Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois Newsletter January 15, 2020
An Exciting New Program
Healthy Pastors, Healthy Congregations
The Board of Pensions recognizes that, as a Church, we must faithfully address pastors’ financial challenges if they are to grow and sustain their ministries. Healthy Pastors, Healthy Congregations brings a pastor and congregational leadership together to work toward financial sustainability by providing financial education and consultations to both the pastor and congregational leaders.

The success of Healthy Pastors, Healthy Congregations rests on covenants among the pastor, the congregation, and the Board of Pensions. Each party promises to take specific actions that, together, will help build a brighter financial future. This innovative financial education program combines pastor and congregational leader education with grants of up to $10,000 to qualifying pastors.

Pastor education
The pastor receives a grounding in financial literacy and financial management skills by completing online learning modules in two series: Terms of Call and Personal Financial Planning. The pastor also attends a 2 hour training session with congregational leaders.

Additionally, the pastor receives financial counseling through  Ernst & Young Employee Financial Services , at  no cost  to the individual.

Learn More at:


Dates for 2 hour training seminar (6:00-8:00pm) in our presbytery:
April 14, 2020 at First Presbyterian in Champaign and April 15, 2020 at First Presbyterian in Olney.

Registration and more information coming soon.
Clerk of Session Training Dates Set
The Clerk of Session Trainings have been scheduled.  All dates and times are Sundays from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

  • February 9 - First United Presbyterian Church in Marion (1200 S Carbon)
  • February 23 - First Presbyterian Church in Arcola (305 E Jefferson)

Find the registration link at https://www.pseillinois.org/news . Scroll down to the Clerk of Session Training and click on  Click here to register online .
Confirmation Camp at Camp Carew
Current Year Facts and Figures
Per Capita for 2020 is staying at $42 per active member.

Presybtery minimum salary for a full-time pastor is $44,000 and the recommended COLA is 1.6%.
Session Records Review Dates are Set
All Session Records must be read prior to the November 19, 2020 Presbytery meeting. the events are held in regional locations, but you may attend one in another region if that date is better for you
Hosted by McCormick Theological Seminary
Lunch with Lib Caldwell at APCE 2020
McCormick Theological Seminary Host
Lunch with Lib Caldwell*
at APCE 2020
Friday January 31, 2020
11:45a.m. – 1:15p.m.
Marriott Little Rock
3 Statehouse Plaza
Little Rock, AR 72201

Cost:  $30.00 per person
RSVP For Luncheon Required
You do not have to be registered for the conference to attend the lunch.

Presbytery Trip to Nicaragua
Philo Presbyterian Church are again planning a mission and service trip to La Flor Nicaragua, March 21 to March 28, 2020. As in the past we will be partnering with Justhope ( www.Justhope.org ).  

Contact Mary Simon for more information or download the flyer via the link below. [email protected] .
January Bible Study
For use at Presbytery gatherings/meetings. Authored by Rev. Bill McLean, Presbyter for Congregational Care.

Romans 2:1-11 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. You say, “We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth.” Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. For he will repay according to each one’s deeds: to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; while for those who are self-seeking and who obey not the truth but wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.


  • What does “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” look like in your/our lives today?
  • What is the implication for ministry that “God shows no partiality”?
  • How might the Presbytery/congregation/committee be guided by this Scripture?