an independent group, they operate with volunteers and a small staff, collaborating with the PC(U.S.A.) and encouraging this work in our congregations and presbyteries. Learn more at www.presbypeacefellowship.org.

Respite for Pastors at Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center

Pastors seeking a quiet spot in a beautiful setting for study leave, worship planning, or rest and relaxation are encouraged to consider Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center in Oregon, Illinois. Blackhawk Presbytery, which runs the center, has extended an invitation to pastoral leaders (and their families) to use the site for a minimal fee. For more information or to book your time away, contact Dr. Danny Pierce at (815) 732-6111, ext. 608, or danny@strongholdcenter.org.

Is God Calling You to Serve?

The Leadership Team is seeking individuals to serve:

Communications Task Force: will make recommendations to the Leadership Team regarding all means of communication within the presbytery and beyond (social media, website, newsletter)

Assembly Planning Team: will help plan and organize the August and November 2024 presbytery assemblies

Contact Ann Schwartz (aschwartz@greatriverspby.org) if you would like to serve.

Clerk's Corner

Summer is finally here! The kids are out of school, the weather is getting warm, the pool is open, and the long-awaited cicada invasion . . . well, for some reason that hasn’t happened in Bloomington yet. A lot is going on this summer! 

Our next Clerk’s Convo will be on June 17 at 5:00 pm. This is a time for clerks to join over Zoom to ask any questions of me or ask how other clerks are doing certain things. This usually lasts an hour. 

Elissa Bailey (she/her/hers) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Clerk of Session Meeting

Time: This is a recurring meeting 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82477487297?pwd=ZXNIc29YRit3cTE2SGhsK0N5YzUrZz09

Meeting ID: 824 7748 7297

Passcode: 832216

I will be gone to General Assembly from Saturday, June 29 through Friday, July 5.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82477487297?pwd=ZXNIc29YRit3cTE2SGhsK0N5YzUrZz09

Meeting ID: 824 7748 7297

Passcode: 832216

From Your Finance Team

Churches, 

Please be sure to 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.

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

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

The annual Per Capita mailing was sent late last fall to the mailing address we have for your church. Packets were mailed to the attention of your clerk of session. If for some reason you didn't receive it, please let us know.  

We’ll happily send you another copy.

Thank you to all churches who have contributed towards Per Capita

We’ve had 31 churches pay their 2024 per capita in full!

Thank you to Aledo-Sunbeam, Athens, Bartonville, Bushnell, Carlinville, Carrollton, Carthage, Chatham, Chenoa, Clayton, Coal Valley, Divernon, Elmwood, Eureka, Greenview, Lincoln, Mason City, Media, Milan, Morton, New Windsor, Normal-New Covenant, Oneida, Orion, Pekin, Quincy, Reynolds, Rock Island, Springfield – Korean,   Virginia-Sangamon Valley & Warsaw!

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%

This change is effective immediately.

The attached letter & revised remittance form was sent via email to the clerk of session & if submitted the financial contact for your church.  The PGR website also has the revised form available.

Please reach out to either of us with any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Sabrina McGrath - Bookkeeper

Bill Strawbridge – Treasurer

Please click on the blocks below to follow the links:

Presbyterian Women’s 2024 Gathering

The 2024 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women is convening in St. Louis from August 8-11, the first in-person gathering since 2013. The event celebrates the powerful impact of the women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offers an opportunity to meet or reconnect with PW participants from across the country, and welcomes those who would like to learn more about growing, serving and leading though Presbyterian Women.

For information about speakers, workshops, and registration: Click Here

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!

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

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.