Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois Newsletter November 9, 2020 |
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November 19th Presbytery Registration and Information Online
The November 19th Presbytery Meeting will be held virtually via Zoom beginning at 10:00 am.
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by Rev. Bill McLean, II, Presbyter for Congregational Care
There is a claymation commercial by Best Buy that begins with a young woman saying, "You think you know your family. Then boom 2020 happens.
And you spend forever with them in the house." For many of us this commercial opening makes a lot of sense. Before the pandemic we knew how to do things because, even if we had not done it before ourselves, there was someone else who had. Whether we were at home or going to work or gathering for worship, we thought we knew ourselves.
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Virus Mitigation Measures |
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Recently Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that many counties within the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois are under greater virus mitigation measures that started on Thursday, October 22 and these measures have been expanded to additional counties since being announced. News coverage of the new mitigation measures can be found online in The Southern Illinoisan.
These restrictions will limit all indoor gatherings to the lesser of 25 people or 25% room capacity. In the article about the new mitigation measures, Dr. Craig Davis, system director of hospitalist medicine for Southern Illinois Healthcare, said "My appeal to each of you is simple. Wear a mask. Pause large gatherings. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands frequently. Please consider these short-term sacrifices for the greater good. The enemy is the disease, not each other”.
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Congregations Can Get up to $50k to Help Their Pastors Find Renewal |
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Congregations can get up to $50k to help their pastors...
by the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs | Special to Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - Congregations seeking renewal for their pastor are invited to apply to the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at Christian Theological...
Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org
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PC(USA) Co-Moderators to Host Monthly Conversation on Facebook Live |
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Beginning on Wednesday, October 14th, “Good Medicine”, a monthly online conversation with the Co-Moderators of the PC(USA), premiered on Facebook Live.
In the midst of the pandemic and social unrest, the Co-Moderators of the 224th General Assembly, Ruling Elder Elona Street-Stewart and the Reverend Gregory Bentley, are sharing good news and discuss issues that are impacting the world today.
Read more about this new online conversation HERE and follow the news of the conversation on the 224th General Assembly Co-Moderators page on Facebook.
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Updates and Changes from the Board of Pensions |
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Updates from the Board of Pensions.
- Statement on Racial Justice - Read the full text of the statement.
- 2021 Annual Enrollment - The 2021 Employer Agreement determines the benefit options and costs for employees
- Other Notable Headlines - Includes racial justice resources, COVID resources, dental PPO plan and more.
Read all about the updates via clickable links and changes to benefits offerings via the link below.
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From the Presbytery Leadership Team |
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Word has been received that the Reverend Walter Baker, an honorably retired minister member of the presbytery and the former pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Eldorado, has been admitted to the Fountainview Nursing Home in Eldorado. Walter is not up to having visitors though cards would be appreciated. Wlater's mailing address:
Rev. Walter Baker
c/o Fountainview Nursing Home
1001 A Jefferson St.
Eldorado, IL 62930
Please join us in lifting Walter and his family in prayer for grace and healing.
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Events, Programs, Continuing Education |
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Synod of Lincoln Trails Providing (Pre) Advent Offerings for Pastoral Leaders |
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SOLT is bringing you spiritual practices for YOUR refreshment and nurture in November - before you lead your congregations through Advent. SOLT offers four opportunities for pastors and other church leaders who are ministering in churches throughout our eight presbyteries, in order to help you prepare yourself and your spirit for the Advent Season.
These opportunities are for pastors and other church leaders (children and youth directors, bible study leaders, etc.), chaplains and others who are serving in Indiana and Illinois (SOLT's geographical region).You must have access to ZOOM in order to attend, and be able to use the visual feature (not just audio).
Please see class descriptions below.
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Calvin Symposium on Worship Offers a Free Online Learning Experience in January |
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The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship invites you to register for the online Calvin Symposium on Worship, a free online learning experience held January 6-26, 2021, on key topics and themes in worship and the Christian life. Join with participants from around the world through online media to learn and connect together.
This online experience is designed for students and learners of all ages: faculty, artists, musicians, pastors, scholars, teachers, worship leaders and planners, and all other interested worshipers.
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NEXT Church Event Registration Now Open |
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BREAKING, BLESSING, BUILDING
A Call For The Common Good
A FREE Live-Streamed Gathering for ALL Church Leaders
from NEXT Church
March 5-7, 2021
For more information and to register, visit https://nextchurch.net/gathering/2021-national-gathering/
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Executive Team Vacation/Continuing Ed Dates |
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November 9 - 15 - Cindy Vacation
November 22 - 28 - Cindy Vacation
November 23-29 - Bill Vacation
December 25- 31 - Bill Vacation
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Romans 14:13-23 (NRSV)
Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. If your brother or sister is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Questions for Reflection & Discussion
1. While Presbyterians usually do not have discussions about religiously clean and unclean food, are there 2020 examples of “the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”?
2. Are there ways that we have unintentionally (or possibly intentionally) gone against the direction to “Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God”?
3. How might the Presbytery/congregation/committee be guided by this scripture?
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