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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.
March 8, 2024
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PGR Newsletter Schedule
Newsletters go out the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Please send any articles for publication to Crystal by Tuesdays at 5 pm.
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From the Lead Presbyter
Nearly 40 pastors and elders representing more than a dozen Great Rivers congregations gathered at hospitable United Church of Woodhull on April 25, a beautiful Sunday afternoon, for the first Shared Ministry gathering.
The Rev. Drew Nagle introduced options—for pastoral models, for sharing ministries and ministers, and for joining together for mission. Elders from the Coal Valley and Orion churches described the healthy partnership their congregations have forged. Small groups met to discuss the particular challenges their churches face and the hopeful signs they see for connecting with others in creative ways.
As we reflected on the changed (and changing) landscape in which the Church finds itself, it was evident that life-giving possibilities will look different for every congregation. Some of our churches will need to partner with other churches—to share space or pastoral leadership. Some will join forces with other congregations for programs, special worship services, and mission initiatives, allowing them to have greater impact in their communities. What was evident is that our efforts to do more together will strengthen the church.
The dates and regions (specific sites have not yet been determined) for future Shared Ministry gatherings are:
April 14: Faith United Presbytery, Yates City (confirmed)
June 2: Macomb area
June 23: Jacksonville area/Springfield area
July 14: Bloomington/Normal area
August 11: to be determined
Please join us at a conversation near you. Times and host churches will be announced shortly.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Ann Schwartz
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PGR Churches Certified as Earth Care Congregation
Two Springfield congregations, First Presbyterian Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church, have been certified as Earth Care Congregations by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Presbyterian Hunger Program through February 2025. The Earth Care Congregation certification is designed to recognize churches that make the commitment to take seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden.
To become Earth Care Congregations, these churches affirmed an Earth Care Pledge to integrate environmental practices and thinking into their worship, education, facilities, and outreach.
Started in 2010 by the PC(USA), the goal of this program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all aspects of their church life. For more information on the Earth Care Congregations program visit www.pcusa.org/earthcarecongregations.
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Celebration of Ordination Anniversaries
March 2, 1980 – The Rev. Forrest Krummel, Retired
March 2, 1980 – The Rev. Susan Krummel, Retired
March 4, 2013 – The Rev. Edwin Brinklow, First Presbyterian Church, Canton
March 13, 2011 – The Rev. Christopher Williams, Member at Large
March 19, 2017 – The Rev. Jessical Hawkinson Dorow, Member at Large
March 28, 1993 – The Rev. Dr. Laura Brookens Reason, Retired
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NEXT Church is a network of leaders across the Presbyterian Church (USA) who believe the church of the future will be more relational, more diverse, more collaborative, more hopeful, and more agile. On April 8-11, 2024, NEXT Church is hosting a National Gathering in Falls Church, VA. The gathering focuses on several areas to equip and empower those on the ground seeking to bring new life to their communities:
- Community Organizing: Chris DeLa Cruz and Brett Pinder
- Community Partnerships: Ashley Goff
- Leading Change: Patrick Reyes
- Identity and Coalition-building for People of Color: Jessica Vazquez Torres
- Intersectionality: Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava
- Preaching: Paul Roberts
More information on the many options to participate in National Gathering
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Community Circle: Small Church
Are you an educator, volunteer, pastor, commissioned pastor (CRE, CLP), that serves as a leader in a small church (less than 100 members)?
You are invited to register for this Community Circle designed especially for those leaders in small churches, offered six times March 2024 – November 2024. Come to every one-hour Zoom gathering, or when you can, but come to share in conversation and learn, ask questions, receive and share resources for ministry and support one another. Each gathering will feature a question or topic just to get the conversation going related to Faith Formation leadership in small churches, then discussion can go from there. So come ready to participate in the conversation.
More information and register here.
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Wilderness Christian Camp
Register now for summer camp, which will be held June 9-14, 2024 at Stronghold Camps & Retreat Center near Oregon, IL. The rustic setting includes 2 wooden cabins that sleep 8 each, pavilion, picnic tables, cold running water, and a porta potty in each unit. Campers will cook their own meals over a campfire, clean up the dishes, and gather the firewood needed for each meal.
Activities include Bible study, worship, and swimming each day; crafts, hiking, time in nature, games. There will be special events as well: a castle tour and trunk treats for everyone, and high ropes, canoeing and/or initiatives for older campers. Archery will be new this year.
Costs: Junior Campers (3rd-5th grades): $200; Junior High (6th-8th grades): $250; CIT (high school): $250
For more information on the camping experience, go to www.wildernesschristiancamp.org or check out the Facebook page: Wilderness Christian Camp. For individuals or congregations who would like to support the camp with your financial gifts, call Mary Watts, member at Faith United PC in Yates City, at 309-645-8988.
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Making a More Inclusive Church | |
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Clerk's Corner
Dear Clerks,
You have all been amazing! Thank you for your diligence in getting in your forms and submitting your stats! I know it is a lot of work to get all of this together and I so appreciate it. We all do!
As we enter March, in like a lion, out like a lamb (thanks Mother Nature), things are going to start feeling a little more normal in the clerk world. For whatever "normal" might mean. I will begin resuming Clerk Convos. The next Clerk's Convo will be March 19th at 10am. This is usually an hour long and a time for any clerks to join me over zoom. Come to hear what others have to ask or come with your own questions, thoughts, or dilemmas. There is no set agenda. Instead, it is about what your needs are. The link for the zoom meeting is below.
Also, March means a little bit of traveling for me. I will be out of the office but available March 10th through the 13th for the Synod of Lincoln Trails COM/CPM Event. I will also be out of the office and UNAVAILABLE March 25th through 29th. I will be soaking up some vitamin D on a beach in Cancun!

As always, please let me know if you need anything! Email is the best way to get ahold of me. pastorebailey@gmail.com or 309-371-2511
Elissa Bailey (she/her/hers) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Clerk of Session Meeting
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82477487297?pwd=ZXNIc29YRit3cTE2SGhsK0N5YzUrZz09
Meeting ID: 824 7748 7297
Passcode: 83221

Thank you,
Elissa Bailey
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Job Postings and Classifieds
Have a story to contribute?
Congregations and presbytery groups are encouraged to submit items of interest to office@greatriverspby.org.
Need to post a job, classified, or church need?
To advertise a job, classified, or church need, send a description and details to office@greatriverspby.org.
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Open Searches for Pastoral Leadership in Great Rivers

Associate Pastor for Family Ministry, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Springfield
More information
Solo Pastor, College Avenue Presbyterian Church
More information
Solo Pastor, Hamlet-Perryton Presbyterian Church
More information
Pastor, Yoked Ministry, New Windsor Presbyterian Church and Rio Presbyterian Church
More information
Are you interested in part-time or interim pastoral service?
Contact LP Ann Schwartz at 309-683-6983
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Learn about Board of Pension Changes for 2025
Mark your calendars – you are invited. Rev. Dr. Ken Green, Church Consultant for the BOP, is the liaison to the Presbytery of Great Rivers. After the changes to the 2025 BOP coverage are adopted in March 2024, he is visiting all of his presbyteries. He will be presenting for an hour about the changes on Thursday, April 11, at 10:00 AM at the Committee on Ministry meeting at United Presbyterian Church, Peoria.
We are inviting all of our congregations to send to that presentation the person from your church who deals with the BOP.
All will be welcome, but we will ask for RSVPs for set up and for those staying for lunch at 11:30. Stay tuned for more details on registration!
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COM Wants to Connect with You
The new COM Pastoral Care Team is looking to connect with your congregation. Would you please add pgrnewsletters@gmail.com to the email distribution listing for your church’s monthly newsletter? We’d like to read all about it and be able to celebrate anniversaries and other special events in your church with you.
Thank you! Mary Watts
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From Your Finance Team
Churches,
We are quickly working our way through the first quarter of 2024.
Please be sure submit a fully completed remittance form with any check you send to the presbytery. This ensures 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 is $37.25, an increase of $1.00
2024 Per Capita is based on your final membership numbers reported for 2022. The annual Per Capita mailing was sent late last fall to the mailing address we have for your church. Packets were mailed to the attention of your clerk of session. If for some reason you didn't receive it, please let us know.
We’ll happily send you another copy.
We’ve already had 10 churches pay their 2024 per capita in full.
Thank you to Carlinville, Clayton, Coal Valley, Divernon, Eureka, Greenview, Media, Morton, Oneida & Reynolds!
Annual reporting
It’s time once again for these - be sure to complete your Church Session (Trustees) Annual Report for 12/31/23. Be sure to include your certificate of insurance coverage (covering 2024). These were part of the annual statistical paperwork sent out by stated clerk Elissa Bailey. Completed forms should be returned via email or snail mail to Elissa. We’re also working to update our contact information. A form 2024 Financial Contact Person was included in the annual paperwork. Please take the time to complete & return it. This information is vital if the presbytery needs to reach out to your church.
We appreciate all who have already responded by completing their forms!
Please reach out to either of us with any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Sabrina McGrath - Bookkeeper
Bill Strawbridge- Treasurer
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Opportunities for Church Leaders | |
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Saturday, April 20th - 10 am in-person with Zoom option at 1st Pres. Milan
Saturday, August 24th -10 am in-person with Zoom option at 2nd Pres., Bloomington
Saturday, November 9th - 10 am in-person with Zoom option at United Pres., Peoria
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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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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
Ann's Sabbath Day is Friday.
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 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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