|
Presbytery of Blackhawk
CONNECTIONS
| |
Summary of 2025 within Blackhawk Presbytery
Marked by many changes, Blackhawk Presbytery continues its story—shaped by the past and attentive to God’s unfolding future.
These changes include — administrative transitions, church leadership transitions, congregational changes, policy changes and if the way be clear, our official name change to "Illinois Prairie Presbytery". For a short summary of highlight of 2025 that you can share with your congregation, click here
| |
Thanksgiving Day Meal with
Park Presbyterian, Streator
| |
|
Patrons enjoying a
Thanksgiving meal together
| | Volunteers: Deb Katcher, Jack Dzurison, Karyn Dzurison, Gigi Lansford | | | | On Thanksgiving Day, volunteers gathered at Park Place (part of Park Presbyterian Church) in Streator to continue the beloved tradition of the Streator Ministerial Association’s Thanksgiving Dinner. This long running ministry is a joint effort between several congregations in Streator and is supported financially by many local individuals and businesses. Between the people sharing food and community around the tables at Park Place and to-go and delivery orders, volunteers served 135 pounds of turkey to a total of 510 dinners. Park Presbyterian and the whole Streator Ministerial Association are delighted that the annual Thanksgiving Dinner has become a part of so many people’s holiday celebrations, and we are so thankful for the small army who is committed to carrying out Jesus’ feeding ministry in Streator. | |
Through your Special Offerings....
Through gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing, the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program deployed 86 members of the National Response Team (NRT) for natural and human-caused disasters in 25 presbyteries. Seventy-five grants were disbursed, totaling $879,016 to support long-term recovery, disaster preparedness and capacity building. NRT members also responded to wildfires, tornadoes and hurricanes.
Your gifts to the Pentecost Offering enabled more than 2,000 youth and their leaders to attend the Presbyterian Youth Triennium in Louisville for four days of worship, recreation, Bible study, outreach and faith formation.
With the help of your gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering, the Board of Pensions was able to disburse more than $5.6 million in grants and supplements to help our siblings during times of financial crisis.
| | |
2025 Session Annual Statistical Reports
The annual statistical reporting information has been mailed to each Clerk of Session. Every year, each session is asked to provide basic information about the membership of the congregation and the financial activities of the church over the last year.
This year’s annual reporting period for sessions will open on January 2, 2026, and close on February 16, 2026.
If you have any questions or have not received your packet, please contact jeannette@blackhawkpresbytery. org.
| | |
The condensed minutes of the November 18, 2025 assembly meeting can be found here.
| | | | Important Changes for 2026 | | The 2026 mileage rate by the IRS has not been set yet. Check back in our next connections. | |
Five for Five Challenge for Congregations
Let's strengthen our mission,
ministry and community
| | The Presbytery assembly has approved the 2026 Per Capita rate of $45.00 per member. | After years of study and reflection on the history of the name “Blackhawk” and the story of the land on which we serve, the Land and Name Acknowledgement Task Force brought forward a recommendation to change our name. Through a presbytery-wide ranked-choice vote, the Assembly affirmed this recommendation on November 18, 2025, selecting the name Illinois Prairie Presbytery. If the way be clear, this new name will take effect on March 13, 2026. | |
Innovate. Inspire. Illuminate.
Luminosity Conference
March 9 -11, 2026
Orlando, Florida
Our first-ever pastoral leadership conference is a transformational event designed to empower and equip pastors and church leaders for the challenges of today's world. With a focus on innovation, inspiration, and illumination, this conference offers a unique opportunity to explore fresh perspectives, ignite passion for ministry, and discover new strategies for leading with purpose. Through dynamic sessions, powerful speakers, and meaningful connections, we aim to inspire growth and impact that will extend far beyond the conference itself. For more information or to register, check out the link below.
www.luminosityconference.org
| | | 2026 Assembly Meeting Dates | | |
February 10, 2026 - Evening by Zoom Only
May 19, 2026 - In Person only at
Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center
September 15, 2026 - Morning By Zoom Only
November 10, 2026 - In Person Only at location TBD
| |
2026 Confirmation Retreat
February 6 - 8, 2026
Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center
Have a confirmation class (anyone that is in Grades 6-8) that would benefit from the opportunity to join other seekers and leaders from the connectional church? Then this event, designed to supplement an ongoing confirmation class or kick-off a new class, is for you!
To register, use the below link:
Stronghold Confirmation Retreat 2026 Registration
For more information, go to our website page
2026 Confirmation Retreat - Blackhawk Presbytery
| | |
January Ordination and Commission Anniversaries
Caleb Suydam - 2014
Roy Backus - 1970
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
| |
Lord, hear our prayer....
Gracious and faithful GOD,
As we stand at the threshold of a new year, we give thanks for your presence with us in the year now ending — for moments of joy and growth, for challenges that shaped us, and for your steady grace that never failed. Bless this coming year of 2026. Go before us into the days we cannot yet see. Grant us wisdom for the decisions we will make, courage for the changes we will face, and patience for the work that unfolds slowly. Renew our hope where it has grown weary, strengthen our faith when the way feels uncertain, and deepen our love for one another and for the world you so dearly love.
| | |
Make us attentive to your Spirit— ready to listen, eager to serve, and faithful in our witness.
May our words bring healing, our actions bring justice, and our lives reflect the grace we have received. We place the year ahead in your care, trusting that you will be with us in every season.
All this we pray in gratitude and hope.
Amen.
| | |
Are you doing something new or interesting in your church from which others might learn?
You have a standing invitation to send us articles, pictures or information to share.
Please send them to office@blackhawkpresbytery.org
| | |
Solo Pastor: Installed
Westminster, Rockford
Associate Pastor (Christian Education)
First, Joliet
Commissioned Ruling Elder
Fulton, Fulton
Solo Pastor; Installed
Westminster, Dekalb
| | |
Solo Pastor: Installed
First, Fairbury
Commissioned Ruling Elder
First, Fairbury
Solo Pastor, Yoked Ministry
First, Mendota
Transitional/Interim Pastor
First, Rochelle
See the CLC for more info - anyone can do an opportunity search
| |
Blackhawk Presbytery Staff
General Presbyter/Stated Clerk
Rev. Eric Heinekamp | 779-771-1896 | Email: eric@blackhawkpresbytery.org
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm; some evenings.
works remotely
Associate Stated Clerk
Rev. David Spaulding | 815-677-2801 | Email: revspaulding@gmail.com
Office hours: As needed basis, part-time, works remotely
Treasurer
Pastor Alan Willadsen | 309-683-6981 | Email: awilladsen@att.net
Office hours: As needed basis, part-time, works remotely
Administrative Assistant
Jeannette Sheehan | 779-771-2088 | Email: jeannette@blackhawkpresbytery.org
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Works remotely except for Tuesdays
in which she is in the office.
| | |
CALENDAR
Presbytery Meeting
February 10, 2026
5:30 pm
Zoom only
| | | |
PER CAPITA
The per capita assessment for:
2026 is $45.00
Church payments are posted monthly on the website
| | |
|
Presbytery of Blackhawk
Our Vision and Values
Grounded in the biblical image for human community, as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we challenge and support congregations to be thriving faith communities by facilitating competent leadership and resourcing to energize ministry and mission.
As Christians, guided by the principles of love, trust, open communication, and genuine relationships, we value each other as sisters and brothers in faith in all our varied theological understandings. Therefore, we relish respectful discussions of differing opinions as a necessary part of discerning the will of God.
| |
| | | |
