Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois Newsletter March 9, 2021
An Invitation from the General Council of PSEI
Dear Friends and Colleagues:

As you may be aware, the General Council has been meeting over the past year outside of our normal meeting schedule in order to address the financial situation of the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois (PSEI), as well as the circumstances that led to that situation.

In recent years, PSEI has taken a variety of steps to decrease expenses, including closing the physical office and decreasing staff costs drastically. Yet it has become clear these steps were not enough. The General Council has been working with the Synod of Lincoln Trails to consider various options and scenarios, and have concluded that a re-structuring of staff is necessary to place us on a stable financial base to enable us to envision a future for PSEI that does not include a worsening financial situation.

The initial information on this re-structuring proposal was presented at the last stated meeting of PSEI, and sent out via e mail and snail mail the following week. In that information was an invitation to join us for a series of Zoom sessions where you can ask questions, provide input on a new job description, and generally offer to the General Council your thoughts. There are two of these sessions left, and we hope you will join us for at least one of these. General Council members are hosting these sessions and welcome your questions. Dates, times, and information to join the Zoom session is below.

The final proposal of the Council will be presented for action at a special called meeting on April 15, 2021, via Zoom. If you would prefer to offer your thoughts in a less public forum, I encourage you to e mail or call me. My contact information is at the end of this e mail.

Blessings – I hope to hear from you soon.
Karen Russell, Moderator
Starting March 1: BOP Invoices Available Only on BoardLink
Invoices will be available only through BoardLink — our convenient, safe, and secure online billing system. This change helps the Board reduce the need for onsite sta while continuing to provide timely and ecient service in a way we can all be proud.
To view your invoice starting March 1, you will need to be registered on BoardLink.

No need to wait — you can register today. Go to pensions.org/boardlink and look for How to enroll.

More information is on the way. Watch in the
coming weeks for an email and letter from the Board with more about your transition to BoardLink — including more about an email from the Board’s business partner, Transactis, you’ll receive March 1.

Questions? Concerns? We’re here to help. Call the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-
PRESPLAN) Monday through Frday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
What if?
Formal or Casual?

During this time of reflection and repentance, we have a unique opportunity to look deeply at how and why we come together as the church . . . how and why we faithfully and sincerely serve God and God's people.

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www.pseillinois.org
Events, Programs, Continuing Education
Leading Your Congregation(s) Through and Beyond COVID
A Workshop on Leading Your Congregation(s) Through and...

Eventbrite - Synod of Lincoln Trails presents A Workshop on Leading Your Congregation(s) Through and Beyond COVID - Thursday, March 18, 2021 - Find event and ticket information.

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www.eventbrite.com
Registration is live on lincolntrails.org.
ReKindle | Columbia Theological Seminary

On  October 18-20, 2021, each congregation that receives a grant will participate in a meeting of the cohort on the campus of Columbia Theological Seminary. Each congregation will consist of a member of the pastoral staff or pastor and a...

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www.ctsnet.edu
March Bible Study
John 2:13-22 (NRSV)
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

  1. A system of exchange had been established so that the faithful could make appropriate animal and monetary offerings in accordance to the religious purity laws followed during Jesus’ time. What is the contemporary equivalent to this in our congregations today?
  2. Do we misunderstand / misinterpret the teachings and statements of Jesus as the religious leaders did in Jesus’ time? And if so, how do we misunderstand / misinterpret? And if not, how do we prevent from making similar missteps?
  3. How might the Presbytery/congregation/committee be guided by this scripture?