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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.
September 15, 2023
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PGR Newsletter
Our Newsletters will go out the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. The deadline for adding information is the Tuesday before at 5 pm. Please note the day that articles are due has been moved to Tuesday through the end of October.
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From Your Lead Presbyter
It is a hard time to be the church.
In recent weeks, the pain and frustration of parish ministry have been evident, as shared in social media posts by pastors leaving the ministry and those deciding to stay, despite the stresses. I’ve also read articles written in response by Ruling Elders and other church members about how tired they are from carrying the weight of service as their congregations age and disengage.
The challenges of ministry are legion: the continuing decline of mainline churches; dwindling resources; the fallout from Covid; political, social, and cultural conflicts that have leeched into our congregations and stayed; the isolation inherent in the vocation of pastoral ministry; the losses we have incurred; and the grief—so much grief.
Not every church leader has had the same experience, of course. But it’s still a hard time to be the church.
You do not have to do this alone. My role as Lead Presbyter includes being a pastor to pastors. I am always available to provide support, to listen, to help you find resources, to pray with and for you. Planning for regional fall gatherings for pastors is underway, with the hope of creating spaces for fellowship and connection. PGR staff and leaders will be on the road in the coming weeks to meet with church members and leaders. The COM is responsible for the health of ministry in the presbytery, which includes the nurture and support of church leaders.
Applications will be available shortly for Oasis grants from The Synod of Lincoln Trails, which will provide up to $1500 to pastors to help them thrive. The Board of Pensions has multiple grants for clergy wellness and wholeness. See the article below for links.
I encourage members to check in on your pastors and for pastors to check in on your colleagues. As the scriptures remind us: "Let us love one another."
Ann
Rev. Ann Schwartz
Lead Presbyter
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Please note: I will NEVER solicit financial assistance or issue vague pleas for help via email. If you have doubts about an email you receive in my name, please call the cell # in my signature to ask me directly. | |
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Webinar on Church Safety Available Soon
A recent FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) webinar titled “Protecting Places of Worship: Fall Religious Observance Security Briefing,” was recorded. After some editing, the link for the presentation will be available for pastors and sessions.
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Clerk's Corner
Friends, it feels like fall is finally here. Of course, I know it isn't. I have lived in the Midwest almost all of my life and I know we will get another heat wave. But for now, I am enjoying pumpkin spice lattes and sweatshirts! Please don't forget to sign up for the remaining of the Session Record Reviews if you are a clerk and you haven't signed up already. If you need more information, please email me at pastorebailey@gmail.com. Email is the easiest way to get ahold of me. Otherwise, you may text or leave a message at 309-371-2511.
I will be out of town in October 7th-12th. I will be out of state for an ordination and then in St. Louis for the Mid Council Gathering.
Once I am finished with Session Record Reviews, we will continue with our monthly zoom clerk meetings. However, don't hesitate to always contact me if you have any questions.
If you have signed up to attend the Davenport Session Record Review and you didn't receive an email from me, I did need to change the time to 8:30 to 11 am due to a doctor appointment for my daughter.
With Session Record Reviews in full swing, I also want to remind you, we are not that far away from Stats season!! I know! But the first Friday of December is when the portal will open for churches. I encourage you to start reviewing last year's stats report. Even without new forms, you can start looking to see what has changed. It will make it easier in a couple of months.
Rev. Elissa Bailey
Presbytery of Great Rivers Stated Clerk
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Not Your Average Boundary Training
The Presbyteries of Great Rivers and Southeastern Illinois are offering joint annual training on misconduct on Zoom on:
Tuesday, October 31-Wednesday, November 1—3:00-5:30 each day
This annual requirement for all PGR ministers, temporary minister members, candidates and elders serving as Commissioned Pastors in PGR may also be met by alternative means. This is the training the presbytery provides at no charge to our members through the generosity of the Synod of Lincoln Trails.
For questions about acceptability of alternative programs or to submit your certificate of completion for 2023 now, please reach out to our Stated Clerk, Elissa Bailey at pastorebailey@gmail.com.
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The Rev. William R. Beattie, 93, died on Thursday, September 7, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa. Private services have been held. During his ministry, Rev. Beattie served churches in Illinois (E. Moline, Sherrard, Rio, Moline) and in Iowa. He was a member of the Presbytery of Great Rivers when he died.
See his obituary for more information: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/davenport-ia/rev-william-beattie-11438895.
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From Your Finance Team
Churches,

We now have 41 of our 85 churches who have paid their 2023 Per Capita dues in full. Thank you to all those who have paid!
Always remember to submit a fully completed remittance form with any check you send to the presbytery. In just the last two months we've received a dozen checks with no remittance form. The completed form helps ensure 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 will be $37.25, an increase of $1. The annual Per Capita mailing should arrive at your church in the next week's mail. This will be mailed to the attention of your clerk of session. Please watch for this. If for some reason you don't receive it, please let us know.
Thanks,
Sabrina McGrath - Bookkeeper
Bill Strawbridge - Treasurer
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Please click on the blocks below to follow the links: | |
Information for Retired Pastors from the Board of Pensions | |
From The Nominating Committee | |
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It is that time of year again when the Nominating Committee (NC) is at work seeking nominations for the next class of officers. We are requesting again your recommendations for Admin Team, Committee on Ministry, Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Personnel Committee, Permanent Judicial Commission, Synod Commissioners, Visioning Team, and General Assembly Commissioners.
To help us with our work we are asking again for clerks or pastors or administrative assistants to fill out the form with contact information for ruling elders able to serve. Thank you to First Presbyterian of Milan, United Church of Woodhull, First Presbyterian of Lincoln, and Hope Presbyterian of Springfield for submitting your forms already.
The form can be found at this link. It is a fillable pdf that can be emailed to either Gary Terpstra at g.terpstra@comcast.net or Cheyanna Losey at cheyannalosey@gmail.com. Or you can print the paper and mail a hard copy to either Gary Terpstra c/o Hope Presbyterian Church, 2211 Wabash Ave, Springfield, IL 62704; or Cheyanna Losey c/o First Presbyterian Church, 110 East Third St, Dixon, IL 61021.
We are requesting that the form be returned to us by October 1, 2023 so we can finish our work. Thank you for your help; we appreciate it.
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Come to the Table is a new food and faith program funded by the Duke Endowment. Applications are now open for the fall cohort of the School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling, an 8-week program designed for faith leaders to learn more about food system issues, the narrative change needed, and how churches can make a difference.
The training program will take place from September 28 to November 16, with sessions taking place weekly on Thursday. Sessions will explore the intersection of food justice, faith, and how our communities discuss and address hunger, ranging from topics like food access and farmers of color to theology and political advocacy. Guest speakers include Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Mark Yaconelli, Rev. Nurya Love Parish, Derrick Weston, Sarah Bowen, and more. Clergy and lay people are invited to participate.
To learn more about the goals, logistics, and curriculum for SFJFS, click here to learn more and click here to apply.
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Apply to Join the Mosaic of Peace Conference in Israel/Palestine in 2024

You are invited to join the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program’s conference to the Holy Land in Israel/Palestine March 4–15, 2024. During this conference, participants will engage with Christian, Muslim, and Jewish leaders; walk in the footsteps of the Prince of Peace and encounter contemporary Palestinians and Israelis; and connect with global and local partners to take meaningful action for a just and lasting peace in the region. Applications are due by October 20, 2023. Browse the webpage for detailed information and to submit an application.
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Jesus & Justice Advocacy Conference
The PC(USA)’s Young Adult Advocacy Conference is coming to Louisville this fall. The Jesus & Justice Advocacy Conference, hosted by the PC(USA), benefits college students and seminarians who want to learn effective ways to stand up for causes they believe in. Taking place from Oct. 20–22 at the Presbyterian Center near Waterfront Park, this free event will be held annually. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to engage with advocacy topics in meaningful ways! Learn more by clicking here!
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The Matthew 25 Summit: An Invitation to Innovation

You are invited to the first-of-its-kind event in Atlanta, GA, on Martin Luther King Jr weekend, January 16–18, 2024. The Matthew 25 Summit will bring mid-councils, churches, and individuals together to explore what it means to eradicate poverty; how can we begin dismantling systemic racism; how will we know if we are building a vital congregation. The event will feature innovative speakers, transformative workshops, and space to imagine what’s next. Learn more at: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/.../matthew-25.../
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PC(USA) Grants and Scholarships

Throughout the year, the Presbyterian Mission Agency offers more than 20 grants and scholarships ranging from $100 to $50,000 awarded to individuals, communities and mid councils. Learn more about these opportunities and more at this article from the Presbyterian News Service or by clicking here.
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Supporting Ministers’ Wholeness
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ministers need the opportunity to step away from the demands of ministry and practice self-care so that they might experience the flourishing of life. That’s why the Board of Pensions provides programs that cultivate wholeness and nurture ministries, like Clergy Wellness Support.
This grant is offered to ministers in partnership with programs that address vocational, spiritual, mental, and physical wellness.
The Board of Pensions has approved the following programs for the grant: · Center for Pastoral Excellence – Clergy Renewal Programs · Horizon Hope Counseling · LeaderWise · MoSeGol · Pilgrim House · The Clergy Program – Davidson Centre for the Professions · The Kineo Center
Ministers may also submit for consideration programs they would like to attend that are not included on this list. Proposed programs must address vocational, spiritual, mental, and/or physical wellness. Grants are up to $5,000, for program and travel fees, once every six years.
To qualify, you must be a PC(USA) minister enrolled in Pastor’s Participation or Minister’s Choice; and have an effective salary that does not exceed $80,000 (excluding manse value).
To apply: · Complete the Clergy Wellness Support application. · Email the application and required documentation to memberservices@pensions.org for review and decision.
· Eligible ministers may apply for support between sabbaticals.
· Call the Board of Pensions with questions at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).
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Advent and Christmas Resources for Pastors and Worship Committees
Advent 4 and Christmas Eve are both on Sunday this year, and Christmas 1 is New Year’s Eve. The Rev. Brad Munroe, Pastor to the Presbytery, Grand Canyon and de Cristo presbyteries, has crafted two liturgies that can be adapted by pastors trying to scramble to write multiple sermons and liturgies in a compressed time. Click on the image below to read the liturgies.
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Update

While there are no PC(USA) congregations on the island of Maui, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is working with the Presbytery of the Pacific to support those impacted by the devastating wildfires. If you would like to support PDA’s response, you can give by phone (800-872-3283), check (mail to Presbyterian Church USA, PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700, with DR000165 in the memo line; or online at pma.pcusa.org. For more updates, follow PDA on Facebook:
PDA on Facebook
As always churches can send their mission money to the presbytery office to be forwarded to Presbyterian Mission. Just fill out the section at the bottom of the remittance form (see link above in Finance for form).
Write GA project name: Hawaii
Wildfires and use project # DR000165
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Presbyterian Giving Catalog

Plan Ahead: Upcoming Opportunities for Generosity
Churches around the country are using the Presbyterian Giving Catalog in fun, creative ways to join together and amplify their impact through group giving activities. As you plan, here are suggestions for special days when it makes sense to lead with a generous spirit.
Pastor Appreciation Month (October): What better way to celebrate your pastor than by having a gift given through the Giving Catalog in their honor?
International Day of the Girl (October 11): What a great day to recognize the vital role women play in all societies. Ask your members to give a gift through the Giving Catalog that helps to empower women and girls around the world. The Women’s Empowerment Project item is a great way to support education and economic opportunities.
World Food Day (October 16): Forty-three million people in 51 countries are on the brink of famine or worse. This is the perfect day to give a gift through the Giving Catalog that will make a meaningful impact around the world. Some of the most popular food items include the Refugee Food Basket, Kitchen Kit and Family Nutrition Starter Pack. You can also use this Bulletin Insert to share a story about the impact that food gifts have had in Cameroon.

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Support the Peace & Global Witness Offering

In 1980, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) passed a resolution that called for peacemaking in our country’s foreign policy direction. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the PC(USA)’s Commitment to Peacemaking (available in English, Spanish and Korean), a tool to help Presbyterian congregations shape their peacemaking ministries.
As congregations receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering on World Communion Sunday, they do so with many concerns on their hearts for our siblings around the world. Climate change, violence, and the refugee crisis in so many countries are humanitarian disasters of particular concern. Congregations understandably feel called to support relief efforts for these impacted communities.
The Offering offers congregations ways to support relief efforts for these issues while also supporting the peacemaking work of their mid councils and the PC(USA). Twenty-five percent of the Offering stays with the congregation and 25% stays with your mid council to support peacemaking and reconciliation in your own community and region. Find resources here. Posters, inserts and minutes for mission for the Peace & Global Witness Offering are also available in Spanish and Korean.
The theme for the 29 days of the 2023 A Season of Peace (available in English only) is Led Forth in Peace: Critical Areas of Engagement for Peacemakers. With these daily reflections, we are invited to reflect upon ways to practice peace by engaging the following critical areas: climate change, nonviolence, the intersection of poverty and racism, and immigration/migration. Sign up here.

When we all do a little, it adds up to a lot!
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Final 2023 Assembly Date
November 11 at Faith United, Monmouth
In-person and Virtual
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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!
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The Presbytery of Carlisle is searching for a Presbytery Leader for Vision and Transformation (formerly the Executive Presbyter position). As a spiritual and relational leader grounded in God, this person, with the Presbytery Leader of Governance and Congregational Leadership (formerly the Stated Clerk), will seek together to find and represent the will of Christ as they work alongside committees, pastors, and Sessions, in fulfillment of the shared mission and common purpose of the presbytery. This position is not only one of collaboration working as a co-leader with the Presbyter Leader of Governance and Congregational Leadership it is also one of leadership serving as the Head of Staff supervising and coordinating the resources of people, property, and finances of the presbytery.
For a full description of the position and to review the Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP) please use the link: Presbytery Leader Search Team - Presbytery of Carlisle (carlislepby.org)
To inquire about the position and/or to submit a Personal Discernment Profile or resume please e-mail Wendell D. Jordan, Chair of the Presbytery Leader Search Team at carpresbysearch@gmail.com by November 15, 2023.
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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
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.
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Get Connected!
Be sure to encourage your congregations, sessions, and even your church newsletter editorial staff and volunteers to be sure 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?
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